In the conference room of the administration building, nurous gazes fell upon Zhang Qingguo.
Principal Liu Zengyin urgently pressed, "Qingguo, how about it? Do you know him?"
Zhang Qingguo's lips trembled, and it took him a long mont to speak with difficulty: "I know him, I just... just t him yesterday."
Hearing this, Liu Zengyin and the others instantly breathed sighs of relief.
"That's good! That's wonderful!" Liu Zengyin exhaled deeply, as if grasping a lifeline, "Since you know him, things will be much easier to handle!"
"What exactly is this student's background, that he'd make our mayor personally co all this way?"
"Not clear, the information from the county committee was very brief, no additional details."
Liu Zengyin patted Zhang Qingguo's shoulder, speaking with grave seriousness:
"Qingguo! Tell us in detail about this student's situation. You should have his contact information, right? No matter what thod you use, we must get this matter properly handled today! Whether our school can seize this once-in-a-lifeti opportunity to leave a good impression with the city leadership depends... crucially on you!"
The important alumnus specifically requested by the mayor wasn't even on the special guest list—this was already an indisputable major mistake in their school's work.
They had to redy it imdiately!
Zhang Qingguo shuddered violently, snapping back to reality.
Clammy cold sweat instantly poured down his back through his shirt.
An incomprehensible sense of absurdity and the terror of having committed a colossal blunder completely overwheld him in an instant.
He opened his mouth, montarily at a loss for words.
Just last night, he had personally made the decision to remove Liu Qingning and Tang Song from the guest seats, relegating them to the general viewing area.
He had even used this as grounds to cancel Liu Qingning's speech as alumni representative.
He had done this simply to free up seats to curry favor with that suddenly decided attendee, Li Yunfan.
But now... that insignificant Tang Song, whom he had casually cast aside, had turned out to be the "real deity" the mayor specifically asked to et.
If the other party just casually ntioned him in front of the mayor tomorrow.
Then his career as vice principal would pretty much be over.
Seeing Zhang Qingguo remain silent for so long, looking utterly distraught as if the sky had fallen.
Everyone gradually sensed that sothing was wrong.
Principal Liu Zengyin's expression instantly turned extrely solemn: "Qingguo, what exactly is going on?!"
Zhang Qingguo took a deep breath and painstakingly recounted what had happened last night in Zhende Hotel's banquet hall, along with his "impression" of Tang Song and the subsequent decision to cancel Liu Qingning's speech, laying everything out truthfully.
As a cadre who had worked within the system for many years, he understood clearly.
Once a variable at the mayor's level entered the picture, this matter had completely exceeded what he could handle.
As he spoke, the atmosphere in the entire office instantly dropped to freezing point.
The several school leaders looked at each other, seeing undisguised shock in each other's eyes.
Liu Zengyin felt the world spinning, slamd his right hand on the table, trembling with anger: "You... you... what am I to say to you!"
Just monts ago on the phone, Director Chen of the Education Bureau had repeatedly emphasized "highest standards, utmost sincerity."
And look at the result—they had gone and offended the very person in question!
If this matter wasn't handled properly, forget leaving a good impression;
their professional futures would all be severely impacted.
Zhang Qingguo was sweating profusely, "I... I truly... didn't consider things thoroughly."
"Principal, now isn't the ti to assign bla," another vice principal quickly stepped forward to advise, "The urgent matter is to quickly find a way to redy this."
"Right, right! Redy!" Zhang Qingguo, as if grasping a lifeline, imdiately said, "I'll call Liu Qingning and Tang Song right now! Apologize to them in person!"
As he spoke, he flusteredly picked up the roster from the table, found Liu Qingning's number, and imdiately dialed.
Since Tang Song was just "brought along" by Liu Qingning, the school hadn't kept any of his contact information, nor recorded his professional details.
So now the only point of contact was Liu Qingning.
"Beep beep beep—"
The phone rang for a long ti until it automatically disconnected, never getting answered.
Zhang Qingguo's face instantly turned deathly pale.
Seeing his utterly bewildered state, Principal Liu Zengyin's expression grew even darker.
He slapped his thigh fiercely, pointing at Zhang Qingguo, speaking urgently and forcefully: "Contact their horoom teacher from back then, Teacher Li Gaisu, imdiately! Have her get in touch!"
Zhang Qingguo suddenly saw the light, hurriedly picking up his phone again.
"Lao Wang!" Liu Zengyin said to another vice principal, "You go to the reception desk right now and readjust tomorrow's guest seating on the podium. No matter what, you must reserve the two best spots for them!"
"Understood, Principal!"
Liu Zengyin grabbed his briefcase and phone, saying solemnly, "I'm going to the county committee imdiately to report the situation to the leadership in person. This matter is too significant;
it's already beyond what our school can handle on its own."
As he walked, he was already dialing Director Chen of the County Education Bureau's number.
"Hello, Director Chen. There's an urgent situation I must report to you imdiately..."
As these calls went out.
Information began rapidly traveling up and down the chain of power.
The entire administrative system of Jing County began operating at high speed on this ordinary weekend.
......
Kuangjian Community
In the bathroom, steam filled the air, coating the frosted glass door with a hazy layer of condensation.
Liu Qingning leaned weakly against the warm tile wall, letting Tang Song hold her as he used the showerhead to rinse off the sticky sweat.
This morning had really opened her eyes.
She never imagined there were so many intimate tricks between n and won.
And Tang Song, this guy, clearly well-trained by Wen Ruan, used all sorts of little techniques to bully her until she had no strength left to resist.
Finally, he simply dragged her into the bathroom.
This was their first ti... bathing together.
And it was in her own family's bathroom at that.
This experience was both shaful and filled with indescribable excitent for her.
That blue-and-white school uniform that carried their entire youth was already soaked and tossed into the washing machine in the corner, quietly spinning.
"Alright, Qingning," Tang Song turned off the water, picked up a towel, and carefully wrapped it around her curvaceous, water-beaded body, "Let's go to my parents' place for lunch. Everything's arranged on their end, with your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs."
His voice sounded particularly gentle.
"How do I have any energy left to eat! It's all your fault!" Liu Qingning gave his chest a light slap.
Blushing, head lowered, she was helped back to the bedroom by Tang Song.
Then, like a frightened little rabbit, she pushed him out the door and closed it with a "bang."
Only then did Liu Qingning finally let out a long sigh of relief. Looking at herself in the mirror—skin flushed pink all over, eyes misty—her cheeks burned hot again.
After adjusting her mood, putting on clothes, and drying her hair, she picked up her phone, ready to call her parents.
To ask about their drive.
As soon as she unlocked it, she saw five missed calls prominently displayed on the screen.
There were unfamiliar numbers and also one from horoom teacher Li Gaisu.
Liu Qingning's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.
With her intelligence, she almost instantly guessed what it was about.
Walking out of the bedroom into the living room.
She waved her phone at Tang Song, "The school probably already found out about Mayor Li and is frantically calling . What do you think I should do?"
"Whatever you want," Tang Song smiled.
With this "authorization," Liu Qingning paused for a mont, found Li Gaisu's number, and called back.
The call was answered almost imdiately.
"Hello? Qingning! You finally called back!" From the other end ca Teacher Li's clearly relieved yet urgent voice.
"Teacher Li, is there sothing urgent?"
"Just now, the school leadership called saying there was a major error in the previous arrangents, and everything has been readjusted now. They've reserved two seats for you and Tang Song on the podium. Your previous speech has been reinstated..."
Liu Qingning listened quietly, occasionally responding with an "mm," without interrupting.
Only after Teacher Li finished did she say with a smile, "Thank you, Teacher Li. But let's forget about the speech. I think it's better to just be ordinary alumni, quietly sitting below to offer blessings to our alma mater, rather than going on stage to steal the spotlight from the leaders and outstanding alumni."
Both she and Tang Song had deep feelings for their alma mater and would never actually cause trouble at an event like the school anniversary.
But being targeted was being targeted;
a small, harmless "payback" could still make them feel better.
"This... this won't do..." Li Gaisu still wanted to persuade, her tone full of anxiety.
But Liu Qingning directly interrupted with a smile: "Teacher Li, it's really fine. Don't feel awkward;
just tell the school directly."
"Sigh, alright then," Li Gaisu knew she couldn't persuade her anymore, then cautiously added, "By the way, Qingning, our Principal Liu wants to personally call Tang Song to apologize and also discuss the specific arrangents for tomorrow's reception. Would it be... convenient for you to send Tang Song's phone number?"
Liu Qingning glanced at Tang Song, "Okay, please wait a mont."
After hanging up, Liu Qingning inford Tang Song and then sent the phone number over.
Soon, the phone rang.
Tang Song answered the call, his tone calm: "Hello."
"Hello, Principal Liu."
"It's fine, Principal Liu. I ca back this ti to celebrate our alma mater's anniversary too. As alumni, we respect all the school's arrangents."
"Mm, mm, okay... goodbye."
Hanging up, Tang Song shrugged and smiled, "Seems like our school's leadership is pretty scared."
Principal Liu Zengyin had been in his position for many years;
he was already the top leader when Tang Song was in high school.
In his mory, this principal was always serious, speaking with vigorous energy, full of authoritative dignity.
But now on the phone, his voice sounded almost humble, every word chosen carefully, afraid of making even half a mistake.
This huge contrast gave him a strange feeling.
Liu Qingning smiled along, saying, "Ti to go eat, right? Don't keep your parents waiting."
"Weren't you out of energy?"
"You bad guy!" Liu Qingning gently kicked Tang Song's calf, pouting, "Go, help get my bag ready. I'm going to touch up my makeup."
Amid laughter and playfulness, they got ready. After sending a ssage to her parents, Liu Qingning took Tang Song's hand and walked out the door.
Ten minutes later, the Rolls-Royce Phantom parked steadily in the underground garage of Yun Jing Tai.
Taking the elevator directly to the 5th floor.
As soon as the door opened, a rich aroma of food greeted them.
Xu Feng and Tang Jianying, who had been waiting, broke into wide smiles upon seeing them enter.
"Oh, Qingning's here!"
"Uncle, Auntie, sorry to disturb you."
"None of that polite talk! Co in, co in! The food just finished cooking;
we were waiting for you!"
The dining table was filled with sumptuous ho-cooked dishes.
Sweet and sour pork ribs, stead perch, braised prawns...
All Liu Qingning's favorites.
The four of them sat around the table, the atmosphere warm and lively.
Xu Feng kept serving dishes to Liu Qingning, asking after her well-being, her affection and satisfaction nearly overflowing.
The al was extrely pleasant.
After eating, Tang Jianying took on the important task of washing dishes, while Xu Feng pulled Liu Qingning and Tang Song.
They sat on the living room sofa, watching TV while making small talk.
Just then.
"Ding dong—"
The video doorbell on the wall suddenly lit up.
Xu Feng got up and walked over, glanced at the screen, pressed the unlock button while calling to Tang Jianying in the kitchen: "Lao Tang, it's Maolin and his wife."
"Oh oh, I'll go down to the elevator entrance to greet them," Tang Jianying quickly wiped his hands and hurried out.
Xu Feng smiled, sitting back next to Tang Song, explaining to him: "Your Uncle Maolin has been visiting often recently. Hearing you're back, he's probably coming to see you again. Speaking of which, your grandparents' house back ho got renovated so quickly, and your fourth uncle's family issues were resolved—your Uncle Maolin helped a lot in diating."
Tang Song smiled faintly, suddenly understanding.
Last ti, he had helped his parents get this apartnt through Xie Yue of Handing Group, which also demonstrated so capability.
For this clansman who had been in the system for many years, he naturally knew what to do.
And with his help, his parents' status within the family had indeed improved significantly.
After waiting two or three minutes, the door opened.
Amid warm greetings, Tang Maolin and Li Qiaoling walked in, carrying a box of milk and fruits, their deanor very respectful.
"Uncle Maolin, Aunt Qiaoling," Tang Song politely stood up from the sofa to greet them.
Tang Maolin imdiately smiled and quickly stepped forward: "Ah, haven't seen you in months! Little Song looks even more spirited now!"
"Of course," Li Qiaoling's face wore an extrely affectionate expression, her gaze shifting to Liu Qingning beside Tang Song, "Oh, Little Song, who is this...?"
Xu Feng imdiately proudly introduced: "This is Little Song's girlfriend, Liu Qingning."
"Oh! When did you get a girlfriend? Kept it so secret!" Li Qiaoling imdiately adopted a warmly familial elder attitude, stepping forward to take Liu Qingning's hand. Her shrewd eyes looked Liu Qingning up and down as she effusively praised: "This girl is so beautiful! This skin, this figure—just like a celebrity on TV!"
Xu Feng added nonchalantly: "Jianying and I just found out too. The two kids were high school classmates. Qingning was even the county's top scorer in the college entrance exam their year!"
"Top scorer?! Oh my! No wonder she's so outstanding!" Li Qiaoling's voice instantly rose several pitches.
Liu Qingning was made to blush sowhat shyly by this back-and-forth, fervent praise.
However, having seen her share of significant occasions, she quickly adjusted and chatted generously with these two "future relatives."
For a while, the living room was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.
Li Qiaoling fully utilized her talent for "setting up jokes," making the atmosphere exceptionally lively.
Tang Maolin, anwhile, mostly just sat smiling on the side, occasionally interjecting a few words, but his gaze frequently drifted toward Tang Song.
After several rounds of tea, when the atmosphere had ward sufficiently.
Tang Maolin seed to finally steel his resolve.
Personally picking up the teapot, he refilled Tang Song's cup, his posture extrely humble.
He cleared his throat and said in a seemingly casual tone: "That... Little Song, there's sothing Uncle would like to discuss with you."
The laughter in the living room gradually quieted.
Tang Song put down the orange in his hand and said gently: "Uncle Maolin, feel free to speak directly."
Encouraged, Tang Maolin rubbed his hands together, looking sowhat embarrassed.
He cautiously began: "It's like this. I've been working in my unit for almost twenty years. Recently, there's an opportunity at the bureau. You see... one of our deputy bureau chiefs is about to retire, and that deputy position is opening up. I'd like to try for it."
After he spoke, the entire living room fell silent.
Xu Feng and Tang Jianying looked at each other.
They never expected such a significant matter to be brought to their son.
They originally thought Tang Maolin and his wife were visiting at most for...
Tang Song raised an eyebrow slightly, understanding dawning.
Not counting him, Tang Maolin was the most successful in their family.
Currently working at Jing County's Housing and Urban-Rural Developnt Bureau, from what his father said, he held a deputy section rank and was a departnt head.
The deputy bureau chief position was also deputy section rank;
though it would be a lateral move level-wise.
The status change from "mid-level cadre" to "bureau leadership team mber" represented a qualitative leap.
Probably this opportunity was too rare, which was why Uncle Maolin was swallowing his pride to ask him.
Seeing Tang Song silent, Tang Maolin, afraid of an awkward pause, quickly added:
"Of course, Uncle doesn't want to put you in a difficult position. It's just knowing you're successful now, the most accomplished in our family, wondering if you might know any connections. If not, it's fine;
I'm just asking presumptuously.
You know how it is in the system—seniority and hard work alone aren't enough.
My network within the county is pretty solid, but there's plenty of competition;
everyone's eyeing it.
At the critical mont, it might just co down to that final push."
After speaking, he looked at Tang Song with expectant trepidation, even unconsciously holding his breath.
The business areas and resources under a "deputy bureau chief's" purview were far beyond what a departnt head could access.
He had waited all these years, finally getting an opportunity.
Originally, he had been hesitating, wanting to find a suitable mont in the next couple of days to call Tang Song and feel things out.
After all, he was a "major figure" who knew the heir of Handing Group, the true "dragon" that had soared from their Tang family.
If he had connections in this area, even a ntion might change the course of this competition.
The atmosphere in the living room grew sowhat heavy for a mont.
Tang Song looked at his clansman before him, pondered for a mont, then said: "Alright. Here's what, Uncle Maolin, I'll note this matter. Rest assured, we're family;
I'll definitely help if I can."
After all, his parents would continue living in Jing County, and the family needed soone like Tang Maolin who could speak with authority within the system to look out for them.
"Ah! Good! Good!" Tang Maolin excitedly raised his teacup, "Little Song, Uncle toasts you!"
Regardless, Tang Song agreeing to help ant opportunity.
"Ding~" The porcelain cups clinked.
Just as Tang Song set down his cup.
"Ding dong—"
The phone on the coffee table suddenly rang.
[Principal Liu Zengyin]
Tang Song picked up the phone and answered, "Hello, Principal Liu."
From the other end ca Liu Zengyin's extrely polite voice: "Student Tang Song, sorry to disturb you again. It's like this: regarding the reception arrangents for Mayor Li's visit tomorrow, the leadership at the county committee is very concerned and sowhat uneasy. They'd like to communicate the specific procedures with you in person before the anniversary celebration begins, and also... pay a visit to your parents. Would it be... convenient now?"
Tang Song's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly, and he instinctively glanced at the solemnly sitting Tang Maolin beside him.
This really was quite a coincidence.
"Sure, then I'll trouble the leaders to make the trip."
"No trouble at all! Okay then, we've already set out from the county committee and will be at Yun Jing Tai shortly."
"Mm, okay, goodbye."
After hanging up.
After hanging up, Liu Qingning leaned in and asked quietly: "Is Principal Liu coming over?"
Tang Song blinked, whispering: "Mm, probably worried I might 'drop the ball' tomorrow, so they need to co 'rehearse' in person to feel assured."
Liu Qingning covered her mouth with a light laugh.
She certainly understood this was just a pretext for the county leaders to make early contact and show goodwill.
Hearing their conversation, Tang Maolin first froze, then looked utterly stunned: "Principal Liu? Is that your Yizhong's Principal Liu Zengyin? He's coming over?"
"Mm," Tang Song nodded, "Tomorrow is the school anniversary;
Principal Liu probably has so matters to discuss."
"Heh, right," Tang Maolin imdiately resud his deanor as a seasoned system insider, showing an understanding smile, "Tang Song, you're an outstanding alumnus now;
it's only proper for the principal to co communicate in person. Coincidentally, I've t Principal Liu a few tis;
I'll accompany you in receiving him later."
Tang Song smiled without saying more.
anwhile, Xu Feng and Tang Jianying, upon hearing "the principal is coming to our ho," had imdiately sprung into action nervously, tidying the coffee table and preparing fresh fruit.
Liu Qingning also stood up smilingly to help.
Not long after, Tang Song's phone rang again.
It was Principal Liu calling to say they were about to enter the community.
Tang Jianying and Xu Feng imdiately started putting on coats, "I should go down to greet them;
this is your principal—it's important business."
"Right, right, let's go together," Tang Maolin also stood up.
In a small place like Jing County, which extrely values education and the system, a Yizhong principal isn't just a simple educator.
Holding the county's most premium educational resources, their social status and implicit influence are no less than that of a departnt head with real power.
Seeing this, Tang Song had no choice but to take Liu Qingning's hand and follow them downstairs.
But this was appropriate too.
After all, it was his alma mater's principal coming personally, accompanied by county leaders.
Not going down to greet them would be sowhat improper, both emotionally and reasonably hard to justify.
On an early winter afternoon, the warm sun shone brightly.
The group had just stepped out of the unit door, not even steady on their feet yet.
Several black administrative sedans drove over and parked one after another in front of Building 8.
Xu Feng and Tang Jianying's hearts jumped;
it looked like quite a few people had co.
But the smile on Tang Maolin's face instantly froze. He blinked hard, thinking he was seeing things.
This... these are the county committee's official cars?!
Having worked within the system for years, he had long morized these sensitive license plates.
In his daze, the car doors opened.
His heart leaped.
The first to get out wasn't Principal Liu Zengyin as he imagined, but County Committee Office Director Wang Liwei.
Then, County Propaganda Departnt Head Liu Ziqian, County Education Bureau Director Chen Weiming...
Every one of them was a "big na" county committee standing mber.
The expression on Tang Maolin's face beca extraordinarily vivid.
Imdiately after, another figure erged from a car.
A deafening "boom" exploded in Tang Maolin's mind, as if struck by lightning on the spot.
He stood there dumbfounded, mouth unconsciously agape.
County Committee... Secretary Zhang Chengming?!
This... what is this? A standing committee eting?!
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