Chapter 55: You No Longer Need to Serve as Production Team Leader

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“You’re right, Mother,” Li Xiangyang whispered, understanding that his mother was trying not to trouble Uncle Wang.

The room fell silent, the only sound the faint flicker of the kerosene lamp.

“Actually, you don’t need to worry so much,” Li’s mother seemed to comfort her son, but also to convince herself. “Even if Zhang Dashan wants to make things difficult for us, he wouldn’t dare do it openly. At worst, he’ll just withhold some work credits; we’ll manage somehow.”

Li Xiangyang watched his mother’s forced composure and felt a pang in his heart.

He knew all too well that “managing somehow” meant barely scraping by, never starving but never flourishing.

Zhang Dashan certainly needed to be dealt with.

Zhang’s arrogance stemmed from being the nephew of the former village party secretary.

Everyone assumed the old secretary would protect him, so they dared not speak out despite their anger.

But Li Xiangyang recalled that in the previous life, the last time the old secretary appeared, he reprimanded Zhang Dashan for his misdeeds.

By then, the old secretary was seriously ill.

At first, villagers thought he was pretending to avoid trouble, but later they realized the old man was unaware of Zhang Dashan’s actions.

“Mother,” Li Xiangyang’s eyes brightened as he said, “do you think the old secretary knew what Zhang Dashan had done?”

“Hmm...” his mother hesitated. “Probably not. But since they are relatives, it’s hard to say.”

Hearing this, Li Xiangyang shook his head. “Mother, you underestimate the old secretary’s principles. It’s because we all thought that way that Zhang Dashan was able to act so arrogantly.”

His mother’s face clouded with worry. “You must think carefully. The old secretary’s health has never been good; don’t upset him.”

“Don’t worry, Mother,” Li Xiangyang said gently. “I’ll speak honestly. I’ve brought money; if things go wrong and he falls ill, I’ll take him to the hospital.”

Early the next morning, Li Xiangyang rose ahead of dawn.

“So early?” his mother asked, carrying a basin of hot water, surprised to see him already dressed.

“Yes, the earlier the better,” Li said, fastening his buttons.

His mother set down the basin, hesitating before finally saying, “Make sure you’ve thought this through. Don’t...”

“Mother,” Li Xiangyang interrupted with a smile, “rest assured. If this works out, not just our family, but everyone will be relieved and grateful.”

After breakfast, Li Xiangyang headed toward the village committee.

Along the way, he rehearsed how to speak.

The old secretary valued two things most: village unity and caring for the needy.

Now Zhang Dashan’s bullying offended both principles.

The committee’s door was wide open, and several villagers were chatting by the entrance.

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Seeing Li Xiangyang arrive, they greeted him warmly.

“Is the old secretary in?” Li asked.

“He’s inside,” a villager nodded toward the inner room, lowering his voice. “If you’re going to report Zhang Dashan, be careful. The old secretary’s health is fragile; if he gets upset, you’ll have to pay the medical bills.”

“Don’t worry,” Li smiled, pulling some bills from his pocket. “I brought money for medical expenses. This matter can’t wait any longer.”

His casual confidence made the villagers laugh.

“You’re a smart kid,” the villager winked. “But you’re right—this should’ve been reported a long time ago. Go ahead, I’ll get the donkey cart ready for you.”

Everyone knew the old secretary’s intolerance for wrongdoing.

But they feared for his health, so they endured the injustice without complaint.

Now that Li Xiangyang had brought money for medicine, they were less afraid.

Seeing the villager prepare the cart, Li felt a surge of hope.

The old secretary’s health was indeed poor; he prayed that this visit wouldn’t truly cause harm.

Then he reassured himself.

The longer the old secretary remained unaware of Zhang Dashan’s deeds, the worse it would be. It was better he knew the truth now.

“Knock knock”—Li rapped softly on the door.

“Come in,” came a deep but weary voice.

Pushing open the door, Li saw the old secretary seated at his desk. Though his hair had turned white, his eyes still shone brightly.

He looked surprised to see Li.

“You’re the third son’s boy, aren’t you?” the old secretary said, putting down his papers. “What brings you here? Is your family in trouble?”

That question warmed Li’s heart.

Since his father’s passing, the old secretary had always cared for their family.

But his health had declined, and he could no longer manage everything.

Li took a deep breath.

No matter the cost, he had to report this.

He couldn’t let the old secretary’s reputation be tarnished.

“Old Secretary, it’s not about family hardship,” Li said with a respectful bow. “I came to tell you something.”

“Sit down,” the old secretary gestured to the stool opposite him. “Go ahead, what is it?”

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Li Xiangyang sat, nervous, and recounted the events of the past two days in detail.

From the Yang family son’s knife attack to Zhang Dashan’s threats to withhold work credits, he left nothing out.

The old secretary’s expression darkened with every word.

“Scoundrel!” he slammed the table. “I was away just a few days, and Zhang Dashan dares to act like this?”

He stood and paced the room. “The Yang family isn’t easy to deal with, that’s true. But Zhang Dashan is the production team leader. If he won’t protect our own people, that’s bad enough—helping outsiders to bully our villagers is unforgivable!”

Li watched the old secretary grow angrier and worried for his health.

“Wait here. I’ll call Zhang Dashan right now.”

Li quickly stood. “Old Secretary, I only wanted to inform you, to let you know...”

“Know?” the old secretary sneered. “I not only want to know, I want to act! If this team leader wants to quit, there are plenty waiting to take his place!”

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door.

Zhang Dashan entered, accompanied by the middle-aged woman who had come with him to Li’s house the day before.

Seeing Li seated inside, Zhang paused, then sneered, “Uncle, I was about to tell you about this kid.”

“Shut up!” the old secretary spun around and scolded fiercely. “You’re a team leader, and you won’t even work for our own villagers. Instead, you help outsiders bully them?”

Zhang’s face changed. “Uncle, it’s not what you think...”

“Not what I think?” the old secretary slammed the table again. “Then what is it? Explain yourself!”

The woman stepped forward, trying to speak. “Comrade Zhang, the situation is like this...”

“Who are you?” the old secretary stared at her. “This is our village’s internal matter. What business do you have here?”

The woman was silenced, her face turning pale.

“I’m asking you, Zhang Dashan!” the old secretary pointed at him. “Yesterday, you went to Li Xiangyang’s house and threatened to withhold his work credits, didn’t you?”

Sweat beaded on Zhang’s forehead. “I was just...”

“Just what?” the old secretary sneered. “Thinking I wasn’t home, you dared to act recklessly? From today on, you’re no longer the team leader!”

Those words hit Zhang like a thunderclap; his face turned ashen. “Uncle, you can’t...”