Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 186 Qingmei is Sick

Wu Zhiyuan had not seen Xu Youwei's family for more than a year.

I really do miss them.

"Brother Zhiyuan, I strongly suggest you work in the public security system. Don't rush to say 'no'."

I know that national security work is very important and sacred. Although I don't know the details of what you've done, I can guess some of it.

I just feel that you are too tired, and I always feel that you are too tense, like a string stretched to its limit.

The national security front is invisible; victories often go unnoticed, and wounds can only be healed by oneself.

I'm not saying that the public security front is not dangerous or arduous, but at least part of it is visible.

My dad talked to me about it. He said that while police work involves thrilling major cases, it is more about safeguarding the peace and safety of ordinary people.

You have accumulated so much experience in handling complex situations and dealing with extreme dangers. If you could apply that experience to the public security front, it would be a different kind of combat.

Within the public security system, especially in criminal investigation, economic crime investigation, and even some specialized security positions, you can still leverage your expertise to combat enemies that threaten national security and social stability; only the stage and methods may differ.

Wu Zhiyuan hesitated. Would leaving Guoan at this time be seen as desertion?

Generally speaking, a vice governor who also serves as the director of the provincial public security department is in contact with the provincial state security department.

"Liaison" is a term used for vertically managed units, and it is actually similar in meaning to "oversee".

"Brother Zhiyuan, I understand your concerns. But have you ever thought that sometimes, changing your environment is not about giving up, but about fighting better and protecting what you want to protect in another way?"

Also, Zhiyuan, to be selfish, I don't want you to stay like this forever.

Over the past year, I've called you many times and sent you many messages, but most of them have gone unanswered.

I know you're busy and disciplined, and I shouldn't bother you.

But every time I can't get in touch with you, I feel lost and uncertain.

I can't help but overthink, wondering if you're on another particularly dangerous mission, if you're injured again, if...

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was easy to understand.

"I remember before, even though you were busy, at least I could keep in touch with you, hear your voice, and know that you were doing well, which put my mind at ease."

But now, I feel like you're so far away, as if you're in another world.

I don't want to know exactly what you're doing; I just hope I can contact you when I want to hear your voice. Is that too much to ask?

Brother Zhiyuan, you don't need to answer me right away. I know it takes time.

Once you've made up your mind, let me know. Or, we can talk about it when we meet back in Jiangzhou, okay?

"Okay, Yunxi."

……

This weekend, Wu Zhiyuan returned to the island in the middle of the lake.

The golden sunlight shone on the wide lake, making it sparkle.

A motorboat chugs and paddles across the calm water, leaving a long white trail in its wake as it heads toward the small island in the middle of the lake.

"Hold on tight, we're almost at shore!" Wu Dagui shouted back, his face beaming with undisguised joy.

"Zhiyuan, I heard you came back today. Your mother got up before dawn and started preparing. She stewed an old hen, steamed cured pork, and went to town to buy fresh pork ribs and beef."

Wu Zhiyuan felt a warmth in his heart; the hearts of parents are truly selfless.

The motorboat steadily docked at the makeshift pier.

It's called a dock, but it's really just a few wooden stakes driven into the water and a few thick planks laid on top.

Wu Dagui jumped ashore, secured the cable firmly to the wooden stake, turned around, and reached out to pull his son: "Come here!"

Step onto the island in the middle of the lake.

"Ambition!"

Zhang Huilan jogged out of the house, wearing a floral apron around her waist and holding a scallion in her hand.

Seeing her son whom she hadn't seen in a long time, her eyes instantly reddened. She rushed forward, grabbed Wu Zhiyuan's hand, looked him up and down, and said in a choked voice, "Zhiyuan, you've lost weight?"

"Mom, I'm fine. Being thin is healthier. You and Dad should take care of yourselves."

"We're doing great. We have fish and shrimp every day, even fresher than what you eat in big cities."

Just then, Han Tingting arrived.

She came out carrying a basin of washed clothes, ready to hang them to dry.

She was still as beautiful as ever, but she was noticeably thinner and her face was very pale.

"Brother Zhiyuan, you're back!" Han Tingting couldn't hide her joy.

Wu Zhiyuan felt that he hadn't seen Han Tingting for a long time, almost a year, right?

"Tingting, you've lost weight. You don't look too well either. Are you on a diet?" Wu Zhiyuan asked with concern.

"I'm not on a diet, but my appetite has decreased recently."

"Have you been working too hard lately? Is work at the town hospital very busy?"

"Not really, it's just that the weather has been so unpredictable lately, so I might have caught a bit of a cold. I'll be fine in a while."

Zhang Huilan watched from the side, sighing inwardly.

She had watched these two children grow up, and she knew perfectly well what Tingting felt for Zhiyuan.

That girl's eyes have always seemed to be glued to Zhiyuan since she was little.

When she was little, she followed Zhiyuan everywhere. If she fell down, she would not go to her own father, but would go to Zhiyuan to complain.

We always save half of the good food for Zhiyuan to eat when he comes back.

Even when learning to knit, the first sweater she made was secretly knitted for Zhiyuan.

Ke Zhiyuan always treated Tingting like a younger sister, just like he treated Kexin.

However, Tingting is still waiting foolishly, not knowing if there will be any result.

Zhang Huilan sometimes thought that it would be great if Zhiyuan could spare even a little bit of romantic affection for Tingting.

After lunch, Wu Zhiyuan took a walk on the island in the middle of the lake.

The autumn sun was warm and gentle, and a light autumn breeze was blowing.

He suddenly realized that Han Tingting had arrived and was sitting on a large blue stone, hugging her knees and staring blankly at the lake.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the willow branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on her.

Her profile was beautiful, her eyelashes were long, and she was as serene as a traditional Chinese ink painting.

"Why are you here all alone?" Wu Zhiyuan walked over and sat down next to her.

Han Tingting turned around and saw Wu Zhiyuan. She called out affectionately, "Brother Zhiyuan!"

"Brother Zhiyuan, aren't you taking a break this afternoon?"

"Wait a minute."

"Zhiyuan, how many days are you staying home this time?"

"I'll stay for two or three days."

When Wu Zhiyuan returned from a mission abroad, the department gave him a few days off so he could get some rest.

Looking at Han Tingting's beautiful profile, Wu Zhiyuan couldn't help but recall events from many years ago.

"Tingting, do you remember? When we were little, you always followed me around. Wherever I went, you followed. Your dad called you your little shadow, and you would cry with a pitiful look on your face."

Han Tingting's lips curved into a slight smile: "Of course I remember. Once you found me annoying and deliberately hid away. I looked for you for a whole afternoon, my voice became hoarse from shouting, and I cried my eyes out."

You finally showed up, holding a straw dragonfly to coax me.

Wu Zhiyuan laughed out loud: "You were so easy to coax back then, a straw dragonfly would stop you from crying."

"That's because you made it up." Han Tingting seemed to realize that her words were too blunt, and her face flushed red. She changed the subject, "Brother Zhiyuan, how's your work going?"

"It's alright," Wu Zhiyuan replied vaguely.

The nature of his work instilled in him a habit of not revealing details, even to his closest friends and family.

He glanced at Han Tingting and said with concern, "Tingting, tell me honestly, what's wrong with your health? It's not just a cold, is it?"

Han Tingting remained silent for a long time before whispering, "I'm always feeling weak, dizzy, and sometimes my gums bleed when I brush my teeth. I also get bruises all over my body easily."

Our hospital diagnosed us with anemia and prescribed iron supplements, but they haven't helped.

Wu Zhiyuan's heart sank.

Previously, Han Tingting was in very good health, but after a year apart, she seemed to have deteriorated significantly.

"I'll go with you to the provincial hospital tomorrow for a full checkup." His tone left no room for argument.

"No need, really no need to trouble yourself..." Han Tingting quickly said.

"It's no trouble at all. You look so pale and always seem so weak. I'd be worried if you didn't go see a doctor. The town hospital's medical equipment and doctors aren't up to par."

Han Tingting couldn't refuse, and softly hummed in agreement. Her heart felt warm, like the autumn sun, because Wu Zhiyuan still cared about her.