25: Chapter 25 Lu Wan'er Comes to Toast

While they were joking around, Zhang Huaijing's phone on the table rang. The screen lit up, showing the caller ID as "Wife."

Zhang Huaijing naturally understood that others were speculating about his relationship with Wang Shuting, and by extension, his relationship with Minister Guan Wengao.

So, he sat there and answered the call with a smile and a warm tone.

"Shuting, is the visa sorted out?"

"It'll be done next Thursday. Then, next Sunday, I'm flying straight from Shangjing to Los Angeles." Wang Shuting spoke quickly, her voice sharp and direct, with a hint of fieriness; she only showed a tender and charming side when they were together.

"That's fast." Zhang Huaijing sighed with a touch of melancholy.

"What? Are you reluctant to see me go now? How hypocritical. If you really can't bear to let me go, come to Shangjing with me and see me off," she said with a playful, coquettish pout.

Zhang Huaijing chuckled.

Wang Shuting continued, "Alright, I won't make it hard for you. Just come back this Saturday and see me off in the provincial capital. There are still some things to hand over to you. I have plenty of cigarettes, alcohol, gifts, and bags at home; I've saved them all for you."

"Okay, then I won't go to Shangjing. Have a safe trip."

After he hung up, Minister Meng Zhaodi, who had caught the gist of the conversation, asked with a smile, "Secretary, was that your wife?"

"Yes."

"You're already divorced, yet you're still so affectionate?"

Zhang Huaijing's expression was tender as he remarked sentimentally, "A day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of grace. She's about to go to the United States and will become a Chinese-American. I should go see her off."

"See, you're still reluctant to let her go." There was a hint of a tease in Minister Meng Zhaodi's voice, and her plump face blossomed into a brilliant smile. "Most couples become enemies after a divorce, but you two are still there flirting."

Zhang Huaijing smiled and lowered his voice. "I really am reluctant. Once Shuting leaves, I'll be all alone again. Hey, you're the head of the Organization Department and in charge of cadres; you should care about a bachelor's emotional life."

"Secretary, look at you! So handsome, young, elegant, and humorous. In all of Haizhou, old or young, you can take your pick." Usually, because of her sensitive position, Minister Meng Zhaodi wasn't one to joke around, but after a dozen glasses of wine, it was going to her head. Chatting with Zhang Huaijing was interesting, so she let loose.

"Now, don't try to dodge your responsibility. The happiness of the rest of my life—and my lower body—is in your hands," Zhang Huaijing laughed heartily.

His double entendre made the Organization Department Minister feel an indescribable itch in her heart. She could only cover her mouth and laugh. Once she had her fill of laughter, she said, "I'll keep this matter in mind, alright?"

"Then I'll toast Minister Zhaodi again! Only by having a good relationship with you can I lead a 'happy' life."

"Do you mean 'happiness' or 'sexual bliss'?" Minister Meng Zhaodi joked, even adding a bit of spice to it.

"Both work," Zhang Huaijing replied solemnly.

"Secretary, you are quite interesting." Minister Meng Zhaodi laughed even more wantonly. Because she was slightly plump and had a majestic chest, her laughter caused waves to surge.

The two clinked glasses readily and drained them in one gulp.

After they finished, others came to toast her, and she brushed them off with a smile.

Watching Zhang Huaijing chat and laugh with those who came to toast him, handling it all with ease and the air of a great general, she felt he was not only handsome but also quite mysterious...

In all these years, this was the first time Minister Meng Zhaodi had felt so flustered.

What exactly was going on between Zhang Huaijing and Wang Shuting? How could their relationship be so good after a divorce?

She suddenly understood—this was a fake divorce; he was becoming a 'naked official.' That meant his relationship with Minister Guan Wengao was still solid.

Minister Meng Zhaodi was forty-two this year. She had been promoted from the Provincial Human Resources Department to become the head of the Organization Department. Over the past four years, her relationship with her husband had hit rock bottom, and her physical needs had remained unfulfilled. When she went home for holidays, her husband grew colder toward her, and in the last two years, he hadn't fulfilled his marital duties at all.

She strongly suspected her husband had another woman, but she was unwilling to verify or expose it. Her husband was a Deputy Director at the Yuezhou Construction Bureau, a deputy-bureau-level cadre. He dealt with many bosses and had a lot of social engagements. With no one to supervise him, he often let himself go.

Her daughter was in her second year of high school. If things continued like this, life would be unbearable, and she feared it would affect her daughter's college entrance exams. Therefore, she had always wanted to transfer back to the Provincial Organization Department as a Deputy Minister.

The problem was, it was quite difficult. There were plenty of Division Chiefs in the Provincial Organization Department, but only a few Deputy Minister positions. It was a case of many monks but little gruel. Although one could be transferred to a prefecture-level city for promotion to Organization Department head, few were willing to leave their familiar city, live apart from their spouse, and be unable to care for their children.

Thus, none of the leaders in the Provincial Organization Department welcomed her back. This matter would only work if Minister Guan Wengao nodded his approval. But she wasn't familiar with Minister Guan Wengao.

Previously, during the dispute over the new and old plans for the Chaojiang Bridge, she had followed Mayor Niu Panlong's wishes and supported the old plan.

The Mayor had also specifically invited her to dinner twice and looked after her relatives on some projects.

In fact, the main reason was that the Mayor and the Deputy Minister of the Provincial Organization Department, Xue Zhongkai, were high school classmates and had an unusual relationship. She hoped the Mayor would use his connection with Deputy Minister Xue Zhongkai to transfer her back.

The problem was, since the Mayor could control her as the Organization Department head through Deputy Minister Xue Zhongkai, why would he be in a hurry to transfer her away? What if a newcomer wasn't obedient? The Organization Department head was a vital chess piece, especially if one could snatch it from the Municipal Party Committee Secretary's hands—that would be a major victory. This was one of the reasons many didn't favor Secretary Man Chaojian; if you don't even have control over personnel power, what the hell is there to fight for!

She had a clear understanding of this: Niu Panlong wouldn't help her until he had fully utilized her.

If Zhang Huaijing and Wang Shuting's divorce was fake, intended to transfer assets or for some other purpose, then Zhang Huaijing's relationship with Minister Guan Wengao was extraordinary. That's why he was being reinstated even after his boss was under investigation.

In short, Zhang Huaijing was still a backer worth investing in, perhaps even more.

But immediately, she secretly cursed herself for being wanton, thinking she must be desperate for a man to be having such wild thoughts at her age.

As her thoughts whirled, Minister Meng Zhaodi raised her glass again, her face like a blooming flower as she toasted, "Secretary, I truly welcome you. Your arrival has injected fresh blood into Haizhou; it feels different now."

"Is that so? As long as everyone is happy," Zhang Huaijing said, readily downing a glass of wine.

Just then, Lu Waner returned after finishing her call.

Seeing Zhang Huaijing still chatting and laughing at the head of the table, so carefree and at ease, she couldn't help but feel a bit of sorrow. Just now in Zhugou Village, Cui Liming's father had been in tears.

Perhaps this was just a leader's performance.

However, what was there to criticize? There was no need for him to feel sad for a complete stranger. The fact that he took it so seriously, personally urged the County Party Secretary to handle it, and promised to "look back" was already good enough.

She quickly made peace with it, her heart feeling relieved, and she put aside the earlier harassment from Magistrate Du's son over the phone.

Just as she was about to sit down, Secretary Ji Xuewen, whose face was already flushed from drinking, pointed at her and said, "Xiao Lu, you're back just in time. Hurry up and toast Secretary Zhang!"

Lu Waner's face tightened slightly. She nodded with a smile but picked up her teacup, which was filled with black tea, and walked gracefully over to Zhang Huaijing.

Zhang Huaijing pretended not to care, but his peripheral vision swept over her. He really wanted to stand up and meet her as an equal, but that would be inappropriate; he was the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, and the gap in their positions was vast.

When Secretary Ji Xuewen and other leaders came to toast earlier, he hadn't stood up.

So, he remained firmly in his seat, calmly waiting for her to approach.

Lu Waner bowed respectfully, holding the teacup with both hands, and smiled gently. "Secretary Zhang, I don't know how to drink. I'll toast you with tea instead of wine."

Before Zhang Huaijing could speak, Secretary Ji Xuewen said displeasedly, "Xiao Lu, Secretary Zhang came down for an inspection, and his first stop was our Wanghai County. And the first stop in Wanghai was your place; he even went to see Cui Liming's parents. How can you toast with tea? Change it to wine, quickly!"

As soon as he finished, Deputy Director Ouyang Yang immediately hurried over with a small decanter, poured a cup of wine, and handed it to Lu Waner with a face full of smiles.

Lu Waner was in a difficult position, unsure whether to take it or not.

Seeing her face flushed with embarrassment, Deputy Director Ouyang Yang put on a stern face and criticized, "Xiao Lu, what are you dazing for? Take it quickly and toast the leader."

Lu Waner had no choice but to reach out and take the cup of wine.

Deputy Director Ouyang Yang urged, "Hurry up, toast a few more glasses."

Suddenly, Zhang Huaijing turned his body toward them and said with a smile, "Men should have a bit of a gentlemanly spirit. Since Comrade Xiao Lu doesn't drink, then tea instead of wine it is. If the county feels that drinking tea isn't enough to enjoy ourselves, then let this comrade from the County Party Committee Office drink on her behalf."

Upon hearing this, Minister Wang Ximeng laughed heartily and said loudly, "Secretary, I second that."

Deputy Director Ouyang Yang had intended to make Lu Waner drink a few more glasses, but he hadn't expected to draw the fire onto himself.