Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 367 Three People Together

Wu Zhiyuan chuckled, speechless: "Marriage?"

Liu Yiyi laughed and said, "Zhiyuan, you're already twenty-nine. If you don't hurry up, all the good girls will be taken."

Liu Qingqing smiled without saying a word.

She knew that Wu Zhiyuan was waiting for someone, someone who might never come back.

Meanwhile, there was a girl who had been waiting for him silently.

This girl is Xu Yunxi.

However, Liu Yiyi was unaware of this.

If she had known, she wouldn't have said those things about Wu Zhiyuan.

Liu Yiyi entered a men's clothing store.

Wu Zhiyuan thought she was going to buy clothes for Xu Enpei.

The store's racks are filled with various styles of men's clothing, from business suits to casual jackets, displayed in a very stylish manner.

Liu Yiyi's gaze swept across the clothes rack, finally settling on a dark blue jacket.

She reached out and took it, examining the fabric and workmanship before beckoning to Wu Zhiyuan: "Zhiyuan, try it on."

Wu Zhiyuan was taken aback.

Liu Yiyi wants to buy him clothes?

Wu Zhiyuan waved his hand: "I have clothes, I don't need them."

Liu Yiyi chuckled: "I just said I was saving money for my wedding, so I'm starting to cut back on expenses?"

Since I chose it for you, I'll naturally pay for it.

Wu Zhiyuan shook his head repeatedly: "That's not what I meant. I can't accept something for nothing, how can I let you buy me clothes? Besides, I really have enough clothes to wear."

Liu Yiyi pretended to be angry, raising her eyebrows: "What do you mean by 'I can't accept a reward without doing anything'? I've never had a chance to properly thank you for what happened at Qinglong Mountain."

It just so happens that we met today, so consider this a small token of my appreciation.

If you refuse again, it means you look down on me and think I can't even afford to give you a piece of clothing.

Liu Qingqing gently advised, "Zhiyuan, just give it a try. My sister genuinely wants to thank you. It's just a piece of clothing; don't refuse her kindness."

Looking at Liu Yiyi's earnest eyes and then at Liu Qingqing's expectant gaze, Wu Zhiyuan knew that persisting would seem pretentious.

He took the jacket: "Then I'll give it a try."

The clothes fit him perfectly, the cut was just right, and they accentuated his tall and straight figure.

He has lost some of the seriousness typical of people working within the system, and gained more of a youthful and capable air of nonchalance.

"Wow! So handsome!" Liu Yiyi circled around Wu Zhiyuan, clicking her tongue in admiration. "Look how well it fits him and how energetic he looks!"

Men shouldn't always be so serious; it's good to change things up occasionally. Qingqing, don't you think?

Liu Qingqing also stepped closer to examine it, a smile of appreciation in her eyes, and nodded gently: "Hmm, it fits well, and the color is also suitable."

"Zhiyuan feels more relaxed and energetic wearing this."

Liu Yiyi bought another shirt for Wu Zhiyuan.

Unable to resist, Wu Zhiyuan had no choice but to let Liu Yiyi pay the bill.

Step out of the store.

Liu Qingqing received a call from Xu Yunxi.

Xu Yunxi went home this weekend.

She originally wanted to give Liu Qingqing a surprise, but she didn't expect Liu Qingqing to be not at home.

"Yunxi, guess who I'm with?" Liu Qingqing's gaze fell on Wu Zhiyuan.

"Brother Zhiyuan?" Xu Yunxi guessed it immediately.

Liu Qingqing smiled and said, "Yunxi, you only have Zhiyuan in your heart?"

Liu Yiyi, who was standing to the side, was stunned by what she heard.

"Aunt Qingqing, did I guess wrong?"

"That's right. Besides your brother Zhiyuan, there's also Aunt Yiyi."

"How did you two end up together?"

"We had dinner together in the evening, and then went shopping."

"Great! It seems that choosing to go home this weekend was a very wise decision."

Aunt Qingqing, may I give my phone to Brother Zhiyuan? I'd like to say a few words to him.

"Of course." Liu Qingqing handed her phone to Wu Zhiyuan.

Wu Zhiyuan took the phone: "Yunxi, you're home for the weekend?"

"Hehe, Zhiyuan, I knew you were coming to Jiangzhou, so I went home. Were we telepathically connected?"

Wu Zhiyuan laughed and said, "You've even learned to do some divination with your fingers."

"Hehe, I just have a feeling that I'll see the person I want to see tonight."

It seems that my sixth sense is really accurate.

"Brother Zhiyuan, can you come to my house tonight?"

Xu Yunxi's tone was earnest, and Wu Zhiyuan couldn't bear to refuse. After hesitating for a few seconds, he finally agreed.

On the other end of the phone, Xu Yunxi cheered with joy.

After hanging up the phone, Wu Zhiyuan returned the phone to Liu Qingqing.

Liu Yiyi, who had been listening nearby, understood what was going on and asked, "Qingqing, what's happening? Yunxi and Zhiyuan...?"

Liu Qingqing smiled slightly and nodded: "You can also see Yunxi's thoughts."

Liu Yiyi grinned mischievously and said to Wu Zhiyuan, "No wonder you reacted like that when I urged you to find a partner earlier."

It turns out someone cares about her, and she's such a good girl.

Yunxi is beautiful, smart, and so devoted.

Zhiyuan, you're something else! You managed to snag the precious daughter of a provincial leader without making a sound.

Oh, and you can't call me "sister" anymore, you have to call me "auntie"!

After Liu Yiyi finished speaking, she couldn't help but giggle, which made Liu Qingqing also chuckle and gently pat her, saying, "Sister, what nonsense are you talking about!"

Wu Zhiyuan felt a little embarrassed, his face burning, and he quickly explained, "Sister Yiyi, Yunxi and I..."

Liu Yiyi said with a smile, "Zhiyuan, don't explain. Explaining is just covering up, and covering up is the truth."

They're both interested in each other, they're just one step away from confessing their feelings, aren't they?

It's perfectly normal for young people to date; why are you so nervous?

Are you still blushing? That won't do! You're a county magistrate, after all; you've seen a lot of things.

Yunxi is outstanding in appearance and talent, and she is devoted to you.

Zhiyuan, you can't let them down.

Liu Qingqing said from the side, "Sister, Zhiyuan knows what he's doing. How about this, Zhiyuan and I are going home. What about you? Are you coming to my place tonight?"

Liu Yiyi shook her head: "I'm not going. Enpei said before that he's coming to my place to sing."

"Sigh, your relationship can't go on like this for long."

"Qingqing, only you know best whether the shoes fit or not, so don't worry about me."

Many times, I've been thinking about this question: what is the purpose of human life?

Is it for what others think "should" do, or for what you "want" in your own heart?

I've been divorced once, so I know the pain of settling.

Now, I just want to live freely and be happy.

Enpei is good to me, and I feel relaxed when I'm with him, and that's enough.

As for the rest, let's take it one step at a time.

Liu Qingqing didn't try to persuade her any further and said goodbye to Liu Yiyi.

When Liu Yiyi greeted Wu Zhiyuan, she said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Zhiyuan, I must attend your wedding banquet."

I hope you can be with Yunxi, then I'll be your elder.

Liu Qingqing laughed and said, "Sister, why do you always think about being Zhiyuan's elder?"

Liu Yiyi laughed heartily, "Who made Zhiyuan win Yunxi's heart? The moment he's in a higher generation, everything feels different!"

Wu Zhiyuan was both amused and exasperated.

Liu Yiyi leaned closer to Wu Zhiyuan and whispered, "Zhiyuan, let me tell you, so many people want to call me 'Auntie,' but I don't agree to it!"

"It's only because I find you pleasing to the eye that I'm willing to be called 'Auntie' by you."

Liu Qingqing laughed and said, "Sister, what are you thinking about all day long?"

Liu Yiyi blurted out, "Think about happy things. Life is too short to go without having some fun. Okay, okay, I'll stop teasing you guys."

Zhiyuan, go and be with Yunxi. Remember my words, don't let her down!

After saying that, she waved her hand, hailed a taxi, and disappeared into the night.

Watching Liu Yiyi's retreating figure, Liu Qingqing said, "Zhiyuan, that's just how my sister is, a person of strong character."

She and Enpei have known each other for six or seven years. They share a common interest: music.

Both of them are skilled at various musical instruments, especially the guitar.

They met through some music salons in Jiangzhou.

My sister's marriage was unhappy, and she's already divorced, as you probably already know.

Enpei, despite his fair complexion and chubby appearance, is an excellent guitarist and a professional singer.

But Enpei never divorced his wife; their relationship was not good.

His wife is very assertive; to put it bluntly, she's domineering and wants to control everything.

The two argued a lot, but Enpei didn't divorce for the sake of their child.

Of course, my sister never mentioned wanting a formal title.

She said she didn't care about titles or status, as long as she was happy.

A woman who has experienced marital unhappiness will not care about titles or status.

As you can see, my sister and Enpei are very much in love, even though it's a distorted relationship, as long as she's happy.

I actually advised my sister to confront Enpei and suggest that if Enpei and his wife had no feelings for each other, they should get a divorce and then he could marry my sister.

But my sister won't listen to me. I don't want to control her either; I can't control her anyway.

In her own words, only the wearer knows if the shoe fits.

Wu Zhiyuan listened quietly without interrupting.

Liu Qingqing continued, "Actually, when I think about it sometimes, what my sister said is right."

What's the point of living? Isn't it just to be happy and carefree?

She's been divorced, so she knows what marriage is all about, and she knows that sometimes a formal title is just a shackle.

Wu Zhiyuan nodded: "Everyone has their own way of living. As long as she feels good about it, outsiders really shouldn't say anything."

Liu Qingqing said with a wry smile, "Although that's what I said, seeing her like this still makes me feel a little bad."

I've met Enpei a few times; he's a good person, and he's genuinely kind to her. But his wife…”

She shook her head and didn't say anything more.

Jiangzhou Garden.

Xu Yunxi stood at the entrance of the villa, eagerly awaiting her arrival.

She wore a beige long knitted cardigan over a light gray turtleneck sweater, paired with a dark brown wool mini skirt and over-the-knee boots.

"Brother Zhiyuan! Aunt Qingqing!" Xu Yunxi called out sweetly.

Looking at Xu Yunxi, Wu Zhiyuan couldn't help but admire her.

As expected of someone who studies painting, this girl's temperament is getting better and better. She's also very beautiful; she looks like a painting just standing there.

Wu Zhiyuan had to admit to himself: at this moment, he was truly moved.

He felt that he had let down Xu Yunxi's deep affection.

Xu Yunxi is beautiful, elegant, and talented. She is also the beloved daughter of the vice governor. What merits does he have to win her favor and love?

Such a girl, who would turn down countless talented young men, is devoted to him alone.