Chapter 66

Chapter 5, Discussion

On the bustling streets of Zijin, there were many people, but they couldn't help but turn their heads and stop to watch when they saw Lin Ruoshui and Zhou Yi, two beautiful women.

Zhou Yi wore a long winter coat and a pair of crystal high heels, her wavy long hair flowing behind her, making her look tall and fashionable, a typical modern white-collar beauty. Although her features weren't as delicate and beautiful as Lin Ruoshui's, she was still considered a top-tier beauty.

Lin Ruoshui, on the other hand, wore a loose sweater, Nordic-style leggings, and snow boots, looking fashionable yet warm and pure. The snowflake pattern on her sweater was very fitting for the winter.

"By the way, where's Xu Bing? Did you call her?" Lin Ruoshui tilted her head and looked at Zhou Yi.

"I called her. She and her husband are in Hainan now, and they probably won't be back this year. I guess they're making so much money they can't stop." Zhou Yi shook her head and smiled.

"Xu Bing and her husband both took unpaid leave last year and left their public jobs to venture into the sea, riding the wave of the Hainan boom. They say it's a land of gold, a paradise for adventurers."

Lin Ruoshui shook her head with a bitter smile and said, "There's no such thing as a free lunch. The claim that it's full of gold is a lie. Of course, some people can make a lot of money, but they are the minority. Since 1988, when Hainan separated from Lingnan Province to become the largest special economic zone in the country, it has become a dreamland for gold-seekers from all over the country. Too many people have flooded into Hainan. I think something will eventually happen there, and the government won't let it stay this hot forever!"

"Everyone hopes to be a lucky one, not a failure. But in my view, in the short term, going to Hainan should still be profitable." Zhou Yi smiled. "I've carefully studied the spirit of the leader's Southern Tour this year. With the leader's words, I think the people who ventured into the sea will be even more confident. It's making me want to go to Hainan and see if it's really full of gold! Maybe after the New Year, I'll go and try my luck too!"

"But I heard that before the leader's Southern Tour, due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the severe domestic situation, someone dared to publish an article supporting reform in the party newspaper. Some of the content was even quoted by the leader during the Southern Tour." Zhou Yi stared at Lin Ruoshui. "I heard that person is from your Hongshui County government. Is that true?"

Lin Ruoshui nodded, and the image of Yang Zixuan's always straight figure floated in her mind, giving her a strange feeling. She smiled and said, "Yes, he's the county magistrate of our Hongshui County."

"County magistrate? How old is he? I've read his article, and the writing is powerful, not like that of a middle-aged person." Zhou Yi, who had studied international trade at Luofu University and had published many articles in the school and college newspapers, was known as a talented woman in the economics department.

"He's almost two years younger than me. Do you believe it?" Lin Ruoshui smiled faintly.

Zhou Yi couldn't help but open her mouth wide in surprise, "Really? A county magistrate younger than you? That's terrifying!"

"Of course it's true. I've worked with him for quite some time now. Do you think I'd lie to you?" Lin Ruoshui said irritably.

"What does he look like? Is he handsome? Which university did he graduate from? Does he have a strong background? How could he be so impressive?" Zhou Yi grabbed Lin Ruoshui's arm and asked five questions in one breath.

Lin Ruoshui sighed, "His features are sharp, not particularly handsome at first glance, but he grows on you. The more you look, the more handsome he becomes! I don't know which university he graduated from. When he came to Hongshui County as the vice-county magistrate, I was still working at Zijin Auto Manufacturing. I heard he came from the capital. After arriving in Hongshui County, he pretended to be crazy for almost a year, fooling the then county party secretary and county magistrate. Recently, he suddenly burst out, obtaining evidence of their corruption and bringing them down!"

"Wow! So legendary!" Zhou Yi's exaggerated fangirl behavior made Lin Ruoshui feel a bit helpless.

"Are you interested in him? Do you want me to introduce you?" Lin Ruoshui teased weakly.

"What's there to be afraid of? I've never tried the taste of an older woman with a younger man, especially one with such potential. It wouldn't tarnish my reputation as the most beautiful woman in the economics department. With my abilities, I can definitely take good care of him!" Zhou Yi giggled, covering her mouth.

Lin Ruoshui shook her head, speechless, and said, "With your fangirl behavior, you might scare him away! He's young, but very mature in his dealings, looking like a seasoned official in his forties or fifties. I can't even compare to him! Our current county party secretary, who is the secretary of the former deputy minister of the Organization Department, is still being outmaneuvered by him in the Standing Committee!"

"Really that impressive?" Zhou Yi was shocked again. She knew that Lin Ruoshui rarely lied to her friends, so what she said was likely true. This piqued her curiosity even more, as it made Lin Ruoshui, the proud princess, speak so highly of him!

"No wonder you've been so thin lately. You must be captivated by the young county magistrate of Hongshui County!" Zhou Yi suddenly covered her mouth and laughed.

"Go away, I'm not interested in him..." But as she spoke, Lin Ruoshui felt her confidence waning.

"Seriously, when can you introduce me to him? I really want to see the man who can win the heart of the most beautiful flower of our Luofu Economics Department."

...

Yang Zixuan, of course, had no idea that he was being discussed so enthusiastically by two beautiful women. He was currently at Xu Ming's house with An Zai Shan.

"Brother, I really thank you. If it weren't for you, I don't know what would have happened to our family." Xu Ming's wife was full of gratitude.

After Yang Zixuan was chased by He Longbin's nephew and had to escape by jumping into the water, he realized that this nephew might be the key to breaking through He Longbin's case. He decided not to alarm He Longbin prematurely, as it would make him more cautious. He needed to find solid evidence to completely control He Longbin.

After all, He Longbin was a seasoned criminal investigator with a high level of alertness.

Yang Zixuan had a complete plan, but he hadn't even told An Zai Shan, fearing he might slip up.

Yang Zixuan didn't act himself but had An Zai Shan approach He Longbin's incompetent nephew, telling him that Xu Ming was a relative of a high-ranking official in the county and asking him not to cause trouble for Xu Ming.

The long-haired youth, knowing his uncle was about to retire, didn't want to offend a big shot in the county, so he readily agreed. However, he refused to return the tens of thousands of yuan that Xu Ming had already paid in compensation.

Although An Zai Shan was very uncomfortable with the long-haired youth's arrogant attitude, he didn't want to alarm He Longbin and decided to let it go for now.