RYEY – Chapter 117 A Thrilling Commendation Ceremony

“Li Huan, whose family is this young lady from?”

Following the fleshy man’s finger, Li Huan’s heart skipped a beat, but his face remained full of smiles as he pointed at his own nose: “My wife.”

The fleshy man’s brow furrowed ever so slightly. Such a young and beautiful woman, married to this rascal? Hmph, what a waste.

But to give her up so easily—he was reluctant. This little lady was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. Even if it were just for one night of spring warmth, it would be worth it.

“Does your wife have a job?”

“My wife is an educated youth sent down to the countryside. She makes a living by farming.”

“I have some connections in the county. I can arrange a primary school teacher’s position for your wife, and it’ll be a permanent one. What do you think?”

“That’s great. I’ll ask her later.”

The fleshy man had thought Li Huan would refuse outright, but he didn’t expect this guy to be so cooperative. Clearly, he didn’t know how to cherish a woman. Heh, at least he knew his place.

Chen Weidang walked over with a red paper flower in his hand. Seeing Li Huan already chatting amiably with the county leader, he nodded in satisfaction.

“Li Huan, come, put on this red flower. Wait for the leader’s speech, then you’ll receive your award.”

The fleshy man patted Li Huan on the shoulder, strutted to the front, and Chen Weidang picked up a loudspeaker and shouted: “Quiet! Quiet!”

The drying yard instantly fell silent. The fleshy man took the loudspeaker in one hand and his prepared manuscript in the other, and began reading in a singsong tone.

It was nothing more than praise of Li Huan’s bravery and his heroic act of eliminating harm for the people. When he reached the words “heroic” and “brave,” the fleshy man paused slightly—this rascal, worthy of such words?

At the end, he invited Li Huan up to say a few words. Li Huan, of course, wasn’t afraid. With the red flower pinned to his chest, he strode up proudly and smiled at the crowd.

Actually, he had prepared a bellyful of words, most of them to praise his wife, Cheng Qiao. But today, sensing the fleshy man’s lustful gaze on her, Li Huan quickly changed his plan.

When the fleshy man heard that Li Huan had fought two men single-handedly without losing ground, his eyes flickered. He hadn’t expected this rascal to be so capable. He had subordinates, yes, but they weren’t tools he could use at will.

Li Huan spoke for several minutes, then bowed to the crowd to show his thanks. The fleshy man quickly took a pair of thermos flasks tied with red cords from someone nearby and handed them to Li Huan.

“To commend your bravery, the commune has decided to award you a pair of thermos flasks as encouragement.”

“Thank you, leader. Thank you, leader.”

Li Huan received them with both hands. They were nice—bright red with golden patterns, very festive.

“Please invite Li Huan’s wife, Cheng Qiao, to come up and share her thoughts.”

Li Huan was just about to take the thermos flasks back when, to his annoyance, the fleshy man grabbed the loudspeaker and directly called Cheng Qiao up. This sudden change made Li Huan extremely displeased.

Just moments earlier, Cheng Qiao had been sparring wits with Miao Qing and hadn’t noticed the fleshy man at all. When she heard her name called, she instinctively looked up.

With just one glance, Cheng Qiao recognized him. Wasn’t he Chen Chunhua’s paramour? The way he looked at her made her skin crawl.

“I’m pregnant. It’s inconvenient for me to speak loudly.”

The fleshy man was stunned. Pregnant? Her belly didn’t look big at all—perhaps it was still early and not showing yet. If that was the case, it would be easy to handle; a hospital visit could take care of it.

Seeing she was unwilling to speak, he didn’t press. He had his ways of dealing with women—never by force. That would only make him lose face.

Since Li Huan’s commendation was over, Chen Weidang quickly handed another manuscript to the fleshy man. Individual awards were done; now it was time for the collective ones.

The fleshy man, however, was impatient. His mind was occupied with how to lure Cheng Qiao to the county. He skimmed the paper, reading only the first and last paragraphs, skipping the middle entirely.

Chen Weidang, who had spent several sleepless nights drafting it, nearly exploded with anger. Less than a minute’s reading! But he dared not speak out.

Perhaps realizing his slight, the fleshy man casually pulled two packs of cigarettes from his pocket and handed them to Chen Weidang as compensation.

The villagers, unaware that these came from the fleshy man’s own pocket, thought they were county rewards. They all reached out eagerly—wanting a taste of cigarettes.

Li Huan, worried Cheng Qiao might get jostled, escorted her home first. Miao Qing looked hopefully at Li Bing, but he didn’t spare her a glance. Left with no choice, she sulked away.

Back home, she found her clothes and bedding bundled up and tossed outside the door. Confused, she wondered what had happened.

“Your father said you already have a husband’s family. From now on, don’t come back here.”

Miao Qing was shocked. She had been planning to steal the remaining hundred yuan of betrothal money, but now she had been cast out. Looking at her indecisive mother, she picked up her bedding and headed toward the Li family’s home.

At the Li household’s gate, just as she was about to knock, she saw someone already standing there. The figure quickly dodged aside when they noticed her. Miao Qing hesitated for a long time before finally raising her hand to knock.

“Who’s there?”

Inside, the Lis were still laughing and praising Li Huan. Thinking it was a neighbor, they opened the door without waiting for a reply.

“Mother, it’s me.”

“Miao Qing, why are you here?”

Mother Li grew anxious at the sight of Miao Qing with her bedding in tow.

“Mother, my parents kicked me out. They said I already have a husband’s family and won’t let me go home. It’s freezing out—I beg you not to leave me to die.”

“This…”

Mother Li felt a headache coming on. She didn’t want Miao Qing to enter, but the betrothal gift had been paid. She was, by all rights, part of their family. Still, they hadn’t yet gone through the formal wedding, so how could she come on her own?

“I’m only renting here. Come with me to the county, I’ll find a guesthouse for you.”

Li Bing, hearing the commotion, walked out. He looked coldly at Miao Qing and said this. Her heart sank—this man was too harsh. But thinking of the old bachelor she had married in her previous life, she decided it was still worth it.

Mother Li watched her son put on his military coat and leave with Miao Qing. Her heart ached. Their family’s life had just begun to improve, yet Li Bing had to face such troubles.

“Auntie, don’t be afraid. I’m not a bad person.”

Mother Li stepped back in shock, about to shut the courtyard gate, when a man suddenly darted forward, grabbing the latch. She screamed in fright.

Hearing his mother’s cry, Li Huan grabbed a hoe from the corner and rushed out. At the gate stood an extremely handsome man, straight and tall.