22: Chapter 22 Cafeteria Renovation

By the time the meeting adjourned, the setting sun had already dipped below the horizon.

The committee members left in twos and threes, their hushed whispers echoing through the corridor.

...

Deputy Township Head Zhang Xiaoyan stood in Li Dakang's office, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes incessantly.

This female deputy township head, who was in her early thirties, served as the "logistics chief" of the Township Government, and at this moment, fine beads of sweat were forming on her forehead.

"Deputy Township Head Xiao Yan, the canteen reform must be implemented by tomorrow."

Li Dakang scribbled a note: "First, withdraw five thousand yuan from the Finance Office to pay off the debts owed to the grain store, then purchase some fresh ingredients."

Deputy Township Head Zhang Xiaoyan took the note, the paper trembling slightly in her hands: "Township Head Li, what are the specific standards..."

"At least four types of breakfast, with no repeats for three days. For lunch and dinner, three dishes and one soup, and there must be meat dishes."

"Make sure there's plenty of oil and fat! Vary the staple foods."

At this moment, Li Dakang suddenly asked: "What is the current standard per person for a meal at the canteen?"

"Fifty... fifty cents." Deputy Township Head Zhang Xiaoyan's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"Raise it to one yuan and fifty cents!" Li Dakang said decisively.

Deputy Township Head Zhang Xiaoyan looked up abruptly, unable to believe her ears; this standard was higher than that of most government bureaus in the county!

When Deputy Township Head Zhang Xiaoyan left with the note, her steps were as light as if she were walking on clouds.

At the end of the corridor, a few young cadres poked their heads out, their eyes full of anticipation.

...

After dinner, Li Dakang bought some fruit and took Zheng Shijun to the township health center, intending to visit Teacher Wu's wife.

The smell of disinfectant from the health center rushed to meet them.

In the third-floor ward, Teacher Wu was wiping his wife's face. Seeing Li Dakang enter, he hurriedly stood up: "You... who are you?"

"Township Head Li!"

Teacher Gu, who was nearby, almost knocked over the water cup on the bedside table.

"Why are you here?"

"Just here for a visit."

Li Dakang placed the fruit on the bedside table: "Is Teacher Wu's wife feeling any better?"

"Much better, she woke up once this afternoon."

Teacher Gu quickly introduced him: "Teacher Wu, this is the new Township Head Li from the township!"

Teacher Wu's eyes instantly turned red, his lips trembling, unable to speak.

The woman on the hospital bed was still unconscious, but her complexion had improved significantly. Brand-new medicine bottles sat on the bedside table, and the liquid in the IV drip was dripping at a steady pace.

"Township Head Li, thanks to that money of yours..." Teacher Gu said in a low voice.

"Township Head Li, that money..." Teacher Wu's voice choked with emotion.

"Don't mention the money." Li Dakang waved his hand.

"The wages the township owes you will be paid out in the next couple of days."

He walked to the hospital bed to check the IV drip record, then turned to ask the doctor on duty: "How is the situation?"

"She is out of danger now." The doctor pushed up his glasses.

"It's just that the malnutrition is too severe; she needs proper recuperation."

Li Dakang nodded, took an envelope from his inner pocket, and shoved it into Teacher Wu's hand: "Buy some nutritional supplements for your wife."

"This... this won't do..." Teacher Wu retreated repeatedly.

"Take it!"

Li Dakang firmly stuffed the envelope into his pocket: "Once the wages are paid, make sure to nourish her well."

Teacher Wu opened the envelope to find five brand-new hundred-yuan bills inside. His hand trembled like a leaf in the wind: "This... this is too much..."

"Just keep it." Li Dakang held down his hand as he tried to return it.

Suddenly, there was a chaotic sound of footsteps in the corridor. Four or five teachers crowded at the door, holding eggs and brown sugar.

Seeing Li Dakang, they froze in place, caught in a dilemma.

"Come on in, everyone." Li Dakang greeted them with a smile.

"I should be going; I won't disturb you all."

As he turned to leave, Li Dakang heard hushed voices behind him: "He really is a good leader..."

"Are the wages really going to be paid?"

...

The health center corridor in the twilight was very long, and Li Dakang's shadow was stretched even longer.

Zheng Shijun trotted to keep up and couldn't help but ask: "Township Head Li, which village are we going to first tomorrow?"

"Zhengjia Village." Li Dakang didn't stop walking.

"Your hometown."

...

Upon returning to his office, Li Dakang found a cup of hot tea on his desk.

The tea leaves unfurled in the cup, like pieces of reviving hope.

He picked up the phone and dialed the Finance Office: "Director Yu, first thing tomorrow morning, pay the back wages owed to the community-run teachers."

Hanging up the phone, Li Dakang opened the files for Zhengjia Village.

The dirt roads in the photos, the dilapidated school buildings, the cloudy eyes of the elderly... these images lingered in his mind, refusing to fade.

Outside the window, scattered lights gradually began to twinkle in Guantian Township as twilight descended.

Li Dakang picked up his fountain pen and heavily circled tomorrow's date on the desk calendar.

The ink bled through the paper, like a drop of water of hope falling onto parched land.

Starlight had already begun to shimmer in the night sky. In the Township Government courtyard, lights were on in several offices, and there were more people working overtime than usual.

The aroma of food wafted from the direction of the canteen, where Old Zhou was test-cooking tomorrow's menu.

Li Dakang took a deep breath; the air seemed to carry a different scent.

It wasn't just the aroma of food, but more like a long-lost scent called hope.

...

At the first light of dawn, Li Dakang was already standing at the entrance of the Township Government canteen.

The moment he pushed the door open, steam carrying the fragrance of flour rushed to greet him. The canteen, usually deserted, was now bustling with people, with almost every seat taken.

"Morning, Township Head Li!"

"Hello, Township Head Li!"

...

Amidst the rising and falling greetings, the head of the township agricultural station was clutching an enamel mug, squeezing into the food serving line.

This old hand, who hadn't set foot in the canteen for five years, was craning his neck to peer at the steamer baskets stacked high on the stove, where the freshly added meat buns were steaming with oily heat.