When the villagers heard this, they looked at the staff in disbelief. Everyone knew how poor the Zhang family was—it was impossible for them to have good-quality seeds.
Although no one believed the staff's words, they just smiled and said nothing. They were not stupid enough to go against the production team's staff directly and rebuke their words.
Seeing their expressions, the staff understood that no one trusted their words. He then looked at Zhang Ermu and saw his calm expression.
The staff hesitated for a moment before he said, "Comrade Zhang, the production team will reward you accordingly for your contribution."
Zhang Ermu glanced at him and asked, "Why should I get a reward?"
"Because you exchanged your good-quality seeds for broken seeds. You suffered a loss in this exchange. So, it's normal for us to compensate you," the staff replied.
"Comrade, I plan to grind those broken seeds into flour, so I actually didn't suffer any loss. What's more, these seeds will be used by the production team, and the harvest will be divided among everyone, including my family. Since my family will also reap the benefits, I don't think we need to be compensated," Zhang Ermu said.
As soon as he said these words, the staff looked at him with newfound respect.
They knew that the Zhang family's ancestors were landlords and merchants before the revolution. Because of this, Zhang Ermu's grandparents were currently staying in the cow pen in the neighboring village and undergoing labor reform.
Everyone thought that the Zhang family also had wicked personalities like their ancestors—greedy and selfish. Unexpectedly, this young man was so generous and humble. Rather than being wicked, he was more like a hardworking farmer and a compassionate revolutionary comrade.
It seemed that what their vice team leader said was right.
One cannot judge another just based on their family's circumstances, as human personalities differ. Not all wicked people's descendants are bad, and not all farmers' descendants are good.
"Comrade, I apologize for my previous petty-mindedness. I was wrong about you and your family. As long as your grandparents are willing to reform themselves, we will accept them with open arms," one of the staff members said solemnly.
When Zhang Ermu heard this, his lowered eyes flickered for a moment. After all these years, he had finally managed to change their mindsets. All of his suffering and hard work would soon pay off.
Despite his thoughts, when he looked at the staff, his eyes were clear and calm. He smiled and said, "Thank you."
After he sent the wheat seeds and returned home, the sky darkened. The moment he entered the house, he saw his parents waiting for him.
Seeing him come back, Father Zhang said, "Ermu, go have your dinner first."
Zhang Ermu nodded and went to take a shower before getting a bowl of noodles. He returned to the living room and said, "Father, the matter about the seed—"
Hearing this, Mother Zhang was relieved and said, "You have been busy since morning. Go rest early."
"Alright. Father, Mother, have a good rest. Goodnight."
After Zhang Ermu left, Father and Mother Zhang returned to their room.
Inside his room, Zhang Ermu counted his money and smiled. It wasn't that he was unwilling to give a higher bride price for Liu Piao, but with their family's condition, if he gave too much, it would arouse people's suspicions. So, he could only give 30 yuan at most.
As for the rest of his money, he would give it all to Liu Piao after they got married. He would work harder so his wife and family could have a better life.
At the same time, in the county town hospital, Mother Lu was packing the empty food boxes and dirty clothes into the bamboo baskets while reminding her son, "Ah Cheng, remember to help your wife if she wants to go to the toilet. Also, don't let her get close to the window and help her take care of the children."
Nodding at his mother's words, Lu Cheng replied, "I know, Mother. You can be at ease and go back with my brother. I will take good care of my wife and children."
When Mother Lu heard his words, she was skeptical. But even if she was unsure whether her second son could take good care of her daughter-in-law, she still had to believe in him. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
After all, she was old and her old bones couldn't bear to continue sleeping in a chair. Since her eldest son would come to bring food again tomorrow, she would just come again then.
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