Chapter 70: Du Xiaobei's Troubles

It hadn't been two days before Zheng Shiguang was released, much to the surprise of the township officials. After his return, Zheng Shiguang remained expressionless, but when Wang Jian visited him, he became much more enthusiastic. In the meeting room, Zheng Shiguang mostly remained silent, leaving most of the talking to Wang Jian.

The township temporarily calmed down. The general officials, who were unaware of the details, resumed their usual attitudes toward Zheng Shiguang. However, the township committee and middle-level officials were speculating about Zheng Shiguang's next move, doubting whether he could continue to stay in Xianhe Township. Everyone was looking to Wang Jian, thinking that after Zheng Shiguang left, he might have a chance to become the township party secretary.

Du Xiaobei was promoted to the director of the Party and government office, finally able to hold her head high. When she returned home, her mother, Ma Xiaoqian, beamed with joy.

"Xiaobei, now that you're the director of the Party and government office, you should thank Township Chief Wang! I think Zheng Shiguang won't stay in Xianhe Township for long. Township Chief Wang is likely to become the party secretary. You should stay close to him and not ruin your previous relationship!" Ma Xiaoqian said as she served Du Xiaobei a bowl of rice.

Du Xiaobei looked at her mother and shook her head, saying, "Mom, didn't you say I shouldn't follow Wang Jian before? Why are you saying this now?"

"How can you bring up your mother's past mistakes? Things were different then, but now Wang Jian has the power in the township. Of course, you should follow him. Would you rather follow Fang Zhiming? As soon as you became the director of the Party and government office, Liu Yan's attitude toward me changed completely. She calls me Aunt Ma, treating me better than her own parents. She even told me privately that the accounting job at the forestry station is still mine. I can finally hold my head high and regain control of the finances!" Ma Xiaoqian grew more and more pleased as she spoke.

Seeing her mother's opportunistic attitude, Du Xiaobei had no choice but to pick up her bowl and eat in silence. Ma Xiaoqian sat beside her and asked, "Xiaobei, when can we invite Township Chief Wang to have a meal at home?"

Du Xiaobei looked up at her mother and asked, "Why should we invite him to eat?"

Ma Xiaoqian smiled slyly and said, "Isn't it to give you a chance?"

"Chance for what?" Du Xiaobei blushed and asked.

Ma Xiaoqian, both pleased and scolding, said, "You silly girl, don't try to fool your mother. I know what you're thinking. You don't want to be introduced to a match, do you? Are you interested in Wang Jian? If you like him, go after him. As someone who has been through it, I can tell you that as long as you set your sights on your goal and pursue it boldly, you won't go wrong. It's like a mountain between a man and a woman, but just a piece of paper between a woman and a man. I don't believe you can't win him over!"

While her mother's words weren't entirely wrong, the situation wasn't as simple as she imagined. If Wang Jian were an ordinary person, this strategy might work, but now that he was the township chief, it wouldn't matter how much she pursued him if he didn't like her.

Seeing Du Xiaobei's silence, Ma Xiaoqian pushed her and asked, "Xiaobei, there are rumors in the township that Wang Jian is involved with a female teacher. Is it true? I don't believe a female teacher has the qualifications to date the township chief. You're close to Wang Jian, so what's the real situation? Tell your mother, and I'll give you some advice."

Du Xiaobei had heard about Wang Jian and Jie Lianbing. She hadn't expected Wang Jian to choose a rural female teacher over a beauty like Han Yuting. It seemed that in matters of the heart, there really needed to be a connection. Why did Wang Jian like her so much?

"Mom, don't meddle in these things. Wang Jian is busy with official duties and doesn't have time for such matters. Don't listen to rumors. If Wang Jian finds out, it won't be good. Besides, even if he is dating a female teacher, so what? Han Yuting is the county Youth League secretary and the deputy party secretary of the township. What good would it do if Wang Jian didn't like her? Matters of the heart depend on fate. Don't worry so much!" Du Xiaobei scolded her mother.

Ma Xiaoqian became even more interested and asked, "Are you saying Han Yuting is interested in Wang Jian? Is the rumor about them being involved true?"

"Mom, I didn't say that. What I tell you should stay in this room. I became the director of the Party and government office partly because of Wang Jian's support, but also because of my hard work. The first requirement of being the director is to keep your mouth shut. Don't say what shouldn't be said, and don't ask what shouldn't be asked. Strictly keep the leaders' secrets, don't spread rumors, and don't believe rumors. Don't ruin my reputation, okay?" Du Xiaobei warned her mother.

Ma Xiaoqian pretended to scold her, saying, "Do you think I don't know these things after all these years in the government? I won't tell anyone, but you must tell me if anything happens. I can give you advice and help you make decisions. The director of the Party and government office is a position that involves many aspects. It's very complicated, so be careful and don't make the leaders unhappy!"

"Mom, I know. It's just a director of the Party and government office. It's not that complicated!" Du Xiaobei didn't want her mother to nag her all day.

Unexpectedly, Ma Xiaoqian's eyes widened and she said, "You silly girl, don't underestimate the position of the director of the Party and government office. It's the top position among the township's middle-level officials. When Feng Guoqiang was the director, he was very powerful. I'm not afraid to tell you, since your father isn't around. When Feng Guoqiang pursued me, I didn't agree because he didn't look good. I chose your father because he was handsome. What happened? Your father has been a teacher for so many years, while Feng Guoqiang became the director of the Party and government office and held great power in the township. Women must be careful not to marry the wrong man!"

Du Xiaobei was surprised and asked, "Mom, is that true?"

"Of course, it's true. Feng Guoqiang still remembers me when he sees me! I was the most beautiful woman in the township back then!" Ma Xiaoqian's face turned slightly red as she spoke.

"But Feng Guoqiang isn't doing well now," Du Xiaobei looked at Ma Xiaoqian and sighed.

"A dead camel is still bigger than a horse. Although Feng Guoqiang is no longer in office, his network of connections is still there, and he can still get things done easily. You should win people's hearts in your position as the director of the Party and government office. Then you can aim for a deputy township chief or something. When that happens, your mother will be even prouder!" Ma Xiaoqian had high hopes for Du Xiaobei.

Du Xiaobei stood up and said, "I just got the position, and you're already thinking so far ahead. It's a waste of time. I'm going to sleep after I finish eating!"

Watching Du Xiaobei walk to the bedroom, Ma Xiaoqian scolded her as a silly girl but was happy as she started to clear the table.

Du Xiaobei locked herself in the bedroom, lay on the bed, and thought about Wang Jian. She compared herself to Jie Lianbing and felt she wasn't much different. But why did Wang Jian like Jie Lianbing and not her?

Wang Jian entrusting the Party and government office to her was a sign of great trust, but he couldn't accept her emotionally. Was this what the books called "having a connection but no fate"?

Hearing that Jie Lianbing had been transferred to the township education committee, Du Xiaobei wanted to meet her in person to see what kind of person she was and why Wang Jian was interested in her.

After the township committee meeting, Jie Lianbing was transferred to the township education committee as the director of the Love Relay Scholarship Fund Office. Her main task was to register and assist the township's poor students on a one-to-one basis. If she just went through the motions, this task would be easy—just have the lower levels report the names of the poor students. However, Jie Lianbing was very dedicated and, following Wang Jian's requirements, wanted to ensure that every penny went to truly poor students. This required visiting the homes of poor students to understand their situations, making the work more complicated.

Knowing Wang Jian's relationship with Jie Lianbing, Lu Yongqiang treated her very kindly, specially preparing an office for her and having Ma Zenggong's relative move out. Although Ma Zenggong's relative was unhappy, it was useless since Ma Zenggong was in prison.

Du Xiaobei took the time to visit the education committee to meet Jie Lianbing. When Lu Yongqiang saw her, he greeted her with a smile, "Director Du, you're here?"

"Director Lu, I came to see Director Jie," Du Xiaobei smiled. Being the director of the Party and government office made a difference; she was welcomed wherever she went, but now she was visiting the newly appointed Director Jie.

Jie Lianbing was organizing materials in her office, preparing to visit the villages. When she saw Lu Yongqiang leading Du Xiaobei in and heard Du Xiaobei call her Director Jie, she felt a bit embarrassed. She was just a director in name, with no subordinates.

Jie Lianbing's smile was captivating. Du Xiaobei immediately sensed her charm. Although she wasn't as beautiful as Han Yuting, there was a natural warmth in her smile, a kind of innate quality that was hard to resist.

"Director Du, hello. You can call me Lianbing. I'm not really a director," Jie Lianbing smiled and stood up to greet Du Xiaobei.

Du Xiaobei quickly shook her hand and laughed, "Sister Lianbing, you are the real director of the fund office. Even though you have no subordinates, everyone will call you director because the fund's chairman is Township Chief Wang!"

It was all because of Wang Jian! Jie Lianbing understood why the township officials respected her. Without Wang Jian, she was nothing, wouldn't have been transferred to the education committee, and wouldn't have received so much attention. Du Xiaobei was probably the same!

"Director Du, you're too kind. I'm just doing my job. Please sit down," Jie Lianbing humbly invited Du Xiaobei to sit.

Du Xiaobei and Lu Yongqiang sat down, and Du Xiaobei looked around. The office was well-organized, thanks to Lu Yongqiang's efforts. Everyone treated Jie Lianbing as Wang Jian's chosen one! If Wang Jian had chosen her, her situation would be even better.

"Sister Lianbing, are you busy with your work?" Despite their first impression, even though Jie Lianbing was her rival, Du Xiaobei couldn't hate her and asked about her work with genuine concern.

Jie Lianbing quickly explained her work to Du Xiaobei. Hearing that she planned to visit the villages to understand the situations of the poor students, Du Xiaobei couldn't help but admire her dedication. Few officials were as responsible as she was! Jie Lianbing's favor with Wang Jian wasn't without reason!

Thinking about this, Du Xiaobei's worries grew even more.

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