Chapter 87

Upon reaching the third floor, Lu Zheng took out his key but inserted it into the lock of apartment 302 across from his. Then, he pushed the door open and said, "Come in and take a look."

Wei Xiangxiu felt utterly confused but followed Lu Zheng into 302. The layout was the same as Lu Zheng's home, with three bedrooms and two living rooms. The pink floor tiles, the dropped ceiling, and the elegant and warm atmosphere made it a very complete home, with all kinds of furniture. Even the kitchen had a light green double-door refrigerator.

"How is it?" Lu Zheng asked with a smile.

Wei Xiangxiu, with her tall and sexy figure, wore a green police uniform, her legs in stockings, exuding an indescribable allure amidst her dignified and spirited appearance. She walked around in her small leather shoes, sighed lightly, and said, "You're moving again? It's a very beautiful house. You really know how to enjoy life." She had once dreamed of having such a warm home, but her standards were not so high. She had never aspired for a color TV or a refrigerator, nor had she ever dreamed of such a beautifully decorated home.

But she hadn't had such dreams for many years.

Lu Zheng threw the key to her, and Wei Xiangxiu caught it instinctively, looking at Lu Zheng with confusion.

"This house is yours. I bought it for you. You and your in-laws should move in. The other side can be given to your younger brother-in-law. Otherwise, living with five people, including your younger brother-in-law, would definitely be inconvenient."

Wei Xiangxiu shook her head in surprise, "No, that's not right. I can't accept it." Lu Zheng was simply a madman; his actions always made people think he was crazy.

"Just take it. I've already chosen a nanny for you. Meet her tomorrow. If you like her, she can take care of your in-laws, and you won't be so tired in the future."

Lu Zheng gestured, "It's settled. Listen to me!" He walked to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, took out two cans of Jianlibao, and threw one to Wei Xiangxiu, saying, "Carbonated drinks, ice-cold in summer, it's refreshing!"

Wei Xiangxiu still shook her head, "No, it's too expensive. I can't accept it. Besides, how can I explain it to others? Where would I get the money to buy such a big house?"

Lu Zheng nodded, "Alright, then we won't transfer the ownership for now. The owner is a friend of my sister. Consider it a rental. You pay the same rent as you do at the municipal bureau's family compound. Just tell others that you're renting it."

Wei Xiangxiu shook her head, "No." The public housing from the municipal bureau cost only a little over one yuan per month. Lu Zheng's house was practically free.

Lu Zheng said, "Just take it. If you move in, I can keep an eye on you, so you won't stray!"

Wei Xiangxiu knew Lu Zheng was joking, but she couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, "What do you mean by straying? You're not my lover. If I were to stray, it would be with you..." She quickly stopped herself. To survive in the office, she had gone through a period of flirtatious behavior. Although that was all in the past, she still revealed her old fox-like nature in front of Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng coughed, "Then consider it a celebration for me. I have some good news, and you should be happy too."

Wei Xiangxiu exclaimed, "I heard you were appointed as the deputy director of the Education Commission. Is that true?"

Lu Zheng nodded, "It's the fifth day today." He calculated, "I didn't tell you about this? We haven't had a meal together for a week, which is quite a long time."

Recently, they often had meals and went to bars together. It didn't seem like they were lovers, but they weren't just friends either. There was always a strange feeling between them, and neither of them could clearly define their relationship.

"Keep the key, it's settled!" Lu Zheng said, a bit impatient.

Wei Xiangxiu didn't say anything. She knew Lu Zheng's personality; he hated it when women nagged over trivial matters. Although he had been much better to her recently, she still had to listen to him when it mattered.

When they came out of 302, they saw a man dressed in a shabby manner lurking outside 301, listening to the sounds inside.

"Who are you? What are you doing?" Lu Zheng frowned. Was there a thief in the neighborhood?

The man turned around, seeing Lu Zheng, and immediately put on a fawning smile, "Director Lu, you're back. It's me. I thought you weren't here." He then noticed the pretty policewoman beside Lu Zheng and was slightly taken aback.

The man was none other than Old He, the principal of the Qinglong County Qingtuozi area.

Lu Zheng knew why he was there.

Old He had never resigned, which was expected. Many things had countermeasures, and there were circles and protectors below. Unless the higher-ups were determined to remove him, who would resign voluntarily?

Recently, someone had tried to mediate, probably through connections. A section chief from the municipal education commission had brought some gifts to see Lu Zheng. Lu Zheng, who had been running to the commission frequently, was familiar with the section chief. Lu Zheng didn't say much and asked the section chief to take the gifts back.

But clearly, Old He had no intention of resigning voluntarily.

Now, with Lu Zheng suddenly appointed as the deputy director of the municipal education commission, the situation was very different.

Old He's smile was bitter. He thought he could get away with it. After all, a section-level official in the city wouldn't always focus on him. Moreover, it was unlikely that a small rural principal would bother the city's education commission leaders, which would seem petty, and the leaders might not even care.

But now, this Director Lu had become one of the top officials in the city's education system. Dealing with him, whether to punish or bury him, was just a matter of a word.

Old He felt that his luck had run out. How could he be so unlucky? What could be worse than offending someone who held his life in their hands?

It was truly an unforeseen disaster, a sudden calamity!

"Director Lu, I, I won't come in. I'm here to submit a self-criticism." Old He took out a crumpled piece of paper from his shirt pocket and was stunned. He didn't know how it got so wrinkled. Was it from the crowded bus? This showed a lack of respect for the leader, and Old He was almost in tears.

Wei Xiangxiu couldn't help but laugh at the old man's pitiful request to submit a self-criticism. Seeing Lu Zheng glare at her, she quickly stopped.

Looking at Old He, Lu Zheng felt a bit sorry for him, but he knew that Old He, who acted like a mouse in front of him, was not a good person. His behavior towards Teacher Xiaomei was proof enough.

"You go back first. What I said that day was in anger. You should go back and think about how to be a good principal," Lu Zheng said calmly.

Old He was stunned. Clearly, today's Director Lu was very different from the Deputy Director Lu at the dinner table. The current Director Lu spoke in an official tone, making it impossible to guess his intentions.

Was this the prelude to his downfall? Old He felt even more bitter, but he couldn't stay any longer. He left with a bitter smile, looking back as he went down the stairs.

"Who is that?" Wei Xiangxiu asked curiously.

"Nothing, don't ask too many questions," Lu Zheng said as he opened the door and went in.

Wei Xiangxi stuck out her tongue and followed him in.

...

On Monday, as soon as Lu Zheng entered his office, he received a call from Zhang Yugong, asking him to come over.

It was the first time Lu Zheng entered Zhang Yugong's office.

On the fifth floor of the municipal government building, the room was spacious, bright, and modern, with a milky white sofa and a dark glass coffee table.

"Zengzi, sit down," Zhang Yugong smiled and gestured for Lu Zheng to sit on the sofa. A secretary then came in to serve hot water.

Lu Zheng didn't drink the water but took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Zhang Yugong.

Surprised by Lu Zheng's action, Zhang Yugong, who was used to the submissive behavior of deputy section-level officials, still smiled and took the cigarette, slightly lowering his head to let Lu Zheng light it for him.

"I didn't expect it. They say you have a low educational level, but your German is quite good!" Zhang Yugong looked at Lu Zheng as if he were meeting him for the first time.

Lu Zheng smiled, "Just a few phrases, like a blind cat catching a dead mouse."

Zhang Yugong nodded, "You're quite modest, but the Germans don't see it that way. Mr. Schroeder said that you should be present in future negotiations, considering you professional and competent!"

Lu Zheng was slightly taken aback, "Is the city preparing to negotiate with them?"

Zhang Yugong nodded, "Yes, we've investigated. The Germans are not fraudsters. There is indeed a large company interested in investing. It has even caught the attention of the central government!" Zhang Yugong pointed to the sky, a hint of unusual excitement in his face.

"So, we must secure this investment. The provincial and central governments have expressed their support and will provide policy incentives."

Zhang Yugong patted Lu Zheng's shoulder, "Zengzi, there's a bottom line in this negotiation. You must handle it well and report to me if anything happens."

Lu Zheng, hearing this, realized that Zhang Yugong was not in charge of the negotiations. It was likely the Party Secretary Duan Zhongcheng.

"I understand," Lu Zheng nodded.

Zhang Yugong smiled, "This is an opportunity for you. You must seize it."

Lu Zheng nodded silently.