Chapter 326 - 324: Selflessness

As expected of Yun Jiao. A true warrior.

"Of course, in return, Yun Jiao brought some of his belongings back with her."

The village chief coughed twice and continued.

Finally, everyone listening understood where the money had come from.

’What on earth did she bring back? It was enough to not only renovate but also expand the village temple and ancestral hall.’

After all, those two structures took up the most space in the entire village, and when the ancestors first built them, they had been the finest constructions.

"Those things were sold for a bit of money—sixty thousand in total."

"What?!!!"

"Sixty thousand!!!"

The crowd below couldn’t stay in their seats any longer. Sixty thousand yuan! Their entire families hadn’t managed to save even ten thousand over the past several years!

In those days, having ten thousand yuan made you a "ten-thousand-yuan household," a status worthy of being praised in the papers.

Their village had yet to produce a single one.

Of course, Yun Jiao’s family had no intention of taking that title. "Ten-thousand-yuan household" sounded impressive, but it brought more trouble than it was worth.

Their family had plenty of secrets; it wasn’t wise for them to stick their necks out.

So one can imagine the immense impact that sixty thousand yuan had on everyone.

Even though the village chief shouted for quiet several times, his voice was completely drowned out by the excited roar of the crowd.

Some of the lazier villagers, whose minds were less than upright, even started muttering curses under their breath.

"What a bunch of idiots. They had all that money and didn’t even keep it for themselves, using it to renovate the temple and ancestral hall instead. Why does nothing that good ever happen to me?"

"Sixty thousand! That’s sixty thousand, not six hundred yuan. The Yun Linhai family is really something, to just give it all away."

Although many people secretly thought the family was foolish, they couldn’t help but admire them.

’If they had gotten that money, they definitely wouldn’t have given it away.’

"Everyone, quiet down! Do you want to hear the rest or not?"

This time it was the village’s Party Secretary who shouted, and he quickly managed to calm the villagers down.

"Lin Hai, come up and tell everyone why you decided to donate the money."

Yun Linhai stood up nervously. He had agreed to this beforehand with the village chief and Party Secretary; he was supposed to say a few words.

Yun Linhai had prepared and memorized a speech, but at that moment, he was so nervous he forgot every word.

"Uhm, uh... I’m not a good speaker. It’s better if my nephew, Chen Nan, says it." Then he scurried away.

The Village Chief: ...

The Party Secretary: ...

Yun Chen Nan: ...

Everyone else: ...

With no other choice, Yun Chen Nan stood up.

He, however, wasn’t nervous. He had given speeches in front of his entire school before.

"Uncles and Aunts, everyone must be wondering why our family would give away *all* the money to renovate the village temple and ancestral hall."

He stressed the word "all" to make it clear to everyone that his family hadn’t kept any of the money; it had all been handed over to the village chief.

"First, it’s because of my little sister, Yun Jiao. After visiting the village temple and ancestral hall the other day, she came home saying the buildings were falling apart. She said that Mazu, the Dragon King, the other immortals, and our ancestors must be uncomfortable and unhappy living in such conditions. She was worried that if they were displeased, they would no longer protect our safety when we go out to sea."

This was, of course, an artistic embellishment. In reality, Yun Jiao’s primary concern had been ensuring the safety of her own family at sea.

But the way Yun Chen Nan told it, it became about her worrying for the entire village.

To suggest Mazu might not protect everyone was an absolute taboo for people who lived by the sea.

Otherwise, even the best of friends would become enemies.

It was more serious than cursing someone to their face.

"Coincidentally—and I don’t know if it was Mazu’s guidance—Jiaojiao went out to sea again. While playing with the killer whale, she went to a much deeper part of the ocean.

That’s where she discovered the skeleton. We have no idea how old it was, but it had gold jewelry and gems on it.

Jiaojiao had heard us say that all people wish for their ashes to be returned to their homeland and be buried in peace after they die. She remembered that, so she took pity on the skeleton, brought it up from the seabed, and buried it on a small island. As for the valuables, you could say they were payment for a proper burial."

"But since the items came from a dead body, no one in our family dared to keep them. Jiaojiao said she wanted to use them to repair the temple and ancestral hall. She wanted to make our ancestors and Mazu happy so they would better protect all of us from the village when we go out to sea."

"So, after our family discussed it, we went to the village chief, sold the items, and decided to donate all the money to renovate and expand the village temple and ancestral hall. Any money left over will be used for repairing village roads, helping the impoverished elderly, and sending children to school who can’t afford it."

"That’s all I have to say. If anyone has questions, the village chief and the Party Secretary will do their best to answer them."

Smooth. He had successfully directed everyone’s attention back to the village chief and the Party Secretary.

"Village Chief, when will the construction start?"

"Is there really that much money? It feels like a dream."

"Village Chief, my family doesn’t have money, but I’ve got a strong back. We can’t contribute funds for the temple and ancestral hall, but we can definitely contribute our labor!"

"That’s right, Village Chief! We don’t have money, but we’ve got plenty of strength!"

Many others quickly chimed in with support.

The village chief nodded in satisfaction. Most of the villagers were good, conscientious people.

Of course, every village has a few bad apples.

The village chief glanced at a few villagers of questionable character, whose eyes were darting about as they were clearly scheming something.

"That’s what I was thinking as well. Yun Jiao’s family has taken care of the money, so the rest of us can contribute our labor. This will show Mazu and our ancestors that we aren’t a bunch of lazy shirkers."

"We’ve already contacted suppliers for the materials, and a portion of the payment has been made. My son will show everyone the invoice later.

The Party Secretary and I have deposited the remaining money in the bank. We will withdraw it as needed for future expenses and keep a detailed ledger for everyone to inspect. We will ensure every cent of this money is put to good use!"

The Party Secretary stood up as well. "This is a wonderful thing. As long as we all work together, the future of Bailong Village will only get brighter, and our children’s lives will improve.

Starting tomorrow, all able-bodied men in the village will go to the temple and ancestral hall to carefully remove the deity statues and ancestral tablets. Then, we will tear down the old structures to rebuild."

"And of course, we must commend Young Comrade Yun Jiao and her family for their selfless dedication to the community."

Led by the Party Secretary, everyone broke into applause.

Yun Linhai and his family could only keep smiling and nodding.

When the meeting ended, their family was immediately surrounded by villagers asking one question after another.

Yun Jiao and her brothers slipped through the crowd and made their escape.

Adult socialization was a matter for adults to handle.

"Jiaojiao! Yun Jiao, you’re so amazing!"

Yun Jiao had escaped the adults’ socializing, but she couldn’t escape the children’s.

She was surrounded by a group of village children, all looking at her with eyes full of admiration.

"My mom and dad said you’re amazing! Even more amazing than your third brother who got into university. They said you’re the most incredible kid in our whole village!"

"Yun Jiao, want some candy? I have half a piece left."

Yun Jiao recoiled. "I don’t want it!"

’Get that slobbery piece of candy away from me!’