Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 869 - 825 Unexpected
Chapter 869: Chapter 825 Unexpected
Chapter 869 -825 Unexpected
Nie Zhenbang’s sudden gesture instantly cooled the atmosphere in the room. Lying in bed, half propped up, Lin Sanqiang’s eyes brimmed with tears, touched by the act.
For so many years, since he became paraplegic from a high spinal cord injury, although the local government and the neighborhood committee had provided him and his children much care and help, generally speaking, it only happened once a year. Moreover, it was mostly commodities such as firewood, rice, oil, salt, and New Year’s goods for comfort. Cash was a rare gesture, especially as New Year’s solace. Regarding the regular days, life was still a bitter struggle. Though there was food to eat, it was just enough to survive.
On ordinary days, there were never any vegetables with their meals, which consisted entirely of discarded leaves the children picked up from the market after school. As for meat, they could only rely on the kindness of neighbors.
Such circumstances only held up if there were no illnesses or disasters.
For Lin Sanqiang, having a high-ranking official like Nie Zhenbang offer sympathy gifts and dig into his own pocket to give money was an experience he had never encountered before.
His trembling hands were somewhat excited, but because he had to support his body with his arms, he had no idea what to do. Mumbling with his mouth, his gaze timidly turned to the surrounding leaders, uncertain whether to accept or decline.
Seeing this, Nie Zhenbang understood Lin Sanqiang’s worries and smiled, “Brother Sanqiang, please take it. The children need to study. With this money, you can get them some school supplies, and it can also take care of minor sicknesses and pains.”
As Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, Xu Aiguo, the Party Secretary of Changhong City, gave a meaningful glance to the Red Flag District Party Secretary beside him. At that moment, a neighborhood committee worker also spoke, “Old Forest, please accept it. It’s the Governor’s goodwill.”
With Nie Zhenbang setting the precedent, the other officials felt it was only proper to offer monetary consolation to such a family.
At this point, Deputy Governor Ma Yuequn also took out about a thousand yuan and placed it on Lin Sanqiang’s pillow, smiling, “Comrade Sanqiang, this is a token of concern from me and my family.”
After that, it was the government secretary-general Li Yunhe, and then naturally, the various other Changhong City leaders followed suit, each expressing their own kindness.
Nie Zhenbang, however, was nonchalant about this. Looking at the nearly ten thousand yuan quickly accumulating on the bed, he was somewhat amused. In the world of officials, there was never a shortage of people putting on a show. Where was their compassion on normal days?
But at such a time, Nie Zhenbang would not make a scene. Solving such issues was not something that could rely on an individual’s power; in the end, it had to start with improving the social relief and welfare systems. Addressing the root cause was the key.
Just then, there was a creak from the door, startling all the leaders and neighborhood committee workers present.
Xu Aiguo’s face also turned momentarily cold. During official inspections, it was often arranged in advance who the leaders would meet and where they would go.
Why was someone entering at this time, were the stationed police officers outside just for show?
As everyone was surprised, a neighborhood committee worker smiled and said, “Ah, it’s the eldest child returning.”
Then the worker introduced him to Nie Zhenbang and the other leaders, “Governor, Deputy Governor Ma, this is Brother Sanqiang’s eldest son, Lin Dajun, coming back.”
Turning to look, the boy appeared to be around sixteen years old, with a height of over 1.7 meters. However, he was extremely thin and frail-looking, with dark skin that clearly indicated malnutrition.
Yet the boy’s eyes and demeanor showed stubbornness and inferiority. Nie Zhenbang could empathize. Growing up in poverty, it was certain he didn’t enjoy the carefree life of his peers.
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He glanced at the room full of leaders, the boy’s face showing no signs of shock or gratitude. Clearly, such scenes were no longer uncommon in their household.
To the boy, this was just a display, and his family was just a pitiable recipient of charity.
The boy’s backpack was an earthy yellow canvas one from the late ’80s to early ’90s, which he placed on a table. Unexpectedly, he suddenly said, “Dad, I’m not going to school anymore.”
As soon as these words fell, the faces of all the leaders in the room changed. This was serious. With the Governor and several provincial leaders, as well as a few major city leaders present, such a declaration was like slapping them in the face.
The secretary of the Red Flag District’s district committee’s face collapsed immediately. He looked at the residential committee cadre next to him and said sternly, “Director Huang!”
The director of the residential committee also came to his senses at this moment and hurriedly said, “Dajun, why have you stopped studying? Weren’t you doing well? I heard from your dad that you were still the top student in the school this semester. How come you’ve suddenly stopped studying? Your dad is still hoping you’ll go to college and take good care of him later.”
On the bed, Lin Sanqiang was also stunned. His son and daughter, they were his hope. An unexpected accident left him paralyzed, his wife ran off, leaving behind these two children. If not for his children, Lin Sanqiang would have sought to end his life long ago.
At this moment, Lin Sanqiang’s lips twitched as he wanted to curse. But the curse didn’t come out. Silence. After a pause of silence, Lin Sanqiang sighed and said, “Child, why have you stopped studying? Weren’t you doing well before? It’s all dad’s fault for dragging you down. You can’t stop studying. Without knowledge, in the future, you will end up walking the same old path as your dad.”
Nie Zhenbang watched this scene with a somewhat playful expression on his face. He had not expected that this carefully arranged inspection would encounter such an accident. However, Nie Zhenbang actually liked this kind of accident; if everything went as expected, all he would see was peace everywhere.
Catching everyone by surprise, Nie Zhenbang took two steps forward, walked up to Lin Dajun, and said with a smile, “Dajun, can you tell uncle why you don’t want to study anymore?”
As his words fell, Xu Aiguo also spoke up, “Exactly, Dajun, this is Governor Nie. If you have any difficulties or grievances, we definitely won’t ignore them. As long as you study, the city will certainly take care of the tuition fees for you and your sister.”
This speech seemed to be advising Lin Dajun, but Nie Zhenbang heard a note of warning in it. He turned his head to Xu Aiguo and said, “Secretary Xu, let’s not say anything else that might scare the child.”
After a moment of silence, Lin Dajun looked at Nie Zhenbang, shook his head, and said with his head lowered, “There’s… there’s nothing, I just… I just don’t want to study anymore. I want to go out and work to earn money to support my dad and sister.”
This attitude was obviously perfunctory, insincere. Nie Zhenbang could tell, and so could everyone else. However, Lin Sanqiang didn’t see it that way; the child had had such thoughts before, and one’s perspective becomes chaotic when it concerns oneself. Upon hearing this, Lin Sanqiang immediately became furious.
Lin Sanqiang was a worker at heart, and he had a fiery temper. Hearing this, he immediately roared angrily, “I… I don’t need your support, you ungrateful child! If you don’t study, I might as well be dead.”
Originally, he was ready to say “father,” but the words reached his lips, and he seemed to remember that there were many leaders around. As his words fell, someone from the residential committee spoke up, “Sanqiang, why the anger? I believe Dajun isn’t thoughtless. Speak kindly; don’t frighten him.”
As soon as the words were spoken, Lin Dajun looked at Lin Sanqiang and said, “Dad, how can I continue my studies when the tuition for winter vacation classes is overdue to this day? The teacher said that if I don’t pay up the tuition by the eighth day of the Lunar New Year when school resumes, then I shouldn’t bother coming back.”
At this moment, hearing this, Nie Zhenbang’s expression became extremely grave: winter vacation classes? Paying tuition for that? It seems there’s quite a scheme here.
After a pause, Nie Zhenbang looked at Vice Governor Ma Yuequn, who oversaw science, education, culture, health, and sports, and said, “Vice Governor Ma, I remember that at the beginning of the year the Provincial Department of Education issued a policy strictly forbidding primary and secondary schools from organizing winter and summer vacation classes and collecting tuition fees for them. What’s going on here?”
As Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, the room fell silent, but Vice Governor Ma nodded and said, “The Governor remembers correctly; indeed, such a policy was announced by the province.”
Vice Governor Ma Yuequn was not worried about Nie Zhenbang’s questions. As the vice governor responsible for the overall coordination, how could he be expected to take responsibility for some local violations? Clearly, that was not possible.
Nie Zhenbang looked at Xu Aiguo and Mayor Huang with gravity and said, “Secretary Xu, Mayor Huang, what exactly is going on? The provincial government repeatedly ordered that no fees for additional classes shall be collected under any guise. What is this about? In fact, regulations clearly state that it should be voluntary, without coercion or blackmail. Now, what’s going on? I want you to investigate this matter immediately, and I expect a clear conclusion.”
Although Nie Zhenbang’s words were spoken calmly, there was an unquestionable authority in them. Xu Aiguo and Huang Zhenqiu, on the other hand, did not feel much about it.
Such matters, in their view, were just trifles. Science, education, culture, health, and sports were considered marginal within the government structure.
If a department like this had an issue, at most, a few people from the education system would be removed.
Xu Aiguo nodded and then said, “Yes, Governor, we will investigate this matter with utmost urgency.”
Huang Zhenqiu also smiled and said, “Governor, shall we head to the municipal committee guesthouse now? As for Master Sanqiang here…”(
