The day after Li Long returned, he went to check in at the County Party Committee.
The county's two principal leaders made time to meet him in a conference room and listened to his detailed account of attending the conference.
In particular, Li Long told them that he had met the former leader of the Autonomous Region during a meal, and that the former leader had exchanged a few words with him and offered him encouragement.
After hearing this, the two county leaders exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with an indefinable emotion.
"Comrade Li Long, you really are fortunate. When that leader was in office, I was still working in a township," the county's top leader said with feeling. "Once, when he came to inspect our county, I caught a glimpse of him from a distance.
"You actually met him and clinked glasses with him. You're much more fortunate than we are!"
"Heh, I just got lucky," Li Long said with a smile. "He was very approachable, and he still really missed life in Northern Xinjiang."
After that, the two leaders spoke to Li Long much more warmly. They also asked whether he was having any difficulties building the road into the mountains. If he needed the county's cooperation, he should submit a report promptly.
"No, no. Our county is still developing, and every area needs funding. My pastoralist friends in the mountains and I can build this road together," Li Long hurriedly assured them. "Being among the first people in our county to prosper was already thanks to the county's good policies. I've benefited enormously. I can't take any more advantages from the county."
"Now that's an admirable sense of responsibility, Comrade Li Long," came the appreciative remark. "If all the people in our county who prospered first