121: Chapter 121 The Zhang Family's Crisis

A cheerful atmosphere suddenly filled the private room, and warm smiles were reflected on everyone's faces.

Li Dakang took a small sip, watching the harmonious scene before him, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted into a gratified arc.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere in the private room grew even livelier.

Township People's Congress Chairman Gan Xianzhou, having had a few drinks, looked slightly tipsy. He glanced at the Township Party Committee Deputy Secretary Qiu Yan beside him and suddenly proposed with great interest: "Hey, today is so happy, why don't we do something interesting? I have a few jokes here that are guaranteed to make everyone laugh out loud!"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone started cheering: "Chairman Gan is right! Work is usually too stressful, it's rare to relax today!"

"Come on, come on, Chairman Gan, set the example first!"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yan frowned almost imperceptibly, then immediately smiled: "You men..."

She shook her head, her tone tinged with teasing: "You reveal your true colors after just three drinks."

She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and added: "But today is indeed a happy day. As long as it's not too excessive, I'll pretend I didn't hear it."

Gan Xianzhou laughed heartily and patted his chest: "Don't worry, Secretary Qiu, we are all people with a sense of propriety!"

As he spoke, he lowered his voice mysteriously: "This joke of mine, I heard it when I went to the county for a meeting last time..."

Everyone leaned forward in unison, and the private room was instantly filled with expectant laughter.

Li Dakang sat at the head of the table, watching this scene with a smile. He neither stopped them nor participated, simply turning the wine glass in his hand, his gaze sweeping over everyone's expressions thoughtfully.

Gan Xianzhou, emboldened by the alcohol, began to speak vividly: "A poor village was distributing subsidies. An old man asked what the money was for. The cadre said it was a one-time living subsidy."

"The next day, the old man came holding his waist and said he wanted to collect the subsidy three times today!"

After finishing, he winked mischievously at Qiu Yan.

Everyone burst into laughter, and even the usually serious Li Dakang couldn't help but smile.

Qiu Yan covered her mouth and chuckled, shaking her head: "You men..." Her tone carried a hint of mock reproach, but it was not without humor.

Seeing this, the Executive Deputy Township Head also became interested: "I'll tell one too!"

He lowered his voice mysteriously: "A man lost his swim trunks while swimming and had to go home wearing a lifebuoy. When his wife opened the door and saw him, she exclaimed: 'My God, where did such a big steamed bun come from!'"

The private room immediately dissolved into laughter, and even the waiter couldn't help but giggle outside the door.

Li Dakang raised his glass at the right moment, the crisp clinking sound making everyone quiet down: "Comrades, let us toast to the future of Guantian Township and to the growth of everyone here!"

"Cheers!"

More than a dozen wine glasses clinked again, the crisp sound filled with determination and passion.

Outside the window, the moonlight shone on everyone's flushed faces, reflecting their infinite longing for the future.

The celebration banquet lasted until late at night, and everyone reluctantly said their goodbyes with a tipsy haze.

As they left the table, Li Dakang looked at these comrades-in-arms who had fought side by side with him, and a warm current surged in his heart.

He knew that behind tonight's laughter lay the most simple and honest friendship of these grassroots cadres, and it was also the source of strength pushing Guantian Township forward.

...

The capital city, the Zhang family residence.

The twilight was heavy, and a thick, impenetrable gravity hung in Elder Zhang's bedroom.

Led by Zhang Jinrong, the direct descendants of the second generation of the Zhang family stood solemnly by the bed, worry and anxiety etched on everyone's faces.

Elder Zhang's breathing on the sickbed was weak, and the "beep-beep" sound of the monitoring equipment was particularly jarring in the silence.

Elder Zhang's special nurse took off the stethoscope and shook his head gently, his voice low and restrained: "Leaders, we have done our best, but Elder Zhang's body..."

The sentence remained unfinished, yet it weighed heavier than a thousand words, and the air in the room instantly froze.

Zhang Jinrong clenched his fists unconsciously, his fingernails digging deep into his palms.

He scanned his surroundings; his brothers and sisters were either pale or had red-rimmed eyes.

Someone in the corner let out a suppressed sob, which then spread through the crowd like ripples in water.

Outside the window, the spring rain was drizzling. This rain had been falling for three full days, just like the Zhang family's current situation, stifling and suffocating.

Everyone knew clearly: once Elder Zhang, the pillar who had supported the family for decades, fell, what awaited the Zhang family would likely be stormy seas.

Those dormant opponents and political enemies eyeing them like tigers would have long since sharpened their knives.

The corners of Zhang Jinrong's eyes turned slightly red, and his Adam's apple bobbed. He took a deep breath, stepped forward to hold the special nurse's hand, and said in a hoarse but steady voice: "Thank you for your hard work, everyone. Please go out and rest first."

These words were restrained and dignified. As the new helmsman of the Zhang family, Zhang Jinrong understood better than anyone that since the beginning of the year, the old man's life had been like a candle in the wind, and it was already a miracle that he had lasted until now.

In the past six months, it was only thanks to the day-and-night care of the special nurses that he had managed to hold on for a bit longer.

The special nurse wanted to say something but stopped. Finally, he nodded solemnly, quietly led the medical team out, and gently closed the door as he left.

In the corridor outside, the third generation of the Zhang family was pacing anxiously. Seeing the special nurse come out, a dozen expectant gazes shot over "swish," but upon seeing the special nurse's heavy expression and the slight shake of his head, everyone's hearts sank with a "thud."

Several of the younger generation had red eyes on the spot; some bit their lips hard, others turned around to wipe away tears secretly. This family was, after all, about to face its most difficult moment.