78: Chapter 78 Another Miss Mu Arrives in Qiantang

In mid-to-late January, the snow in Changyuan County had stopped, but the weather remained chilly.

Xu Weidong had just returned from outside and was processing documents in his office when his phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Dad."

"Comrade Weidong."

Xu Tianhua's voice came from the other end of the line, carrying a rare touch of gentleness.

"There is something I need to tell you."

Xu Weidong put down his pen, sat up straight, and said, "Please go ahead."

"Your Uncle Mu's daughter, Mu Ruxue, has been transferred to your county."

Xu Weidong was taken aback. Mu Qing, Uncle Mu, was the Party Group Secretary of the Qiantang Provincial Government and Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. He was his father's senior at the Party School and one of his father's most important political allies.

The relationship between their two families was closer than that of relatives.

"Transferred to the county?"

"What position?"

"Deputy Secretary of the County Youth League Committee."

"She is twenty-four, a little younger than you."

"The young lady is on the reserve cadre track. She did well in Qiantang, and this time she is coming down here to gain some experience."

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

Xu Tianhua was silent for a second, then said, "Comrade Weidong, your Uncle Mu and I have a very good relationship, and I've watched Ruxue grow up."

"She is going to work in such a far-off place all by herself, and she doesn't know anyone there. Take good care of her and don't let anyone bully her."

The words were spoken lightly, but they carried heavy weight.

Xu Weidong understood his father's meaning.

In this circle, some relationships are closer than blood ties.

Mu Qing and his father had been classmates at the Party School, and their friendship had spanned many years, supporting each other all the way to this day.

This kind of relationship could not be compared to simple exchanges of interests.

"Dad, rest assured."

Xu Weidong said solemnly, "I will definitely take good care of Ruxue and will never let you and Uncle Mu worry."

Xu Tianhua laughed, his laughter filled with a touch of gratification. "Alright, with those words from you, I can rest easy."

"Ruxue is a straightforward girl, and sometimes she doesn't watch what she says. Please be patient with her."

"Remind her when necessary in her work, and take care of her in her daily life."

"If anything comes up, call me anytime."

"Okay."

After hanging up the phone, Xu Weidong leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling.

When he was a child, the two families often visited each other during the Chinese New Year.

Uncle Mu would hold him and call him little Comrade Weidong, and he would call Uncle Mu, Uncle Mu.

Later, as they grew up, they were each busy with their own lives, and opportunities to meet became fewer.

However, during holidays and festivals, the two families would still exchange greetings and occasionally talk on the phone.

In his memory, Mu Ruxue was a cheerful little girl with curved eyes and two small dimples when she smiled; he wondered what she was like now.

Xu Weidong thought for a moment, picked up his phone, and sent a message to Mu Ruxue.

"Ruxue, I heard you've been transferred to Changyuan County? When will you arrive? I'll come to pick you up."

Not long after the message was sent, he received a reply.

"Brother Comrade Weidong! I'll arrive in Changyuan County tomorrow afternoon! You don't need to pick me up, the unit has a car coming to get me."

Xu Weidong looked at the words "Brother Comrade Weidong," a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. She was still that same little girl.

"The unit is the unit, and I am me. What time will you arrive? Which station?"

The other side was silent for a few seconds, then sent a time and a station name.

Xu Weidong looked at it; it was 3:00 PM tomorrow, at the Changyuan County Long-distance Bus Station.

"Okay, I'll come to pick you up."

The next day at 2:30 PM, Xu Weidong drove to the long-distance bus station.

Although it was called a long-distance bus station, it was actually just a large courtyard on the east side of the county town, with a few rows of single-story houses and a dozen or so dilapidated buses parked there.

The courtyard was bustling with people coming and going: vendors selling tea eggs, roasted sweet potatoes, and taxi drivers soliciting passengers—a chaotic scene.

He parked the car on the side of the road and stood by the car waiting.

Five minutes past three, a bus arriving from the city slowly pulled into the station.

The bus door opened, and passengers started getting off one after another.

The last one to get off was a young woman.

She was wearing a white down jacket, a light gray scarf, her hair was let down, and she was wearing light makeup.

Her features were delicate, her eyes showed a touch of spirit, and when she smiled, she had two shallow dimples.

She stood at the bus door, looking around, and then she saw Xu Weidong.

"Brother Comrade Weidong!"

She waved her hand and ran over, dragging her suitcase.

Xu Weidong went up to meet her, took her suitcase, and looked her up and down.

"You've grown up so much?"

Mu Ruxue smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

"I'm already in my twenties, of course I've grown up."

"You haven't changed much either, still just as handsome."

Xu Weidong also laughed and said, "Get in the car, it's cold outside."

He put the suitcase into the trunk, started the car, and drove out of the station.

Mu Ruxue sat in the passenger seat, curiously looking at the street scene outside the window.

"Changyuan County is more prosperous than I imagined."

"I thought it was just a small town."

Xu Weidong smiled and said, "It's alright."

"The county town isn't big, but it has everything it should have. Have you arranged where you're staying?"

"It's arranged. The Youth League Committee found me a dormitory behind the County Committee Compound."

Mu Ruxue turned to look at him and said, "Brother Comrade Weidong, thank you for coming specifically to pick me up."

Xu Weidong shook his head and said, "No need to be so polite."

"You came from such a far place all by yourself; if I don't come to pick you up, who would?"

"Just do your job well here. If you need any help, come to me anytime."

Mu Ruxue nodded and suddenly asked, "Brother Comrade Weidong, I heard you've accomplished quite a few big things here? Was that case in Qili Village handled by you?"

Xu Weidong smiled and said, "How did you know about that?"

"My dad told me."

Mu Ruxue looked at him with a touch of admiration in her eyes.

"He said you are exceptionally capable and told me to learn from you."

Xu Weidong shook his head and said, "Don't listen to Uncle Mu's nonsense."

"I'm just an ordinary cadre doing my duty."

Mu Ruxue looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Brother Comrade Weidong, you're still the same—humble."

Xu Weidong also laughed. The car drove along the main street of the county town, with various shops and units on both sides.

Mu Ruxue looked curiously out the window, asking about this and that from time to time.

Xu Weidong answered them one by one, like a competent guide.

When they arrived at the dormitory building behind the County Committee Compound, Xu Weidong helped her move her luggage up.

The dormitory was not big—one bedroom and one living room—but it was kept very clean.

Mu Ruxue looked around and nodded with satisfaction.

"It's quite good, much better than I expected."

Xu Weidong stood at the doorway and did not go inside.

"You should tidy up first and rest a while. I'll treat you to dinner tonight to welcome you."

Mu Ruxue's eyes lit up. "Really? What are we eating?"

Xu Weidong thought for a moment, then said, "There's a Northeastern restaurant in the county town that's quite authentic. I'll come to pick you up at six."

"Okay!"

At 6:00 PM, Xu Weidong picked up Mu Ruxue and went to that Northeastern restaurant.

The restaurant was not big, but business was very good.

Xu Weidong asked for a small private room and ordered a few signature dishes.

Guobaorou, stewed chicken with mushrooms, Di San Xian, and sauerkraut with pork.

Mu Ruxue ate with great relish, saying while she ate:

"This Guobaorou is really delicious, much more authentic than what we eat in Qiantang."

Xu Weidong smiled and said, "That's true. Northeastern cuisine is best eaten in the Northeast."

Mu Ruxue put down her chopsticks, looked at him, and suddenly asked, "Brother Comrade Weidong, don't you miss home when you're here all by yourself?"

Xu Weidong was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head.

"Miss home?"

"It's okay. When work gets busy, I don't have time to think about it."

Mu Ruxue nodded, was silent for a while, and then said, "I miss home a little."

"Just arriving here, I don't know anyone, and I'm a little scared."

Xu Weidong looked at her, and a wave of pity welled up in his heart.

This girl, who had been pampered and protected since childhood, suddenly coming to such a far-off place all by herself, was indeed not easy.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

"If anything happens, call me anytime."

"If you encounter difficulties at work, also come to me."

"Although this place is far, you are not alone."

Mu Ruxue looked at him, her eyes turning slightly red.

"Brother Comrade Weidong, thank you."

Xu Weidong smiled and picked up a piece of meat for her.

"Eat, don't think too much; you'll get used to it slowly."

Mu Ruxue nodded and lowered her head to continue eating.

After dinner, Xu Weidong took Mu Ruxue back to her dormitory.

Standing downstairs, Mu Ruxue suddenly said, "Brother Comrade Weidong, can I come to you often in the future?"

Xu Weidong nodded and said, "Of course you can. You can come to me whether you have something on or not."

Mu Ruxue smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

"Then it's a deal."

She turned to go upstairs, walked to the stairwell, and turned back to wave.

Xu Weidong stood downstairs, watching her disappear around the corner of the stairs, and then turned and left.