Chapter Thirty-Five: Chen Yunshan's Choice

  "Alright, alright, old man, don't just stand there. Come and help with the cooking. Today we'll give our son a good welcome back, working at the county committee and also serving as the county head's secretary. What a great opportunity this is!" Yin Su'e said with a smile, nudging Zhang Deyan's arm.

  Watching the old couple enter the kitchen with great enthusiasm, Zhang Qingyun was also very happy. The dream of all parents is to see their children succeed, and now that he has achieved some success, the old folks are overjoyed like this. He must make a bigger name for himself in this lifetime, and not disappoint his family's expectations.

  The meal at Zhang's house was very sumptuous, comparable to the New Year's Eve dinner, but it was only after 3 pm when the dishes were ready. However, Yin Su'e didn't mind at all and said that this meal meant to carry on from the past and start anew, so everyone could start eating immediately.

  Facing her mother's analogy, Zhang Qingyun almost burst out laughing, thinking that intellectual families were indeed different. Originally, it was because the dish was cooked late, but she managed to give her mother some profound meaning.

  It's not bad to say that this rhetoric of turning corruption into magic is often used in official circles. It seems that parents didn't have the opportunity to be officials before, and if they had the chance, maybe their own dads and moms would now be able to mix and match in the official circle, who can tell?

  Old Zhang's family had this meal for two hours, and Zhang Qingyun and Zhang Deyear each drank a bottle of Wuliangye. The wine was given by Zhang Qingyun's subordinates, and today Zhang Deyear finally took it out to drink. The good wine indeed has a different flavor, and Zhang Deyear frequently raised his glass.

  After dinner, looking at the table full of leftovers, Zhang Qingyun wanted to lend a hand to help Yin Su'e, but Yin Su'e wouldn't let him. The old couple both knew that Zhang Qingyun had to go to work tomorrow and needed to rest well, as being the county head's secretary was no ordinary position and required one to be spirited and full of energy at all times.

  Zhang Qingyun secretly laughed in her heart, thinking that China's official culture was indeed deeply rooted. The weight of the county magistrate in the hearts of ordinary people was difficult for Westerners to understand, and even she, as the secretary of the county magistrate, benefited from it, not having to do household chores anymore.

  The old couple wouldn't let him do household chores, and Zhang Qingyun couldn't bear the meaning of the elderly, so he had to return to his own room. He opened the window, and the cold wind outside suddenly poured in, he shivered all over, and the wine on his body gradually began to dissipate.

  Strictly speaking, tomorrow is the first day of work for Zhang Qingyun. Those few days at the end of last year were just getting familiar with the environment. He was familiar with the county party committee side, but he didn't know many people on the county government side, and there were several deputy county heads he hadn't dealt with much.

  He is now most worried about not knowing where to start, Lijiang basically has no team in Yongping, and he has to take the lead in everything, anxious for the leader's anxiety, thinking what the leader thinks, and solving problems for the leader, he feels independent and helpless.

  A mobile phone ringtone sounded, and Zhang Qingyun took out his phone and put it to his ear.

  "Is it Qingyun? Have you little brat returned to Wude?" A rough voice came from the phone.

  Zhang Qingyun's spirit was lifted, and he quickly came out of his reverie, laughing: "Oh, it's Brother Chen! I'm back. How did you have time to call me?"

  "Still calling me Brother Chen? I don't dare to do that anymore, I was planning to come over and pay my respects to you! After all, you're now a county leader!" Chen Mai said with a smile.

  "Hey, hey, don't try to fool me with this. You're always up to something, be honest, what's going on? The Spring Festival hasn't ended yet!" Zhang Qingyun scolded.

  "Alright, now that I'm the leader, it's really different. Every day is like a Spring Festival rush, and as the head of the traffic police team, the leaders can't always ask me to be on duty in person, right? I still need to go home for dinner!" Chen Mai said.

  Zhang Qingyun's heart skipped a beat, Traffic Police Chief? Chen Maiseng's case has indeed been settled, but did the Organization Department not inform Lijiang about it? Chen Maiseng, the new County Magistrate, had already taken office, and even if this decision was made before Lijiang arrived, the Organization Department should have informed him. After all, the Public Security Bureau is a direct subordinate of the county government, and the Traffic Police Chief is a deputy department-level position, which is an important post.

  In an instant, Zhang Qingyun felt something was wrong in his heart, and he was certain that Wu De had played a trick on him. As the executive vice mayor, during the period when the mayor was transferred, he was actually doing the work of the mayor. Wu De's intention was too profound.

  "What's wrong? Qingyun, what are you thinking about? I was just joking." Chen Mai said hastily when he saw Zhang Qingyun didn't make a sound for a while.

  "Oh, nothing. It's getting windy outside, I'll close the window."

  "Green cloud, I called you to tell you something, don't take kindness for granted!"

  "What's wrong? You tell me." Zhang Qingyun felt a bit confused in her heart.

  "Come on, Qingyun, what's going on between you and Wu Zhiqiang?"

  "Wu Zhiqiang?" Zhang Qingyun's heart skipped a beat, thinking how Chen Mai had brought up this topic. Could it be that Wu Zhiqiang was going to do something unfavorable to him? As soon as he thought of this, he hastily said: "What grudge could I have with him? You're not unclear about it, are you? I've only been at the county committee for a few days. What's he like? I haven't even seen him before. What's going on? Is there some unfavorable news about me?"

  "It's better if nothing happens, that Wu Zhiqiang is quite arrogant, relying on the Wu family having some influence in Yongping, forming cliques everywhere. I'm telling you, I heard from a squad leader under me, Wu Zhiqiang seems to have said something unfavorable about you, you'd better be careful..."

  Listening to Chen Mai's words, Zhang Qingyun's mind was racing. He and Chen Mai had been brothers since childhood, and he knew Chen Mai's nature very well. From Chen Mai's tone, Zhang Qingyun could tell that this speech hid many things.

  Wu Zhiqiang's words might be true, but he might have said them directly to Chen Mai. As for the squadron leader and all that, it's probably just Chen Mai's excuse. From this, Zhang Qingyun keenly sensed that the relationship between Chen Yunshan and Wu De hadn't been damaged by his own meddling, on the contrary, they might be closer now. Chen Mai's words were a signal.

  "Alright, Mai Zi! Thanks for reminding me. No matter what, we are brothers, that's my promise to you!" Zhang Qingyun said in a somewhat subdued tone, his emotions were somewhat downcast at this moment. This Chen Yunshan was really ungrateful, once Lai Ke's position was secured, he would be the first to be targeted.

  This was a result that Zhang Qingyun did not want to see, after all, he and Chen Mai were good brothers, and Chen Yunshan also looked at himself with different eyes. However, political things are so cruel, no matter whether he is willing or not, he cannot control this outcome. This is not just a problem for Lijiang alone, anyone would do the same!

  Chen Mai also seemed to have detected some underlying tone in Zhang Qingyun's words, but he didn't understand what she meant for the time being, and neither of them spoke, leaving an awkward silence on the phone.

  "Alright, Mai Zi, let's stop here for today! We'll get together again when it's convenient, and next time I'll treat you."

  [Seeking collection and recommendation] The update was slow this morning due to a power outage, but I still hope brothers can give more support with their votes!! Now it's very close to the new book total ranking, brothers, maybe your few votes can make Nan Hua top the list.