Chapter 2

But she hadn't given a thought that Lee Hao-huei would have such feelings for Liang Xi-rui. Could he really have fallen for this young girl?

If it's really the case, Liang Xi-rui's future would certainly be filled with hope!

Looking at Liang Xi-rui, Du Xiu-ching feels quite emotional.

She hadn't intended to guide Liang Xi-rui into this path, but destiny has given Liang Xi-Rui this opportunity, making Lee Hao-huei fond of this young, naive girl.

Is it good fortune or misfortune? Du Xiu-ching had no answer.

But the memory of being sent into County Party Secretary Huang Zhongming’s room by Party Committee Secretary Hu Chunping still lingered in her heart. Her inner struggle and agony from back then are still vivid today.

Back then, she had already been someone's wife and had become a mother. She knew clearly that stepping into that room was tantamount to a naked transaction. The powerful, dominating man could only give her the added value of power. She offered her body to gain promotion in her career, apart from this; she dared not think of others, nor could she desire for more…

But what about Liang Xi-rui? What difference would tonight make in her life? She had no way of knowing, and certainly, neither did Liang Xi-rui.

Liang Xi-rui was still an unmarried girl, and her mentality must be completely different from Du Xiu-ching's back then.

However, Du Xiu-ching believed that after tonight, Liang Xi-rui must be harboring expectations. As for what expectations those might be, Du Xiu-ching could only guess.

That evening, Liang Xi-Rui brought back some takeout for them to eat in the office.

It was a simple dinner, usually how they would resolve their meals. If there were no special instructions, the County Party canteen usually did not prepare dinner, as most of the staff would go home for meals, and many leaders often dined out. Du Xiu-ching, however, often stayed in her office, so Liang Xi-Rui had set up a meal delivery from Old Wu’s restaurant to make sure Du Xiu-Ching would have something tasty to eat.

The two of them sat on the couch, eating and watching television.

It was time for the Jiangnan Satellite TV to broadcast the Jiangnan News.

The provincial station usually aired its news before the News, and officials like Du Xiu-ching would never miss these two news programs unless there was something important.

Ordinary people may find watching the news rather boring. However, for officials, it's an essential daily lesson in politics. The news is often the barometer of politics and an indicator of personnel adjustments. From the news, one can discern many subtle nuances.

It's said that Wu Renbao, the old secretary of Huaxi Village, persisted in watching the news for decades. From the news, he was able to understand politics and even more, business opportunities. This informed every major decision in Huaxi Village.

Thanks to his knack for interpreting politics through the news, every decision Wu Renbao made aligned seamlessly with the central government's policies. This gave him a head start, contributing to the mythical rise of Huaxi Village.

The news headlines featured Secretary Wu of the Provincial Committee. A few minutes later, the image of Li Haohui appeared on the TV, with Du Xiuqing, the County Committee Secretary, standing right next to him, as well as County Chief Jiang Sanfa and Liang Xirui.

The TV showed Li Haohui visiting families in dire straits. The journalist’s camera angle was excellent, capturing Li Haohui’s friendly and compassionate demeanor, his facial features alight with a smile as he spoke cordially with the needy families. Liang Xirui was seen beside him, head bowed, taking notes.

The camera soon zoomed in for a close-up on Li Haohui.

A voiceover from the TV said: "Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee, Li Haohui, recently conducted a survey in Anhe County, Xinjiang City to understand the living conditions of the impoverished families..."

At this point, Du Xiuqing deliberately turned his head to look at Liang Xirui sitting beside him. To his surprise, Liang Xirui's face had turned red!

That blush of youthful shyness unconsciously spread over her face…

Liang Xirui was staring intently at the TV screen, her gaze unflinching.

When she saw the towering figure of Li Haohui on the TV, her heart started pounding frantically! She had not experienced this feeling for a long while! It was so strange! In theory, once he left, he had nothing to do with her anymore. Why was it that seeing him on the TV stirred her heart?

Furthermore, her interactions with him extended only over a few hours. When he left, he vanished completely from her life!

But now, as she saw this man on the TV, her feelings were quite different from before.

In the past, when she saw him on the TV, she had no reaction, the same as when she saw any other official.

To her, he was just an official, a high-ranking provincial leader, a mere symbol of politics. To her, a lowly secretary of the county committee, they belonged in two worlds apart.

However, she did not expect that after that night, her perception of him had changed so profoundly, so much that even she herself was bewildered, wondering when he had won over her heart.

The man on the television was still as tall, as kind, as affable, as dedicated, as down-to-earth... His media image hadn't changed a bit, but in her heart, Liang Xirui realized he was more than just a leader!

That night, he was so tender, so understanding, so caring... He didn't force himself onto her, didn't impose his will on her, didn't use his power and lust to conquer her...

Indeed, he preserved her dignity and her completeness...

She knew clearly that if he had wanted to possess her, with his physical strength, she wouldn't have been able to resist at all. She would have been helpless... to become a ruined flower under him.

Yet, he didn't. Instead, he watched her leave with a smile, letting her walk out of that room unscathed...

Now, looking at him on the television, she couldn't fully articulate her feelings. There was a touch of emotion, a hint of gratitude, and even a bit of longing...

Ah... The feeling was indescribable.

In summary, his image in her mind had become more three-dimensional, not just a simple political figure anymore.

He was not only an official, not only a stern and people-oriented person, but also a man who knew how to cherish others, a public servant with humanity...

Yes, it should be said he had humanity.

Liang Xirui thought to herself.

How many men could resist an alluring "prey"? How many men in power could tolerate a woman's rejection? Especially if the woman they desired vehemently resisted them?

It's often said that when someone reaches a certain position, acquires ultimate power, their demeanor tends to change – they don't tolerate rejection, resistance, or any differing opinions, believing they are the only ones that matter, seeing themselves as paramount.

Nevertheless, the man she saw was humane, a public servant, a man... who was not the slightest bit warped.

However, as she was lost in these thoughts, an unknown blush had spread across her face. She did not realize that her changing expressions were revealing her deepest, most intimate secrets...

"Xirui..." Du Xiuqing called her softly by her ear.

She didn't react or respond, her eyes stayed focused on the television.

"Xirui..." Du Xiuqing raised his voice and called her again.

"Oh..." Liang Xirui reacted belatedly, coming back from her thoughts. She stared wordlessly at Du Xiuqing.

"Secretary Li spoke highly of you..." Du Xiuqing told her.

"Hehe..." Liang Xirui answered with a small smile.

She didn't know how to respond to Du Xiuqing.

"Secretary Li praised you many times in front of me. He said you did a good job and he's very satisfied..." Du Xiuqing continued, "Secretary Li is a promising young leader in Jiangnan province, just over fifty years old. Among provincial officials, he is relatively young. After the two sessions next year, when central personnel adjustments take place, Jiangnan province will also experience a major reshuffle. Secretary Wu has been in Jiangnan province for 8 years..."

The rest of Du Xiuqing's words seemed like he was talking to himself, but Liang Xirui listened to every sentence clearly.

If... if Secretary Li could... then what did that have to do with her?

Yes, it did not matter to her! Liang Xirui chuckled to herself.

There was never anything between them. Even if something happened, what difference would that make? There is a saying that men could abandon lovers without a second thought. For such a high-ranking official, you, a little shrimp, thought of leveraging the body to climb up? Haha, that's a pipe dream!

Besides, nothing happened between her and him, so there was no point in pondering it.

So whatever his future might be, that's someone else's story. It has nothing to do with her!

Having understood this, Liang Xirui's heart actually became calm quite quickly.

"Xirui, work hard, when the opportunity arises, I will recommend you..." Du Xiuqing said, looking at Liang Xirui.

"Thank you, Secretary Du, I will try my best..." Liang Xirui replied.

"Hehe... good, do your best. Man proposes, God disposes. Sometimes, when opportunity comes, you can't even block it..." Du Xiuqing said with a smile.

Liang Xirui looked at Du Xiuqing without quite understanding, her face full of doubts.

"You'll understand later..." Du Xiuqing said again, "Of course, you need to grasp the proper measure in this!"

Measure... Could it be that Du Xiuqing wants me to "sacrifice" myself?

Previous
Next Chapter
DOWNLOAD THE BOOK FOR FREE >>