Chapter 35: Director Zhao is a clever and quick-witted person

The Shuangshan Commune consists of twenty Production Teams. Every year, before spring plowing and after the autumn harvest, there is a commune-wide meeting that requires the team leaders to attend.

Occasionally, the county will assign tasks to the teams through the commune, usually for volunteer projects.

The Women’s Federation also holds meetings and frequently conducts training sessions aimed at women, such as midwife training. Some Production Teams don’t have traditional midwives from the old times, so the women’s team leaders step in to participate in midwife training.

Therefore, the members of each Production Team’s committee often have contact with the commune’s cadre workers.

Zhao Xinshan naturally knew Secretary Duan.

When they entered Secretary Duan’s office, he first exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhao Xinshan, asking about the production situation in Zhao Village’s Production Team, before turning to Zhao Ke and smiling, “If it weren’t for Shu Yi coming home and telling me, I wouldn’t have known that you’ve become the Women’s Director, Xiao Zhao.”

Zhao Ke smiled shyly, “It’s also because our Team Leader trusts and supports me. Otherwise, with my young age, how could I handle such a big responsibility?”

This was Zhao Ke giving Zhao Xinshan a compliment.

Zhao Xinshan smiled slightly at her comment and then praised Zhao Ke: “Although Zhao Ke is young, she’s well-educated, smart, and handles things fairly. She has a great reputation in our Production Team.”

Secretary Duan nodded, “I saw Zhao Ke’s steady personality when Shu Yi brought her to my house before. I truly hope to see more young people like Zhao Ke shine in the countryside.”

However, he quickly changed the subject and brought up the anonymous complaint letter. He mentioned some of the key points from the letter and asked Zhao Ke to explain each one.

Although the letter was anonymous, Zhao Ke, through certain phrasing, was almost certain it was written by Liu Guangzhi, since some of the conversations described were only known to a few people.

Not that there was no one else…

The key point was that others had no motive.

Moreover, she hadn’t actually done anything wrong on the surface—at most, she hadn’t managed the villagers’ family matters and had suggested that Principal Gu and Teacher Wu arrange a place for Liu Shu Gen’er to stay.

This complaint letter wouldn’t cause her much harm. Even if there were more complaints, the worst outcome would be losing her position as Women’s Director.

So Zhao Ke remained calm and sincere, explaining everything one by one.

Secretary Duan had already listened to the report from Administrator Cheng and was willing to accept her explanations. He only reminded her at the end, “You still need to maintain good relationships with the villagers, so they don’t misunderstand your work.”

Zhao Ke nodded in agreement.

At this point, Zhao Xinshan spoke up, “Our Production Team will also monitor Zhao Ke’s work.”

It seemed like the matter was settled, but Zhao Ke didn’t stop there. Instead, she asked, “Secretary Duan, Liu Shu Gen’er has been beaten and mistreated by his stepmother, living in the beanstalk pile, and everyone in the team knows about it. Is it possible to force a change in custody?”

“Well…”

When Zhao Xinshan saw that Secretary Duan paused before responding, he furrowed his brows and interrupted Zhao Ke, “This is a small matter. Don’t bother Secretary Duan with it.”

Secretary Duan waved his hand and smiled, saying, “I serve the commune, and work doesn’t have big or small matters. However, regarding what Zhao Ke is asking, first, this falls under the Women’s Federation’s responsibility. Second, if your team can resolve the matter on your own, there’s no need for forceful measures.”

Zhao Ke couldn’t exactly say she was disappointed, nor did she think her weak connection with Secretary Duan would necessarily lead to a good outcome. But now that she was here, she felt she should at least ask.

Since Secretary Duan had said that, she decided to end the topic without further hesitation.

Secretary Duan smiled and said, “I have other work, so I won’t keep you. Xiao Zhao, when you come to the commune again, feel free to visit my house with Shu Yi.”

Zhao Ke and Zhao Xinshan both said their goodbyes and left the secretary’s office.

The commune office was made up of single-story buildings. Zhao Ke glanced around the courtyard and, spotting the Women’s Federation office, said to Zhao Xinshan, “Uncle, I want to stop by the Women’s Federation office.”

Zhao Xinshan furrowed his brow and lowered his voice, displeased. “What are you trying to do? If you weren’t acquainted with Secretary Duan, do you think you could get through this report so easily? This kind of family abuse is hard to define, young people shouldn’t be too insistent.”

In fact, Zhao Ke had wanted to inquire about the midwife training, but his words left her unable to accept.

“I’m the Women’s Director. Shouldn’t I turn a blind eye just because I know it’s wrong?”

“There’s so much to manage in the production team. You need to know what to focus on and what not to.” Zhao Xinshan said seriously. “You think Shu Gen’er was abused, but how many kids in the production team are being disciplined with corporal punishment? Are you going to intervene? On what grounds? Can you even handle it?”

Zhao Ke never intended to hold on to her role as Women’s Director for long, and she didn’t want to argue. But after taking a few deep breaths, she still couldn’t suppress the doubts in her heart. “Just because it’s a habit, does it make it right? Just because it’s common, does it make it right?”

“Of course.”

Zhao Xinshan answered without hesitation.

But it’s not right.

Zhao Ke wasn’t convinced.

Zhao Xinshan had already turned to leave, saying, “If you want to find Zhao Mian, go ahead, but don’t waste your time on meaningless things.”

Zhao Ke stood still, watching him ride off on his bicycle and leave the commune courtyard. She closed her eyes for a moment to calm herself.

She was only doing this for three months, so there was no need to get too emotionally involved. As Comrade Yu Xiulan said, she’d be responsible for the job for a day, and if any problems arose, she’d handle them.

That was all.

Zhao Ke forced a smile and resumed her usual demeanor as she walked into the Women’s Federation office to inquire about midwife training.

Director Zhang of the Women’s Federation was very enthusiastic. “I’ve never seen such a young Women’s Director.”

Director Zhang had the office staff bring out various brochures, including information on midwife training, women’s mobilization, women’s literacy programs, etc. She handed Zhao Ke a registration form. “There are two training sessions every year. Your production team’s former midwife, Feng, only attended one session, but never came again after that. I remember she was getting old, so it’s really time for new blood.”

Zhao Ke smiled and thanked her. After saying her goodbyes, she took the stack of materials and rode her bike to find her elder sister, Zhao Mian.

When Zhao Mian saw her after work, she was especially happy but quickly noticed her mood. “Xiao Ke, are you feeling down?”

Zhao Ke tried to act nonchalant and complained on purpose, “I got criticized by Uncle, of course, I’m not in a good mood.”

Zhao Mian gently asked, “What happened? Can you tell your sister about it?”

“Of course.” But since some things weren’t meant to be heard by others, Zhao Ke suggested waiting until they were on the main road to talk.

Zhao Mian nodded, took the things from Zhao Ke’s hands, sat on the back seat, and casually glanced through the items. “Is the work really tough?”

Zhao Ke shook her head. “Not tough, just sometimes really frustrating.”

“Why? Don’t you like being the Women’s Director?”

“It’s not about liking or not liking.” Zhao Ke thought for a moment and said, “It’s just that the things that come up are always filled with arguments, and most of them are trivial matters. One family loses a bunch of vegetables, another family’s chicken doesn’t lay an egg… these things can all become reasons for conflict.”

In the month or so that Zhao Ke had been the Women’s Director, she was always mediating these kinds of disputes, and the situation with Old Wang’s family and Shu Gen’er were considered big cases.

“This village has always been like this.” Zhao Mian nodded seriously, then gently leaned toward her waist, “Do you feel a sense of accomplishment when you resolve a matter?”

Accomplishment…

Zhao Ke fell silent, then changed the subject, laughing. “Jie, you sound like a teacher counseling a student.”

Zhao Mian chuckled, “Did I manage to counsel you?”

Zhao Ke exaggerated, saying, “Yes, definitely.”

The two laughed as they left the commune and rode back toward the village.

They hadn’t gone far when the bicycle suddenly stopped.

Zhao Mian asked, confused, “What happened?”

When she turned her head, she saw Zhao Xinshan stopping ahead. She immediately called out, “Uncle!”

Zhao Ke also softly called out.

Zhao Xinshan responded in a low voice and then got on his bike, riding ahead. “By the time we get back to the village, it’ll be getting late. It’s not safe for you two young girls.”

The atmosphere between the two women grew tense. Zhao Mian looked back and forth, poking Zhao Ke in the back, and quietly asked, “What happened between you and Uncle?”

Zhao Ke didn’t respond, staring at Zhao Xinshan ahead.

His figure was still as reliable as ever, but he was stubborn and traditional.

She couldn’t just wait for the elder to relent…

Zhao Ke stared for a while, then pushed hard on the pedals, taking the initiative to break the deadlock. “Uncle, I was young and reckless, and I didn’t think things through. Please don’t hold it against me for what happened this afternoon.”

Zhao Xinshan glanced at her, then stepped down the curb. “Fine, it’s not a big deal. When your mom was the Women’s Director, her temper was even worse. She just did what needed to be done.”

Comrade Yu Xiulan indeed had a fiery temper.

The two sisters laughed.

The atmosphere lightened. Zhao Xinshan looked straight ahead and asked, “Go ahead, Liu Guangzhi reported you. It can’t be just about what you said to Secretary Duan. What else did you do?”

Zhao Ke remained silent for a few seconds, then decided to be honest and spoke slowly.

Zhao Xinshan only listened for a short while before he couldn’t suppress his cigarette craving. He stopped his bike and rolled a dry cigarette.

By the time he had it in his mouth, Zhao Ke had almost finished explaining.

Zhao Xinshan continued to smoke, his face stern.

Zhao Ke, however, looked confident and didn’t feel she had done anything wrong.

Seeing Zhao Ke’s expression, Zhao Xinshan smoked even harder.

Zhao Mian stole a glance at her sister, then at the frustrated Uncle. For some reason, she lowered her head, smiling to herself.

Zhao Xinshan finished a cigarette, leaving only a small butt, which he threw on the ground and crushed with his foot. He spoke, “You really know how to get things done. If you can’t stop feudal superstition, you still manage to stir up trouble.”

Zhao Ke responded seriously, “If I can’t directly manage it, I can only handle it indirectly.”

After all, the method doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as it’s useful.

Zhao Xinshan wanted to smoke again but held back and scolded her, “You believe in Second Aunt so much? If she holds a grudge and reports you for feudal superstition, do you think that’ll end well for you?”

“So I caught her red-handed and even gave her a benefit.”

Zhao Xinshan took a deep breath but didn’t mention whether Shu Gen’er matters could be kept a secret.

Because the whole village knew that Shu Gen’er sometimes acted like a half-mute in front of outsiders, and for Zhao Ke to make him obedient, she truly must be capable.

As for this matter, even without Secretary Duan’s involvement, Zhao Ke would have been fine today—it wouldn’t have hurt her.

But this was different from Zhao Xinshan’s and the Team’s usual way of handling things!

The more Zhao Xinshan thought about it, the angrier he got. He couldn’t hold back any longer and took out the rolling paper to make a cigarette.

Zhao Ke cautiously asked, “Uncle, Secretary Duan said that our Production Team can resolve this matter. Do you think you could make a decision for Shu Gen’er?”

“Make a decision?” Zhao Xinshan was speechless. “Didn’t you handle it? You’ve arranged for someone to take over, and Liu Guangzhi can’t do anything to you. What else do you want me to decide?”

Zhao Ke widened her eyes, looking at him expectantly. “For example… the fox exploiting the tiger’s might^[1]Using powerful connections to exploit others.?”

In that moment, Zhao Xinshan almost wanted to shove the cigarette into his mouth and chew it.

Now he understood why his family’s girl and Zhao Ke got along so well—neither of them was easy to deal with.

Zhao Xinshan put the rolled cigarette back in his pocket, kicked the bike stand, and spoke with an irritable tone, “Let’s go home!”

Zhao Ke, carrying her older sister, quickly followed behind. “Uncle?”

Zhao Xinshan was annoyed. “Enough, stop calling me. Let’s go home, and I’ll deal with the aftermath.”

Zhao Ke immediately felt happy and pushed the pedals harder, even managing to pass Zhao Xinshan while carrying someone on her bike.

Zhao Xinshan: “…”

Zhao Mian, sitting on the back of the bike, rested her head on her younger sister’s back and chuckled quietly.

As expected, Zhao Ke—no one could handle her when she was around.

…………….

Zhao Village—

For the past month, Yu Xiulan had been following her routine, teaching during the day and visiting families in the evenings. Though the results were minimal, there were still some who couldn’t resist her persistence and decided to send their children to school next semester.

Most people’s attitudes were okay, even if they didn’t agree, except for Tian Guizhi.

When Tian Guizhi saw Yu Xiulan, she almost had impatience written all over her face. “Teacher Yu, how many times do I have to tell you? I’m not sending Bao Xiaoyu to school!”

Yu Xiulan, having faced repeated failures, had started trying to keep her temper in check and spoke kindly, “Guizhi, listen to me…”

Tian Guizhi didn’t want to listen and directly interrupted her. “We don’t have the money. Unless you give us money, no matter how many times you say it, it’s impossible!”

There was no such thing as getting something for nothing! Yu Xiulan almost lost her temper.

Tian Guizhi rolled her eyes and slammed the door shut, then turned and went inside, leaving Yu Xiulan standing outside in the yard.

Fuming, Yu Xiulan returned home. As soon as she entered, she saw the whole family laughing and joking together, which immediately gave her an outlet for her anger. “Zhao Ke! Look at the mess you’ve made!”

Zhao Ke’s ear was pinched, and she forced a smile. “Mom, calm down, why are you so angry…”

“You still have the nerve to laugh?” Yu Xiulan twisted her ear. “I already know what you’ve been up to, and you still dare to laugh. Now go inside and bring me all the money you’ve saved, I’m confiscating it!”

Zhao Ke’s eyes widened slightly, and she glanced at her father and Zhao Feng, immediately noticing their strange expressions. “You guys didn’t even tell me…”

Zhao Feng lowered his head, looking guilty.

Zhao Jianguo coughed and tried to calm her down. “Listen to your mother, work honestly, and we’ll definitely support you.”

Yu Xiulan didn’t give Zhao Ke a chance to hide her money, grabbing her and pulling her back to her room.

Zhao Mian followed behind, softly persuading, “Mom, be gentler, you’re hurting her.”

“You’re her real sister, I’m not her stepmother,” Yu Xiulan shot her a glare, then turned to Zhao Ke, her attitude turning fierce again. “Stop dawdling, hurry up!”

Zhao Ke had no choice but to rummage through the cabinet and pull out her money pouch, handing it to Yu Xiulan.

Yu Xiulan took a look and found there was over 170 yuan. Her brows twitched. “You don’t usually save much, so how come you have this much left?”

Zhao Ke said, “You know, sometimes people from the factory ask me to deliver things for them. Of course, they pay me for it.”

As soon as Yu Xiulan heard this, she didn’t hesitate to shove the money into her pocket and warned her, “From now on, tighten up your spending, got it?”

“Got it.”

Yu Xiulan moved away, and Zhao Ke quickly pulled out another 30-odd yuan from the cabinet and slipped it into Zhao Mian’s hand.

Zhao Mian quickly looked outside and rolled the bills up, tucking them into her waistband.

Sure enough, the door was pushed open again, and Yu Xiulan came back for another round.

She checked Zhao Ke’s body, then rummaged through the cabinet to make sure there was nothing left, before finally closing the door and leaving satisfied.

The two sisters exchanged a look and high-fived.

They’d managed to keep it safe.