The Luckiest Man - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: “Greetings, Headman!”

Looking at the lines in the notebook, Liu Huajun felt overwhelmed with emotions. He knew that in the past it had not been easy for Hong Xiaofu to care for Shen Xiaolin. Liu Huajun had then helped the siblings whenever he could.

However, seeing Hong Xiaofu’s notebook, Liu Huajun realized the extent to which Hong Xiaofu had suffered. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Hong Xiaofu had grown up with the help of the entire community.

For instance…

“19 July 2019. We were left with 3.5 yuan. For dinner, Xiaoling and I bought two steamed buns. Our neighbor, Mister Liu, pitied us and sent us two bowls of soup, we are thankful. We almost saved enough for dinner tomorrow. A steamed bun costs 50 cents. We just need to collect 5 more plastic bottles to have enough money to fill our tummies! Let’s work hard!”

“20 July 2019. After school, I was going to collect plastic bottles for money. Mr Li Hong pulled me aside and bought me two breakfast pancakes, I am very grateful.

“12 August 2017. We are running short of money. I had planned to buy a steamed bun with pickled vegetables for lunch to ease the hunger, but Wang Lixuan saw me. He treated me to a meal at the cafeteria, I was extremely full, and the food was delicious! Very thankful to him!”

The entire notebook, which was two hundred pages, was filled with similar entries. They showed Hong Xiaofu’s progress and growth. Most importantly, they only recorded the acts of kindness Hong Xiaofu received from others. There were no entries that detailed the sufferings and difficulties that Hong Xiaofu faced.

Liu Huajun then fully understood the reason behind Hong Xiaofu and Shen Xiaoling’s prayers. We are God’s favorite children…the intention was simple.

It had not been easy for them to grow up safely. It was not as simple as a passing comment that said, “It’s true, that’s not simple.” Without fully understanding their perspective and circumstances, it would be impossible to comprehend the hardships they had endured.

When reading the last entry, which read “I went to move bricks today. Uncle Chen gave me a steam bun,” Liu Huajun was especially stunned.

An eighteen-year-old student had actually gone to move bricks to earn a living!

“My dear child,” Liu Huajun closed the notebook and smiled as he patted Hong Xiaofu’s shoulders, “It must have been challenging for you. But now, it is all good. The monthly student grant of three thousand yuan should be sufficient for the two of you.”

Although Liu Huajun appeared to be calm, he felt conflicted with emotions. He had made up his mind—no matter what happened, he would secure a spot in the Awakening Quota! That way, the siblings would be given a monthly grant of six thousand yuan! They would not have to worry about their daily expenses anymore.

“Grandpa, I will be fine!” Shen Xiaoling pouted, and she hummed, “I will be Awakened on my own, I really do not need to trouble you! Although I am still young, I know that it is not easy to secure a spot on the Awakening Quota!”

Liu Huajun smiled as he rubbed Shen Xiaoling’s head, “Don’t you worry, your grandpa is old now, I know my limits. Alright, you can go complete your work. At my age, I have to go for a walk to aid my digestion!”

Upon hearing that, Hong Xiaofu quickly stood up, “Then, grandpa, please walk slowly.”

“Don’t worry,” Liu Huajun laughed as he waved his hand, “Oh, I might be visiting my son for the next few days. Please help me look after my yard if I am not around.”

Hong Xiaofu immediately nodded, “Sure, no problem!”

Liu Huajun left Hong Xiaofu’s home. As he strolled on the streets, he turned to look at Hong Xiaofu’s door and smiled. Shaking his head, he said to himself, “What a great child. For them to be my god grandson and granddaughter, it’s my blessing. Well, I should go and ask Zhao Qimin. That good-for-nothing child is really not dependable. I should ask him about it again.”

As he thought about this, he instantly took out his mobile phone.

Half an hour later, a black Volkswagen Magotan had pulled up, and Liu Huajun had left directly for the government compound. As he entered his office, Zhao Qimin became visibly nervous, and quickly held his arm out to Liu Huajun to support him.

The secretary, Xiao Li, immediately served the two their tea.

“Qimin,” Liu Huajun hummed as he sipped the tea, “The matter we discussed, how’s its progress?”

Zhao Qimin wiped his sweat and replied, “Old Liu, this is not an easy matter to settle. I had asked higher management about it. I am powerless when it comes to this. There is so much focus on the Awakener Quota now. The price of a place in the Quota has risen to over one and a half million yuan.”

“So expensive?” Liu Huajun rubbed his beard, “Can’t you rely on your authoritative power?”

“I really can’t,” Zhao Qimin helplessly shook his head. He whispered, “Liu, as you already know, the world has started to go into chaos, but, within our country, it is still stable as everything is well regulated. The higher management has given clear instructions and regulations—whoever rebels would be eliminated.”

Liu Huajun smiled, “Then, what would happen if I insist on getting my place in the Awakener Quota?”

Liu Huajun pondered, then his eyes lit up, “Liu, given your position, the military might have a way. After all, the military has more spaces allocated to them.”

“The military ….” Liu Huajun pondered before standing up, “Then, send some guys to bring me to Beijing.”

Zhao Qimin: “…”

That old man was still so resolute, he had not changed at all!

Zhao Qimin immediately gestured to his secretary, Xiao Li, “Xiao Li, arrange transport to send old Liu to Beijing immediately. Then you can stay there to ensure his needs are taken care of.”

Xiao Li smiled as she nodded, “Okay.”

That night, at half past ten, an Audi A6L was waiting at the end of the Beijing–Shencheng expressway. A soldier was standing straight in attention beside the car. Liu Huajun exited Xiao Li’s car, and that soldier immediately saluted, “Greetings, Headman!” The loud voice and gestures caught the attention of passers-by.

“Well,” Liu Huajun nodded, “Is Xiao Fang here?”

The soldier held in his laughter and replied, “He is in the car.”

The man Liu Huajun referred to as Xiao Fang was a fifty-seven year-old military officer. Other soldiers referred to Liu as the Headman, but in his eyes, the military Headman had become Xiao Fang. Liu Huajun was a senior, a respectable senior–one could not afford to piss him off.

Liu Huajun boarded the car. A man with a Lieutenant General’s Medal exclaimed, “Teacher Liu, look at you! If you needed anything, you could have dropped me a call. You did not have to personally take the trip down…”

“What do you mean by personally?” Liu Huajun hummed, “I also personally eat my meals, personally use the bathroom. What’s wrong with doing this personally?”