He poured a cup of water for the village chief using a slightly chipped porcelain cup that he had exchanged for in the county town. It was one of the only two cups they had at home.
Because they had so few cups, family members usually drank water directly from bowls.
The village chief was also very tired from walking all the way. He drank all the water in the cup in one gulp. After finishing, he licked his lips, remarking on how sweet the water tasted that day, as if sugar had been added.
The village chief didn't dwell on the water's taste. He pulled Jiang Chuan aside and got down to business." The country has a new order to conduct a comprehensive national census."
The national census aims to survey the country's current population, as well as its regional and age distribution. It's a nationwide survey activity that must be conducted regularly in Country C.
