Chapter 27

A woman, no matter how cold her exterior may be, harbors a soft maternal love deep within her heart.

Chu Tianshu spoke with great sincerity, and Jian Ruoming couldn't help but be moved.

These heartfelt words deeply touched the proud Jian Ruoming. She looked at Chu Tianshu with a gentle gaze and said softly, "I'm sorry, Xiao Chu, I misunderstood you."

Chu Tianshu lowered his head and said softly, "Sister Ming, I was too impulsive."

Not only did Jian Ruoming no longer resent being called "Sister Ming," but she even felt a hint of warmth. She shook her head and said, "No, you were not only impulsive but also dishonest. From the moment you entered, you were very dishonest."

Chu Tianshu smiled, "Sister Ming, this isn't my fault. If I have to blame anyone, it can only be your beauty."

Jian Ruoming dismissed it with a wave of her hand, "You can use such words to deceive Liu Chunna, but they have no effect on me because I've heard them too many times."

Chu Tianshu argued, "But this is the first time I've said it to you."

However, Jian Ruoming still didn't appreciate it.

Jian Ruoming said seriously, "I remind you, in the political arena, you may not be able to be a true gentleman, but you must act like one. Do you understand?"

"Sister Ming, I understand," Chu Tianshu said with a playful smile, "But if I remain indifferent to a beautiful woman in private, wouldn't that make me less of a man?"

Jian Ruoming laughed, "Hmph, here we go again. I've told you, I don't buy into this."

Chu Tianshu said earnestly, "Sister Ming, you can doubt my motives for praising you, but you should respect my right to speak the truth."

"Hehe, I have to admit, you have a silver tongue," Jian Ruoming smiled brightly again.

However, the smile quickly faded, and Jian Ruoming said seriously, "Tianshu, you should be aware that I've only been transferred here recently and am just a low-ranking deputy director. I can't stop you from going to the countryside. I'm powerless in this matter."

"No, Sister Ming, I won't be so selfish," Chu Tianshu also put on a serious face, "Since I consider you my sister, I won't let my personal interests affect your political future."

"I didn't expect you to have such high moral standards!" Jian Ruoming joked, "Chu Tianshu, then you should quickly pack your things and prepare to go to the impoverished mountainous areas for a baptism."

"Hehe," Chu Tianshu said with a satisfied smile, "But, I seem to have a bit of luck. On Monday, Tian Keming will volunteer to go to the countryside. The one who needs the baptism is him, not me."

"Is that so?" Jian Ruoming looked at Chu Tianshu with a half-smile, mimicking Tian Keming's tone, "Chu Tianshu, are you brainless or heartless? How can you have such delusions?"

It seemed that once a woman relaxed, her sense of humor also increased.

Chu Tianshu laughed, feeling very happy to finally see the real and lovable side of Jian Ruoming hidden behind her cold exterior.

"Yes, I don't believe Tian Keming would have such self-sacrificing spirit," Chu Tianshu teased.

"Perhaps Director Guan is trying to cultivate Tian Keming and is sending him down to build political capital?" But before she finished speaking, Jian Ruoming began to shake her head, "Impossible! The SASAC can add a new leader, but I don't see any signs of Director Guan having such intentions. Even if they do, it wouldn't wait until a year later. Such a cunning person like Tian Keming wouldn't miss this, right?"

"Sister Ming, how would I know about such high-level secrets?" Chu Tianshu took out his phone and said with a serious face, "This is a private agreement I reached with Tian Keming before I came here."

Jian Ruoming laughed, "Ha, Chu Tianshu, you're not just dishonest, but extremely dishonest. Even when you make up lies, you make them sound true."

Chu Tianshu chuckled and said mysteriously, "Sister Ming, if you promise not to scold me, I can show you a video."

Jian Ruoming smiled, "It's just a video, right? Why would I scold you?"

Chu Tianshu pressed a few buttons, and Jian Ruoming, whose curiosity was piqued, leaned over to look.

The video first showed Tian Keming's bald head.

Jian Ruoming wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Then, the conversation between Tian Keming and Zheng Xiaomin appeared.

When she heard Tian Keming's threats and inducements to Zheng Xiaomin, Jian Ruoming, who usually paid great attention to her image, couldn't help but curse, "This bald head is simply despicable."

Finally, the video showed Tian Keming tearing off Zheng Xiaomin's underwear...

"Stop! Stop!" Jian Ruoming blushed.

In fact, the video Chu Tianshu recorded ended there.

But Jian Ruoming didn't know and thought there were even more scandalous scenes, so she quickly turned her head and asked Chu Tianshu to stop the video.

Jian Ruoming's heart rate gradually slowed down, and she began to understand Chu Tianshu's intentions.

A single man and a single woman watching such a stimulating video in the same room was a bit... stimulating.

Jian Ruoming stood up, walked to the door, and opened it. She bent slightly, made a gesture of invitation, and said elegantly, "Comrade Chu Tianshu, you can leave now."

Chu Tianshu exclaimed, "No way, Sister Ming, letting me leave like this would damage the image of a civil servant."

Jian Ruoming forgot that Chu Tianshu was wearing a set of ill-fitting and unattractive pajamas. She glanced at Chu Tianshu and said casually, "What's the problem? It's not like 'civil servant' is written on your forehead."

"Alright, I'll leave," Chu Tianshu made a move to step out.

Jian Ruoming couldn't hold back and shouted, "Wait, change your clothes first."

Chu Tianshu made a face and rushed into the bathroom, put on his T-shirt and long pants, and put the pajamas in a paper bag. He walked to the door to change his shoes.

"Wait," Jian Ruoming grabbed the bouquet of roses from the dining table and said, "Please, take this bouquet down and throw it in the trash."

Chu Tianshu said, "The flowers are innocent."

Jian Ruoming said, "No, flowers tainted by dirty hands will also emit a foul smell."

Chu Tianshu took the flowers and asked, "Should I return the pajamas to you?"

"No, just throw them in the trash as well."

"No, I'll keep them, because the ones given by fragrant hands will surely still have a lingering fragrance."

Jian Ruoming smiled lightly, extended her hand, and said, "As you wish, please."

Watching Chu Tianshu's departing figure from the balcony, Jian Ruoming's eyes were slightly moist.

At the same time, Chu Tianshu, who had left the "Tianyi Community," was still savoring Jian Ruoming's calm and composed eyes, her mature and charming demeanor, and her captivating smile, feeling a surge of excitement and excitement.

Chu Tianshu ate a bowl of noodles at a street food stall and, with a tired body, returned to his rented apartment. He didn't even take off his shoes and lay down on the bed.

Only when he relaxed did he realize how exhausted he was.

Recalling the events of the past two days, Chu Tianshu couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Chu Tianshu rented a room in the old dormitory area of the Qingyuan City Instrument Factory, a small courtyard with two rows of simple three-story buildings, similar to a long corridor building, where a floor shared a kitchen, toilet, and washroom. The residents were mostly young workers at the bottom of the instrument factory.

The male landlord was named Zhang Wei, and the female landlord was named Tan Yufen. Both were the children of instrument factory workers and later became employees of the factory.

During the early stages of the reform and opening up, the instrument factory had a period of glory, building these two rows of simple dormitories. Zhang Wei and his wife, with the advantage of being dual employees, managed to secure two rooms. Unfortunately, like many state-owned enterprises, the instrument factory mysteriously suffered huge losses and the couple were laid off overnight.

The couple had a little girl who was a bit over five years old. Seeing that they couldn't live off their savings, they rented a storefront on the street to sell hardware and plumbing supplies. Zhang Wei, with his skills as a former machine repairman, also helped customers fix pipes and replace parts, earning a bit of hard-earned money.

The hardware store only made a small profit, and the family of three lived a tight and frugal life.

The couple placed all their hopes on their daughter, Zhang Yingying. Although Tan Yufen had time to take care of the child, they still gritted their teeth and sent her to kindergarten to learn dance, painting, and foreign languages, sparing no expense to ensure she didn't fall behind at the starting line.

Since Zhang Wei had to be at the store almost 24 hours a day, only coming home to eat and mostly sleeping at the store, Tan Yufen felt it was a waste to occupy two rooms. She therefore rented out one room to supplement their income.

Chu Tianshu got along well with Zhang Wei and his wife and their adorable daughter, and they had developed a bond. Therefore, despite the simple conditions of the dormitory area, Chu Tianshu had lived there for two years.

After sleeping for an unknown amount of time, he woke up at noon the next day.

Returning from the washroom, Zhang Wei called out in the courtyard, "Xiao Chu, why are you so late today? Come over and eat something."

Zhang Wei, wearing a tank top and shorts, was sitting at a small table under a tree, sipping porridge leisurely, shaking his head and blowing, looking very relaxed.

"Oh, Brother Wei, why haven't you gone to the store today?" Chu Tianshu responded and asked casually.

Zhang Wei looked at Tan Yufen, who was busy in the kitchen, wearing an apron.

Tan Yufen blushed.

Chu Tianshu understood somewhat. Zhang Wei, who had been guarding the hardware store for a long time, came back once a week to spend the night with Tan Yufen.

Zhang Wei, in his early thirties, had served in the armed police for a few years and was strong and robust, in the prime of his life.

Tan Yufen was delicate and graceful, not looking like the mother of a five-year-old. Her chest was still firm and full, her face round, her legs long, and her skin white and smooth.

When Chu Tianshu first met her, he had guessed her age wrong, thinking she was about his age.