24: Chapter 24 Drinking Freely

"No, they said it was a drunk driving case, but the perpetrator fled and hasn't been caught yet. I went to ask, but the traffic police and the Public Security Bureau only said they were handling it and told me to go home."

Cui Yuejin spoke in a stiff tone, with a hint of criticism, "I am an old party member. I didn't want to cause trouble for the government, but this matter involves a human life. I still ask Secretary Zhang and Secretary Ji to take this seriously and catch the murderer as soon as possible."

"What is the perpetrator's name?" Zhang Huaijing asked, staring at Ji Xuewen with a serious expression.

Ji Xuewen's expression was a bit uncomfortable, and he hurriedly said, "His name is Ah Shui, a drifter. That night, he drank a lot with some friends and went street racing while intoxicated. The result was... Please rest assured, Secretary Zhang, and you too, Uncle. I will personally oversee this matter and urge the Public Security Bureau to go all out to solve the case and bring the perpetrator back as soon as possible!"

Sitting in the corner, Lu Waner saw the leader take a stand and looked at Zhang Huaijing gratefully. She thought to herself that if Secretary Zhang hadn't come, Secretary Ji wouldn't have cared about this matter at all, and the Public Security Bureau would have continued to pass the buck. She hoped Secretary Ji would keep his word.

"Good!" Zhang Huaijing said, "With Secretary Ji personally handling it, the murderer will surely be caught. Uncle, you can rest easy!"

He was essentially re-emphasizing that Secretary Ji Xuewen should personally handle the matter, putting pressure on him and winding him up.

"Thank you, Secretary Zhang, Secretary Ji, and all the leaders! I, Cui Yuejin, thank you all!" Cui Yuejin's eyes reddened. He suddenly stood up, pressed his palms together, and bowed in gratitude.

Zhang Huaijing quickly stood up as well, helping the old man sit back down, and said softly, "Uncle, please don't do this. This is what the government should do. You must restrain your grief and take care of your health. No matter what, you are still young, and there are long days ahead..."

He ultimately couldn't hold it back; his voice choked up as he spoke, and tears spun uncontrollably in his eyes.

No one expected that a dignified Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee would actually shed tears during his first visit to an old man.

Lu Waner felt another tremor in her heart. At the same time, a warm current flowed through her, her nose felt sore, and she also shed tears.

She thought to herself, what a kind leader! And so handsome and elegant!

Zhang Huaijing realized he had lost his composure. He took the tissue handed to him by Wang Ximeng, wiped his eyes, stood up, and said, "Uncle, we won't disturb you any longer. We'll come to see you again next time."

"Thank you, Secretary Zhang. You are a good man and a good leader! Thank you." Cui Yuejin was a man of strong character; from beginning to end, he had shown no sign of pleading and had not shed a tear.

As they walked out of the main room, Cui Liming's mother, Huang Shujuan, quickly chased after them and said, "Chiefs, the meal will be ready soon. Please have a bite before you go."

Her voice was not loud and a bit restrained; she was so gentle and virtuous.

"Thank you, but no. We're leaving now. Sorry for the intrusion." Zhang Huaijing wanted to stay with her longer and talk more, but he had to abandon the thought.

Huang Shujuan had a smile on her lips as she avoided the direct gaze of the leaders.

Zhang Huaijing stepped forward, took her hand which was stained with oil, and said emotionally, "You must take good care of your health!"

Huang Shujuan's face turned red instantly. She hurriedly pulled her hand away and said, "Thank you, leader! I'm so sorry, my hands are... a bit dirty. I, I'll get you a towel..."

Zhang Huaijing smiled and waved his hand, "It's fine, it's fine."

A few minutes later, four sedans drove away from the village in a single file.

They were like a flock of ducks, swaying left and right on the bumpy, unpaved rural road.

According to the prior arrangement, the convoy arrived at the Green Field Resort hotel on the south side of the county seat.

This was the only high-end specialty hotel in Wanghai County, built in the mountainous area between Haizhou and Wanghai County. It was also very close to the neighboring sister city. Because the snakehead fish, catfish, turtles, and giant salamanders from the Green Lake were very delicious, and there were specialty services, the business was booming.

Although Zhang Huaijing was not in the mood to eat or drink, he thought about it and decided he couldn't refuse Ji Xuewen's kindness. Moreover, it was already 6:40 PM, and he couldn't drive back to the city for over an hour on an empty stomach.

Today was also Friday. Meng Zhaodi, Wang Ximeng, and the others needed to eat as well.

Additionally, he wanted to spend more time with Lu Waner.

When they arrived, he saw an "acquaintance": Deputy Director Ouyang Yang of the Wanghai County Committee Office. He was the eccentric leader who had always cursed and tormented him in his past life; if Ouyang hadn't made him go back to work overtime that night, the car accident wouldn't have happened.

Ouyang Yang had arrived at the hotel early to arrange the banquet.

Seeing the municipal leaders get out of the car, he bowed and scraped, greeting them with a fawning expression, "Hello, Secretary Zhang. Hello, Minister Meng."

Meng Zhaodi didn't know him and only gave a slight nod. Zhang Huaijing had a faint smile on his face, but he walked into the private room chatting and laughing with Ji Xuewen as if he hadn't seen him.

Ouyang Yang smiled awkwardly and diligently invited the leaders to take their seats like a waiter.

Meanwhile, Lu Waner was in no mood for eating and drinking. She wanted to return to the county immediately, so she asked Minister Di Changhai of the County Organization Department for leave. The latter agreed, but just as she was about to leave, she was stopped by Wang Ximeng: "Waner, are you trying to slip away?"

"Minister Wang, I have some things to do at home. Besides, in this kind of setting, it's not quite appropriate for a small staff member like me to be here."

"It is appropriate. During the meal later, Secretary Zhang will surely arrange party-building work, and there's also the matter of your fiancé. You need to be here," Wang Ximeng said indisputably.

Lu Waner said hesitantly, "But, I don't know how to drink, and I never drink."

Wang Ximeng was like a big sister, gently holding her hand and comforting her softly, "It's fine, you don't have to drink, just being here is enough." After a pause, she said with a smile, "Waner, listen to me, don't go."

Wang Ximeng, as a leader of the Municipal Organization Department, was so kind, and her eyes were full of goodwill, so she stayed.

At 7:10 PM, in the luxury private room of the restaurant, the food was not yet ready. Especially the steamed giant salamander and other dishes which required time, so everyone sat around the tea table drinking tea and chatting.

Zhang Huaijing said, "Secretary Ji, let me say a few more words. Having just visited Cui Yuejin's home, I feel both grief and shame, as well as a trace of being moved. Old Comrade Cui Yuejin participated in the self-defense counterattack. One of his legs is still impaired due to a gunshot wound, but he has never forgotten his identity as a party member and never causes trouble for the government. Such an honest and upright retired soldier, and yet, his only son is gone just like that, under unclear circumstances.

We officials cannot let the people down, and even less so the old party members. Investigate the accident as soon as possible and bring the murderer to justice. I suggest that in addition to the Organization Department strengthening its care for such old party members who have made contributions and faced family misfortunes, departments like the Bureau of Veterans Affairs should also play an active role. In a while, I will come to visit Mr. Cui again."

Ji Xuewen stated his position: "Secretary, rest assured, I will treat this as a top priority. On the way over just now, I already instructed the County Public Security Bureau Director to immediately set up a task force to solve the case and capture the suspect within 10 days."

"Good. I'll leave it to you, Secretary Ji. I'm counting on you."

Soon, the banquet began.

Besides County Secretary Ji Xuewen, there were Deputy County Secretary Lang Dongyang, County Organization Minister Di Changhai, Lu Waner, as well as the branch Secretary and village committee director of Baikan Village.

From the city side, including Secretary Jiang Tao and the chief of the Second Organization Section, there were thirteen people in total.

The higher the official rank, the greater your right to speak, which is reflected in every nook and cranny of work and life.

At tonight's dinner, Zhang Huaijing was the highest-ranking official and the protagonist. He could drink as much as he wanted. Others would only respectfully come to toast him, rather than him needing to toast others. As for how much he drank, even if others finished their glasses, he could drink as he pleased.

However, there were several reasons why Zhang Huaijing decided to drink freely tonight: First, the matter of his father Cui Yuejin's family, including Cui Liming's death in the crash, required urging the county to investigate and handle it—as a newcomer, he would use courtesy before force. Second, his father and mother were both in Wanghai County, and since he couldn't reveal his identity, they had to stay in their hometown; as the saying goes, 'one must bow when under another's eaves,' so he needed the county to take good care of his family.

Third, he wanted to transfer Lu Waner to the city, but Ji Xuewen was quite conservative and unwilling to let her go. Fourth, drinking would allow for more contact with Lu Waner.

Fifth, he wanted to further improve his relationship with Meng Zhaodi and bring her under his control. If neither the Mayor nor Secretary Man Chaojian could hold the power over personnel, and it was held solely in his own hands, then he would be indispensable in the Haizhou political arena, and his foundation would be solid.

After a few bites of food, everyone came to toast Zhang Huaijing in turn.

After the county leaders like Ji Xuewen, Lang Dongyang, and Di Changhai had toasted, Meng Zhaodi leaned over, raised her small wine cup, and said, "Secretary, I toast you! Welcome to Haizhou! Although the economy here isn't developed enough, the scenery is beautiful, the pace is slow, and you have an invincible sea view as soon as you open a window. It's nourishing. After working for a year or two, you'll find yourself looking younger and your skin getting better."

"No wonder. When I saw you on the day I took office, I wondered to myself—has Minister Zhaodi started aging in reverse? You look even younger and more beautiful than when you were at the Human Resources Department. So this is the secret," Zhang Huaijing said with a smile.

"Secretary, you're exaggerating. How can that be? I'm already old and fading." Meng Zhaodi was both surprised and delighted, laughing behind her hand. Suddenly thinking of something, she hurriedly asked, "Secretary, you already knew about me back then?"

"Of course, the 'Flower of the Provincial Human Resources Department'—who doesn't know? That day, you followed the Director to Secretary Jian's office to report on work, and I was the one who led you in. It was quite stunning. Have you forgotten?" Zhang Huaijing feigned displeasure, then said to Wang Ximeng beside him, "Look, your Minister is so busy she's forgetful. She must penalize herself with a drink. Pour the wine."

Wang Ximeng smiled and smoothed things over, "Secretary, it seems you still don't know our Minister well enough. She gets shy when she sees handsome guys, so she's too embarrassed to say." As she spoke, she filled a cup of wine for Meng Zhaodi.

With a flushed face, Meng Zhaodi drank the penalty cup. After finishing, she said seriously, "Well, no wonder on the day Secretary Zhang took office, I kept feeling embarrassed for some reason. It turns out it was all Secretary Zhang's fault."

Zhang Huaijing laughed heartily.

Wang Ximeng had a cheerful and brisk personality, and she laughed until she was doubled over.

At this moment, Lu Waner went out to answer a phone call.