27: Chapter 27 A Life of Bright Lights and Luxuries

Minister Meng Zhaodi was so angry that she paled, yet she had to maintain the composure of a Municipal Party Committee leader and said nothing more.

Subsequently, Zhang Huaijing and the others also came out.

Seeing this, the County Party Secretary hurriedly apologized repeatedly to Minister Meng Zhaodi, then pointed at Deputy Director Ouyang Yang's nose and scolded him severely: "You bastard, you can't accomplish anything but you're great at ruining things! Your materials are subpar, I asked you to handle the reception, and you can't even hold your liquor—you drank like a total mess and caused a huge disaster. Write a self-criticism tomorrow, and don't come to the County Party Committee office anymore!"

Deputy Director Ouyang Yang giggled with a blurred consciousness, not knowing if he understood or not.

Soon, the matter was handled, and Deputy Director Ouyang Yang was dragged to a guest room to rest.

Minister Meng Zhaodi had intended to end the banquet there, but seeing that Zhang Huaijing was still in high spirits, and that Secretary Ji Xuewen also wanted to use the drinking to apologize to her and ease their relationship—plus, they had agreed on a second round, and she particularly loved dancing—she decided to stay.

After that little interlude, the atmosphere of the banquet felt a bit different.

However, Minister Wang Ximeng and the others were good at livening things up, and it quickly became enthusiastic again.

Zhang Huaijing was pleased to see Deputy Director Ouyang Yang make a complete fool of himself and leave the banquet, so he officially started drinking freely, holding his glass and making the rounds to offer toasts, while Secretary Jiang Tao stood by with a small carafe to serve him.

After finishing the round, he arrived at the last position—Lu Waner.

Lu Waner hurriedly stood up respectfully and walked out to greet him.

The two stepped back a couple of paces, putting some distance between them and the dining table.

Zhang Huaijing was not in a hurry to drink, and said with a beaming smile: "Comrade Lu Waner, you've worked hard today, busy running around, and your presentation was excellent."

"Thank you, Secretary, thank you. I don't even know how to express it." Usually poised, she seemed somewhat flustered at this moment; her face, without the flush of alcohol, was bright red, her clear eyes shimmering, and her heart was rippling with waves.

What is going on with this leader? Why is he so concerned about Cui Liming and me? Is it just pure kindness? Or does he have ulterior motives? But I am just an ordinary section-level cadre, and I almost married someone else, and my family background is very average.

Regardless, he is truly so easygoing and gentle, with an inexplicable sense of familiarity and closeness, as if I had known him for many years.

Having had too much to drink, Zhang Huaijing felt somewhat relaxed and suddenly asked: "By the way, how is your younger brother? He started college, right?"

"He's doing well, just started his freshman year." After saying this, Lu Waner was suddenly startled: "Secretary, how did you know I have a younger brother? And that he started college?"

Zhang Huaijing was startled internally; he really had drunk too much, and his thinking was a bit sluggish. He quickly regained his composure and said with a smile: "I heard them mention it."

He gave a vague excuse and glanced in the direction of Minister Wang Ximeng, "Come on, let's have a drink."

"Secretary Zhang, I am truly sorry." Lu Waner looked guilty: "But I really can't drink; I never drink. Can I substitute tea for wine instead?"

"Of course you can."

She drank tea, he drank wine, and the moment their gazes met, both of their hearts skipped a beat.

Lu Waner's face turned even redder.

She felt more embarrassed and guilty than anything; this man was too lethal. He was dashing, humorous, and witty, with deep, dark, bright eyes that seemed to speak, and a faint, invisible air of official authority surrounded him, making him especially charming. The problem was, Cui Liming's body was not yet cold.

She despised herself and hated herself, and thus, the feeling of her heart fluttering vanished without a trace.

"When one reaches middle age, one always likes to preach. After hearing about your situation, I still want to offer you a few words of advice." Zhang Huaijing toyed with his empty wine glass, looking at her as he spoke.

"Secretary, you are a leader and a very good person; I will listen to your words." She replied very obediently.

Zhang Huaijing intentionally lowered his voice: "The ancients said, 'Drink when there is wine today,' and in my view, it is not derogatory, but a broad-minded attitude toward life. Being able to let go and living well is the greatest respect for the deceased. Do you remember Tao Yuanming's poem? 'Relatives may still grieve, but others have already begun to sing. What is there to say about death? My body will return to the mountain.' I think Cui Liming would certainly not want to see you constantly immersed in sorrow. Lu Waner, you need to open your mind and keep going."

These words left Lu Waner heartbroken. Her eyes turned red, but she tried hard to restrain herself, not wanting to shed tears in front of everyone.

When Zhang Huaijing walked back to his seat, she hurried away from the table, went into the courtyard, covered her face, and began to sob.

After a long while, a man's voice sounded in her ear: "Lu Waner, what's wrong?"

She hurriedly wiped away her tears and turned to look; it was Secretary Jiang Tao, Zhang Huaijing's Secretary. He had also drunk quite a bit and had come out to use the restroom. Seeing her hurriedly run out of the private room, he had followed her.

"I... I'm fine, thank you."

"I know you must be feeling terrible. How about this, I'll keep you company and chat. I'm best at telling stories." Secretary Jiang Tao showed an unusual level of concern for her.

Lu Waner smiled and said: "Thank you, Secretary Jiang Tao, I'm fine, really."

"Come on, let me take you to feed the fish. I'll go get some food."

The restaurant was garden-style; the courtyard of this private room had an arched bridge, a pond, and flowers. There were over a hundred goldfish raised in the pond.

Two minutes later, Secretary Jiang Tao ran back with two small pieces of bread in his hand.

Lu Waner followed him to the arched bridge. The goldfish below were long accustomed to being fed; as soon as someone came, they immediately swam over, their bodies bumping against each other making thumping sounds, splashing water, and appearing very crowded.

Secretary Jiang Tao said: "Do you know? Fish only have a seven-second memory; this is called short-term memory. Therefore, fish are always happy and have no worries. That's why the saying, 'You are not a fish, how can you know the joy of fish?' makes sense. Here, let's feed them."

"Does that mean they forget they've eaten as soon as they've finished? That's why they're all so fat and round." Lu Waner's mood improved a lot.

Secretary Jiang Tao laughed: "Waner, that's a very unique thought. So, happiness is a fat person."

He was 1.73 meters tall but weighed 160 jin; he was a bit chubby, but not too fat, otherwise he wouldn't be able to be a Secretary.

"You're not fat." Lu Waner looked him up and down.

"I am fat, I'm losing weight, trying to keep up with the leader. Look at Secretary Zhang, he's almost 40, yet he keeps his figure so well." Secretary Jiang Tao intentionally or unintentionally reminded her of his age.

"Really? He looks only about thirty years old."

"He's from the provincial level, he takes good care of himself, but he's actually 35." After saying this, Secretary Jiang Tao looked around, seeing no one, and whispered: "Let me gossip with you: Secretary Zhang and Minister Meng were quite familiar with each other before. Secretary Zhang's wife is in the provincial capital, and Minister Meng's husband is also in the provincial capital."

Lu Waner just gave a faint "Oh." She felt that this Secretary talked too much; what did it mean for him to tell her these things? Did it have anything to do with her?

Secretary Jiang Tao started gossiping with her about the Chaojiang Bridge, saying that the city was divided into two factions, fighting tooth and nail, and so on.

Just as they were talking, the banquet in the private room ended, and everyone crowded around Zhang Huaijing as he walked out.

He seemed to have drunk too much, his footsteps slightly unsteady, and Secretary Ji Xuewen and Lang Dongyang, the two leaders, were carefully escorting him, one on his left and one on his right.

Lu Waner and Secretary Jiang Tao hurriedly went up to meet them.

Zhang Huaijing noticed them, and a flash of displeasure crossed his mind.

Secretary Jiang Tao was about to go back to the private room to help the leader get his bag, but was pulled by Minister Wang Ximeng, who handed him Zhang Huaijing's briefcase and whispered: "Where did you go? Your boss's bag."

She was both asking and reminding him that he hadn't been following closely; while the leader was drinking, he had slipped away to flirt—what kind of decorum was that? Moreover, that girl was someone Zhang Huaijing cared about particularly.

Her impression of this Secretary was greatly diminished.

Just then, Secretary Jiang Tao pulled her behind the crowd and whispered: "Minister Wang, doesn't your Organization Department need people? I think Lu Waner is quite suitable; why not transfer her up?"

"What? Do you have your eye on her?" Minister Wang Ximeng teased, "You really are something; her fiancé just passed away, his body is not yet cold."

"No, I am recommending talent to you."

"Don't you worry about our Organization Department, worry about how to serve the leader well." Minister Wang Ximeng gave him a sarcastic reprimand and stepped forward to follow the group.

Next door was a large entertainment center, with a dance hall, hot springs, massage, bathing, and KTV facilities all fully equipped.

Secretary Ji Xuewen pulled Zhang Huaijing to go dancing. Minister Meng Zhaodi was a dance enthusiast and loved dancing, so she was already itching to go and gladly went along.

Since both Municipal Party Committee leaders were participating, others naturally could not refuse.

Arriving at the dance hall, foreign wine, fruit, pastries, and the like had already been prepared. Secretary Ji Xuewen also had the hotel provide four young ladies dressed in high-slit qipao to accompany them, in case some male comrades didn't know how to dance or couldn't find a female dance partner.

The slow waltz music began to play. Minister Meng Zhaodi gently patted Zhang Huaijing's arm and said with a beaming smile: "Secretary, shall we dance one?"

"Please." Zhang Huaijing stood up first and gentlemanly reached out to invite her.