Chapter 77: Gods Fighting (Part 7)

Chapter 77: Gods Fighting (7)

Hou Weidong had not expected the woman to be so bold. He felt like a martial arts master who had mastered the Golden Bell Shield, only to have his vital point suddenly struck, causing his defenses to collapse completely. His hand slipped into her clothes, past the bra, and grasped her full breast. The woman seemed ticklish; she caught Hou Weidong’s hand with her other hand and said, "Boss, please, it’s so cold."

One hand resisted Hou Weidong’s advances, while the other held firmly onto his sensitive area. She said, "I know the boss is generous."

Hou Weidong understood what she meant. He had several fifty-yuan bills in his leather bag. After a moment of hesitation, he took out one and slipped it into her hand.

The woman felt the texture of the bill and realized it was either a hundred or a fifty. She let go, allowing his cold, large hand to grasp her sensitive spot.

Every woman’s sensitive areas are different. Hers happened to be her nipples. After being rubbed for a while, her body began to soften and heat up. She unzipped his trousers and, with her cold hand, grasped his sensitive area.

"Boss, you have quite a thick endowment," she whispered.

Her voice was like a siren on the sea, drawing Hou Weidong in completely.

When the volcano erupted violently, the fire of desire quickly subsided from his body, much like a tsunami—sudden in its arrival and swift in its departure.

As the desire faded, moral thorns pricked Hou Weidong’s mind. Filled with shame, he left the woman’s embrace, walked out of the small hall, and stepped outside.

He stood in the cold wind for a while, thinking, "They say that once you are in the jianghu, you are no longer your own master. Am I already part of the jianghu?" With a complex mood, he lit a cigarette and leaned against a large tree, smoking slowly.

"Hou Weidong."

A low voice came from the darkness. It was Su Ming. Hou Weidong hurried over and, seeing it was indeed Su Ming, called out softly, "Township Mayor Su."

"Give me a cigarette."

Hou Weidong quickly handed one over and lit it for him.

Su Ming took a drag and smiled. "I quit for three months, and now I’ve started again. They say smoking is bad, but many long-lived elders smoke too. In the end, genes determine destiny."

Hou Weidong nodded in agreement.

Su Ming asked again, "When does the Young Cadres Training Class end?"

"Soon. It ends on December 30th, and then we have a holiday for New Year’s Day."

Su Ming took two deep drags and said, "Next year is the year of transportation construction. The Shang-Qinglin Highway has already been registered at the county level. County leaders might come to inspect it any day. Once you return, keep a close eye on the road construction. Make sure Qin Dajiang organizes the work strictly according to the design drawings."

"Township Mayor Su, you can rest assured."

After chatting about work, the two smoked in silence, two sparks glowing in the darkness.

"Hou Weidong, when you came to Qinglin Town to report for duty, why didn’t the Organization Department or any leader send you off?"

"Does the Organization Department need to send someone off?" Hou Weidong was somewhat confused. He said, "I received the introduction letter from the Personnel Bureau and came directly. No one from the Organization Department sent me off, and I didn’t think to ask anyone to see me off."

Su Ming said, "Do you know Ren Lindu?"

"He is also training in the Young Cadres Class." Hou Weidong concealed the fact that he shared a dormitory with Ren Lindu.

Su Ming did not press further. He said, "When Ren Lindu reported for duty in Lishan Town, Deputy Minister Xiao from the Organization Department personally escorted him down. The Party Secretary of Lishan Town is my classmate, and he mentioned this to me."

Hou Weidong had experienced Ren Lindu’s social adeptness, but the fact that Deputy Minister Xiao personally escorted him to the town implied that Ren Lindu’s family had significant connections. Hou Weidong’s mood became complicated. He respectfully said to Su Ming, "Township Mayor Su, I have just graduated from school and do not understand many things. I hope you will criticize and help me."

Su Ming was clear about the reasons why Hou Weidong had been assigned to Shang-Qinglin.

Zhao Yongsheng had a niece who also graduated from university this year. Zhao Yongsheng had prepared to secure an administrative establishment position for her and had done some work in that regard. However, something went wrong in the process. Although his niece successfully entered the Transportation Bureau, she was placed in a public institution establishment rather than an administrative one.

Zhao Yongsheng was quite dissatisfied with this outcome.

Just then, Hou Weidong was assigned to Qinglin Town. Moreover, the Organization Department had not notified the town in advance about this assignment. Hou Weidong became the scapegoat and was assigned to the Shang-Qinglin Working Group. Later, when Qin Feiyue tried to transfer Hou Weidong to the Family Planning Office, Zhao Yongsheng, opposing Qin Feiyue’s proposal, appointed Hou Weidong as the Deputy Head of the Working Group, effectively vetoing Qin Feiyue’s suggestion.

Su Ming, as the Deputy Township Mayor who had entered the Town Party Committee, held some prestige in Qinglin Town. Both Qin Feiyue and Zhao Yongsheng wanted to build a good relationship with him to secure a strong ally. On the surface, Su Ming treated both sides equally, but behind the scenes, he interacted more frequently with Qin Feiyue.

Su Ming did not approve of Zhao Yongsheng’s method of exiling Hou Weidong.

He had a good impression of Hou Weidong. A student fresh out of school, facing adversity without losing heart or complaining, instead taking the initiative to bring the difficult road construction project back on track, was truly remarkable. Su Ming sighed inwardly, "Zhao Yongsheng’s mind is too narrow. Now he considers Hou Weidong one of Qin Feiyue’s people. If Old Zhao does not leave, it will be very difficult for Hou Weidong to rise. It is a pity to waste such talent."

However, he could not explain the true reasons to Hou Weidong. Instead, Su Ming suggested, "I heard that your father and brother both work for the Wuhai Public Security Bureau. See if they can use their connections to help you transfer to the city."

Hou Weidong shook his head. "My father and brother are both in the Wuhai Public Security Bureau. In Yiyang, they only have friends within the Public Security Bureau. Transferring would be very difficult. I will settle down and work in Qinglin Town." He flattered Su Ming, saying, "Among the township leaders, I admire Township Mayor Su the most. Please, Township Mayor Su, take care of me."

As they spoke, Yang Jiafu walked over and said, "Township Mayor Qin has come out. Let’s go."

Back at the Party School, Ren Lindu was already sleeping deeply. Hou Weidong sat on his bed, his mind racing with random thoughts. "Township Mayor Qin and Township Mayor Su were arranged to go to another place. Did they sleep with the girls? Township Mayor Su came out so quickly, which is unclear. But Township Mayor Qin stayed for so long; he definitely did it."

When Township Mayor Qin and other town leaders sat on the stage for meetings, they always appeared serious and upright. Now, discovering that they also sought out prostitutes, Hou Weidong was greatly shocked. Then, thinking that he had only been working for half a year and had already followed suit, he felt guilty toward Xiaojia, who was far away in Shazhou. His heart felt blocked and heavy.

The next day, Du Yongzheng, Deputy Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Director of the Supervision Bureau, came to give a lecture. Speaking about the歪风邪气 (unhealthy trends) appearing in society, he earnestly warned young cadres to maintain their integrity, resist temptation, and remain unstained by the mud. He then cited several cases handled by the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Listening to Du Yongzheng’s words, Hou Weidong broke into a cold sweat. His heart was uneasy. "Will yesterday’s incident be reported? If it is reported, my political life will be over."

He glanced at Liu Kun, who was sitting in the front row. He thought, "Liu Kun only likes to tell dirty jokes, while I openly engaged in prostitution under the leadership of superiors. I am truly degenerate. From now on, I am no longer a pure person, nor a trustworthy good person."

Burdened by this psychological weight, Hou Weidong felt particularly heavy-hearted, his face stern.

After class, Guo Lan walked in. She casually glanced at Hou Weidong and saw him sitting silently and gloomily. She thought, "The Department Head of the Political and Legal Affairs Department in Shazhou said that Hou Weidong is cheerful and has strong organizational skills. Why does he look so depressed?"

Guo Lan held the attendance book and said, "Tomorrow morning, the last session will be taught personally by County Party Secretary Zhao, followed by the graduation ceremony. Everyone is expected to attend. Tonight, the Party School will organize an activity—a social dance in the large conference room."

Hearing about the dance, everyone became excited.

A student in his thirties shouted loudly, "There are more wolves than meat here. What’s the point of dancing?"

His frankness made everyone laugh.

Guo Lan smiled and said, "The County Youth League Committee has considered this issue. This afternoon, another training class is starting at the Party School—a female cadre training class organized by the Women’s Federation."

The students applauded collectively. Hou Weidong, still thinking about yesterday’s events and filled with guilt, had no interest in the dance.

After announcing the dance, Guo Lan glanced at Hou Weidong with the corner of her eye. Seeing him remain calm and unresponsive, she thought, "Hou Weidong is truly steady."

After dinner, Guo Lan arrived early at the large conference room to check the sound system and lighting. People gradually arrived at the venue, standing in small groups chatting. At seven o’clock, the dance officially began.

Hou Weidong never appeared in the large conference room.

Guo Lan became the center of attention, never missing a dance. As soon as each song ended, students would eagerly invite her.

Ren Lindu naturally did not miss this opportunity. He had been observing Guo Lan and finally got his chance during the fifth song. When Guo Lan saw Ren Lindu, she couldn’t help but ask, "Hasn’t Hou Weidong come?" Ren Lindu smiled and said, "His mood is not high today. He is alone in the dorm, staring into space."

While the other students danced, Hou Weidong stayed alone in his dorm. He had not yet recovered from yesterday’s experience and had no interest in the dance.

He was lying on the bed, lost in thought, when he heard a steady knock on the door. "The door is not locked. Please come in."

Qin Xiaohong walked in. She was wearing a coat with a fur collar. Usually, she wore no makeup, but today she had applied light makeup, adding a touch of femininity. Seeing Hou Weidong lying on the bed smoking, she said, "Hou Weidong, why aren’t you dancing? It’s boring to stay alone. Come on, let’s go together."

Hou Weidong made an excuse, "I have something to do today. I will go out later." After Qin Xiaohong left, Hou Weidong reluctantly got up and walked out of the school.

Accustomed to the dimness of Shang-Qinglin at night, the lights of Yiyang City seemed dazzling and colorful to Hou Weidong. When he studied at Shazhou College, he had never felt the lights in Yiyang City to be so bright.

Walking past the pedestrian street, Hou Weidong headed toward the Xinhua Bookstore on the east side. This bookstore was a must-visit for Hou Weidong every time he came into the city. Just as he entered the bookstore, he saw Duan Ying coming out, holding a book.