Chapter 5: A Man is Refreshed on a Happy Occasion

Going without cigarettes is simply not an option for Yan Moshan, who was just getting ready to visit another shop when he suddenly caught sight of a brawny figure dashing out from behind Zhang Xiuchin's backyard.

Wasn't that figure none other than the village's perpetual bachelor, Cao Xiong? What was he doing getting involved with Zhang Xiuchin?

Cao Xiong ran with remarkable speed, and with a single stride, he had scaled the slope behind the Team Leader's Shop, which was a good three to four meters high. Yan Moshan rubbed his eyes in disbelief, only to see that the man had vanished!

What was going on? Could he be seeing things? Yan Moshan thought to himself.

Forget it, no use pondering over it. I should just hurry to the other shop to buy some cigarettes!

This shop was located at Village Secretary Fan Baoshun's house. Come to think of it, it was the house of his old classmate, Fan Zaoni.

Yan Moshan just recalled that Fan Zaoni had gotten into a key university in the city this year, so her family was busy preparing for a celebration these days. They were planning to host a feast soon, inviting the likes of village leaders, all sorts of relatives, and probably several of Fan Zaoni's classmates too.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Village Secretary Fan Baoshun's house, he found that the courtyard was already brightly lit, and bursts of the aroma of meat wafted through now and then, signaling that they were preparing the dishes for tonight's meal. Yan Moshan's stomach "gurgled" uncontrollably, and he took a deep breath of the delicious scents, swallowed, and muttered to himself, "Fan Zaoni, what's so great about you? It's just a university you got into. Look at how smug your family is acting."

Despite his words, deep down Yan Moshan really admired Fan Zaoni. They were the same age and had gone to school together.

Fan Zaoni was always on the right path when it came to studying, consistently recognized as a top student, while Yan Moshan was a different story. He was a whiz at manual work, but just couldn't handle books; they gave him a headache.

Fan Zaoni was not only academically talented but also pretty to boot—big eyes, round cheeks, a sharp chin, well-fed and plump, with skin that was fair and tender. Yan Moshan was quite smitten with her, really liked her, and often stealthily followed her home after school just to watch her.

However, Yan Moshan also resented her because she was pampered and a bit tricky. Sometimes, when he didn't have time to do his homework, he would copy from Fan Zaoni. But Fan Zaoni, aware of his antics, would deliberately write all the wrong answers before he copied them, then secretly correct them on her own work afterwards.

The result? Yan Moshan's workbook consistently bore big, red crosses, and the teacher would punish him severely. He couldn't take it anymore, couldn't continue studying, so he decided to drop out and help his grandmother with the farm work. Because of this, Yan Moshan couldn't express how much he resented Fan Zaoni, but resentment aside, he still really liked her.

"Who's that mumbling outside my door, speaking out of turn?" Fan Baoshun suddenly emerged from the courtyard, startling Yan Moshan with his question.

"Oh, Uncle Fan, it's me, Yan Moshan, here to buy a pack of cigarettes," Yan Moshan said with a smile plastered on his face.

"You're here to buy cigarettes? I thought someone had come early to offer congratulations." Fan Baoshun looked visibly disappointed.

Upon hearing this, Yan Moshan cursed inwardly, but sweet-talked nonetheless. After all, the man was the village secretary, and if there were ever any policy changes in the team, there could be opportunities to get back at him.

"Uncle Fan, offering congratulations is a given. The whole village should do it. Zaoni got into a key university in the city; that's an honor for the whole village. If you ask me, even the county officials should come and congratulate your Zaoni," Yan Moshan beamed.

Fan Baoshun, even knowing it was flattery, couldn't help feeling a touch of pride. "You're quite the sensible kid, aren't you? Have you bought your cigarettes? If not, let me give you a pack to smoke."

Eager to curry favor, since fostering a good relationship could mean benefits when the village got good policies, Yan Moshan quickly replied, "Uncle Fan, the Team Leader's Shop isn't open yet; I still haven't bought any."

Upon hearing this, Fan Baoshun turned and shouted towards the house, "Zaoni, bring a pack of Red Towerhill here!"

Yan Moshan couldn't contain his glee at the thought of seeing Zaoni again and receiving cigarettes directly from her hands.

Soon, Fan Zaoni came running over in slippers, her steps light and quick. "Dad, why do you need cigarettes?"

"For Moshan. The kid is having a tough time without his cigarettes for a few days!" Fan Baoshun said in the manner of a magnanimous man. "As for this your Third Uncle, really, sigh, it's like he only cares about your sister and not his own flesh and blood."

"Dad, what are you talking about?" Fan Zaoni retorted to Fan Baoshun, shaking the cigarettes in her hand and walking towards Yan Moshan.

"Zaoni, congratulations! You've brought honor to Liu Family!" Yan Moshan said, his hand noticeably trembling as he reached out.

"Flatterer," Fan Zaoni said impatiently. "Yan Moshan, cut out the slick talk. Keep those sweet words for my dad; I don't like to hear them." With that, she tossed the cigarettes into Yan Moshan's hands and turned back into the house.

"This girl, I've spoiled her," Fan Baoshun said, his words laced with a hint of pride. "Moshan, considering what you just said about congratulations, come by this afternoon for some drinks. You and Zaoni were classmates, after all."

"Uncle Fan, I'll be sure to come!" Yan Moshan agreed, nodding and bowing as he left. He almost jogged all the way to his own wheat field with his sickle, his mood utterly elated. The morning had been incredibly lucky for him, not only having sneakily glimpsed Zhang Xiuchin's ample bosom but also receiving an invitation from the village secretary. It couldn't get much better than this.

Once he reached the wheat field, whether it was the excellent mood or something else, the sickle in his hand seemed particularly agile. The wheat in the field was swiftly mowed down, and in no time, Yan Moshan had bundled up a row. He glanced at the time and was surprised at how much work he had done in such a short span, work that would have taken three adults the same amount of time to complete. He was indeed different today—could it truly be because a joyous mood makes for a spirited heart?