Chapter 83

Cheng Jemin stayed in Tianyuan City for three more days, not a moment of which he spent idly. During these three days, he visited Wu Daguang's home and finalized the investment of ten thousand yuan to join Sun Chengping's supermarket. He then had a meal with Feng Changhai, driver Xiao Hu, and others.

This pre-New Year's visit was quite successful for Cheng Jemin. Not only did he maintain his relationship with Li Zhonghua, but through Chengping Supermarket, he also strengthened his ties with Tang Zhengshan and Wu Daguang.

The only thing that made Cheng Jemin uncomfortable was his relationship with Gu Xixi. Although they talked on the phone frequently, the days of spending every moment together like when Gu Xixi first returned were now impossible.

Zuo Xinlan kept a tight watch on her daughter. If Gu Xixi came home a little late, the phone would ring incessantly, causing Gu Xixi to develop a natural fear of the new pager. When she was with Cheng Jemin, she was distracted and their time together was rushed.

Washing his face with cold water, Cheng Jemin took a lingering look around the room and began to pack his things.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The light knocking on the door raised a glimmer of hope in Cheng Jemin's heart. When he opened the door, he saw Gu Xixi standing outside, drenched in sweat.

It seemed that this girl had sneaked out to see him! Cheng Jemin felt his heart burning, as if his entire abdomen was on fire. His mouth was dry, and his throat burned. "Xixi! You finally came!" He pulled his beloved girl into the room, kicked the door shut, and kissed her hair passionately, like a young boy in the throes of first love.

Gu Xixi responded enthusiastically, and for a moment, the small dormitory was filled with springtime warmth.

When Cheng Jemin's hand reached under Gu Xixi's waist, ready to explore further, she stopped him. Her eyes, filled with desire, moved close to Cheng Jemin's ear, and she said shyly, "That... that I'm here!"

Cheng Jemin was taken aback for a moment, then he understood. He looked at Gu Xixi with annoyance, silently blaming Zuo Xinlan for keeping her so tightly that they had wasted a good opportunity.

Gu Xixi gave him a playful glare and pinched him hard. "You bad guy, do you really miss me or do you just want something else?"

Seeing Gu Xixi pouting in anger, Cheng Jemin quickly said, "I miss you, and I want that, but of course, I only want it with you!"

Listening to Cheng Jemin's incoherent explanation, Gu Xixi smiled happily. She punched him playfully and said, "You have a heart. This trip wasn't in vain. When you go back, will you only return after the Spring Festival?"

"Yes, it's already the 20th of the 12th lunar month. After I handle some things in the village, I'll go back to my hometown for the New Year. The next time I come, it will be after the Lantern Festival!" Cheng Jemin said, kissing Xixi affectionately. "I can't bear to leave you!"

Gu Xixi suddenly threw herself into Cheng Jemin's arms, her slender arms tightly hugging him. Feeling the sweet scent from Gu Xixi's body, Cheng Jemin felt as if he were drunk.

As Cheng Jemin was lost in Gu Xixi's tenderness, he suddenly felt his belt loosen. A cold little hand gently touched his heated skin.

"Jemin, I want you to always remember me when you do bad things!" Gu Xixi said, lowering her head gently...

After the clouds cleared and the mist dissipated, Cheng Jemin looked at Gu Xixi, who was lying in his arms with a rosy face, feeling an overwhelming sense of tenderness. His mind was filled with one thought: he would never let this beloved woman be hurt, and he would make her proud and live a glorious life with him.

Sweet moments are always short. As Cheng Jemin and Gu Xixi were talking, a light knock on the door suddenly sounded. With the knock, a voice from outside said, "Director Cheng, it's Xiao Hu. Are you up yet?"

Cheng Jemin and Gu Xixi quickly tidied up and opened the door. Xiao Hu stood outside with a smile. Seeing Cheng Jemin and Gu Xixi, he hesitated for a moment, then acted as if he hadn't seen anything. "Brother Cheng, you can start packing. I'll wait for you downstairs."

Xiao Hu was really observant, Cheng Jemin thought. However, he said, "Xiao Hu, what's the matter? Come in and talk."

"Brother Cheng, there's nothing much to do at the office today. I told Director Feng, and I'm here to take you to the county." Xiao Hu said, then went downstairs. "Brother Cheng, I'll wait for you downstairs."

Watching Xiao Hu go downstairs, Cheng Jemin remembered that Feng Changhai and others had suggested Xiao Hu take him last time they drank, but he had refused. He didn't expect Xiao Hu to remember.

There weren't many cars at the Water Resources Bureau, especially during the New Year. For Xiao Hu to come and take him now showed that he and Feng Changhai were sincere.

This situation reminded Cheng Jemin of an entry in his diary. When he got married, he wanted to borrow a car from the bureau to pick up his family. At the time, cars weren't in short supply, but he couldn't borrow one.

"Director Cheng, are you happy to have a car to take you?" Gu Xixi asked, leaning close to Cheng Jemin with a mischievous smile.

Cheng Jemin pinched Gu Xixi's little nose and said with a smile, "Would you be happy if I went alone?"

Gu Xixi gave him a displeased look and said nothing. Cheng Jemin immediately realized he had said too much. She had even done that for him to comfort him, and he shouldn't have said that.

"Xixi, my little treasure, I know you're doing this for me. Taking a car is convenient, but it's a bit too much and too showy. However, I can't let Xiao Hu's kindness go to waste. I'll let him take me to the station."

Gu Xixi nodded and said, "You're being sensible. Although you're doing well at the Water Resources Bureau, many eyes are on you. Be cautious, okay?"

Cheng Jemin naturally understood this. In this society, people instinctively sympathize with the weak. If someone of a lower rank gets better treatment than you, can you remain indifferent? That would be a saint! People are often jealous not of strangers' success but of the success of those around them. Even a small favor can make people envious and unbalanced.

Although Xiao Hu was in the car, he kept an eye on the dormitory building. When he saw the two of them come down, he quickly got out to open the car door for Cheng Jemin.

"Xixi, I'm leaving!" Cheng Jemin felt his throat tighten as he saw Gu Xixi watching him get into the car.

Gu Xixi's eyes reddened, and she choked up, chasing after him and opening the car door. "Can I take you to the station?"

Xiao Hu smiled and said, "Brother Cheng, why don't you let Sister come along to Yibian? I'll make sure she gets back safely."

"Brother, the bureau needs cars for the New Year. Don't make it difficult for Director Feng. Just take me to the station," Cheng Jemin said, not allowing Xiao Hu to object. "When I come back, we'll have a good drink. You don't have to drive, and we'll drink to our heart's content, okay?"

Seeing Cheng Jemin's insistence, Xiao Hu respected him even more. Over the years, he had seen many people, and most of the middle-level officials at the bureau always complained about the short time they had a car. But Cheng Jemin, at such a young age, could handle this well, not overstepping or being showy. Such a person would surely achieve great things in the future.

"Alright, but Brother Cheng, when you come back, you must call me to pick you up!"

Xiao Hu seemed to be giving Cheng Jemin and Gu Xixi more time together, driving very slowly. It took him over half an hour to get from the Water Resources Bureau to the station.

When Cheng Jemin got into the car, Xiao Hu quickly opened the trunk and loaded a few boxes into the car. "Brother Cheng, these are the New Year's gifts from the bureau. Director Feng had them prepared for you in advance."

Cheng Jemin watched the black Santana slowly disappear, feeling a lump in his throat. The next time he came to this city would be next year!

The bus left half an hour later. Since it was close to the New Year, many people were returning to Tianyuan City. The bus was soon full. Next to Cheng Jemin sat a burly man who closed his eyes and started snoring as soon as he got on.

Hearing the snoring, Cheng Jemin thought of Dou Qing. If she were sitting next to him, it would be a hundred times better than this burly man who had just let out a foul fart.

Thinking of Dou Qing, Cheng Jemin felt a glimmer of hope. He quickly suppressed it and warned himself, "Xixi is so good to you; you mustn't betray her."

Until the bus left, Cheng Jemin didn't see Dou Qing. He thought she probably wouldn't return to the county before the New Year.

In the snoring of the man next to him, Cheng Jemin felt drowsy. Just as he was about to fall asleep, his pager beeped. He opened it and saw the message: "Jemin, our gathering is tonight at Room 209 of the County Reception House. You must arrive before six. Li Jinhu."

Cheng Jemin thought Li Jinhu had chosen a good time. If it were a day earlier, he probably wouldn't have been able to make it.

He then remembered his conversation with Dou Qing about the gathering. Since she had clearly said she wouldn't attend, it seemed the gathering would be for the nine of them.

Thinking about the evening gathering, Cheng Jemin dozed off.

PS: Next week is the ranking push. I need everyone's help to boost the numbers. Thanks a lot!

---

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends