Chapter 98: Late-Night Visitor, Little Rascal!

The leadership training session would not conclude until the following afternoon, which meant they had to wait until then before returning home.

Ming Dai planned to take advantage of this extra day to stroll around the county town, hoping to find some bargains. She also wanted to take a photo of Zhou Sinian.

This was something she had decided even before coming to town.

Zhou Sinian’s current outfit was far too ahead of its time. She had to capture it as a keepsake—just in case he later denied ever wearing it.

The unsuspecting Zhou Sinian was tricked by the mischievous Ming Dai into a photography studio. Under the hesitant and perplexed gaze of the photographer, he had three pictures taken, fully showcasing his unique fashion style.

Throughout the entire process, while the photographer seriously questioned his life choices, Ming Dai and Zhou Sinian thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

In the end, Ming Dai also had three pictures taken. It was meaningful to record this particular phase of her life.

Unfortunately, color photography was not yet popular—only black and white was available. Otherwise, it would have been even more memorable!

Ming Dai paid extra for expedited processing, and the photographer quickly developed the photos.

Zhou Sinian looked at his pictures with great satisfaction. He even bought a frame to place one on his bedside table.

Ming Dai, gazing at the bright, youthful girl smiling in her own photo, was equally pleased. Right now, she was as fresh as a spring onion—radiant and full of life!

Under the photographer’s dazed expression, the two of them happily left the studio and headed to the county’s recycling station.

Meanwhile, as Ming Dai led Zhou Sinian to the recycling station, Liu Dazhu and Liu Qingmin were being pulled into a conversation.

Their conversation partner was Yao Yuliang, the secretary to Mayor Wei. At first, he engaged in casual small talk, gradually building rapport before steering the topic toward Zhou Sinian.

“The comrade who arrived today with Xiao Ming, the educated youth—his headscarf is quite something. Seems like he’s pretty skilled with his hands too, huh?”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Liu Dazhu explained Zhou Sinian’s unique situation and assured Yao Yuliang that he wouldn’t cause any trouble in the county. After all, Xiao Ming was keeping an eye on him.

Yao Yuliang’s eyes flickered with interest. “Why is Ming Zhiqing the one watching over him? Don’t you have a young male comrade with you as well?”

Liu Dazhu let out a helpless sigh and pointed to the left side of his face. “We can’t control him at all. Just last night, we even got beaten up. Only Xiao Ming can keep him in check. Honestly, we’re lucky she came to our village. If not, who knows how many more beatings we would’ve suffered from that lunatic?”

“Ming Zhiqing is quite impressive. How does she manage to make that lunatic listen to her?”

Liu Dazhu sighed in admiration. “She won him over with food—who knows how much she’s given him? That’s the only reason he listens to her now. Plus, Xiao Ming knows medicine. She’s been treating him. If she actually cures him, everyone in our commune will owe her a huge debt of gratitude.”

Yao Yuliang asked in surprise, “Ming Zhiqing knows medicine too?”

Liu Dazhu nodded cheerfully and took the opportunity to praise Ming Dai again.

Meanwhile, Liu Qingmin sensed something unusual. He asked, “Why is Secretary Yao so interested in the lunatic’s situation?”

Yao Yuliang adjusted his glasses and pretended to be helpless. “My wife’s family has a distant relative with a similar condition. When he has an episode, he goes around attacking people, so I wanted to ask a few more questions.”

Hearing this, Liu Qingmin finally felt at ease, and the three of them continued chatting.

At the same time, some people from the commune went to Liujiawan, casually strolling around and inquiring about the lunatic and the educated youth from the children who had gone out skating.

That evening, in Mayor Wei’s room, Yao Yuliang reported everything he had learned that day.

Mayor Wei had spent the entire day in meetings. Rubbing his temples, he sighed, “It seems that this Ming Zhiqing is quite good to Sinian.”

Yao Yuliang poured him a cup of hot water. “Indeed. Not only did Captain Liu and Secretary Liu praise her repeatedly, but even the village children said they often saw Ming Zhiqing giving Mr. Zhou candy.”

Mayor Wei nodded. “For now, let’s not disturb them. Send someone to Beijing to inquire about Ming Zhiqing’s medical skills and see if there’s any possibility of curing Sinian.”

Yao Yuliang agreed, then noticed the mayor’s furrowed brows and reassured him, “Don’t worry, Mr. Zhou seems to be doing well right now. He should be fine.”

Mayor Wei let out a deep sigh. “How could he be fine? I was the one who personally sent him here back then. I know exactly what he was like.”

At that moment, Zhou Sinian was sitting on the bed, happily knitting a sweater with Ming Dai, completely unaware that someone was investigating him and worrying about him.

Ming Dai watched as the intricate heart-shaped patterns quickly emerged under Zhou Sinian’s skilled hands. While unwinding the yarn, she couldn’t help but marvel—Zhou Sinian was truly a must-have companion for home and travel. His knitting skills were even better than those of experienced knitters who had been at it for years. He never skipped a stitch, and his work was flawless.

Later that night, Liu Dazhu and Liu Qingmin returned, bringing food for Ming Dai and the other three. It was cornbread with pickled vegetables.

Liu Dazhu explained that Mayor Wei had specifically instructed the cafeteria to set some aside, fearing that they had stayed out longer than expected and might not have brought enough rations.

Ming Dai sighed with admiration. Mayor Wei was truly a good official.

Zhou Sinian paused mid-bite, his ears twitching slightly. He said nothing.

After finishing their meal and chatting for a while, everyone returned to their rooms to sleep.

Liu Dazhu and the other three shared a room. They bolted the door securely, tested it one by one to make sure it wouldn’t open, and only then collapsed onto their beds, falling asleep instantly. Their snores soon filled the room, each one louder than the last.

Ming Dai organized the antiques and books she had picked up from the recycling station that afternoon. Once everything was sorted, she climbed into bed and went to sleep as well.

The winter night in Hei Province was silent and still.

At 2 a.m., the time when the human body was at its weakest, a dark figure leaped over the back wall of the guesthouse and sped silently through the night, heading toward the county government building.

He searched room by room until he stopped at one particular door. After waiting for five minutes and confirming that the breathing inside was steady, he pulled out a military dagger and carefully picked the lock.

The door opened slightly, and he slipped inside without making a sound. Moving swiftly, he approached the figure sleeping on the bed.

As he gazed at the unfamiliar middle-aged man’s face, chaotic fragments of memory flashed through his mind, and a sharp pain shot through his head.

A few seconds later, the person in the bed seemed to sense something. His breathing became heavier, and he was about to wake up.

The shadowy figure acted decisively, pressing a precise point on the man’s neck. The man instantly “fell asleep” again.

Zhou Sinian leaned in closer, carefully observing the man in the dim moonlight. After half a minute, he straightened up, frowning.

In the end, he did nothing. He carefully wiped away his footprints and retraced his path, leaving the way he had come.

The next morning, Mayor Wei was awakened by his internal clock. Just as he was about to sit up, a sharp soreness spread across his neck.

“Hiss—!”

He took a sharp breath, rubbing his sore neck with a puzzled expression. Had he slept in the wrong position?

He turned his head from side to side—everything felt normal.

His gaze darkened. Someone had entered his room last night and knocked him out!

Who would dare to be so bold?!

While massaging his neck, he cautiously scanned the room. The more he rubbed, the stranger it felt.

Why did this sensation seem so familiar?

As he thought about it, a realization struck him, and suddenly, he chuckled.

“That little rascal!!!”

With a sigh, he got dressed, picked up his washbasin, and headed out to freshen up.

In the communal washroom, Secretary Yao was drawing water when he saw Mayor Wei enter, his face full of amusement. Surprised, Yao asked, “You’re in a good mood today?”

Mayor Wei chuckled. “Mm. Caught a little rascal.”

At that moment, the “little rascal” was busy pestering Ming Dai to go eat sauerkraut dumplings with him.

Ming Dai wasn’t very interested. There were still plenty of cornbread leftovers from what Liu Dazhu and the others had brought yesterday—enough for both breakfast and lunch.

If she and Zhou Sinian went to a restaurant now, wouldn’t that just be flaunting their wealth for no reason?

Zhou Sinian, however, wasn’t being unreasonable. Instead of throwing a tantrum, he simply gazed at Ming Dai with his bright, pleading phoenix eyes, full of expectation.

Ming Dai had no resistance to that look!

In the end, it was Liu Guoqiang who spoke up. “Why don’t you take him, Xiao Ming? The village will reimburse the cost of the dumplings. After all, you all had to stay an extra day because of village matters. I’m sure the captain and secretary would agree.”

Ming Dai waved her hand. “No need for that. There was ten yuan in the package he received. I’ll use his money to take him.”

Liu Guoqiang chuckled. “Even better. You two go then—otherwise, what if he gets mad later?”

Just because the lunatic didn’t always hit people didn’t mean he never hit people!

Ming Dai agreed without hesitation. As soon as she did, Zhou Sinian immediately dropped his pitiful expression and put on a smug, triumphant look. He even shot Liu Guoqiang a glance that seemed to say, You’re quite sensible, which startled Liu Guoqiang so much that he quickly hid behind Liu Laosan.

Zhou Sinian couldn’t wait any longer. He slung his basket onto his back and strode out the door.

Ming Dai hurried to catch up, but just as she was about to step outside, Liu Laosan came over and stuffed some money and ration tickets into her hands. “Xiao Ming, buy me two stuffed buns! Meat ones!”

Ming Dai held back her laughter and nodded before chasing after Zhou Sinian.

Liu Guoqiang watched Liu Laosan with envy. “Grandpa, you’re really living the good life. You can eat stuffed buns whenever you want—and with meat, no less!”

Liu Laosan sat back down on the bed, picked up a hard, dry cornbread, and took a bite—only to fail in breaking it apart. He sighed. “Silly boy, you can have this life too if you don’t get married.”

Liu Guoqiang snickered as he looked at the cornbread, now marked with two missing-tooth imprints. “I’d rather get married and find a wife who can make soft cornbread.”

Smack!

The cornbread hit Liu Guoqiang right in the forehead. He grinned, caught it, and handed it back to Liu Laosan.

“Grandpa, I’ll fetch you some hot water. You can soak it before eating!”

With that, he bolted out of the room, Liu Laosan’s voice cursing him as a “little brat” echoing behind him.