Wu Jin was Xiao Sheng’s benefactor. Xiao Sheng suggested this for the sake of Wu Jin since he hoped that he would be safe.

After all, the path Wu Jin took was much more dangerous than his. These days, when one left their residence, they might face the risk of having their luggage checked at any time.

This was especially so for long-distance trains. They loved to check if anyone was carrying a lot of food. Once they were discovered, they would be arrested and investigated. Once they were convicted of using the opportunity to seek personal gain, their lives would be screwed.

When Wu Jin heard Xiao Sheng’s words, he fell silent. After a few minutes, he said, “After I left the army, the country arranged for me to become the director of security at the milk factory. Do you know why I resigned after refusing and returned to the village?”

This was the first time Xiao Sheng had heard Wu Jin mention the reason for returning to the village. Back then, many people didn’t understand Wu Jin’s actions. After all, between being a cadre in the city and an ordinary farmer, everyone would choose the former.

Xiao Sheng thought for a moment before replying, “To earn money?”

Wu Jin pursed his lips and revealed a lonesome smile. “That’s only one of the reasons. The most important thing is that I don’t want to wear a public official’s uniform but do things that are inconsistent with national policy.”

When Xiao Sheng heard this answer, the expression on his face became ambivalent. A trace of confusion flashed across his eyes as he looked at Wu Jin. “Uncle Jin, but the current policy makes it so that we might not even be able to eat our fill. Why should we carry it out? Could it be that wanting to eat our fill, eat meat, and wear warm clothes in winter isn’t right?”

Xiao Sheng’s words struck a chord with Wu Jin. Looking at the boy in front of him who had been shouldering the heavy responsibility of his family since he was 13 years old, he reached out and rubbed the top of Xiao Sheng’s head. He said gently, “Of course, it’s not wrong to want to eat your fill and wear warm clothes, but you have to know that no matter if it’s a person or a country, there will be times when they take the wrong path and do something wrong. Now, our country has taken the wrong path. I believe the leaders will definitely realize the problem and correct it, so we have to wait patiently.”

Xiao Sheng looked at Wu Jin quietly and said slowly, “But the reality is that none of us know when the mistakes will be corrected. However, the conflict of supply and demand will always exist before that. Many people in the village are not in good health and go to the hospital for treatment. Everyone says that it’s caused by malnutrition. What caused the malnutrition? Isn’t it just hunger?!”

“Uncle Jin, in order to fight for power with the security director, Liu Bao, Sun Wang had done many things that harmed the interests of our village. I don’t believe you don’t know. After Sun Wang is toppled, Liu Bao is the most likely to be chosen. He’s slightly better than Sun Wang and can be considered fair, but he has always been conservative. He doesn’t have the ability to lead the villagers to a good life.”

Wu Jin looked down at the ground expressionlessly. After a long while, he said in a low and hoarse voice, “I need to think about it.”

When Xiao Sheng heard this, he knew that there was a chance. He thought for a moment and said, “Uncle Jin, if you become the village chief, you might be able to find a balance between leading the villagers to become rich and improving the economy under the current policies. Isn’t this more reliable than running around all day?”

Wu Jin smiled when he heard this and looked up at Xiao Sheng. “You’re becoming more and more eloquent!”

Xiao Sheng smiled when he heard this. He had already said what he needed to say, so he stood up and said goodbye to Wu Jin. He turned around and saw Wu Qing, who was looking at him in a daze not far away.

Wu Qing came back to his senses and smiled as he went forward to greet him. “Brother Sheng!”

Xiao Sheng looked at Wu Qing and patted his shoulder before leaving the Wu family’s home.

Although Wu Qing didn’t hear everything, he could tell why Xiao Sheng was here.

After Xiao Sheng left, Wu Qing walked to his father’s side and squatted down. “Dad, I think Brother Sheng is right. Didn’t you always say that we have to look at the long-term development? I think what Brother Sheng said is the long-term development you mentioned.”

Wu Jin was indeed persuaded by Xiao Sheng, but he didn’t expect his son to take Xiao Sheng’s side so quickly. He glanced at Wu Qing and said with mock anger, “Don’t be a lobbyist for Brother Sheng. I’ll consider it seriously myself.”

He smiled foolishly when he heard this. He was persuaded by Xiao Sheng’s words mostly because he was worried about his father.

Every time his father went out to get the goods, he and his grandmother would be on tenterhooks, especially since his grandmother couldn’t sleep well at night. If only they could find a different path like Brother Sheng said!