Gao Family Village. Main Fort.
Third floor balcony of the watchtower.
Li Daoxuan and Gao Yiye were sitting side by side, eating fruit together.
Yao Xingjuan had discovered a stretch of coconut trees along the shores of Yizhou Island. Naturally, she had immediately ordered a large basket of coconuts harvested and shipped back to the main village.
Gao Yiye had never seen such a thing before and insisted on trying one. As for Li Daoxuan, a devoted food enthusiast, there was no way he would let such an opportunity pass.
"Wow. This fruit is filled entirely with water." Gao Yiye held the opened coconut with both hands, her eyes shining with curiosity. "How can something so strange exist?"
Li Daoxuan chuckled. "The world is vast. There are far stranger things out there."
As he drank from his own coconut, he cast a sidelong glance at the large basket that remained. There were still many left. Drinking them all as plain coconut water felt somewhat wasteful.
A thought flashed across his mind.
He smiled.
"Yiye, let's create a new dish."
"A new dish?" Gao Yiye's curiosity flared instantly. "What kind?"
"Coconut chicken," Li Daoxuan replied with a grin. "If you have coconuts, this dish is mandatory."
"Then we must start by slaughtering a chicken." Gao Yiye rolled up her sleeves enthusiastically, clearly prepared to do it herself.
At that moment, they noticed Liu Maopao.
He was dressed in a clean and proper scholar's robe, every fold neat and deliberate. He was walking through the corridor of the main fort, evidently heading toward the administrative hall for work.
Li Daoxuan leaned over the balcony railing.
"Handsome Maopao."
Liu Maopao turned at once. Seeing Dao Xuan Tianzun calling him personally, he was overwhelmed with flattered panic. He hurriedly bowed deeply toward the third floor balcony.
"Greetings, Dao Xuan Tianzun. What instructions do you have for me?"
Li Daoxuan smiled. "I'm about to create a new dish. Would you like to learn it? When you return, you could add it to your family restaurant's menu. It might become a bestseller."
"Ah." Liu Maopao blinked. "Speaking of my family's restaurant, I actually have something to report to Dao Xuan Tianzun and the Holy Maiden. This timing is most fortunate."
Li Daoxuan raised a brow. "Come up and speak."
"If I may."
He quickly entered the watchtower. Moments later, the sound of his hurried footsteps echoed up the staircase. Soon he stood before them again and offered another formal bow.
"Dao Xuan Tianzun, after discussing with my parents, we wish to transfer our family restaurant and our shares in the wool sweater factory to the Village Committee at a low price. We only wish to know whether the Committee is willing to accept."
Li Daoxuan paused slightly.
Then a knowing smile spread across his face.
Interesting.
Gao Yiye looked confused. "What are you talking about? Why would you transfer your factory and restaurant to the Village Committee?"
Liu Maopao cleared his throat and spoke solemnly.
"I have the honor of serving as a cadre of the Gao Family Village Committee. To speak bluntly, I now hold significant authority. If I were to abuse that power even slightly and tilt policy toward my family's businesses, I could channel enormous benefits to them."
Gao Yiye blinked. "How would that work?"
"For example, I could arrange for the militia to procure wool sweaters from our factory. Or subtly guide customers toward dining at our restaurant."
He sighed.
"There are countless methods to ensure my family earns immense profits."
Gao Yiye stared at him. "So that's possible?"
Li Daoxuan gently pulled her behind him and patted her shoulder.
"Handsome Maopao," he said with amusement, "your mind works quickly. You've only been a cadre for a few days, and you've already devised countless methods of corruption. Truly talented."
Liu Maopao looked embarrassed.
"To be honest, Dao Xuan Tianzun, I frightened myself. In recent days, whenever I find a moment of idleness, my mind calculates. If I do this, my family earns several hundred taels. If I do that, several hundred more. I know these methods are wrong, yet I cannot prevent the thoughts from arising. Wealth stirs the human heart. I am but an ordinary man. I cannot pretend to be immune to temptation."
He drew a long breath.
"After much reflection, if I wish to avoid missteps in the future and avoid being sent to a labor reform camp, there is only one solution. I must cut off the root of temptation."
"So after discussing overnight with my parents, we decided to transfer the restaurant and our shares in the wool sweater factory to the Village Committee at a reduced price. Let these enterprises become collectively owned. My family will cease all commercial activity. In that way, I will have no private interest to protect."
He hesitated slightly.
"I only hope the Committee is willing to accept. If not, I will need to advertise on Gao Family News to seek buyers."
Li Daoxuan began applauding.
"Excellent. Very good thinking."
He had long observed Liu Maopao's talent for networking, his effortless familiarity with everyone he met. The young man was capable, perhaps dangerously so. If allowed to straddle both political authority and private business, the risk of eventual misjudgment would be real.
But now it was clear.
This was a son of the new era raised under Dao Xuan Tianzun's governance. The new generation of Gao Family Village had received education, grown up in stability, and been shaped by ideals rather than decay.
When a system is in its sunrise phase, it produces people like this. Individuals who genuinely believe in a better future, who restrain their own greed for the sake of that vision.
Li Daoxuan patted Liu Maopao's shoulder.
"Your restaurant and wool sweater factory will be acquired by the Village Committee at fair market value. Reliable managers will be appointed. Their reputation will not be tarnished."
He smiled.
"As for you, keep working hard. I have high hopes for you."
Liu Maopao was overjoyed and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Dao Xuan Tianzun. I will devote myself fully and strive to make Gao Family Village even better."
"Good."
Li Daoxuan clapped his hands lightly.
"Now that official matters are settled, let us make coconut chicken together."
Liu Maopao's face brightened.
"I am deeply honored."