Chapter 54

When Lu Zheng returned to his office, Hou Jianjun was waiting for him.

Hou Jianjun looked quite restless, apparently having received news of the sudden change in the county's political climate.

"Director Lu, the suspect and the evidence have been handed over to the Discipline Inspection Commission. There are still some follow-up procedures that haven't been completed," Hou Jianjun said, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. Fortunately, he had listened to Director Lu and not hastily concluded the case; otherwise, the trouble would have been significant.

Hou Jianjun now admired Lu Zheng's foresight even more. Perhaps Director Lu had never intended to handle the case in a covert manner, nor to use his influence to resolve it. Instead, if one had lofty aspirations, one would certainly not want to tarnish one's political career at the very beginning with such a stain. Although the benefits seemed obvious, it also meant tying one's fate closely to people like Qiu Dahe. Looking back now, it was clearly unwise.

Director Lu seemed to have foreseen this day long ago. Even if no one had revisited the case, he would have found a way to handle it.

Now that the county's Discipline Inspection Commission had taken over, it was like passing a hot potato to someone else.

Lu Zheng didn't say much, just nodded and said, "Xiao Hu's birthday is tonight. We're having a gathering at my place. Go and get busy."

Hou Jianjun hurriedly took his leave.

...

That evening, Lu Zheng's home was bustling with activity. Deputy Directors Ma Yuewu, Wei Qingxian, He Liansheng, and Hou Jianjun, along with Chengguan Police Station Chief Hong Tao, Gold Coast Border Defense Station Chief Tan Qiang, and Office Director Wang Yuguo, all arrived. Among them, Wang Yuguo, Hou Jianjun, and Hong Tao brought their spouses, making it a family affair.

Lu Zheng bought a cake for Du Xiaohu and led the two little rascals in singing the birthday song. In his previous life, Lu Zheng had never celebrated Du Xiaohu's birthday. Today, as he smiled and watched Du Xiaohu's excited and happy face, his heavy heart, weighed down by Jiang Haiyan, suddenly lifted.

The two little rascals came over, and since Du Xiaohu was particularly attentive to his two younger brothers, Wei Xiangxiu couldn't help but join the celebration.

The dinner was lively, and Lu Zheng also discussed the county bureau's work. Jiang Haiyan had brought unprecedented pressure, and Lu Zheng was determined to strengthen his base to remain steady amidst the changes.

After dinner, everyone chatted in the living room. Lu Zheng had prepared a small gift for each of the women present, which he handed to their husbands to pass on. For those whose spouses were not present, such as Ma Yuewu and Wei Qingxian, Lu Zheng had also prepared gifts, smiling and asking them to "pass it on to your wife." Only Wei Xiangxiu's gift did Lu Zheng hand to her personally.

Without a doubt, the women present were all very happy. Lu Zheng had prepared different gifts based on their ages. Wang Yuguo's wife, Zeng Xiaohong, and Hong Tao's wife were both in their thirties, and Lu Zheng gave them sewing machine coupons from Wushan Department Store.

Wei Xiangxiu received a small box and didn't dare to open it, fearing it might contain jewelry. If others saw, it would be a big deal. But when had Lu Zheng ever cared about others' opinions?

Wei Xiangxiu thought about the large and small bags she had secretly hidden in the bottom of her cabinet at home. She would secretly look through them at night, even try them on, but she had no idea what to do with them. Despite her cleverness, she was at a loss when faced with a man like Lu Zheng, who didn't play by the rules.

While chatting in the living room, Wang Yuguo heard Du Xiaohu mention that the sewing machine coupons were originally half-price. He was surprised and said, "Director Lu, this is too valuable, isn't it?" He had thought that Director Lu had obtained ordinary supply coupons through connections in the city, but it seemed that wasn't the case. This would mean that Director Lu was paying out of his own pocket.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "A friend gave them to me. You can keep them. I can't use them, and I certainly can't sell them for money."

Ma Yuewu and He Liansheng couldn't help but look at the gift boxes in their hands, thinking that their spouses would be delighted when they saw them.

"This isn't right," Wei Qingxian said, remembering that he had only brought two bottles of wine, which, though good, would mean that he had actually made Director Lu lose money by coming to his home. This was not a good situation.

Lu Zheng waved his hand. "Let's not talk about this. Actually, we're just using Xiao Hu's birthday as an excuse to strengthen our bonds. Otherwise, why would I call everyone here to collect money?"

Everyone laughed. When Ma Yuewu was notified, he had felt somewhat unhappy, thinking that some leaders were increasingly fond of hosting banquets to collect red envelopes. He hadn't expected Lu Zheng to be like that. After arriving, he found that there weren't many people, and with the gifts in hand, Ma Yuewu felt ashamed. He had underestimated Lu Zheng, thinking he was petty and narrow-minded.

As they chatted, Ma Yuewu and others gradually took their leave. In the end, only the two little rascals, Wei Xiangxiu, Wang Yuguo, and Lu Zheng were left in the living room.

Hou Jianjun's home was downstairs, and his wife and Hong Tao's wife had gone to his place to chat. Hou Jianjun, along with Hong Tao and Du Xiaohu, went downstairs to play table tennis, apparently chatting and arguing, and had made a bet to see who was the best.

Wang Yuguo's wife, Zeng Xiaohong, was in her thirties, gentle and refined, a worker at the county clothing factory. She and Wei Xiangxiu sat in a corner, chatting softly.

Lu Zheng handed Wang Yuguo several gift boxes and said, "For those who couldn't make it, we'll send the gifts."

Du Xiaohu's birthday party would have seemed exclusive if only the few present today were invited. In fact, all members of the county bureau's party committee had been notified. Only Tan Qiang, who was a personal friend of Du Xiaohu and part of the armed police, was not part of the bureau's personnel.

However, some deputy directors were not in Guangning, and others, like Gao Zhikai, had been notified but didn't come.

Lu Zheng wouldn't show favoritism. He had prepared gifts for those who couldn't attend.

Wang Yuguo smiled and agreed, naturally understanding that he needed to handle this matter properly.

Glancing at Wei Xiangxiu, Wang Yuguo said with a smile, "Director, after Old Zhang went to the fire department, his position has been vacant for a long time. I have a suggestion: let Wei Xiangxiu take the position. She is capable, a police academy graduate, and has a strong educational background. She deserves a promotion."

Old Zhang referred to the former deputy director of the bureau office, Zhang Dezhong, who had been transferred to the fire department as director.

In fact, excluding Wang Yuguo and Zhang Dezhong, the bureau office had only six formal administrative staff. Even though Zhang Dezhong had left, there were still two deputy directors, so there was no real vacancy.

Wang Yuguo was perceptive and had noticed the difference in Director Lu's attitude toward Wei Xiangxiu. Recalling his past interactions with Wei Xiangxiu, he felt it was a potential risk, as the "pillow talk" could be significant.

So today, he suddenly brought up the matter, partly to show goodwill to Wei Xiangxiu. Of course, he had already probed Director Lu's stance; otherwise, recommending a promotion in front of the person concerned would be like challenging the leader.

Wei Xiangxiu was taken aback, secretly glancing at Lu Zheng but not knowing what to say. Even if she were to be modest, it wouldn't be appropriate.

Lu Zheng nodded slightly and turned to Wei Xiangxiu with a smile. "Wei Xiangxiu, it looks like you'll have to be even more strict with yourself and not let down Director Wang's trust." This was equivalent to agreeing to the promotion.

From a purely professional perspective, Lu Zheng believed that Wei Xiangxiu was more than capable of handling a department head position.

Wei Xiangxiu felt a wave of confusion. Following this "living bandit" had its benefits. Even before anything happened, she had money, possessions, and no one dared to make things difficult for her at work. And now, she had been promoted without much effort.

Should she really follow him? Wei Xiangxiu's mind was a blur, and she didn't know what she was thinking.