t as Fu Le fled without looking back.

“Keep it down, little devil, don’t let the old man hear!” Fu Le pleaded while running.

“Giggle! I thought you were jealous; turns out otherwise,” Liu Xiaoyan’s eyes rolled mischievously.

“I’m tired; carry me!”

"Can’t carry you."

"But..."

"Alright! You win!" Fu Le surrendered, feeling as if his Achilles' heel was grabbed. Seeing his hung head and slow steps toward her, Liu Xiaoyan couldn’t help but laugh quietly.

“Giggle! Brother Le is the best; let me take what’s in your hand!” Liu Xiaoyan offered, extending her small hand. Fu Le declined, saying,

"What difference does it make whether I carry it or take it myself?”

"Of course, there’s a difference! At least your hands will be free to carry me more steadily!” Liu Xiaoyan blinked her long eyelashes, answering seriously.

“Oh, Yanzi, if someone marries you, my life would improve. No longer oppressed?”

“Brother Le, haven’t you always carried me since we were young? Once, when we fell off the little ferry, I saved you! So, I’m more like your benefactor-sister, right?” Liu Xiaoyan recounted proudly. Innocent childhood friends, Fu Le couldn’t refute her logic, so he quickly changed the topic:

“Yanzi, didn’t you see Dad bought a car?”

“So?”

“At least praise him; he feels down. Didn’t you notice?”

“Even if I noticed, I wouldn’t praise. Besides wives, is there anything they don’t compare? No way am I indulging their competitiveness and vanity.” Liu Xiaoyan responded straightforwardly.

“Brother Le, if we don’t correct their bad habits, wouldn’t we be unworthy of their high-level education? Undeserving children? Failing our ability to discern right from wrong?” Liu Xiaoyan lectured.

“You’re right! Why didn’t I think of that!” Fu Le seemed enlightened.

“Big Brother, our major event—buying a car—wouldn’t even interest those kids; I don’t get it!!”

“That so?”

“Yes!”

“Born clueless, eh!”

“Big Brother!”

“I ask, what do they have that we don’t?”

“True enough…” 

“Who visited yesterday?”

“Liu Compensation!” Secretary Fu gazed sharply at Fu Yushui.

“Big Brother! Why are you looking at me?” 

“Didn’t I always emphasize using civilized language at meetings? We must respect opponents!”

“Precisely! Respect the opponent!” Fu Yushui knew any disrespect toward Secretary Liu displeased Secretary Fu. Despite mutual enmity against the rival village, Secretary Fu wouldn’t allow disrespectful reference.

“Alas! The lad beat us to it again.” Sighing, Secretary Fu pulled out two cigarettes, tossing one to Fu Yushui.

“Big Brother, why didn’t you bring the accountant along for this collective matter?” Fu Yushui finally asked his burning question.

Chapter 4: Allocating Talent

"Why bring him along? Prospecting itself is such an uncertain task! How can I squander the commu

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