Nominal: Who isn't a son-in-law?

Soon, two and a half hours had passed.

The sky was completely dark, and a fragrant aroma wafted through the air.

Outside the village committee building, a long string of light bulbs illuminated the area.

Wooden tables and chairs were neatly arranged inside and out.

Except for a few elderly people who had difficulty moving around, almost everyone in the village came and chatted happily.

The children ran around and played, pointing at the police in the crowd with shining eyes, and making gun-like gestures with their hands.

Laughter filled the village as children chased the fragrant dust.

Chu Shijun, holding a teacup in one hand, looked around the cooking area, while Director Li followed closely behind with a helpless expression.

"Mmm, it smells delicious, sister-in-law."

Chu Shijun walked to the woman's side, watched her wield the spatula and stir-fry chicken pieces, and sniffed.

"Boss, it's ready, would you like to try some?"

The woman said with a smile.

"That's not a good idea, I'll eat first."

Chu Shijun politely declined, but reached out and took the bowl and chopsticks.

"Please take this piece; the meat here is tender."

The woman used a spatula to pick out a piece of meat.

Chu Shijun picked up a piece of chicken, blew on it, then put it in his mouth, chewed it carefully, and then gave a thumbs up, praising, "Hmm, not bad, not bad, sister-in-law, your skills are good enough to be a master chef!"

"Then you'd better eat a lot later, boss!"

A moment later, the dishes were served.

The evening breeze in the mountain village carries the fragrance of trees. There is no elaborate plating or high-end ingredients, but the dishes placed on the table are very appetizing.

"Secretary Chu, please have a seat."

Li Dakang solicitously pulled over a high chair and wiped it clean.

Chu Shijun didn't sit down. Instead, he looked at an elderly man with white hair at the next table and gestured, "How old is this gentleman?"

Upon seeing this, Lin Xiangjun said, "This is the oldest person in our Xilin Village, a veteran, 97 years old this year, named Zhang Jingliang."

"Oh, old comrade, please come over and sit with us."

As he spoke, Chu Shijun walked over and bowed, saying, "Hello, senior."

"what?"

The old man named Zhang Jingliang turned his head, but he couldn't hear clearly.

"Grandpa Zhang, this is a high-ranking leader who has come to inspect our area, Secretary Chu Shijun of Baijiang Province," Lin Xiangjun announced loudly.

"Baijiang, I know it. I went there when I was young."

Zhang Jingliang nodded and looked Chu Shijun up and down. "You young man, you don't look very old, but you're already the provincial party secretary."

"I'll be fifty soon too."

Chu Shijun also said loudly, "You are the eldest and a senior, please come and sit with us, let's have a chat?"

"Sure."

Zhang Jingliang looks old, but he is very healthy and can get up without help.

"Please sit here."

Chu Shijun had him sit in the chair that Li Dakang had just pulled out.

After he sat down, his gaze swept across the room. "Everyone, please sit down. Don't be shy, let's eat together in a lively atmosphere!"

At his table were Chu Shijun, Liu Yuntian, Li Dakang, Ye Wentao, Lin Xiangjun, Hu Ming, Zhang Jingliang, and others.

As Chu Shijun picked up his chopsticks, dinner officially began.

He took the initiative to pick up the bowl and chopsticks, and turned to serve food and soup to Zhang Jingliang next to him.

"Oh, I'll do it myself. You guys come over and have a good meal and drinks."

Zhang Jingliang waved his hand, glancing at the table. "Are you drinking or not?"

"Drinks little."

"So you can drink then? With this whole table of food, shall we have a couple of drinks?"

"Alright, my disciplinary committee secretary isn't here, I'll sneak you a couple of drinks!"

Chu Shijun was unwilling to refuse the old senior's good intentions, so he nodded in agreement.

Immediately, someone went to get the liquor, a local specialty, Maotai-flavor liquor. The other tables already had some, all brought by their own families.

As for the rule that drinking is not allowed at work, no one is mentioning it now.

"Comrade Yuntian, Comrade Dakang, the three of us will have a couple of drinks with Senior Zhang."

"I'll pour the wine."

Ye Wentao got up, took the wine bottle, and poured wine for the group.

"Fellow villagers, those who drink alcohol, those who drink water, and the children who drink soda, let's all raise a toast!" Chu Shijun raised his glass and said loudly.

"good!"

"Senior Zhang, I salute you!"

"Bang"

They clinked glasses, and after downing most of their drinks, the atmosphere suddenly became lively.

During the meal, Chu Shijun chatted warmly with him, discussing everything from his past experiences to his family and his current life. The conversation was lively.

Afterwards, Chu Shijun, holding a wine glass, walked from table to table, drinking a little each time, and asking everyone how their harvest was this year, whether their income from working was stable, whether it was convenient for their children to go to school, and what difficulties their families were facing. He listened patiently and answered their questions.

The atmosphere was relaxed, warm, and joyful. The villagers put aside their inhibitions and chatted with Chu Shijun, telling him about the tremendous changes that had taken place in the village over the past year.

Some say that since Secretary Lin came to power, the roads in front of their homes have been improved and the streetlights have been turned on, so they no longer have to walk in the dark. Others are grateful that they can work and earn money right at their doorstep, instead of having to wander around all year round.

An elderly person said with a smile that the village is becoming more and more well-governed, making things easier and life more comfortable.

Time slipped away second by second in this lively atmosphere.

During the event, more than ten women left their seats and returned a moment later, now dressed in ethnic costumes, adorned with silver ornaments and colorful clothes, carrying reed pipes. They came to the open space and spontaneously organized a traditional ethnic song and dance performance, welcoming Chu Shijun and his entourage from afar in the most solemn and simple way in the mountains.

Before long, someone put down their bowl and chopsticks and joined in.

The melodious sound of the lusheng (a traditional reed pipe instrument) filled the air, accompanied by crisp drumbeats. Villagers held hands and danced in circles, their steps simple yet graceful, creating a warm and genuine atmosphere that swept away the seriousness of the daytime research.

"How lively and simple it is!"

Chu Shijun couldn't help but sigh,

"That's how it is in our rural area."

Zhang Jingliang, with a cigarette between his fingers, said, “It’s always this lively during holidays and when we have guests. Hey, but conditions weren’t as good before. We’re so grateful to Xiao Lin for fixing the road. It’s made life much more convenient for everyone. You should give him a good compliment.”

Lin Xiangjun smiled shyly.

"Don't worry, we'll not only praise you, but if you do a good job going forward, you'll also be promoted."

Chu Shijun nodded.

"Our goal is to help underdeveloped areas develop and become prosperous. This is the original aspiration and mission of our organization members."

"Senior, please take care of your health so that you can witness your hometown's development and improvement in the future."

"Me too, I'd love to see. I'm ninety-seven this year."

Zhang Jingliang shook his head, "I don't pursue so much, as long as the children are living well, that's enough."

"Yes, yes..."

Chu Shijun responded.

Not far away, singing and dancing were in full swing. Several older women huddled together and chatted for a while. Then, the woman who had been cooking stepped out of the dance group, a simple smile on her face, and came to the table, saying warmly, "Leaders, why don't you join us in dancing? Let's have some fun!"

"Oh, I can't dance, you guys dance, you guys dance!"

Chu Shijun quickly waved his hand.

"Come on, come on, it's very simple, we'll teach you."

The woman boldly reached out and tugged at Chu Shijun, then looked up and shouted, "Folks, let's invite Secretary Chu to join us in dancing, what do you say?"

"good!"

"Secretary Chu, Governor Liu, and all the leaders, let's all have a good time!"

"Yeah, come on!"