Chapter 19

Qinglin City, as a prefecture-level city, may not rank at the top in terms of economic status in Jiangnan Province, but it is certainly not at the bottom; it is of medium level. Su Mu got off the long-distance bus and appeared outside the bus station, clearly able to feel the higher level of pedestrian traffic compared to Xingtang County.

Su Mu casually took a rickshaw, looking at the scenery on both sides while pondering the development of Heishan Town. Unconsciously, he arrived at the Municipal Party School. The "Go to the Farmers" ideological and political education seminar being held this time was led by the Municipal Party School, with other organizations assisting in its organization.

"Excuse me, who are you looking for?" The guard stopped Su Mu.

"I'm here to register!" Su Mu said with a smile.

"You?" The guard frowned, disbelievingly looking Su Mu up and down. After all, those who could attend this seminar were all the heads of various counties and towns under the jurisdiction of Qinglin City. They usually came by taxi, and no one came by rickshaw like Su Mu.

"This is my registration letter!" Su Mu, tired of the hassle, directly handed over the registration letter. After the guard checked and confirmed it was genuine, his face immediately broke into a smile.

"The seminar registration is in Room 112 of the building on the left!"

"Thank you!" Su Mu thanked him, put away the registration letter, and walked straight to Room 112. He didn't have the time to argue with such a guard.

After registering, Su Mu went to the assigned dormitory. Unlike the officials from other wealthy towns, who could get their expenses reimbursed and thus rarely stayed in the dormitory provided by the Party School, Su Mu, although he had money, considered it his own and did not mix it with public funds.

Even if he could get reimbursed, Su Mu wouldn't spend the money, as he had a place to stay. He thought the Party School dormitory was just fine, and not everyone could stay there just because they wanted to.

"Su Mu!"

Just as Su Mu found his dormitory and entered, a voice of surprise came from inside. One of the two people chatting stood up, and it was none other than Zhou Zheng from Longjing Town.

"Brother Zhou, why are you here too?" Su Mu was also somewhat surprised.

"Why can't I be here? Ha, I didn't expect it, we have such a connection. We just separated, and now we meet again. No question, I'll treat you tonight, and we'll have a good drink together." Zhou Zheng laughed heartily.

"Who is this?"

Su Mu looked at the other man, who was wearing light gray pants and a white short-sleeved shirt, a typical civil servant's outfit. His eyes had been darting around since Su Mu appeared, and it was clear he was a shrewd person.

"Look at me, I'm so excited I forgot to introduce you. This is Old Chi, Chi Junfeng, the deputy director of the Tourism Bureau of Xingtang County. He's my college classmate, so we're not strangers. Old Chi, this is Su Mu, whom I told you about." Zhou Zheng introduced.

"You are Su Mu?" Chi Junfeng raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Yes, it's me!" Su Mu smiled and extended his hand. Chi Junfeng gave a perfunctory touch and then withdrew, "Your name, Su Mu, is now known throughout Xingtang County. You even dared to hit the son of the county party secretary. If I didn't recognize you, I'd be blind!"

"Flattery!" As Su Mu touched Chi Junfeng's fingers, the official chart in his mind suddenly appeared, clearly listing the other person's information.

Name: Chi Junfeng

Position: Deputy Director of the Tourism Bureau of Xingtang County, Qinglin City

Hobbies: Calligraphy

Intimacy: Ten

Only ten points of intimacy? Su Mu silently assessed. Although Chi Junfeng's words were warm, a closer observation revealed a look of disdain, a disdain for Su Mu's actions.

If it weren't for the fact that they were both in the same system and there was no need to create enmity, these ten points of intimacy might not even exist!

Indeed, as the official chart showed, Chi Junfeng's impression of Su Mu had plummeted since the incident with the county party secretary's son. You're just a small town mayor, yet you act so recklessly. There's no need to get to know such a person deeply, as it could affect your own future.

These next ten days would be spent accompanying Zhou Zheng, and Chi Junfeng wouldn't bother with Su Mu unless necessary.

"Alright, since everyone knows each other, there's nothing more to say. Su Mu, put your things away, and let's find a place to drink!" Zhou Zheng said loudly.

"You go ahead, I just remembered I have something to do, so I won't go." Chi Junfeng suddenly said.

"Old Chi, what do you mean? Are you looking down on me?" Zhou Zheng's face darkened.

"Old Zhou, I really have something to do. We'll be here for several days, so there's plenty of time." Chi Junfeng said calmly, his tone already carrying a sense of superiority.

"Old Chi..."

"Brother Zhou, since Director Chi has something to do, we won't force him. There's plenty of time!" Su Mu said with a smile, put his things away, and walked out of the dormitory with Zhou Zheng. After the two left, the smile on Chi Junfeng's face disappeared, and a look of intense disdain appeared on his lips.

"Hmph, you think you're good enough to drink with me? Zhou Zheng, look at how many years it took you to become a deputy town mayor with no future. How can you compare to me? Associating with a hothead like Su Mu, you're finished! Beyond saving!"

While muttering, Chi Junfeng dialed a number. As soon as the call was answered, the disdain on his face quickly turned into a fawning smile.

"Director Su, it's me, little Chi from Xingtang County. I'm in the city. Do you have time to meet? I'll treat you to a meal..."

When it came to familiarity with Qinglin City, Zhou Zheng was clearly more experienced than Su Mu. The two didn't go to any fancy hotel but found a simple restaurant near the Party School, ordered a few cold and hot dishes, and started drinking.

"Su Mu, why were you assigned to this seminar? It's strange. You should be busy with the dilapidated school renovation in Heishan Town. Don't you know that if you don't handle this well, Gao Ping will deal with you?" Zhou Zheng asked curiously.

"Brother Zhou, this matter is no longer under my jurisdiction." Su Mu said casually while eating peanuts.

"Not under your jurisdiction? What do you mean?" Zhou Zheng asked urgently, "Were you demoted? So quickly? That doesn't make sense. If you were demoted, you wouldn't be here for training."

"Brother Zhou, don't guess. It's like this..."

Su Mu explained the situation from beginning to end. After listening, Zhou Zheng couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile, "Su Mu, this is a loss for you. Such a significant achievement, and it's been taken away. What a pity!"

"There's nothing I can do about it!" Su Mu laughed, "As long as the special funds are used properly and truly benefit the children of Heishan Town, who gets the credit doesn't matter. But what about you, Brother Zhou? Don't you need to handle the situation in Longjing Town? Why were you sent here?"

"The situation in Longjing Town is much better than in Heishan Town. The primary school was just renovated, so there's no issue with this task from the Education Bureau." Zhou Zheng laughed.

"I see why you came!" Su Mu laughed.

"Su Mu, we'll be in the same dormitory for the next ten days. I have something to tell you. That Old Chi..." Zhou Zheng didn't finish his sentence before Su Mu interrupted, raising his glass.

"Brother Zhou, you are you, and he is he. I can tell the difference."

"Great! As long as you don't have any grudges, let's drink!" Zhou Zheng laughed heartily. He didn't want to cause any trouble for Su Mu because of his relationship with Chi Junfeng.

Chi Junfeng, you bastard, just because you're doing better than me now, do you have to look down on me so much? We're classmates, and you act like this!

The drinking session was very pleasant. Through his conversation with Zhou Zheng and the official skills granted by the official chart, Su Mu gained a deeper understanding of the art of governance. He shared many things with Zhou Zheng, and the intimacy level between them, as shown by the official chart, had soared to eighty, twenty points higher than when they were in Xingtang County.

After a satisfying meal, the two returned to the dormitory and went to sleep. They didn't know when Chi Junfeng returned.

The following days were rather boring seminars, which made Su Mu, who had initially had some hopes for this activity, feel quite disappointed.

The ideas and methods discussed at the seminar on how to interact with farmers and serve them were all based on theory. While they weren't entirely impractical, from Su Mu's experience working at the grassroots level, many of them were just formalities, easily toppled.

Fortunately, the daily meetings didn't take up much time. After the meetings, Su Mu, accompanied by Zhou Zheng, had the opportunity to explore Qinglin City. Zhou Zheng, a true local guide, easily led Su Mu to the antique market in the city center, a beautifully old-fashioned courtyard.

Over the next six or seven days, Su Mu used the official chart to its fullest, using all five opportunities each day. He managed to find dozens of antiques, which he estimated to be worth at least a few million.

Of course, Zhou Zheng didn't think Su Mu's finds were reliable, considering them mere curiosities. He even bought a few himself to use as decorations.

The days passed quickly, and in no time, nine days had gone by. The seminar at the Party School was ending tomorrow. Su Mu, who had made a fortune over these days, insisted on treating Zhou Zheng to a good meal at a fancy hotel.

"Speaking of the most famous hotel in Qinglin City, it's Yajuzhu. Su Mu, if you really want to treat me, why don't we go there?" Zhou Zheng joked.

"Let's go to Yajuzhu!" Su Mu said casually.

"Are you serious? Really go to Yajuzhu! Su Mu, I was just joking. Let's not go there. The service is good, but the food is expensive, and I..."

"Brother Zhou, why are you so formal with me? I said I'd treat you, and I won't go back on my word. Don't worry, it won't bankrupt me. Let's go to Yajuzhu!" Su Mu laughed.

"Alright! I'll take advantage of your generosity and see how luxurious Yajuzhu is." Zhou Zheng laughed.

"By the way, what about Chi Junfeng?" Su Mu asked as they walked out.

"Him? Hmph, what can he do? He's probably sucking up to someone. Ignore him; being his classmate is my misfortune." Zhou Zheng said disdainfully.

Hearing this, Su Mu didn't say anything more. Everyone has their own way of doing things and their own principles. He never intended to interfere with others, nor could he.

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