For a moment, Qi Lin was truly moved. He didn’t know whether he was moved by the subtle implications in Secretary Xiaozu’s words or by her proposal. But after a brief moment, he quickly collected his thoughts and then replied seriously, "I mentioned it, but the old man is deeply attached to his homeland and really doesn’t want to come over." The younger generation has become accustomed to running around, chasing a higher quality of life or perhaps a grander future. But for the elders who have lived through that era, death is something casual yet grand, at least when they realize their old age; they want to be buried in their hometown no matter what. If it weren’t for this, Qi Lin wouldn’t have specifically learned about raising cattle and sheep, just wanting to provide company and support for the old man. After all, he has to make a living, so he can only leave that barren place, not wanting to face a future where he wants to provide for his elders but doesn’t have enough money. There are hardly any households left on the vast Huangtu Slope, and even if he stayed, he wouldn’t find anyone to help farm. Among the three fellow disciples, Yan Ran’s family is well-off, spoiling, loving, and supporting her, Tai Xiaodong comes from a well-off family, and his parents only require him to have a job. But as for him, even his grandfather has no other demands, having endured hardship his entire life, just hoping that the child doesn’t have to suffer. Qi Lin’s expression gradually became forlorn. However, Secretary Xiaozu smiled slightly, a soft yet determined smile spreading across her somewhat fair face, refined in the winter: "Maybe you didn’t persuade him in the right way?" "Come, listen to me—call back home again, find any piece of barren land in the village to tell your grandpa that you’ve already rented it, but you’re too busy to farm it, so it can only grow wild grass." Secretary Xiaozu, who has been deeply involved in agriculture, knows all too well how barren the land on Huangtu Slope is. As a child, she flipped through her relatives’ textbooks and learned about the hardships of a family of three moving stones and collecting manure, striving to cultivate the mountains. The Chinese pursuit of land is ingrained in the heart, irrespective of region, and it is also ageless. "Then mention that this place includes meals and accommodation for family members, and everyone else has their families with them. You’re losing out on this advantage, doesn’t it feel like you’re missing out?" Including family meals depends on the level, someone like Qi Lin... Since Secretary Xiaozu mentioned it, Song Tan immediately nodded cheerfully: "Yes, included, standard cafeteria meals, and don’t you have a dorm for accommodation?" Based on his understanding of his grandfather, even if these words don’t make him come, they would certainly make him keep thinking about it at home. He glanced at Secretary Xiaozu, but she was still looking at him, her eyebrows smiling, causing warmth to rise in his chest. After a moment, he slightly lowered his head and softly asked, "Then... what if he still doesn’t want to come?" He usually maintains a steady and constant state, but now he suddenly showed a change, and as young people, Yan Ran and Tai Xiaodong naturally noticed immediately. They elbowed each other and winked, clearly having noticed as well. This made Qi Lin even more awkward. But despite his discomfort, he still seriously responded to Secretary Xiaozu. Secretary Xiaozu raised an eyebrow: "Qi Lin, when talking to elder folks from the countryside, don’t shy away from discussing life and death. They can even calmly arrange their own affairs, like the specifics of their funeral rituals." As long as it’s not too direct and blunt, it’s fine. When Secretary Xiaozu first arrived in the countryside, she didn’t understand this. Her grandfather seldom talked about these things at home, and it wasn’t something her family had to worry about. Her understanding of funerary matters was still rooted in textbook doctrines. Fınd the newest release on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥 But over the year she spent in the village, she found that elderly folks could calmly discuss their coffins, consult a fortune teller, and even consider doing rituals, and they could talk about their burial sites. Even in the poorest families, when old folks talk about their affairs, they might say, "we won’t be around to see it, so what does it matter," but most still wish for a respectable arrangement... Zhang Wang’s Seventh Uncle and others were promised by Song Tan that their affairs would be handled properly. Similarly, Qi Lin’s grandfather probably has similar wishes. "Why don’t you talk with your grandpa, calculate how many more years he might live if he reaches 80, how much he could save if there were meals and lodging included every year?" "Then, when you’ve saved up enough, go back home, and there’ll be a fund to make sure his affairs are handled with prestige, unlike any other elders in the ten miles and eight villages." "If after all these suggestions, he still can’t be persuaded, then he might genuinely be attached to his homeland, and there’s no need to force it." In that instant, Qi Lin’s heart thumped like a drum. The next moment, he suddenly stood up and rushed towards the door: "I’ll call him right away." Pausing at the doorway, he turned back to ask, "Which piece of land do you think I should show him?" Secretary Xiaozu thought for a moment: "The plot next to where the film crew rented to grow grass; the grass there is lush, obviously left uncultivated for a long time. It’s quite a large spot, noticeable even if the elderly isn’t seeing very clearly on his phone." "Most importantly, if the old man actually agrees to come, that land is genuinely available for rent. Altogether it’s two acres, 600 per acre per year." If his grandpa is willing to come, the scenic surrounding with mountains and water would be much more nurturing compared to the barren yellow soil village. In a collective environment , his grandpa wouldn’t have to settle for poor meals anymore, and his health might even significantly improve! Qi Lin pressed his lips together, then solemnly said, "Thank you!" Having said that, he darted off like the wind. Watching his retreating figure, Yan Ran clicked her tongue in admiration, "Looks like he’s really excited." By this point, Song Tan finally detected something, and quietly pulled Secretary Xiaozu aside to ask, "What’s going on? You like someone like him?" Secretary Xiaozu laughed, "Steady and reliable, emotionally stable, who wouldn’t like that?" "He has good circumstances, decent looks, and height. A graduate from a prestigious university, with a straightforward and clean career outlook, unlikely to get tangled in risky affairs—you know, things like business or finance. Plus, his work environment easily adapts to different regions, making transfers convenient, right?" "And taking into account that he only has one grandfather, and he himself is adopted, he might have lower expectations for a perfect family in the future—and won’t bear too much external and family pressure regarding children." Secretary Xiaozu talked eloquently, sounding less like she was describing someone she was interested in and more like objectively evaluating a candidate in an interview. But Song Tan didn’t find anything wrong with that, simply smiling, "You’ve considered quite a lot then?" Secretary Xiaozu chuckled helplessly, "I just thought of it now. As you know, I’m at that age, and wanting to advance means the leadership gives more responsibilities, and family stability becomes an important factor in evaluations."