Chapter 122 1/2

“It was decided by Lei Zi,” Yan Lei’s mother said. “But later on, they protested, so it was slightly modified. We wrote to Lei Zi about it, and he agreed.”

“I haven’t really paid attention to this matter and haven’t thought about it. I’m just curious,” Qiao Wei said. “How was it distributed before? And how was it changed later?”

Yan Lei’s mother explained, “Originally, according to Lei Zi’s decision, your eldest brother got six yuan as the eldest son; the third and fourth sons, as well as your elder and second sisters, each got three yuan. But later, your sisters-in-law protested strongly. They said that your elder and second sisters were married, so they shouldn’t receive money.”

“Later, after discussion, your eldest brother remained unchanged, and the third and fourth sons each got four yuan, while the eldest and second nieces each got two yuan. The third niece is still young and unmarried, so she didn’t get any.”

“We wrote to Lei Zi about this matter, and he agreed to the changes.”

Qiao Wei couldn’t help but shake her head upon hearing Yan Lei’s distribution plan.

Even such a shrewd person as Yan Lei could make mistakes in such matters. But there was nothing to be done; people acted like this within their circumstances.

Qiao Wei, being an outsider, could immediately see the flaws. For her, taking care of her in-laws fulfilled her duties as a spouse. As for her husband’s other siblings, they were all adults now, and she had no obligation or sentiment towards them.

However, for Yan Lei, his parents were naturally a given, and his siblings were all blood relatives who had shared a bed and meals since childhood. These were all ties that bound them.

Throughout one’s life, it was difficult to break free from such ties.

Seeing her shaking her head, Yan Lei’s mother felt uneasy.

Qiao Wei said, “Mom, I won’t intervene in this matter, but I want to say something.”

“Money is best kept in one’s own hands and distributed by oneself.”

“Don’t let go until you’re on your last breath.”

Qiao Wei had seen too much in the hospital room.

Some elderly people told their children the password to their bankbooks, while others, facing terminal illness, told their passwords to their divorced ex-wives. Those who received the passwords took the money and left behind empty bankbooks and disappeared bank cards, leaving the desperate person waiting in the hospital to die.

On the other hand, those who held onto the money tightly, even if they were very old, were treated with utmost care by their family members. They fought to take care of them, fearing that if they missed even one moment, the money would fall into someone else’s hands.

Yan Lei’s mother felt like Qiao Wei had touched her heart.

She sighed, “That’s how it is, that’s how it is.”

Qiao Wei said, “I won’t interfere anyway.”

She returned the money to the old lady. There was no way Yan Lei would let the family spend a single cent on his father’s medical treatment. He would definitely cover all the expenses himself.

Qiao Wei estimated that in the future, when he truly rose to a higher position, he would definitely have to contribute to building bridges and roads in his hometown.

Yan Lei’s father’s surgery went smoothly, and the inflammation and complications were effectively controlled.

Apart from the pain from the unhealed wound, the long-term internal pain that had tormented the old man’s body had disappeared. Yan Lei’s father hadn’t felt this relaxed in many years.

The doctor chatted with him and said, “It’s fortunate that you came to the provincial capital. This surgery couldn’t be done in the county, and even in the city, it’s uncertain. The experts are all in the provincial-level hospitals. Your condition was already so serious; further delay might have posed a risk to your life.”

Yan Lei’s father couldn’t help but wipe away tears. “It’s all thanks to my daughter-in-law for coming back.”

Qiao Wei hadn’t even stayed a night at home. She had only eaten one meal before rushing to the provincial capital with him.

The doctor gave her a thumbs-up. “Your daughter-in-law is an impressive person.”

Yan Lei’s father couldn’t help but feel proud. “My daughter-in-law has attended high school and works in the county government. Her articles have been published in newspapers, and even People’s Daily reprinted them!”

Yan Zhu chimed in, “Dad, that’s called ‘reprint.'”

“It’s all the same, all the same, anyway, it was published in People’s Daily!”

The doctor was astonished and turned to tell Director Zhang.

Director Zhang let out a long sigh. “I knew she wasn’t a simple person.”

Her pen was as sharp as a knife, and she wielded it with skill.

Four days later, Yan Lei’s father had the drainage tube and the urinary catheter removed and continued to stay in the hospital for treatment. But for him, he already felt incredibly relieved.

Seeing Yan Lei’s mother, he noticed that she looked good too, thinking she was happy for him.

Both he and Yan Zhu didn’t know that Qiao Wei took her mother-in-law to the gynecology department for treatment every day. The mysterious ailment that had plagued Yan Lei’s mother for so many years had disappeared.

They went to the bathhouse again with Qiao Wei, and this time, she truly felt that she no longer had any unpleasant odor.

She felt light all over.

Qiao Wei went to the telephone office to make a long-distance call to Yan Lei. She didn’t directly speak to him but left a message, telling him: “Took dad, mom, and big brother to the provincial capital for medical treatment. They have been treated, everything is going smoothly, don’t worry.”

The communication officer in the army relayed the message to Yan Lei and then turned to someone else and said, “They used to say that Yan Tuan was henpecked, and his wife was delicate and didn’t do anything. But look, Yan Tuan can’t even leave his wife’s side. A female comrade traveled a long way to take her in-laws to the provincial capital for treatment.”

In this era, going to the provincial capital was something to boast about for years, and going to Shanghai was something to boast about for a lifetime.

Yan Lei didn’t think his wife was delicate and “didn’t do anything.” He knew how capable and determined she was, but only he knew.

But even though he knew, seeing her take the children and undertake such a heavy responsibility, he couldn’t help but worry.

A few days ago, the village party secretary called him and told him that a donation had been received and that Qiao Wei had taken his parents and Yan Zhu to the provincial capital.

Once in the provincial capital, it was up to Qiao Wei to contact him. After waiting for several days, he finally received communication, and now he was completely relieved.

Qiao Wei was busy in the provincial capital over there, and Yan Lei, who had been appointed as the military representative of Bocheng County, was also busy.

On that day, a meeting was underway. The current head of Bocheng County, Director Guan, was passionately delivering a speech on stage.

Yan Lei sat in the front row, casting a slight glance sideways.

Huang Zengyue also glanced towards him.

The gazes of the two men met in the air, nodding at each other.

Director Guan was in high spirits, but suddenly someone rushed into the venue, shouting, “I expose it! Guan Tuwei takes bribes! He arranges jobs for people through the back door! He even sleeps with other people’s wives and daughters, engaging in extramarital affairs!”

“He’s engaging in extramarital affairs!”

Director Guan was stunned!

Before he could react and rebuke, someone from the audience stood up and said, “I know about this! He’s engaging in extramarital affairs!”

Another person stood up and said, “He’s already corrupt! He’s long detached from the people!”

“He’s already a corrupt ruling clique member!”

“His lifestyle is especially decadent! He’s messing around with men and women!”

“Down with him!”

“Down with him!”

Director Guan looked at the audience in horror and said, “You, you! Nonsense! I didn’t do any of that!”

But people had already rushed onto the stage, holding him down.

Director Guan shouted hoarsely, “Let go of me! Nonsense! I didn’t do any of that! Help! Zengyue! Zengyue!”

Huang Zengyue stood up from the crowd.

“Guan Tuwei has already detached from the people,” he said as he walked up to the stage, “He’s corrupt and embezzles, his lifestyle is problematic. Anyone else who knows anything, can now come forward to expose and denounce.”

Everyone stood up.

The emotions of the masses were very intense.

Secretary Meng had a strong grip, but Secretary Meng did indeed work for everyone’s benefit. During Secretary Meng’s tenure, the county government officials truly benefited.

Houses, provisions, fuel, cloth, soap, utensils, pork… How much welfare did Secretary Meng bring for everyone?

Everyone remembered.

He pushed for the merger of counties and towns with one hand, built roads, opened up transportation, and increased job opportunities. The development of Bocheng County was evident to all.