89: Chapter 89 Protecting One's Own

Mu Ruxue, wearing a navy blue professional suit, stood in front of the podium and said in a clear voice, "Next, let us welcome Comrade Xu Weidong, Executive Deputy Director of the County Public Security Bureau, to give us a speech."

Applause broke out. Xu Weidong stood up, gave a slight nod to the audience, and walked to the lectern.

He did not take a prepared speech, resting his hands lightly on the edge of the lectern as his gaze swept across the hundreds of young faces below.

"Students, I am here today to talk about the law, but not to lecture on legal statutes."

The audience quieted down.

"What is the law? Many people think the law is a restraint, a punishment, something you only think of after you've committed an offense."

Xu Weidong paused, then said, "But in my view, the law should be a door. A door you walk through voluntarily, not one you are forced to push open."

He spoke about a case, the operation last year in Qili Village to rescue trafficked women, telling of those girls locked in cellars, and how they too were once students sitting in classrooms reading books.

"It wasn't that they didn't know the law existed; it was that they didn't know the law could protect them. Or rather, no one told them where that door was when danger approached."

The expressions of the students below became serious.

"So I came here today to tell you: the law is not just statutes written on paper. It is the 'no' you can shout when you are bullied, the phone call you can make when you see injustice, and the strongest trump card you have after you enter society."

Xu Weidong spoke for ten minutes, with no empty rhetoric, just cases and common sense.

When he finished, the applause was much more enthusiastic than at the beginning.

Secretary Du Qing sat in the front row with a smile on his face, but was calculating in his heart.

This Xu Weidong really has talent in speaking; no wonder he could sit in the position of Executive Deputy Director at this age.

But immediately, his gaze drifted to Mu Ruxue, who was expressing her thanks on stage.

Sunlight slanted in through the window, falling on the contours of her profile, and Secretary Du Qing's heart skipped a beat.

So beautiful!

If he could get with her, he would even be willing to go be a township Party Committee secretary!

After the event concluded, the group went to a restaurant.

The private room in the restaurant was not large, and the round table was set with six dishes and one soup.

As soon as the dishes were served, Secretary Du Qing raised his glass and said with a smile, "Today's event went well. Director Xu gave a brilliant speech, and Ruxue's hosting was also excellent."

"Come, let me propose a toast to everyone."

Everyone raised their glasses. Deputy Director Lu Bing of the County Education Bureau drank his in one gulp, then wiped his mouth and said, "I love hearing Secretary Du say that."

"But if you ask me, the highlight of the day was still Comrade Ruxue. Look at the temperament she had on stage—she's no worse than the presenters on TV."

Mu Ruxue lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushed as she said, "Director Lu Bing, you flatter me. I was just reading from the script."

"Hey, modesty."

Deputy Director Lu Bing waved his hand and refilled his glass.

"Ruxue, I'd like to propose a toast to you. You've just arrived in our Changyuan County; if you need anything in your work in the future, just ask."

Mu Ruxue was stunned for a moment. She looked at the glass in front of her and said with some difficulty, "Director Lu Bing, I... I don't really know how to drink."

"If you don't know how to drink, you can learn."

Deputy Director Lu Bing laughed heartily. "In our grassroots work, sometimes things only get done at the dining table."

"You'll be leading the Youth League Committee work later and dealing with various units; you can't get by without knowing how to drink."

The principal of County No. 1 High School, Hong An, tried to smooth things over from the side, "Director Lu Bing, Comrade Ruxue is indeed young. How about she just takes a symbolic sip?"

"Old Hong, you're not right about that."

Deputy Director Lu Bing interrupted him. "I am caring for a young comrade, helping her get some practice in advance."

"Ruxue, just this one small glass. I'm watching you drink it."

Mu Ruxue bit her lip, her hand trembling slightly.

Secretary Du Qing had been silent, his eyes lingering on Mu Ruxue's face. Suddenly, he smiled and said, "Ruxue, Director Lu Bing has good intentions. How about this: I'll join you in a toast to Director Lu Bing?"

This sounded like he was helping her out, but in reality, he was fanning the flames. Mu Ruxue looked at Secretary Du Qing, a flash of surprise and panic in her eyes.

"Secretary Du is right."

Deputy Director Lu Bing became even more eager. "Come, Ruxue, let's clink glasses."

Just then, a voice fell, neither loud nor soft.

"Director Lu Bing, let's skip this drink."

Everyone was stunned and looked at Xu Weidong, who had spoken.

He leaned back against the chair, his chopsticks suspended in mid-air, with no expression on his face.

Deputy Director Lu Bing's smile stiffened. "Director Xu, what do you mean by that?"

Xu Weidong put down his chopsticks and said in a calm tone, "Comrade Ruxue is not very old and probably doesn't know how to drink yet. Director Lu Bing, there is no need to make things difficult for her."

Deputy Director Lu Bing's alcohol was getting to him, and his face flushed slightly. "Director Xu, I don't like hearing that."

"Drinking is a skill that best tests a cadre."

"We can't stop her from drinking just because she's a woman, right? Isn't gender equality promoted everywhere now?"

The atmosphere in the private room suddenly became tense. Secretary Du Qing quickly glanced at Xu Weidong, his mind racing.

Deputy Director Lu Bing was the Deputy Director of the Education Bureau and had no direct subordinate relationship with the Public Security Bureau; Xu Weidong didn't need to offend people over such a small matter.

Moreover, Xu Weidong had a huge background, and leaders in the city and county all gave him face.

But since he had spoken, how should he choose his side?

After a moment of thought, Secretary Du Qing decided to help Deputy Director Lu Bing.

For one thing, he really wanted to get Mu Ruxue drunk; for another, he also wanted to see how Xu Weidong would handle this situation.

Although his father told him not to offend Xu Weidong, he could appropriately apply some pressure to temper him.

Of course, he figured that since he worked in the Youth League Committee, he wouldn't have the opportunity to pressure Xu Weidong.

"Director Lu Bing also makes a valid point."

Secretary Du Qing smiled and continued, "Ruxue, why don't you just drink a little, just as a gesture? In grassroots work, some situations are indeed unavoidable."

Mu Ruxue was completely panicked. She looked at Xu Weidong, then at Secretary Du Qing; the glass in her hand felt like a hot potato.

Xu Weidong suddenly raised his hand and called out, "Waiter."

The door to the private room pushed open, and a young waiter hurried in.

"Leaders, is there anything you need?"

Xu Weidong picked up his chopsticks and tapped the braised crucian carp. "This fish dish you made today isn't quite authentic."

The waiter was stunned, looking at the plate of fish that had barely been touched, not knowing how to respond.

"The heat for this fish is wrong, and the taste is too salty."

Xu Weidong set his chopsticks on the table. "Change it for another one."

The waiter broke into a sweat and nodded repeatedly. "I'm sorry, leaders. I'll have the kitchen prepare a new one immediately."

"No need to prepare a new one."

Xu Weidong interrupted. "Just remove this dish, and charge us for it anyway."

The waiter dared not say more and deftly took the fish away.

The private room was silent for a few seconds. Deputy Director Lu Bing's face turned alternating shades of green and white, and the glass in his hand was neither raised nor lowered.

Secretary Du Qing's smile stiffened on his face. At this age, he already knows how to make an excuse to shift the topic?

He really is the descendant of a political figure; his brain turns quite fast.

Xu Weidong picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his tone returned to normal.

"Director Lu Bing, where were we?"

Deputy Director Lu Bing gave two dry laughs. "Director Xu is right. Comrade Ruxue is still young; if she doesn't know how to drink, don't force her."

"Come, let's eat, let's eat."

He put down his glass, picked up his chopsticks, and never mentioned drinking again.

Secretary Du Qing also joined in with the banter, urging everyone to eat.

Mu Ruxue glanced quietly at Xu Weidong and saw him lowering his head to pick up food, with no sign of anything unusual on his face, but she felt inexplicably settled in her heart.

After the meal, everyone left one after another. Mu Ruxue deliberately lingered behind and caught up with Xu Weidong in the corridor.

"Brother Weidong, just now... thank you."

Xu Weidong paused his steps, turned his head to look at her, and smiled. "You're welcome."

"In the future, in such situations, if you don't want to drink, just say so directly. No one can force you."

Mu Ruxue pursed her lips, wanting to say something, but swallowed it back.

Xu Weidong took a step forward, then suddenly stopped again, his voice dropping a little lower.

"That person, Secretary Du Qing, stay away from him."

Mu Ruxue was stunned. When she looked up, Xu Weidong had already gone downstairs.

She stood in place, watching that back disappear around the corner of the stairs, a nameless emotion welling up in her heart.

Downstairs, Secretary Du Qing was saying goodbye to Deputy Director Lu Bing.

Deputy Director Lu Bing still had an embarrassed look on his face and hurriedly got into his car.

Secretary Du Qing turned his head, saw Xu Weidong coming down, and smiled as he greeted him. "Director Xu, I have learned a lot today."

Xu Weidong glanced at him. "Secretary Du Qing, what are you saying? What is there for me to teach?"

"Just now at the dining table, I didn't consider things thoroughly."

Secretary Du Qing said with a sincere smile, "I will need to learn more from Director Xu in the future."

Xu Weidong nodded, said nothing more, and got into his own car.