1979: Reopening Wenhao Road from the Village

After learning that Chen Weidong was the author of "The Herdsman," Wang Liming's attitude improved, and he even inquired about Chen Weidong's requirements for future work.

"I understand, Weidong. Leave the work to me. Brother Chen, you guys go back and wait for me for a few days. I'll contact you as soon as I hear from you."

"Thank you, Uncle Wang."

Chen Weidong immediately expressed his gratitude, realizing that the other party's words were not a refusal, and that he had the ability to judge people.

"Thank you so much for your help this time, Liming. These are local specialties that Weidong brought up from the countryside. Please try them."

"Brother Chen, what are you doing? Take him back quickly."

"These are just some local specialties, a token of Weidong's appreciation. Please accept them. We'll be going now."

Mr. Chen pushed the cigarettes and alcohol back and left the Wang family with Chen Weidong. He was overjoyed when he came out, as he had not expected Wang Liming to be so accommodating.

He glanced at Chen Weidong behind him out of the corner of his eye. He was somewhat useful; he had underestimated the influence of Chen Weidong as an author.

He knew that Wang Liming's later good attitude was largely due to Chen Weidong's writing of "The Herdsman".

Wang Liming watched Chen Guangde and Chen Weidong's retreating figures, then opened the bag and took a look.

"Looks like I'll have to do some serious research this time."

Feelings are feelings, and obligations are obligations.

There must be a proper attitude towards getting things done.

Although the Chen family had been kind to him in the past, if they came empty-handed, even if he helped them, the two families would never have any contact again.

After all, he would need to ask for favors to arrange work, and these are all favors.

He was very satisfied with the Chen family's actions in this regard. They hadn't asked for anything for so many years, but this time they did, and they didn't ask for favors but instead showed the utmost courtesy.

However, what made Wang Liming take it so seriously was related to Chen Weidong's writing of "The Herdsman". As an official, he was well aware of the influence of a writer, and many writers even held important positions in the cultural system.

Although Chen Weidong is just starting out and has only written one article, given the influence of "The Herdsman," he has a good chance of making further progress in the future.

He understood the difference between offering help in times of need and adding to someone's success, not to mention that the two families had always had a good relationship. Therefore, Wang Liming was now having a headache about what kind of job to find for Chen Weidong.

He originally wanted to find Chen Weidong a factory job or a temporary job on the street, but now he couldn't do that.

"What are you thinking about? Why aren't you turning on the lights? Where did this come from?"

Xiao Hui opened the door and entered the house, turned on the light, and saw Wang Liming leaning against the sofa smoking. There were also two bottles of Xifeng liquor and a carton of Peony cigarettes on the table.

"Brother Chen brought it."

"Brother Chen Guangde? Why is he sending such an expensive gift? Does he need something from you?"

Xiao Hui said with some surprise, "In previous years when Chen Guangde came to our house, he would only bring some peanuts, melon seeds or cooked food made at home. This is the first time he has brought something as expensive as tobacco and alcohol."

"Yes, his son Chen Weidong has returned to the city and wants me to help him find a job."

"Wei Dong? I remember he's about the same age as Guo Qing. I think he dropped out of school a long time ago. But his family did help us. If it weren't for them, we might not even have Guo Qing. We can't forget that kindness."

Xiao Hui kept this matter in mind. If it weren't for Chen Guangde and the others, not to mention her son Guoqing, even she might not have survived.

"I understand. I didn't say I wouldn't help. I just wanted to find him a suitable job, but it's really hard to find one right now."

"There's nothing hard about finding someone. If the factory can't arrange it, your neighborhood committee must have some openings. Let him work as a temporary errand boy, no problem at all."

"That's what I thought at first, but it's not possible now."

"Why? Could it be that Brother Chen and the others have some requests? If it's really difficult, I'll go to their house tomorrow and return the things."

Although Xiao Hui remembered the Chen family's kindness, if the Chen family really made exorbitant demands, she would definitely not let Wang Liming be put in a difficult position again, so as not to affect him.

"No, it's not that. Don't you think Brother Chen's son's name sounds familiar?"

"What's so familiar or unfamiliar about him? He's just named Chen Weidong..."

As Xiao Hui spoke, she did feel a vague sense of familiarity, as if she had heard someone mention it recently.

"Didn't you just watch 'The Herdsman' a few days ago?"

Wang Liming offered a reminder.

"You mean... this was written by Chen Weidong from Brother Chen's family?!"

Seeing Wang Liming nod, Xiao Hui opened her mouth in surprise. Although she had not paid special attention to the Chen family, she had some basic understanding of them from her conversations with Chen Guangde in previous years.

In Xiao Hui's memory, Chen Weidong seemed to have only attended school for a few years before going to the countryside. Later, she heard that he got married and had a daughter.

Now he's the author of "The Horseman"?!

"That's incredible!"

"Right? I was quite surprised when I heard that too. I never expected that Chen Weidong would be the most successful member of Brother Chen's family!"

"Indeed, but we can't just arrange things arbitrarily now."

Xiao Hui agreed with Wang Liming's idea. The Chen family had been kind to her family, and they were not lacking in courtesy. Although Chen Weidong's education level was low, he was able to write "The Herdsman," which showed great potential. They should definitely arrange a suitable job for him. This way, they could repay the favor and also have a backup plan, in case it came in handy someday.

"There's a school in your neighborhood. Since Chen Weidong was able to write 'The Herdsman,' going to school would be a good way to preserve his talent and learn more."

"You mean the Central Academy of Drama? That's appropriate, but that's not under our jurisdiction. The neighborhood committee only has the right to make recommendations."

Wang Liming's eyes lit up, then he frowned and slowly said.

"Give it a try. If it doesn't work out, you can find him other jobs."

"That's fine too."

……

As soon as she entered the house, Grandma Chen couldn't wait to ask questions.

"Wei Dong, what did Director Wang say?"

"Grandma, don't worry, Director Wang has agreed and will keep an eye on it."

"That's good, that's good."

Grandma Chen finally smiled, and Chen's mother and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hurry up and sit down to eat."

After the family finished eating and chatted for a while, they each went back to their own houses.

Looking at the newly renovated east wing, it's much better than the house I lived in before in Yangjiatun.

"You cleaned so quickly?"

"With Mom and my sister-in-law helping me, the cleaning went quickly. Did they spend a lot of money today?"

"It cost twenty-six, but it seems like I'm still missing a thermos or a stool. I'll go to the grocery store to check about it sometime."

Chen Weidong glanced around.

"Mother said there's some spare money at home, we can use it for now. This is the money from selling the sheep, you can pay it back to Mother tomorrow."

"No need, Grandma paid for it. We and my older brother each received twenty yuan as a New Year's red envelope."

"Oh, Grandma paid for it, so we should pay her back. How can we use their money?"

Upon hearing this, Su Man immediately counted out twenty and handed it over.

Chen Weidong sat down next to her, put his arm around her shoulder and said, "Really, it's not necessary. We only have about thirty yuan left. We still need to buy some things for Sui Sui and An An, and that will cost money."

We can take care of them when we've made some money.

……