Wu Liang shook his head, his face stern.
"This ti, I can’t help you."
Tang Bowen frowned deeply, looking puzzled.
"Huang Ming is just a lowly County Magistrate. Are you seriously afraid of him?"
With a cold snort, Wu Liang’s tone turned icy.
"Afraid of him? Not at all. Huang Ming asking you to cooperate with Xie Shan is perfectly reasonable. You yourself used to run illegal coal mines, and Qingshi County is Huang Ming’s territory. Building a good relationship with him is definitely a wise move."
Seeing Wu Liang sticking up for Huang Ming, Tang Bowen was montarily at a loss for words.
Cooperating with Xie Shan and splitting the profits fifty-fifty would be fine.
The issue was having to share part of the profits with Wu Liang later on—this kind of disparity was hard to accept.
The next day, Tang Bowen visited Huang Ming in Qingshi County again.
He expressed willingness to cooperate with Xie Shan.
Even after finalizing the deal, he remained sullen and unhappy.
Because for him, the biggest priority at the mont was figuring out how to deal with Xu Ruoxuan.
Zhou Jiajun noticed his mood and couldn’t help but ask.
"County Magistrate Huang, if you’re troubled about Xu Ruoxuan, I might have a couple of ideas."
Huang Ming’s interest was imdiately piqued. "Quick, tell !"
Zhou Jiajun then shared his thoughts without delay.
After so deliberation, Huang Ming figured the plan might not necessarily work, but it was worth a try.
After all, it was better than doing nothing.
"Jiajun, how long have you been my secretary?"
"This marks the third year."
"Alright, if you can handle Xu Ruoxuan for , I’ll make sure to recomnd you for a Deputy Section Chief position."
Excited, Zhou Jiajun nodded repeatedly.
"Rest assured, County Magistrate Huang. I’ll give it my best!"
Although Zhou Jiajun had worked as Huang Ming’s secretary for three years, he knew deep down that Huang Ming hadn’t truly regarded him as one of his own.
The reason was simple: he hadn’t been able to offer substantive assistance in work matters, unlike Chen Bin.
Now, with an opportunity to make a aningful contribution, Zhou Jiajun felt a sense of relief.
Later that evening, Huang Ming returned ho after work to find his wife, Xu Huwen, busy cooking in the kitchen. He imdiately walked over and embraced her tightly.
Without hesitation, his hands began to wander toward her chest.
Xu Huwen swatted his hand away, visibly annoyed.
"What are you doing? Can’t you see I’m cooking? Stop being so handsy!"
"Heh, I couldn’t help myself—you’re just so beautiful!"
Hearing this, Xu Huwen rolled her eyes at him.
"Spill it. What do you want to do this ti?"
After being married for so many years, she already knew: Huang Ming only flattered her like this when he had an ulterior motive.
"It’s nothing too serious. Mayor Wu is planning to promote again."
"Are you kidding? You haven’t been County Magistrate for long—how can you be promoted so fast?"
Xu Huwen imdiately turned off the stove and stared at him, her face full of doubt.
"Why would I lie to you? Promotions boil down to the leadership’s decision. But Mayor Wu’s condition this ti is that I have to build a good rapport with Xu Ruoxuan."
"Xu Ruoxuan?"
Xu Huwen frowned sharply. "You an the most beautiful woman among the ’Three Bests’ in your County Committee and County Governnt?"
"Yes, her!"
"Huang, tell the truth. Is it Mayor Wu asking you to build a good relationship with her, or are you trying to get close to her? If I find out you’re up to sothing shady—beware..."
At this point, Xu Huwen swiftly reached down and grabbed Huang Ming by the crotch, her voice cold and sharp: "Beware that I’ll ruin you!"
Feeling the intense pressure, Huang Ming turned pale with fear.
He knew she wouldn’t hesitate to carry out such a threat!
Forcing a smile, he gently removed Xu Huwen’s hand and quickly explained.
"Xu Ruoxuan is the daughter of the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee. Even if you gave ten tis the courage, I wouldn’t dare have such ideas about her. This matter is indeed arranged by the Mayor. But as for the specifics, I don’t know much either."
Seeing that this seed to check out, Xu Huwen asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"
"It’s simple—just get along with her."
"I don’t even know her. How’s that possible?"
"Don’t worry—I can introduce you two. If you’re okay with it, I’ll invite her to dinner at our house tomorrow. I’ll also ask Zhou Jiajun’s wife to join, to make it more comfortable. What do you think?"
"If it’s truly for work, then fine. But I’m not cooking."
Huang Ming nodded repeatedly. "That’s fine—I’ll get takeout from a restaurant instead."
The following day, Huang Ming seized a lighter workload as an opportunity to approach Xu Ruoxuan directly.
"Xiao Xu, you’ve been working at the county for quite a while, but haven’t been to my house for a al yet. Last night when I ntioned it to my wife, she scolded . To make up for it, how about you co over tonight for dinner?"
"This..."
Just as Xu Ruoxuan was about to decline, Huang Ming quickly interjected.
"Great. It’s settled then. After work, I’ll drive over to pick you up."
Without waiting for her response, he imdiately turned and left.
Sitting in her chair, Xu Ruoxuan frowned slightly, her mind filled with doubt.
She couldn’t figure out what Huang Ming was planning.
Although she was reluctant to go, he hadn’t given her the chance to refuse.
After so thought, Xu Ruoxuan ended up getting into Huang Ming’s car after work.
Upon arriving at the house, Xu Huwen was already waiting for her.
When Xu Huwen saw Xu Ruoxuan, she silently marveled at her beauty.
Indeed, a stunner!
Once inside, Xu Ruoxuan noticed the dining table covered with a variety of dishes.
Both at and vegetables, the spread was sumptuous.
She guessed they were likely takeout from a restaurant.
After all, among the dishes was a specialty from Qingshi Hotel—not sothing you could find anywhere else.
Not long after the three sat down, Zhou Jiajun and his wife arrived.
Zhou Jiajun’s familiarity with the house, having visited occasionally as Huang Ming’s secretary, put him at ease.
After introductions, everyone gathered around the dining table.
During the al, the topics of conversation were unrelated to work, which made Xu Ruoxuan feel much more relaxed.
Possibly from drinking too much, she was already feeling intoxicated by the end of the al.
She was preparing to leave when Xu Huwen pulled her aside for a ga of mahjong.
Despite her initial reluctance, she couldn’t resist Xu Huwen’s enthusiasm and reluctantly joined the ga.
Truth be told, Xu Ruoxuan was not skilled in mahjong.
She typically played only during the New Year holiday and avoided it altogether outside of that.
She expected to lose miserably but was surprised by her luck that night.
No matter how she played, she kept winning.
By the ti she got back to her dormitory via taxi, it was nearly ten o’clock.
Just as she entered, Chen Bin showed up.
Walking inside, he imdiately asked.
"Sis, I saw you leaving with Huang Ming after work. Why are you getting ho this late?"
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