Glancing again at Zhao Xini pretending to sleep on the bed, Chen Bin got up and said to Ma Juan.
"Baby, I have to head back. You should sleep too."
"Okay, goodnight, hubby!"
Ma Juan hugged Chen Bin and gave him a kiss before reluctantly pulling the blanket back over herself.
Returning to his own room, Chen Bin was utterly drained.
He lay down on the bed and soon fell asleep.
The next morning, the three of them sat at the dining table for breakfast, pretending as if nothing had happened.
Days of tranquility passed by, and it was soon ti for work again.
Back in Qinghe Town, Chen Bin received a call from Cao Sanjin, saying experts from the Imperial Capital had already set out and would likely arrive that night.
Chen Bin eagerly replied, assuring that the welcoming arrangents would be perfect.
That evening, he had Cheng Zhuang drive him to Tianhai Airport, where he personally picked them up and brought them to Qinghe Town.
Both their als and accommodations were prepared with the highest standards.
Perhaps per Cao Sanjin’s instructions, the experts didn’t put on airs and were instead surprisingly cordial with Chen Bin.
After collecting soil samples, they stayed for just one day before boarding a plane back to the Imperial Capital.
Just as everything seed to be progressing well, Lu Huisheng, who had been hospitalized at the County Hospital, finally recovered.
However, after being discharged, he didn’t rush back to Qinghe Town.
Instead, his first move was to go see Ye Hong.
"County Magistrate Ye, you’ve got to help figure sothing out! If Chen Bin keeps stirring things up like this, there’ll be no future left for in Qinghe Town!"
Ye Hong let out a cold snort, his expression remaining indifferent.
"Qinghe Town is your turf. If even you can’t handle him, what am I supposed to do?"
In his view, Chen Bin was far more capable than Lu Huisheng.
If he could bring Chen Bin onto his side, it would undoubtedly bolster his political achievents in the future.
Lu Huisheng wasn’t ready to give up, quickly resorting to flattery.
"Qinghe Town might’ve been my turf before, but ever since Chen Bin arrived, I’ve suffered quite a bit. County Magistrate Ye, you’re the sharpest mind in all of Dragon Mountain County—naturally, I can only turn to you for help!"
"No need to butter up. Chen Bin’s work in Qinghe Town has garnered so much attention that even the province has noticed him. What do you expect to do?"
Seeing things weren’t going his way, Lu Huisheng imdiately placed a cloth bag onto Ye Hong’s desk.
"County Magistrate Ye, how about this: help get a position in one of the more lucrative departnts at the county level. This gold bar is an offering of my respect."
Ye Hong opened the bag to find a 500-gram gold bar inside.
The receipt from its purchase was included as well.
If sold at a jewelry store, it would fetch over 300,000 yuan.
The beauty of gold bars lay in their lack of transaction records.
Even if caught red-handed soday, there’d be no proof of bribery.
At this point, Ye Hong hesitated.
He had long decided to stop helping Lu Huisheng.
But faced with such a tangible offering, who could resist?
After a brief mont of contemplation, Ye Hong ultimately said:
"Alright, I’ll see what I can do about the position."
Hearing this, Lu Huisheng was elated.
He believed that with Ye Hong’s assistance, he would surely have another shot at raking in wealth.
As Lu Huisheng left Ye Hong’s office, Xue Baoguang knocked on Cao Sanjin’s door.
After reporting on Dragon Mountain County’s recent projects, he hesitantly said:
"Secretary Cao, I have an idea, and I’d like your guidance."
"What’s on your mind?"
"I’d like to propose Chen Bin as Dragon Mountain County’s Vice County Magistrate, overseeing agriculture, while still serving as Qinghe Town’s Party Secretary."
"Explain your reasoning."
"In terms of age, Chen Bin might not seem suited for promotion just yet. But his capabilities are exceptional—everything he’s done has genuinely benefited the people. I believe in breaking conventional norms to recognize true talent."
In truth, Xue Baoguang had long wanted to promote Chen Bin but was wary of backlash.
Despite Dragon Mountain County’s poverty, its political landscape was highly intricate.
Though Xue Baoguang was the top official, his political acun wasn’t particularly sharp, and during his years in Dragon Mountain County, he had failed to consolidate absolute authority.
Thus, for Chen Bin’s promotion, he had to rely on Cao Sanjin’s support.
Of course, Xue Baoguang had his own ulterior motives in this matter.
While he didn’t know the exact nature of the relationship between Chen Bin and Cao Sanjin, he was certain that advocating for Chen Bin would never go wrong.
Cao Sanjin feigned contemplation for a mont before finally nodding.
"Your reasoning is very sound. I support promoting Chen Bin."
Deep in his heart, Cao Sanjin had already regarded Chen Bin as his future son-in-law.
So the idea of promoting Chen Bin had long been brewing in his mind.
Now that Xue Baoguang had brought it up himself, Cao Sanjin saw no harm in pushing things forward.
Clearing his throat, Cao Sanjin gave Xue Baoguang a stern look.
"How many years have you served as Party Secretary in Dragon Mountain County?"
Without hesitation, Xue Baoguang answered truthfully.
"After the New Year, it will be exactly four years."
"That’s not a short ti. Have you considered working elsewhere?"
Xue Baoguang imdiately stood upright, solemnly replying:
"I will fully accept any organizational arrangents. No matter what position I’m assigned, I will dedicate myself to it and never betray the trust of my superiors!"
Cao Sanjin nodded slightly, speaking in a calm tone:
"Let’s keep news of your transfer confidential for now. It won’t be long before the city leadership speaks with you. In the anti, while you’re still here in Dragon Mountain County, rember to fulfill your duties without any negligence."
"Thank you for the guidance, Secretary Cao. I promise I won’t let you down!"
As evening approached, just before the workday ended, Cai Lixia received a call from Cai Weiguo.
"Co ho for dinner tonight. Your mom and I need to talk to you about sothing."
Curious, Cai Lixia asked, "What’s it about?"
"You’ll find out when you get ho."
After work, Cai Lixia drove ho.
Walking into the house, she saw her mother, Fan Qin, placing the last dishes on the table.
At dinner, Cai Lixia couldn’t help but look toward her father, Cai Weiguo.
"Dad, what did you want to talk to about?"
"Your third aunt has introduced you to soone. He works at the County Governnt, is not even thirty-three years old, and has already beco the Director of the Governnt Office. You—"
Before Cai Weiguo could finish, Cai Lixia curled her lip disdainfully.
"Pfft, thirty-three, and still just a little director? Our town’s Party Secretary, Chen Bin, was already a full-grade official at twenty-two."
At these words, Cai Weiguo’s face visibly darkened.
Though he hadn’t t Chen Bin, he had seen him on television and in newspapers.
The stories of Chen Bin saving a woman in distress, helping rural residents find employnt, and spearheading governnt efficiency reforms had left quite an impression.
His daughter’s remarks seed arrogant and shortsighted.
"How many Chen Bins do you think there are in this world? If you can truly date him, your mother and I will stop pestering you to find soone."
With a smirk, Cai Lixia replied proudly:
"Well, sorry to disappoint, but we’re actually dating."
"What? You’ve got to be joking!"
Seeing Cai Weiguo’s stunned expression, Cai Lixia laughed and said:
"Have I ever lied to you? I was planning to tell you later, but since you’re already trying to set up with soone, I guess I’ll spill the beans now."
Fan Qin, as if she had won the lottery, exclaid excitedly:
"Honey, this is fantastic! Why don’t you bring him over for dinner tomorrow?"
"I don’t think that’s possible. The year’s just started, and the town is very busy."
Originally calm, Cai Weiguo could no longer keep composed after hearing such explosive news.
After dinner, he imdiately pulled Cai Lixia aside to confirm her relationship with Chen Bin.
Once he received an affirmative response, he asked seriously:
"When did the two of you start seeing each other?"
After pondering for a mont, Cai Lixia replied:
"It should’ve been after I returned from Shanghai last year."
"Did he pursue you first?"
"Of course. Do you really think I’d chase him?"
"What’s his family background like? Give a general idea."
"Well... I’m not exactly sure."
Hearing this, Cai Weiguo furrowed his brow.
"How can you date soone without knowing their family situation? If you feel awkward asking, bring him ho and I’ll ask myself!"
Nodding, Cai Lixia quickly agreed: "Alright, I understand."
The next day, in Qinghe Town, Cai Lixia went straight to Chen Bin’s office.
"My parents already know about us. They want to et you."
Frowning, Chen Bin looked visibly displeased.
"How could you tell them without discussing it with first?"
"I had no choice. They kept trying to set up with soone, so I had to be honest."
Seeing Chen Bin’s troubled expression, Cai Lixia grew irritated.
"I’m only asking you this once—are you coming or not?!"
To her, Chen Bin initiating intimacy was basically a confession.
Her lack of resistance signified that she tacitly accepted their relationship.
However, what frustrated Cai Lixia was that Chen Bin always maintained an ambiguous attitude toward her.
Only when she expressed unhappiness would he make efforts to comfort her.
Most of the ti, his behavior was distant and nonchalant.
After thinking it through, Cai Lixia realized the root of the issue was their lack of an officially established relationship.
She decided to take this opportunity to formalize it.
But to Chen Bin, Cai Lixia didn’t captivate him like Zhao Xini, nor was she as stunning as Xu Ruoxuan.
She didn’t have Ma Juan’s knack for making money, lacked Li ngying’s sultry charm, and even her figure wasn’t as distinctive as Ding Zi’s.
For him, she was the kind of woman suitable for casual fun, but not soone he’d want to marry.
Now forced into this situation, Chen Bin wasn’t afraid of Cai Weiguo, but he didn’t want to create unnecessary enemies over this.
In the treacherous waters of politics, it was best to proceed cautiously.
Reluctantly, Chen Bin answered:
"Sure, I’ll go. But when do you think would be best?"
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