Chapter 78

Chapter Thirty-Four: Giving Gifts (Part 1)

Descending the stairs and stepping onto the street, it was already after dinner, and the city lights were just beginning to twinkle, casting a hazy red mist over the world.

"Hey! Zuo, Xiaoxia," Li Yi paused, then called her by her name, "What's up?"

Zuo Xiaoxia smiled, "Why does it sound so awkward when you call me that? My name doesn't sound that bad, does it? How about you call me Xiaoxia? That way, I'll seem much younger when I'm with you!" She blushed slightly as she said the last part.

Fortunately, Li Yi, the rough man, didn't dare to focus too much on her face and chuckled, "Alright."

Zuo Xiaoxia changed the subject, "I'll take you somewhere."

"What for?" Li Yi asked.

"Aren't you a big guy? Afraid I'll sell you or something?" Zuo Xiaoxia covered her mouth and laughed, her beauty like a peach blossom.

Li Yi straightened his chest and laughed awkwardly.

Zuo Xiaoxia arrived at a tobacco and alcohol specialty store, bought two cartons of cigarettes and two bottles of liquor, all of high quality. The four items cost over a thousand yuan, making Li Yi's jaw drop. "You're buying such expensive cigarettes and liquor, to give as gifts?"

Zuo Xiaoxia nodded, "Exactly, carry them." Without giving Li Yi a chance to protest, she shoved them into his hands.

Li Yi had no choice but to act as a porter. Zuo Xiaoxia hailed a taxi and sat in the back with Li Yi. After getting in, she told the driver, "To Chunhui Road No. 8."

Li Yi was wondering what Chunhui Road No. 8 was when the driver laughed, "That's the provincial government compound. Are you two young masters?" Zuo Xiaoxia smiled slightly and winked at the puzzled Li Yi.

Upon arrival, Zuo Xiaoxia paid the taxi fare and led Li Yi inside.

Li Yi, full of questions, couldn't help but ask, "Who are we giving these gifts to?"

"Deputy Governor Lu Zhibang," Zuo Xiaoxia smiled and turned back, "Don't be nervous, a deputy governor won't eat you."

Li Yi chuckled, thinking, why should I be nervous if you're the one giving the gifts? He was quite curious why she chose him to come along instead of someone else. Did she think he was particularly handsome? Or was it because he was honest and wouldn't talk?

Soon, they arrived at a building, a small, separate villa. Zuo Xiaoxia, who seemed to have been there before, knocked on the door. After a moment, a woman in her forties opened it. Seeing Zuo Xiaoxia, she smiled, "Oh, Xiaoxia, you're here! Come in quickly! It's been so long since you last visited, we've become strangers."

"Hello, Auntie! Is Uncle Lu at home?" Zuo Xiaoxia's smile was sweet, and her words were even sweeter, making it impossible for the elders not to like her.

"He's here! Come in. Who's this young man?" The woman noticed Li Yi and asked.

"My classmate, Li Yi," Zuo Xiaoxia said naturally, "He's also in the reserve cadre class. Li Yi, this is Governor Lu's wife, Auntie Deng Zhi. Call her Auntie Deng."

Li Yi, like a child brought out to meet elders, called her Auntie and handed over the gifts.

Zuo Xiaoxia added, "Auntie, it's Li Yi's first time here. This is a small token of his appreciation. Please accept it."

Li Yi was surprised. Wasn't she the one giving the gifts? Why did it become his token of appreciation? He glanced at her and saw her playful smile.

"Just come for a visit, no need to bring anything. You look quite spirited, young man!" The woman took the gifts and casually placed them in a cabinet behind the door. Li Yi noticed it was already full of famous wines and cigarettes.

The living room was large, but the furniture and appliances were quite ordinary, not at all luxurious. A 29-inch color TV, which was quite prominent, was playing the popular TV series "Yearning."

As Auntie Deng Zhi was making tea, she called out to the study, "Zhibang, Xiaoxia is here!"

Zuo Xiaoxia got up to help with the tea and said, "Is Uncle Lu very busy? We can come another day."

The study door opened, and Lu Zhibang walked out, laughing, "Xiaoxia, you're here? I'll make time no matter how busy I am!"

Li Yi was surprised. A deputy governor, treating a just-graduated girl so politely? It seemed Zuo Xiaoxia's family background wasn't simple either! He stood up and respectfully greeted, "Hello, Governor Lu."

Lu Zhibang was surprised to see Li Yi and said, "Isn't this Li Yi?"

Zuo Xiaoxia asked, "You know each other?"

Lu Zhibang laughed, "More than just know! He almost made me lose face!"

Li Yi chuckled.

"Xiaoxia, have you eaten yet? Join us for dinner," Lu Zhibang said with a smile.

"We've already eaten. We came today for a reason, though. There's a small matter we'd like Uncle Lu's help with," Zuo Xiaoxia peeled an orange and said casually.

"What could you need my help with?" Lu Zhibang chuckled.

"This classmate of mine, I hope Uncle Lu can help him get a good position," Zuo Xiaoxia finished peeling the orange and handed it to Li Yi.

At this moment, both Lu Zhibang and Auntie Deng Zhi were staring at Li Yi.

Li Yi felt extremely uncomfortable and awkward, almost as if sitting on pins and needles. He stared at the peeled orange, momentarily forgetting to take it.

He never expected Zuo Xiaoxia to bring him here to give gifts, to use connections to help him get a job!

This was something he never anticipated.

He thought he was just accompanying her to visit, maybe to help her build some courage, or to help her give gifts.

But he never expected to be the main character today!

At this moment, how did Lu Zhibang and Auntie Deng Zhi view him? Were they filled with disdain and contempt?

Li Yi felt their gazes burning him, wishing he could leave, but when he saw Zuo Xiaoxia's concerned and sincere eyes, he hesitated. His blood rushed to his face, turning it red.

This reaction made him look like a university graduate who had come to give gifts to use connections.

Lu Zhibang pondered. This young man is not simple. What is his relationship with the Zuo family? Is he Zuo Xiaoxia's lover? Why did Zuo Xiaoxia introduce him to me and ask me to take care of him? What's the hidden agenda?

"Clang!" The door opened, and a familiar voice said, "Mom, is dinner ready? I'm starving! The food at the party school is terrible."

Lu Jun walked in, looking surprised at the equally surprised Li Yi.

Their eyes met for a moment, and Lu Jun immediately understood Li Yi's purpose. When he saw Zuo Xiaoxia, his smile froze, and his eyes burned with intense anger and a cold sneer. He said lightly, "Oh, isn't this Li Yi? The training is almost over. Do you know which remote mountain village you'll be assigned to?" His tone was full of mockery and arrogance.

The room's atmosphere suddenly heated up!