Chapter 24: Brother Jiancheng, You Came Here Specifically to Undermine Me, Didn’t You!-De volta a 82: Não posso perder nenhuma das minhas filhas(O gato malhado observa as flores.)

The road was blanketed in vast, unbroken snow, with not a soul in sight. Tang Jiancheng lowered his head, turned up his collar to wrap his face tightly, and strode toward Sanchong Township.

He first went to the township health center, where he purchased a sufficient supply of cold and fever medicine, alcohol, cotton swabs, and other medical necessities. After a moment of thought, he turned and headed toward Huang Tianyue’s state-run restaurant.

Stepping inside, he saw none of the usual patrons who frequented the place to drink away their sorrows. The entire restaurant held only two people, eating hot pot and sipping liquor.

"Tianyue, you’re living quite comfortably, I see."

Tang Jiancheng recognized one of them immediately as the restaurant’s manager, Huang Tianyue.

Huang Tianyue spotted him as well and exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Jiancheng? How did you make it out in such heavy snow? Did you manage to get your hands on something good again?"

"So this is the Tang Jiancheng you mentioned—the one who found a wild boar and dug out a badger?" The other young man at the table looked toward Tang Jiancheng.

"That’s him." Huang Tianyue nodded, then gestured to Tang Jiancheng, "Brother Jiancheng, come over here. Let me introduce you to a big shot."

As Tang Jiancheng approached, Huang Tianyue pointed to the young man and introduced him: "This is Township Head Chen, the man who looks after us in Sanchong Township. You’ve come just in time; keep the Township Head company for a drink."

Tang Jiancheng knew Chen Yuan, the Township Head, though only from his past life. This was his first time seeing him in this one. At the sight of him, a memory struck Tang Jiancheng with sudden intensity.

It was this very evening that the heavy snow was set to collapse several old houses in his village, killing three elderly residents and injuring over a dozen more. When Township Head Chen received the news, he rushed to Daping Village immediately, but because he reeked of alcohol, he was reported by the locals. His political career ended right there. He lost his position, never had a chance to climb the ladder again, and eventually retired as a low-level clerk, never even attaining the rank of deputy section chief.

"Brother Jiancheng, why are you daydreaming? I’m telling you, the Township Head is usually very busy. It’s hard enough to get an audience with him, let alone drink with him," Huang Tianyue urged, noticing Tang Jiancheng’s trance.

Tang Jiancheng finally snapped back to reality. He picked up a wine glass but poured only half a cup, saying to Township Head Chen, "Township Head Chen, you are a capable official who cares for the people, so I will toast you. However, with this heavy snow falling, it is likely to turn into a disaster, so I will only have half a cup with you."

"After we finish, I hope you will immediately send people to check on the villages. Otherwise, if a snow disaster truly strikes, it will be too late."

Hearing this, Chen Yuan remained silent, but Huang Tianyue’s brow furrowed. The warmth in his tone vanished, replaced by a cold edge: "Brother Jiancheng, what are you doing? I invited you to offer a toast, not to ruin the mood."

Tang Jiancheng clasped his hands together and said, "Tianyue, I apologize. It is my fault. After this heavy snow passes, I will host you both for a drink, how about that? It really isn't a good time for us to drink too much today."

Huang Tianyue countered, "The snow disaster you’re talking about is absolutely impossible. Township Head Chen has already made comprehensive arrangements! You’re just a common citizen, so stop worrying about things that don't concern you."

Chen Yuan waved his hand, saying, "Tianyue, Jiancheng means well. With snow this heavy, it is indeed easy for problems to arise." He then looked at Tang Jiancheng and smiled, "Thank you for the reminder, but as Tianyue said, I deployed measures several days ago, and so far, I have received no reports of disasters."

Tang Jiancheng asked, "What if someone hasn't reported the situation truthfully?"

Chen Yuan’s expression darkened: "Have you received some kind of news?"

Tang Jiancheng shook his head: "No." His information came from his previous life; since the event had not yet occurred, he naturally wouldn't say more.

Huang Tianyue chimed in sternly, "So, you’re just guessing? Do you realize that Township Head Chen has been working overtime for days? He finally managed to take a moment to relax, and you come here to dampen the spirits. Do you think that’s appropriate?"

With Tang Jiancheng’s interruption, Chen Yuan lost all interest in drinking. Tang Jiancheng knew he had ruined the mood, but for the sake of Chen Yuan’s future and the lives of the elders in his village, he pressed on, "Township Head Chen, I am a rough man and don't know how to speak well; please forgive me if I’ve said anything inappropriate. I can't speak for other village officials, but the Party Secretary in our village is a fool. His appointment was a mistake from the start."

"Are you talking about Tang Deyi?" Chen Yuan’s heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

"Yes," Tang Jiancheng nodded. "That man only looks out for himself. As far as I know, our village hasn't carried out any work to eliminate hazards, and the village cadres haven't even issued a notice for self-inspection."

"This Tang Deyi—just yesterday, I specifically told him to his face to watch out for potential disaster conditions in the village, and he didn't take it seriously?" Chen Yuan could no longer sit still. The snow outside was simply too heavy, and if things went wrong, a disaster was a real possibility.

"Township Head Chen, there’s no need to rush. Let’s finish eating first. Look, the hot pot has only just started to boil..." Huang Tianyue tried to persuade him, but Chen Yuan was a good official who truly cared for his people. Knowing that a village cadre was being negligent, he could no longer sit there and eat.

He put on his coat, grabbed his briefcase, and strode out.

"Brother Jiancheng, are you here specifically to tear things down?" Huang Tianyue said with a bitter smile as he watched Chen Yuan leave. "Forget it, the Township Head is a good official. If he’s busy, let him be. Let’s eat!"

"I can’t eat either," Tang Jiancheng said. "It’s about to get dark, and the snow is heavy. I’m afraid I won't be able to make it back."

"I actually came here to buy some pre-made frozen dumplings and some seasonings. I noticed the supply and marketing cooperative didn't have much, so I figured you might have some."

"I have both the frozen dumplings and the seasonings. Go pick out what you need."

Huang Tianyue had lost all appetite for the hot pot. He didn't blame Tang Jiancheng too much for ruining his plans; if it didn't work out this time, he could always invite the official again later.

Tang Jiancheng bought over three hundred frozen dumplings and a good amount of seasonings. He then went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy a pair of rain boots and a pair of gloves for each of his daughters, as well as plenty of yarn, intending to have Liu Fangfang knit sweaters and trousers for the children.

All told, he ended up with several large bundles. Fortunately, they weren't too heavy, so Tang Jiancheng found a sturdy stick, hung the bundles on both ends, and set off for home.

The snow grew heavier, obscuring his vision. However, he was intimately familiar with the road. Combined with his robust physique from years of farm work, he maintained a steady pace despite the thick snow and difficult terrain.

Suddenly, he saw four figures ahead: three men and one woman. The woman seemed to have fallen and injured her ankle, sitting in the snow and rubbing it repeatedly. The three men were gathered around her, either offering comfort or discussing what to do.