I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

When it was time for dinner that evening, Gao Bing arrived with the head of the town's public security bureau.

"We can only mediate with someone like Zhang Cuilian. No matter what we say, she insists on Minister Zhou compensating her." The director was very uneasy.

"How much money does she want?" Zhou Wenhui asked calmly.

"Five...five hundred..." the bureau chief said, trembling.

On one side is the provincial Minister of Agriculture, and on the other is a unreasonable village woman. If he doesn't handle this well, he might lose his position as bureau chief.

"Okay, five hundred it is. I'll go back to Huailin in a couple of days and mail the money to your Public Security Bureau. You can give it to Zhang Cuilian," Zhou Wenhui said calmly.

"She went too far! In that situation, not signing would have meant the death of both mother and child!" Qiaoqiao said angrily.

Zhou Wenhui held Qiaoqiao down and said kindly to the bureau chief and Gao Bing, "Thank you for your hard work. As long as Zhang Cuilian doesn't cause trouble again, the five hundred yuan is no problem. Don't feel burdened."

"Thank you, thank you for your understanding, Teacher Zhou."

The bureau chief bowed and thanked him, while Gao Bing, with a dark face, had no good solution.

"Have you eaten? Would you like some?"

"No, no, we'll go back to eat. We won't disturb your meal then. We'll be going now."

As the bureau chief turned to leave, Gao Bing also stood up and said, "Teacher Zhou, how about I cover this expense?"

"No, this is a private matter. I can't ask you to pay for it, and Dad won't agree to it either. Go back now, and be careful on your way." Zhou Wenhui saw the bureau chief and Gao Bing out with a kind smile.

Qiaoqiao was so angry that she couldn't eat: "How could Zhang Cuilian do this? She really treats Fenglin like a cash cow."

Qiaoqiao's mother sighed, "I was trying to do a good deed, but I've made a mistake. If we weren't in-laws, let alone my grandson, even if it were Fenglin... never mind, never mind, Qiaoqiao."

Qiaoqiao's father said, "Qiaoqiao, I have about two hundred yuan here. How about I give it to you first?"

"No need, Dad, I have money, it's just that I can't swallow this insult," Qiaoqiao pouted.

"Why can't you swallow it? It's easy to swallow." Zhou Wenhui came in with a smile after seeing off the guest.

"Qiaoqiao, five hundred yuan can make Jintao's mother feel at ease, and she won't bother Zhao Jintao and Fenglin anymore. As friends, they're at peace, and you're happy too." Zhou Wenhui smiled, as if he had gotten a great deal.

"I'm just not willing to accept this. I'd be happy to give Fenglin five hundred yuan."

"To endure what ordinary people cannot endure is the mark of a great man. You're a history student; you should have the magnanimity of historical figures. Alright, don't dwell on it. Let's eat. I'll stay with you for a few days and send the money back as soon as I get back. By the way, whatever you do, don't tell Jin Tao and Feng Lin about this, lest they feel bad."

"Wenhui, I truly admire you. Fortunately, this is a new society. If it were ancient times, you would have been ennobled."

After Zhou Wenhui explained, Qiaoqiao wasn't so angry anymore.

"What's wrong with being granted a title of nobility? You'll be a marquis's wife after all."

"I'm afraid my mind isn't up to the task of becoming a Marquis's wife."

"If I say you can do it, then you can do it."

Zhou Wenhui pinched Qiaoqiao's nose, and Zhou Xiaowei stared wide-eyed, saying, "Dad is bullying Mom, I'm going to tell Grandpa..."

"You little rascal, you always tattle on me whenever I bully you."

Qiaoqiao's parents, grandparents, and everyone else laughed as Xiaowei acted like a grown-up.

The unpleasantness over the 500 yuan disappeared with the laughter.

Everyone in Dashui Village knew that Zhang Cuilian had made a fortune. She had extorted five hundred yuan from Minister Zhou, and she had sold the Angora rabbits raised by Fenglin for two hundred yuan after shearing them. She was reluctant to sell the thirty rabbits and two pigs, so she kept them.

People used to say that raising pigs and rabbits was hard work, but now that Fenglin is gone, Zhang Cuilian doesn't feel it's hard anymore. She's busy managing everything inside and outside the house.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye. Zhou Wenhui went back to work, while Qiaoqiao stayed at home. It was almost time to harvest the wheat, and Yang Zheng wasn't home, so Qiaoqiao had to help.

In Yangjiadi, people were bustling about, and Zhou Xiaowei was not idle either, bringing his little yellow dog to help.

Hu Xiaomei was originally a nanny who took care of children. During the busy farming season, she was in a hurry and couldn't take care of the children, so she also got busy in the fields.

This year's harvest is great! The wheat ears are full of plump grains, and Qiaoqiao's dad can't stop smiling. Once the new wheat is dried and ground into flour, he'll definitely steam three pots of big, plump steamed buns so that Xiaowei can have his fill.

After being discharged from the hospital, Fenglin did not go home, but went directly to the provincial capital with Zhao Jintao.

Zhou Zhonghai arranged two jobs for Fenglin. One was to work as a temporary worker in a clothing factory, where the more he worked, the more he would earn. He would be paid 50 cents for each set of clothes he made, and if he worked overtime, he could make up to three sets a day, earning 1.5 yuan.

Working overtime every day for a month without a break, earning 45 yuan, meals not included.

One option is a canteen worker, earning thirty yuan a month, with one day off a week and meals provided.

Fenglin chose the garment factory without hesitation. The canteen was easy and provided meals, but he couldn't learn any technical skills.

She could learn skills at the garment factory; she wanted to learn how to make clothes and make lots of beautiful dresses for Qiaoqiao.

"Okay, I've asked the agricultural logistics department to arrange a dormitory for you. It has a small kitchen and a shared toilet. It's not big, but it's convenient. It's close to the garment factory and the agricultural university. I'll take you to see it."

Zhou Zhonghai had Gu Quan drive, and with Feng Lin's clothes in tow, they went to their lodgings.

This is a staff dormitory building under the Ministry of Agriculture, and the people living there are all young people.

Fenglin's room still has a stove, household items, and the bed is still there.

"This house belongs to a young worker from the Ministry of Agriculture. He went to work at the grassroots level and didn't take his belongings with him, so it's perfect for you to use. It's just too basic."

Fenglin was overjoyed and said, "Uncle Zhou, this is great! The second floor is dry, has a good view, and even has a stove. It saves us a lot of money."

Jin Tao is very satisfied with the house.

"Uncle Zhou, we need to pay some rent since we're staying here, right?"

"Your Uncle Zhou doesn't embezzle or accept bribes, but he's not so clean that he has to pay rent for a house. Don't worry, there's no rent here. The young workers here don't have to pay rent or utilities; it's welfare housing from the Ministry of Agriculture." Zhou Zhonghai laughed heartily.

"Thank you, Uncle Zhou."

"Alright, you guys pack your things. Tomorrow I'll have Gu Quan come to Feng Lin to report to the garment factory. Feng Lin, I believe in you. You can pull yourself together and start a new life."

"Uncle Zhou, I will, thank you."

"Okay, you guys are busy. There's no time to cook dinner tonight. There's a cafeteria up ahead, so you can make do there for a few days."

"Okay, Uncle Zhou, take care."

Zhou Zhonghai left, and Feng Lin looked at Zhao Jintao in disbelief: "Jintao, we have a home in the provincial capital now, a home for both of us."

"Well, from now on it'll just be the two of us. You go to work, and I'll go to school. We'll be very happy. But I have one request: when you go to the garment factory, you can't work overtime. Just make two outfits a day."

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

The two ignored their fatigue and began cleaning.

"Fenglin, don't mention water, I'll do it."

"Fenglin, the table is too heavy, let me do it, let me do it."

"Fenglin, have some water and rest for a while. I'll wash the dishes."

"Fenglin, the windows are cleaned. Can you check if they're up to standard?"

In the small room, all that could be heard was the sound of "Feng Lin Feng Lin," as two young people, their hearts heavy with the vicissitudes of life, laughed happily in their new environment.