*Chapter 37: The Reputation of Bravery (Part 9)*
The Official Path of Romance requires the support of all our friends. Please spread the word to your acquaintances. Many thanks!!!
……………………………………
The compound of Qinglin Town was worlds apart from that of Shangqinglin Township. The Shangqinglin courtyard was desolate and quiet, with hardly a soul in sight throughout the day. In contrast, the Qinglin Town Government building was bustling with activity, alive with the energy of people coming and going.
Director Huang and Li Hui escorted Meimei to the Family Planning Office, where Director Huang proceeded to explain the family planning policies to her. Zeng Wen from the Social Affairs Office returned to his post on the ground floor. As the crowd dispersed and everyone returned to their respective duties, Hou Weidong stood alone in the Qinglin Town compound, with no one to greet him.
Hou Weidong muttered a complaint in his heart: "Am I not part of the Qinglin Government? What did Mayor Chao mean by sending me down the mountain, only to leave me stranded here all by myself?"
Standing in the government courtyard, Hou Weidong reflected on his three days working with the task force. He had learned that the task force was merely a temporary body; every member belonged to a specific department within the Qinglin Town Government. He was the only exception. To this day, he still did not know which department he officially belonged to.
It was only ten-thirty, more than an hour before lunch. Since Hou Weidong only knew the staff in the Party and Government Office, he decided to go there. Inside, six or seven people were gathered together, chatting and laughing. On Yang Feng’s desk sat a plate of sunflower seeds. She was spitting the shells onto the floor while listening to the jokes around her. When she saw Hou Weidong enter, she exclaimed with exaggerated surprise, "Wow, University Student Hou! What a rare guest."
The six or seven people in the office knew that a new college graduate had been assigned to them, but since he had reported for duty and immediately gone up to Qinglin Mountain, this was their first time seeing him in person.
"University Student Hou, we heard you caught a 'stick man.' Who would have thought a college student could be so brave? Some students think they are capable but can’t handle big tasks and refuse to do small ones. Nowhere else can you find someone as capable as University Student Hou."
Although Yang Feng was overweight, her words were not weighed down by her flesh; her tongue remained sharp and witty.
Through this first interaction, Hou Weidong formed a basic impression of Yang Feng’s personality. She was a typical woman, characterized by three traits: First, she loved gossip, which included prying into personal details like checking household registrations and volunteering others' private information. Second, she loved snacks; Hou Weidong had seen Yang Feng three times, and each time her mouth was busy, either eating this or that. Third, she knew how to act coquettishly, though this trait was not yet obvious, perhaps due to the inappropriate setting.
The others in the office knew who Yang Feng was talking about and began to scrutinize the college graduate assigned to the task force. Some looked at him with expressions of schadenfreude. Yang Feng rattled off introductions, presenting everyone to Hou Weidong, who silently memorized their names, departments, and positions.
He spent an hour mingling in this manner, gathering a wealth of information about the Qinglin Government through casual conversation.
At around eleven-forty, Tang Shugang walked into the office. Seeing Hou Weidong sitting there, he said, "Hou Weidong, what brings you down today? We didn’t get to welcome you properly last time. Let’s go have lunch together today."
Hou Weidong briefly explained why he had come down and added, "Director Tang, I’m terribly sorry, but Mayor Chao has asked us to eat at He’s Restaurant."
"Oh, so Director Huang went to Dushi Village today to deal with the 'big bellies,' and you went along? Blacksmith Guo is a stubborn man, but since he has softened, the work on Shangqinglin Mountain will be much easier."
Tang Shugang smiled. "Since you have your meal arranged, I’ll go eat." Seeing Hou Weidong stand up, he added, "We don’t lock the office door. You can stay here and read the newspaper."
Yang Feng dumped the sunflower seed shells into the trash can and said to Hou Weidong, "There are newspapers here. You can sit for a while."
After the two people left the Party and Government Office, Hou Weidong sat in a chair reading the newspaper. Through the window, he watched people leaving the compound one by one. Sitting in the office, he felt restless and uneasy, thinking, "If I had known it would be like this, I would have stayed up the mountain like Xi Zhaoyong, too lazy to come down."
A man walked into the office. He was of medium height, with naturally curly hair, shiny leather shoes, and an exquisite belt. He glanced at Hou Weidong and asked, "Has Tang Shugang left?"
The man addressed Tang Shugang by his name directly. Hou Weidong didn’t need to guess that he was a top leader in the town. He stood up and said, "I am the new arrival, Hou Weidong. Director Tang just went out."
The man cast a quick glance at Hou Weidong and asked, "So you are the newly assigned college graduate, Hou Weidong?"
"That’s me. May I ask who you are?"
"I am Qin Feiyue."
"Ah, Mayor Qin."
A faint smile appeared on Mayor Qin’s face. "I heard from Mayor Chao about this morning’s events. You handled that typical case well. I need to commend the Family Planning Office properly. I’m having lunch with them at noon. You should join us." With that, he left the office and walked toward the main gate.
Hou Weidong followed a step behind. He casually placed the newspaper into the file holder and closed the door of the Party and Government Office. Just then, another person approached—it was Secretary Zhao, whom he had met before. Hou Weidong quickly greeted him, "Hello, Secretary Zhao."
Secretary Zhao paused, seeming momentarily unable to recall who Hou Weidong was. Hou Weidong hurriedly explained, "I am Hou Weidong. I have settled in Shangqinglin and am currently familiarizing myself with the work. I am preparing to report my thoughts to you, Secretary Zhao."
Secretary Zhao nodded with a smile. "I heard from Township Head Gao that you adapt quickly, are disciplined, and understand the rules. During your time in Shangqinglin, take some time to visit the various villages and get familiar with the grassroots situation."
Hou Weidong saw that Mayor Qin had already reached the gate of the compound. He turned to Secretary Zhao and said, "This morning, I went with Mayor Chao to Dushi Village to deal with the 'big bellies.' We are having lunch at He’s Restaurant."
Secretary Zhao’s smile faded, and his expression gradually turned gloomy. He said coldly, "Go ahead."
Secretary Zhao turned and walked toward the second floor. Watching his demeanor, and recalling that Mayor Qin had left the compound without greeting Secretary Zhao, Hou Weidong thought, "Could there be some tension between Secretary Zhao and Mayor Qin?"
Secretary Zhao went back upstairs, while Mayor Qin continued toward the street. After a brief hesitation, Hou Weidong quickened his pace and caught up with Mayor Qin. Mayor Qin’s expression was not pleasant either. Hou Weidong followed him anxiously to He’s Restaurant, where Director Huang was waiting at the door. Seeing Mayor Qin arrive, he smiled and said, "Mayor Qin, please come in."
Soon, the table was filled with people. Director Qin from the police station sat next to Mayor Qin. The portly Mayor Chao said, "Everyone, please stop talking. Let’s invite Mayor Qin to say a few words."
Mayor Qin cleared his throat. "Guo Manzi’s wife is pregnant with her second child. If we cannot handle this, the family planning work in Shangqinglin will definitely fall into chaos. Therefore, everyone who went to Dushi Village today has merited praise. Especially the Family Planning Office, which discovered Meimei’s situation in time and organized the operation carefully, thus completing the task successfully. Today, let’s drink heartily. I’m giving everyone half a day off."
Hearing about the time off, everyone at the table beamed with joy.
"Guo Manzi served as a production team leader. He has ability and has contributed, but his temper is stubborn. Without the assistance of the police station, this matter would have been difficult to resolve. First, on behalf of the government, I propose a toast to the police station."
"Xiao Li, pour a large cup for Director Qin."
Mayor Qin raised his large wine glass and said to Director Qin of the police station, "There is a local saying in Qinglin: 'If the friendship is deep, drink it in one gulp; if it is shallow, top it up.' I will drink first."
Mayor Qin drank the large cup of wine in one go, displaying great generosity.
Director Qin was a man sent down from the Public Security Bureau. He usually paid lip service to Mayor Qin’s words while acting contrary to them behind his back. Mayor Qin’s act of drinking a large cup was a deliberate attempt to improve their relationship.
Director Qin’s facial expression remained serious. Although he did not want to drink at noon, he had to give face to the town mayor. He raised his glass and drained it in one gulp as well.
"Mayor Chao, you are in charge of political and legal affairs. The court, the judicial office, and the police station all fall under your jurisdiction. Since Director Qin is here, you should properly toast him."
There was still a red, swollen mark from a carrying pole on Mayor Chao’s arm. He raised his glass and said, "Fortunately, Xi Zhaoyong was present today. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened. Director Qin, Chao the Fat One toasts you."
Director Qin covered his glass with his left hand and said, "I have a meeting at the bureau this afternoon. I cannot drink."
Mayor Chao raised his glass again. "You must drink this cup. I know your capacity, Director Qin. Two cups will not be a problem."
The two argued back and forth, but Director Qin refused to drink. Losing face, Mayor Chao said, "I will drink first as a sign of respect." He then drank the wine in one breath.
Seeing the atmosphere become awkward, Mayor Qin tried to smooth things over. "Director Qin has a meeting at the bureau, so let’s skip the alcohol. How about this: Xiao Hou will drink Director Qin’s share. What do you think?"