28: Chapter 28 The County Magistrate's Son's Conspiracy

Minister Meng Zhaodi stood up, holding Zhang Huaijing's hand. She placed her other hand on his shoulder, while his hand rested on her back. The two moved into the dance floor, following the rhythm.

After dancing for a while, Minister Meng Zhaodi said happily, "Secretary, you are quite the expert."

"At our age, we all learned this in college. Dancing and driving were essential skills. But compared to Minister Meng Zhaodi, I am just embarrassing myself. You are the true expert; you are so light on your feet."

Zhang Huaijing was not flattering her. Because her face was rather broad, she gave an impression of being plump, but in reality, her legs were long and slender, and her waist was soft and delicate. At 1.65 meters tall, she weighed just over 90 jin. Her dance steps were agile, and her clothes fluttered.

It was the first time the two had danced together, yet they were as in sync as if they had done it many times before.

As the song ended, Minister Meng Zhaodi was still enjoying it. She went down to have a drink and then pulled Zhang Huaijing up for a second dance.

Minister Wang Ximeng was already dancing with Secretary Ji Xuewen.

The two were dancing average, but their laughter rang out continuously.

Minister Wang Ximeng had a truly wonderful personality; she was instantly familiar with everyone and always knew how to liven up the atmosphere.

Lu Waner sat below, watching the pairs of men and women dancing on the floor. Especially when she saw Zhang Huaijing and Minister Meng Zhaodi dancing so elegantly and smoothly, she felt an indescribable sense of loneliness in her heart.

At this moment, Secretary Jiang Tao walked over, extended his hand, and said, "Waner, would you do me the honor of a dance?"

"Secretary Jiang Tao, I am sorry, I do not know how to dance."

"I do not know either. We will just sway around."

"I really do not know how." Lu Waner shook her head, declining again.

"Come on, look, everyone is dancing. Waner, you are too reserved. Relax, do not be so tense." Secretary Jiang Tao went to pull her hand, but Lu Waner dodged.

Secretary Jiang Tao looked embarrassed. He gave a sinister smile, turned around, and pulled a hostess nearby onto the dance floor.

Everyone had a dance partner and was dancing; only Lu Waner sat silently in the corner, not making a sound.

After this song finished, everyone chatted and laughed as they left the floor, sat down to rest, and raised their glasses to drink from time to time.

Then, the dance music started again. Minister Wang Ximeng, skilled at creating an atmosphere, arranged, "Everyone, re-pair. We cannot keep the strong teams together. Secretary Zhang Huaijing and Minister Meng Zhaodi dance the best—they are masters. You two must split up and take turns guiding us novices. Look, they have danced several songs, and Miss Lu Waner has not moved yet."

"I do not know how to dance." Lu Waner blushed and waved her hands with a smile.

Minister Wang Ximeng walked up to her and chided, "What do you mean by knowing or not knowing how to dance? You are young and have a good figure; you will learn as soon as you try. Secretary Zhang Huaijing, you take Miss Lu Waner, and Minister Meng Zhaodi, you dance with Secretary Ji Xuewen. That is it, continue, let us get excited!"

Saying this, she pulled her up and sent her to Zhang Huaijing.

Zhang Huaijing had no choice but to stand up and extend his hand like a gentleman: "Miss Lu Waner, please."

Lu Waner was extremely shy. She looked up at him, then quickly lowered her eyelids, her oval face glowing like a sunset cloud.

She hesitated for a moment, but finally placed her hand in his long, fair hand.

Zhang Huaijing skillfully grasped her hand, interlocking it tightly. Then, he used his other hand to place her hand on his shoulder and said, "Hold on steady; this hand is for balance. You do not need to be nervous, just follow my rhythm."

"But, but, I really do not know how to dance."

"It is fine, you will learn in a moment." Zhang Huaijing placed his other hand on her delicate, straight back.

As Cui Liming, in his previous life, he had held her waist countless times; it was so wonderful and heart-stirring.

Now, finally feeling that sensation again, his heart rate suddenly accelerated.

However, Lu Waner was clearly a bit uncomfortable, pulling her waist inward, seemingly trying to dodge his hand.

"Waner, do not be nervous, do not look down, look at me..." Before Zhang Huaijing could finish, Lu Waner stumbled, let out an "Ah," and tilted to one side.

Zhang Huaijing immediately tightened his grip, pulling her into his arms so she would not fall.

Her body pressed against his chest, and she immediately pressed her hand against his chest to keep her body from clinging to him.

Lu Waner felt her ears burning. Her heart was pounding like a dozen little deer running inside. She lowered her head slightly, glanced at him, and said, "Secretary, I am sorry, I..."

Just now, when her hand pressed against his chest, she felt his heart beating violently, and only then did she realize that he was also very excited.

"It is okay, take your time." Zhang Huaijing looked at her with gentle eyes. Because others were present, he only showed the concern of a leader—slightly over the line, but stopping at the right moment.

In truth, his desire was already surging. Although he could not be with her as Cui Liming, now that he could pursue her all over again, was that not even more challenging?

Yes, Lu Waner was a traditional, conservative, and loyal girl. To re-accept a divorced man 11 years her senior would surely be a difficult and long process.

Zhang Huaijing was willing to wait.

After two songs, Lu Waner really knew how to dance. She was surprised herself; she had not expected to be so in sync with Zhang Huaijing.

That kind of tacit understanding where one look told the other what the next move would be—that feeling, she had only ever had it with Cui Liming.

Later, no other men invited Lu Waner to dance.

Even those without social awareness knew that she was the woman Secretary Zhang cared about.

Secretary Jiang Tao felt quite bitter about this.

However, women could, so Minister Wang Ximeng danced several songs with Lu Waner and even whispered in her ear. It was evident that Minister Wang Ximeng liked this beautiful and gentle girl very much.

When the dancing ended, everyone started singing and drinking. Lu Waner was not as reserved anymore; she even sang two songs. She sang quite well, but she knew her limits—she could not keep singing and should give the microphone to the leaders.

Everyone had a great time.

Zhang Huaijing was very happy. He did not hide his capacity like he had during the previous few times he drank. Later, when people offered him drinks, he accepted almost all of them, and as a result, he got drunk.

At twelve o'clock, this banquet, which had lasted several hours and could be described as a scene of debauchery, finally ended.

The people from the city went to their respective rooms to rest.

Secretary Ji Xuewen, Lang Dongyang, Minister Di Changhai, Lu Waner, and others returned to the county, each going to their own homes.

Deputy Director Ouyang Yang had woken up early. During the singing, he found Minister Meng Zhaodi and apologized sincerely, almost kneeling on the ground.

Minister Meng Zhaodi naturally would not lower herself to the level of such a person and generously accepted his apology.

However, Deputy Director Ouyang Yang understood that Minister Meng Zhaodi's impression of him must be extremely poor, perhaps even feeling disgust. He had originally planned to push for a promotion to deputy county-level this year, but now it seemed unlikely.

Secretary Ji Xuewen instructed him before leaving: "Do not leave tonight; stay behind to take care of the leaders. Do not go to sleep until the leaders have all rested. Do not make any more mistakes!"

"Secretary, rest assured, I will definitely make up for my mistakes and take good care of the leaders."

"Good, I will come again tomorrow morning to have breakfast with the leaders. Make arrangements."

Secretary Ji Xuewen drove off.

Deputy Director Ouyang Yang stood under the hotel corridor, looked back at the glittering hotel lobby, and thought coldly to himself: Damn it, Zhang Huaijing, I have no grudge against you, why are you targeting me? You caused me to offend the Minister of the Organization Department, despicable!

At this moment, his phone rang. He took it out and saw it was a call from the county magistrate's son, Du Zitong: "Ouyang, I heard you chased all the way to the women's restroom, took off your pants, and showed Minister Meng Zhaodi your strengths and specialties?"

"Young Master Du, stop teasing me. Damn it, good deeds go unnoticed, while bad deeds travel a thousand miles. How long has it been, and it has already reached your ears?" Deputy Director Ouyang Yang felt ashamed.

"Let me tell you, I have an ear in every wall. Of course, I have eyes everywhere." Du Zitong said, "I also know that the new Secretary Zhang forced you to drink two pitchers, right?"

"Yes. Damn, I really don't know where I offended him; it was our first meeting. Oh, maybe it's Lu Waner? Did he take a fancy to Lu Waner too? That shouldn't be, he is a deputy department-level leader, a deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee."

"Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?" Du Zitong roared, "I just came to ask you, did anything happen between that Secretary Zhang and Waner?"

"Not really. However, later when they were dancing and singing, Lu Waner only danced and sang a duet with him."

"And then?" Du Zitong's voice was full of jealousy and hatred.

"Then, Lu Waner took the Organization Department's car back to the county, and Secretary Zhang and the others went to sleep."

Du Zitong's voice sounded vicious and harsh: "Damn it, Cui Liming is dead, how did another Zhang Huaijing pop up? Let me tell you, Lu Waner is mine, no one is allowed to snatch her!"

"Young Master Du, what's the point of telling me? You need to tell Secretary Zhang. Tonight, one was tender and considerate, the other was shy and charming..." Deputy Director Ouyang Yang laughed wickedly.

"Shut the hell up!" Du Zitong roared. After a long while, his tone softened, but it carried an unquestionable power, "Wait a moment, proceed according to plan!"