154: Chapter 154 Even Chickens and Dogs Ascend to Heaven (Part Two)

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming's fingers tightened abruptly. The Director of the Nursing Department was a middle-management position within the County Hospital's nursing system, more than a few rungs higher than an ordinary nurse.

Director Jiang Xin had worked at the County Hospital for so many years as nothing more than an ordinary nurse. He had thought about pulling strings to help her move up, but his network wasn't strong enough to reach that level of the County Hospital.

Now, with a single, casual sentence from the Health Commission Director, the position of Nursing Department Director was in the bag.

This wasn't because Director Jiang Xin's professional ability had suddenly been discovered; it was because he, Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming, had backed the right person.

Though his heart was churning, he kept his expression calm. He quickly stood up, grasped the Director's hand with both of his, and spoke with just the right amount of sincerity.

"Director, thank you so much. Comrade Director Jiang Xin is truly hardworking; she just hasn't had the opportunity until now."

"It is her good fortune that you value her so much. I will certainly encourage her when I get back, so she doesn't let the organization down."

The Director waved his hand with a smile, his tone carrying the casual air of "it's a small matter."

"Secretary Hu, you are too polite. This is the organization's affirmation of a steady and hardworking comrade, not my personal intention."

"Go back and tell her to get prepared. Once the procedures are complete, the official document will be issued."

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming left the Health Commission with profuse thanks. When he reached the stairwell, he stopped, leaned against the wall, and let out a long breath.

He looked down at the stack of business cards in his hand, and the corners of his mouth curled up, unable to be suppressed.

He had been holed up in Hukuang Township for so many years, enduring enough cold shoulders, snide remarks, and condescending looks. Today, he finally tasted what it was like to be a "somebody."

By the time he returned home, it was already dark.

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming pushed the door open. The living room lights were off, and only the hallway wall lamp was on, casting the entire home in a dim, ambiguous atmosphere.

As he changed his shoes, he caught a faint fragrance—not the smell of food, but of perfume.

"You're back?"

Director Jiang Xin's voice drifted from the direction of the bedroom, soft as if soaked in honey.

One wouldn't know better and might have thought Director Jiang Xin had already been well-satisfied today.

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming walked into the living room and paused.

On the coffee table sat a bouquet of red roses, still glistening with water droplets. Beside it was an opened bottle of red wine, with two stemmed glasses placed side by side. The wine had already been poured, the dark red liquid shimmering in the glasses.

The living room curtains were drawn tightly, the television was off, and the entire house was as quiet as another world.

When Director Jiang Xin walked out of the bedroom, Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

She was wearing a black lingerie nightgown, the cicada-wing-thin lace clinging to her body. Everything that should—and shouldn't—be seen was exposed, tantalizingly visible, more lethal than wearing nothing at all.

Her hair was let down, large waves cascading over her shoulders. Her makeup was heavier than usual, her eyeliner flicked up, and her lips were painted with dark red lipstick. She radiated a dangerous and seductive aura.

On her feet were black stilettos, encrusted with rhinestones, each step carrying a deadly elegance.

"Hubby, you've worked hard."

Director Jiang Xin walked over, linked her arm with his, and pulled him toward the sofa.

The scent of perfume drifted into his nose—not the light, daily-use fragrance she usually wore, but one specifically prepared for tonight, a scent that made his heart race.

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming was pressed onto the sofa by her. She picked up a wine glass and handed it to him, then took the other for herself. They clinked glasses, and she took a sip.

Her gaze fixed on him from over the rim of her glass. There was a light in her eyes—not tears, but a light of excitement, a light of anticipation.

"The Health Commission Director called me today."

Director Jiang Xin set down her glass, leaned on Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming's shoulder, and traced circles on his chest with her finger.

"He said the organization is planning to promote me to Director of the Nursing Department and told me to get ready. Hubby, is this real? I feel like I'm dreaming."

She was just an ordinary nurse; usually, she couldn't even get close to the hospital leadership.

Yet today, she had suddenly received a call from the County Health Commission Director!

Heaven knows how happy she was on the other end of the line!

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming wrapped his arm around her shoulders, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice filled with resolute confidence.

"Of course it's real."

"I told you, once I've risen up, you won't have to stay holed up in that small hospital as a junior nurse anymore."

"The Director of the Nursing Department is just the beginning. There will be better opportunities in the future."

Director Jiang Xin looked up at him, her eyes full of adoration, as if looking at an all-powerful hero.

"Hubby, you're amazing. Before, in the hospital, no one took me seriously. Those doctors and nurses wouldn't even look at me properly."

"When the Director called me today, the whole nursing station heard it. The way they look at me is different now."

"You should have seen the head nurse—the one who always loves to put on airs—the expression on her face was like she'd swallowed a fly."

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming laughed, his smile filled with the satisfaction of finally being vindicated.

He lifted his glass, clinked it with Director Jiang Xin's, and drained it in one gulp.

The wine slid down his throat, warm, just like his mood at this moment.

"Alright, enough about that."

"I visited four bureaus today: the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, the Finance Bureau, the Natural Resources Bureau, and the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau. Four bureau directors received me personally, handed me their business cards, and told me to call them directly if I ever needed anything."

"Your husband has been holed up in Hukuang Township for so many years, and this is the first time I've ever been taken so seriously."

Director Jiang Xin's eyes brightened even more; the light of adoration turned into a blazing flame.

She set down her glass, straddled Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming's lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her face against his, her breathing quick and warm.

"Hubby, you've worked hard today. I want to reward you properly."

She lowered her head, pressing her lips against his neck, kissing him repeatedly—from his neck to his earlobe, from his earlobe to his cheek, and from his cheek to his lips.

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming was kissed until he was slightly breathless. He reached out to wrap his arms around her waist, his fingers touching that thin layer of lace, smooth and soft, just like her skin.

Director Jiang Xin's body trembled slightly, and she hugged him tighter. The two of them fell back onto the sofa. The wine glasses tipped over, and red wine spilled onto the coffee table, but neither of them bothered to steady them.

That night, wearing the black lingerie nightgown and those stilettos, Director Jiang Xin moved from the living room to the bedroom, from the bedroom to the balcony, and from the balcony to the bathroom, pampering Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming until he was completely submissive.

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming felt he had never been so satisfied in his entire life. It wasn't because of how good Director Jiang Xin's technique was, but because he had finally tasted the flavor of power.

That flavor was stronger than wine, sweeter than honey, and more addictive than anything else.

Afterward, the two lay in bed. Director Jiang Xin curled up in Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming's arms, her finger tracing circles on his chest, one after another, unhurriedly.

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming held her, staring at the ceiling, his mind filled with the smiling faces of those bureau directors from today and their words, "Just ask anytime."

"Hubby, do you think Secretary Xu knows about all this?"

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming was silent for a few seconds, his fingers gently stroking her shoulder. His voice was unhurried, as if he were talking about the most ordinary thing.

"Whether he knows or not isn't important."

"What's important is that I work for him, and I do whatever he tells me to do."

"If he tells me to go east, I won't go west. If he tells me to secure a project, I'll secure it beautifully."

"If he tells me to be his secretary, I'll be a good secretary. As long as he gives me what I'm owed, I don't need to worry about anything else."

Director Jiang Xin looked up at his face, her gaze carrying an indefinable emotion—like adoration, yet also like worry.

"Hubby, how far do you think Secretary Xu can go?"

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming didn't answer; he looked at the deep night outside the window.

"No matter how far he goes, I'll follow him. I'm sticking with Xu Weidong; I'm pinning my whole life on this tree."

Director Jiang Xin didn't ask again; she buried her face in his chest and closed her eyes.