Chapter 102: A Kind Reminder

“Alright!” Zhao Jing smiled happily, though whether it was a stalling tactic or genuine delight, no one could say.

Seeing her grandfather quietly approach, she immediately bolted.

“Girl, slow down!” Chief Zhao groaned in frustration.

“Hmph! I know you want to snatch my pork. This is mine!” Zhao Jing retorted angrily.

Before anyone could react, she vanished in the blink of an eye.

With no other family around, Chief Zhao had no choice but to give chase. It wouldn’t do if something happened to Zhao Jing without someone looking out for her.

Liu Xing watched the grandfather and granddaughter walk away and didn’t intervene further. Instead, he turned to the curious villagers gathered around and called out, “Whoever still wants to buy pork, hurry up. I won’t be serving once it gets dark.”

There was no other option—the leftover pork was too much. Even cured meat couldn’t be processed all at once, so it was better to sell some now. That way, everyone’s needs were met, and the burden was eased—not just for him, but more so for his sister.

As soon as he spoke, over twenty villagers swarmed forward, while those without money ran home to fetch it. After all, pork at one yuan per jin without ration tickets was a rarity.

Zhang Jinde noticed the situation was getting out of hand and quickly handed a huge slab of belly pork—at least ten jin—to Liu Xing. “Take this back to the kitchen. Let your sister handle it. Don’t sell all the meat and end up with none for yourselves after all the fuss.”

As for profit, buying at fifty-eight cents a jin and selling at one yuan was hardly lucrative once the head and innards were removed. So it made sense to look after their own first.

Liu Xing gratefully accepted the offer, carrying the pork toward the kitchen.

In truth, Zhang Jinde’s worries were unnecessary—the villagers buying the meat all wanted fatty cuts. None cared for the lean meat from the hind legs, nor did they ask for it.

Soon, with the help of Tian Jun, Ding Lan, and Niu Lianfang, all the fatty pork was sold. Two large slabs of at least thirty jin of lean hind leg meat remained unwanted, as did the ribs, femur bones, and pig’s trotters—all of which Liu Xing had already stowed away in the kitchen. To him, these were delicacies, not discarded scraps.

Ding Lan and Niu Lianfang, responsible for collecting money, counted out forty-two yuan, fifty-three cents, and handed it to Liu Xing. The extra three cents hinted that some villagers had played a trick. Otherwise, with Zhang Jinde’s butchery skills and the generosity of Ding Lan and Niu Lianfang, the amount would have been neatly rounded.

Liu Xing noticed but said nothing, happily taking the money and going inside to fetch tables and chairs to set up a feast in the open space by the front gate.

He smiled because, having bought the large fat pig from Widow Wang, he not only got over ten jin of belly pork and twenty to thirty jin of lean meat but also four large trotters, over ten jin of ribs, and other parts. Combined with nearly fifty yuan from selling the meat, his total earnings surely exceeded a hundred yuan. In other words, he had profited—and earned a good reputation before opening his shoe store. Why not be pleased?

From the kitchen came the aroma of stir-fried dishes. Zhao Dongkui, with Guazi and little Bud, placed bowls and chopsticks on a wooden table. Seeing many relatives still around, he sent Zhao Biao to borrow another table to set up under the pomelo tree.

Ding Lan and Niu Lianfang didn’t want to be idle and rushed to help in the kitchen.

Zhao Liang and Zhao Jianzhong went home to retrieve some long-cherished fine wine. They couldn’t just eat Zhao Dongkui’s food for free.

Back on the street, Chief Zhao returned with Zhao Jing in his arms, carrying two bottles of good wine himself. Although they hadn’t wanted to come, they knew Liu Xing would surely send someone to invite them, so they relented.

For the grandfather and granddaughter, there was no need for formalities with Zhao Dongkui or Liu Xing.

“Everyone, let’s sit down! If we wait until dark, it won’t be good to eat,” Liu Dongju said with a gentle smile as he emerged from the kitchen holding a large bowl of spicy meat and vegetable stew. Behind him followed Ding Lan, Niu Lianfang, and several other aunts from the Zhao family, carrying dishes.

Tian Jun, Liu Xing, and the other officials sat under the pomelo tree at the table. Naturally, Zhao Hu, Zhao Biao, Zhao Jianzhong, Chief Zhao, Zhao Jing, and the others sat down together without pretense.

Within minutes, the two large wooden tables were full.

Seeing that carpenter Nie Quan and team leader Nie Sun had not yet arrived, Liu Xing looked at Zhao Dongkui. “Brother-in-law, should we call Nie Quan and Nie Sun?”

“Right! Those two brothers haven’t come yet!” Zhao Dongkui slapped his forehead, smiled apologetically to those nearby, and hurried off on his bicycle.

Tian Jun, realizing more guests were coming, put down his bowl and chopsticks. After all, when in Rome, one must follow local customs.

But Chief Zhao raised his cup to Tian Jun. “Director Tian, I know you’re busy, so don’t wait for Nie Sun and Nie Quan. Eat first.”

“Yes, the kitchen has plenty of food. We can cook more when they arrive,” Liu Dongju added.

“Alright then.” Tian Jun was eager to return himself. Seeing their kindness, he told the officers and staff from the Industry and Commerce Bureau he was leaving, then dug into the food.

He praised Liu Dongju’s cooking repeatedly but abstained from drinking wine out of principle.

Neither Chief Zhao nor Liu Xing urged him further. They picked up their bowls and ate while chatting.

The lively atmosphere quickly took hold. After eating and drinking, many younger Zhao family members toasted Chief Zhao. Zhao Liang was no exception, but he admired Liu Xing even more. After several cups of white wine, he became so emotional he wept.

Others might not understand why, but the Zhao family did.

Zhao Liang had been arrested multiple times for foolishness. Each time, his mother had to pull strings to get him released. Though these were minor offenses, her worry had turned her hair white. If he were jailed again over selling pork, none could imagine what would become of his mother.

Thus, after drinking, his pent-up emotions broke free. More than anything, he was grateful to Liu Xing. Without him, this time would have been hopeless.

Tian Jun shook his head with a faint smile. “You still have the nerve to cry? Let me tell you, if Liu Xing hadn’t spoken up for you today, you’d definitely be behind bars.”

“That’s right! The heads of the supply and marketing cooperative specifically named you for imprisonment,” Niu Lianfang added. This wasn’t to scare Zhao Liang—it was the truth.

According to those leaders, Zhao Liang was meant to be an example to intimidate any villagers thinking of causing trouble. Such incidents happened every year, with offenders sent to prison.

But this time was different.

Xiao Yang not only failed to suppress Liu Xing but fled in defeat. Though partly due to Liu Xing’s knowledge of the law, the situation hinted at deeper unrest.

Hearing this, Zhao Liang quickly raised his glass to Liu Xing. “Brother, thank you so much. This cup is my sincere thanks. Cheers, drink as you like.”

He drained the cup, tears welling again from joy.

Liu Xing shook his head. It was nothing but a small favor to him. If it had been a serious matter, he wouldn’t have intervened. After all, in the early 1980s, the law was strict.

Chief Zhao saw Zhao Liang was drunk and called Zhao Biao to help him back to rest.

As night fell, Tian Jun took a light sip of tea and said to Liu Xing, “Thanks for your hospitality today. If you ever encounter trouble at your shoe store in the market, just come to the Donghe Police Station. I’ll help you handle it.”

Though sounding official, it was a personal favor.

Liu Xing knew this well and gratefully replied, “Thank you, Director Tian.”

“Haha, no problem.” Tian Jun laughed, patted Liu Xing on the shoulder, and left with the officers.

Niu Lianfang didn’t follow immediately but pulled Liu Xing under the pomelo tree. “You better behave these next few days. The supply and marketing cooperative people aren’t easy to mess with.”

“I know,” Liu Xing smiled, grateful. Few would speak so plainly.

“But don’t worry too much. As long as Director Wu finds evidence of selling counterfeit pesticides and fertilizers, those cooperative folks won’t dare act recklessly. They might even face prison—maybe worse,” Niu Lianfang whispered.

“What? The fake phosphate fertilizer receipts I gave before aren’t enough?” Liu Xing was surprised.

“Not enough. The source of the counterfeit pesticides and fertilizers hasn’t been found,” Niu Lianfang sighed. “Without the source, Xiao Daode’s crime seems minor—just selling a few bags of fakes. You know the cooperative has deep connections in HY City.”

“That’s true,” Liu Xing nodded thoughtfully.

After a moment’s reflection, he suddenly shared his thoughts. “Sis, I feel Director Wu might be at a dead end. To find the source of fake pesticides and fertilizers through Xiao Daode isn’t the right approach.”

“What do you mean?” Niu Lianfang listened intently.

Liu Xing glanced around cautiously. Seeing only Ding Lan smiling nearby, he lowered his voice. “It’s simple. Making counterfeit pesticides and fertilizers isn’t something just anyone can do. It requires specialized machinery and skilled technicians. HY City isn’t that big—there are only a few fertilizer and pesticide factories. If you change your perspective and investigate those, the truth will come out.”

“Oh… that’s right!” Niu Lianfang hesitated, then nodded in agreement.

Liu Xing smiled and said no more, turning back to the table to continue eating.

“That kid…” Niu Lianfang mused over his words, then beckoned Ding Lan and headed toward the jeep parked by the roadside.

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