Watching Wang Damao's genuine distress, Wu Tian knew that Wang Damao was truly at a loss.
When he first ran for village chief, perhaps he was full of passion, wanting to achieve something and turn Taohua Village into a prosperous one.
But once the hat of poverty is worn, it's not so easy to take off.
For such villages, the higher authorities basically ignore them. No benefits fall their way, and even the money for the lowest-income households arrives slower.
In this situation, passion alone is useless, as passion cannot be exchanged for hard cash.
Wu Tian was also moved. As a resident of Taohua Village, he naturally wished for Taohua Village to improve.
And the current situation of Taohua Village was indeed very tricky. It was difficult for it to improve under the current circumstances.
Wu Tian pondered for a moment, then said to Wang Damao, "Village Chief, why don't we go and ask the county's Water Conservancy Bureau?"
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but no matter what, we still have to take that first step!"
Wang Damao thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Wu Tian, you're right."
"Since the villagers trust me and made me the village chief, I must do something substantial."
"Let's set off now. No matter what, we'll deal with the tap water issue first."
Wu Tian said, "Now that's the spirit of a village chief! Let's go now!"
Since the matter was decided, Wang Damao and Wu Tian went to the county's Water Conservancy Bureau together.
Upon arriving at the bureau, Wang Damao went straight to an office.
Wu Tian asked in surprise, "Village Chief, you seem quite familiar with this place?"
Wang Damao smiled bitterly, "Except for the Public Security Bureau, I basically know how to get to all the other bureaus."
"Because I've been here privately many times, but each time I failed to gain support."
Wu Tian showed a surprised expression, "I never would have guessed! I always thought you were just an old lecher!"
Wang Damao blushed and waved his hands repeatedly, "Stop talking about it. I've realized my mistakes this time, and I won't do such things again."
He sighed again, "Actually, you can't blame me entirely. Who told me my wife wouldn't let me touch her..."
Wu Tian was slightly stunned, and then his expression became somewhat peculiar.
Although Wang Damao was a rough old man, Sun Guihua was a young woman in her thirties!
When these two stood together, almost no one would have thought they were a couple.
If Sun Guihua didn't allow Wang Damao to touch her, did it mean Sun Guihua had another man outside?
Wu Tian thought wildly but didn't voice his thoughts.
At this moment, Wang Damao stopped in front of an office door.
He turned his head and whispered, "Wu Tian, you need to be prepared."
"The director of this office is named Chen Sheng, and he is specifically responsible for rural water supply projects."
"This guy is very difficult to deal with. He's driven me away every time I've come."
Wu Tian nodded, and then walked into the office with Wang Damao.
There was only Chen Sheng in the office. He looked about fifty years old and had a somewhat unpleasant appearance.
Wang Damao said with a subservient smile, "Director Chen, hello."
Chen Sheng was drinking tea. As soon as he saw Wang Damao, he immediately showed a disgusted expression.
"Wang Damao, why are you here again?"
Chen Sheng spat out some tea leaves and said indifferently, "Didn't I tell you not to think about your village's matters?"
Wang Damao chuckled awkwardly, "Director Chen, you can't say that. Our Taohua Village is, after all, a part of the county."
"To be honest, because we've always relied on well water, there was an issue with the well water before, and our entire village got sick!"
"So, Director Chen, please do us a favor and connect us to the tap water."
But Wang Damao's words did not move Chen Sheng. Chen Sheng said coldly, "What's the use of telling me this!"
"If there's a problem with the well water, that's your own business. I don't care."
"Besides, if well water can cause problems, it just shows that your village is indeed not doing well. Don't even think about tap water."
Wang Damao became anxious and quickly said, "Don't say that, Director Chen. How can we not be doing well?"
"I've come so many times, and you always say it's not possible. What should our Taohua Village do? Do you even treat us as people?"
Chen Sheng's expression turned displeased, "Wang Damao, please mind your tone. When have I not treated you as people?"
"But I also have my difficulties. Water conservancy projects all require money. If you don't bring money, how can I arrange it for you?"
"You're also an old man. Some things don't need me to explain too clearly; it's meaningless like this."
Wang Damao finally understood. It turned out this Chen Sheng wanted to solicit some "extra" money!
He asked, "How much money would that project cost?"
Chen Sheng didn't even look at him and said, "Five hundred thousand. Without this amount, don't even think about it!"
"Five hundred thousand?!" Wang Damao was dumbfounded.
"Director Chen, our village is a poverty-stricken village. How can we possibly raise so much money!"
Chen Sheng's face immediately darkened again, "Since you don't have it, then forget it. You can leave now."
Wang Damao was in a difficult situation. At this moment, Wu Tian suddenly spoke, "Director Chen, I don't quite understand what you're saying."
"Rural water supply projects are funded by the state. Why should we pay for it ourselves?"
"Besides, for such a large project, how could five hundred thousand be enough?"
"If you ask me, if we really gave this five hundred thousand, where would this money end up then?"
Wu Tian's words were clear enough, and Chen Sheng suddenly became furious.
He slammed the table and said, "What do you mean? Are you implying that I'm asking you for this money?"
"Wang Damao, who is this person? How could you bring such a disreputable fellow here!"
Wang Damao, startled, quickly pulled Wu Tian behind him.
He apologized, "Director Chen, I'm truly sorry. This young man doesn't speak well. Please forgive him, please forgive him."
Chen Sheng said coldly, "In short, without five hundred thousand, I won't sign anything for you."
"You have seriously disrupted my work. If there's nothing else, you can leave!"
Seeing that Chen Sheng had already asked them to leave, Wang Damao had no choice but to pull Wu Tian out.
"Now I finally know where the problem lies."
Outside the Water Conservancy Bureau, Wu Tian said coldly, "With someone like this blocking the way, how can the village ever get tap water?"
Wang Damao sighed, "Alas, there's nothing that can be done about it!"
"They're just like this. If you have money, they'll do things. If you don't have money, you can't expect anything."
"He's asking for five hundred thousand right off the bat. What am I supposed to do?"
Seeing Wang Damao's worried expression, Wu Tian patted his shoulder.
"Let's not talk about this for now. It's already noon. Let's go eat first."