When Xu Shaojie returned to the small county town again, he felt a sense of strangeness. The county town hadn't changed much, and there were few people on the streets. It had been six years since he left, starting from his university days. Except for the times he came back during holidays, which weren't long, his focus was mainly on Xu Lan, and he barely interacted with anyone else.

  Zhang Shao Cai drove, Xu Lan sat in the front, Xu Shao Jie and Xu Yi Jie sat in the back. As soon as they arrived at the county town, Xu Yi Jie called home to report their safe arrival. They set off early in the morning, had a meal on the way, and arrived at the county town at around 4 pm. There was no need to worry about food, as there were relatives in the county town who could provide them with meals after they paid their respects during the New Year visit. Xu Shao Jie insisted on visiting his father's grave first, which everyone agreed to.

  Xu Shaojie knelt in front of the grave, every time he thought of his father, Xu Shaojie's heart ached. His father could have had a happy later years, but because of various experiences and setbacks, because of people's indifference, because of unfair treatment, his father passed away too early. Xu Shaojie didn't have much feelings for the small county town, including the relatives here. The experience of his father, Xu Shaojie would never forget in his lifetime. Xu Shaojie silently made a wish in front of the grave, hoping that his father's spirit in heaven would bless and protect him.

  After having lunch at the great uncle's house, everyone returned to the room. The room was quite dusty and had not been inhabited for a long time. Some places were covered with spider webs. After a thorough cleaning, people finally had a place to rest.

  "Lanlan, let's go visit a few uncles and aunts tonight. We'll head back to the provincial city tomorrow since our main task is done and we don't need to stay here for another night."

  In the evening, Xu Shaojie and Xu Lan paid New Year's visits to their relatives in the city. As juniors, they couldn't avoid these rituals that should be performed. As for their rural relatives, there was basically no interaction with them on ordinary days. On the second day of the first month, everyone left the county town. To say it, the time spent in the county town, all in all, was less than a day.

  On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Xu Yijie and Liu Xiaomei left home early. Xu Yijie drove, while Xu Pingfan stayed at home. Liu Xiaomei was actually in a hurry, as she rarely got to see her parents throughout the year. She wanted to return home early for the Spring Festival and spend more time with them. Now that she's back home, she'll definitely receive VIP treatment.

  Xu Shaojie was preparing to go to Tang Wanyu's home, which was extremely crucial. The first impression was very important. No matter how eloquent he was, if Tang Wanyu's parents didn't approve, it would all be for nothing. Xu Shaojie hadn't mentioned this to his mother, Han Qing'e. If the impression wasn't good, he'd have to think of a way to explain it to her later. He didn't want to worry her now. However, Xu Shaojie had already noticed that his mother was getting anxious. During the Spring Festival, she specifically brought up Xu Shaojie's personal matters. Xu Shaojie used his eyes to stop Zhang Shaocai and Yan Yuhuan from mentioning Tang Wanyu.

  Two packs of cigarettes and two bottles of good wine, that's what Xu Shaojie prepared as gifts. The gift is not about quantity.

  Tang Wanrou waited anxiously outside the hospital for Xu Shaojie. When she saw a taxi coming from afar, she guessed it was him. As soon as Xu Shaojie got out of the car, Tang Wanrou grabbed his arm.

  "Honey, don't be nervous, just relax, it's nothing big."

  "Xiao Rou, you make it sound easy. Last night I was thinking, if it's just us living together and not some old couple, then I should be able to comfort myself like that, but nope, still feeling anxious."

  "Don't worry, my dad is very good, there's no hierarchy at home."

  "Alas, I'm not afraid of being put on the spot."

  Tang Wanrou pulled Xu Shaojie's arm and walked into the courtyard, with a smile on her face that was very charming. Xu Shaojie didn't have the mind to care about it, he was tense thinking about how to speak. Tang Wenjun is the deputy director of the Provincial Public Security Department, enjoying the treatment of a regular department head, but not so easy to fool around. Xu Shaojie heard that Tang Wanrou's mother, Xu Yunyun, was beautiful and capable, no need to doubt it, just look at Tang Wanrou and you can tell she has a beautiful, smart and capable mother.

  "Is it Mr. Xu Shaojie? Please sit down."

  Tang Wenjun was neither fat nor thin, with a good figure, and at first glance, he looked like someone who had been working in public security for a long time. He had an air of superiority about him. However, Xu Shaojie didn't care, as Ding Yuan also had this kind of aura, and Xu Shaojie was already used to it. Xun Yunyun looked young, and if she walked with Tang Wanrou, no one would believe they were mother and daughter.

  "Hello Uncle Tang, hello Auntie Xu."

  Xu Shaojie naturally sat down on the sofa in the living room, Tang Wenjun was a little surprised, and couldn't hide the admiration in his eyes. Xu Yunyun kept taking out sunflower seeds, peanuts and candies, as well as some fruit, and placed them on the coffee table.

  "Shao Jie, I heard you've been transferred to work at the Huaiyang Municipal Party Committee Office."

  "Yes, I am now mainly following Secretary Ding Yuan."

  "The secretary of the municipal party committee is a very important job, no wonder Xiaoyu always calls you and says you haven't gone home yet. I heard you only returned home on the 29th of December, your work is really tough."

  "Uncle Tang, my job isn't hard work. Following Secretary Ding Yuan is the real hard work. He has many things to consider and many decisions to make, all of which involve big issues for Huaiyang City's development. If he's not careful, the consequences won't be good. I feel ashamed that I can't share his worries."

  "Shao Jie, you haven't been following Lao Ding for a long time, how can you have such feelings?"

  "It was mainly the Huaiyang Cotton Mill, when Secretary Ding Yuan went to comfort the model workers on December 27th, he almost encountered a siege by the cotton mill workers. Many workers raised sharp questions, and Secretary Ding answered them one by one. I think it's not simple, but also not easy. This made me realize that Secretary Ding is always considering the development of Huaiyang City, and hard work is unavoidable."

  "Good, good, Xiao Jie has such an understanding, great."

  Xu Yunyun spoke up on one side.

  "Old Tang, Shao Jie has come home to play. Why do you always talk about work-related things? It's only a few days off in a year, relax and take it easy. I'll go cook some delicious food later, don't rush, Shao Jie can just play at home today."

  Tang Wenjun smiled and opened his mouth, still inseparable from work, but this time the question was a bit sharp.

  "Shao Jie, how's your mother doing? Xu Lan is really making progress, studying in a university in Beijing."

  "Uncle Tang, thank you for your concern, my mother's body is very good, Lanlan studies better than me."

  "Xiao Jie, I know some things about your brother Xu Yi Jie's situation. How do you see it?"

  Xu Shaojie hesitated for a moment, but the people sitting opposite him would be his future father-in-law and mother-in-law. At this time, he didn't need to beat around the bush, and he had to speak with caution, considering the occasion. Some views needed to be expressed clearly.

  "Uncle Tang, my brother indeed did something wrong. At that time, I was young and not very clear about the specific situation, but one thing I do know is that our father worked in the county committee office as a ordinary cadre, and because our home was located in the county committee compound, my brother had a good relationship with some of the children of the county committee leaders. After the fight broke out, those children seemed to be unaffected, it's said that they were incited by someone, and that person was my brother. My brother was 16 years old at that time, during the severe crackdown period, all cases were sentenced heavily and quickly, my brother was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a fight. Although it has been so many years, the harm left to our family is irreparable, our family paid a heavy price, so I always remember this thing, when the time is ripe, I will find a way to clarify the truth. Uncle Tang, Auntie Xu, you are my elders, so in front of you, I tell the truth without hiding anything."

  Tang Wenjun's face showed a look of surprise and anxiety at the same time, Xu Shaojie had such an idea, for them, it was not a good thing.

  "Uncle Tang, Auntie Xu, don't worry, I'm a party member and also work for the national authorities, I will respect the law and absolutely won't do anything rash. However, I think that many times, the law also needs power to be maintained."

  Tang Wenjun's face showed a shocked expression, apparently pondering Xu Shaojie's words. Xue Yunyun's face showed an expression of relief, apparently reassured.

  "Shao Jie, your words are very realistic. The law also needs power to maintain it. Well said. In the current situation, although no one says so, this is actually the case. Today, I made a promise with you that if Xu Yijie was indeed wronged, I will not stand idly by."

  "Uncle Tang, thank you, I will ask for your help at the right time."

  Tang Wenjun's smile returned to his face as he changed the subject.

  "Shao Jie, Xiao Rou is thinking of continuing to go to Huaiyang Municipal Public Security Bureau for a temporary job, what do you think about this matter?"

  Xu Shaojie felt a chill in the air as he sensed someone staring at him, and he knew it was Tang Wanrou. He couldn't help but shrink his neck. Xu Yunyun naturally saw this and glared at Tang Wanrou.

  "Xiao Rou, look at your temper, you need to change it. From now on, Shao Jie is busy with work and often can't take care of you, so you should be more considerate of Shao Jie."

  Tang Wanrou stuck out her tongue and nodded in understanding. It was only then that Xu Shaojie spoke up.

  "Uncle Tang, Auntie Xu, I think it's better for Xiao Rou to stay at the Xilin City Public Security Bureau. Xiao Rou needs to have a certain relationship with her colleagues and be familiar with her work at the Public Security Bureau. It's not good for her to leave Xilin City Public Security Bureau for an extended period of time, people will have opinions about it. Although they may not say it out loud, also, if Xiao Rou stays in Huaiyang City Public Security Bureau for a long time but is still on the roster at Xilin City Public Security Bureau, it won't look good for Uncle Tang either. So I think it's better for Xiao Rou to stay and work at Xilin City Public Security Bureau."

  Tang Wenjun burst out laughing and said to Tang Wanyu:

  "Xiao Rou, look, Shao Jie said it's really good, you still insist on going to the Huaiyang Municipal Public Security Bureau, you should follow Shao Jie and learn from him, see how thoughtful he is."

  Tang Wanrou pouted, not saying a word. Xu Shaojie secretly felt guilty, it seemed that Tang Wanrou wouldn't let the matter drop.

  Just as they were about to eat, a young man came in with a pretty girl.

  "Dad, Mom, I'm back. Hmm, you must be Xiao Rou's friend, let me think... Xu Shaojie, yes, that's right! Nice to meet you, I'm Tang Wanrou's older brother, Tang Guangzhi."

  Xu Shaojie hastily stood up and shook hands with Tang Guangzhi. The girl beside Tang Guangzhi looked at Xu Shaojie with a scrutinizing gaze, making him feel very uncomfortable. At this moment, Tang Wanyu helped to introduce them.

  "My brother's girlfriend, Zhao Ya Qian."

  Xu Shaojie nodded at Zhao Ya Qian, but she didn't react. Xu Shaojie smiled slightly and turned back to sit down. He had already sensed that this Zhao Ya Qian was not a simple person. Xu Shaojie knew that Tang Wenyue's brother, Tang Guangzhi, worked in Beijing, so this Zhao Ya Qian must be a girl from Beijing, maybe even the daughter of a wealthy family.

  Xu Shaojie found that Tang Wenjun and Xu Yunyun's gazes were different. Tang Wenjun didn't pay much attention to Zhao Ya Qian, while Xu Yunyun kept staring at Zhao Ya Qian with a smile.

  Tang Wenjun spoke up while eating.

  "Shao Jie, you've come to our home for the first time today, let's have a good drink together. A man can't not drink, Guang Zhi also has some."

  Xu Yunyun was unhappy.

  "Drinking too little isn't good for you either, and drinking too much harms your body."

  "Ah, once a year, it's rare to have a drink at home. Today is exciting and joyful, let's open a green light."

  Xu Yunyun very reluctantly took out two bottles of Maotai from the house.

  "You can only drink this much, no more."

  Xu Shaojie hung his head and didn't speak, he really didn't want to drink anymore. In administrative units, everything can be boasted about, except for drinking, that's not something to brag about, it's looking for trouble. Even if you can drink a whole cow under the table, others will still find a way to make you lose face.

  After dinner, Xu Shaojie insisted on saying goodbye. Xu Shaojie was mainly not used to Zhao Ya Qian's scrutiny and superior attitude. Tang Guangzhi seemed a bit weak, and Xu Shaojie thought that Tang Wanjun's requirements were probably too high.

  When Tang Wanrou sent Xu Shaojie away, she was unhappy and asked Xu Shaojie why he didn't want her to go to Huaiyang City. Xu Shaojie repeatedly explained to Tang Wanrou, speaking until his mouth was dry, and finally, the expression on Tang Wanrou's face changed from cloudy to sunny. Xu Shaojie secretly felt relieved that once they arrived in Huaiyang City, he could focus on work.