Chapter 85

The sound of knocking on the door echoed, and a young man in his twenties, looking very spirited and wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses, pushed the door open and entered. Seeing everyone in the room, he smiled and said, "Leaders, I'm Xiao Li from Tongzhai Township. Township Chief Xu has run into an acquaintance and will be here shortly."

As Xiao Li spoke, he put down the box of wine he was carrying and quietly left the room.

Jiang Hantao, watching Xiao Li leave, sighed and said, "Old Xu is doing well. Look, he just arrived in the township and already has a secretary."

"Old Jiang, if you want a secretary, you can definitely suggest it to your township! By the way, it would be best to get a female secretary, so you can balance work and life!" Huo Yuanguo chuckled and teased him.

Before Jiang Hantao could respond, the others chimed in, "Old Hu's idea is great! This way, in three years, Brother Jiang can return to the provincial city with a chubby baby! That would be quite a fruitful three years for Brother Jiang!"

Everyone burst into laughter. Jiang Hantao also laughed and said, "Don't make fun of me. I'll tell you, there's a joke in my township: the township officials are busy with poverty alleviation, eating up all the village relief grain. Standing at the village entrance, every village has a mother-in-law. The sky is the roof, the ground is the bed, and every year a new little township official is born. I wouldn't mind taking one back, but I have a condition: she must be at least as beautiful as a beauty!"

"You're up to no good!" Huo Yuanguo laughed loudly. "Your ambitions are clear to everyone!"

Amidst the laughter, the door was pushed open again, and a man in a white suit walked in, smiling as he said, "Brothers, I ran into a friend, so I'm a bit late!"

As he entered, Jiang Hantao and Huo Yuanguo, among others, stood up to greet him. Huo Yuanguo looked at the man's well-tailored suit and said with a smile, "Brother, that suit is really nice!"

"My mother bought it for me. The county leaders went to the provincial city yesterday and brought it back for me," the man said casually, but a hint of pride was evident in his tone.

Cheng Jie, who only knew that the man was named Xu Lan and had come from the provincial Youth League Committee, also knew that the Xiao Li who had brought the wine had come with him.

"Brother Xu, we were just talking about secretaries. Jiang Hantao is very envious of you and hopes to get a female secretary, preferably one as beautiful as a beauty!" Huo Yuanguo said with a grin after Xu Lan sat down.

Xu Lan glanced at Jiang Hantao and said with a mischievous smile, "Brother Jiang, even dreams need to be timed right!"

His words caused another round of laughter. However, Cheng Jie noticed that Jiang Hantao's smile seemed a bit forced.

Faced with the jovial Xu Lan, Cheng Jie felt a bit disappointed but remained calm. Fortunately, everyone was eager to make connections, so the atmosphere was quite pleasant.

After twenty minutes, Xu Lan, who had become the center of attention, shook his white suit and said, "When will Jinhu and the beauty arrive?"

"They should be here soon," Huo Yuanguo said. As soon as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open.

Li Jinhu, looking excited, shouted, "Leaders, comrades, I, Li Jinhu, have not let you down. I have finally brought our beauty here! Everyone, give her a round of applause!"

As Cheng Jie clapped, he looked at Dou Qing, who stood beside Li Jinhu. Her face was calm, showing no sign of joy.

Most of the people present, except for Cheng Jie and three or four others who were unmarried, were quite enthusiastic about Dou Qing. Xu Lan, in particular, quickly approached her and said, "Dou Qing, Jinhu told me you weren't coming, and I was upset. We all being here is a matter of fate. How could this gathering be complete without you? If you didn't come, what would be the point of gathering? Old Li is like that; if you don't push him, he won't get anything done!"

Dou Qing nodded and found a place to sit, seemingly indifferent. Cheng Jie felt a bit unfair for Li Jinhu, thinking that he had gone to great lengths to bring Dou Qing, but Xu Lan had taken the credit.

Instinctively, Cheng Jie looked at Li Jinhu and saw him smiling without any concern.

Li Jinhu should have been angry, but he kept a low profile and remained calm and friendly. This was his skill. He was not only adept at socializing but also had a broad mind, showing rare grace and etiquette.

With everyone present, they started eating. After some pushing and shoving, Xu Lan sat at the head of the table, with Dou Qing and Li Jinhu on either side. Cheng Jie and Jiang Hantao sat at the end of the table.

"I propose a toast to our gathering in Cangliu County!" Xu Lan raised his glass with enthusiasm and laughed.

"To our gathering!" Everyone was in high spirits and raised their glasses.

After the first toast, the conversation began. As they were all agricultural support officials, they mostly talked about their experiences in Cangliu County. Xu Lan started with a complaint, saying he liked to make friends based on their status, judge people by their character, and choose places to eat. The houses in the township were like rat holes, and there were no entertainment activities, making it feel like the northern wilderness!

His words resonated with many, and some even complained about the wild drinking customs in the township, saying it was more like forcing people to drink like donkeys!

Cheng Jie, a thoughtful listener, felt a bit stifled despite the lively conversation. Although everyone was complaining, it was clear from their words that they were doing well in the township, except for himself.

There was nothing to say, so Cheng Jie just smiled and listened, reminding himself: this small group is also a circle, and I must not fall behind!

As he was deep in thought, he suddenly felt a gaze on him. He looked up and saw her apparently focused on the dish in front of her.

He had only sat next to Dou Qing twice. Why would she care about him?

Thinking this, Cheng Jie felt a bit self-deprecating. Just then, he saw Li Jinhu finish a toast with someone and raise his glass, saying, "Jinhu, let's have a toast!"

In fact, Cheng Jie's sixth sense was right. Dou Qing was indeed looking at him. She had not wanted to come to the gathering, but when Li Jinhu said, "It's such a pity that we're ten and you're missing," she changed her mind and came involuntarily.

On the way, although Li Jinhu occasionally spoke to Dou Qing, she gave only perfunctory responses. Her mind was preoccupied with one question: was she coming to the gathering because of him?

Thinking of the handsome, tall man, Dou Qing remembered the two times she had felt carsick next to him. On the way back to the provincial city, a kind older woman had given Cheng Jie an apple and criticized him for not being good to his wife.

As a naturally beautiful person, Dou Qing had heard many comments about her, which she had become accustomed to. But the words of that older woman lingered in her heart, quietly warming her. Could it be possible?

When she arrived at the county guesthouse and saw him sitting there with a smile, Dou Qing felt a sense of relief: he had come!

Although she seemed to be the center of attention, with Xu Lan and Jiang Hantao constantly talking to her, most of her thoughts were on Cheng Jie.

When everyone was discussing their treatment in the township, he was the only one who smiled and listened without saying much. For some reason, this made Dou Qing feel a bit heartache. She wished she could go over and listen to his thoughts.

Is he not doing well in the township?

Ah, he's looking at me! Dou Qing instinctively avoided his gaze, her heart racing, but she tried to remain calm.

"Knock, knock, knock"

The soft knocking was followed by two people entering. The one in front was a short, stout man who laughed loudly as he entered, "Xiao Xu, you're having a gathering without telling me. I must punish you with a drink!"

Xu Lan quickly stood up and said, "Secretary Ma, it's the New Year. We're just meeting and having some fun. You're so busy, I wouldn't dare disturb you!"

As he spoke, he introduced the man, "Everyone, let me introduce you to Secretary Ma of our county committee, who has come to see us!"

Secretary Ma waved his hand gracefully and said, "No need for formalities. I just came to meet everyone. Ha ha ha!"

Secretary Ma was straightforward and drank heartily, toasting each person. After ten toasts, he still seemed fine, but as he was leaving, he said to Xu Lan, "Xiao Xu, we have a long future ahead. If you need anything, just tell Director Li of the guesthouse. You are treasures of Cangliu County, and I can't let you be mistreated in my jurisdiction, either officially or personally!"

The middle-aged man who followed him quickly smiled and said, "Township Chief Xu, if you need anything, just let me know. I will do my best to serve you."

After seeing Secretary Ma to the door, Xu Lan returned, his nose and eyes crinkled with a satisfied smile. He looked at everyone and said, "Secretary Ma and my father are old friends. He's just too polite."

"Brother Lan, our happy life in the county will depend on you!" Huo Yuanguo raised his glass and said with a grin.

Xu Lan also raised his glass and said, "We're all brothers. Why be so formal?"

Although Xu Lan appeared generous, Cheng Jie noticed the indifference in Dou Qing's expression, which made him feel a bit pleased.

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