92: Chapter 92 Fishing for a Topmouth Cutter

Secretary Du Qing once again resolved this trouble without a single complaint, leaving Director Ye Mingzhu feeling a wave of "gratitude"!

To thank Secretary Du Qing, Director Ye Mingzhu invited him out for a Western-style dinner on the weekend.

The lighting in the Western restaurant was dim and intimate, with candlelight flickering between the two of them.

Director Ye Mingzhu wore a lotus-root pink dress today, with the neckline slightly open, revealing a stretch of fair neck.

She picked up her red wine glass, took a light sip, and her gaze drifted to Secretary Du Qing's face.

"Secretary Du, I'd like to toast you with this glass."

Her voice was a few degrees softer than usual, causing Secretary Du Qing to sink right into it.

"If it hadn't been for you these past few days, I really wouldn't have known what to do."

Secretary Du Qing hurriedly raised his glass and said, "Director Ye Mingzhu, you're too polite. Just call me Secretary Du Qing."

"Then you shouldn't call me Director Ye Mingzhu, either."

Director Ye Mingzhu said with a smile, her eyes curving, "Call me Mingzhu."

Mingzhu!

Secretary Du Qing's heart fluttered; hearing those two words from her lips felt like they were coated in honey.

"Mingzhu……"

He tried saying it, his throat feeling a bit tight.

Director Ye Mingzhu smiled, a hint of girlish shyness in her expression, as she lowered her head to poke at the steak on her plate with a fork.

The candlelight reflected on her profile, her features so soft and beautiful that one couldn't look away.

"Secretary Du Qing, tell me…… am I particularly useless?"

She suddenly looked up, a hint of self-mockery in her eyes.

"Every time I run into trouble, I have to ask you for help."

"How could that be?"

Secretary Du Qing immediately replied, "You're all alone in Changyuan County without anyone reliable by your side. Those old foxes are just bullying you because you're young; anyone would be helpless in your position."

"But I have you."

Director Ye Mingzhu looked at him, her gaze as soft as a pool of spring water.

"Every time I feel like I can't go on, you appear."

Secretary Du Qing's heart skipped a beat.

"I……"

He opened his mouth to say something, then swallowed it back.

Director Ye Mingzhu lowered her eyelashes and said softly, "Secretary Du Qing, do you know? In a place like Changyuan County, I feel very lucky to have met you."

That was too blunt!

It was so blunt that Secretary Du Qing's mind went blank, and his face instantly flushed hot.

"Mingzhu, I……"

"Alright, let's not talk about that."

Director Ye Mingzhu suddenly beamed and raised her glass.

"Come, another toast to you."

"Thank you for helping me drive away all those troubles."

Secretary Du Qing raised his glass mechanically, his mind filled with her words: "I feel very lucky to have met you."

What did she mean? Was she interested in him too?

The meal lasted over an hour. When it came time to pay, Secretary Du Qing rushed to pick up the tab. Director Ye Mingzhu didn't argue, just smiled and said, "You treat this time, I'll treat next time."

Next time!

There was going to be a next time!

Walking out of the Western restaurant, the night breeze blew over, carrying the chill of early autumn.

Director Ye Mingzhu stood at the entrance and gently hugged her arms.

Secretary Du Qing immediately took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

"Thank you."

Director Ye Mingzhu looked up at him with a smile in her eyes.

"You're always so thoughtful."

"It's only right."

Secretary Du Qing's throat felt dry as the two walked slowly along the street.

The streetlights stretched their shadows long, occasionally overlapping. Director Ye Mingzhu walked very slowly, and Secretary Du Qing slowed his pace to match, wishing this road would never end.

"Secretary Du Qing, will you…… stay in Changyuan County forever?"

Secretary Du Qing was stunned, then immediately said, "Wherever you are, that's where I'll be."

Director Ye Mingzhu lowered her head and laughed softly. The sound was light, like the wind blowing through wind chimes.

"Secretary Du Qing, you really know how to say sweet things."

Secretary Du Qing's heart pounded like a drum; he felt like everything tonight was a dream.

Reaching the entrance, Director Ye Mingzhu stopped and turned to look at him.

The streetlight fell on her face, and her eyes seemed to hold stars.

"My coat."

She pointed to the garment on her shoulders, and only then did Secretary Du Qing react, reaching out to take it.

As he took the coat, their fingers brushed against each other.

Director Ye Mingzhu didn't pull her hand back immediately; instead, she looked at him and said softly, "Secretary Du Qing, I'm very happy tonight."

"Me too."

Director Ye Mingzhu smiled and turned to walk into The Government Compound.

After a few steps, she turned back to look at him one more time.

That look was something Secretary Du Qing remembered all night long.

Back in his dormitory, Secretary Du Qing lay on his bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

His mind was filled with Director Ye Mingzhu's face, her smile, her gaze, and every word she said.

"I feel very lucky to have met you."

"Will you stay in Changyuan County forever?"

"Secretary Du Qing, you really know how to say sweet things."

And that final glance back!

He sat up abruptly, grabbed his phone, and wanted to send her a message.

He typed a few words, then deleted them.

Typed again, deleted again.

Finally, he only sent: "Goodnight, Mingzhu."

A few seconds later, a reply came.

"Goodnight, Secretary Du Qing. Sweet dreams."

Secretary Du Qing held his phone, grinning like a fool.

At the same time, in Xu Weidong's dormitory.

Mu Ruxue was curled up on the sofa, holding half a watermelon and eating it with a spoon.

The TV was on, playing some variety show, but she wasn't watching it at all.

The door lock clicked, and Xu Weidong pushed the door open, carrying a plastic bag in his hand.

"Brother Weidong? Why are you back so soon?"

Mu Ruxue's eyes lit up, but she pretended to be calm.

"To bring you something to eat."

Xu Weidong placed the bag on the coffee table and said, "I passed by a dessert shop and remembered you like sweets."

Mu Ruxue took a look; it was indeed dessert, and it was still hot.

Her heart warmed, but she still said, "Eating sweets late at night, what if I get fat?"

"You won't get fat no matter how much you eat."

Xu Weidong sat down beside her and took the watermelon from her hand.

"Don't eat too much cold stuff."

Mu Ruxue huffed, but obediently put down the watermelon, opened the dessert lid, and took a spoonful.

"Is it good?"

"It's alright."

Mu Ruxue was dismissive with her words, but her eyes curved into crescents.

Xu Weidong looked at her, a hint of a smile rising in his eyes.

"Brother Weidong, aren't you busy today?"

"It's not bad today."

Xu Weidong leaned back on the sofa and said, "I had a meeting in the afternoon, and I'm free tonight."

Mu Ruxue took a spoonful of dessert and held it to his lips. "Try it."

Xu Weidong paused for a second, then opened his mouth and ate it.

"Is it good?"

Mu Ruxue asked, blinking.

"Mm."

Mu Ruxue smiled, her eyes curving, and continued eating her own.

Laughter came from the variety show on TV, but neither of them was watching.

Xu Weidong leaned on the sofa, Mu Ruxue curled up beside him, occasionally exchanging a few words, occasionally silent.

Moonlight filtered in from outside the window, landing on the coffee table.

"Brother Weidong, do you think Secretary Du Qing is stupid?"

Xu Weidong raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

"He's been running to the Education Bureau every day recently, working like a horse for Director Ye Mingzhu."

Mu Ruxue pouted. "A few days ago, he even helped Director Ye Mingzhu drive away a contractor. The guy lay on the ground pretending to be dead, and he just stood there reasoning with him for half an hour."

Xu Weidong laughed. "How do you know that?"

"Someone from the Youth League Committee said it."

Mu Ruxue huffed. "They said Secretary Du has lost his soul lately, even zoning out during meetings."

Xu Weidong didn't speak, just shook his head.

"Do you think Director Ye Mingzhu is using him?"

Xu Weidong glanced at her and smiled. "What do you think?"

"Definitely."

Mu Ruxue said with certainty, "Someone as smart as Director Ye Mingzhu, would she take a liking to Secretary Du Qing?"

"The Ye Family might be doing okay, but if they hadn't cut ties in time last year, they would have been taken out long ago."

Xu Weidong's eyes flashed with a hint of amusement. "That's a very thorough analysis."

"Well, of course."

Mu Ruxue lifted her chin proudly. "I'm not stupid."

Xu Weidong reached out and ruffled her hair.

Mu Ruxue dodged, but couldn't escape, so she just let him ruffle it.

"Brother Weidong, why do you think Director Ye Mingzhu came to Changyuan County, anyway?"

Xu Weidong's hand paused, then he pulled it back.

"What do you guess?"

Mu Ruxue thought for a moment, then said, "Repairing relationships? The Ye Family took a hit that year and wants to make up for it?"

Xu Weidong nodded. "And what else?"

"And……"

Mu Ruxue hesitated, then smirked. "Marriage alliance?"

Xu Weidong didn't speak, which was as good as confirming it.

Mu Ruxue bit her lip, lowered her head, and continued eating the dessert.

But she was eating absentmindedly; the spoon dug for a long time without getting much.

Xu Weidong looked at her and suddenly spoke. "Little Xue."

"Hm?"

"Director Ye Mingzhu and I, it's impossible."

Mu Ruxue looked up, her eyes suddenly sparkling.

"Why?"

Xu Weidong didn't answer, just looked at her.

"Why are you asking so much?"

Mu Ruxue felt her face heat up under his gaze and lowered her head again.

Xu Weidong laughed and reached out to ruffle her hair again.

"Are you finished?"

"If you're finished, I'll take you back."

"What time is it even?"

Mu Ruxue protested. "I still want to watch TV for a bit."

"Don't you have work tomorrow?"

"I do, but……"

"Then go to sleep early."

Xu Weidong picked up her coat. "Let's go."

Mu Ruxue stood up reluctantly and put on her coat.

Walking to the door, she suddenly looked back at him.

"Brother Weidong."

"Hm?"

"You……"

She pursed her lips, her voice very soft.

"Will you stay here forever?"

Xu Weidong looked at her, his expression softening.

"I will."

Mu Ruxue smiled, a very happy smile.

Walking out the door, the night breeze blew over, carrying a chill.

Mu Ruxue hunched her shoulders, and the next second, a coat landed on her shoulders—it was Xu Weidong's.

"Wear this."

Mu Ruxue didn't speak, just wrapped the coat tighter around herself.

The coat held his scent, faint and very pleasant.

The two walked in the night, their steps very slow.