"Not bad, Secretary Pan, when did you get back?"
"We returned in April."
The work bell rang, and they both went back to their offices.
Jiang Xinyu didn’t really know what to do now, so she just read a book. She came in today just to give a report; afterward, she really needed to take some time to rest. She felt her health was somewhat compromised.
She heard footsteps and looked up to see Qian Jun coming in.
"Why don’t you take a longer break?"
"Mr. Qian, there are some reports I need to finish quickly. I want to take a long holiday."
"You’ve indeed lost a lot of weight. If you want to rest, then rest."
"How long is the leader planning to give me for a holiday?"
"Then I’ll continue working and take a break during the New Year."
"Just take care of your health."
"I know myself. As long as I’m not going out recently, it’s fine. I’m going to work on Saturdays and Sundays too, accumulate some vacation days, and take a long holiday at New Year."
"Alright, I agree. By the way, they want me to go to the county today. Do you want to come?"
"Let’s go, it’s just a matter of time. Once everything is explained clearly, I can really put my mind at ease."
"Mm, Wu Hongyu is also coming."
The three of them set off, "Director Jiang, why don’t you take a few more days off? You look so worn out it scares me," Wu Hongyu said worriedly.
"Isn’t it just perfect , to let those people see how tough it is for us."
"Director Jiang, you don’t know; the attendant who had the incident last time came back to the station wanting to resign, but the leader gave them a vacation. Only then did things get better. This time going out, it’s you two who have lost the most weight.
Of course, if it weren’t for Director Jiang, we’d probably still not be back by now, and we’d all be suffering."
Jiang Xinyu waved her hand. "I think they weren’t too bad, they didn’t actually use force."
"Director Jiang, you don’t know; the fourteen of us were confined together, not given a single sip of water, and all got hit a few times."
Jiang Xinyu stopped talking. On the return trip, she wasn’t in the mood or had the energy to ask.
"Director Jiang, I swear I won’t go out next time. It’s just risking one’s life."
Jiang Xinyu just smiled. Wu Hongyu was very right; it was like risking one’s life. In Russia, they were targeted by people, but fortunately, they were cautious, always going out together. Otherwise, if something really happened, who knows?
They arrived at the county government; the three of them got out of the vehicle. Some people were already there, leaders from all the townships.
They saw Jiang Xinyu as if she had changed into a different person, feeling uncomfortable, thinking about their own children around this age. They didn’t know what happened, but they knew the grain had been transported back. Looking at Director Jiang in this state, they can tell it wasn’t smooth sailing.
By nine o’clock, everyone had arrived. Jiang Xinyu was called to the front, still seated beside Shen Xueqi.
Tao Juncheng looked energized, as this was his achievement. First, it was Dong Weimin’s report.
The people heard the numbers in the report and were very excited. This surely meant lasting until the autumn harvest would be feasible.
He promised that from tomorrow, every township could come to collect grain. This was what everyone cared about most.
The applause was particularly intense below. Everyone wished they could immediately go back and tell everyone this great news.
Next was Shen Xueqi’s report, about the 120,000 fine. Everyone winced; if it had been exchanged for grain, it could have been a lot more.
Jiang Xinyu sat above, looking at the expressions of the people below and felt a bit uncomfortable inside. Fighting tooth and nail, still couldn’t resist the benefits.
When Shen Xueqi finished the report, everyone’s expressions below changed. Everyone was grateful; they understood transporting grain back wasn’t simple.
A township leader below suddenly stood up, bowing to Jiang Xinyu and Shen Xueqi, "Thank you both, thank you."
Now everyone stood up, Jiang Xinyu seeing everyone bowing toward her, she quickly stood up as well.
"Everyone doesn’t need to do this, this is our duty. Although I’m the person in charge this time, there’s really no credit to speak of. It’s all Director Jiang, a young girl handling things. Everyone can see her situation; it’s truly not easy."
"Thank you all for understanding. It’s because of that 120,000 that I feel my work wasn’t done well, but I can honestly say I, Jiang Xinyu, feel worthy of everyone’s trust."
Another round of enthusiastic applause erupted below.
Finally, Tao Juncheng spoke, giving Shen Xueqi and Jiang Xinyu each a reward of two hundred yuan, and Jiang giving Jiang Xinyu the title of county-level model worker. Secretary Cao brought up the certificate.
Jiang Xinyu smiled and received the certificate Tao Juncheng handed over, and said a few words of thanks.
The meeting officially concluded. The people below hurriedly left.
Jiang Xinyu and the others were called to Tao Juncheng’s office.
"Director Jiang, you’ve worked hard."
"County Magistrate Tao, it’s my job and doesn’t deserve your praise."
"Haha, the young girl is just too modest. Mr. Qian, you should reward Director Jiang and give her a vacation. Ms. Jiang has gotten so thin, it’s heartbreaking to see."
"Yes." Qian Jun nodded in agreement.
"County Magistrate Tao, Director Jiang should receive the honorary title of city-level model worker."
"Mm, I’ve already reported it, and hopefully by the end of the year, Director Jiang will have a spot."
"Thanks to the leaders."
After exchanging pleasantries, they finally left.
"Director Jiang, let’s have dinner outside tonight, my treat," Wu Hongyu said with a smile.
"Alright, but I’ll treat, I have the most honors."
"But I feel that it doesn’t match your contribution," Wu Hongyu grumbled.
"Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. Mr. Qian, do you have time?"
The three of them went to the restaurant, and Jiang Cong greeted them outside. Seeing Jiang Xinyu, his eyes turned red. "Sis, you’ve suffered so much, come in, quickly, today Brother is cooking personally for you."
"Brother Jiang, it’s not so exaggerated, but I am really craving."
"No problem, we have a big rooster today, I’ll serve it up, eat to your heart’s content."
"Haha, I’m really lucky."
The three went into a private room. They didn’t even order dishes; braised chicken chunks, steamed egg custard, spicy tofu, and potato stew with meat.
"Director Jiang, this meal is so lavish."
"I think so too; it’s quite lavish, having Mr. Qian spend so much."
After eating their fill, there was nothing left.
"Director Jiang, you ate too little; you need to eat more to gain weight."
"I can’t eat anymore; maybe my appetite is smaller. I need to gradually nurture my health."
Back at the office, "Director Jiang, are you really not going to take a rest?"
"No, my workdays are quite easy-going, not tiring, just the same. I’ll bring my meals and not eat large pot meals in the canteen anymore. I’ll gradually recover."