Chapter 14

"Right after I became the deputy mayor in charge of education, science, culture, and health in Heishan Town, I encountered an unforgettable event in my life. The principal of Dalishu Primary School, Gu Ninghan, who was born and raised in these mountains and was the most respected teacher in the eyes of the villagers, collapsed in front of me in the classroom.

Do you know? Principal Gu was only thirty-eight years old, in the prime of his life. Normally, a person like him should have no health issues. But for the children of Heishan Town, he gave up the opportunity to stay in the county and returned here without hesitation, teaching for twenty years. Do you know why he fainted in the classroom?"

Su Mu asked and answered himself, not giving Ye Xi any chance to respond. In the rising smoke, he continued, "Because Teacher Gu's body had broken down! He only had that meager salary each month, and he was reluctant to spend it. He kept a portion and used the rest to buy books, pens, and notebooks. Whenever he had free time, he would go up the mountain to pick wild produce, sell it in town, and use the money to buy more books.

He once fell from the mountain and broke his right leg. However, he gritted his teeth and only received a cursory treatment at the town health center before returning to school to teach. His health was already poor, his diet was bad, and he lived in a damp and dark place. Finally, on the day I came to the school, the day he had been teaching for exactly twenty years, Teacher Gu collapsed."

"Collapsed?" Ye Xi was shocked.

"Yes, he collapsed!" Su Mu's eyes were deep, and he no longer looked like a university graduate of just one year. The aura he exuded was profound, mature, and lethal.

"I personally took Teacher Gu to the hospital, only to find out that he was already in a critical condition. He had been able to continue teaching these days only by sheer willpower. When the villagers of Heishan Town learned that Teacher Gu was sick, every household, regardless of their poverty, donated money, even kneeling before the doctors, crying and begging them to save Teacher Gu.

It's hard to imagine, but these simple villagers lined up outside the hospital every day, waiting for blood to be drawn. They would let the hospital take as much as needed without a single complaint. Many of these villagers were also taught by Teacher Gu, and they genuinely wanted him to get better."

By this point, Ye Xi's face was already covered in tears. Taking the handkerchief Su Mu offered, she choked out, "What happened next?"

"What happened next?" Su Mu's lips curled into a bitter smile. "The damn heavens didn't spare Teacher Gu's life, and he eventually passed away. When he closed his eyes, I was by his side. He struggled to beg me, if possible, to ensure that the children of Heishan Town could all go to school, and no one would drop out."

Su Mu flicked the cigarette butt away, his eyes slightly moist. He lit another cigarette, the rising smoke masking his emotions, but his face showed a smile.

"Ye Xi, I don't want to be a saint. I became an official just to gain more power to do something real for these children, so they can be like other children, sitting in bright classrooms, reading the books they like, and doing what they love. For this, no matter how dangerous or difficult the road ahead, I will move forward without hesitation.

You might not believe me, like most people, but I never intended to make you believe. I promised Teacher Gu to continue his dream. I do this just to find peace of mind."

"No, I believe you!" Ye Xi blurted out, her face full of anxiety, staring into Su Mu's eyes. "Even though I haven't experienced what you've been through, I believe you."

Just believe!

No other complicated reasons!

As long as you say it, I will believe it unconditionally!

"Alright, Ye Xi, don't cry. See, those kids are all watching us. Don't let them think I'm bullying you!" Su Mu's mood gradually calmed, and he smiled.

"Bullying me! If you dare to bully me, I won't let you off!" Ye Xi laughed through her tears, her tear-streaked face making Su Mu momentarily speechless.

"Stupid!" Ye Xi thought to herself, feeling a sweet satisfaction, but her words were insincere. "By the way, Su Mu, I remember you mentioned something at dinner yesterday about the Xingtang County Education Bureau planning to renovate the dilapidated primary schools in Heishan Town. Is this place included?"

"Yes!" Su Mu's head ached at the mention of this. "Ye Xi, I originally wanted you to stay here for a few more days, but this matter is urgent. If possible, we'll return to the town tonight, and you can drive back to Shengjing tomorrow. Take three of the four antiques and auction them all."

"Why? Are you planning to use the money to renovate the school?" Ye Xi was surprised. "This is a public matter for Xingtang County. Shouldn't the county government allocate funds? What does the Heishan Town government do? Renovating schools like Dalishu into new bungalows shouldn't cost much, maybe 60,000 yuan. Can't the county and town governments come up with 60,000 yuan and have you sell antiques to handle it?"

Growing up in an official family, even though Ye Xi hadn't entered the system, she knew the basic rules. Knowing this, she was puzzled.

"Well..." Su Mu smiled helplessly.

"Is it because of the county party secretary?" Ye Xi's eyes twinkled, and she guessed correctly. As a master's student in economics at Jiang University, Ye Xi was undoubtedly intelligent. She was not just a pretty face but a woman of substance.

Seeing Su Mu's expression, Ye Xi knew she was right and became angry. "What is this? Using public office for personal revenge? Does he even deserve to be a county party secretary? No, I have to call Uncle Li."

"Wait!" Su Mu quickly said, grabbing Ye Xi's hands and speaking seriously, "Ye Xi, promise me, don't get involved in this. Leave it to me; I can handle it."

Thump thump!

Held tightly by Su Mu, Ye Xi's heart raced, her face blushing as she whispered, "Whatever you say, but if anything happens to you, remember to call Mayor Li Xinghua; he will help you."

"Understood!" Su Mu smiled.

"Can you let go of my hands?" Ye Xi whispered.

"Ah... hehe!" Su Mu, embarrassed, quickly released her hands. They chatted a bit more, and when the children had finished distributing the books and returned to class, Su Mu said goodbye to Gu Dingxiang and drove the Hummer away from Dalishu Village.

When they returned to Heishan Town, it was still early, around noon. They had a quick meal at Wang Laosan's place. Worried about the matter, Ye Xi took the three antiques and left without staying overnight.

Before leaving, Ye Xi told Su Mu, "Using personal money for public matters isn't impossible, but it violates the rules of the bureaucracy. Don't worry about this. I'll sell the antiques, and we'll use the money as the first capital for our business. I'll also help arrange donations for the school renovation. Give me five days, and I'll give you an answer within five days."

Su Mu knew Ye Xi wouldn't exaggerate. If she said five days, it would be five days. He smiled and saw her off, no longer worried about the school renovation funds. He began contacting construction teams, ready to start work as soon as the funds arrived.

This way, a month would be more than enough!

In the mayor's office.

"Mayor, Su Mu, that guy, after delivering books to Dalishu Primary School with that woman, has been looking for construction teams these past few days. He looks like he really has money and is ready to start work at any time," Yang Hu said.

"Is that so?" Yang Song squinted, sneering. "I want to see where he gets the money. Don't think that just because he has a nice car, people will throw money at him. No one is that foolish."

"But, Mayor, what if he really does? If Su Mu has money, he can build a few houses. This is a fat piece of meat, and we can't let it go," Yang Hu hesitated.

Yes, what if he really does? What then? If we can't get rid of Su Mu and end up giving him a political achievement, it would be a huge embarrassment, especially to Secretary Xie. No, we must have a foolproof plan.

"Mayor, there's another matter I need to report," Yang Hu saw that his words had an effect and didn't say more.

"What is it?" Yang Song asked calmly.

"It's about the new deputy chief of our police station, Xu Yan. This place is so small, with no real benefits. We have a chief, a deputy chief, and four police officers, so why do we need another one? And Xu Yan has been close to Su Mu lately, going to the villages and contacting construction teams. He's everywhere," Yang Hu said resentfully.

The police station, once under his control, was now divided because of Xu Yan, making it hard for Yang Hu to stay calm.

"Don't worry about Xu Yan. He's just here for a few days and will leave eventually. Just do your job," Yang Song said indifferently, not wanting to explain further.

"Understood! I'll get to work!" Yang Hu put on his cap and left the office. After he was gone, Yang Song hesitated for a moment and then made a phone call, smiling as it connected.

"Director Gao, it's me, Yang Song from Heishan Town. I have something to discuss with you..."

While Yang Song was plotting, Su Mu, as Yang Hu said, was indeed sitting with Xu Yan under the scorching sun, each holding a bottle of beer, drinking without a care at a roadside stall in Xingtang County.