20 years of restarting life

Chapter 3460 Lin Xiaojie

A banner was hung above the school gate that read, "Warmly welcome Chairman Zhao and international friends to visit."

Looking at the students whose little faces were red from the cold, Zhao Chang'an was a little unhappy. But from the town's perspective, they were doing this because they were afraid of neglecting their distinguished guests.

Although he didn't like it, Zhao Chang'an could understand the locals' feelings, so before getting off the bus, he adjusted his expression to a warm and welcoming smile.

Following the established procedures, Zhao Chang'an told the students to disperse quickly. Before they went home, Zhao Chang'an went to the store where many teachers and students had been warming themselves earlier. He saw that the store had the most instant noodles piled up inside, with more than a hundred boxes.

There were also dozens of boxes of ham sausages, but most of them were not brands like Shuanghui or Jinluo, but brands that Zhao Chang'an had never heard of.

However, even so, it is a delicacy that is rarely found in the mountains.

During the Chinese New Year, inexpensive instant noodles and sausages become popular gifts for visiting relatives. More upscale gifts include milk, branded liquor in paper packaging, and cartons of cigarettes.

"Tell the children not to leave yet. Give each of them a box of instant noodles and ten sausages. Don't refuse. These aren't for you. They're just a small token of my appreciation for these children."

Zhao Chang'an smiled and said to Wu Yudong, who came from Pengzhou, "Wu Shu, don't worry about this."

"Well, this can be considered a good story."

Wu Yudong nodded with a smile. Before leaving, Pei Pingjiang had promoted him to the top position despite opposition. In the past two years, he had been doing very well in Pengzhou and had clearly put forward the slogan of "tourism economy and tourism revitalization".

Meanwhile, Datang Power is constructing a large thermal power plant in the eastern suburbs of Shancheng City as a supporting thermal power generation node for the Three Gorges power grid. The Pengzhou Power Plant will also be shut down in the next few years. Many county-run enterprises in Pengzhou have also been sold or closed by Wu Yudong in the past two years. This includes ongoing negotiations with Luyuan Group to sell the land of these abandoned factories to Luyuan Group, with the proceeds to be used for urban development, road beautification, and environmental improvement.

Those who understand him in the past two years know that he is gritting his teeth and working hard to develop the city's economy, while those who don't understand him call him Wu the Skinflint, saying that he digs up three feet of the ground to sell.

Therefore, Feng Jianfei both disliked and praised him. He disliked his single-minded pursuit of tourism economy, but praised his drastic measures to eliminate outdated and obsolete production capacity.

However, Wu Yudong, who originally had a good relationship with Xu San, and who wisely and rationally observed Xu San's downfall, has now improved his relationship with Xu Wanrong.

That's why he's here today.

Wu Yudong was self-aware of the Green Garden Group, knowing that he was not good enough for them.

Let alone him, even Feng Jianfei is nothing to Shan Qiang, the president of Luyuan Group.

However, Wu Yudong could reach Xu Wanrong.

Although he had heard about the rift between Zhao Chang'an and the Green Garden Group, these were not things that someone at his level needed to consider. It was a battle between giants at that level, and besides, it was a business war. As long as he didn't do anything reckless or court death, neither Zhao Chang'an nor Shan Qiang would be able to hold a grudge against someone as insignificant as him.

That summer at Chu Yueliang's house, Wu Yudong personally witnessed Zhao Chang'an bringing Xu Wanrong back to Shancheng to investigate Xu San's matter.

In the end, Xu San got what he deserved, but Wu Yudong was perfectly aware of the relationship between Zhao Chang'an and Xu Wanrong. That's why he personally came to Qiaojiashan Town to welcome Zhao Chang'an when he learned that Zhao Chang'an was coming.

After Zhao Chang'an, Zhang Xiaoxue, and Tian Xue gave each student a box of instant noodles and ten sausages, they began to tour the school.

The school's area is not large, only a dozen acres. The teaching buildings are brick and tile houses built decades ago, and the teachers' offices, dormitories, and toilets are even more dilapidated.

Seeing this, Wu Yudong's face didn't look too good, but it was the truth. Money was needed everywhere, and that little bit of money could only be used where it was most needed. For example, when it came to investing in education, the first priority was to ensure teachers' salaries, as well as the school's water, electricity, chalk, and other teaching materials.

Zhao Chang'an walked to the classroom of Class 1, Grade 5. Looking at the old desks and chairs and the blackboard painted with asphalt, he seemed to see Li Shiya standing on the podium, teaching the students below.

For a moment, I was completely absorbed in watching it.

"The school has six grades, from preschool to fifth grade, with three to five classes in each grade and forty to fifty students in each class. The school has a total of 1169 students. This sixth grade class is the one I teach, with a total of fifty-one students. There are four classes in the sixth grade, and our class has the best academic performance. Nine of the top twenty students in the grade are from our class."

Lin Xiaojie, the female teacher next to Zhao Chang'an, introduced herself to him; she was also the guide for today's visit.

Before coming here, Zhao Chang'an hadn't expected that there would be such a pretty young female teacher in this small school in the mountains.

Even in a mountainous city, one rarely sees someone with her looks.

Zhao Chang'an glanced at her sideways. Lin Xiaojie was less than 1.7 meters tall and was wearing a pair of white fleece-lined sneakers that were very popular in the city this year. She was a head shorter than Zhao Chang'an.

Seeing Zhao Chang'an looking at her, she also raised her delicate and pretty face and looked at Zhao Chang'an with a gentle smile.

-

On the third day of the first lunar month in 02, Zhao Chang'an, along with Zou Xiaojun, Zhang Xiaoxue, Tian Xue, Yamakawa Yuki, Xue Han, and others, visited Qiaojiashan Town Central Primary School.

Given that the school's teaching buildings were still brick and tile structures from twenty or thirty years ago, Zhao Chang'an decided to donate two million yuan as construction funds for the school, to build new teaching buildings, office buildings, toilets, and teachers' dormitories.

Moreover, as a member of the Provincial Calligraphers Association, Zhao Chang'an personally wrote the four exquisite small characters "Chang'an Primary School," which won a round of enthusiastic applause from the audience.

After visiting the primary school, a banquet was held at a local hotel at noon. Zhao Chang'an, who famously said he didn't drink, said that guests from afar were welcome. Moreover, he took out two million yuan to help the school build a new teaching building. This kindness moved the school principal and teachers, who all insisted on toasting him.

Especially Lin Xiaojie, whose pretty face was already flushed even before she had drunk any alcohol, mustered up her courage, raised her glass, looked at Zhao Chang'an, and said, "President Zhao, to express my respect for you, I will drink it all, you can drink as you please."

He raised his glass and downed nearly two ounces of baijiu (Chinese liquor) in one gulp, tilting his long, white neck back.

It won a round of enthusiastic applause from the audience.