Nominal: Starting with an entrance exam for a PhD in Economics at Peking University

"elder sister……"

Every time the children uttered a naive and innocent remark, He Xian would smile and give them a piece of chocolate, creating a very cheerful atmosphere.

At this moment, a chubby little boy with a simple, honest face sniffed, looked at He Xian, then at Qi Tongwei who was smiling beside him, and suddenly asked loudly:

"Pretty sister, are you Uncle Tongwei's wife? Should I call you auntie?"

He Xian was distributing chocolates when he heard this, and his hand trembled. "Accidentally," he gave three pieces to the chubby boy.

When Qi Tongwei came out of the house carrying a basket of snacks and fruit, he saw a group of little kids surrounding He Xian, chattering excitedly:

"Auntie! I want another piece of candy!"

"Auntie, will you still be here tomorrow?"

"Auntie..."

Surrounded by others, He Xian held a chocolate bar in her hand. She looked up at Qi Tongwei, her large eyes blinking, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She whispered:

“They… insist on calling me aunt, and they won’t listen to any of my explanations.”

Chapter 71 Meeting the Parents (The End)

The freshly slaughtered pork still has its muscle fibers slightly twitching, carrying the last warmth of its life.

Using the freshest pork and offal, along with mushrooms picked from the mountains and freshly pulled radishes and greens from the ground, stir-fry over a high flame on a wood-fired stove or simmer over a low flame. Apart from salt and a little dried chili peppers from our own sun-dried vegetables, we add almost no other seasonings.

Yet this simple "pig-killing feast" exudes an intense aroma that no amount of elaborate cooking in the city can match—an aroma that strikes straight to the soul. It is the most direct collision of the land, labor, fresh ingredients, and the warmth of human life.

He Xian ate with gusto, his cheeks bulging and his eyes crinkling into crescents with satisfaction. He exclaimed, "Auntie, Uncle, this meat is so fragrant! The soup is incredibly delicious too! I've never eaten such delicious pork before!"

"This pig's blood is so tender!"

Every sincere compliment deepened the smiles on Mr. and Mrs. Qi's faces and added to their joy.

After dinner, there was another flurry of activity.

Boil water to wash up, and change into new bedding that smells of sunshine and cotton.

He Xian lay on the thick, soft bed, smelling the clean, warm scent of the blankets, listening to the faint chirping of cicadas outside the window and the distant, indistinct barking of dogs. The fatigue from the day's hustle and bustle washed over her, and with a satisfied smile, she quickly drifted into a sweet dream.

Meanwhile, Qi Tongwei, who had been "neglected" by his mother for half a day, finally received "special attention" from his parents, and the atmosphere was like a "trial by three people".

Presiding Judge Li Aihua spoke first, lowering her voice and speaking with a serious expression: "Where is this girl from? What does her family do?"

Qi Tongwei had already anticipated this, and answered frankly: "She is from Beijing, and is the niece of Director Han Shen of the Economic Commission. Her parents are both professors at Beijing Normal University."

"Professor?!" Li Aihua and Qi Chunhai gasped simultaneously.

Han Shen was their son's boss and powerful backer, which already made them feel that he was unapproachable. They never expected that their future in-laws would be "professors"! This kind of scholarly and highly educated family was quite an impact on the elderly couple who had spent their whole lives working the land.

Originally extremely satisfied with He Xian, she was now even more stunned by his "family background" and felt somewhat at a loss. She felt proud, but also had a vague sense of unease, wondering if her family had climbed too high.

Assistant Judge Qi Chunhai processed the information, then nudged his son with his elbow and muttered under his breath, his tone complex:

"Everyone in the village says that Tonghua married the canteen owner's daughter, so he's 'living off a woman.' Who would have thought, Tongwei, you're usually so quiet, but when it comes to 'living off a woman,' even your cousin can't keep up with you!"

The way it's said is rough, but it has a kind of straightforward humor typical of farmers.

Li Aihua, who loved her son more, immediately pinched Qi Chunhai upon hearing this and glared at him, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about! What do you mean by 'gold digger'? It's because our son is capable and successful that the girl is interested in him! This is called... this is called a perfect match, a good couple!"

She tried hard to come up with a refined word, her intention to protect him evident in her words.

Then, Li Aihua asked about every little detail: How old is the girl? What's her zodiac sign? What job does she do now? Does she have any siblings? How are her parents' health? ... Qi Tongwei answered patiently one by one.

After hearing all the information, Li Aihua let out a long, satisfied sigh, as if a huge burden had been lifted. She exclaimed, "Good, good! From now on, Mom won't have to worry about your personal life anymore. This girl is perfect in looks, personality, and family background. It's your good fortune that she's taken a liking to you! You must remember to treat her well! Do you hear me?"

Looking at the genuine smile and relief in his mother's eyes, Qi Tongwei smiled and nodded along, but a pang of sadness suddenly welled up in his heart.

He recalled his previous life, the forced smiles and unconcealed worries in his parents' eyes every time they saw him, their heartache and helplessness over his twisted marriage... Then he looked at the genuine joy and relief his parents showed because of He Xian, and the contrast felt like a lifetime ago.

When he recalled He Xian's unreserved brightness and sincerity, the softest part of his heart felt even warmer and more resolute.

However, Li Aihua's expression quickly turned serious again. She stared at Qi Tongwei and asked in a low voice, "Tell me honestly, how much are the earrings and watch that Xiaoxian gave you worth?"

Qi Tongwei said helplessly, "Mom, just accept it. This is Xiaoxian's token of her affection. I will naturally make it up to her in other ways later."

“It’s your business to compensate me,” Li Aihua insisted. “What I’m asking now is how much this thing is worth. It’s a matter of etiquette that our family should know. Just give me a rough estimate.”

Qi Tongwei couldn't refuse, so after a quick estimate, he gave a relatively conservative figure: "About... around eight hundred yuan."

Li Aihua nodded, her expression knowing: "It's more expensive than I expected. It seems this child is honest and only buys the best things."

She turned to Qi Chunhai and decisively instructed, "His father, go to the credit union and withdraw another eight hundred yuan first thing tomorrow morning."

Qi Tongwei quickly stopped her: "Mom, really, there's no need! Xiaoxian won't accept it!"

Li Aihua rolled her eyes at her son, giving him a look that said, "Who said I gave it to her directly? Do you think I'm that stupid? I could have just put the money in the red envelope I gave her when we met, and given it to her together, wouldn't that have been fine?"

She thought for a moment and added to Qi Chunhai, "Let's take 888 yuan. It'll be good to put it together with the 1,000 yuan we took out today to prepare for red envelopes, so it'll be an auspicious number."

Qi Chunhai nodded: "Of course."

"Remember to get new bills, and make sure they're neatly arranged," Li Aihua carefully instructed.

"I understand," Qi Chunhai replied.

Watching his parents arrange things so perfectly with just a few words, Qi Tongwei stood aside, feeling an indescribable sense of peace and reassurance.

This is his root, the place where he can always draw strength and warmth no matter how far he goes or how high he climbs.

---

The next day, the sun shone brightly. Qi Tongwei took He Xuan to visit the village's tea plantation.

As you wind your way up the newly built mountain road, you are surrounded by lush greenery.

Rows of neatly trimmed tea bushes spread out along the mountainside, like a soft green carpet covering the mountains.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, lingering in the valley. Sunlight filtered through the thin mist, gilding the dewdrops on the tea leaves with a shimmering golden edge. The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible aroma of tea.

He Xian was very interested, like a curious child. She squatted down to touch the texture of the tea leaves, listened to Qi Tongwei explain the standards and timing of picking, and even learned a few simple tea-frying gestures. Although she was clumsy, she enjoyed it very much.

Standing halfway up the mountain, one can see the entire new look of Qijia Village. White walls and black tiles dot the green hills and clear waters, creating a tranquil yet vibrant scene.

Qi Tongwei also took some photos with the camera that He Xuan brought.

The two lingered in the tea mountain for most of the day, and did not descend the mountain until noon.

In the afternoon, Qi Tongwei saw He Xian off on his return journey.

On the one hand, the two were not yet married, and according to local customs, it was inevitable that the girl would gossip if she stayed at the boy's house for too long; on the other hand, He Xian's original plan for this trip was to visit him at Daokou on the way, and then she was to go to Chengdu with her parents to visit her maternal grandfather, Mr. Lin, so the itinerary was very tight.

Before parting, Li Aihua took out the thick red envelope she had prepared beforehand, stuffed it into He Xian's hand, held her hand, and repeatedly told her, "Daughter, have a safe journey. Come back and visit with Tongwei often when you have time!"

This time, He Xian didn't refuse. She accepted it generously and said with a sweet smile, "Thank you, Auntie! Thank you, Uncle! I'll definitely come often!"

Both parties agreed to meet again in the future and bid each other a reluctant farewell.

After boarding the bus to Luzhou to transfer to a train, Qi Tongwei watched He Xuan carefully put away the red envelope and couldn't help but tease her: "Little money-grubber, why are you accepting it so readily this time? Aren't you going to be polite?"

He Xian tilted his head, blinked his big eyes, and said with a sly, matter-of-fact expression, "Why should I be polite? Isn't this the 'bride price' that you asked my aunt and uncle to give me?"

Qi Tongwei's attempt to tease her backfired, and he ended up teasing her as well, laughing heartily along with He Xuan.

Yes, even though my mind has matured since my rebirth, the sensitivity and subconscious inferiority complex brought from my previous life still occasionally surface like a shadow.

But having such a pure-hearted girl by his side, whose eyes and heart are full of herself, and who loves passionately and openly, is like the brightest ray of sunshine, dispelling the gloom and making him more relaxed and confident from the inside out.

At the Beijing Railway Station, Qi Tongwei safely handed He Xian back to He Shihong and Lin Wanyi, who were already waiting.

The He family of three then transferred to an overnight sleeper train to Chengdu.

Qi Tongwei didn't linger. After seeing He Xian off, he prepared to return directly to Daokou County to continue his work.

Because both parties had tight schedules, this meeting was only a brief exchange of pleasantries on the platform.

He Shihong was polite but slightly reserved towards Qi Tongwei, while Lin Wanyi was much more enthusiastic, asking about the situation at the port and reminding Qi Tongwei to take care of his health.

On the return journey in the sleeper car, He Shihong asked his daughter, with a hint of nervousness, about the details of her trip to meet her parents.

Lin Wanyi then smiled and took out the bulging red envelope, opening it in front of them.

Inside was a thick stack of brand-new 100-yuan bills, with neat edges and the smell of ink. I counted them, and there were exactly 1,888 yuan.

"Don't worry!" Lin Wanyi looked at her husband's worried expression, then at her daughter's relaxed and sweet face, smiled, rewrapped the money, and stuffed it back into He Xian's hand.

"What elder can't your daughter handle?"

(The romance is coming to an end; it's time to return to the power struggles in Daokou County.)

Chapter 72 Dragging It In

Back in Daokou County, Qi Tongwei's days continued to flow at their own unhurried pace.

While continuing to refine the research report on the economic and social development of Daokou County, he also began to actually write the tea plantation project plan that Li Duohai had "high hopes for"—of course, at an extremely rigorous and even somewhat slow pace.

Meanwhile, corresponding with He Xuan became a warm routine for him during his daily breaks from work.

Before parting, Qi Tongwei discussed with He Xuan and left her camera behind.

He would occasionally take pictures of the street scenes of Daokou County, a corner of the county government compound, the sunset outside the guesthouse window, or a lazy cat he might encounter in the canteen, and send them with his letters so that she could also "see" his surroundings.

When he goes to the countryside to conduct research, he also takes some photos—dilapidated school buildings, irrigation ditches in urgent need of repair, farmers working in the fields... These images are not only direct evidence of the research, but may also become persuasive material in the future report.

The "reporting" to Lee Da-hae continued as a routine procedure.

In a report, Qi Tongwei "sincerely" stated: "Secretary Li, I went back to Qijia Village during the May Day holiday, visited our village's tea plantations, and had in-depth conversations with the village's experienced farmers and cooperative leaders. I was deeply impressed and discovered that my previous plan, based on the data, had many unrealistic aspects. In particular, the estimates regarding planting density, field management, and initial investment need significant adjustments. Therefore, I intend to scrap the previous draft and start over, taking into account the situation I observed on-site, to create a more robust and locally-appropriate operational plan."

Li Duohai sat behind his large desk, a familiar, somewhat formulaic smile on his face, listening to Qi Tongwei's account, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

His initial plan was quite meticulous: Qi Tongwei was young and inexperienced, and his title was "Assistant County Head" rather than "Deputy County Head," so he probably didn't have a deep foundation in the ministry and was just here to gain experience.

With his career nearing its end, he desperately needed strong support to aid his promotion. He also wanted to dig a small but significant pit for this young man from above—it was all too common for higher-ups to be "out of touch with reality" and "ambitious," causing projects to fail. No one could find fault with Li Duohai, and he could even curry favor with the Liang family.

However, Xu Li's sudden visit, especially the appearance of He Xian, Han Shen's outstanding niece who clearly had a close relationship with Qi Tongwei, completely disrupted his plans.

It is clear that Qi Tongwei is not a rootless duckweed, but a powerful "mountain".

If the original plan is followed and Qi Tongwei is ruined, the project will certainly be tainted, but can Li Duohai really stay out of it? If Han Shen takes his anger out on him, what can a mere county party secretary do to defend himself?

But on the other hand, the Liang family, especially that arrogant Liang Jin, were not people he could easily offend. In the beginning, he was the one who approached them and took on this "deal".

Now you want to back down? Liang Jin is not one to give up easily.