Chapter 82

San'er was just thinking about Xinghua. When he left Xinghua, her gaze left an indelible impression on him. He couldn't quite figure out what her gaze meant, but whenever he thought of it, he felt lost and restless.

"San'er, want to go out for a walk?" A young man in his twenties grinned mischievously.

San'er scratched his head and said, "Brother, I don't do that kind of foolish thing. That woman isn't very attractive. You won't last long inside, and you'll lose all your hard-earned money in a few days! Besides, I don't feel comfortable going out with money to have fun!"

Most of the young people in the village had gone out to work. The village was like an old, feeble gatekeeper, desolate and poor. They harbored dreams of getting rich and worked hard in the city from spring to autumn. When they couldn't bear it anymore, they would go to the outskirts of the city, spend the pocket money they earned from the foreman in small taverns, and exhaust their strength. After eating and drinking to their heart's content, their wallets would be empty, and they would be penniless again, with weak and exhausted bodies.

San'er had his own principles. He wouldn't do such a losing business. Whenever he thought of Xinghua's sorrowful yet affectionate gaze, a strange heat would rise in some corner of his body. When I get back home, I'll make her as tender and smooth as fresh tofu!

For San'er, who worked away from home, the beautiful Xinghua was a bond and a thought. Whenever he thought of her, the sweat and委屈 he endured would be like seeds buried in the soil. With the nourishment of love, they would swell, sprout, and break through the soil of hardship and sorrow. By the time the New Year came, they would all bloom into beautiful flowers!

"Brother, Li Xiangzhang is really capable. As soon as he came, not only did he get Er Xiaozi out of trouble, but he also got our wages! Tsk, tsk, even a small official is better than us ordinary people!"

"Heh, you only know one side of it. Li Xiangzhang is only powerful in the township, boasting and talking big for his own satisfaction. When he came to the provincial capital, he was just a coward. Getting Er Xiaozi out and our wages had nothing to do with him!"

"Hmm, really?"

"We got our wages this time all thanks to Cheng Xiangzhang!" The young man boasted proudly. "Li Xiangzhang and Liu Suozhang went to see Boss Jia, but Boss Jia didn't even bother to see them for an hour."

"You know how Boss Jia is. With his money, he thinks he's above everyone else! What could Li Xiangzhang do? He doesn't care! I don't know what Cheng Xiangzhang said to him, but he went upstairs, said a few words, and not only got Er Xiaozi out but also got our wages. He even had that little leopard who drives a Santana personally deliver him to the police station."

"This Cheng Xiangzhang is really capable. What's his background?"

"He's here on a temporary assignment from the provincial government. If we had more capable people like him in our township, it would be great!"

San'er nodded in agreement, "Who could disagree?"

While San'er and the others were discussing Cheng Jemin, Cheng Jemin was drinking with Li Tonghuai and Liu Tairan. Since they had already received their wages and Li's second son's issue was resolved, Li Tonghuai and the others were preparing to leave for the township early the next morning.

Although a large part of it was due to the urgency of returning home for the New Year, it was also true that Li Tonghuai was worried about delays and felt uneasy in this unfamiliar place.

"Cheng Xiangzhang, I'll toast to you again." Li Tonghuai's face was flushed as he sincerely raised his glass to Cheng Jemin.

Cheng Jemin looked at the wine in Li Tonghuai's glass, feeling a bit apprehensive, but he still clinked glasses with him.

After putting down his glass, Li Tonghuai stood up and said, "Cheng Xiangzhang, let's go outside for a smoke."

Cheng Jemin, seeing Li Tonghuai's demeanor, knew he had something to say. He nodded and followed Li Tonghuai outside. The outside of the small shop was brightly lit, and a few children were laughing and throwing small firecrackers on the ground, causing more laughter.

"The big city is really great!" Li Tonghuai sighed. "The last time I came to Tianyuan was seven or eight years ago. In the blink of an eye, Tianyuan has changed so much!"

Cheng Jemin looked at the festive atmosphere of Tianyuan and thought of the dark, empty streets of Kuanyang Township at night. He instinctively remembered a local saying: "Drinking to get drunk, marrying a wife to sleep. Whether a woman is beautiful or ugly, they're all the same without clothes." In the countryside, people had no entertainment at night and would go to bed early to have children.

Cheng Jemin understood that Li Tonghuai's sigh was not just idle talk. He smiled and said, "Xiangzhang, I believe that with economic development, our Kuanyang Township will also become lively like the city!"

In the light, Li Tonghuai looked at Cheng Jemin's young face and felt a surge of enthusiasm. He lit a cigarette for Cheng Jemin and said, "Cheng Xiangzhang, I'm older than you, so I'll take the liberty of calling you brother. You don't mind, right?"

"Xiangzhang, I'm not good with words, but in my heart, I've always considered you a brother!"

"Oh, brother, your words really touch me. We haven't worked together long, but I can see that you're a capable person. I can't compare to you!" Li Tonghuai, not waiting for Cheng Jemin to be modest, waved his hand and said, "Liu Suozhang might have told you about Lu Xiaoyang's attitude towards you. The situation in Kuanyang Township is not in your favor!"

Cheng Jemin nodded.

"Since you have someone backing you and a solid foundation, you need to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Otherwise, the longer it drags on, the more complicated it will become."

The drinking session lasted until ten o'clock at night. Even Cheng Jemin, who could hold his liquor, was a bit tipsy. As for Li Tonghuai's second son, he was already sprawled on the ground. Liu Tairan, though he could still stand, was speaking loudly and insisting on checking out the nightlife of Tianyuan with Zhang Chu, waving his hands and feet.

After sending the group to the guesthouse, Cheng Jemin's mind was preoccupied with what Li Tonghuai had said. From these words, Cheng Jemin could sense that Li Tonghuai's attitude towards him had changed. However, how could he quickly turn around his awkward situation in the township as Li Tonghuai suggested? Cheng Jemin felt frustrated.

What backing did he have? He wasn't part of Li Zhonghua's inner circle. As for Wu Dagang, though they had a good relationship, the likelihood of Wu Dagang intervening in such matters was not high. As for Tang Zhengshan, he was still in the development stage, just a potential asset.

Apart from these three, Cheng Jemin realized he had no one else to rely on! As he walked aimlessly, Cheng Jemin couldn't help but think of the message he received from Gu Xixi that afternoon.

Gu Xixi's early return had been discovered by her mother, who was watching her like a hawk. Although Gu Xixi wanted to see Cheng Jemin, under her mother's pressure, she decided not to meet him for a few days.

"Damn it!" Cheng Jemin cursed loudly, feeling extremely frustrated.

"... From emptiness to possession, from pride to loss, I'm still stubborn. Without dreams, I walk, without mistakes, I don't bow to anyone..."

A song played from a store's speaker, and Cheng Jemin couldn't help but hum along. Damn it, whoever gets in my way, I'll kick them out!

This was the only thing Cheng Jemin could remember from his journey from the hotel to his home.

The next morning, he woke up in the warm winter sun, but there was no tender body in the bed with him. Although he felt a deep sense of regret, Cheng Jemin quickly got dressed, washed his face with cold water, and carried a black plastic bag with a few mountain chickens and wild rabbits to Li Zhonghua's house.

When he knocked on the door, Li Zhonghua was sitting at home watching TV. As the head of the department, Li Zhonghua had the privilege of not having to arrive on time, and Cheng Jemin had arranged to visit him in advance.

"Oh, it's Xiao Cheng. When did you get back?" Li Zhonghua greeted Cheng Jemin warmly and invited him to sit down.

Cheng Jemin put down the items he was carrying and said, "Director Li, I got back yesterday. I brought you some local specialties. Please try them."

Li Zhonghua nodded and casually asked, "How's your work there?"

"Everything is fine." Cheng Jemin had thought about what to say to Li Zhonghua. He had considered confiding in Li Zhonghua about the unfair treatment he had endured, but his rational side told him that Li Zhonghua was not like Chen Bingshan, and their relationship was not that close.

Talking to Li Zhonghua about his troubles would be of no use and might even have negative effects. In the political arena, no one likes a person who constantly complains. A newly connected leader wouldn't care much about his problems. In such a situation, his predicament would not only be unhelpful but also harmful, indicating a lack of personal ability.

Ultimately, he had to solve his own problems.

Next, Cheng Jemin talked about some matters in Kuanyang Township. Li Zhonghua listened calmly, nodding occasionally and encouraging Cheng Jemin to work hard in Kuanyang Township. He said that if Cheng Jemin had any difficulties, he could come to the department for help.

After talking for about ten minutes, Cheng Jemin tactfully took his leave. As he left, Li Zhonghua smiled and said, "Jemin, when you come back to the department, come to my office more often. By the way, if you have any good ideas about the river dredging project, feel free to call me. Young people have fresh ideas and agile minds, and I'm always willing to listen to your thoughts."

Leaving Li Zhonghua's house, Cheng Jemin tightly clenched his hand. Although the meeting was ordinary, Cheng Jemin felt that he had quietly entered Li Zhonghua's inner circle through this action!

PS: I'm a bit late in the morning and will update earlier in the evening as an apology. I hope for your clicks, recommendations, and support! Next week, I'll be pushing for the top of the charts, and I hope for your strong support to boost the numbers! Let's make the indomitable Quan Xiong rise!