77: Chapter 77 A Sister Came from the South

In mid-January, it snowed again in Changyuan County.

The snow was light, falling in fine, scattered flakes.

The office building of the County Education Bureau was an old four-story structure with white tiles on the exterior, looking exceptionally pristine in the snow.

In the director's office on the third floor, a young woman stood by the window, watching the snow outside.

She was twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, wearing a dark gray cashmere coat, with her hair pinned up, revealing a fair, slender neck.

Her features were delicate, and there was a scholarly air about her brows, but her eyes were exceptionally bright, revealing a composure that belied her age.

Her name was Director Ye Mingzhu; three days ago, she was still working at the Hannan Provincial Education Department.

Today, she was already sitting in the office of the director of the County Education Bureau.

An inter-provincial exchange, a lateral transfer.

From the provincial capital to the county seat, from a provincial-level agency to the grassroots front line.

To others, this might look like being "sent down," but to her, it was an opportunity.

Her phone rang, and Director Ye Mingzhu glanced at the caller ID before answering.

"Dad."

"You've arrived?"

"I have, today is the third day."

"How is it? Are you getting used to it?"

Director Ye Mingzhu smiled and said, "It's fine."

"Although the county is small, it has everything it needs."

"The comrades at the Education Bureau are also quite cooperative."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the line, then he said, "Mingzhu, do you know why you were sent there?"

Director Ye Mingzhu stopped smiling and said in a serious tone, "I know."

"Tell me."

Director Ye Mingzhu weighed her words, then said, "Our family and the Xu Family have had some misunderstandings."

"Although it's in the past, it's still a knot between us."

"Now that Xu Tianhua is in his prime, if our family wants to thrive, we have to untie this knot."

"Mm, go on."

"Xu Weidong is in Changyuan County."

"He is Xu Tianhua's only son and is the third generation being groomed by the Liu Faction."

"If I can build a good relationship with him, or even..."

Director Ye Mingzhu paused, her face flushing slightly.

"Then the path for our family's future will be much easier to walk."

On the other end of the phone, her father, Ye Zhengming, was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Mingzhu, remember this."

"The Ye Family may not have other talents, but our eye for people has never been wrong."

"Xu Tianhua is someone who will surely achieve great things in the future."

"Since Xu Weidong is his son, he won't be any worse."

"You are going there not to curry favor with anyone, but just to make a friend."

Director Ye Mingzhu nodded and said, "I understand."

"It's good that you understand."

"However, Mingzhu, I must remind you of one thing."

"Matters of the heart cannot be forced."

"If you get along, that's fate."

"If you don't, don't force it."

"The Ye Family is not yet at the point where we need to sell our daughter to survive."

Director Ye Mingzhu laughed, her eyes curving into crescents.

"Dad, you're overthinking it."

"I'm just going there to work and, incidentally, to meet someone."

"As for the rest, let nature take its course."

"Mm."

"As long as you know what you're doing, that's fine."

"Alright, hang up now."

After hanging up the phone, Director Ye Mingzhu stood by the window, watching the snow outside.

The Hannan Ye Family had once had some unpleasantness with the Xu Family.

That was many years ago; some of the younger generation of The Ye Family had been arrogant and tried to scheme against Xu Tianhua, only to be thoroughly countered.

After that, the elder of The Ye Family had personally visited the leaders to apologize, which finally turned the page on the matter.

But that crack had always remained.

Over the years, The Ye Family had been looking for a chance to make amends.

And this time, the opportunity had come.

Director Ye Mingzhu withdrew her gaze, walked back to her desk, and opened a file.

It was the annual work summary of the County Education Bureau, which mentioned the situation of some schools.

Her gaze landed on a familiar place name: Hukuang Township.

Hukuang Township Central Primary School was one of the most remote schools in the county, with harsh conditions and weak teaching staff.

Director Ye Mingzhu thought for a moment, picked up the phone, and dialed a number.

"Hello, is this Director Li?"

"This is Director Ye Mingzhu."

"Help me understand the situation at Hukuang Township Central Primary School, especially what kind of support they need."

"I want to find time to pay a visit."

After hanging up, she leaned back in her chair, looking at the ceiling.

Hukuang Township—that was the place where Xu Weidong had stayed.

I heard he accomplished quite a lot there; not only did he dismantle the den in Qili Village, but he also saved those trafficked women.

The local people there gave him a thumbs up whenever they mentioned him.

In the evening, Xu Weidong received a call from his father.

"Comrade Weidong, I have something to tell you."

Xu Tianhua's voice came from the other end of the line, devoid of any discernible emotion.

"Dad, go ahead."

"A young woman from the Hannan Ye Family has been transferred to your county."

"Her name is Director Ye Mingzhu, twenty-six years old, and she is the director of the Education Bureau."

Xu Weidong was stunned for a moment. The Ye Family?

The Ye Family that once had a conflict with his father?

"Dad, this is..."

"An inter-provincial exchange, a normal personnel transfer."

Xu Tianhua said in a calm tone, "The Ye Family moved quite fast this time; it seems they want to use this opportunity to ease relations."

Xu Weidong was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Dad, what should I do?"

Xu Tianhua laughed and said, "What should you do?"

"Just let nature take its course."

"Meet when you need to meet, and interact when you need to interact."

"No need to deliberately distance yourself, nor to deliberately get close."

Xu Tianhua paused, his tone becoming more solemn.

"Comrade Weidong, remember that political matters are very complex."

"Some people are opponents today, but may be allies tomorrow."

"There may be misunderstandings today, but tomorrow there may be a need for cooperation."

"Given our family's current position, many people are watching us, and many want to get close to us."

"You must learn to distinguish who is sincere and who is not."

Xu Weidong nodded and said, "Dad, I understand."

"It's good that you understand."

Xu Tianhua's tone became relaxed again as he said, "I've inquired about that young woman; her character is good, and her ability is also fine."

"She did quite well at the Hannan Provincial Education Department, and this transfer down can be considered training."

"When you see her, just interact with her normally."

Xu Weidong felt a slight stir in his heart; his father had specifically inquired about this person?

"Dad, you are..."

Xu Tianhua laughed, his laughter carrying a hint of meaningful implication.

"Don't overthink it, I was just getting to know the situation."

"Alright, hang up now."

The next morning, the County Public Security Bureau held a general meeting of cadres.

At the meeting, Director Liu Qingfeng conveyed the latest instructions from the County Party Committee and mentioned the newly appointed director of the Education Bureau, Director Ye Mingzhu.

"Director Ye Mingzhu is an excellent young cadre who has been exchanged from Hannan Province. She has worked in the Provincial Education Department for many years and has rich experience. Everyone should cooperate and support her in future work."

After the meeting, Xu Weidong returned to his office and saw a document on his desk.

It was a letter sent by the County Education Bureau regarding the joint launch of a special rectification campaign for campus safety.

Xu Weidong read it once, picked up the phone, and dialed.

"Hello, is this the Education Bureau?"

"I am Xu Weidong of the Public Security Bureau."

"Please transfer me to Director Ye."

A female voice came from the other end of the line, clear and cold, yet pleasant to the ear.

"Hello, this is Director Ye Mingzhu."

"Hello, Director Ye, I am Xu Weidong of the Public Security Bureau."

"I have received the letter you sent regarding the special rectification of campus safety."

"There are some specific issues I would like to discuss with you in person."

There was a second of silence on the other end, then she said, "Okay, Director Xu, what time is convenient for you?"

"How about 3:00 PM today? I'll come to your office?"

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

At 3:00 PM, at the County Education Bureau.

When Xu Weidong walked into the director's office, Director Ye Mingzhu was standing by the window, watching the snow outside.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around with a faint smile on her face.

"Director Xu, welcome."

Xu Weidong looked at her and was slightly stunned.

She was younger and prettier than he had imagined.

But what attracted him most were those eyes.

Bright, clear, yet revealing a depth that was hard to describe.

"Director Ye, sorry to bother you."

The two sat down on the sofa, and a staff member served tea and then withdrew.

Director Ye Mingzhu spoke first, "Director Xu, our bureau attaches great importance to the special rectification of campus safety."

"There are many schools in Changyuan County, and the conditions are uneven, especially in remote township schools, where there are many hidden safety hazards."

"We hope that the Public Security Bureau can provide strong support."

Xu Weidong nodded and said, "That is expected."

"Campus safety is a major matter, and the Public Security Bureau has an unshirkable duty."

"If you have any specific needs, feel free to bring them up."

The two discussed the work plan, personnel deployment, and time arrangements one by one.

Director Ye Mingzhu's thinking was clear and logical, and the issues she raised were very specific and practical.

Xu Weidong found that communicating with her was very smooth.

The discussion lasted for nearly an hour. When it ended, Director Ye Mingzhu suddenly asked, "Director Xu, I heard you stayed in Hukuang Township?"

Xu Weidong looked at her and nodded, "I stayed there for a period of time."

"I have been to Hukuang Township Central Primary School."

"Although the conditions are harsh, the children there are very cute."

Director Ye Mingzhu paused, then said meaningfully, "I heard you accomplished quite a lot there?"

Xu Weidong smiled and said, "It was all part of my duty."

Director Ye Mingzhu looked at him and suddenly smiled as well, "Director Xu, we will be dealing with each other frequently in our work, so don't be so formal."

"Just call me Sister Mingzhu."

Xu Weidong looked at her bright eyes, and a strange feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.

"Okay, then I will be bold and call you Sister Mingzhu."

"Let's leave it at that for today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at any time."

Director Ye Mingzhu saw him to the door.

"Take care, Director Xu."

Xu Weidong walked out of the Education Bureau building, got into his car, and drove in the direction of the Public Security Bureau.