In the main room, a sense of warmth mingled with a heavy atmosphere. Zhao Shuzhuo’s brows were tightly knit, the lines on his forehead appearing to deepen. His eyes reflected a mixture of inner conflict and stubborn resolve, and his lips were pressed thin as he fell into deep thought. The explanation Wang Jianguo had just given was like a pebble cast into a still pond, stirring ripples in his heart.
Zhao Shuzhuo knew well that when paying a New Year’s visit to Secretary Dong on the eighth day of the lunar year, presenting a gift that truly expressed their gratitude was of paramount importance. Secretary Dong had labored tirelessly for the village’s development, helping to resolve countless difficulties. From coordinating irrigation water for the fields to securing funding for village road construction, every single task touched upon the villagers' vital interests. The people respected and cherished him from the bottom of their hearts. To show up empty-handed or with some trivial trinket would seem perfunctory; it would not only be a breach of etiquette but would also fail to convey the depth of the villagers' sincerity.
Yet, at the mere thought of Wang Jianguo’s plan to hunt in the mountains, Zhao Shuzhuo’s heart tightened. He knew all too well the perils hidden deep within those mountains in the dead of winter. The snow was deep enough to bury one's knees; every step required immense effort, making movement slow and clumsy—a situation that surely provided opportunities for…
Chapter 533