Chapter 26

The wind rises and the clouds soar; brothers, if we update early and sufficiently, can we earn your votes and favorites?

Let the official charts soar!

-----------------------------------------

In the residential building of the Qinglin City Tourism Bureau for government employees.

Unlike others who prefer middle floors when choosing an apartment, Su Junlai chose the top floor of this building. He said he liked the feeling of looking down at the city from a high vantage point. As for the cold in winter and heat in summer, those were only problems for the poor. He had money, and as long as the air conditioning was always on, those issues could be solved.

However, unlike his usual habit of standing by the window to enjoy the night view, Su Junlai sat on the sofa with a gloomy face tonight. The ashtray in front of him and the floor were littered with cigarette butts, and the room was filled with choking smoke, making anyone who entered cough.

"Uncle, this isn't a big deal. It's just the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. I'll call my father right now and have him feel out Mayor Hu. I don't believe that Li Leming can do anything to you over this incident tonight," Xie Minghao said softly from the side.

"Foolish!"

Su Junlai shouted, "Do you think Li Leming is just the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission? Mayor Hu once said that we should never provoke him unless absolutely necessary. He's someone we can't afford to offend. Yes, I managed to escape this time, but what about next time? You've offended the Secretary's own brother. If he seizes an opportunity in the future, do you think I'll have a chance to turn things around? It's all because of you, why did you have to provoke his brother for no reason!"

Thinking about this, Su Junlai felt extremely angry when he looked at Xie Minghao. The incident tonight could have been avoided, but now it had escalated, leaving him at a loss. Chi Junfeng, that scoundrel, had already been sent back to mend relations with Zhou Zheng, hoping to get Su Mu to speak on his behalf through Zhou Zheng.

Now, only Xie Minghao was left at home. No, he couldn't just sit and wait for disaster to strike! Apart from himself, there was also Lu Hui, that greedy guy. Li Leming might not be able to directly take action against him, but getting rid of Lu Hui would be a piece of cake. If that guy's mouth isn't tight and he lets something slip, it would be a big problem.

"Minghao, call Xie Wen right now and tell him everything. He knows what to do. Remember, he must come to the city tonight, no matter how late. If not, he should report to Mayor Hu first thing tomorrow morning," Su Junlai instructed.

"Okay, I'll call him right away!" Xie Minghao hurriedly said, knowing the urgency of the situation, he didn't dare to act like the son of a county party secretary anymore. If this incident affected his father's position, he, Xie Minghao, would be nothing in Xingtang County.

"Dad, it's me, Minghao. There's something I need to tell you. It's like this..."

In the dormitory of the Qinglin City Party School.

Zhou Zheng casually leaned against the bed, holding a cup of strong tea, still not fully recovered from the shock of the night. He never expected that Su Mu had such a powerful backer as Li Leming. It didn't make sense. If that were true, why did Su Mu choose to be a powerless deputy mayor in Heishan Town? Was there more to the story?

"Old Zhou, Brother Zhou, Grandpa Zhou, living ancestor, give me a word, brother. Will you help me or not?" Chi Junfeng, sitting on the opposite bed, anxiously shouted.

Zhou Zheng lazily glanced at Chi Junfeng but didn't say a word. Having seen the cruel side of politics, he had no sympathy for Chi Junfeng's current state. Weren't you so arrogant, relying on Su Junlai's support to talk big and look down on me?

Now, you're coming to me for help! Hmph, just looking at your face makes me feel nauseous! Su Mu kindly invited you to dinner, and you acted all high and mighty. Forget about being just a deputy director of the county tourism bureau; even if you became the director of Xingtang County, so what?

So what if you're so great? Show me how great you are!

"Old Zhou, this is a small token of my appreciation. Take it and use it for expenses. I'll say this now, as long as you can help me get through this, the position of mayor in Longjing Town is due to be vacant soon. Rest assured, I'll do whatever it takes to get it for you. I have the ability to do that!" Chi Junfeng said through gritted teeth.

Without offering enough benefits, trying to persuade someone with empty words wouldn't work. The red envelope he handed to Zhou Zheng contained 20,000 yuan, money he had saved for a long time. Although it hurt to part with it, as long as he could keep his position, he would earn it back eventually.

"The position of mayor is due to be vacant."

Hearing this, Zhou Zheng's thoughts shifted. In politics, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. With enough benefits, even deep-seated grudges could be reconciled. Zhou Zheng had the experience and ability. If he could become the mayor of Longjing Town, it wouldn't be a bad thing.

Chi Junfeng was Xie Wen's man. If he said a good word for Zhou Zheng to Xie Wen, Zhou Zheng believed the matter could be successfully arranged!

"Old Chi, I'm not saying this to criticize you. What you did today, don't bully the poor, you know?" Zhou Zheng said calmly.

"Yes, yes, all my faults, Brother Zhou, please help me. As long as Su Mu agrees not to pursue it, everything can be resolved," Chi Junfeng said urgently.

"I can't guarantee anything. The seminar ends tomorrow, I'll ask around then," Zhou Zheng said casually, sipping his tea.

"That's settled! Another day, I'll treat you to a big meal. We haven't gathered since graduation. Oh, and invite Rat and Bin too," Chi Junfeng, a quick thinker, seized the opportunity to climb the ladder.

"We'll see about that, and take this money back," Zhou Zheng handed it over.

"No, you're slapping me in the face! Keep it, use it for expenses." Chi Junfeng quickly refused. As long as you take my money, I'm not worried about you not helping.

"Take it back when I say to! What's with all this fuss!" Zhou Zheng, well-versed in the ways of politics, his face turned grim, and he threw the money back, then closed his eyes.

"Brother Zhou, are you tired? Rest a bit, I'll go out and take care of some things!" Chi Junfeng said with a smile, then quietly left the dormitory.

The moment the door closed, Zhou Zheng's closed eyes slowly opened, a smile of excitement on his face. His right hand clenched into a fist, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"Damn, Chi Junfeng, you old guy, you finally have your day! Too good, too damn good, hahaha!"

The night in Qinglin City was undoubtedly charming. Compared to the life in Heishan Town, where lamps were lit as soon as it got dark, this place was a paradise. The rich nightlife added a lot of charm to this prefecture-level city. But this charm had no appeal to two people who were sleeping like pigs.

Su Mu, completely relaxed, had a wild drinking session with Li Letian last night. By the end, the floor and table were littered with empty bottles, and they barely touched the main dishes.

Such heavy drinking had a direct consequence: a foggy head. If it weren't for the shrill ring of the phone on the bedside table, Su Mu might still be asleep.

"Su Mu, are you awake? Still sleeping? Get up quickly! Didn't you say you'd show me around Qinglin City today? Are you going back on your word? Get up, I'm waiting for you in the restaurant downstairs. You and Little Li, you two are like pigs, why did you drink so much for no reason, I..."

In a daze, Su Mu's head was still foggy, his stomach growling, and he accidentally hung up the phone. When he remembered who had called, he couldn't help but smile bitterly and went to the bathroom to wash up. The cold water on his body instantly made him feel more awake.

"Ah, you scoundrel, how dare you hang up on me, are you tired of living?" Zheng Doudou pouted and said fiercely.

Today, Zheng Doudou was clearly well-dressed. Compared to yesterday, she wore a neat sportswear outfit, a sun hat, and a ponytail, exuding irresistible charm. Anyone who saw her would be captivated by her appearance.

About half an hour later, Su Mu and Li Letian, the two brothers in trouble, finally emerged from their room and appeared in the restaurant downstairs.

"Brother, you can really drink. I've never met anyone who could match me before, you're the first. My head still hurts," Li Letian picked up the juice in front of him and drank it without hesitation, then grabbed a fried dough stick and started eating voraciously.

"Challenging me like that, hmpf, if you hadn't been so weak last night, I could have made you drink even more!" Su Mu sat down and started eating.

"Blow, just keep blowing!"

"Blowing? If you don't believe me, let's have another round. If I don't make you drink until you fall, you can do whatever you want to me!"

"Ouch, you're up for it, huh? Who's afraid of who!"

...

Zheng Doudou, sitting on the side, watched the two bicker like street ruffians, her face fell, "Are you two so great? If you have the guts, drink with me. If you can't take me down, I'll do whatever I want to you!"

Her words immediately silenced the two bickering men. It wasn't that they couldn't handle Zheng Doudou, but they didn't want to.

"Do whatever you want, Lady, do you think I dare? I'm afraid of being severely punished by the old man when I return to Beijing," Li Letian shut up and ate obediently.

"Quiet as a mouse, fierce as a dragon. Not bad for someone from the special forces! Whoever can tame such a thorny rose is a god!" Su Mu thought to himself.

Seeing the two quickly back down, Zheng Doudou gritted her teeth, picked up her coffee, and took a small sip, "So, where are we going today? How about the antique market in Qinglin City?"

"Sure, wherever you want to go, I'll go. But first, I need to go back to the Party School. The seminar ends today, and I need to be there," Su Mu smiled.

"Really boring, just a small bureaucrat," Zheng Doudou muttered.

"Alright, brother, eat quickly, and then we'll go with you," Li Letian said urgently, as long as it could divert the topic of bickering with Zheng Doudou, anything was fine.

The meal was quickly finished, and the three of them left the restaurant and got into a very ordinary Santana parked outside. This car was prepared by Li Leming, who said that when in a place, one should be low-key, not as arrogant as in Beijing.

When they arrived at the entrance of the Party School, Su Mu smiled and said, "Wait for me here!"

Su Mu got out of the car and ran to the dormitory. There was still some time before the seminar's closing ceremony, so he returned to the dormitory, picked up a backpack, and went back to the car.

"This is something I found in the antique street of Xingtang County, a small trinket. Take it as a gift for Brother Li. But say it's from you, not from me, so he doesn't think I'm trying to curry favor. I can't afford the charge of bribery," Su Mu smiled and handed the bag to Li Letian.

"What is it, so well-wrapped?" Li Letian asked curiously.

"Just a small trinket, that's all. You don't have to wait here, the ceremony will take at least two hours. I'll call you when it's over. By the way, we discussed something last night, and I have something for you to do," Su Mu smiled.

"Alright, waiting for your call!" Li Letian said and drove away with Zheng Doudou.

In the small auditorium of the Party School.

The room was packed with people, all at least deputy section-level cadres, with many at the section and department levels. Each person had their own circle, and they gathered in small groups, whispering. On the stage, several old experts from the Party School were seated, one of them giving a passionate speech.

"Su Mu, over here!" Zhou Zheng whispered.

"Brother Zhou, I'm really sorry about last night. When I have the chance, I'll treat you to a good meal," Su Mu said with a smile as he sat down, adopting a very humble attitude. This humility made Zhou Zheng very comfortable and raised his opinion of Su Mu. In the political arena, few people could be as humble as Su Mu, despite having a strong backing.

"Don't be like that, the meal last night was good enough. If you keep being so polite, it will really make me feel distant, like you're looking down on me!" Zhou Zheng said with a serious face.

"Alright, alright, Brother Zhou, consider it unsaid," Su Mu smiled.

"That's better. By the way, Su Mu, I have something to discuss with you. It's like this..."

When Zhou Zheng told him about last night's incident, Su Mu stared into Zhou Zheng's eyes and said seriously, "Brother Zhou, I just want to know one thing. If you become the mayor, what will you do?"

"Su Mu, I'll call you brother. Brother, I know what you're worried about, but don't worry. I, Zhou Zheng, can't stand those political schemers. If I really become the mayor, I'll definitely do practical things for the locals. I'm from Longjing Town, and I love it more than anyone else," Zhou Zheng said solemnly.

"Alright, then you can be the mayor. Tell Chi Junfeng that if he can resolve this, I'll let him off," Su Mu smiled, not minding using Li Leming's influence to do some good.

"Great, with your word, I'm reassured!" Zhou Zheng smiled, "Chi Junfeng, that scoundrel, really thinks that if I become the mayor, I'll be Xie Wen's man. He's dreaming. I have no interest in those who only play political games, and I won't join their team."

These words were Zhou Zheng's way of showing his stance and loyalty. Smart people only need to hint, not spell everything out.

After that, they waited for over an hour. When the last word from the expert on the stage was spoken, the ten-day seminar on going to the countryside was officially concluded.

"Brother, if you have time, come back to Longjing Town. It's your home, and if you come back, I'll definitely welcome you and treat you well!" Zhou Zheng smiled.

"Definitely!" Su Mu nodded. Yes, he had been away from home for over two months. Now that he had money, he should go back and visit. At the very least, he could leave some money for his mother to improve their living conditions. His parents had worked hard all their lives and deserved to enjoy their golden years.

Once this thought arose, it spread uncontrollably, making Su Mu decide to finish his business as soon as possible and return home.

Su Mu returned to the dormitory, packed up, and called Li Letian, telling him the seminar was over and they could come. Then he hung up and squatted by the flower bed outside the Party School, smoking. He never saw Chi Junfeng, and he didn't care.

When Li Letian received the call, he and Zheng Doudou were at Li Leming's house. However, compared to his calm and composed demeanor last night, Li Leming's face now showed obvious excitement.