40: Chapter 40 Another Side of Lake Mining Township (Part Two)

General Manager Wan Baolai smiled and said: "Secretary Hu has a sharp eye."

"This Zhang Ya was recruited by us from the provincial capital. She's a proper undergraduate, studied tourism management."

"At the time, Chairman Cheng said we needed a decent reception point and someone who could hold her own, so we asked someone to poach her from the provincial talent market."

"An undergraduate?"

Township Head Ge Jiefang said with some surprise: "Would an undergraduate be willing to come to a place like this?"

"She was willing."

General Manager Wan Baolai said proudly: "The salary is high—3,500 a month, with room and board included, plus a year-end bonus."

"That's nothing in the provincial capital, but here, it's considered quite good."

Secretary Hu Dakui nodded repeatedly and said: "No wonder the resort is managed so well."

"General Manager Wan, does this young lady... have a partner?"

General Manager Wan Baolai's smile stiffened as he said: "Secretary Hu, I really haven't asked about that."

"Well, ask her."

Secretary Hu Dakui leaned toward him and lowered his voice: "If she doesn't, tell her that Secretary Hu wants to... make friends with her."

General Manager Wan Baolai pondered for a moment, then said: "Secretary Hu, this young lady has a fiery temper."

"When she first arrived, a few guests got drunk and tried to get handsy, and she smashed a beer bottle right over a guy's head."

"It was only settled after Chairman Cheng intervened."

"Since then, no one has dared to mess around in front of her."

Secretary Hu Dakui said dismissively: "Those were guests. Can I be compared to those brutes?"

"I am the Secretary of the Township Party Committee, a section-level cadre. It's an honor for her that I want to be friends with her."

Township Head Ge Jiefang listened from the side, a faint, imperceptible sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth.

He had worked with Secretary Hu Dakui for four years and knew this secretary's character all too well.

He couldn't keep his hands off beautiful women and had caused no shortage of trouble over it.

The year before last, he got involved with a widow in the village and was cornered in her room by her husband's younger brother; it cost him 20,000 yuan to settle it.

Last year, he set his sights on a young female teacher at the township middle school and went to her dormitory every day, scaring the teacher into resigning and moving to the south.

But Township Head Ge Jiefang said nothing. Secretary Hu Dakui was lustful, and he was greedy for money—each taking what they needed, like well water not interfering with river water.

As long as Secretary Hu Dakui didn't block his path to making money, it didn't matter to him how many women Secretary Hu Dakui slept with.

Seeing Secretary Hu Dakui's determined attitude, General Manager Wan Baolai didn't try to persuade him further, but said tactfully: "Secretary Hu, how about this? I'll find an opportunity to have her come and toast you."

"As for other matters... let's take it slow, shall we?"

Secretary Hu Dakui waved his hand: "Fine, we'll do as you say."

"But General Manager Wan, I'll say this upfront—I'm serious."

"If this young lady is willing, I won't treat her poorly."

General Manager Wan Baolai accompanied him with a smile, but in his heart, he was calculating.

This Zhang Ya was really not someone to be trifled with.

If Secretary Hu Dakui tried to force it, he would likely be met with a cold shoulder.

But he couldn't say this explicitly and had to take it one step at a time.

After drinking for a while longer, Secretary Hu Dakui got up to go to the restroom.

As soon as he left the room, Township Head Ge Jiefang put down his chopsticks and looked at General Manager Wan Baolai: "General Manager Wan, you'd better keep a close eye on that Zhang Ya."

General Manager Wan Baolai was stunned: "What does Township Head Ge mean by that?"

Township Head Ge Jiefang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly: "You know Secretary Hu's little habits."

"If something really happens, it'll be troublesome for everyone."

"Furthermore, there's a new Deputy Secretary in the township now, and he's just looking for an entry point."

"What if Zhang Ya goes to him to file a complaint..."

General Manager Wan Baolai's expression changed: "Township Head Ge is right to remind me. I will be careful."

Township Head Ge Jiefang nodded and said no more.

Outside the window, the snow was falling heavier.

Secretary Hu Dakui returned from the restroom, his face glowing; he had clearly forgotten his earlier displeasure.

He sat down with a thud, picked up his wine glass, and said: "Come, come, let's have another! General Manager Wan, let me tell you, the township is launching several projects next year, and we'll be counting on your support!"

General Manager Wan Baolai smiled and raised his glass: "With one word from Secretary Hu, I will go through fire and water for you!"

The three of them drained their glasses again.

After eating and drinking their fill, Secretary Hu Dakui and Township Head Ge Jiefang got up to leave.

General Manager Wan Baolai saw them downstairs and watched as they got into that old Santana and disappeared into the wind and snow.

He stood at the entrance, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.

"General Manager Wan."

A female voice came from behind. General Manager Wan Baolai turned around and saw Zhang Ya standing under the porch.

She was wearing a cream-colored turtleneck sweater and black trousers, her hair pulled back to reveal a slender, fair neck.

At twenty-four or twenty-five, she had delicate features and a scholarly air in her eyes that was completely out of place in this godforsaken backwater.

"The guests at that table just now were the township leaders, right?"

General Manager Wan Baolai nodded: "Secretary Hu and Township Head Ge."

Zhang Ya gave an 'oh' and didn't say anything else, turning to leave.

General Manager Wan Baolai called out to her, and Zhang Ya turned back.

General Manager Wan Baolai hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Secretary Hu was just... asking about you."

Zhang Ya's eyes instantly turned cold: "Asking what about me?"

"Just... asking casually."

General Manager Wan Baolai avoided her gaze and said evasively: "He said you... look beautiful."

Zhang Ya was silent for a few seconds, then smiled—a faint smile, carrying an indescribable meaning.

"General Manager Wan, please thank Secretary Hu for his good intentions on my behalf."

"But I'm just an employee. I just want to earn money steadily for a few years and then go back home to open a small shop."

"I haven't thought about anything else."

With that, she turned and walked into the building, her figure disappearing around the corner of the stairs.

General Manager Wan Baolai stood in place, watching the swirling snowflakes, and suddenly felt that this winter might not be very peaceful.

General Manager Wan Baolai crushed his cigarette butt, got into the car, and started the engine.

The car slowly drove out of the resort, passed through the pine forest, and disappeared into the depths of the wind and snow.

Meanwhile, in the office at the east end of the second floor of the Hukuang Township Government building, the lights were still on.

Xu Weidong sat at his desk with a stack of materials spread out in front of him.

They were all statistical reports on coal mine production, tax payment records, and safety inspection ledgers for Hukuang Township over the past five years.

Xu Weidong read very slowly, sometimes flipping through a page repeatedly, sometimes picking up his pen to underline certain numbers.

Sometimes he would simply close his eyes and lean back in his chair, as if digesting something.

In the thermos cup on the desk, the tea had gone cold.