The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 671 - 640: Big Girl, Rejection_1

Chapter 671: Chapter 640: Big Girl, Rejection_1

He Tiantian listened and chuckled, "Village Chief Qi got promoted, but that’s because the higher-ups saw that he really cares about doing things for the people."

Village Chief Qi led Qijia Village to better days, a rare kind of village cadre.

"Exactly, Dazhu won’t go. He says he’s too old and doesn’t want to deal with the mess; he just wants to lead Qijia Village well, so our villagers can live a bit better," Third Grandma Qi proudly said, "Now that we have a school, there are people doing small business at the school gate. There’s a little market behind the school now for trading goods nearby, which indeed has increased income and greatly improved the living standards, much more convenient than before."

One morning, He Tiantian heard Third Grandma Qi talking about Qijia Village.

Aunt Liu, with Qi Daniu in tow, came over, both carrying things they had just bought.

Qi Daniu is now a student at Huai City Normal School and has become more attractive than before, having learned to dress up.

"Sister Tiantian, I really missed you!" exclaimed Qi Daniu. At the school, Sister Tiantian often sent her food and lovely clothes. Many of her classmates envied her for having such a sister.

It was precisely because of Sister Tiantian’s care that the other students did not dare to look down on her or disdain her.

"I missed you too. How does it feel to be at university?" asked He Tiantian, admiring Qi Daniu’s demeanor—simple and kind.

"It’s great. I followed your advice to study hard, and I have been getting scholarships every semester," said Qi Daniu, "I have two more years until I graduate, and after that, I will come teach at Qijia Village Primary School."

"Aren’t you willing to stay in Huai City or the county town? You know, if you want, you can achieve that," He Tiantian asked, as all young girls dream of going to the county town.

Upon hearing this, Qi Daniu shook her head, "I won’t go. I’ll come to Qi Family Primary School. This is our village’s school, and I want to properly nurture the children of Qijia Village, just like you taught me back then."

Third Grandma Qi, upon hearing this, patted Qi Daniu’s head, "It’s rare for a child to have such a loyal heart! It’s just that your mother might not be happy about it. She wants you to marry into the city."

"What’s so great about the city? I think it’s not as good as our Qijia Village," Qi Daniu replied, "When the time comes, I’ll find someone who’s willing to come and teach in Qijia Village with me. After we get married, my mom won’t have much to say."

"Haha, that’s also a good plan," He Tiantian praised, "Whatever you decide to do, I support you. As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters. If you run into any trouble, you can talk to me. I might be far away, but you can reach out to your sister Xiao Yan."

"Yeah, I remember," Qi Daniu nodded repeatedly, beaming with a smile.

With the children looked after by Grandma Wang and Third Grandma Qi, He Tiantian and Qi Daniu helped to prepare lunch.

It was hot weather, and cooking was no easy task.

Aunt Liu laughed, "Tiantian, you should go outside. Daniu and I can handle the cooking. You’re a guest this time you’ve come back; we can’t have you wear yourself out."

"Yes, Sister Tiantian, please go outside," Qi Daniu chimed in. "Otherwise, you’ll smell like cooking fumes, and the kids will complain about you."

Seeing the two insist, He Tiantian had no choice but to leave.

Third Grandma Qi chuckled, "Well, there’s no need for you to busy yourself. Let your Aunt Liu handle it. She’s a practical person; if you cooked, she’d feel bad instead."

"Oh," He Tiantian laughed, "then I’ll just enjoy the ready-made meal."

Qi Zhengmin had previously occupied the room, but he had returned to the United States for some business.

However, Qi Zhengmin would be coming back, so He Tiantian stayed in the guest room, which was the same room once occupied by He Jingyu and Wang Shuping. It was spacious and had two beds, enough for a family of four.

Aunt Liu was usually very diligent, often airing the bedding, and the bedroom was exceptionally clean.

The house was surrounded by tall trees that blocked the sunlight, making it quite cool even during the hottest part of noon.

After dinner, Aunt Liu and Qi Daniu went back home.

Qi Xiaoyan and Niu Dajun took their children back to their parents’ house.

Once the children were asleep, He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie brought gifts and visited Secretary Qi’s home.

Village Chief Qi was very happy and warmly welcomed the couple.

Liang Hongyu, Qi Xiaoyan, and He Tiantian chatted in a side room, while Old Man Qi, Secretary Qi, Huo Yingjie, and Niu Dajun talked in the main room.

"Yingjie, this time I really need to thank you and your father," Secretary Qi said. "If it wasn’t for you telling me the truth before the New Year, I wouldn’t have dared to allocate the land to individual households."

Huo Yingjie smiled and replied, "Uncle Qi, you don’t need to be so formal. It’s the general trend, it had to be done, and you truly work for the good of the people. We’re all part of the same community, so it’s nothing."

"Still, I owe thanks to you and your father, as well as Tiantian’s father. Our Qijia Village’s Peach Orchard is famous far and wide," Village Chief Qi said, mentioning how each household could make a good sum of money from the orchard every year, making life much better.

"Haha, we’ve made so many relatives and friends in Qijia Village, it’s all been worth it," Huo Yingjie stated. "My father-in-law often mentions you in his letters, and I have one from him right here."

Huo Yingjie presented the letter from his father-in-law to Village Chief Qi.

Touched, Secretary Qi quickly tore open the envelope and read the letter, saying, "Good, very good! Even though we can’t meet often, we are still great friends. I hope he can get accustomed to life abroad."

"My father-in-law says the same thing," Huo Yingjie remarked. "Transportation is inconvenient now, but once it improves, we’d like to invite you to visit abroad."

"Sure, times have changed regarding the outside world," Village Chief Qi commented. "The cannery we’re building in the village will be operational by autumn. When it is, we’ll have a lot of workers from our own village, and by the end of the year, there should be bonuses. I’m just worried that in the future we might revert to the old ways, being accused once again of cutting capitalism’s tail off."

"Haha, that won’t happen," Huo Yingjie assured. "This is a village-run factory – it’s collective ownership. Either way, you won’t run into trouble."

Village Chief Qi felt slightly relieved upon hearing this and chuckled, "That’s good to hear, then we can work with confidence and boldness."

"With confidence and boldness, Qijia Village will continue to lead the way in Taoyuan County," Huo Yingjie said. "By the way, I heard that some people suggested you should take a position at the county committee. Why didn’t you go?"

Village Chief Qi shook his head and chuckled, "I’m getting on in years and don’t want the hassle anymore. Running back and forth is too much trouble. I just want to live a good life on my own little patch of Qijia Village. As for all that messy business, I don’t want to get involved."

Niu Peng had also tried to persuade him, but Village Chief Qi remained steadfast in his decision.

If he had gone to the county, then the position of village party secretary would have fallen into Qi Shuli’s hands.