90: Chapter 90 The Little Scheme of the Night-Shining Pearl

Deputy Director Lu Bing returned home to find his wife already asleep.

He tiptoed into the study, turned on the desk lamp, and sat in his chair, dazed.

The effects of the alcohol had long since worn off, but his mind was now even clearer—clear enough to make him feel lingering fear.

Xu Weidong, the Executive Deputy Director of the County Public Security Bureau, was twenty-six years old by traditional count! Only twenty-five by actual age!

Deputy Director Lu Bing recalled that when he was twenty-six, he was still a Chinese teacher at County No. 1 High School, riding a "Twenty-Eight" bicycle to work every day, with his biggest worry being the need to publish one more academic paper for his professional title promotion.

Yet Xu Weidong was already sitting in the seat of an Executive Deputy Director, a position where even city and county leaders had to treat him with courtesy.

What had he done tonight? He had forced someone protected by Xu Weidong to drink!

"Drinking causes trouble, drinking causes trouble..."

Deputy Director Lu Bing muttered to himself, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.

He remembered what happened last year: the KTV opened by the former county head's nephew had been raided by Xu Weidong and his team, resulting in the arrest of over twenty people for involvement in prostitution and drugs.

The former county head hadn't dared to say a single word and had been quietly transferred to a slack position in the city.

How many years had that KTV been open? Countless reports had been useless, yet Xu Weidong had wiped it out shortly after arriving.

What kind of background was that? What kind of confidence was that?

Deputy Director Lu Bing stubbed out the cigarette and lit another.

He recalled Secretary Du Qing's behavior at the dinner table—initially chiming in to urge drinks, but immediately pivoting to smooth things over once he saw Xu Weidong get angry.

This kid, young as he was, was as slippery as an eel.

"He's not a good guy."

He then remembered Mu Ruxue's panicked eyes and the moment Xu Weidong had slammed his chopsticks down.

That wasn't about the fish being bad; it was a warning to him, and also a warning to Secretary Du Qing.

Xu Weidong hadn't lost his temper from start to finish; with just a few calm words and one action, he had controlled the situation.

Deputy Director Lu Bing rubbed his temples and decided to call Xu Weidong tomorrow morning; he would apologize and state his position as necessary.

Having been in officialdom for twenty years, if he didn't understand at least this much, he would have wasted his time.

At the same time, in the staff quarters of the County Committee Compound.

Director Ye Mingzhu leaned against the headboard, phone pressed to her ear, listening to the voice of her father, Ye Yuanshan, on the other end.

"How is the progress of your relationship with Xu Weidong?"

She sighed softly and said, "Dad, this little brother is smarter than I imagined."

"He is currently quite close with that daughter of the Mu family."

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, followed by a soft sigh: "What a pity."

"The Ye Family has some misunderstandings with the Xu Family. Your grandfather's intention is that a marriage alliance would be best."

"Xu Tianhua's current position carries too much weight."

Director Ye Mingzhu certainly knew it carried weight; last year's anti-trafficking storm had shaken the whole country and implicated a series of things hidden beneath the surface.

The political maneuvering alone had taken down several vice-provincial level officials...

The Ye Family had sent her to Changyuan County both to repair relations and to keep a hope alive.

"Dad, don't be anxious."

Director Ye Mingzhu said softly, "Xu Weidong is only twenty-six, and Mu Ruxue is only twenty-five; they are both still young."

"There's a long road ahead."

"As long as you know what you're doing."

Ye Yuanshan paused, then asked, "How is work? Is everything going smoothly in your little territory at the County Education Bureau?"

Director Ye Mingzhu smiled and said, "There is an old fossil in the bureau who relies on his seniority and extensive connections to constantly hold onto certain powers."

"However..."

"However what?"

"However, this person gets carried away when he drinks, and he's rather lecherous."

Director Ye Mingzhu's eyes curved as she smiled and said, "Dad, since this old guy is so hard to chew, let's let him clash with Xu Weidong's sharp edge."

A hearty laugh came from the other end: "What, you want to bring that young couple together?"

"And while I'm at it, see just how much Xu Weidong cares about that Mu Ruxue."

Director Ye Mingzhu said calmly, "The County Youth League Committee held an event today, and I heard that Deputy Director Lu Bing was at the table, forcing Mu Ruxue to drink."

"Xu Weidong slammed his chopsticks down on the spot and blocked it for her."

"Oh?"

Ye Yuanshan became interested: "Who is Lu Bing? The Deputy Director of the Education Bureau?"

"Yes, that's him."

Director Ye Mingzhu's smile deepened: "Deputy Director Lu Bing is petty. He lost face today, so he must be unhappy."

"But he can't afford to offend Xu Weidong, so he can only bottle it up."

"I'll add some fuel to the fire, making him think that Secretary Du Qing was pulling the strings behind the scenes, and that he was the one who put Deputy Director Lu Bing on the spot..."

"Secretary Du Qing?"

"The one from Vice Governor Du's family in Heishui Province?"

"Yes, that's him."

Director Ye Mingzhu nodded: "This kid has been pursuing Mu Ruxue intensely lately. Tonight at the dinner table, he even helped Deputy Director Lu Bing urge her to drink, only to be slapped in the face alongside him by Xu Weidong."

"I estimate that he will adjust his target immediately."

"Adjust his target? Coming for you?"

"It's highly likely."

"So you want to use Secretary Du Qing's hand to help you do something?"

"And at the same time, let Secretary Du Qing learn a lesson."

Director Ye Mingzhu laughed: "Dad, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

"As for Secretary Du Qing, I will make him understand what it means to retreat in the face of difficulty."

Ye Yuanshan laughed heartily: "Good, worthy of being my daughter."

After hanging up, Director Ye Mingzhu leaned against the headboard, looking at the moonlight outside the window.

This little place, Changyuan County, is truly getting more and more interesting.

The next morning, at the County Public Security Bureau.

Xu Weidong was reviewing case files when his phone rang—it was an unknown number.

"Hello, is this Director Xu? This is Deputy Director Lu Bing."

Xu Weidong raised an eyebrow: "Director Lu, hello."

"Oh, Director Xu, I drank too much last night and said some things I shouldn't have. Please don't take it to heart."

Deputy Director Lu Bing's voice was filled with absolute sincerity: "I'm the type who gets confused when I drink; my wife scolded me all night after I got home."

"I specifically called you today to apologize."

Xu Weidong smiled: "Director Lu, you're too serious. What happened last night? I've already forgotten."

"Director Xu, you are magnanimous, which makes me feel even worse."

Deputy Director Lu Bing lowered his voice: "Director Xu, I don't know if I should say this."

"Please speak, Director Lu."

"That Secretary Du Qing, you need to keep an eye on him."

Deputy Director Lu Bing's tone became serious: "Last night at the dinner table, he was ostensibly helping me speak, but in reality, he was pushing Comrade Ruxue into a pit of fire."

"This kid is full of tricks; you need to be on guard."

Xu Weidong didn't reply, just gave an acknowledging hum.

"Also, I heard this kid has been pursuing Director Ye Mingzhu lately."

"Director Ye Mingzhu is such a smart person, she certainly wouldn't fall for his tricks. But I'm afraid he might use some underhanded methods to cause trouble for you and Comrade Ruxue."

A trace of amusement flashed in Xu Weidong's eyes; Deputy Director Lu Bing was here to pledge loyalty and pass along some information.

Secretary Du Qing was not a good person, and Deputy Director Lu Bing was not on the same path as him.

"Thank you for the reminder, Director Lu."

Xu Weidong said sincerely: "When you have time another day, I'll treat you to tea."

"Oh, Director Xu, you are too polite. It should be me treating you..."

Deputy Director Lu Bing exchanged a few more pleasantries and hung up.

Xu Weidong put down his phone, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.

This really is one thing after another!

In the afternoon, at the County Committee Compound.

Mu Ruxue had just come out of the conference room when she ran into Secretary Du Qing.

"Ruxue!"

Secretary Du Qing hurried over with just the right amount of concern on his face.

"Are you alright from last night? I've been worried about you ever since."

Mu Ruxue stepped back half a step and smiled politely: "Secretary Du, thank you for your concern, I am fine."

"That's good, that's good."

Secretary Du Qing sighed: "I was confused last night, just blindly joining in with Deputy Director Lu Bing."

"Thinking about it later, I really shouldn't have."

"Ruxue, please don't take it to heart."

Mu Ruxue shook her head: "Secretary Du, you are too serious. I have things to do, I'll be going now."

She walked around Secretary Du Qing and headed downstairs.

Secretary Du Qing stood where he was, watching her slender back disappear around the stairwell corner, the smile on his face slowly fading.

The path with Mu Ruxue, he feared, would not be easy to walk.

He remembered the moment Xu Weidong slammed his chopsticks down last night, and his heart tightened.

He knew a little bit about Xu Weidong's background.

Someone who could make city and county leaders treat him with such deference was definitely not someone he could afford to offend.

If Mu Ruxue was really Xu Weidong's person, then for him to keep pursuing her would be courting death.

Under these circumstances, he had no choice but to change paths.

Director Ye Mingzhu was even more beautiful than Mu Ruxue, and her background was much deeper than Mu Ruxue's.

He heard her family was from the South; he wasn't clear on the specifics, but for someone to hold a substantive section-level position at that age, she was definitely not simple.

He took out his phone, found a number, and dialed it.

"Hello, is this Director Ye? This is Secretary Du Qing from the Youth League Committee. Yes, yes, I wanted to report something to you, see when you might be free..."

Mu Ruxue walked out of the County Committee Compound and took a deep breath.

She didn't go back to the dormitory but turned into the small park nearby. After walking a few steps, she saw someone sitting on a bench ahead.

Comrade Weidong!

He saw her too and waved.

Mu Ruxue walked over and sat down beside him.

"Comrade Weidong, why are you here?"

"Waiting for someone."

Xu Weidong smiled and said, "And now I've waited for her."

Mu Ruxue's cheeks warmed slightly; she looked away and also gazed at the lake.

The two remained silent for a moment.

"Deputy Director Lu Bing called me today."

Mu Ruxue was stunned: "Director Lu? What did he say?"

"An apology."

Xu Weidong's lips curled slightly: "And he took the opportunity to remind me that Secretary Du Qing is not a good person."

Mu Ruxue pursed her lips: "Secretary Du Qing also came to find me just now to apologize, saying he shouldn't have urged me to drink last night."

"What did you say back?"

"I said it was fine, and then I left."

Xu Weidong nodded, then smiled and said, "A new dessert shop opened in the east of the city, and the taste is quite good. Do you want to go try it together?"

"Okay, okay!"