12dz Chapter 452 It seems I was worried for nothing
Chapter 452 It seems I was worried for nothing
Just as Li Xiangyang had expected, at lunchtime, the villagers who usually surrounded him and chatted all kept their distance from him, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Occasionally, people would glance in his direction, their eyes filled with a complex expression.
"Hey, Li Xiangyang!" A sharp voice suddenly came from behind.
Li Xiangyang turned around and saw Wang Laosan from the village, a troublemaker who always liked to cause trouble.
"You've done a good job, haven't you? You're really a hero of our village!" Old Wang said sarcastically, his eyes full of mockery.
Li Xiangyang didn't respond, but just silently ate his meal.
"I'm telling you, are you really comfortable taking all the credit? In my opinion, you should take the credit, but then you should contribute some of your own money and share the benefits with everyone to make up for the losses, okay? Anyway, you're not doing too badly," Wang Laosan added.
Faced with such ridicule, Li Xiangyang put down his bowl and looked directly at Wang Laosan: "Laosan, I'm not going to talk to you about ideology. You're talking to me about losses? What losses have you suffered? Even if there's something in the tomb, can you hide it if you forcibly leave it there? Besides, you said it was me who performed meritorious service, what does it have to do with you?"
Wang Laosan was speechless after Li Xiangyang's words and walked away dejectedly.
The afternoon's work continued in this subtle atmosphere.
Human nature is inherently greedy; no matter how reasonable the reasons, people will ultimately feel uncomfortable.
As the sun set, it was finally time to wrap up work.
Li Xiangyang left the construction site earlier than usual; he simply couldn't stand the stares directed at him.
Li Xiangyang was extremely depressed throughout the journey.
When Li Xiangyang got home and saw his wife, his mood improved slightly.
"You're back? Perfect timing, I just finished cooking. Go wash your hands quickly, I made your favorite braised pork today."
Seeing her husband return, Li Xiaoyun said with a smile.
Li Xiangyang nodded, forced a smile, and quickly went to wash his hands.
At the dinner table, Li Xiaoyun noticed her husband's silence and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Did something happen at the construction site?"
Li Xiangyang put down his chopsticks and told his wife everything that had happened that day.
"...Now everyone thinks I ruined their chance to make money, and those looks are really unsettling," Li Xiangyang said with a wry smile.
After listening, Li Xiaoyun gently grasped her husband's hand: "You did the right thing. It should have been reported. How could we let the villagers do whatever they wanted? Besides, they're being far too unrealistic. Even if there really is treasure, it's a cultural relic, and unauthorized excavation is illegal."
Li Xiangyang nodded: "I know, I'm just feeling uneasy."
Seeing his reaction, Li Xiaoyun put down her chopsticks and looked directly into her husband's eyes: "Xiangyang, aren't you being too sensitive? You often share your hunting spoils with the villagers. You have to believe that, apart from a few who only think about getting something for nothing, most villagers are reasonable."
"I hope so." Li Xiangyang forced a smile.
"By the way, are you planning to accept that credit or not?"
Seeing that she couldn't persuade him, Li Xiaoyun simply gave up on comforting him and immediately asked...
Li Xiangyang paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "I'll accept it! Why wouldn't I? If I refuse, it'll seem like I'm being hypocritical. It's better to be open and honest, let them think what they want."
Hearing this, Li Xiaoyun smiled and nodded, "This is the Li Xiangyang I know." She gently patted her husband's hand, "Don't think about it so much, let's eat."
Looking at his wife's gentle smile, Li Xiangyang's gloom gradually dissipated, and he picked up his chopsticks to eat the fragrant braised pork with gusto.
The next day, when Li Xiangyang arrived at the construction site, the awkward atmosphere from the previous day seemed to have eased somewhat.
Although the villagers still gave him some subtle looks, at least no one came to make sarcastic remarks about him anymore.
"Xiangyang, come here for a second." Zheng Dehou beckoned to him.
Li Xiangyang walked over and found a middle-aged man wearing glasses standing next to Zheng Dehou, who looked like an intellectual.
"This is Director Wang from the county's cultural relics bureau. He came specifically to see you," Zheng Dehou introduced.
Li Xiangyang was somewhat flattered: "Hello, Director Wang."
Director Wang smiled and nodded: "Comrade Li, I heard you were the one who found this stone slab?"
"I dug it up, but reporting it was a decision made by all of us," Li Xiangyang said modestly.
"You did the right thing." Director Wang's face was full of approval. "This is a certificate of commendation from the county. Although it's not a big award, it's still a small affirmation of your work."
"Thank you, Director Wang. I will continue to work hard," Li Xiangyang said sincerely as he accepted the certificate of commendation.
Director Wang patted him on the shoulder: "Keep up the good work, young man." After saying that, he and Zheng Dehou went to check on the excavation of the ancient tomb.
Li Xiangyang stood there, flipping open the certificate in his hand, which read, "Comrade Li Xiangyang is commended for his advanced deeds in discovering and reporting cultural relics and protecting national cultural heritage."
Although it was just a simple sentence, looking at the bright red seal, Li Xiangyang felt an indescribable sense of pride.
"What's wrong? You're so happy about receiving the award that you've forgotten yourself?" A familiar voice came from behind.
Li Xiangyang turned around and saw Wang Ergou standing there with a grin on his face, his expression full of mockery.
"What brings you here today, kid?" Li Xiangyang asked with a smile.
"I heard you did something good, so I came to see you," Wang Ergou said with a grin. "I never thought our Li Xiangyang would have such a day! He got credit just for finding a stone—truly the pinnacle of his life!"
Li Xiangyang rolled his eyes at him, annoyed: "Stop talking nonsense, if you can do work, then do it."
Wang Ergou chuckled, picked up a shovel, and started working. The two worked side by side, exchanging a few words every now and then, making the atmosphere much more relaxed.
Just then, several women from the village came over with water jugs to give everyone water. Li Xiangyang recognized one of them as Wang Laosan's wife.
"Here, Xiangyang, have some water." Wang Laosan's wife handed the water bottle to Li Xiangyang with a kind smile on her face.
Li Xiangyang was a little surprised, but he still took the water bottle and took a sip: "Thank you, sister-in-law."
"No need to thank me, we're all from the same village," Wang Laosan's wife smiled. "My third son said something unpleasant yesterday, don't take it to heart. That's just how he is, he can't keep his mouth shut."
Li Xiangyang waved his hand: "It's nothing, I forgot about it."
"That's good." Wang Laosan's wife handed Wang Ergou another bowl of water, then whispered to Li Xiangyang, "Actually, everyone knows you did the right thing. But who wouldn't want to take unexpected wealth? Besides, nothing stays secret forever. I already disciplined Laosan yesterday. Come over for dinner sometime..."
Li Xiangyang felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this: "Thank you for your understanding, sister-in-law."
Wang Laosan's wife chatted for a few more minutes, then left with the other women.
Wang Ergou looked at Li Xiangyang and laughed, "Looks like I worried for nothing."
Li Xiangyang smiled and nodded, feeling much better.
And so, with the efforts of the villagers in each village, the irrigation canal project progressed day by day.
The cultural relics bureau also regularly inspects the excavation of the ancient tombs and makes corresponding adjustments to the water channel project to avoid the burial area.