Chapter 124: The Self-Taught Flatterer

“Respected leaders, fellow villagers, greetings to you all. My name is Song Weimin, and I have just taken up the position of team leader.”

He appeared a bit shy as he continued, “To be honest, I encountered such a momentous occasion right as I took office, and even now I’m still a bit overwhelmed. But once I stood on this stage, I felt completely at ease.”

“I haven’t had much schooling and can’t speak in grand philosophies, so here, I’ll just speak my heart to you, the leaders.”

“Our common folk have tough lives. When the heavens are displeased, the harvest rots in the fields, and we go hungry all year round. When I was a child, my greatest wish was simply to have a full meal.”

At this heartfelt moment, he wiped away tears. “Later on, this wish came true. I owe thanks to the country and the Party for improving the lives of us ordinary people.”

“But I must also thank the county leaders who have led us forward all along, guiding us toward better days. You are the pathfinders and beacons for us common folk. Without you, we might still be living those hard times.”

“To the county leaders, I may not know you personally, but here I sincerely thank you for bringing us a better life!”

Song Weimin’s eyes shone with sincerity as he bowed deeply, lingering in that posture for a long moment.

The leaders seated in the front row below were visibly moved. They had never imagined how important they were in the hearts of the people.

“Also, to the commune leaders, thank you for your comprehensive and selfless support. It’s this backing that gives us the confidence to charge ahead boldly. Because of your support, we can work with assurance and courage.”

“Leaders, thank you!” He bowed once more.

“Finally, I must thank the nation itself, which rescued us from oppression and gave us a second life. We are truly grateful.”

“We ordinary people aren’t capable of much. Every year, all we can do is diligently tend to the crops and pay our dues to the country. Though our strength is small, our loyalty to the nation is unwavering. Here, I wish for the prosperity of our motherland, and for good health and happiness to all our leaders!”

He took his final bow, tears falling to the ground.

The auditorium fell silent. Song Weimin’s heart was uneasy—had he been too sentimental? Would the leaders be displeased?

“Excellent!” Tang Banxia was the first to applaud.

Narrators Wen Mubai and Song Yu followed suit.

Secretary Yu wiped away tears and joined in the applause, her palms reddening.

In an instant, the hall echoed with thunderous clapping.

The other two exemplary villages: ...

That broad-browed, sharp-eyed Guyue Village actually had such a talent. And to claim he couldn’t speak well—his flattery was so smooth! If this was ‘inability to speak,’ what were the others? Mutes?

But Secretary Yu and the other leaders thought differently. They saw these as the genuine words of the people. Every leader present straightened their posture, their eyes on Song Weimin on stage now tinted with a warm filter.

He was a sincere and good comrade!

These days, few are willing to speak the truth so openly!

Song Weimin floated down from the stage as if in a dream. After stepping down, his first move was to check on Tang Banxia. She gave him a thumbs-up: “Impressive.”

She only taught others how to flatter, but hadn’t expected the team leader to perform so brilliantly. No wonder he was the father of the ‘lucky heroine’; he truly had skill.

Song Weimin’s smile stretched wide. Facing all the gazes, he composed himself and sat upright.

Next came the awards for advanced individuals. This had nothing to do with their Guyue Village—except for Lin Yu.

It was mainly because of the knowledge handbook.

At the start, Secretary Yu had asked Lin Yu—since she was the initiator of the handbook, the award for advanced individual naturally belonged to her. But Tang Banxia declined.

Primarily, her current status wasn’t suitable for public attention, and her background issues were still unresolved. If someone with ill intent dug into her past, it would be troublesome.

So she refused, and did so openly in front of Lin Yu, explaining everything clearly. Thus, the honor fell to Lin Yu.

When Lin Yu took the stage to give her thanks, she specifically mentioned Tang Banxia briefly, as if casually, then moved on to other topics.

This meeting lasted well over half a day.

By the time it ended, Tang Banxia’s stomach was growling loudly.

Song Weimin still had a small meeting to attend to finalize the advanced village rewards, so he entrusted Song Yu to Tang Banxia’s care.

Tang Banxia’s first move upon leaving was straight to the state-run restaurant—to fill her stomach first.

Inside the state-run restaurant, Song Yu’s big eyes darted around excitedly. “Big Sister Tang, is this a state-run restaurant?”

Even the ‘lucky heroine’ was only eight years old this year and it was her first time visiting the county’s state-run restaurant. Her eyes felt insufficient to take it all in.

“It’s a bit different from the town’s place~”

Tang Banxia poured her a cup of hot water and gently touched her soft cheek. “Well, tell me, what’s different?”

The lucky heroine was of the cute type, still with baby fat at eight years old, irresistibly adorable.

“It’s bigger and brighter than the town’s!” Song Yu was still young and had been well cared for by Grandma Song, her voice soft and pleasant.

Tang Banxia was about to respond when a dish arrived at the window. Wen Mubai conscientiously went to fetch it. Only then did Tang Banxia ask, “Would you like Big Sister Tang to bring you here again sometime?”

Song Yu’s eyes lit up but she shook her head. “No, Daddy says restaurants are expensive. I’ll eat here just this once. When I grow up and earn money, I’ll treat Big Sister Tang.”

Tang Banxia’s smile deepened. Such a child with proper values—that’s the real heroine!

Someone like Song Qing, who harms others without benefiting herself, hardly counts as a heroine.

The food arrived, and Tang Banxia didn’t dwell on anything else. She ordered two bowls of beef noodles to share one with Song Yu, and Wen Mubai had the other.

In addition, there was the signature braised pork and a plate of four-flavor meatballs. Since they were at a restaurant, it wouldn’t do to eat mostly vegetables—they had to eat meat.

She gave Song Yu a piece of braised pork. Upon tasting it, the little girl was amazed, her face brightening. “So delicious!”

“Then eat more.” Tang Banxia gave her a large meatball with her chopsticks.

After the meal, Song Yu’s little belly was full and round. “Thank you, Big Sister Tang.”

Tang Banxia smiled.

After finishing, with time growing late, Tang Banxia said, “Shall we go visit the scrap yard?”

Well, with the lucky heroine around, hoping to find a lucky find wasn’t too much to ask, right?

“Okay, okay!” Song Yu was thrilled.

Holding Tang Banxia’s and Wen Mubai’s hands on either side, she looked exactly like part of a little family.

Watching her, Tang Banxia’s eyes flickered with warmth, suddenly feeling a desire for a child of her own.

But then recalling all the childbirth videos she had watched in her past life, she quickly rethought that impulse.

She consoled herself: Take it easy, take it easy!

The weather had turned to early autumn—neither cold nor hot, quite comfortable. The three strolled slowly, unhurried.

At the scrap yard, Wen Mubai went off to rummage through the parts pile.

Tang Banxia held Song Yu’s hand as they wandered aimlessly, mainly trusting in the heavens’ favor upon the lucky heroine.

Sure enough, when Song Yu showed interest in a three-legged stool, Tang Banxia knew the lucky find had arrived.

Without hesitation, she took it down. Song Yu looked a bit embarrassed. “Big Sister Tang, I just haven’t seen such a pretty stool before, I was only looking, not wanting it.”

Tang Banxia smiled warmly. “Silly child, I like it too. We can take it home and fix it up—it’ll still be useful.”

Only then did Song Yu breathe a sigh of relief.