"Er Zhu, you've been busy all night, why don't you head home and get some rest?"
With that thought, Uncle Liu patted Er Zhu's shoulder, his face filled with kindly concern.
A spark of understanding flashed in Er Zhu's eyes, and he instantly saw through Uncle Liu's intentions. He smiled faintly and turned towards home.
The villagers, who were in the midst of their revelry, saw this and their smiles froze, their eyes filled with confusion.
"Uncle Liu, why are you letting Er Zhu go? This is such happy news, shouldn't we celebrate properly?"
A dark-skinned, stout young man grabbed Uncle Liu, his voice filled with bewilderment.
"What do you know, you dark-skinned brat? Come closer."
Uncle Liu gave the youth a light rap on the head, then beckoned to the other villagers.
"Er Zhu seems to be getting sharper. It's possible he might not be foolish anymore. You must keep this a secret, none of you are to speak of it, or I'll kick him out!"
As the villagers gathered, they heard Uncle Liu's words. They were stunned, their eyes filled with suspicion.
Seeing their puzzled looks, Uncle Liu glanced at them as if they were fools, then proceeded to explain the consequences.
"Uncle Liu, don't worry, I'll take this secret to my grave!"
"Yes, you can rest assured, I know nothing about this!"
...
After listening to Uncle Liu's analysis, the villagers patted their chests and gave their assurances. Seeing this, Uncle Liu's anxious heart finally calmed down.
"Everyone remember, this is our Shiliu Village's secret. Anyone who speaks of it will be struck by lightning!"
Uncle Liu reminded them again with a serious expression, and the villagers nodded, their lips pressed tightly together.
From then on, no one mentioned the matter again. In everyone's eyes, Er Zhu was still the same foolish boy.
A month later, the road at the village entrance, now twice as wide as before, was completed. The dirt roads in the village had been paved.
"Thank you all, you've worked hard."
Uncle Liu shook hands enthusiastically with Liu Sheng and the others, looking at their expressions that were more colorful than if they had eaten feces.
Liu Sheng nodded perfunctorily, his anger boiling!
A few sarcastic words had cost him six hundred thousand. Surely, there was no one more foolish than him in this world!
Thinking of the lost money made Liu Sheng feel as if his heart were bleeding!
The construction crew behind him, however, were suffering even more, having visibly lost weight.
The winding village roads made construction extremely difficult. Normally, they would have been overjoyed, but this time it was for free!
The thought made them gnash their teeth in anger, but they could only swallow their resentment.
Looking at the wide road before him, Er Zhu's lips curved upwards. He gazed deeply at the road leading to the town, as if envisioning a bright future for the villagers!
Only now did he truly understand the pride of serving the people that Uncle Liu had spoken of.
Perhaps, his plan could wait a little longer. He would leave only after Shiliu Village had prospered completely!
"Er Zhu, congratulations."
An old man's voice from afar interrupted Er Zhu's thoughts. He turned his head and saw Elder Chen, led by Mayor Liu Changfa, approaching him warmly.
"Elder Chen, Mayor Liu."
Er Zhu warmly shook hands with Elder Chen and nodded to Liu Changfa.
"Er Zhu, calling me that sounds too formal. From now on, call me Brother Liu."
Liu Changfa's face fell, and he feigned displeasure at Er Zhu, then clapped him on the shoulder with a hearty laugh.
As the mayor, he never sought empty fame; his priority had always been serving the people!
Er Zhu smiled faintly without speaking, then began to introduce the newly built wide road.
Not far away, Qian Fugui and others cast disdainful glances at Er Zhu. Seeing Er Zhu being fawned over by Liu Changfa and Elder Chen, their eyes were filled with envy!
What was so great about him? Just because he knew a rich man, they had to elevate him so highly?
He, Qian Fugui, knew even more rich people, and their Linyuan Village was stronger than Shiliu Village!
"Elder Chen, we agreed, you're visiting our village today."
Seeing Elder Chen and Er Zhu getting along so well, even discussing visiting the village, Qian Fugui hurried over and reminded him with a smile.
They had only planned to stop by briefly, not to tour Shiliu Village. What about their village?
For this visit, their villagers had worked for a month!
"Yes, yes, what a brain I have, I almost forgot."
Prompted by Qian Fugui, Elder Chen stopped and patted his forehead sheepishly.
"Uncle Liu, Er Zhu, why don't you also visit Linyuan Village? You can learn more about getting rich."
Before Elder Chen could speak, Liu Changfa, who was beside him, suddenly thought of something and spoke first.
Their stopping here wasn't just to admire the road; he had specifically intended to find Er Zhu and Uncle Liu.
"This road has just been completed, and Uncle Liu and Er Zhu have a lot of matters to handle. They probably don't have time."
Hearing Liu Changfa say this, Qian Fugui instinctively refused.
He had always disliked Er Zhu and Uncle Liu, wishing their village would remain the poorest forever. How could he possibly allow them to visit their village!
Their village was the wealthiest in the entire town, and poor folks like Uncle Liu and Er Zhu were not qualified to visit!
Of course, these were thoughts he could only keep to himself; he would never dare to voice them.
"Fu Gui is right. So, Er Zhu, you go. I'll stay in the village to handle these matters."
Upon hearing this, Uncle Liu understood Qian Fugui's intentions, but he was not afraid. He spoke his mind first.
If it were a year ago, he might have been intimidated by Qian Fugui's authority and not dared to resist. But things were different now!
He would try his best to secure everything for Er Zhu, as a final bit of help.
"Alright, then it's settled!"
Qian Fugui was stunned and was about to speak again when Liu Changfa suddenly grabbed Er Zhu and pulled him towards the car.
Seeing this, Qian Fugui and the others were filled with rage, their envy turning into hatred!
They had served Liu Changfa diligently for years without receiving such admiration, yet why did Er Zhu?
Although they were upset, they dared not act out in front of Liu Changfa and Elder Chen.
"If you want to stay, stay. The three of us are going to Linyuan Village!"
Just as everyone was seething with anger, Liu Changfa's scolding voice came. The others jolted and quickly walked towards the car.
Who in their right mind would want to stay in such a poor, remote place!
The car drove westward. Er Zhu, Liu Changfa, and Elder Chen sat together, their conversation flowing more and more harmoniously, filled with laughter.
Meanwhile, on Qian Fugui's side, no one spoke to them. Furthermore, Liu Changfa and Elder Chen didn't even spare them a glance!
This stark difference between the heavens and the earth made Qian Fugui and the others resent Er Zhu even more. They clenched their fists, their fingernails digging deeply into their flesh!
Just you wait, when we reach Linyuan Village, you'll see!