Chapter 44: Going to the County for Coordination

The office building of Xianhe Township was finally repainted, making it look relatively new from the outside. It was just a short two-story building, with a brick and tile roof, and had been built for over ten years. No matter how you looked at it, it didn't seem to be of high quality.

Even with just some repairs, Wang Jian and Zheng Shiguang moved into the newly renovated offices. There was nothing to celebrate, so they quietly moved in with a few people.

Leaving Feng Guoqiang's former office, Wang Jian felt quite guilty. He had been full of confidence in helping Feng Guoqiang secure the position of Party and Government Office Director, but in the end, Guo Qiang got there first. A few days ago, Feng Guoqiang came to see him about this, talked for a long time, and then left. Wang Jian knew the main reason was still with Zheng Shiguang. He had gone to see Zheng Shiguang several times but was turned away, which made him feel very embarrassed. This Zheng Shiguang, once he became the Party Secretary of the township, seemed to have completely changed from when he was the Deputy Secretary.

Seeing Feng Guoqiang's listless appearance every day, Wang Jian felt very sympathetic. A tiger in the plains is bullied by dogs; Feng Guoqiang's situation should serve as a warning. He must not stumble and fall, becoming a target for others to exploit.

Du Xiaobei's mother, Ma Xiaoqian, worked at the Forestry Station, and her father was a middle school teacher. Since Liu Yan became the director of the Forestry Station, she had been constantly criticizing Ma Xiaoqian, making her feel very embarrassed at her age. Knowing that her daughter had a good relationship with Wang Jian, Ma Xiaoqian mentioned this to Du Xiaobei.

"Xiaobei, you always follow Wang Jian around, but he hasn't promoted you at all. What's going on between you two? Is he not reliable at all?" Ma Xiaoqian said when she saw Du Xiaobei at home.

Du Xiaobei had just become the director of the Office for Agricultural Structure Adjustment. In Ma Xiaoqian's eyes, this position was useless, just a running errand role, nothing like the power Liu Yan had as the director of the Forestry Station. Liu Yan was quickly promoted after getting close to Fang Zhiming, but Du Xiaobei had not been promoted. It seemed she didn't understand men's hearts and couldn't capture their attention.

"Mom, I have a position now, right? Wang Xiangzhang can't do much about it, and he can't help either!" Du Xiaobei pouted and explained.

Ma Xiaoqian glanced at her daughter and said, "What kind of position is that? I wouldn't even do it for free. Wang Jian is the township chief, and Zheng Shiguang listens to him. He's just not willing to stand up for you. Look at Liu Yan, she got promoted quickly after getting close to Fang Zhiming. She's always targeting me. Did you offend her?"

"Liu Yan is targeting you?" Du Xiaobei couldn't help but ask in surprise.

Ma Xiaoqian sighed and said, "Yes, she always points out my tardiness and early departures at meetings. There are only a few people in the Forestry Station, and who really works properly? It's clearly targeted at me, but I'm not afraid of her. I've argued with her a few times!"

Du Xiaobei was upset to hear that Liu Yan was bullying her mother. She felt very unhappy.

"Mom, you should be punctual from now on and avoid giving Liu Yan any chance to criticize you. I can't do much about it, so it's best not to provoke her!" Du Xiaobei was unhappy but had no immediate solution, so she advised her mother to be cautious.

Ma Xiaoqian looked at her daughter and said, "Xiaobei, you're not young anymore. You should find a partner. When you first joined the Party and Government Office, Fang Zhiming was always after you, but you refused. If you had agreed then, you would be the director of the Forestry Station now, and I wouldn't have to deal with Liu Yan's attitude."

Seeing her mother complain, Du Xiaobei couldn't help but get angry and said, "Fang Zhiming is despicable and shameless. I wouldn't want him even if he became the President of the country!"

"Then what kind of person are you looking for? You always hang around with Wang Jian. Has anything happened between you two? If you could tie Wang Jian down, it would be good. Finding a township chief as a son-in-law would make me proud, but I'm afraid you don't have Liu Yan's skills!" Ma Xiaoqian grumbled.

Du Xiaobei, hearing her mother's words, turned and left in anger.

On the road, Du Xiaobei shed tears of委屈 (grievance). Although she had always been fond of Wang Jian, he had never accepted her feelings. She couldn't be like Liu Yan, who exuded charm to attract men. Must a good woman become a flirt to be loved?

At that moment, Wang Jian was sitting in a car, about to leave the township government compound to coordinate with the county credit union for loans to support farmers. He saw Du Xiaobei walking on the road from a distance and had the impulse to take her along.

"Xiaobei, do you have anything to do? Come with me to the county!" Wang Jian stopped the car and opened the window to call out.

Du Xiaobei quickly wiped her face and walked up, smiling. "Xiangzhang, what's up?"

"Come with me to the county, we have some business to attend to!" Wang Jian said naturally, not noticing the tear marks on Du Xiaobei's face.

Du Xiaobei agreed and got into the car, sitting next to Wang Jian.

Although Du Xiaobei smiled when she got in, Wang Jian soon noticed that she seemed somewhat melancholy, as if she had something on her mind. He couldn't help but ask, "Xiaobei, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Nothing, I'm fine!" Du Xiaobei turned her head and forced a smile.

Seeing Du Xiaobei's expression, Wang Jian was sure she had something on her mind, but since she didn't say, he didn't press her.

"Xiaobei, if you have something on your mind, just say it. If I can help, I will. Don't keep it bottled up and make yourself sick!" Wang Jian, after some thought, asked with concern.

"I'm really fine, thank you, Xiangzhang." Du Xiaobei said and turned to look out the window.

Seeing that Du Xiaobei really didn't want to talk about it, Wang Jian had no choice. Perhaps she didn't want others to know her troubles.

The car arrived at the county government compound. Wang Jian and Du Xiaobei got out and went to the county government building to find Deputy County Chief Fang Shuzeng, asking him to speak to the credit union to facilitate the farmers' loans.

Fang Shuzeng was a supporter of Lin Hongjun. He had initially supported Ning Xingong to be the township chief, but later saw that everyone was leaning towards Wang Jian, realizing that Wang Jian was a person of great potential. He had been looking for an opportunity to mend their relationship. Now, seeing Wang Jian come to him, he warmly stood up to greet him, "Xiangzhang, come, come, please sit down."

Shaking hands with Fang Shuzeng, Wang Jian and Du Xiaobei sat in front of Fang Shuzeng's desk. Seeing the beautiful Du Xiaobei by Wang Jian's side, Fang Shuzeng couldn't help but glance at her a few times, thinking that Wang Jian's position as township chief was comfortable with a beauty by his side.

"Fang County Chief, our township is implementing an agricultural structure adjustment. According to county policy, we need to provide interest-subsidized loans to farmers. We hope you can coordinate with the credit union to facilitate the loan process," Wang Jian explained.

Fang Shuzeng lit a cigarette and threw one to Wang Jian, then took a puff and said, "That's easy. Do you want me to call the director of the county credit union, Li Zunmin, to discuss it?"

"If it's convenient for you to call him, that's fine. If not, just a word from you will do," Wang Jian thought for a moment and replied.

Fang Shuzeng smiled and didn't answer, but directly called Li Zunmin to come over.

Seeing Fang Shuzeng's enthusiasm in helping him, Wang Jian was very grateful and said, "Thank you, Fang County Chief."

Fang Shuzeng chuckled and said, "Your agricultural structure adjustment is a project registered at the provincial level. If I don't put in my best effort, I won't be able to explain it to the higher-ups. If it succeeds, you must remember to give me credit!"

"Fang County Chief, you're too kind. I thank you on behalf of the people of Xianhe Township!" Wang Jian, realizing Fang Shuzeng's intention to curry favor, quickly responded.

"Haha, good, good, the people are our bread and butter!" Fang Shuzeng laughed heartily.

After a brief conversation, Li Zunmin arrived. As a county leader had summoned him, he couldn't delay.

Meeting Wang Jian, Li Zunmin listened to Fang Shuzeng's explanation. Although he was not entirely willing, with the county chief's order, he couldn't refuse. No other township in the county was implementing this program, only Xianhe Township insisted on providing interest-subsidized loans to the people, which would likely result in losses for the credit union if there were risks.

"Director Li, we won't misuse the loans. If we did, I wouldn't come to you for this trouble. Please trust us; the farmers will repay the loans!" Wang Jian, sensing Li Zunmin's hesitation and concerns, quickly explained.

Li Zunmin smiled and said, "No problem, Xiangzhang. Supporting government work is our responsibility!"

"Director Li is very understanding. Xiangzhang, you should thank Director Li and treat him to a meal!"

"Sure, let's do it today at noon!" Wang Jian agreed readily.

Seeing Wang Jian's quick agreement, Fang Shuzeng chuckled and said, "Xiangzhang, you were well-prepared!"

Wang Jian smiled slightly. He hadn't thought about treating them, but since Fang Shuzeng suggested it, he had to do it to facilitate the work.

After some laughter and conversation, it was almost noon. Wang Jian, Fang Shuzeng, and Li Zunmin went to a hotel for lunch. During the meal, Du Xiaobei became the focus of attention. Upon hearing Wang Jian introduce her as the office director, they both raised their glasses to drink with her.

Du Xiaobei, not a heavy drinker, turned red after a few glasses. Wang Jian quickly came to her rescue, single-handedly taking on Fang Shuzeng and Li Zunmin. Although both had good drinking capacity, they eventually gave in to Wang Jian's persistence.

"Xiangzhang, your drinking capacity is impressive! We can't keep up. Let's drink some water instead!" Fang Shuzeng shook his head and waved, unwilling to continue.

"Alright, County Chief Fang, Director Li, let's eat more!" Wang Jian laughed and said.

After the meal, Fang Shuzeng and Li Zunmin left. Wang Jian felt a bit tipsy. Liu Qingshan had already found him a place to stay, so he had Lü Jun drive him there to rest before returning to Xianhe Township.

Du Xiaobei's face remained flushed, and she leaned against Wang Jian's shoulder in the car. Wang Jian, looking at her rosy face, felt a stirring in his heart.