Chapter 25: Receiving an Award
“Squeak!”
Just as the atmosphere in the conference room was growing awkward, the middle-aged man who had stepped out to make a phone call returned.
He hurried over to Director Huang and began whispering in his ear!
No one knew what the middle-aged man had said, but everyone watched as Director Huang suddenly stood up and asked in shock, “Did Secretary Yang really say that?”
“That’s absolutely true—I’m afraid they’re probably already on their way!”
Director Huang glanced at Li Yi and said, “I hope you really are as upright as you claim to be—if you’ve got nothing to hide, you’ve got nothing to fear!”
“Heh, don’t worry—I won’t go astray!” Li Yi said confidently.
Although he had his fair share of minor quirks, he’d never committed any major offenses. Right now, his biggest problem was probably setting up a street stall without permission!
However, markets were gradually opening up in many parts of the country. Just this year, Wenzhou took the lead by issuing the nation’s first batch of individual business licenses.
It had only been a few months since then, so even though setting up a stall without permission wasn’t allowed, it wasn’t a big deal!
Even if he got caught, the worst that would happen was a verbal warning—it wouldn’t be like a few years ago when he’d been charged with profiteering.
“All right, everyone, get ready. We’ve just received word that Secretary Wang from the County Party Committee is already on his way to our Hongqi Commune!” Director Huang announced.
Hearing this, everyone in the conference room was stunned, and the looks they gave Li Yi changed instantly!
Every single person present was a shrewd operator. Seeing this commotion, they knew immediately that they’d misread the situation—the county officials weren’t summoning this young man to discipline him.
After all, if they truly intended to discipline him, Secretary Wang of the County Party Committee wouldn’t have needed to come in person!
There was likely some inside information they weren’t privy to!
Fortunately, the county seat was only about ten kilometers from Hongqi Commune—a mere ten-minute drive—so the truth would soon be revealed.
While everyone here was busy preparing to welcome Secretary Wang, Wang Anmin was already on his way to Hongqi Commune.
“Young Yang, have you got everything ready?”
“Sir, everything is ready: a certificate of honor, 200 yuan in cash, and some daily necessities!” Secretary Yang replied.
“Good. This person is my old man’s lifesaver—we can’t afford to be negligent!”
To be honest, Wang Anmin was filled with gratitude toward that young man he’d never met. If not for him, his father would likely be six feet under by now.
He had specifically consulted his father’s attending physician to learn the details: his father had suffered from hypoglycemia combined with heatstroke and had gone into shock.
Under those circumstances, if no one had intervened, there was an 80% chance he wouldn’t have survived.
Fortunately, that young man wasn’t afraid to get involved and stepped in to save him.
Moreover, the young man had accurately diagnosed his father’s condition and administered targeted treatment, which was why his elderly father had managed to hold on until they reached the hospital.
So, this debt of gratitude is truly immense!
Soon, the car arrived at the entrance of Hongqi Commune. From a distance, Wang Anmin spotted his old classmate and former subordinate, Huang Yuejin, waiting at the gate with a group of people to greet him.
After getting out of the car and exchanging brief pleasantries, Wang Anmin immediately asked, “I wonder which of you is Comrade Li Yi!”
Standing at the back of the crowd, Li Yi stepped forward and said, “Hello, I’m Li Yi!”
Wang Anmin took Li Yi in from head to toe and was instantly captivated by the handsome young man before him. He then burst out laughing, “What a strikingly handsome young man!”
“Thank you for your kind words, Comrade Leader!”
“Hello, I’m Wang Anmin, and I’m also Wang Guoguang’s son. I’m deeply grateful to Comrade Li Yi for stepping in to save my father’s life!” Wang Anmin said loudly.
Hearing Wang Anmin’s words, everyone—including Director Huang—was stunned.
It turned out that the young man was actually Secretary Wang’s father’s savior—he had come to thank Li Yi, not to arrest him!
In an instant, the commune officials were all drenched in cold sweat.
If that young man were to say a few unflattering things about them to Secretary Wang, they’d be in big trouble.
Li Yi was also taken aback. He hadn’t expected that the elderly man he’d casually saved that day was actually the county Party secretary’s father—his luck was truly off the charts.
“It was just a small gesture. I think any person of conscience would have done the same in that situation!” Li Yi said.
“That may be so, but to act decisively to save a life under such circumstances—and to have successfully saved my elderly father’s life—my family and I are deeply grateful to you!”
Wang Anmin continued, “Comrade Li Yi, as a token of our gratitude, on behalf of the County Party Committee and the County Government, I hereby confer upon you the honorary title of ‘Model of Bravery and Righteousness’ and award you a cash prize of 200 yuan.”
“In addition, I’ve brought you some daily necessities to express my personal gratitude!”
Li Yi asked calmly, “Secretary Wang, are the certificate of honor and the cash reward provided by the county?”
“Yes!”
“Alright, then I’ll accept these, but I won’t accept the gifts you’ve given me personally. I saved that person out of my own conscience, not for your gratitude!”
As he spoke, Li Yi was thinking to himself: Opportunities to make the county Party secretary owe you a favor don’t come often—I’m not going to let him repay it so easily.
Wang Anmin, however, didn’t see it that way. Hearing Li Yi speak with such righteous conviction, he assumed the young man was truly a modern-day Lei Feng who did good deeds without expecting anything in return—and he found himself liking the young man even more!
“Since Comrade Li Yi insists, I won’t press the matter. If you ever face any difficulties in the future, feel free to come straight to my home!”
“Thank you, Secretary Wang!”
“Haha, I’m the one who should be thanking you. If it weren’t for you, my second son and I would truly have been left orphaned!” Wang Anmin said with a laugh.
Watching Wang Anmin and Li Yi chatting and laughing together, the people around them were surprised, but they also secretly envied Li Yi’s good fortune.
“This guy saves just anyone, and it turns out to be the county party secretary’s father. Why doesn’t this kind of good fortune ever come our way?”
But how could they possibly know that Old Man Wang’s situation was critical at the time, and that anyone else wouldn’t have had the guts to step in and help.
After all, one misstep could have landed him in serious trouble!
Moreover, in order to save him, Li Yi had nearly jeopardized his own future.
Wang Anmin had originally come just to repay a favor for his elderly father, but after chatting with Li Yi for a while, he found that this young man was very much to his liking.
The more they talked, the more they hit it off, feeling as though they’d met too late.
Just as Wang Anmin was about to suggest they have lunch together at the Hongqi Commune, Secretary Xiao Yang suddenly hurried over and whispered a few words in Wang Anmin’s ear.
Wang Anmin’s expression immediately turned grim. After hastily exchanging a few words with Li Yi, he got into the car and left the Hongqi Commune!