s gang over to the police. Er Dog's answer was simple.

"Boss, didn't want to become a martyr. It was just me then, forcing them would have backfired. Even if we fought to the death, they might have gotten away. Besides, it's only a matter of time before the law nets them," Er Dog’s reasoning made sense to Fu.

But Liu wasn't willing to let it go, publicly praising Er Dog as the lone hero of West Village. However, when making a banner, they couldn’t recall Er Dog’s real name, so they wrote "Fu Er Dog" in large characters.

Er Dog humbly accepted the banner but refused the reward. Liu threw the money in Er Dog's face before storming off. Headman Liu crouched down to collect it, returning it to the village’s funds.

The East Village mine extended under the river into West Village. While the villagers were fine with this, Deputy Secretary Fu, reporting truthfully to county leaders, inadvertently sparked a tax dispute between East and West districts.

After negotiation, both towns agreed to alternate tax collection yearly, recognizing they both needed to support their economies. At least they avoided inciting public conflict over it. Had the towns encouraged self-mining by villagers, the consequences could have been dire.

With the New Year approaching, villagers eagerly anticipated their dividends. East Village decided to split profits with West Village after a public vote. The West Village resisted, reasoning they’d be taking advantage of East Village.

Ultimately, representatives from both villages agreed to reinvest the profits, purchasing mining equipment worth millions. In Secretary Liu’s words:

"Damn it! Let’s see how that rental company can act high and mighty now. We won’t need them anymore." His resentment towards the rental company’s difficulties was palpable.

In rural tradition, the more family members during New Year, the more the joy. But Liu Xiaoyan and Fu Le had no intention of returning, much to the annoyance of their mothers, who vented their frustration over the phone.

In the south, between Nansan Province's Nanmen City and Daoyu City, lies a town called Xirong. Despite being a small town, it boasted all the features of a metropolis: high-rise buildings and modern infrastructure, exemplifying an economic development zone. Many were captivated by its charm, considering it a showcase of future living in New China.

After heading south, Fu Le and Liu Xiaoyan went their separate ways. Liu Xiaoyan struggled in Xirong Town, while Fu Le sought his fortune in Daoyu City. Disconnected from their families' finances, they were like seeds of hope, stubbornly growing in an unfamiliar environment.

Though they were geographically close, their lack of communication made it seem as if they were worlds apart. Difficult conditions fueled their primal

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