Chapter 262: A New Landscape (Part 1)

Chapter 262: A New Landscape (Part 1)

It was a peculiar kind of joy, making love with Xiaojia while watching the Spring Festival Gala on television.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Hou Weidong drove to Wu Hai County. He arrived almost simultaneously with his older brother, Hou Weiguo, and his sister-in-law, Jiang Chu. Hou Weiguo drove the police station’s assigned vehicle, a standard Santana. Being a car enthusiast, he couldn’t help but click his tongue in admiration upon seeing the shiny new Bluebird. He immediately asked for the keys and took the Bluebird for a long spin around the county town.

Jiang Chu carried a large bag in her hand. She had a plan to turn Liu Guangfen, Hou Xiaoying, and Xiaojia into her customers during the Spring Festival. She affectionately linked arms with Xiaojia. As soon as they entered the house, she pulled Liu Guangfen and Xiaojia into the inner room, took out her products, and began her enthusiastic pitch, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

On the second day, He Yong and Hou Xiaoying, who was heavily pregnant, also returned. Seeing all her children home, Liu Guangfen’s heart blossomed with joy. She and Hou Yonggui occupied the kitchen, leaving the children to play cards in the living room. Hearing the laughter drifting from the living room, Liu Guangfen whispered softly to her husband, “It would be wonderful if Jiang Chu had a child now.”

Hou Yonggui advised, “Don’t rush, old woman. The children are still young; this is the time for them to build their careers.”

Liu Guangfen deftly transferred the stir-fried dishes onto plates, muttering away, “My health is good now, so I can help them with the children. They wouldn’t have much burden. Besides, how did Jiang Chu get so obsessed with multi-level marketing? Society has a poor opinion of it. I need to talk to Weiguo; he needs to keep a closer eye on his wife.”

Hou Yonggui took the plate and said, “Mind your own business regarding the young ones. Just talk to Weiguo, but do it behind Jiang Chu’s back. After all, a daughter-in-law is not a daughter.”

After spending the first and second days in Wu Hai County, Hou Weidong and Xiaojia returned to Sha Zhou. Zhang Yuanzheng and Chen Qingrong were already waiting for them at home. Neither had officially retired yet; their wages were pitifully low. The harsh reality had shifted their perspective on the world, making the question of whether their son-in-law was a native of Sha Zhou a secondary concern.

The market economy had easily shattered the values established during the planned economy era. While laid-off workers were crushed at the bottom of the wheel, the young could still pivot in time. It was the middle-aged and elderly who bore the immense pain of this transition.

Hou Weidong had witnessed the entire process and understood his parents-in-law’s mindset accurately. After eating lunch at home, he handed Chen Qingrong ten thousand yuan as a New Year gift.

While Hou Weidong and Xiaojia were taking their afternoon nap, Chen Qingrong and Zhang Yuanzheng went out with their vegetable baskets, planning to buy a carp weighing about three jin for dinner. In the afternoon, both Zhang and Chen were overly polite. Xiaojia, sensitive to the change, felt a tinge of sadness from this formality. To break the tension, she pretended to be carefree and insisted on playing mahjong. Once the game was set up in the living room, the family atmosphere harmonized again.

On the fifth day, a phone call from Zhu Yan ended Hou Weidong’s family time. He resumed accompanying Zhu Yan, shuttling between Lingxi and Sha Zhou to visit various important figures.

Meanwhile, more people wanted to pay New Year calls to Zhu Yan. As the deputy director of the office in charge of daily operations, Hou Weidong’s mobile phone was nearly blown off the hook. Following Zhu Yan’s busy schedule, he could understand and sympathize with those seeking audiences. Within his power, he facilitated these meetings, making particularly thoughtful arrangements for familiar cadres like Qin Feiyue and Su Jun.

On the ninth day, Zhu Yan got severely drunk.

Hou Weidong escorted him home. Seeing Zhu Yan’s blood-red face, Dean Jiang sighed, “Why go to such extremes?” Hou Weidong carried Zhu Yan to bed, and Dean Jiang set up the IV drip equipment by the bedside, methodically starting the infusion.

“This equipment hasn’t been used in three years.”

After observing the needle for a moment, Dean Jiang added, “Xiao Hou, you must remind Old Zhu often. He is no longer young. Why act like a daredevil? Drinking less won’t make a big difference.”

There was a subtle reprimand in her words. Hou Weidong did not dare to explain much, replying, “Dean Jiang, I will remember to remind him in the future.”

Dean Jiang knew well that whoever could make Zhu Yan drink this much was certainly no ordinary figure from Yiyang. She added, “Xiao Hou is young, but you should also drink less. If you burn out your liver, it will be too late to regret.”

After leaving, Hou Weidong got into Old Liu’s car. The air conditioning was set high, and the heat surged, bringing the alcohol rushing to his head. He nearly vomited. He called Xiaojia at home, saying, “Wife, I’m coming back soon. Get me some juice; I’ve drunk too much again.”

Xiaojia was watching the old movie The Fugitive on the home theater system. She lowered the volume and said, “Are you okay? I told you to drink less, but you wouldn’t listen. Don’t be so stubborn; if you can fake it, you should fake it.” She knew this advice was like asking a tiger for its skin, but she couldn’t help complaining a little.

As soon as he reached the bottom of the building, Hou Weidong ran into the woods downstairs. Hiding in the darkness, he vomited violently, expelling the protein, fat, chlorophyll, and large amounts of alcohol from his stomach. Only then did he feel some relief.

Just as he emerged from the woods, a beam of light shot out, blinding him.

“Director Hou, Happy New Year.”

Minister Xiao from the Organization Department stepped out of the passenger seat, extending his hand warmly. Hou Weidong quickly wiped his right hand vigorously on his trousers to remove the mixture of alcohol and vomit, then smiled broadly, “Minister Xiao, Happy New Year.”

Hou Weidong had once worked in the Comprehensive Cadre Section of the Organization Department, under Xiao Bing’s direct leadership. Now, although they held the same rank, Hou Weidong’s status in the County Party Committee was rising like the midday sun.

Xiao Bing also seemed to have had too much to drink, lacking his usual composure. He said, “Our Comprehensive Cadre Section produces talent. Weidong became the Director of the Committee Office, and Guo Lan is doing well too; she has been transferred to the Sha Zhou Organization Department.”

Guo Lan had already stepped out of the car and nodded to Hou Weidong. Although the weather was cold, she was not dressed heavily, wearing no ornaments—simple and clean.

Hou Weidong’s transfer from Qinglin Town to the Organization Department had been Su Mingjun’s idea from the Sha Zhou Municipal Organization Department. The goal was to use it as a springboard to bring Hou Weidong to the municipal level. However, plans changed faster than expected. Hou Weidong rose in Yiyang at rocket speed. After much deliberation, he decided to stay in Yiyang and had since paid little attention to matters in the Organization Department.

Xiao Bing chattered for a while, then got into the car in a semi-drunk state. As he entered, he said to Guo Lan, “Guo Lan, call me before you start work in Sha Zhou. I’ll send a car to take you there.”

After the car drove away, Hou Weidong asked Guo Lan, “You’ve been transferred to the Municipal Organization Department?” Guo Lan adjusted her handbag and said, “I was seconded to the Organization Department before the New Year. The official transfer document hasn’t been issued yet.”

By saying this, Guo Lan effectively admitted the transfer. Hou Weidong said, “Congratulations. You’ve taken a step up; there’s a new view from here.” Hearing Hou Weidong speak so formally, Guo Lan smiled and asked, “Did you drink last night?”

“Just a little.” The alcohol circulating in Hou Weidong’s body made him more excited than usual, so he joked with Guo Lan, “No wonder I haven’t heard your piano for a while. I was wondering why you stopped playing.”

They walked and talked, reaching the top of the stairs, where they stood at their respective doors.

Hou Weidong said, “Minister Su of the Municipal Organization Department is my friend. Next time I return to Sha Zhou, I’ll treat you two superiors to a meal.” He added, “Ren Lindu has gone to Wu Hai County with Secretary Zhao.”

Guo Lan thought, No wonder Hou Weidong could be transferred from Qinglin Town to the County Organization Department; it was due to Su Mingjun’s connections. She took out her keys and said while unlocking the door, “You are always welcome to visit the department. Ren Lindu called me this afternoon. He is still the Section Chief of Comprehensive Affairs, but I estimate he will be promoted soon. Secretary Zhao appreciates him greatly.”

Back home, a bottle of juice was on the tea table. Xiaojia was in the kitchen boiling soup and called out, “Drink the juice first. I’m making mung bean soup for you.” Hou Weidong drank the juice and came to the kitchen doorway, saying, “I remember we didn’t have mung beans at home. Did you buy them?” Xiaojing turned her head and said, “I knew you would drink, so I went out to buy them this afternoon.”

The home at Sha Zhou College had been lonely for a long time. With Xiaojia moving about, the sense of liveliness surged. Hou Weidong, having drunk the juice, lay on the bed and said to Xiaojia, “It’s good to have my wife by my side. When I was drunk before, I never had this kind of treatment.”

Unexpectedly, Xiaojia called from the living room, “Stop being vain. Come out and take a shower. You smell of alcohol; don’t sleep on the bed. I just changed the sheets. Respect my labor.”

Hou Weidong had vomited in the woods and drunk juice, so he felt much better. However, he still lingered on the bed, refusing to move. It was only when Xiaojia waved her five fingers, making a pinching gesture, that Hou Weidong rolled off the bed.

Just as he walked into the living room, he heard faint piano music coming from outside the balcony. The tune was familiar, the melody particularly light and cheerful.

Xiaojia said, “Is that Guo Lan playing? It’s quite good.” She looked at Hou Weidong with a meaningful glance.

Hou Weidong understood the implication in her eyes. He said, “Guo Lan has been transferred to the Municipal Organization Department, under Minister Su.” But he always felt you should have been transferred to the Municipal Organization Department, at least to a higher platform.”

“It’s nothing. Secretary Zhu will most likely become the Vice Mayor of Sha Zhou. When that happens, I will enter the Municipal Government with him, which is about the same as the Organization Department.”

She added, “A scholar dies for his benefactor. Secretary Zhu trusts me so much; I feel embarrassed to ask for a transfer.”