Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 321 Paying New Year's Greetings to Teacher's Wife Liu Qingqing

Wu Kexin rested her chin on her hand and said thoughtfully, "Brother, what you said makes sense, but it's too convoluted."

If you like something, you like it; if you don't like something, you don't like it. Why make such a fuss?

If you ask me, you're just overthinking things...

Zhang Huilan interrupted her daughter: "What do you know? Your brother is being cautious."

Life isn't like watching fireworks, where you can just enjoy the spectacle and be done with it; you have to be able to handle the mundane.

Yunxi is a good person, but her family is too wealthy. I'm worried that if your brother really marries Yunxi, he'll suffer later.

Zhang Huilan turned her gaze to Wu Zhiyuan: "Zhiyuan, how about we find a girl from an ordinary family?"

There's a reason behind the old saying that marriage should be between equals.

A significant age gap between the man and woman is also not ideal.

Wu Dagui chimed in, "Huilan, I don't think your idea is right either."

Zhang Huilan was taken aback: "What did I do wrong? What are our family's circumstances, and what is the vice governor's family background?"

Zhiyuan is doing quite well now, but in the end, can their foundations be the same?

"If we can't see eye to eye when we live together in the future, that's when things will really get tough."

Wu Dagui chimed in, "We've dealt with Yunxi more than once. When she came to the island in the middle of the lake, she was very down-to-earth, just like a child from an ordinary family."

When her father, Xu Youwei, was still the municipal party secretary, he visited the island in the middle of the lake. You couldn't tell at all that he was a high-ranking official.

If Zhiyuan and Yunxi get together, it's not because we want anything from his family, but simply because Yunxi is good to Zhiyuan and genuinely cares for him.

Conversely, if the Xu family looks down on Zhiyuan just because we are an ordinary family, then I will be the first to object to this marriage, without you having to stop me!

But we can't underestimate ourselves and think we're not good enough for them.

Wu Kexin interjected, "Mom and Dad, don't worry about it."

My brother is such a capable person, how could he possibly suffer injustice?

Besides, didn't you guys notice?

In front of my brother, Yunxi doesn't act like a young lady at all.

She's just a little girl whose heart and soul are completely devoted to my brother. That's what they call "one thing subdues another!"

Wu Zhiyuan said, "I know you all mean well. I will be very careful about matters of the heart."

Yunxi is a good person, but in the end, it depends on whether we are truly compatible and whether we can walk together through those days that are not just dazzling fireworks, but also long and steady streams.

Let the future be the future. As for matters of the heart, they cannot be rushed or forced.

Let things take their natural course; things will fall into place naturally. Perhaps that's the best arrangement.

There were many things Wu Zhiyuan didn't say.

For example, the three-year agreement with Xu Yunxi.

People change, and the world is always more unpredictable than people's hearts.

He has seen too many examples of things that started out spectacularly but eventually fell apart due to the mundane realities of daily life and prejudices about social class.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Xu Yunxi, but rather that he dared not trust time, and dared not trust the feelings that were wrapped up by layers of identity, age, and family.

……

Wu Zhiyuan disliked currying favor, but it was only natural and proper to visit and pay New Year's greetings to leaders who had been kind to him during the first month of the lunar year.

For him, Xu Youwei was a leader who appreciated and promoted him; their relationship had gone beyond that of a normal superior-subordinate relationship.

Liu Qingqing is both the teacher's wife and like an older sister; the two even lived under the same roof for a time.

The kindness Xu Youwei and Liu Qingqing showed him is a separate matter from his relationship with Xu Yunxi.

The key to sending New Year's greetings is the sentiment and sincerity.

Giving money, cigarettes, and alcohol as gifts is considered vulgar.

He wasn't a subordinate who tried to curry favor with officials. Xu Youwei was an honest official and wouldn't care how much money or bottles of fine wine he gave him.

What to send as a gift has become a problem.

We can't go to Xu Youwei's house empty-handed, can we?

Wu Zhiyuan thought of the aquaculture farm that his father had contracted.

Fish from our own fish farm are guaranteed to be of high quality.

My mother has a special skill: salting fish using traditional methods.

Select a grass carp of uniform size, clean it thoroughly, rub it with coarse salt, Sichuan peppercorns and a little white wine, and dry it in a ventilated place until it is moderately dry and hard. The fish meat is firm and salty, and it has a unique flavor whether steamed or stir-fried.

This craft is an old tradition of fishermen in Haihe County, and it's rare to find such authentic products elsewhere.

He then thought of the camellias produced in the mountainous areas of Haihe County.

It is a wild tea tree that grows on a mountainside shrouded in mist. It has a low yield, but the tea has a clear and refreshing aroma and a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.

Although it is made by locals themselves and the process is not as refined as that of famous teas, it retains the most original tea flavor.

There were also several snacks, some made by my mother, such as osmanthus rice cake, and others were local specialties.

Every place has one or two snacks that are worth mentioning.

I believe Liu Qingqing and Xu Yunxi will really enjoy these snacks.

With this in mind, Wu Zhiyuan felt more confident.

These items—salted fish, camellia, and local snacks—are all authentic local specialties, presentable yet tasteful.

Conversely, if someone were to give a large red envelope, or bring expensive cigarettes, alcohol, or cordyceps, Xu Youwei would be unhappy.

Before going to Jiangzhou, Wu Zhiyuan first informed Xu Yunxi.

Upon hearing that Wu Zhiyuan was coming to her house, Xu Yunxi's voice trembled with excitement: "Brother Zhiyuan, are you really coming to my house? You can't lie to me!"

Wu Zhiyuan laughed and said, "How could I dare to lie to you? Will your father and Teacher Liu be home tomorrow?"

"My dad is off tomorrow. He's been working overtime almost all of the few days off for the Spring Festival. He spent New Year's Eve with the grassroots police officers."

Since Dad is rarely home, Aunt Qingqing is naturally home too.

I'll tell them later. Since you're here, Aunt Qingqing will definitely cook some of her signature dishes; I'll be able to enjoy it too.

By the way, Zhiyuan, you're not going back to your hometown that day, are you? What day do you start work?

"I still have a few days before I start work. I should be going back to my hometown that day to visit my elders and relatives."

"Brother Zhiyuan, could you go back a day later? I was hoping you could go shopping with me tonight."

Jiangzhou City God Temple and the pedestrian street are very lively, and there's also a park with temple fairs, lantern shows, and other things. I'd like to go and check it out.

It would be great if you could come shopping with me tomorrow night.

Wu Zhiyuan asked with a smile, "You could ask Teacher Liu to go shopping with you, right?"

"She's different from most women; she doesn't really like shopping."

Of course, it's hard to say. If I drag her along, she'll definitely go.

But what I want most is for you to be with me. I feel completely safe with you.

Let's talk about it tomorrow.

……

Xu Youwei lives in Jiangzhou Garden, a villa area in the provincial capital.

The residents of Jiangzhou Garden are all provincial or departmental level officials.

Provincial-level officials typically live in detached villas.

They only have the right to reside there, not the right to own the property.

This is a normal housing security benefit for provincial-level leading cadres and is not in violation of regulations.

Many provinces and cities have special villa areas for provincial leaders.

In Jiangzhou, Jiangzhou Garden is a very mysterious and desirable special community.

The neighborhood is not only mysterious, but also safe.

Delivery drivers and food delivery workers are not allowed to enter. If there are any packages or food deliveries, they can only be left at the guard post at the entrance.

There were armed police officers, not security guards, standing guard at the entrance.

When Wu Zhiyuan arrived at Jiangzhou Garden, he truly understood the solemnity and tranquility of this provincial-level cadre residential area as described by outsiders.

There are no fancy decorations in front of the community gate, only an unassuming black stone tablet with the four small characters "Jiangzhou Garden" engraved on it.

Standing beside the guard post were armed police officers in crisp uniforms, their expressions solemn and vigilant.

Ordinary vehicles cannot get close at all, and visitors from outside the area cannot even step through the gate.

He had informed Xu Yunxi beforehand, and the car slowly stopped outside the cordon, with the window rolled down.

The armed police officer stepped forward, first giving a standard salute, and then verifying the officer's identity information.

Wu Zhiyuan gave his name and the reason for his visit. The soldier confirmed with the Xu family by phone and carefully verified his ID before letting him pass.

The community mainly consists of villas and townhouses, and is divided into two relatively independent areas.

Wu Zhiyuan was heading to the villa area.

The roads inside the residential area are wide and clean, with neatly trimmed camphor and pine trees lining both sides, creating a lush and verdant landscape.

There are no towering buildings, only rows of simple, low-rise detached villas with elegant off-white exteriors and no luxurious decorations.

Xu Yunxi was already waiting at the villa entrance.

The villa is a three-story building with a small yard.

Several osmanthus trees and camellias are planted in the courtyard, and a few potted plants are placed in the corner.

Wu Zhiyuan parked the car in the designated visitor parking space and took a few things out of the trunk.

"Brother Zhiyuan, we're all so happy to see you. Why did you bring gifts?"

"Some local specialties, including salted fish pickled by my mother, osmanthus cake made by her, and camellia, a local specialty."

"Really? Auntie's cooking skills must be excellent. I want to try the osmanthus cake now."

Xu Yunxi received local specialties such as osmanthus cake from Wu Zhiyuan.

As soon as the two stepped onto the steps, the front door was opened from the inside.

Liu Qingqing stood inside the door, wearing a bright red cashmere cardigan, her smile gentle: "Zhiyuan is here."

"Happy New Year, Teacher Liu." Wu Zhiyuan walked into the entrance hall and placed the salted fish, camellia, and pastry box he had brought on the low cabinet next to him.

"Zhiyuan, it's enough that you're here. Why did you bring anything?" Liu Qingqing said in a slightly reproachful tone.

"Teacher Liu, these are all local products from our own farm. I hope you and Secretary Xu don't mind," Wu Zhiyuan explained.

Xu Yunxi interjected, "Aunt Qingqing, the salted fish that Brother Zhiyuan brought was pickled by his mother, and the osmanthus cake was also made by your own hands."

Liu Qingqing smiled sweetly: "How could I dislike it? Homemade is the most precious."

Youwei grew up in the countryside, and he really enjoys eating salted fish.

Wu Zhiyuan walked into the living room.

The living room is simple and elegant, with off-white walls, a dark brown leather sofa, a natural wood coffee table and TV cabinet, and several light ink landscape paintings hanging on the wall.

Xu Yunxi is making tea.

Xu Youwei came down from upstairs.

Today he was wearing a navy blue V-neck sweater over a white shirt and grey casual pants, looking less dignified and more approachable than usual.

He saw Wu Zhiyuan and said with a smile, "Zhiyuan's here."

"Secretary Xu, Happy New Year." Wu Zhiyuan quickly stood up to greet him.

"Happy New Year. Don't be shy at home, have a seat." Xu Youwei waved his hand and sat down on the sofa in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the items on the low cabinet. "What did you bring? So many bags and packages."

Just as Wu Zhiyuan was about to answer, Xu Yunxi brought over two cups of tea, handing one to her father and the other to Wu Zhiyuan, and then naturally sat down next to Wu Zhiyuan on the sofa armrest.

"Dad, Zhiyuan brought some salted fish that Auntie pickled herself, as well as homemade osmanthus cake and camellia, a specialty of their Haihe River!"

Xu Youwei picked up his teacup, blew on it, and nodded: "I tried your mother's pickled fish recipe on the island in the middle of the lake last time. It was indeed authentic and more fragrant than what you buy outside."

I'll also try the camellia; the wild ones have a simple and pure flavor.

Yunxi will definitely like the osmanthus cake.

As he spoke, he looked at Liu Qingqing and said, "Qingqing, remember to steam some salted fish for lunch, and cut some osmanthus cake too."

"I was just thinking about it," Liu Qingqing said with a smile. "Zhiyuan brought all the good stuff that suits his taste."

"You two chat first, I'll go check on the fish in the kitchen. It needs to be steamed soon to absorb the flavor."

With that, she turned and went into the kitchen.

Just then, Xu Youwei received a phone call.

It turns out that villagers in a neighboring city were setting off fireworks during the Lunar New Year when one of the fireworks accidentally fell into the village's fireworks warehouse, causing an explosion that has resulted in multiple injuries and deaths.