I Have Selfish Motives

"What nonsense! There's not even a stroke in the eight characters, but you promised so quickly!" Qin Sanniang spat irritably, "Now the village chief wants Su Li to recommend a neighborhood leader, so it's probably her call."

Zhang Zhuzi was stunned for a moment, then cursed, "Why should Su Li have the final say? She's just a woman, damn it, I don't accept that!"

Qin Sanniang poked Zhang Zhuzi's forehead and said, "What are you gonna do if you don't accept it? Right now, it's Su Li recommending the neighborhood leader. Anyway, you have to find a way to get someone from your family to be the leader. Otherwise, if the family just sits around eating up its resources, how will life go on? Luckily, our family has some savings to buy decent gifts. You come with me to Qingmiao City now to get some respectable presents. Tomorrow, we'll visit Su Li's house."

Qin Sanniang and Zhang Zhuzi immediately went to the city to shop, but they weren't the only ones eyeing the neighborhood leader position. Every household with some ambition was quietly scheming how to curry favor with Su Li, hoping she'd nominate their man.

Old Su Family.

Su Daqi squatted in the courtyard smoking, then looked up at Old Su and said, "Dad, this time for the neighborhood leader election, they actually let Su Li recommend. Who do you think she'll pick? Her husband is an idiot, he can't be the leader. Then there's Fourth Uncle Yuan Jie, but he's from another village, his household registration isn't here, so he can't be chosen either."

Old Su snapped, "How would I know who she'll pick? But one thing's for sure, it won't be me."

Su Daqi sighed and scratched his head while squatting on the ground. Being a neighborhood leader is at least a minor village official. If Su Li lets him be it, wouldn't that be a chance for him to turn things around?

Su Daqi now deeply regretted offending Su Li back then.

While Su Daqi was fretting, he heard Zhao Shi locked inside the house wailing. He cursed irritably, "Stop howling, shut up! Su Meixiang, quickly stuff your mother's mouth, it's so annoying!"

Su Meixiang hurried out of the kitchen, grabbed a rag, and stuffed it into Zhao Shi's mouth. Only then did it quiet down.

After finishing a pouch of tobacco, Su Daqi paced anxiously in the courtyard. The Old Su family used to be quite prominent, but now life was unbearably frustrating.

No, he couldn't be doomed to be unlucky forever. He had to figure out a way!

Su Li's Home.

Ever since the news about the neighborhood leader election spread, the doorstep of Su Li's house was almost worn down by visitors. Every day, fellow villagers came bearing gifts, one after another, eager and flattering.

At first, Su Li dealt with them herself, but as more and more people came, she had Bai Lu turn them all away.

She refused all gifts and declined any requests to do favors for anyone, without exception.

Su Li was talking with Chen Shi and Wang Shi. Chen Shi, hearing the occasional visitors outside, smiled and said, "Look at our A Li, doing so well. Everyone's coming to curry favor with her."

Wang Shi cracked sunflower seeds and said, "Yeah, who would've thought back in the hard days we'd come this far. By the way, A Li, who do you plan to recommend for neighborhood leader?"

Su Li smiled, sipping tea as she said, "Mom, Fourth Aunt, don't say I have selfish motives. This school was funded by our two families. Now that there are benefits, I want to keep the neighborhood leader position within our own circle, not let outsiders get it. In my mind, the best candidate is Fourth Uncle. He's capable, well-connected, thorough, and fair. It's a pity his household registration isn't in the village, otherwise, I'd really think he's the best choice."

Su Li's praise of Yuan Jie made Chen Shi very happy. She smiled and said, "A Li, what you think is right. Our two families funded the village school, so the neighborhood leader should come from our own people. Although this is just a minor village official, having one of our own means we can get support in many ways. Choosing an outsider would be like making clothes for others."

Wang Shi lamented, "A Li, since your Fourth Uncle can't be the neighborhood leader, who else in our family do you think could do it?"