Chapter 243: Chief Captain
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Jiang Chuan was just used to reading the news. In this era, newspapers weren’t popular yet, and there was no internet. If he wanted to know the news in the city, he could only listen to others.
As he neared the end of a conversation, Jiang Chuan asked nonchalantly, “Where does her uncle live in the village?”
There were only one hundred households in the village, and Jiang Chuan had basically met all of them. If Zhou Juan’s uncle was from the village,, he would recognize him by the address alone.
“It’s to the north. After the house run by the production team, the first house is theirs.”
It turns out, that house belongs to the production team’s Chief Captain, Zhou Fang!
No wonder people who live in town have relatives in Pushan Village. It seems Zhou Yang’s elder brother is not an ordinary person.
The location of his house alone revealed Zhou Fang’s status. The house of the production team was the best building in the village, and it was also one of the few brick houses in the village. It was a house left behind by the rich in the past. Out of fear of being labeled wealthy, no villager dared to live there. Therefore, it became a public office.
Houses nearby once belonged to workers who served the wealthy. While not as fancy as brick houses, they were made of wood and bricks, far better than other village homes. Conveniently located next to the production team office, even the village chief didn’t have such a good house.
However, Zhou Fang’s family never tried to get close to the villagers, unlike the village chief who always thought about the village.
Zhou Fang would sweep the snow in front of his house daily. Except for major meetings, he attended no other village activities. He was always seen with a cold face, leading villagers to keep their distance.
Zhou Lan finished washing the clothes and dried them with a stone that had been heated by the sun. Although it was still a little damp but wearable.
Zhou Juan thanked her gratefully and quickly changed her clothes before leaving.
Afraid of causing delays, Jiang Chuan did not keep the two guests for long. His family escorted them out.
Before leaving, Zhou Juan mentioned she’d visit Jiang Xia in the afternoon. Jiang Xia happily agreed.
Once Zhou Yang and Zhou Juan had departed, it was nearing lunchtime. Going to the river to fish would take too long, so Jiang Chuan decided to do that later in the afternoon.
Jiang Xia entered the house and took a cup to the kitchen for washing. On her way out, she spotted a box of milk that Zhou Yang had left by the door. Quickly, she brought it outside.
Having walked a considerable distance without looking back, they must’ve forgotten the milk. Without hesitation, Jiang Chuan picked up the milk and chased after them.
By the time Zhou Yang and Zhou Juan reached her uncle’s home, Zhou Fang had already prepared a meal.
Despite his stoic and seemingly cold demeanor, Zhou Fang hospitably said, “Come in and have some water to refresh yourselves.”
Zhou Yang declined, “No need. 1 ran into an acquaintance at the village entrance and had tea at his house. I’m not thirsty. 1 had bought a box of milk from the city for the children, thinking it might help them grow taller.”
It was only after saying this that he realized he’d arrived empty-handed, having left the milk at Jiang Chuan’s house.
Immediately after, there was a knock on the door. Zhou Yang went to open the door to welcome Jiang Chuan, who had rushed over to return the milk.
Zhou Fang and Jiang Chuan had met before. They knew each other but had never spoken.
Zhou Yang thanked Jiang Chuan for the milk, and Zhou Fang spontaneously invited him to stay for lunch.
Jiang Chuan looked at the expressionless Zhou Fang, who did not look like he wanted to invite him over for a meal. Jiang Chuan was too embarrassed to stay.
Upon noticing Jiang Chuan’s discomfort, Zhou Yang clarified as they saw him out, “My brother suffered a stroke some time ago, which led to facial paralysis. That’s why he always appears cold.”
Jiang Chuan finally understood why the villagers said that Chief Captain Zhou Fang was not easy to get along with. He usually had a cold face when they met, as if he looked down on others. It was because he had a poker face.
After knowing about this, Jiang Chuan no longer avoided Chief Zhou. Sometimes, when they met in the village, he would greet him with a smile. Even though Zhou Fang was expressionless every time, Jiang Chuan could hear his emotions from his tone.
Jiang Chuan became the only person in the village who greeted Chief Zhou every time he saw him. Zhou Fang was looking forward to interacting with people. Over time, the two of them even became friends, but that was all in the future..
