Chapter 23

If there was anyone Xu Junran hated to the bone, it would definitely be Huang Zixuan, the one who caused his adoptive father to regret for the rest of his life. The rest, including Guo Tong, Cheng Hongda, and the Wu Liangxin in front of him, were also on the list.

If Guo Tong and Cheng Hongda were hated because they did something that made Xu Junran feel he had to deal with them to live a happy life, then Wu Liangxin was the one Xu Junran hated to the bone! This hatred had been deeply ingrained in Xu Junran's heart since his childhood in his previous life.

After Yan Wangsong left his position as the county party secretary, Yang Weitian became the new county party secretary, and Wu Liangxin transformed from the director of the county party office to the vice-county magistrate.

Just from this perspective, Xu Junran didn't hate him that much.

What truly made Xu Junran resentful was Wu Liangxin's attitude towards his adoptive father.

In his previous life, Xu Junran's adoptive father worked in the Policy Research Office. Wu Liangxin would frequently send him on field research to the most remote areas. Once, he even fell off a mountain path and developed a chronic cough. If Li Dongyuan hadn't regained power in the city and Wu Liangxin been transferred elsewhere, his adoptive father's life would have been even harder. The root cause of all this was that Wu Liangxin's son liked Yuan Xiaoyue, who in turn liked Xu Junran's adoptive father. Moreover, his adoptive father was someone Yan Wangsong had promoted.

Wu Liangxin's narrow-mindedness and his tendency to hold grudges were evident.

"Comrade Xiaoxu, let's go," Wu Liangxin said with a smile to Xu Junran.

Although Xu Junran had seen through this hypocrite's despicable nature, he wouldn't offend him. He wasn't the kind of young man who would act rashly. Planning before taking action was his principle in life.

"Thank you, Director Wu," Xu Junran followed Wu Liangxin out of the office.

Before leaving, he vaguely saw Yuan Xiaoyue looking at him with concern.

Sighing, Xu Junran really didn't know what to do with this former aunt and current colleague. Yesterday, he had already instructed someone to deal with the small thug who tried to molest her in Lijia Town. He also specifically told Long Yinyue that the capital had started a crackdown on public security, and many people who harassed women on the streets had been arrested and severely punished, some even executed.

Xu Junran believed that with the teacher's intelligence, she would understand the implications and would restrain the young people under the Lijia Town commune.

The storm of 1983 was approaching, and Xu Junran didn't want to see bloodshed in Lijia Town.

"Xiaoxu, I heard you gave up a good job in the capital to return to our county. That's truly admirable," Wu Liangxin said with concern as they walked.

Xu Junran followed closely behind Wu Liangxin and replied calmly, "Director Wu, you flatter me. I just hope to use the knowledge I've learned to do something for the people of my hometown."

He didn't dare to be disrespectful. He was still too weak, not even a cadre. Despite the favor of people like Yan Wangsong, he was just a clerk. Wu Liangxin, on the other hand, was a deputy county-level cadre, and it would be easy for him to plot against Xu Junran.

Not just Wu Liangxin, but also Guo Tong and Cheng Hongda could easily deal with him.

Before he had the absolute power to make these people fear him, Xu Junran preferred to keep a low profile and wouldn't act arrogantly just because he was a reborn person.

Arrogance with power is called being awesome!

Arrogance without power is called being stupid!

Glancing at Xu Junran, who was following him cautiously, Wu Liangxin nodded slightly. At this moment, he wasn't as evil as he would become later; he was just somewhat opportunistic. He had a good impression of the young and talented Xu Junran, as there was no conflict of interest between them.

"Work hard. A talented comrade like you has a bright future in our county party committee," Wu Liangxin unexpectedly encouraged Xu Junran.

Xu Junran remained respectful, "Thank you, Director Wu. I will work hard."

Soon, they arrived at Yan Wangsong's office. Wu Liangxin said to Xu Junran, "Secretary Yan said you can go in directly."

He knocked on the door, opened it, and said respectfully, "Secretary Yan, Comrade Xu Junran is here."

From inside, Yan Wangsong's strong voice replied, "Mm, Old Wu, you can go back. Let Xu Junran come in."

Xu Junran stepped in and saw Yan Wangsong sitting behind his desk with a serious expression, as if something significant was about to happen. To put it in a popular phrase, he looked like he was ready for class struggle.

"Secretary Yan, you wanted to see me?" Xu Junran asked straightforwardly, approaching Yan Wangsong.

"Hmph!" Yan Wangsong snorted, looking at Xu Junran. "You young man, do you think that after a few years of university in the capital, you've grown so capable that you can act recklessly in Wude County?"

Xu Junran looked at Yan Wangsong helplessly. The old man was like this; no matter how close someone was, if he was in a bad mood, he would start scolding. But Xu Junran knew that Yan Wangsong was doing this for his own good, fearing that he would be used as a tool or a pawn in political struggles as a newcomer to the county party committee. After all, he had just graduated from university and was still seen as a young, inexperienced person.

Even the people in Lijia Town had a skeptical attitude.

If it weren't for the teacher's approval, the elders in Lijia Town probably wouldn't have easily trusted his rice field fish farming plan.

What they didn't know was that this twenty-year-old body hid a seasoned official in his forties.

"Grandpa Yan, don't get angry. You might hurt yourself, and I won't be able to explain it," Xu Junran said with a smile, getting up to pour a cup of tea for Yan Wangsong.

Yan Wangsong shook his head helplessly, took a sip of tea, and pointed at Xu Junran, "What can I say about you? The Lijia Town and Dawang Village matters, can you just get involved casually? If it weren't for the trust of the old men in Lijia Town, do you think you could have gotten away unscathed?"

Xu Junran smiled and asked, "Grandpa Yan, let me ask you, if the people in Lijia Town had money and didn't worry about food and clothing, would they still fight with Dawang Village over the water channel?"

Yan Wangsong frowned and looked at Xu Junran strangely, "You little rascal, what do you mean?"

Xu Junran smiled mysteriously and said calmly, "Now, I have a way to make money. I wonder if you, Grandpa Yan, are willing to take a risk for the people of Wude County!"

(Thank you, Erbin and Xiaoyao, for your generous donations! Congratulations on becoming patrons! I also thank every brother who has supported me. Your support during the new book period is truly overwhelming. I can only work harder and write more seriously to repay your kindness.

By the way! Duan Dan Mi, I hate you! Chun Niu, and you too! Damn it, you could have donated in one go, but you split it into N times of 99. I'm so tired of counting! Ahhhh!)

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