OBS Chapter 1297 It’s hard to persuade the devil with good words
Chapter 1297 It’s hard to persuade the devil with good words
Chapter 1297 It’s hard to persuade the devil with good words
Lei Dongbao downed the full glass of wine in one gulp, wiped his mouth with his rough hand, but his eyes were unusually bright: "Well, I've transferred back to civilian life, and my uncle asked me to be the deputy secretary of Xiao Lei Village."
Qin Hao leaned back in the creaking wooden chair, scrutinizing the rough-looking man before him in the dim light of the kerosene lamp. Lei Dongbao was much darker than he remembered, but his back was straighter than before.
"But when I came back and saw..." Lei Dongbao suddenly raised his voice, slamming his fist heavily on the table, making the wine bottle shake: "Our Xiaolei family is even poorer than when I left!"
As he spoke, Lei Dongbao pointed to the wine glass in front of Qin Hao. Qin Hao pushed the glass away and said irritably, "I don't drink wine without food. You drink it yourself, don't drag me into it."
"Hey!" Lei Dongbao slapped his thigh, a mischievous grin spreading across his dark face. "You've got a bad habit, haven't you forgotten how you used to follow me around begging for drinks? Back then, you'd be ecstatic if you got a sweet potato liquor!"
A few barks came from outside, seeping in through the crack in the door. Qin Hao remained unmoved, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the mottled tabletop.
Seeing this, Lei Dongbao sighed, pulled out a half-pack of crumpled "Da Qianmen" cigarettes from his pocket, took one out and tapped it on the corner of the table: "Alright, you've grown up now, and you've got big ideas too."
He struck a match, the orange flame dancing between his rough fingers: "I won't keep you in suspense any longer."
As he spoke, he suddenly stood up, walked barefoot to the door, and flung it open to look outside. After confirming that no one was there, Lei Dongbao took out a yellowed old newspaper from the inner pocket of his military uniform and carefully unfolded it on the table.
“Look at this.” He slammed his rough index finger heavily onto a front-page article, dirt still clinging to his fingernail.
Qin Hao glanced down and saw it was a report from the ***Daily* about the "household responsibility system" in Xiaogang Village, Anhui Province. The ink was somewhat blurred, but the bright red masthead remained striking. He understood immediately: "Are you planning to follow Xiaogang Village's example and distribute land to individual households?"
"No wonder everyone in the village says you're smart!" Lei Dongbao slapped his thigh, grinning to reveal two rows of yellow teeth: "You understand things instantly!"
Qin Hao sneered and pushed the newspaper back: "There are plenty of people in the village who talk badly about me, aren't there? Especially your bunch of cronies."
Lei Dongbao scratched his head awkwardly, coughed twice, and changed the subject: "Uncle has concerns; he still wants the land to be allocated to the production teams first."
"Distributing land to work groups?" Qin Hao interrupted him, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "It won't solve the problems of the Xiaolei family at all. In the end, they'll just be putting in the work without putting in any effort, supporting a bunch of lazybones, and nobody will get rich."
“That’s exactly right!” Lei Dongbao lowered his voice, his eyes gleaming under the light. “The story of Xiaogang Village has been made into the newspapers, which shows that the policy direction has changed. The old Party Secretary was just too cautious.”
“I mentioned the land redistribution to individual households to my uncle last year, but he felt the policy was too risky. Now that it's been featured in the People's Daily, it means the higher-ups have tacitly approved it.”
Lei Dongbao was overjoyed upon hearing this. He grabbed the bottle and gulped down a large mouthful, the liquor dripping down his stubble and onto his collar. He slapped his forehead, making the dishes on the table jump. "See! I knew it! If Xiaogang Village can make the newspapers, why can't we?"
Seeing his childlike excitement, Qin Hao suddenly poured cold water on his enthusiasm: "Don't get too excited yet."
"Although the policy direction has changed from above, how the leaders at our brigade level interpret it is another matter entirely."
"Don't take too big a step, you might tear your balls."
Lei Dongbao's smile froze on his face, and he seemed to sober up a bit. He slammed the bottle down, the bottom leaving a white mark on the table: "I can't worry about that now!"
His voice suddenly rose: "Haozi, you don't know..."
His eyes suddenly reddened, and his rough hands clenched into fists: "I only found out after I came back that our Xiaolei village is practically a bachelor village now!"
He counted on his fingers: "Even high school graduates like Shigen can't find girlfriends. The moment a girl hears he's from our Xiaolei family, she rolls her eyes to the heavens!"
The kerosene lamp crackled and popped, casting flickering light on his dark face.
"I asked my uncle," Lei Dongbao's voice suddenly choked up, "...'In our Xiaolei family, one work point is only worth seven cents. Seven cents! Not even enough to fill your stomach!'"
Qin Hao silently refilled his glass, the liquid swirling slightly in the rough porcelain bowl. Lei Dongbao downed it in one gulp, then slammed the bowl heavily on the table: "I don't care what happened before!"
He suddenly stood up, a button popping open on his military uniform: "Now that I'm the deputy secretary, I have to lead everyone to prosperity!"
"I'd accept it even if it meant going to jail!"
Qin Hao stared at the passionate veteran and fell silent for a moment.
Lei Dongbao has many flaws—he's impulsive, stubborn, and concerned with saving face—but undeniably, he is truly selfless and dedicated to public service.
"What a pity," Qin Hao sighed inwardly. The Lei family could only share hardship, not prosperity.
Seeing that Qin Hao remained silent, Lei Dongbao suddenly leaned closer, his breath reeking of alcohol, and said in Qin Hao's face, "Haozi, I know you're a man of many thoughts."
His calloused hands gripped Qin Hao's wrist: "If the two of us cooperate..."
"Give me a break!" Qin Hao abruptly pulled his hand back, his voice as cold as ice: "Don't drag me down with you when you're jumping into the fire!"
Lei Dongbao froze, his smile gradually fading: "Not Haozi, how did this turn into a pit of fire?"
Qin Hao downed the untouched wine in one gulp, the pungent liquid burning his throat: "Dongbao, I know your character. But how much do you really know about the people of the Xiaolei family?"
Before Lei Dongbao could retort, he continued, "Take your 'good brothers' for example. I previously took some loaches and eels from the fields to sell in the county and made some money."
"As a result, they immediately reported me. Luckily, I was careful and bought the grain and flour from a legitimate state-run store, otherwise," he paused meaningfully, "you would have been visiting me in jail."
Lei Dongbao's face instantly turned ashen, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked: "Who did this?" He jumped to his feet, his chair crashing to the ground: "Tell me, and I'll get revenge for you!"
Qin Hao waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down: "I've already vented my anger."
He refilled their glasses: "The reason I'm telling you this isn't to complain, but to tell you that the people from Xiaolei Village aren't worth helping."
“If you’re willing,” Qin Hao’s voice suddenly softened, “you can work for me. I guarantee you’ll be able to build a new house within a year.”
Lei Dongbao's eyes lit up, and he suddenly perked up: "Have you found a way to make money?"
He moved closer, and the smell of alcohol mixed with the odor of sweat hit me.
Qin Hao didn't hide anything and briefly explained his plans to go to Hong Kong. Anyway, getting a passport from the county required letters of introduction from the production team and brigade, so there was no way to hide it.
Lei Dongbao was immediately disappointed, his shoulders slumping: "That's it?"
I thought it was some big deal.
He poured himself another glass of wine and downed it in one gulp.
He suddenly raised a finger, his eyes becoming unusually firm: "Haozi, I'm telling you this!"
His voice was strong and resolute, carrying the stubbornness unique to soldiers: "As long as I, Lei Dongbao, serve as the deputy secretary of Xiaolei Village, I will fight with all my might to lead everyone forward!"
The flame of the kerosene lamp flickered in his eyes, reflecting two persistent flames: "Regardless of whether anyone remembers my good deeds in the future, this is my duty as a Party member and a veteran!"
Qin Hao gazed at his tall, straight back, a hint of admiration rising within him, when the guy turned back at the door, grabbed the half-empty bottle of Moutai from the table, and said, "You don't drink it anyway."
He shoved the bottle into his uniform pocket with a self-righteous air: "You're wasting this bottle!"
Qin Hao was taken aback at first, then laughed in anger at this shameless behavior; it was impossible to reason with this damned devil.
"Fine, you're so great, go ahead and try. You'll have your day to cry."
Lei Dongbao had already stepped into the courtyard. Hearing this, he turned back and glared at him, his yellow teeth particularly noticeable in the moonlight: "Just you wait!"
……
Meanwhile, at Lei Sibao's house.
Under the dim light of an oil lamp, four young men were playing cards around a broken wooden table. Lei Shigen frowned as he looked at the cards, Shi Hongwei had a half-smoked cigarette butt dangling from his mouth, and Lei Zhengming was counting the few small bills in his hand.
"I lost again!" Lei Sibao slammed down his cards in frustration. "My luck is really bad today!"
"Stop relying on luck," Lei Shigen complained. "It's your skill that's terrible."
The door was suddenly kicked open, and Lei Dongbao's tall figure appeared in the doorway.
"Dongbao?" Lei Sibao jumped up in surprise: "What brings you here?"
Lei Dongbao ignored him, walked straight to the table, and slammed the Moutai liquor onto it. The rich aroma of the liquor immediately filled the air, and Lei Sibao's nose twitched like a dog's as he reached out to grab it.
"Get lost!" Lei Dongbao slapped his hand away, the force so strong that Lei Sibao cried out and pulled his hand back. "Anyone here can drink this wine today, except you!"
Lei Sibao rubbed his hands, feeling wronged: "Why, Dongbao? What did I do to you?"
"Stop pretending to be confused!" Lei Dongbao kicked him in the leg, and Lei Sibao fell to the ground with a thud. "If you hadn't been constantly snitching on us, would Haozi have such a bad impression of our Lei family?"
Lei Sibao scrambled to his feet, brushing the dust off his pants, and muttered under his breath, "It's not entirely my fault. Shigen and the others went too, didn't they?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Hongwei immediately retorted, "I only went once, and you were the one who started it! The next time, you insisted on going no matter what, and we couldn't stop you!"
Lei Shigen tentatively asked, "How about... a few of us go apologize to Haozi tomorrow? We're all family, what can't we talk about?"
Lei Sibao immediately objected: "Come on! He's never treated us like family. He lives a life of luxury, while we can't even get enough sweet potatoes to eat."
Lei Dongbao raised his leg as if to kick, which startled Lei Sibao so much that he jumped three feet away, his back slamming against the earthen wall with a thud, sending up a cloud of dust. Shi Hongwei and the others burst into laughter at the sight.
Lei Dongbao pointed at Lei Sibao with exasperation: "Other people live a life of luxury because of their own abilities! Who can you blame for your own incompetence?"
He grew angrier as he spoke: "You still have the nerve to report them? If it were me, I'd break your legs! And you still have the nerve to make sarcastic remarks?"
Lei Sibao huddled in the corner, not daring to utter a sound. Lei Dongbao then slammed the Moutai liquor on the table: "Let's put Haozi's aside for now."
He looked around at everyone, his voice deep and powerful: "The land redistribution to individual households is our only hope for Xiaolei Village to become prosperous."
His rough fingers tapped the bottle: "If you support me, drink this."
His gaze swept across everyone's faces: "If you don't support me, then consider me a brother."
Shi Hongwei was the first to jump up, grab the bottle and take a big gulp: "Dongbao! We grew up together, so I have to support you!" He coughed from the strong liquor, his face turning bright red.
Lei Shigen hesitated for a moment, then took the bottle and took a big gulp: "I also support Dongbao."
Seeing this, Lei Sibao quickly came over: "Leave some for me! There's none left!"
He reached out to grab it, but Lei Dongbao slapped his hand away.
"Get out of my way!" Lei Dongbao laughed and scolded, but handed him the wine bottle: "Remember, if you ever dare to stab me in the back again, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Lei Sibao nodded repeatedly, and eagerly took a big gulp of wine, which dripped down his chin and onto his collar.
Seeing this, Lei Dongbao grinned, revealing a set of white teeth: "Alright! Then I'll go all out and lead the team to get to work!"
He raised the bottle, moonlight filtering through the amber liquid and casting dappled shadows on his face: "I refuse to believe it! Our Xiaolei family isn't lacking anything compared to others, so why can't we become rich!"
Several moths circled the oil lamp, casting flickering shadows on the earthen wall. A few barks came from afar, and the night breeze, carrying the scent of wheat, drifted in through the window.
The next morning, Qin Hao went to the Xiaolei team headquarters to get a letter of introduction. Lei Dongbao stamped it for him without saying a word.
"Here you go!" He slapped the letter of introduction into Qin Hao's hand, his eyes bloodshot, clearly having had a sleepless night. "Hong Kong is a place you don't know well, so be careful."
Qin Hao nodded, folded the letter of introduction, and stuffed it into his pocket. Just as he turned to leave, Lei Dongbao suddenly called out to him, "Haozi!"
He stood in the morning light, his military uniform crisp and clear, his voice slightly strained: "No matter where you are, remember... Xiaolei Village will always be your home, your roots are here."
Qin Hao didn't speak, but simply patted his shoulder. Sunlight streamed in through the window, tracing a golden path through the dust between them.
Afterwards, Qin Hao arrived at the Shanbei Brigade compound. Director Yang was organizing documents in his office when he looked up and saw Qin Hao. He was so surprised that he dropped his pen on the table.
"When did you get back, kid?" Director Yang looked Qin Hao up and down, noticing his brand-new polyester shirt and shiny leather shoes.
Qin Hao chuckled, took two packs of "Da Qianmen" cigarettes from his briefcase, and placed them on the table: "I just got back yesterday, and I'm here to report to my superiors right away."
Director Yang chuckled and pushed the cigarette back at him, saying, "Don't give me that! You never come here unless you need something. So, what do you want?"
Qin Hao then produced the employment contract from the Hong Kong company and the letter of introduction from Xiao Lei's family.
"Good lad! I knew you were capable of causing trouble, but I never imagined you'd take it all the way to Hong Kong!"
Qin Hao straightened his back with a serious expression: "Isn't it because the country is short of foreign exchange right now?"
He pointed to the salary figures on the contract: "I'm essentially contributing to the country's foreign exchange earnings. Director Yang, you wouldn't object, would you?"
Director Yang rolled her eyes at him, annoyed. "You little rascal! So, if I disagree, it means I'm not cooperating with the foreign exchange earnings policy, is that it?"
Despite saying that, Director Yang still quickly prepared the letter of introduction.
When Qin Hao took it, he discreetly slipped a TV ticket into his hand—something he had specially obtained through connections before returning.
"You little brat, this is bribery..." Director Yang said sternly, without putting the money away.
Qin Hao said seriously, "Director Yang, please don't misunderstand. I'm going to Hong Kong soon, so this thing is no longer of any use to me..."
Director Yang looked at the TV ticket in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally did not push it away: "How about this, I'll convert it into cash for you. I don't have enough money on me, I'll send it to your home later."
Seeing that Director Yang was adamant, Qin Hao did not refuse: "Alright, then Director Yang, I'll go to the county to apply for my passport first."
"Yes, go ahead. Although Hong Kong is a glamorous world, don't forget your home and come back to visit often."