Chapter 229 - 197: The Most Handsome Man at the Big Fair (Part 2)

Chapter 229: Chapter 197: The Most Handsome Man at the Big Fair (Part 2)

"Your man looks really handsome today."

Jin Xiuying and Lin Zhiyin were whispering to each other. Zhao Wenwu, walking beside them, overheard and nodded vigorously, his eyes filled with envy. It wasn’t just them; everyone from the village heading to the market couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Wendong at the front of the group. Today, Zhao Wendong was simply too striking. The tattered cotton-padded jacket he usually wore was gone, replaced by a brand-new, brownish-green officer’s wool overcoat.

The material was genuine, pure wool—thick and heavy, with a crisp drape that even the cold wind couldn’t wrinkle. The double-breasted copper buttons had a warm, lustrous shine. The collar was a proper, wide lapel, and the shoulder line was sharp, making his normally lean frame appear straight and steady. The coat reached his knees. With every step, the wool fabric lightly brushed against the snow’s surface without picking any up or losing its shape, exuding an air of sophistication the villagers had never seen before.

The hat on his head was no longer his old dog-fur cap, but a sable-fur hat. The whole pelt had been tanned until it was soft, its fur glossy black and fluffy, with a sleek, oily sheen. When the earflaps were down, the dense fur was almost dazzling. Placed on his head, it was both regal and warm. Compared to the shedding, stiff dog-fur caps in the village, the difference was like night and day.

Sunlight fell on Zhao Wendong, making the officer’s wool coat gleam with a steady, dark luster and the sable fur shine brightly. Watching Zhao Wendong in this getup, Zhao Weiguo couldn’t help but shake his head and click his tongue in admiration.

"Dongzi, that coat is just too cool! So this is an officer’s wool coat, huh? Really something else."

Zhao Wendong also felt that after putting on this outfit, his entire bearing and confidence had soared. He even felt like he’d grown taller. Hearing Zhao Weiguo’s words, he let out a mischievous laugh, and the handsome, noble air around him instantly vanished, replaced by a roguish attitude.

"Well, you have to consider who I am! I’m the hope of our entire Dragon King Pond village, the Civilian Militia Captain whom everyone loves and for whom flowers bloom, the charming Comrade Zhao Wendong!"

PFFT—!

Liu Xiufen couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Zhao the Fourth and a few militiamen nearby who had heard Zhao Wendong also broke into hearty laughter. In the past, many would have thought he was just being a glib blowhard for talking like that, but now, strangely, everyone just found him witty and humorous.

What was even stranger was that during this disaster year, when everyone was hungry and poor, it was only logical for those with even a little something to hide it away, terrified of being discovered. Yet Zhao Wendong did the exact opposite, becoming the most eye-catching person in the entire village and Commune. And instead of attracting resentment, his high profile actually earned him the admiration and loyalty of more and more people. It was quite magical; he seemed to possess a kind of charisma that made people feel he simply deserved to be that awesome.

Qianjin Commune was especially lively today. People had started arriving before dawn, all to find a good spot to set up their stalls. In the Commune courtyard, Yang Wenxue and Li Dawei stared with worried expressions at the dozen or so militiamen standing by the gate, their faces etched with despair. ’It’s over. Our good intentions have backfired.’ They never expected so many people to show up for the market right after a snowfall. They had underestimated everyone’s determination to trade for supplies and overestimated their own ability to mobilize people.

After much pleading and persuading, they had only managed to scrape together a dozen or so militiamen from the entire Qianjin Commune, and every one of them had low morale. After all, they were there purely as volunteers, and the Commune couldn’t even provide food. It was a testament to their character that they’d shown up at all. But this handful of men couldn’t possibly maintain order for such a large event. If chaos broke out, he wouldn’t be able to bear the responsibility. Yet it was impossible to cancel now. The arrow was already on the bowstring.

"Comrade Dawei, this isn’t enough people! Can’t you find more? There must be at least a few thousand people at this market today. How can you and these dozen men possibly maintain security?"

"Secretary Yang, why don’t you see how much grain you could sell me for? Go on, sell me and hire more men! I had to go door-to-door begging these guys to volunteer. If we can’t even offer food, who’s going to show up for guard duty?!"

"Hah! You think I don’t want to? The Commune has to have grain to give in the first place!"

Yang Wenxue clutched his head in frustration, wondering where he could possibly get more people to maintain order and prevent any incidents.

"Didn’t you ask all the production teams to bring their militiamen last time?"

"Weren’t you at the meeting? Every single one of them made excuses and refused."

"Didn’t Zhao Weiguo say he’d go back and discuss it?"

"That’s right!"

At these words, Yang Wenxue’s eyes lit up. The Civilian Militia Captain of Dragon King Pond was Zhao Wendong! Maybe, just maybe, Zhao Wendong could work a miracle. Just as he was thinking this, he saw a group of people walk into the courtyard. The man in the lead wore an officer’s wool overcoat and a sable-fur hat, his posture erect and his presence commanding. Li Dawei thought some high-ranking leader had arrived and instinctively snapped to attention, about to salute. But when he got a closer look at the man, he cried out in surprise.

"Brother Dong!"

Zhao Wendong laughed heartily and shook his hand.

"Police Li, you always calling me that makes me feel awkward!"

Then he turned to Yang Wenxue, pointed at the fifty militiamen from Dragon King Pond filing in behind him, and spoke in a resonant voice.

"Secretary Yang, the Dragon King Pond militia has come to report for duty as ordered. We’re here to help the Commune maintain order and ensure the market proceeds smoothly."

"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent! Comrade Zhao Wendong, you’re truly a timely rain for our Commune!"