Chapter 26

Fang Wenda guessed that Jian Ruoming would follow him, so he intentionally took a step back.

Jian Ruoming, caught off guard, bumped solidly into his back with her chest.

"Hehe," Fang Wenda, having taken advantage, laughed smugly at his successful scheme and then pretended to praise her, saying, "The room is decorated so warmly. Xiao Jian, right?" As he spoke, he suddenly turned his head and pressed his face toward Jian Ruoming's.

Jian Ruoming's face turned red, and she quickly took a step back, narrowly avoiding Fang Wenda's kiss.

What the hell, what kind of person is this? He doesn't act like a high-ranking official at all; he's just like a street thug.

Chu Tianshu's eyes were almost on fire with anger.

Jian Ruoming gave Chu Tianshu a look, signaling him not to act rashly.

Fang Wenda, a former soldier, had risen to the rank of deputy political commissar in the military, then transferred to the provincial SASAC as a section chief. Later, he connected with He Tianying, the deputy secretary of the provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, who had also transferred from the military. Within a few years, Fang Wenda became the party secretary and deputy secretary of the discipline inspection commission of the provincial SASAC.

Recently, rumors about He Tianying's promotion to the provincial Discipline Inspection Commission secretary were growing, and there were also rumors that Fang Wenda would be promoted to a member of the party leadership group and the discipline inspection commission secretary of the provincial SASAC.

After his promotion, Fang Wenda divorced his wife and set his sights on Jian Ruoming, a 30-year-old single beauty and deputy director of the Reform and Development Department at the provincial SASAC. He often used work discussions as a pretext to make crude jokes and occasionally took liberties with her when no one was around.

Jian Ruoming naturally looked down on such a vulgar person. Unable to bear the harassment, she sought out Lin Guodong, the deputy minister of the provincial Organization Department, and requested a transfer, which led to her becoming the deputy director of the Qingyuan City SASAC.

This was a desperate move, but Jian Ruoming hoped that if she couldn't confront him, she could at least avoid him.

However, Fang Wenda, with his persistent and shameless nature, even followed her to Qingyuan City on a weekend. In a panic, Jian Ruoming specifically asked Chu Tianshu to stay behind to prevent Fang Wenda's inappropriate behavior.

Even so, he still managed to take advantage of her.

Fang Wenda, pretending nothing had happened, idly pushed open the bathroom door and glanced inside. He saw the peach-colored bra and silk panties hanging on the rack, as well as the pair of boxer shorts Chu Tianshu had left in the basin. His face darkened.

After his inspection, Fang Wenda sat back on the sofa, his face dark, and said sourly, "Xiao Jian, it seems you're living quite comfortably in Qingyuan."

"Not really," Jian Ruoming, having been taken advantage of and unable to react, forced a smile and sat down on the sofa, politely saying, "Secretary Fang, it's a small place, but I'm satisfied with the conditions here."

"The hardware is a bit lacking, but the software is quite good," Fang Wenda said sarcastically, glancing at Chu Tianshu. "At least in the provincial SASAC, there isn't such a handsome and strong young man serving you."

Jian Ruoming's smile froze.

Chu Tianshu, unable to bear it any longer, stepped forward and stood in front of Fang Wenda, coldly asking, "What do you mean by that, leader?"

Fang Wenda, who already disliked Chu Tianshu, had already considered him his biggest rival in love after some observation. Now, this guy was boldly questioning him, which made him furious. He shouted, "What are you? Get lost!"

Chu Tianshu pointed at him and said loudly, "You can call me uncultured, but I will not allow you to insult Director Jian's character."

As the party secretary and deputy secretary of the discipline inspection commission of the provincial SASAC, Fang Wenda was used to criticizing officials below the department level. Today, being questioned by a local section chief in front of his desired subordinate, he was both angry and embarrassed. He blurted out, "Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you're with her? You're overestimating yourself!"

Chu Tianshu, enraged, glared at him, clenched his fists, and roared, "I don't care who you are. If you say one more word of nonsense, I'll smash your mouth."

Fang Wenda was intimidated by Chu Tianshu's aggressive stance.

He pretended to be calm and said awkwardly, "Look at you, taking a joke so seriously. You have no sense of humor."

"Chu Tianshu, what are you doing?" Seeing Fang Wenda giving himself an out, Jian Ruoming glared at Chu Tianshu and sternly scolded him, "Secretary Fang was just telling a joke. Why are you making a fuss? That's not proper. Go stand aside."

Chu Tianshu, fuming, turned and went back to the study.

The conversation was unproductive, and the atmosphere was awkward.

Fang Wenda sat for less than two minutes, looked at his watch, and got up to leave, saying, "Xiao Jian, I have an engagement tonight. I'll leave now. I'll visit you again when I have time."

Jian Ruoming didn't try to retain him and stood up to see him off, saying, "Secretary Fang, thank you very much. I welcome you to visit again for work guidance."

"Xiao Jian, this is a private space, not an office. Why are you making it like an official reception?" Fang Wenda said, dissatisfied.

"Sorry, I slipped up when I saw an old leader. I'll be more careful in the future."

Fang Wenda glanced at the study and said with a double meaning, "Alright, Xiao Jian, remember to give me a call when you return to Linjiang. Don't forget your old friends when you make new ones."

Jian Ruoming said, "Xiao Chu, Secretary Fang is leaving. Come out and see him off."

Chu Tianshu came out expressionless.

Fang Wenda, holding Jian Ruoming's hand, said sourly, "Xiao Jian, no need to see me off. You continue, continue. Goodbye!"

Jian Ruoming wanted to see him downstairs but was refused by Fang Wenda.

A few minutes later, the sound of the unit door slamming echoed from downstairs.

Jian Ruoming stood on the balcony, waved to Fang Wenda, and he honked the horn and sped off.

Chu Tianshu was still tidying up the melon peels and juice on the coffee table.

Jian Ruoming walked over and said coldly, "Xiao Chu, no need to tidy up. You can leave now."

Chu Tianshu looked up at Jian Ruoming and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Director Jian. I made you look bad in front of the leader."

"This isn't your fault," Jian Ruoming shook her head, a hint of resentment in her eyes, and said softly, "But you were indeed too impulsive."

Chu Tianshu understood that she had kept him around to deal with Fang Wenda's harassment, even at the cost of her own reputation, creating a false intimacy to make him give up. However, her intention was not to engage in a direct and intense conflict with him.

"Yes, yes, Director Jian, you're right," Chu Tianshu said respectfully.

Seeing Chu Tianshu in his pajamas, bowing and nodding like he was being criticized at work, the image was too ridiculous.

Jian Ruoming couldn't help but smile.

This was the first smile Jian Ruoming had shown since Chu Tianshu entered the room.

The smile was pure, sweet, and genuine, a pleasure to behold.

To Chu Tianshu, it was breathtaking.

He couldn't help but stare at Jian Ruoming and say, "Sister Ming, you look so beautiful when you smile!"

Jian Ruoming was taken aback. She paused, lifted her hand to gently brush her long hair, and her face turned cold again, her clear eyes staring at Chu Tianshu. She said softly, "Chu Tianshu, you have disappointed me greatly."

Chu Tianshu was stunned, looking at her in confusion.

Jian Ruoming said contemptuously, "Yesterday at noon, I saw you get angry for Liu Chunna and thought you were a man of integrity. But your behavior just now shows that you are just a hypocrite, no different from Fang Wenda."

Chu Tianshu quickly explained, "Sister Ming, no, Director Jian, I didn't mean it, really."

Jian Ruoming said, "Chu Tianshu, I admit you helped me today, but do you think that gives you the right to judge me?"

"Director Jian, I..."

Jian Ruoming shook her head and said coldly, "Forget it, don't say more. I'll remember your help, but don't expect me to oppose your 'village assignment.' I can only promise that you can return after a year."

Chu Tianshu felt deeply wronged. His face turned red, and the veins on his neck bulged as he shouted, "Jian Ruoming, is this your charity to me?"

Jian Ruoming was startled. How could this usually submissive man dare to call her by her name?

"Jian Ruoming, you can use me, but you can't insult me," Chu Tianshu said angrily. "I can tell you clearly that I cooperated with you to act out a scene for Fang Wenda out of a man's sense of justice and respect for you, not to seek your charity."

Jian Ruoming was shocked by Chu Tianshu's righteous and solemn demeanor and dared not meet his eyes.

When she first entered the SASAC, she saw the tall Chu Tianshu bowing and scraping to the much shorter Tian Keming, which made her look down on him. Even yesterday, when she saw him get angry for Liu Chunna, she thought it was just a young man's momentary impulse to protect his girlfriend.

But now, she had to look at the assertive Chu Tianshu in a new light.

After a moment of silence, Chu Tianshu calmed down.

He said, "Director Jian, as a man, I don't deny my appreciation for a beautiful woman. But I have no ulterior motives or improper thoughts."

Jian Ruoming wanted to say something but was stopped by Chu Tianshu, who said resolutely, "No, don't interrupt me. Please let me finish."

He continued, "I genuinely respect and am grateful to you, not because you are a leader, but because your words on the phone saved me from despair. From that moment, I have regarded you as a big sister who guides me out of confusion, a good sister who truly cares about my progress and growth. I can't tolerate Fang Wenda bullying you, and I don't want to see you always sad. I hope to see you smile more."

At this point, Chu Tianshu choked up and couldn't continue, his eyes shining with tears.