Lin Moyang felt an inexplicable irritation. He turned back, staring coldly at the man, and was just about to demand an explanation.
"Heh heh..." Liu Shengli flashed a toothy grin, revealing two rows of yellowed teeth, before quickly putting on a stern face. "What’s the rush, young comrade? It’s not like your little bride is going to be snatched away by a wild boar."
Lin Moyang didn't know whether to be angry or amused. Heaven only knew what was wrong with this middle-aged man. Could he be some intermittent mental patient who had wandered out of a psychiatric ward?
He had no choice but to shrug helplessly. "Uncle, if you have something to say, just say it."
"What’s this about 'having something to say'? You’re my savior, how could I order you around?" Liu Shengli widened his eyes, then sat down on the ground. "Go on, help me fix that wooden hook. The road down the mountain is long, and I’m in need of a walking stick."
He spoke politely enough, but his tone remained commanding, acting every bit the arrogant elder. Lin Moyang decided to just fix it and be done with it; he didn't want to argue any further. If he couldn't afford to provoke him, couldn't he at least avoid him?
He ran over, picked up his sickle, and began to work on the wooden hook.
"Keep the hook part intact, and smooth it out a bit—hey, I said smooth it out!"
Lin Moyang had intended to just do a sloppy job of it, but he hadn't expected Liu Shengli to be standing by, pointing fingers and getting anxious. This made Lin Moyang seethe with frustration, but not wanting to bicker with an elderly man who might be having an episode, he forced himself to follow the instructions and fashioned the wood into a proper walking stick.
Liu Shengli took it and tested it, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Not bad. You’ve got a knack for manual labor, young comrade. Heh heh."
Lin Moyang sighed internally. This man was a real piece of work—simply exasperating.
"The stick is fixed. Can I go now?" Lin Moyang’s tone was tinged with impatience.
However, Liu Shengli just chuckled. "Go, go, go. Go see what kind of little bride has you so preoccupied."
Before Lin Moyang could respond, Liu Shengli reached over, draped an arm over his shoulder, and steered him toward the cattle path. Lin Moyang felt a vein throbbing in his forehead; he was beyond frustrated. As soon as they reached the cattle path, he would have to find a way to part ways with this guy!
Meanwhile, on the cattle path, Shen Youwei was pacing back and forth. She was wringing her hands, glancing repeatedly toward the direction where Lin Moyang had headed into the mountains. He had been gone so long without a sound, and she couldn't help but feel worried.
Only when Lin Moyang’s figure finally appeared did a starlit glimmer return to the young woman’s eyes.
"Oh, oh, oh! So she really is a little beauty. No wonder you’ve been so anxious about her." Before they were even close, Liu Shengli’s boisterous, teasing voice echoed through the air.
Lin Moyang’s patience finally snapped. His tone turned sharp. "Alright, you're fine now. Go wherever you need to go; we’re heading home."
He shook off Liu Shengli’s hand and walked toward Shen Youwei without looking back. Liu Shengli didn't seem offended; his gaze shifted to the two baskets beside Shen Youwei. He squinted as a patch of brownish-tan mushroom caps peeked through the gaps in the straw. One look was enough for him to know exactly what those baskets contained.
Lin Moyang reached Shen Youwei’s side. Without waiting for her to speak, he signaled for her to prepare to shoulder the baskets so they could slip away.
Seeing this, Liu Shengli hurriedly spoke up, his tone suddenly serious and formal. "Young comrade, don't be in such a rush. You saved my life, and I haven't repaid you yet. If you just walk away like this, an old man like me won't be able to sleep from the guilt tonight."
Hearing this, Lin Moyang wanted to avoid any further entanglement. "Just stop following me—that would be the greatest repayment of all!"
He was truly at his wit's end. He had kindly saved the man, only to end up with a burr he couldn't shake off.
Liu Shengli looked at the impatient Lin Moyang, not with anger, but with a kind smile. "Don't be anxious, young comrade. You’ll be thanking me soon."
With that, Liu Shengli crouched down, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a notebook. He flipped to a blank page, took out a fountain pen, unscrewed the cap, flicked the ink, and began to write to himself. When he finished, he took an official seal from his pocket and pressed it heavily onto the page.
The moment he saw the official seal, Lin Moyang froze. Someone who carried an official seal on their person was clearly no ordinary farmer. Even Shen Youwei, standing nearby, widened her eyes, looking at Lin Moyang in confusion. Lin Moyang, however, had no idea what was happening and could only shake his head helplessly.
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.
Liu Shengli tore off the piece of paper after stamping it and handed it to Lin Moyang. "Young comrade, this is my gift in return. Thank you for saving my life earlier."
Lin Moyang took it and read it, his heart leaping into his throat.
**[Fang County Supply and Marketing Cooperative Joint Association – Agricultural Byproduct Sales Permit]**
**[Permitted to sell 100kg of mountain goods, valid within Fang County until December 30, 1982.]**
**[...]**
**[Signatory: Liu Shengli]**
This was a permit from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. With this in hand, Lin Moyang could sell his mountain goods openly and legally. And anyone with the authority to issue such an extraordinary document had to be the Director of the Cooperative.
At that moment, Liu Shengli’s true identity became clear.
Lin Moyang’s fingers trembled as he held the permit; the three characters "Liu Shengli" written on the page made his eyes sting. The man he had considered a nuisance just a second ago now left him unable to even get a "thank you" past his lips.
Shen Youwei stared at the thin sheet of paper with the red stamp, her lips moving soundlessly. This man, who looked so disheveled, was actually a high-ranking official conducting a private inspection.
*And the mushrooms they had just gathered...*
Thinking of this, Shen Youwei slowly shifted, shielding the basket of mushrooms behind her.
Liu Shengli saw it all. He just smiled to himself, deciding not to expose her. With the reform and opening-up policy in full swing in Pengcheng, policies were gradually loosening across the country. He had a feeling that the spring breeze would eventually reach this place as well. After all, weren't the villages at the foot of the mountain already being used as pilot sites?
So, regarding his savior, Lin Moyang, he chose to turn a blind eye. After all, someone who would travel so far to save a life had to be a good person.
Lin Moyang clutched the permit, looking at Liu Shengli with intense emotion. "Director... Director Liu, this gift is too valuable."
Liu Shengli smiled and waved his hand. "Look at you, young comrade. You change your face as quickly as flipping a book. I actually liked you better when you were looking at me with disgust, ha ha..."
Lin Moyang laughed awkwardly and scratched his head. "I'm not usually like that."
"Alright, alright," Liu Shengli said, leaning on his cane with a chuckle. "Compared to my life, a single permit is nothing. I like to do things my own way—you saved my life and gave me a cane, so I’d feel uneasy if I didn't do something in return."
"My legs aren't what they used to be compared to you youngsters. You two go on ahead; I’ll walk slowly." He waved his hand, signaling them to leave first.
Lin Moyang felt a bit uneasy. "Why don't we go together? These mountain paths are rugged; we can look out for one another."
As he spoke, Shen Youwei, standing beside him, remained deeply worried. In response to Lin Moyang’s invitation, Liu Shengli chuckled. "You young comrade, you’re trying to trick me. Do you think I don't know this road is wide enough?"
"Enough. Look at your little bride; she’s worried sick. This old man doesn't want to get in the middle of you two. Now, get going!"
Seeing his persistence, Lin Moyang couldn't say anything more. After urging the man to walk slowly and stay safe, he took Shen Youwei and left first.
Liu Shengli watched their retreating backs and smiled slightly. "That kid... he’s interesting."
Then, he looked puzzled. "But this little bride of his—why does she look so familiar?"
"Who could it be? Tsk, that’s the trouble with getting old. I can’t remember a thing!"