Chapter 144: The Indirect Path to Establishing a Township (Part 3)
Hou Weidong’s mind immediately conjured the image of the two scars on Liu Kun’s face. During that banquet, Zhao Yongsheng had noticed the marks and made a joke about them. Liu Kun had defensively explained, “I was scratched by a cat at home.” He had even added, with exaggerated sincerity, “I went to get a tetanus shot yesterday. I’m never keeping a cat again. They are ungrateful creatures, lacking conscience, scratching even their own owners.”
Everyone knew he was covering up the truth, and they all laughed, but no one exposed him. In the adult world, getting scratched by one’s wife was all too common. Moreover, the house cat was the easiest scapegoat.
Duan Ying appeared noticeably intoxicated. “Let’s roast meat, drink our fill, and not go home until we’re drunk.”
Seeing her state, Hou Weidong said, “Why have you drunk so much? Who were you with? Why did they leave you here alone? I’ll take you back.”
“I sang with colleagues from the newspaper office. They went home, so I came here alone for some barbecue.”
Hou Weidong knew she must be troubled. He didn’t press for details but chided her gently, “You shouldn’t be out eating barbecue alone this late. What if you run into hooligans? Yiyang is a small city, but the underworld is rampant.”
“I broke up with Liu Kun. He hasn’t grown up; he’s just a big boy. I don’t know how he manages to lead in the township, but at home, he listens to that old witch for everything.” Duan Ying poured out her heart, indifferent to whether Hou Weidong was listening. She desperately needed someone to confide in. In this entire county, after counting the options, only Hou Weidong qualified as a listener who knew her background well enough.
Hou Weidong’s last visit to Liu Kun’s home had been three years ago, yet the arrogant expression of Liu Kun’s mother remained vividly etched in his memory. He estimated that the conflict between Duan Ying and her mother-in-law was quite sharp.
He joked, “Liu Kun’s mother has a bad temper. You should forgive her; perhaps she is going through menopause.”
Duan Ying retorted angrily, “Menopause my foot. That’s just her personality. She relies on Uncle Liu’s official status to strut around all day. I’ve had enough.”
At that moment, Qin Xiaohong walked out of the barbecue shop. Not seeing Hou Weidong in the darkness, she used Liang Bifa’s mobile phone to call him.
Upon receiving the call, Hou Weidong said to Duan Ying, “Wait a moment. I’ll go tell them, and I’ll be right back.”
Walking to the entrance, he saw Qin Xiaohong still dialing. Hou Weidong raised his phone and said, “Stop dialing. I’m here. I ran into an old classmate outside.” Qin Xiaohong laughed, “I thought you’d slipped away to the bathroom.” Hou Weidong really didn’t want to drink anymore. “I’m not in the mood today. I need to leave early. Please tell Brother Fa.” Qin Xiaohong replied, “Brother Fa and his group are all crazy. You can go back first; I’ll tell him.”
Watching Qin Xiaohong turn and enter the shop, Hou Weidong confirmed his judgment once again: “The relationship between Liang Bifa and Qin Xiaohong is truly unusual.” Returning to the shadows, Hou Weidong urged Duan Ying again, “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
“I’ve been transferred to the Shazhou Daily. I reported for duty last week. Because of this, the old witch was very unhappy. The day before yesterday, I went to Liu Kun’s house, and we had a huge argument. Afterwards, I formally proposed breaking up with Liu Kun.”
Duan Ying had a strong desire to vent. “When I first joined the newspaper office, I was worried I couldn’t handle the job. Later, I found that being a journalist was simple: run around more, ask more questions, and write more. That was enough. This time, I was the lead writer for a series of articles titled ‘Opening Your Eyes to the Surroundings.’ It received high praise from General Qin of the Shazhou Newspaper. He proactively proposed transferring me to the Shazhou Newspaper. He handled all the procedures; I didn’t have to worry about a thing.”
She said proudly, “When I was at the Yiyang Newspaper, my annual article output ranked first. This transfer was based on actual performance. I didn’t pull any strings or use any backdoors.”
Although both the Shazhou Newspaper and the Yiyang Newspaper were media outlets, their positions differed, and so did their influence. Journalists from the Shazhou Newspaper were highly sought after in the counties, enjoying good food and drink, and holding significant sway.
“That’s great news. Moving from the Yiyang Newspaper to the Shazhou Daily is not easy. We should celebrate properly.” At that moment, a taxi with its empty light on drove by. Hou Weidong waved it over and said, “I’ll take you home first. It’s already one o’clock.”
Duan Ying’s steps were already floating as she walked. Hou Weidong supported her arm, and they got into the taxi together. Taxi drivers in Yiyang County seemed to have the potential for racing; the car darted left and right through the city as if no one else was there. Shaken by the car’s movements, Duan Ying’s intoxication surged, and she leaned her head on Hou Weidong’s shoulder.
When going upstairs, Hou Weidong half-supported and half-carried her. By the time he got her upstairs, he was sweating profusely.
At the door, Duan Ying took the key from her small bag and tried several times before opening the door. She turned around and said, “I really want to talk to someone tonight. Hou Weidong, can you stay and sit with me?”
Two years ago, Hou Weidong and Duan Ying had nearly become intimate. Now, being alone in her dormitory late at night with a drunk Duan Ying, who knew what might happen? Hou Weidong hesitated slightly.
Duan Ying bent over to change her shoes. Her clothes tightened, making the curve of her waist exceptionally clear and very feminine. Looking at this alluring waistline, Hou Weidong unconsciously swallowed hard.
After changing into slippers, she turned and looked at Hou Weidong, who stood foolishly outside. Duan Ying joked, “Come in. I won’t eat you.”
The small room was still the same small room, but it had added appliances like a TV and a refrigerator. The walls had been painted, and there were some decorations, giving the ordinary room a touch of warmth.
Hou Weidong sat on the sofa. Seeing Duan Ying busy in the kitchen, he said, “Duan Ying, you’ve also been drinking. Don’t bother cooking.” Duan Ying called from the kitchen, “You haven’t stepped foot in my home in over two years. Today you’re here, so you’re a rare guest.”
Saying this, she came out of the kitchen with a plate of bright yellow oranges.
The two sat side by side on the sofa, facing a TV program whose content was unclear. Duan Ying peeled an orange and said, “Three years. The most beautiful youth of my life was dedicated to Yiyang.”
Hou Weidong took a bite of the sweet and sour orange. His gaze inadvertently drifted to her perky chest. He cursed himself silently, “Damn, what’s wrong with me today? Truly possessed by lust.” Out loud, he said, “Duan Ying, you are about to embark on the broad stage of the Shazhou Daily. The most beautiful youth of your life is just beginning. You can look back at the past, but there is no need for sorrow.”
Duan Ying rubbed her forehead with her fingers, alleviating the headache from the alcohol. “I had many illusions about life. But before I even graduated, life played a joke on me. Because of assignment issues, my boyfriend, who had sworn eternal love, turned his face and abandoned me at Shazhou College.”
“From that day on, I internally despised weak men, those who need to rely on their families.”
At this point, tears welled up in her eyes. Hou Weidong did not comfort her, only listening quietly.
“After being assigned to the silk factory, I hadn’t worked for many days before facing bankruptcy. I was the only one in my family to attend university, and they were counting on me to lift the whole family up.” She wore a self-mocking smile. “What ability do I have to lift the whole family? Every time I returned home and heard my parents proudly introducing me as a college graduate to others, my heart ached. I really couldn’t afford to be unemployed and be supported by my parents.”
“I established a romantic relationship with Liu Kun intending to use it as a springboard, leveraging his family’s power to transfer into a government administrative institution. I succeeded. Don’t laugh at me for being despicable; this was forced by life.” On the eve of her departure, under the influence of alcohol, she couldn’t help but recount this experience to Hou Weidong.
Hou Weidong comforted her, “I can understand you. When I started working at the Qinglin Township Government, I was exiled to Shangqinglin, which had no road access. For months, I had no clear job position, like an exiled prisoner.”
“The campus is the source of dreams for college students. Young people stay inside, making all kinds of beautiful dreams. But once entering society, life impatiently reveals its cruel side, catching us off guard.”
“I dated Liu Kun for nearly two years. He is not a bad person. His biggest flaw is weakness. His weakness is in his bones. Perhaps I am being harsh, but that is the fact.” Duan Ying showed her self-mocking smile again. “I once swore to find a real man. Who knew life would play another big joke on me? My second boyfriend was also a man who hadn’t psychologically weaned himself.”
She turned her head to look at Hou Weidong, who was sitting upright beside her. “Reflecting on myself now, I was not ruthless enough. If I had been ruthless back then and competed with Xiaojia for the boyfriend, being close to the water tower gives one the advantage of catching the moon first. I might have had a chance. But seeing Xiaojia’s reluctant look, my heart softened.”
Hearing the topic turn to himself, Hou Weidong hurriedly said, “Duan Ying, you are drunk. Rest early.”
Seeing Hou Weidong preparing to get up, Duan Ying looked at him with a mocking gaze. “Hou Weidong, why is your courage getting smaller and smaller? Two years ago, in this very room, you embraced me so passionately. Are you afraid I’ll cling to you now?”
Hou Weidong had never seen Duan Ying so sharp. He touched his nose like Chu Liuxiang and said awkwardly, “That’s not it.”
Duan Ying’s eyes were slightly hazy. “In the three years in Yiyang, the thing I regret most is letting you go so easily. Hou Weidong, you are the most manly man I have ever met, creating your own world from scratch.”
Facing the beauty’s naked confession, Hou Weidong’s male self-esteem as a热血 youth was greatly satisfied. The drunk Duan Ying had the charm of Yang Guifei.
Unknowingly, Duan Ying softly leaned on Hou Weidong’s shoulder. She was like a hot water bottle, making Hou Weidong sweat with heat.
Duan Ying tightly held Hou Weidong’s hand, slowly placing it on her chest. “This is my last night in Yiyang. You must accompany me well. After tonight, I will completely bury the past.” Hou Weidong’s blood surged at this moment. He tightly hugged Duan Ying and said, “Duan Ying, don’t think too much. I wish your life at the Shazhou Daily is full of sunshine and smooth sailing.”
Duan Ying struggled to stand up. Standing in the center of the living room, she took off her clothes one by one. Her movements were exceptionally meticulous, rigorous, as if completing a sacred task.
She completely opened her mind and body. Her flushed face, snow-white body, pointed breasts, flat abdomen, and the touch of blackness in the mysterious area were like an ancient Greek goddess.
When Hou Weidong stood in front of her, Duan Ying patiently helped him undress, her movements calm and unhurried. When Hou Weidong was completely naked, Duan Ying intentionally or unintentionally brushed her fingers over his already erect member.
In the small bathroom, when Duan Ying turned on the faucet, Hou Weidong’s hands wandered ceaselessly over her snow-white, full body, finally lingering for a long time on her pair of swaying breasts. Women’s sexual sensitive zones are different; Duan Ying’s nipples were the most sensitive. After being kneaded by Hou Weidong, her whole body felt like an electric shock. Her hand holding the faucet fell weakly, her head resting on Hou Weidong’s shoulder, while her other hand grasped Hou Weidong’s glaring member.
They made love passionately in the bathroom, and then, they went to bed, still embracing each other.
Duan Ying’s intoxication had completely dissipated. She was like the gentlest young wife, letting her long hair scatter, resting on Hou Weidong’s sturdy arm.
Neither spoke. At this moment, silence was better than words. After a while, Duan Ying held Hou Weidong’s large hand with hers, placing it on her chest. “I want it again.” She slowly sat up and took Hou Weidong’s source of life into her mouth.
Soon, the smoke of war rose again.
“The bed is going to break.”
“Don’t worry. I’m leaving tomorrow. Hmm, ah, harder, don’t stop.”
The next day, when the sunlight shone directly onto the bedside through the balcony, Hou Weidong opened his eyes. He glanced at Duan Ying sleeping beside him, then looked down at his drooping member, thinking, “Last night was truly crazy. We actually made love three times.” He sat up quietly, not wanting to disturb Duan Ying. But as soon as he lifted his hips, Duan Ying opened her eyes and said softly, “Awake.”
Hou Weidong said, “It is said that our ancestor was an iron-blooded general who established a rule against sleeping in. The men of the Hou family do not sleep in.” Duan Ying smiled. As she turned over to get up, she felt considerable pain in her lower body, letting out a soft “ouch,” and shyly said, “You hurt me.”
After dressing, Duan Ying went to the kitchen to cook porridge. Then she took a suitcase, packed a few books, and some change of clothes. Her movements were quiet and calm. The sorrow of the previous night had disappeared without a trace.
“Where will you stay in Shazhou?”
“The Shazhou Daily has single dormitories. The conditions are average, with shared bathrooms and kitchens. I’ll take some essentials first, and after I’m assigned a dorm, I’ll move the rest over.”
Hou Weidong took out his mobile phone, preparing to call Wang Bing to give her a ride. After hesitating for a moment, he put the phone back.
After breakfast, Hou Weidong said, “I’ll take you to the station.” Duan Ying shook her head with a smile. “Forget it. Let me leave Yiyang quietly on my own.”
Just as Hou Weidong was preparing to leave, Duan Ying threw herself into his arms, using all her strength to hug him tightly.
“Hou Weidong, this is the happiest night I’ve had in Yiyang. I will never forget it. From today on, I will start a new life. Thank you.”