Chapter 72

After seeing Liu Tairan, who was drunk and dazed, off, Cheng Jemin returned to his room. This desk was clearly quite old, with a surface polished to a shine. The water on the stove hissed, and the room was filled with a warm atmosphere, but Cheng Jemin's heart felt as if it were being hit by a hailstorm, cold and painful.

Although he couldn't see it, Cheng Jemin knew that an invisible net was now being cast over him. On one end of the net was Lu Xiaoyang, but who was on the other end? And who was supporting the middle of the net?

After filtering out those who hoped he would never return to the provincial capital, the first person who came to Cheng Jemin's mind was Zhao Huazhong. However, he quickly dismissed this thought. Although Zhao Huazhong didn't like him, he wouldn't go to such lengths.

If not Zhao Huazhong, then it had to be them!

This "them" made Cheng Jemin's heart feel sour. He really didn't want to think about them, but all the evidence pointed to them. Love couldn't be erased or easily suppressed. In Cheng Jemin's view, Gu Xixi was already his woman. This deep love had been etched into his bones and marrow. Just thinking about them made his heart ache. But only they had the power!

In the instant that Cheng Jemin's heart turned cold, it began to heat up again. You want to keep me here, but I'll show you that I, Cheng Jemin, won't stay. I will return to the provincial capital with dignity and marry Gu Xixi with pride!

The next morning, Cheng Jemin went to the canteen early for breakfast. The chef, seeing Cheng Jemin, greeted him as usual, "Good morning, Deputy Township Chief Cheng!"

"Chef Liu, what delicious food have you prepared today?" Cheng Jemin asked with a smile.

Chef Liu, whose head was prematurely bald, but whose plump figure still reflected the richness of the township government canteen, rubbed his fat hands and said, "Deputy Township Chief Cheng, we have noodles with braised pork belly today."

"Great, I'll give it a try." Cheng Jemin walked into the canteen with a smile.

As Cheng Jemin entered the canteen, a doubt rose in Chef Liu's mind. He felt that this Deputy Township Chief Cheng was not only young but also different in some way, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

The breakfast was as Chef Liu had described, and the fragrant braised noodles made Cheng Jemin's appetite soar. He sat there, eating noodles and chatting with the officials in the canteen, enjoying a flavorful meal.

After finishing his meal, Cheng Jemin went to Lu Xiaoyang's office. Lu Xiaoyang, seeing Cheng Jemin enter, stood up with a friendly smile and said, "Deputy Township Chief Cheng, have you eaten?"

"Secretary Lu, I've already eaten," Cheng Jemin replied with a bright smile.

"Good, the canteen food can fill you up, but it's not very tasty. If you don't like it, just tell Old Liu, and he can cook something special for you. I've already arranged it," Lu Xiaoyang said with a continued smile, showing concern.

Cheng Jemin now fully understood Lu Xiaoyang's intentions. Despite his deep animosity towards this township party secretary who acted friendly but harbored ill intentions, he still smiled and thanked him for his concern.

After a few more casual words, Cheng Jemin took the opportunity to propose returning to the provincial capital to handle some matters. Lu Xiaoyang didn't make it difficult for him and agreed readily.

Since it was the start of the workday, some of the township leaders came to report to Lu Xiaoyang. Cheng Jemin greeted them with a smile and then left.

Back in his room, Cheng Jemin carefully considered the people who had come to report. He thought that Lu Xiaoyang was indeed capable. If he didn't make him sit on the sidelines, they could work together well. But since Lu Xiaoyang had chosen to be his enemy, he had no choice.

No matter who you are, if you stand in my way and insist on being a stumbling block, I won't have the patience to stop and warm you up. My only option is to kick you away!

In the morning, Cheng Jemin visited Liu Tairan again, asking him to help collect some local specialties. The entire township was immersed in the festive atmosphere of the New Year, so even if Cheng Jemin planned to take action, he would have to wait until after the New Year. Therefore, he designed his pre-New Year activities to strengthen existing relationships.

Last night, Cheng Jemin tossed and turned, thinking a lot. He felt that to resist the large web woven by the Gu family, he needed to weave his own web. Although he didn't know many people yet, he already felt the importance of relationships.

Relationships are built through effort.

Liu Tairan had worked in Kuanyang Township for many years and had recently become the deputy chief of the township police station, making him a person of real power. He was grateful to Cheng Jemin and worked very efficiently, delivering dozens of dried wild chickens and rabbits to him in just one day.

When Cheng Jemin tried to pay, Liu Tairan firmly refused, saying, "Brother, if you consider me a brother, don't mention money. If you insist on paying, it means you look down on me!"

Seeing Liu Tairan's determination, Cheng Jemin eventually put the money back. Well, owing a favor could strengthen interpersonal relationships, so why be so particular?

The next morning, Cheng Jemin took the bus from Kuanyang Township to the county town. The bus creaked and groaned as it headed to the county. Liu Tairan had originally wanted to send him on the police station's sidecar motorcycle, but Cheng Jemin, considering the cold, declined.

The bus from the township to the county was severely overcrowded and had a variety of odors. Cheng Jemin regretted refusing Liu Tairan's offer. Although he had often taken such buses when he was a student, he now found it unbearable.

Not to mention the few men in the front row who were smoking cheap cigarettes and chatting, spitting as they spoke, or the guy in the back who seemed to have eaten too many sweet potatoes and kept passing gas, the bus was also packed with all sorts of items.

Just endure it for a while!

Just as Cheng Jemin, struggling to breathe, was about to close his eyes to rest, a quarrel broke out in the bus: "Cao, are you looking for a beating? What's wrong with us being surnamed Luo? I'll beat you with one hand!"

"Lu Xiaohu, keep talking! Your surnamed Luo are tough, but last time, eight of us beat up a dozen of you!" the man being insulted retorted.

In the midst of the noisy voices, Cheng Jemin opened his eyes and saw a young man in his twenties and a middle-aged man in his thirties arguing. They were ready to fight, but were held back by other passengers.

Finally, the driver shouted a few times and said a few words to calm the situation. Although the conflict was resolved, the atmosphere in the bus became tense.

"Damn, if this continues, something serious will happen!" Cheng Jemin's seatmate muttered.

Cheng Jemin offered him a cigarette and quietly asked, "I saw those two were fine just now, why did they suddenly start fighting?"

The man glanced at Cheng Jemin, waved his hand guardedly, and shook his head without speaking. Cheng Jemin, realizing the man's concern, smiled helplessly and gave up.

"The matter of Xihexi, even the Heavenly King can't handle it!" the man muttered again as Cheng Jemin closed his eyes.

The distance from Kuanyang Township to the county town was only about twenty miles, but the bumpy farm road made the journey last an hour. Cheng Jemin, carrying his large bag, got off the bus and couldn't help but sigh.

The county town was bustling with the approach of the Spring Festival, with all kinds of snacks and vendors calling out, creating a festive atmosphere.

Cheng Jemin carefully avoided a muddy spot and found the bus to Tianyuan City at the bus station. Before coming to the county, he had learned that there was only one bus to Tianyuan City, which ran every two days.

Although there was only one bus, when Cheng Jemin boarded, there were only a few people on it. He put his large bag in a corner and sat down in an empty seat.

"Screech."

The sharp braking sound startled Cheng Jemin, who was taking a book out of his bag. Looking out the window, he saw a dark green jeep parked in front of the bus.

"Damn, that little jeep is so arrogant!" someone in the bus cursed.

Cheng Jemin, seeing the jeep, which was almost obsolete in Tianyuan City but still widely used in the county, was about to look away when the car door slowly opened, and Dou Qing, with a plain face, stepped out.

A young man in his twenties, who looked shrewd, was holding a bag and said loudly, "Deputy Township Chief Dou, our Secretary Wang said he must send you to the provincial capital. If you send me back like this, I can't report to the secretary!"

Dou Qing, with a cold expression, got into the bus and said, "Thank Secretary Wang for me. Tianyuan City is far, so it's not necessary to trouble you."

The young man was about to say more, but Dou Qing had already gotten on the bus. He put Dou Qing's things on the bus and said to the driver, "Old Liu, this is Deputy Township Chief Dou from our township. Take good care of her. If anything happens, you won't have to run this route anymore."

The driver, who knew the young man, quickly offered a cigarette and said, "Brother Chen, don't worry. I'll safely deliver the leader to you."

The young man nodded in satisfaction.

Seeing Dou Qing's graceful figure, Cheng Jemin felt a sense of admiration. Hesitating for a moment, he waved to her, "Dou Qing, what a coincidence."

Dou Qing was looking for a seat, and most of the seats in the double row were already taken. Frowning, she saw Cheng Jemin, hesitated for a moment, and then sat next to him.

Cheng Jemin felt a refreshing fragrance suddenly envelop him. His nose, which had been uncomfortable, instantly cleared up.

PS: Wishing all my brothers a happy Lantern Festival! Don't forget to vote!