Chapter 38

Xingtang County, though not large in area, boasts some decent scenery within the county town. Especially after the county government invested a great deal to build a river through the city, the night market has become even more vibrant. During the hot summer, the most popular spots in the county town are the barbecue stalls, with one found almost every few steps.

Of course, the most famous area is still along the city river, where the environment is good, the ingredients are fresh, and the service is excellent, making it the highlight of the night market in Xingtang County.

"How about it? Is this place okay?" Xu Yan asked with a smile as he opened a bottle of beer.

"Not bad!" Su Mu replied, breathing in the unique scent of barbecue and alcohol in the air. After clinking glasses with Xu Yan, he said, "What's on your mind? Spit it out!"

"Hey, how did you know I had something to talk about?" Xu Yan asked in surprise, wondering if Su Mu had some kind of mind-reading ability since he hadn't even said anything yet.

"Please, anyone can tell you have something on your mind. You've been fidgety since we got here, and you keep hesitating to say something. Old Xu, with our relationship, do you really need to be so formal? Just tell me, what's up?" Su Mu said with a smile.

"Hehe!"

Xu Yan scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. To be honest, he wasn't good at hiding things. Hearing Su Mu's words, he didn't hesitate.

"Boss, it's like this. Actually, I didn't invite you for drinks tonight. Someone else insisted I do it, and this person is someone I can't afford to offend. So, could you do me a favor and meet them?"

"Who's so powerful that you can't afford to offend them?" Su Mu asked calmly. But the two words Xu Yan blurted out next made him spit out his beer.

"My dad!"

"Your dad? Director Xu?"

Su Mu knew who Xu Yan's father was—Deputy Director Xu Zhengcheng of the Xingtang County Public Security Bureau, a man who had been marginalized and held no real power. With County Political and Legal Affairs Secretary Xu Guofu and County Public Security Bureau Director Xue Feng both being allies of Xie Wen, Xu Zhengcheng, who refused to join their camp, was pushed to the sidelines.

But Su Mu never expected Xu Zhengcheng to think of having Xu Yan invite him for drinks. What was this all about?

Could it be...

"Old Xu, what's really going on?" Su Mu asked seriously.

"Boss, don't misunderstand. My dad is a very upright person, and that's why he offended Xue Feng and was marginalized. A few days ago, I mentioned to him that the person who came to the big willow tree was Li Leming, the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee of Qinglin City. So he thought of using you to connect with Secretary Li.

That's the situation. If you don't want to, just pretend I didn't say anything. We can continue drinking. I didn't really want to do this either," Xu Yan said, seeing Su Mu's expression and quickly waving his hands.

Sure enough, that's it!

Su Mu's eyes narrowed. It seemed that the incident at the big willow tree a few days ago had already made the leaders of Xingtang County start thinking. If he were in their shoes, he would have guessed the same. One is the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee, and the other is the Deputy Mayor. These two people, who aren't particularly close, both got angry over Su Mu. If Su Mu had no connection with them, who would believe it?

He needed to leverage this opportunity. Before he grew stronger, Su Mu didn't mind using their influence!

Besides, when he left the county government, Lin Shuang had specifically noted down his phone number and hinted at it. Since he was already at odds with Xie Wen, there was no need to hide anything. The team was already chosen, and the next steps were simple.

"Old Xu, what are you talking about? Your father is like an uncle to me. How can I not meet him? Even without your words, I should visit him. Call him over, and I'll check if someone else is available to join us for a drink," Su Mu said decisively after some thought.

"Okay!" Xu Yan wasted no time and called his father right in front of Su Mu. Su Mu took a deep breath and dialed the private number he had saved that afternoon.

"Hello!"

"Brother Lin, it's Su Mu. How are you? Are you free now?" Su Mu asked with a smile when he heard Lin Shuang's voice.

"Haha, who's this? Oh, it's Brother Su. No, I haven't gone back to Heishan Town yet," Lin Shuang replied with a laugh.

"No, I'm still in the county town, at a barbecue stall by the city river. I just invited Director Xu from the County Public Security Bureau. Brother Lin, are you free to join us for a drink?" Su Mu asked with a smile.

"Director Xu?" Lin Shuang's tone was clearly surprised, but it was brief. He quickly recovered and said with a smile, "Of course, no problem. I'll be there soon. Wait for me."

"Great, I'll wait for you, Brother Lin." Su Mu hung up and said, "Boss, add two more sets of chopsticks."

"Sure thing!"

Back at home, Lin Shuang put down the phone and thought for a moment before calling Zhao Rui'an and briefly reporting the situation.

"County Chief, should I go?"

"Go! Why not? This is our opportunity. Go and enjoy the drinks," Zhao Rui'an decided without hesitation.

It would be foolish to miss such a good opportunity. Zhao Rui'an didn't expect Su Mu to be so quick-witted. Just a few hours after he indicated that they were on the same side, Su Mu had already brought Xu Zhengcheng over. Zhao Rui'an had been wanting to get involved in the Public Security Bureau for a long time but had no way to do it. If Xu Zhengcheng joined them, with proper maneuvering, they could gain a share of the power.

"Fortune, could it be that you're my good luck charm?"

The county town was unusually hot that night. Staying at home was pure torture, and more and more people were coming out to cool off and drink beer. The night market by the city river quickly became lively. As Su Mu and Xu Yan were drinking and chatting, two women suddenly sat down at the table next to them.

The woman on the left was dressed provocatively, with heavy makeup and eyes that exuded a seductive gaze. Her thin, long dress accentuated her sexy and alluring figure. She lit a lady's cigarette with ease and smoked it like a pro. Her lips, painted with bright red lipstick, looked intensely alluring.

She was Meng Jiao, who ran a cosmetics shop in Xingtang County and did quite well in business.

The woman sitting across from Meng Jiao was the complete opposite. Though she wore no makeup, she was naturally beautiful. Her arched eyebrows were like a crescent moon, and her eyes were bright and full of spirit.

Her nose was straight and slightly upturned, with a hint of stubbornness. Her fair skin was so smooth it seemed to glow, and her cherry lips were so moist they gave the impression of wanting to be kissed. She wore a white long dress and sat gracefully, like a lotus blooming out of water, beautiful and captivating.

When the two women appeared, Su Mu, who had been chatting and laughing, was struck as if by lightning. He stared at the pure and innocent woman and froze.

How could it be her? It can't be this coincidental! Why is she here? Doesn't she hate such open-air places?

What's going on?

"Boss, what's wrong?" Xu Yan asked in a low voice, noticing the change.

"Nothing, let's keep drinking!" Su Mu said, but he didn't touch his glass again. He lit a cigarette and sat with his back to her.

"Miss Luo, what are you thinking? You should give me a clear answer now. You've been dragging this on for days. If you keep stalling, don't blame me for being rude. I'm telling you now, if you agree to be with Young Master Liang, everything will be fine. If you refuse, not only will you be kicked out of the TV station, but your family's construction company will also go bankrupt," Meng Jiao said bluntly.

"Manager Meng, please tell Liang Tian that it's impossible between us. I will never be with him," Luo Lin said calmly.

"Hehe!"

Meng Jiao couldn't help but laugh, and after her laughter, a look of disdain appeared on her face. "Luo Lin, do you still think you're the once-glorious Miss Luo? Your family is now a fallen phoenix, not even as good as a chicken.

Are you still pretending to be high and mighty? Can you afford to be so? Don't say I didn't warn you. Your family's construction company won't survive without Young Master Liang's help. For the sake of your family, I suggest you think carefully before refusing."

"I've thought it through. I refuse! Tell Liang Tian that if he dares to harass me again, I'll report him to the police!" Luo Lin said firmly, her teeth clenched.

"Very well, it seems you're determined to defy Young Master Liang. Fine, I won't pass the message. Young Master Liang is here. You can tell him yourself." Meng Jiao took out her phone and dialed a number.

"Come over!"

After hanging up, Meng Jiao looked at Luo Lin with a fake smile. "Don't even think about leaving. You know the consequences if you do. Just sit here and wait for Young Master Liang."

"I won't leave!" Luo Lin's face was cold, and she remained seated, refusing to stand up.

The people around them heard their conversation but dared not approach. Everyone knew who Meng Jiao was and who she represented. They didn't want to risk their lives by provoking her.

"Boss, do you know that Luo Lin?" Xu Yan, as the police station chief, was skilled at reading people and asked in a low voice.

Because of Luo Lin's arrival, Su Mu had acted abnormally. Xu Yan didn't think Su Mu was attracted to her beauty; Su Mu wasn't that kind of person, and he had seen Ye Xi. Luo Lin, though beautiful, couldn't compare to Ye Xi.

If it wasn't because of her beauty, it must be because they knew each other. That's why Xu Yan asked, as Su Mu's answer would determine whether he should say more.

Hearing Xu Yan's question, Su Mu couldn't help but shake his head, a faint sadness appearing on his face. He muttered to himself, "More than just knowing."