Lin Chuan quickly put down the two cans of tea he was holding, shook hands with Song Jianguo, and said, "Secretary Song, you're too kind. I knew you liked tea before coming, so I deliberately bought you two cans of Da Hong Pao."
Song Jianguo, looking a bit angry, said, "Lin Chuan, have you also learned this trick?"
Song Xiaojia quickly grabbed Song Jianguo's hand and said playfully, "Dad, he specifically brought it to honor you, don't reject his kindness."
Song Jianguo gave Song Xiaojia an affectionate glare and said, "You girl, you sure have a lot of sly ideas." Then, he turned to Lin Chuan and said, "Lin Chuan, please sit."
Lin Chuan sat down, and Song Jianguo picked up the cigarettes from the coffee table, handing one to him.
Although Lin Chuan smoked, he decided to hold back in front of Secretary Song, gesturing and saying, "Secretary Song, I don't smoke."
Song Jianguo looked approvingly and said, "Young people not smoking is a good thing, smoking is really not beneficial for your health."
Lin Chuan smiled awkwardly, just in ti to see Song Xiaojia sneaking a laugh at him, making his face turn red.
"Secretary Song, why did you call here this ti?" Lin Chuan adjusted his mindset and asked Song Jianguo.
Song Jianguo looked surprised, glanced at Song Xiaojia, and then looked at Lin Chuan, saying, "What, Xiaojia didn't tell you?"
Lin Chuan glanced at Song Xiaojia, whose pretty face turned red, as she looked down and sneaked a glance at Lin Chuan.
"She didn't say anything." Lin Chuan felt a bit hoodwinked.
Song Jianguo smiled slightly and said, "Lin Chuan, I called you here this ti to talk about you and Xiaojia."
Lin Chuan said blankly, " and Xiaojia? Secretary Song, can you clarify a bit?"
Song Jianguo said, "It's about you and Xiaojia getting married."
Lin Chuan was completely stunned, looking at Song Xiaojia again. At this mont, Song Xiaojia's heart was beating fast, and she didn't dare to look at Lin Chuan, fiddling with the corner of her clothes.
"Secretary Song, I think you've got it wrong. I never said I wanted to marry Xiaojia." Lin Chuan didn't want Song Jianguo to misunderstand, so he hurriedly said.
Standing nearby, Song Xiaojia heard Lin Chuan say this, and tears imdiately welled up, turning abruptly and running out.
Song Jianguo understood his precious daughter's concerns, and he looked at Lin Chuan and said, "Lin Chuan, I know about your situation with Tang Yung, but I still need to ask how you will handle your relationship with Xiaojia?"
Regarding Song Xiaojia's feelings, Lin Chuan didn't know how to address them. Now, facing Song Jianguo's questioning, he pondered and said, "Secretary Song, since you know about my situation with Yung, I will speak frankly—I, Lin Chuan, truly care about Tang Yung. I cannot be separated from her, and we are certain to be together."
Faced with Lin Chuan's straightforwardness, all Song Jianguo could say was, "It seems my precious daughter was being wishful thinking. Co on, co on, let's not talk about this, let's have so tea."
Though Song Xiaojia ran out in tears, she stood outside the door eavesdropping. Her feelings at this mont were like a spilled bottle of mixed emotions.
However, Song Xiaojia didn't harbor any resentnt towards Lin Chuan; she was just sad.
Lin Chuan was now unsure what to say to Song Jianguo, so he lifted his teacup, trying to cover his embarrassnt.
"Lin Chuan, I heard from Li Xiangguo that you helped capture Mu Zhengqing. That's quite an achievent. Do you have any plans for the future? Would you like to develop your career at the provincial level?" Song Jianguo took a sip of tea, set down the teacup, and said.
"Thank you, Secretary Song, for your concern. It's what I should be doing." Lin Chuan said modestly, "I currently don't have such plans because there are still so matters I need to resolve."
Song Jianguo replied with an 'oh', nodded, and said, "I see, I won't pressure you. But if you ever decide to develop at the provincial level, be sure to let know."
Lin Chuan smiled and said, "Certainly, certainly."
After chatting for a while, Song Xiaojia walked back in. Though there were still tear marks on her cheek, she appeared quite calm. She sat down beside Song Jianguo and glanced at Lin Chuan, saying, "Dad, I need to tell you sothing."
Song Jianguo was initially worried that his precious daughter couldn't handle the blow. Unexpectedly, she seed perfectly fine in just a mont, which relieved him, and he said, "What is it?"
Song Xiaojia told Song Jianguo about Li Jiangping's situation, which made Song Jianguo increasingly angry; Li Jiangping was indeed outrageous, and such an immoral person wouldn't get far.
After Song Xiaojia finished talking, Lin Chuan followed up by saying, "Secretary Song, from what I understand, Li Jiangping not only has problems with his conduct but is also financially corrupt."
Lin Chuan's words undoubtedly added fuel to the fire, and Song Jianguo angrily said, "Such a person and such a cadre, if they remain in position, how can they live up to the governnt and the people? This matter must be thoroughly investigated."
Hearing Song Jianguo say this, Lin Chuan felt delighted as it looked like Li Jiangping's days were numbered.
The three of them sat and chatted for a while longer before Lin Chuan got up to say goodbye, but Song Jianguo insisted on him staying for a al. Lin Chuan was too polite to refuse, so he stayed to have a al with Song Jianguo and Song Xiaojia.
After dinner, Lin Chuan was determined to leave. Song Xiaojia was planning to go back to Jiangbei City with him, but Song Jianguo, who hadn't seen his precious daughter for quite so ti, wouldn't let Song Xiaojia go back.
Rushing back to Jiangbei City from the provincial capital, Lin Chuan went straight to his ho at the Changlin Factory.
With Nuo Xiaoxi taking care of it, everything was neatly organized at ho. Lin Chuan strolled around the house, checking the ti; it was past four in the afternoon, and Nuo Xiaoxi hadn't finished school yet.
Respectfully lighting an incense stick in front of his mother's portrait, Lin Chuan felt a bit tired and fell into a drowsy sleep on the sofa.
At six in the afternoon, Nuo Xiaoxi ca ho from school and imdiately guessed that Lin Chuan had returned when she saw the car parked outside and the door open. She happily shouted and rushed into the house.
Lin Chuan was sleeping soundly, but was startled awake by Nuo Xiaoxi's shout. Before he could react, she had already thrown herself into his arms.
"Brother Chuan, you finally ca back. I've missed you so much," Nuo Xiaoxi said, clinging to Lin Chuan.
It had been a long ti since Lin Chuan had seen this girl. He laughed and gently pushed Nuo Xiaoxi away from his embrace, looking at her. "Xiao Xi, it's been such a long ti, and you've beco more and more beautiful."
Nuo Xiaoxi blushed, her fully developed bosom rising and falling slightly, and said, "Brother Chuan, I'm just a plain girl. Otherwise, why haven't you co back to see for such a long ti?"
Lin Chuan smiled and said, "How could I forget my pretty little sister? I've been so busy, I couldn't get away. But here I am, visiting you as soon as I have the ti."
Nuo Xiaoxi pursed her lips and said, "I don't believe your nonsense."
Lin Chuan said, "I'd never dare lie to you, Xiao Xi. By the way, how have your studies been recently?"
Nuo Xiaoxi ran into the room, took out a big red certificate, and handed it to Lin Chuan with a grin. "Brother, look! This year, I've been awarded as a three-good student in our school and I've received the school scholarship."
Lin Chuan took the certificate, opened it, and carefully looked through it. Then he cheerfully pinched Nuo Xiaoxi's cheek lightly and said, "My Xiao Xi is indeed smart. I'm proud of you."
Nuo Xiaoxi blushed and said, "Brother, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll go make you sothing to eat."
Lin Chuan grabbed her and said, "No need for any trouble. Let's go, I'll take you out to eat."
Nuo Xiaoxi said, "Brother, there's no need to go out. We have everything at ho. I'll make your favorite sweet and sour ribs and mushrooms with bok choy."
Lin Chuan laughed and said, "Alright, I'll listen to my Xiao Xi. It's been a long ti since I've tasted your cooking, and I've really been craving it."
Nuo Xiaoxi turned around and went into the kitchen, and it didn't take long before she brought out the food she prepared.
I must say, Nuo Xiaoxi's cooking skills are really good. Lin Chuan ate heartily, finishing two bowls of rice. Afterward, Nuo Xiaoxi cleaned up the table and then joined Lin Chuan to watch TV.
"Xiao Xi, there's still twenty thousand yuan in this card. Keep it with you and use it. I'll be going out again soon, and I don't know when I'll be back." Lin Chuan took out a bank card and handed it to Nuo Xiaoxi, who was sitting beside him.
Nuo Xiaoxi quickly pushed it back to Lin Chuan and said, "Brother, there's no need. Sister Zhou Rui gives money every month. It's enough for ."
Lin Chuan said, "Take it, you should buy so clothes or sothing since you're a big girl now."
Nuo Xiaoxi still refused to take it, but in the end, when Lin Chuan pretended to be angry, she reluctantly accepted it.
By eleven o'clock at night, Nuo Xiaoxi was nestled against Lin Chuan and was unwilling to go to sleep. Lin Chuan was at a loss, so he let the girl have her way.
By around midnight, Nuo Xiaoxi couldn't hold out any longer and fell asleep in Lin Chuan's arms. Lin Chuan, with a wry smile, carried her to the bed, tucked her in, and covered her with a blanket.
Leaving the room, Lin Chuan sat on the sofa, unable to sleep. It wasn't until after three in the morning that he dozed off.
When Lin Chuan woke up the next morning, it was already nine o'clock. By then, Nuo Xiaoxi had already gone to school.
Lin Chuan got up from the sofa and saw that Nuo Xiaoxi had prepared breakfast for him, leaving a note. He opened it and read: Brother, I've made you breakfast. I'm off to school.
A warm feeling surged in Lin Chuan's heart, and the long-lost feeling of ho returned, bringing such a good feeling.
Li Jiangping didn't arrive at the office until nine o'clock, and as soon as he walked into the office, he heard the phone ringing. He put down his briefcase, picked up the phone, and heard Director Hu's voice on the other end: "Li Jiangping, co to the bureau right away."
Li Jiangping cautiously asked, "Director, can you tell what it's about first?"
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