RYEY – Chapter 130 Li Huan Becomes the Village Head

“Based on the investigation results, we have decided to revoke Chen Weidang’s position as village head of Xiangyang Village. In addition, today we are holding a villagers’ representative meeting, asking everyone to vote, and promptly elect a new village cadre.”

Not only was Chen Weimin stunned, but all the villagers of Xiangyang Village looked in disbelief at the leading official who was speaking. Normally, Chen Weidang was fair and just; he was considered a good cadre.

But no one dared to speak up. Everyone understood that Chen Weidang had been implicated by Chen Weimin. If they recklessly opened their mouths, who knew what consequences would befall them.

“Villagers, the commune has a candidate. If you agree to him being the village head, please stand on the right. If you disagree, stand on the left. Abstentions are not allowed.”

Seeing that no one spoke, the commune leader picked up a loudspeaker and shouted again. This time, there was finally a reaction.

“Who is it?”

“How should I know?”

“Could it be Chen Shuigen?”

“Bah! That would be worse than you taking the post yourself.”

“Our candidate is Comrade Li Huan. Not long ago, he bravely fought against criminals and was commended by both the commune and the public security bureau. So, villagers, please cast your votes.”

Li Huan’s jaw dropped. He rubbed his ears, hardly believing what he just heard. The villagers, too, fell from whispering into complete silence.

“I agree.”

Without hesitation, Chen Weidang walked to the right. He knew Li Huan well—though a bit roguish in demeanor, he had a genuinely good heart. Cuihua’s eyes turned red, but she still followed her husband’s steps firmly.

“I agree too.”

Aunt Wang also stepped forward. Wang Duocai was still hesitating when Wang Xianghua shoved him out. With Lele’s second brother as village head, their family could only benefit.

Uncle Niu silently moved to the right, followed by Ye Jun. Chen Dazhu lifted his chin and strode over quickly, dragging along a very reluctant Xu Laidi.

All the educated youths at the educated youth site also walked over. Li Huan glanced at Chai Jianmin and Wang Qin, feeling puzzled—weren’t they usually at odds with Cheng Qiao? Why were they agreeing?

Seeing even Chen Weidang go to the right, the rest of the villagers exchanged glances, then gradually shifted their steps in the same direction. Before long, only Fenqiu’s family and Chen Weimin’s family were left standing stupidly far away.

“You two disagree? Please state your reasons.”

The commune leader narrowed his eyes. Fenqiu was so scared that he bolted toward the right side, babbling as he walked: “Leader comrade, I don’t disagree, I was just stunned. Li Huan’s elder brother is my son-in-law, after all.”

The commune leader was shocked—Li Huan’s elder brother was a soldier, and soldiers weren’t allowed to marry privately. Li Huan gritted his teeth in anger, but this wasn’t the time to throw punches.

“Reporting to the leader, they haven’t formally married yet. He still needs to be taken to the military district for assessment over a period of time before it’s confirmed.”

The commune leader nodded in satisfaction. That was better. If they had formally married into such a family, it would only drag everyone down.

Since the villagers had unanimously agreed to Li Huan as the new village head, the commune leaders told him to report to the commune the next day to handle the formalities, then prepared to leave.

“Leaders, it’s getting late. Why don’t you come to my house for a simple meal? Village Head—no, former village head—you too. Auntie Cuihua, my wife is pregnant, could you lend a hand?”

“Alright…”

Cuihua was moved and immediately headed down toward the foot of the mountain. The commune leaders exchanged looks and nodded. Their stomachs were indeed growling—it would be a chance to see if this young man had wits about him.

Wang Xianghua had already rushed to bring the good news to Cheng Qiao. Knowing that the family had to host a meal, she sent him to call Mother Li and Li Le back—they would need help.

Cheng Qiao then pulled out fine white flour from her hidden space—three parts white flour and one part corn flour, mixed together to make dumpling wrappers. She also took out a slab of streaky pork, half fat, half lean, along with various seasonings.

As she cut the pork into small pieces and prepared to mince it, Mother Li and Cuihua arrived. Three adults and two little girls all pitched in, and before long, trays were lined with neatly wrapped dumplings.

Cheng Qiao also fetched a chicken from the kitchen cabinet, chopped it up, and simmered it in a large pot with angelica and other medicinal herbs, just for making dumpling soup.

Seeing Cheng Qiao so generous, Cuihua’s gaze flickered. She thought of how every New Year, Li Huan would bring pork and other good things to her family. Her heart ached—her husband had lost the village head’s position, and now this little rascal would never visit them again. It was all Chen Weimin’s fault for raising such a disgrace and dragging their family down too.

Hearing voices outside, Cheng Qiao hurriedly carried out a kettle, bowls, and of course some brown sugar. In weather this cold, standing outside for an hour could freeze someone stupid.

When the guests entered the hall, a wave of warmth hit them, along with a faint fragrance. Their eyes swept the room and landed on a pot of vivid red flowers on the table—astonishing in this season.

But when they touched them, they realized the flowers were fake, crafted from paper. Yet something had been sprinkled on them that gave off fragrance.

“Who made these? Quite novel. And what’s sprinkled on the paper?”

“My wife made them—roses, she calls them. She sprinkled fragrant water on them, but it’s been a while, so most of the scent has faded.”

Li Huan answered proudly. His wife always came up with new, ingenious ideas that surprised him.

“Mm, these are good. Otherwise, with the stove burning and the house sealed tight, the air would be unbearable.”

“You’re right, leader. In a few days, I’ll have my wife make more, sprinkle them with fragrant water, and send some to your office. My wife is really skillful—she can even make miniature roses and morning glory flowers…”

The commune leaders nodded in satisfaction. Just then, the door suddenly opened, and a pretty young woman walked in with a kettle. They all thought to themselves that Li Huan was truly lucky.

They weren’t entirely ignorant of Liu Yong’s situation either. With Cheng Qiao being this beautiful, no wonder Liu Yong had taken a liking to her and recommended her to teach at the primary school. Of course, he had ulterior motives.

But since he was now out of the picture, her teaching position wasn’t going to be taken away—otherwise, the principal himself wouldn’t know how to explain it.

Everyone was soon holding a steaming bowl of brown sugar ginger tea, sweating at the forehead after drinking. After a short rest, Mother Li and Cuihua carried in several large bowls of pork dumplings.

The dumplings, plump like little pigs, made everyone’s mouths water. Even as commune leaders, they rarely had the chance to eat dumplings.

But when they sipped the dumpling soup, they all exchanged glances—this wasn’t just ordinary dumpling broth, it was chicken soup.

At that moment, their impression of the Li family rose even higher. After all, in the ten-plus years that Chen Weidang had served as village head, none of them had ever eaten a single meal at his house.