Chapter 328 - 228: Setting Off for the Prefecture (2)

Chapter 328: Chapter 228: Setting Off for the Prefecture (2)

"Hello, Secretary Jiang."

Attendees from all over were arriving and checking in today, so the guesthouse director was waiting at the entrance to greet them personally. After exchanging pleasantries with Jiang Weimin, he immediately turned and enthusiastically extended a hand to Zhao Wendong.

"You must be the legendary Captain Zhao! You’re an inspiration to us all!"

"You’re too kind."

Zhao Wendong smiled and shook his hand, his demeanor calm and confident. This made the director all the more impressed. As Zhao Wendong’s attendant, Liangzi also got to stay at the guesthouse. Once they had finished checking in, Jiang Weimin said with a smile,

"Comrade Wendong, it’s still early. You two can take a look around the prefecture. I have some matters to attend to. You can go have lunch in the cafeteria first. The cafeteria will also be open for dinner tonight."

"Alright, we understand. You go ahead, Secretary Jiang."

Zhao Wendong knew that a trip to the prefecture for Secretary Jiang definitely meant meeting with other leaders, so he nodded in agreement. After Jiang Weimin left, the director personally escorted the two of them to their room.

The room was a standard twin, the kind that would be considered overpriced at thirty yuan a night in a later era. But in these times, from its second-floor location, the wide view from the glass window looked out over a landscape of mostly single-story buildings, giving one a feeling of looking down from a great height. The clean and tidy beds, the spotless concrete floor, and the walls covered in attractive wallpaper all made Liangzi’s eyes light up.

"My god, this is amazing."

The director had been watching Zhao Wendong’s expression the whole time. Seeing him remain completely unfazed only strengthened his belief that this was no ordinary man, someone capable of achieving what others could not. He became even more polite toward him.

Once the director had left, Liangzi dove onto one of the beds. He rolled over once before giving Zhao Wendong a thumbs-up.

"This bed is so soft! Dongzi, you’re the real deal. Even here in the prefecture, you’re a big shot. The director of a huge guesthouse like this is totally sucking up to you."

Zhao Wendong gave him a wry look. "You even know a phrase like ’sucking up’?"

"Of course I do! So what?"

"Nothing. Come on, let’s get a bite to eat, then we’ll go to the Industrial and Agricultural School to find that childhood sweetheart of yours."

"Alright."

Liangzi leaped excitedly from the bed. The two went downstairs and had lunch in the dining hall at the back of the first floor. There were several staple foods to choose from, including steamed white-flour buns and white rice, as well as simple home-style dishes like cabbage and potatoes. There was even meat and fish.

"This food is way too good!"

Liangzi was a little indignant. Back at the Commune, he interacted with a lot of people, and he knew the situation in the other villages was far from optimistic.

"Just eat. This isn’t something for you to worry about."

Zhao Wendong said flatly, not continuing the topic. ’An emperor doesn’t send starving soldiers to war, and if the water is too clear, there will be no fish,’ he thought. ’Things are good enough as they are now. On a global scale, we’re probably in the top tier—maybe even number one at this point.’

Liangzi wolfed down his steamed bun. Still not satisfied, he went and got two more, only stopping when he was stuffed to the gills. When the guesthouse director saw Zhao Wendong and Liangzi about to head out after their meal, he warmly asked if they needed someone to show them around. Zhao Wendong declined with a smile.

The two of them hadn’t gotten far from the guesthouse when Liangzi started to hiccup.

"HAHAHA, serves you right for eating so much."

"I just felt upset. I can’t stand seeing them eat so well. HIC~"

"Alright, alright, just stop talking. I’ll ask for directions."

The prefecture town was about as prosperous as a larger market town, though it didn’t have as many tall buildings, with the tallest being the two- or three-story structures around the administration office. However, the area it covered was much larger than a typical town.

The pedestrians on the street generally looked healthier, with ruddier complexions than the people at the Commune. Their clothes were still patched, but they looked newer. Horse-drawn carts passed by from time to time, and occasionally, so did a bicycle, much to Liangzi’s amazement.

"See that, Dongzi? A bicycle! If I could have a bicycle in my lifetime, I could die without any regrets."

"Don’t worry, you’ll have one."

"Really?"

Liangzi was skeptical. It was a bicycle, after all. It wasn’t just a matter of money; it was a status symbol. Zhao Wendong just nodded, ignoring him, as he looked around for someone to ask for directions.

Just then, a young woman walked toward them. She wore a cadre’s uniform and had a very neat, ear-length bob, looking like a former student.

"Hello, Comrade."

Zhao Wendong stopped her. The woman paused, looking at him with some curiosity. In his officer’s woolen overcoat, his bearing and attire set him apart from most men of this era.

"Can I help you?"

The woman’s voice was a bit husky, giving it a magnetic quality.

"I was wondering, how do I get to the Industrial and Agricultural School?"

"The Red Professional school or the university?"

Zhao Wendong paused for a moment before quickly adding,

"The Red Professional school."

The woman gave them detailed directions. Worried they might not remember, she thoughtfully had Zhao Wendong repeat them back to her. Only after confirming he had it memorized did she smile, bid them farewell, and leave.

"So, how does this female comrade compare to your Huang Xiaomei?"

Zhao Wendong said with a smile, teasing Liangzi as he watched the woman’s retreating figure. Liangzi rolled his eyes.

"She’s very beautiful and exceptional, but I prefer my Xiaomei. It’s the bond between childhood sweethearts. You wouldn’t understand."

"Uh-huh, sure. Come on, let’s go find your childhood sweetheart."

Zhao Wendong was already mentally prepared; he wasn’t nearly as optimistic as Liangzi. The two followed the route the woman had given them, strolling leisurely toward the school where Huang Xiaomei was a student. The pace of life in this era was slow; you rarely saw anyone rushing on the street. Zhao Wendong took note of the various buildings and the many slogans on the walls, slowly savoring the unique markers of the period.