[Adult City] Lonely Officialdom (Final Chapter) - 3

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter Sixteen: Passion Burns

Zhang Bing had assumed his old classmate, now married, would be home and could simply come in and leave her to her husband. However, he was surprised to find she lived alone. It was late, and the sight of a man and woman alone together made Zhang Bing uneasy. But the woman had just suffered such a shock, and was already too weak to move. He had practically carried her upstairs. He couldn't bear to leave now; he had to wait until his old classmate calmed down or was sound asleep. Besides, a wave of nostalgia for his first love was drawing him in, and he even harbored a slight hope that something

might happen. At Zhang Qingyun's request, he went to the bathroom, prepared the bathwater, and helped her to the edge of the tub before leaving. He waited outside, occasionally responding to the woman's terrified cries from inside, assuring her he was there and reassuring her. Poor Zhang Bing could hear the rushing water and the rustling of the woman undressing clearly in the quiet of the night. He wasn't a novice, and he couldn't help but imagine the woman's languid allure as she undressed, the dazzling allure of her breasts, especially since that woman was his first love, a pure and innocent first love. They held hands, talked about literature, about ideals. He had never kissed her, afraid of defiling her purity, let alone touching her body. Now, the two completely opposite images—imagination and memory—were intertwined and fighting in his mind. This extra stimulation made Zhang Bing almost unable to resist pushing open that door to compensate for the memories of his first love.

"Zhang Bing, are you still there?" The woman's panicked voice came again, the air trembling.

"Yes, don't worry, I won't leave you for now, don't worry."

"I forgot to bring a change of clothes, could you—could you get me a nightgown? And underwear too. The underwear is in the first drawer on the left side of the wardrobe, and the nightgown is hanging in the wardrobe. Just pick one for me." What? Pick underwear for a woman? What terrible luck he'd had lately! First he wore women's underwear, and now he was getting women's underwear for him! Damn it, Zhang Bing's fantasies intensified, a surge of heat rushed to his abdomen, and he couldn't hold back any longer. His penis twitched, and he ejaculated. He could feel the sticky residue inside his underwear, and even his outer pants showed a clear wet stain, making him incredibly embarrassed.

But he had to get on with it. He opened the wardrobe, where several sets of pajamas were conspicuously visible. Based on a vague memory, he chose the purple floral sundress she had liked; she had said she liked the romance of purple. Opening the lingerie drawer, he was stunned. A huge pile of panties and bras, all brightly colored and mostly see-through, made his nose bleed. His penis, still erect from ejaculation, suddenly became erect again. He even had the urge to pick them up and smell and touch them, but he didn't dare look any further. He grabbed a black set at random and hurriedly fled, forgetting to close the drawer.

He took a deep breath by the door, smoothed his penis to make it less noticeable, and then knocked. "I found it. Open the door, I'll give it to you."

He could sense hesitation from inside. Slowly, the door opened a crack, and a fair, delicate arm emerged. Zhang Bing didn't dare look too long, quickly shoving the item into her hand and hurrying away, afraid he might run inside. He knew he wasn't very self-controlled when it came to women, especially since this woman had a past relationship with him.

A moment later, Zhang Qingyun came out. The steam had given her a rosy complexion, no longer the deathly pale one. Perhaps because she was back home, her expression was much more peaceful. She even smiled shyly at Zhang Bing. Zhang Bing, wanting to be a good Samaritan, worried she might still be unsteady, so he rushed over to support her. But the woman's body went limp, and she collapsed completely into his arms. He simply carried her and gently placed her on the bed.

"Qing'er, don't be afraid, it's all alright now! Get some sleep, everything will be better tomorrow." Looking at her frailty, Zhang Bing felt as if he had returned to high school 14 years ago, as if he could see that lively and cheerful girl again. Unconsciously, he called her by the name they used when they were dating and helped her cover herself with the blanket.

The word "Qing'er" was like opening a time valve, pulling them both back to the joy and happiness of 14 years ago. Qing'er's bright eyes stared at him, a hint of tears welling up in them, a touch of haziness. But he didn't notice; he was still lost in memories of that beautiful image. After a long while, he finally came to his senses. Seeing the tears in Qing'er's eyes and the obvious shy smile on her face, he panicked. He pretended to check his watch, "Ah, it's past twelve. Your husband will be back soon. I have to go to work tomorrow, I have to go now." He quickly got up, ready to escape, afraid of making a mistake.

"No!" To his surprise, Qing'er reacted violently, her face turning even paler than before. With a sudden burst of strength, she sat up abruptly and hugged him tightly. "Bing, no!" "Bing" was their nickname during their courtship, and no one else had ever used it.

He sighed helplessly. The woman's fragrance filled his nostrils, and the thin robe couldn't conceal her softness; it was almost torture for him. He patted her back, feigning seriousness. "Zhang Qingyun, can I come see you again tomorrow? Your husband will misunderstand if he sees you like this. You don't want to see us fighting, do you?" He pulled her back and tried to lay her down on the bed.

"Call me Qing'er!" Qing'er's tone was resentful. Suddenly, she sat up in bed, pulling him to the edge as well. One arm around his neck, the other stroking his face and brow. "Kiss me, Bing!" Before he could react, she tightened her embrace and kissed him passionately.

Only a fool would run away or say something insensitive at this moment. Zhang Bing wasn't a fool; his long-suppressed desire erupted instantly. He frantically embraced her, searching for her alluring red lips. Their tongues, like parched land, quickly intertwined, drinking each other's nectar, expressing their years of longing. When they were almost suffocating, they reluctantly separated, already lying on the bed. He was on top of her, she clung to his neck, and they glanced at each other, seeing the intense passion between them.

"Where's your husband?" Zhang Bing still had a sliver of clarity; he was an upright man.

Qing'er didn't answer, but raised her head, her eyes even more alluring, and once again kissed his face, his eyes, biting his ear, completely lost in madness. Zhang Bing didn't care about anything else. This was his lover, his first love, the shadow that had always been hidden deep in his heart. He was no longer satisfied with just his lips; he frantically searched for the dream he had held for 14 years. His lips traveled down from her forehead, past her slender, fair neck, and impatiently pulled off the straps of her suspenders, kissing her proud breasts and capturing her trembling, shy nipples, lingering there. His hands also began to wander, moving down her smooth back, grabbing her plump, fragrant buttocks, and following his desire, groping for her straight, slender thighs. He pressed her down firmly, feeling his hands finally reach their destination, touching the sexy black panties he had just given her. He felt an astonishing dampness from the outside of the panties. Without hesitation, he stood up, gently pulled off her nightgown that had been pulled down to her waist, hooked his hands around the edge of the panties, and Qing'er cooperated by lifting her fragrant buttocks, throwing the panties to the other end of the bed. Now she was completely naked, her peaks and valleys clearly visible, radiating countless rays of light. He bent down again, taking her already erect nipple into his mouth, while his other hand grasped another peak, squeezing and kneading it incessantly, changing its beautiful shape.

Qing'er's moans grew louder, her snow-white body flushed with excitement. She suddenly sat up, frantically tearing at Zhang Bing's clothes, impatiently stripping off his coat, underwear, and even his panties with her delicate hands, then violently ripping them off and throwing them away. She then rolled over, pinning Zhang Bing beneath her, kissing every inch of his body—the two of them caressing and kissing each other with their legs, seemingly releasing 14 years of pent-up desire and passion all at once. After a long while, Qing'er trembled, tightly embracing Zhang Bing: "Bing, love me!" What words could be more fitting than these? Upon receiving the command, Zhang Bing didn't hesitate to roll over and thrust forward, plunging his spear directly into the already muddy flower path—

Zhang Bing felt incredibly crazy and excited today. Aside from his first time with a woman, he had never felt so excited. He felt it was because of that precious, pure first love; because of that purity, it further stimulated his current allure, making him enjoy himself exceptionally well, exceptionally sensitive, and exceptionally long-lasting.

Chapter Seventeen: A Third Blossom

**After a short rest, Qing'er curled up in Zhang Bing's arms, her body still exuding a captivating aura from the previous encounter. She still wanted more; for 14 years, she had been thinking about it, dreaming of it. She wanted to make up for those 14 years, but she had no strength left. She still didn't want to close her eyes and rest; she wanted to see the man from 14 years ago, the innocent man. She carefully guided Zhang Bing's hand to her breast, gently kneading it. This was her pride; she hadn't given it to this man 14 years ago, and today she wanted him to touch it to his heart's content. Moreover, only when this man kept kneading her pride could she believe in his existence. Otherwise, she feared that, like in countless dreams before, she would wake up to find nothing.

"Qing'er, rest for a bit. I'll hold you and you can sleep well. I see you're very tired," Zhang Bing said, showing tenderness towards the woman. It was his meticulous care that had moved her back then.

"Bing, my Bing!" Qing'er struggled to raise her arm, stroking his sharply defined face. "I don't want to sleep. Fourteen years ago, I lost you because of my selfishness. Now you're back in my life. I want to watch you and hold you forever. I don't want to lose my Bing again."

Zhang Bing brought the blanket over them both. They were both in their teens, and if they caught a cold tomorrow, it would be terrible and would interfere with their work. He deliberately didn't respond to Qing'er's words. He could tell at first glance that she was already married, and besides, he still had photos of her wedding.

They both deliberately remained silent for a while, not wanting to ruin the beautiful atmosphere.

"Actually, I've been divorced for a long time!" Qing'er thought for a moment and decided to tell Zhang Bing. She didn't want him to feel guilty. She knew what he was worried about. This man had always been like this, always thinking of others. She knew she wasn't good enough for him now, but she wanted him to know that she loved him, and always had. She didn't want to completely possess him anymore. As long as she could occasionally lie in his arms and sleep, she would be content. Maybe being a mistress wouldn't be bad, she thought secretly.

"Why is this happening?" Sensing the woman's resentment, he felt a pang of pain and a sense of unease. If this was the case, he didn't know how to handle their relationship. Today, meeting her, he realized this woman had always remained in his heart, a love and longing, even though she had hurt him deeply, marrying someone else early for money.

"You know, I got married right after high school. That man treated me very well, and I thought I would be happy, but I was wrong. The longer it went on, the more I missed you. I kept writing you letters and keeping a diary, but I didn't dare show it to you. I know I hurt you deeply. Everyone praised us as a couple. Later, that man found my diary. He was furious and started beating me constantly, keeping affairs, and never loving me like before. But I knew it was my fault; I shouldn't have thought about you, so I endured it. One time, he pushed me down the stairs, causing me to miscarry. At the hospital, the doctor..." "They said I'd never have a chance to get pregnant again, which meant we'd be childless. We both felt our relationship was over anyway, so two years ago, we quietly divorced." Qing'er's tone was calm. "I never want to get married again. I'm afraid of marriage changing, and no man can tolerate a woman who can't have children. So I've been living like this for the past two years, occasionally thinking of you, always hoping to see you again. I never thought heaven would hear my heart's cry, and you appeared when I needed you most—" Qing'er was very happy, smiling languidly as she stroked the man's body, listening to his heartbeat.

"Oh? When you needed me most? Did you need this?" Zhang Bing, afraid this heavy topic would upset him again, quickly changed his focus, one hand climbing up her full, firm breasts, the other exploring her somewhat dried-up vulva.

"Yes, I really need it!" Qing'er had regained some strength. She whispered breathlessly in Zhang Bing's ear, "She'll be yours from now on, I promise, my Bing."

What could be more enticing than such sweet talk? The two immediately tumbled into each other's arms, the room filled with an atmosphere of boundless passion. Afterwards, Zhang Bing carried her to take a bath together. Qing'er's figure was too perfect; Zhang Bing simply couldn't resist, and so they made love again in the bathroom.

After the bath, Qing'er regained her vitality. The events at the karaoke bar that night had completely faded from her memory. Looking at the man beside her, she smiled throughout. She cleaned up the soiled sheets, changed them, and then folded the old sheets neatly and placed them in a delicate box.

"What are you doing? These sheets need to be washed!" Zhang Bing looked at his first love. Now she resembled a cheerful and virtuous little wife. She had just said that she would always be his. How wonderful.

"Why would a grown man like you care about this? You must be exhausted after all that effort. Go lie down and rest!" Qing'er gave her a flirtatious wink, blushed slightly, and still walked to his side, gently telling him, "This is a testament to our love. I regret not giving you my first time back then, so I cherish our first time after 14 years even more."

Zhang Bing was somewhat moved. These sweet words once again aroused his desire. He hugged her from behind, pressing his hardness against her pert buttocks, his hands caressing her full, firm breasts, biting her glistening earlobe, and teasing her in a lewd tone, "This isn't the first time, you know. We've done it twice on top. How about a third time? Three times represents three words! I love you!"

"Are you trying to kill me? How can you be so lewd? Don't you think about your own body? I need to save it for later." Qing'er blushed as she laughed and said something she would never normally say. The contradiction between gentleness and lewdness was striking. She turned around and hugged him, gently taking her mischievous hand and pressing her face against his strong chest. "Bing, don't worry, Qing'er will always be yours. My heart and my body are yours!"

The two embraced each other silently, enjoying the warm atmosphere.

"By the way, why are you at the karaoke bar today, with so many friends? Aren't you in Beijing?" Qing'er only then remembered to ask about her beloved's condition. This was the topic she cared about most; she wanted to know everything about this man. "Alright,

let's go to bed and talk. You'll catch a cold standing here. I'll be heartbroken if my Qing'er catches a cold." Zhang Bing felt that her body was a little cold, so he quickly picked her up and put her on the bed. The two leaned against the headboard.

After Zhang Bing finished recounting his experiences over the past few years, and heard that he had returned to be a village official, Qing'er gave him a strange smile and a look. "Is it worth it? What's the point of being a village head? Even if you successfully develop your project, the territory is still too small, isn't it? I don't believe my Bing is such a petty person. Your ambitions are so high; this isn't your goal."

Fourteen years later, she still remembered his personality, analyzing so much information in just a few words. Zhang Bing was deeply impressed by how well this woman understood him back then, and he believed her love for him was unwavering. He was certain that after so many years, she had forgotten everything, but she hadn't. Just as he could recognize her at a glance after fourteen years, he believed their love had penetrated to the bone. Therefore, he held nothing back, telling him about his relationship with County Head Ma and his future plans.

Listening quietly to her beloved man's plans and feeling his ambition, Qing'er felt a sense of security and fulfillment she had never experienced before. She was already thinking about linking her future life with his. Overjoyed, she smiled and drew circles on his chest. "Bing, do your work according to your plan. I'll fully support you. I've met quite a few wealthy people these past few years. I'll introduce you to them sometime; it'll be good for your work. Also, don't worry about money. That man left me over ten million, and I have my own company. What's mine is yours, hehe!"

"You stole my heart, you stole it 14 years ago. Who else would I be good to if not you?" Qing'er murmured with a light and happy tone, expressing her wish. "I'm content to have met the person I love most again! It's just that I can't have children, so I can't hope to be your wife. It's a bit of a regret, otherwise I would fight tooth and nail for you, and I would never let you fall into the hands of another woman!"

"Hehe, only you treat me like a treasure, others don't even look at me!" Zhang Bing, now relaxed, gently stroked Qing'er's face. It was clear that her life hadn't been easy these past few years; the woman, not yet thirty, already had wrinkles around her eyes.

"Who are you kidding? Your relationship with Ma Pei is more than just that, isn't it? She calls you 'Brother Zhang Bing' so affectionately, and she's always holding your arm." Women aren't usually prone to jealousy or possessiveness, but expressing jealousy appropriately can make the other person happier and more pleased.

"Don't talk nonsense. She's a young lady from a wealthy family. How could she possibly be interested in a village official like me? Speaking of which, you should thank her. If it weren't for her second uncle's help, we wouldn't have been able to get out here! And if she hadn't dragged me to sing, how would I have been able to save you, right? I'm telling you, she's our matchmaker. We should definitely thank her properly next time." Zhang Bing found Qing'er's sensitivity somewhat amusing, although he also felt that Ma Pei's excessive kindness towards him was a bit unusual.

Chapter Eighteen: Visiting Director Liu

Waking up this morning was probably the most unpleasant and painful experience for Zhang Bing. Last night, that little vixen Qing'er had taken him five times, almost keeping him up all night, leaving him with a terrible backache. Then, around 7 a.m., Qing'er woke him up, forcibly ordering him to eat her loving breakfast every morning from now on, to break his bad habit of often skipping breakfast. After a drowsy breakfast, he had to drive to the county town. He had to get back before the deadline; otherwise, if Director Ma and Section Chief Xu couldn't find him at the hotel and found out he had stayed out overnight, it would be a huge joke, doing him no good for his future career. So, he could only force himself to stay awake, muttering to himself: "Every cloud has a silver lining; misfortune may be a blessing in disguise."

Fortunately, County Chief Ma's words yesterday afternoon essentially set today's tasks. Section Chief Xu and his colleague were to thoroughly review the plan, identify its shortcomings, and propose solutions. This should be enough for them today, meaning Zhang Bing had virtually nothing to do. At most, he could thank the two leaders for their help, treat them to a nice lunch, and spend time with them if he had nothing else to do. If he did have something to do, he could simply stay in his room and work on his own. So, he could use the excuse of sleeping all morning.

Things proceeded according to Zhang Bing's plan. After a good nap, Secretary Wang happened to be free, so Zhang Bing invited him to lunch as well. This was not for any other reason than to demonstrate his close relationship with County Chief Ma to Section Chief Xu and his colleague, ensuring their work wouldn't be compromised. Moreover, with Secretary Wang's mediation, the atmosphere at the lunch table was pleasant, avoiding the awkwardness of not having anything to talk about since Zhang Bing wasn't very familiar with the two. After the midday discussion, the two's work efficiency noticeably increased in the afternoon, and they even proactively discussed with Zhang Bing the information to be gathered from various departments tomorrow and the specific division of labor.

In the afternoon, Ma Pei called, expressing concern for Zhang Qingyun, who had been rescued. She also told Zhang Bing that his second uncle, Director Liu, was very interested in him and invited him to their home. Zhang Bing, having nothing else to do that evening, and knowing Qing'er needed to thank Ma Pei and Director Liu for saving her, invited Ma Pei to dinner. After dinner, the three of them would visit Director Liu together to express their gratitude. Ma Pei, of course, had no objections to Zhang Bing's brother's arrangements. Zhang Bing then called Qing'er to confirm dinner and the gifts for the visit.

Although Qing'er presented herself as a gentle and affectionate wife to Zhang Bing, she was quite capable outside. Her own agency was thriving, and her wines had entered major high-end entertainment venues in the provincial capital. Last night, it was precisely because she personally went to Rolling Stone to promote the wine that she was tricked into a private room by a few thugs colluding with one of her salespeople, narrowly escaping being assaulted. Such incidents could be avoided with a little more caution. The incident proved that her arrangements were very popular. Accustomed to a life of luxury, Ma Pei repeatedly praised Qingyun's cooking during the meal, noting its deliciousness and proximity to her school, promising to visit often. She quickly became close with Zhang Qingyun, addressing her as "Sister Qingyun" with genuine sincerity, demonstrating Qingyun's social skills.

After dinner, it was already 7 PM. The three hurried to Qingyun's house to retrieve the gifts they had bought and drove straight to Director Liu's house.

Director Liu, having learned everything from his sister and brother-in-law, was quite impressed with the young village official. Knowing his brother-in-law intended to mentor him, he decided to have a serious talk with him and use his connections to help him. Seeing that he had brought the woman he had rescued the previous night, he was even more impressed by the young man's social skills and thoughtfulness.

Zhang Qingyun had prepared two gifts. Since her relationship with Zhang Bing was still a secret, they only mentioned being old classmates in front of others. One gift was a token of gratitude to Director Liu for saving her life, and the other was a greeting gift for Zhang Bing, as Director Liu had invited her to his home. Zhang Bing didn't worry about any of this, simply following Qing'er's instructions. As he got out of the car and took out the gifts, Zhang Bing felt a surge of gratitude: "Having a wife is truly wonderful!" Unfortunately, Ma Pei was there as a third wheel, following Zhang Bing everywhere. She clung to his arm the moment they got out of the car, making him quite annoyed. His plan to kiss Qing'er was completely thwarted. However, Qing'er, understanding his gaze, was already very happy, feeling that her meticulous preparations hadn't been in vain. The

door was opened by Ma Pei's aunt, a beautiful middle-aged woman around 40. Seeing Ma Pei affectionately clinging to a man's arm, a hint of surprise appeared on her face, but more than that, joy. She quickly invited them in, "Ah, it's Xiao Pei! This must be your brother Zhang Bing, right? Come in!" Ma Pei greeted her aunt happily, and without ceremony, rushed to the door to get slippers for the other two to change into, appearing very familiar with the family. Her aunt simply watched with a smile, nodding and greeting the three.

"Second Uncle, I brought Brother Zhang Bing with me! Why didn't you come to greet me? Why are you hiding in the study?" Seeing no one in the living room, the little girl called out to the study. It was clear she was very comfortable and at ease with her uncle's house, immediately acting coquettishly.

"Haha, you little brat! You come to your uncle's house ten days a month, don't you know it yet? It's enough that you, the little host, are entertaining your Brother Zhang Bing. Do I, this old man, need to get in the way?" The half-open study door opened, and Director Liu walked out with a smile. He patted his niece's head with the affection of a father doting on his daughter, nodded to Zhang Bing, whose face was slightly red because the little girl was still clinging to his arm, and then gestured for Zhang Qingyun behind him to sit down.

"Second Uncle, what good news did you invite Brother Zhang Bing over? If not, I'll be angry! I was planning to go out and play again tonight, but you ruined it!" After Ma Pei greeted Zhang Bing and Zhang Qingyun as a hostess and seated them, she approached her uncle with a spoiled, girlish tone, deliberately accusing him.

"You little rascal, it seems your uncle has spoiled you rotten. So many people from the city come to our house to sit for a while, but your uncle always chases them away. Now, I just wanted to invite Brother Zhang Bing over for a visit, and you're already accusing me?" Auntie, who had brought over some fruit, overheard this and deliberately put on a stern face, feigning displeasure. She then quickly shook her head with a disappointed smile and winked at Zhang Bing. "Looks like girls are more inclined to be affectionate. In just a few days, you've already taken a liking to someone's brother!"

Auntie's vivid actions and words immediately drew a burst of laughter from everyone. Although it made Zhang Bing a little embarrassed, the tension she felt when she first entered the room disappeared, and the atmosphere in the living room became much more relaxed.

Ma Pei, of course, denied what her aunt had said and ran over to start a fight. In the end, it was her uncle who came to her rescue, saying, "Alright, girl, don't be shy. Your aunt was just joking." Then he turned to Zhang Bing and Zhang Qingyun, "Nothing happened after last night, right?"

Of course, things got serious afterward. The two of them had gone to bed together and were quite passionate. How could it be considered nothing happened? The two of them exchanged a glance and saw the smile in each other's eyes, but they quickly looked away, afraid of being seen through by others. Zhang Qingyun quickly replied gratefully and respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Director Liu. After Zhang Bing took me home last night, I slept it off and was fine. Qingyun thanks you again for saving my life, Director Liu." "

That's good!" Director Liu nodded. "Society is quite chaotic now, and we police officers are often powerless. We can only rely on our own caution!" He then glanced at the three young men, and finally glared at Ma Pei. "The city is a mixed bag now. Try not to go to those chaotic places, especially little Pei Pei. Don't run around all the time. You'll regret it when you suffer!"

These words seemed to be a reprimand to Ma Pei, but Zhang Bing and the other man, who were used to social situations, understood the implication. It was clearly a reprimand for Zhang Qingyun for going to such places and causing so much trouble. Director Liu probably misunderstood Zhang Qingyun, thinking that she was greedy for that young scoundrel's power and money and was trying to curry favor with him. After all, this kind of phenomenon is very common now, and everyone is familiar with it.

Qing'er had just received a life-saving favor, and being in a leader's house, she naturally couldn't refute or argue. Zhang Bing, however, couldn't hold back. He knew arguing was inappropriate, but not arguing and letting his beloved woman suffer in front of him was too much for his pride. So, after hesitating for a moment, he smiled and explained to Director Liu, "Director Liu's criticism is correct. I really shouldn't have taken Ma Pei to that kind of place yesterday. I'll definitely be more careful in the future! But from my perspective, I think it was really lucky. Yesterday, Qingyun was tricked by his subordinates and that scoundrel." "It just so happens that I managed to save my old classmate and also met you, Director Liu, a city leader. How lucky I am!"

Although his tone was very tactful, everyone could still hear the meaning behind Zhang Bing's explanation. Qing'er looked at him happily, but there was also undisguised worry in her eyes. Director Liu had been in a high position for many years, and few people dared to disobey his instructions, so he also gave Zhang Bing a strange look. Presumably considering County Magistrate Ma's instructions, he ultimately did not do anything strange, but just smiled slightly and did not speak. However, the gentle atmosphere just now became heavy again.

Finally, Ma Pei broke the deadlock, running to Director Liu and starting to whine, "Second Uncle, how can you talk to me like that? You're the city's Public Security Bureau Chief, Political and Legal Affairs Secretary, and Standing Committee Member of the Municipal Party Committee. If your niece can't even go singing, what's the point of your position! Second Uncle, you love Peipei the most. Dad said he'll have Zhang Bing take me out to play more often, so please don't blame us!"

Ma Pei was clever; her father was the backbone of the family, and although her uncle held a higher position, he always obeyed her father. Since her father wanted to cultivate Zhang Bing, her second uncle had no reason to be the bad guy, so she dared to continue offering suggestions, "Second Uncle, what I said makes sense, doesn't it? Hehe! If..." "If you're really worried about us, then take us to more banquets and events hosted by your municipal government and public security system. That way, everyone will know us, and they won't make things difficult for us in the future, out of respect for you. They'll probably be too busy trying to curry favor with us, hehe, right?"

Director Liu was just a little surprised and unaccustomed to it, but he wasn't so petty as to hold a grudge against a junior. Besides, this young man was someone his respected brother-in-law valued. So he smiled affectionately at Ma Pei and beckoned her to sit next to him. "Our little princess has quite a few ideas, doesn't she? They really sound plausible. But before, you declined when we asked you to go, and now you're begging to attend those banquets, huh?"

"So that Brother Zhang Bing can play with me more in the future!" Ma Pei, no longer shy, ran to Zhang Bing's side, grabbed his hand, and looked at him with longing. "Brother Zhang Bing, isn't that great? This way, it'll be easier for you to get things done in the city!"

Having said that, how could Zhang Bing refuse? Besides, this was something he desperately wanted. He quickly and sincerely agreed, "Director Liu, oh, I'm sorry, Secretary Liu, thank you for your guidance and care, thank you!"

This time, Secretary Liu didn't tease his niece anymore. Instead, he looked at Zhang Bing seriously, his stern gaze lingering on him for a while. Seeing that Zhang Bing didn't flinch but continued to look at him sincerely, he smiled with satisfaction. "Connections in official circles. My brother-in-law said he thinks highly of you. Work hard!"

"Hehe, Second Uncle, who are you planning to introduce Brother Zhang Bing to? The mayor or the Party Secretary?" Ma Pei was very happy that things had gone smoothly and continued to liven up the atmosphere.

"You silly girl! Do you think I'm the provincial party secretary, able to meet the city's top two leaders whenever I want? Xiao Bing, there's a party for our city's police system tomorrow night. All the heads of the city's public security system will be there. You and your daughter should meet me at the Huatian Hotel at 6 pm tomorrow. I'll show you around. As for future events, I'll let you know when the opportunity arises, okay?" Having already decided to help, Secretary Liu immediately displayed his military style, without hesitation.

Later, everyone chatted about some news events in the city. Seeing that it was almost 11 pm, Zhang Bing and his companion got up to say goodbye, ending the visit amicably. Considering that he and Qing'er didn't have a public relationship, Zhang Bing had to go the extra mile. He first took Qing'er home, then went to County Chief Ma's house to take Ma Pei home and chatted for a few minutes about today's visit, sincerely thanking the county chief for his care, before returning to the city. He was somewhat eager for Qing'er's intoxicating body. He had already arranged to stay at her house for the next few days, and Qing'er, who had just been nourished by love, also longed for his embrace.

Chapter Nineteen: Rumors Abound.

With the enthusiastic help of Director Ma and Section Chief Xu, and with Secretary Wang subtly revealing County Head Ma's favor towards Zhang Bing, the data retrieval went very smoothly. Various units sent their deputy heads to entertain them, providing the green light for any information they needed, and even sending capable personnel to explain and analyze it. Lunch was arranged daily at the respective bureaus' own guesthouses, a high-class affair. Zhang Bing calculated that each meal was no less expensive than the banquet he had hosted for the town government leaders at Chunya Mountain Villa, and perhaps even more. He couldn't help but marvel at the hospitality and generosity of the county's various units during his breaks, a stark contrast to the dilapidated offices and stingy practices of the village and town-level institutions. He resolved to ask the county departments for more support in the future. Director Ma simply smiled and remained silent, but Section Chief Xu's eyes darted around, directly revealing the truth: "Do you think everyone is this enthusiastic? And how rich are all these departments, feasting on meat and fish every day?" "I've been in the county for so long, running around to various departments to coordinate investment several times a month, but I've rarely received this kind of hospitality. Sometimes I'm even treated coldly! They only benefit from this because they heard you've gained the county head's favor and are now his favorite." Section Chief Xu paused, hesitant, but finally spoke, "You say they're rich? Let me tell you, take the Civil Affairs Bureau we went to this morning, for example. They're a poor unit, constantly asking the county party committee and government for money. I heard many retirees' salaries have been delayed for two months, and the employees are about to petition, but their leaders keep suppressing it, saying anyone who goes will be fired. But the Deputy Director Xu who had lunch with us is living a life of debauchery and has many mistresses. And I heard the Civil Affairs Bureau's staff dormitories are dilapidated, but the leaders just raised money to build several villas to enjoy! This society these days!" He finished, shaking his head with a pitying expression, looking indignant. Hearing this, Zhang Bing didn't dare say anything more, but Director Ma gave Section Chief Xu a meaningful look.

Zhang Bing had brought up this topic to reflect the difficulties in the work below and hoped for more support from the leaders, but Section Chief Xu had steered it towards something else. He couldn't understand what she meant. Logically, she shouldn't have said these things in front of him, a mere village head, as it could be seen as exposing the contradictions of the higher authorities to a subordinate. Moreover, he had noticed Director Ma's expression and felt that something was amiss. Unable to figure it out, he called Li Huan for advice. Li Huan thought for a moment and told him that Section Chief Xu might have a conspiracy, but he didn't know the specifics. He simply told Zhang Bing not to worry about it and not to spread the word, to act as if nothing had happened. Zhang Bing had initially considered reporting this to County Chief Ma because he felt it involved a serious issue, especially given the nationwide crackdown on prostitution. However, after listening to Li Huan, he refrained from doing so and kept it to himself. It wasn't until the next day, during a casual conversation with Secretary Wang, that Wang Yicheng bluntly stated, "You'd better stay away from that woman. She's very cunning. Her younger brother is a mid-level cadre in the Civil Affairs Bureau. Last year, he was outmaneuvered by Director Xu in the deputy director election. She probably wants to get County Chief Ma to hear through you, so that whether it's investigating Deputy Director Xu or the entire Civil Affairs Bureau, her brother will have a chance to rise in rank." Secretary Wang gave him a deep look. "Zhang Bing, we're brothers. I'm telling you this out of kindness, but you're already being watched by many people with ulterior motives. There's bound to be a lot of drama going on, so be careful. Listen more, speak less, don't easily cause trouble, and don't easily offend people. The competition in officialdom is too treacherous and fierce. You haven't adapted yet. A mature cadre wouldn't have said those things and been misled by Section Chief Xu." Only then did Zhang Bing realize his importance. Secretary Wang sincerely warned him that given Zhang Bing's current position, no one would easily offend him, fearing he might speak ill of them to the county magistrate and jeopardize their own positions. Many would also use him to relay messages to achieve their own ends. And most dangerously, some would be envious of Zhang Bing's favorable treatment or afraid it would affect their own status. Since Zhang Bing lacked a strong foundation, his favor with the county magistrate was likely accidental or unstable. These people would take advantage of his current lack of real power and position to find fault with him and ruin his reputation. This was the most dangerous thing; he must be extremely careful and cautious in his words and actions.

Secretary Wang's words proved prophetic; on his fourth day in the county, his troubles began.

He had just started work that morning when he received a call from Li Huan, her tone more hesitant than usual. "Xiao Bing, how have you been these past few days? How many more days until you're back?"

Zhang Bing was a little puzzled. He called Li Huan and Xiao Feifei every night and had told Li Huan about his work. Why was she asking again? But he didn't think much of it. "Sister Huan, didn't I tell you last night? I think it'll be finished in two more days. I'm doing well here. County Chief Ma is very supportive of my work."

"Oh, really? Maybe Feifei was fussing last night, and I didn't hear clearly on the phone." Li Huan was somewhat evasive.

"Feifei was fussing? You didn't tell me last night! Is she sick? Did you take her to the hospital?" Zhang Bing adored his clever and adorable little girl, so he was very anxious.

"She's not sick, don't worry, she's just—maybe she misses you, that's why she's being a little fussy. She keeps asking for her brother and dad to hold her at home, and I heard she did the same at kindergarten."

"Hehe, tell her I miss Feifei too, and I'll take her out to play and go shopping as soon as I get back."

After a moment of silence, Li Huan sighed, "Xiao Bing, Feifei was saying at kindergarten how good her brother and dad are to her, she seemed so proud, and then—and then a lot of people found out!"

Zhang Bing was taken aback. Li Huan never fussed over such a small thing. The fact that she emphasized Feifei calling her brother and dad "dad" to so many people meant something was wrong, and her tone was so troubled...wait, a lot of people? "Sister Huan, do you mean that now many people in town know I'm Feifei's brother and father?"

"Yes, they all know, and—and not only that, there are rumors about my relationship with you, about your relationship with Ma Pei—it's all a mess!" Li Huan paused, figuring that once she got to the point, things would be easier to explain, so she decided to be clear all at once, afraid her simple-minded brother wouldn't understand. "What I mean is, this is definitely a conspiracy, a conspiracy against you. It's not just in town, it's probably spread throughout the county. You must have offended someone in the county, so they're plotting to investigate you, to frame you. They want to ruin your reputation with your conduct, to make you lose face. You have to be careful!" Li Huan was very anxious, worried about her beloved, simple-minded brother. If this matter escalated, his future would be ruined, which would be terrible. As for herself, although the rumors involved her, she was certain she wasn't the target, so it wasn't a big deal, and she didn't care.

Zhang Bing was startled. It was truly a ghost story; what she feared most had come true. Secretary Wang had just finished speaking, and now it had actually happened. What should she do? They definitely needed to find the culprit and the source of the rumors to control the impact as much as possible, otherwise a small matter would escalate

into a big one. But work was paramount, so he could only work first and think of solutions while working. Today, they went to the Finance Bureau to look up some relevant project data. At first, everything was fine; Deputy Director Zhang of the Finance Bureau warmly received them and had the relevant documents moved to the small conference room for them to review and extract. He also kept asking Zhang Bing questions, trying his best to get close to him. But after he went out for a while and came back to deliver another batch of documents, the perceptive Zhang Bing noticed the change in his attitude. He was much more perfunctory towards him and stammered, trying to find out about his situation in Chunhua Town. A subtle sneer appeared on his lips, but Zhang Bing was engrossed in data analysis and didn't pay much attention. A little while later, Secretary Wang called.

"Zhang Bing, where are you?" His tone was urgent, lacking his usual composure.

"Brother Wang, we're just at the Finance Bureau, what could possibly be so urgent for you?"

"It's all because of your messy affairs, that's why your older brother is so anxious! Have you heard the news? About you?" Secretary Wang was both sincere and annoyed.

"Mine? We've been checking the records at the Finance Bureau, but we haven't heard anything!" Zhang Bing couldn't sit still any longer, his voice getting louder. Afraid of disturbing others' work and not wanting them to know the content of the call, he ran to the balcony at the end of the corridor.

Secretary Wang was truly annoyed. "You brat, I just told you to be careful with your words and actions, don't cause trouble, and this morning trouble has arrived. Now the whole county government is talking about your conduct, it seems like you had an affair with a married woman in Chunhua Town, even using absurd terms like 'brother' and 'father.' I'm afraid it will reach County Chief Ma's ears, so I called you right away!" Secretary Wang's words were harsh; he knew better than anyone else Zhang Bing's importance in the county chief's eyes, and he was also aware of Ma Pei's attachment to him.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Bing calmed down. "Brother Wang, I know about this. Thank you. Leave it to me. These are all rumors. The 'brother, father' thing is just a little girl who lacks fatherly love calling me that because she likes me. The innocent will clear themselves. I'll explain to County Chief Ma myself, don't worry!" Actually, he didn't know how to resolve it, but he knew that rumors without basis would disappear in a few days as long as the parties involved ignored them.

"Don't be so careless. These things can sometimes be deadly. Here's what we'll do: I'll try my best to suppress it and prevent it from reaching County Chief Ma's ears. You, on the other hand, should focus on getting Ma Pei on your side. If Ma Pei doesn't believe it, it's better for her to explain to County Chief Ma. You shouldn't go to the county chief about this yourself; that would only make things worse." Secretary Wang knew his brother well, and they had gotten along very well these past few days. He had decided to stick with him, so he was trying his best to help.

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Bing thought for a moment. Secretary Wang's suggestion was indeed the simplest and most convenient. The purpose of this rumor was obvious: to ruin his reputation and make him lose County Chief Ma as his backer. Unfortunately, although the person who spread the rumor put in a lot of effort, they still underestimated his relationship with County Chief Ma. The friendship built in Beijing couldn't be destroyed by this rumor. Besides, County Chief Ma still needed his help; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so eager for him to return to work. He believed that even without Ma Pei's influence, County Chief Ma would still support his work, although the level of support might not be the same as it was now. So, it would be good to have a chance to explain this to Ma Pei. He'd see if the opportunity arose; if not, so be it.

He didn't move in the corner of the balcony, trying to organize his thoughts and find out who started the rumor. From the information he had, this person had considerable influence. They had investigated without making a sound and then had the town and county spread the news on the same day. They were really scheming. He hadn't offended anyone in the county, so who could it be?

He was still pondering this when he felt the power of the rumor again. He heard a conversation between two girls coming from the bathroom next door.

"Have you heard? That village official who's been all the rage in the county lately?"

"Village official? You mean that college graduate village official who came here today to check some information?"

"Yes, a college graduate, the first college graduate village official in our county. He's not much to look at, but I heard he's got a knack for picking up women."

"What, did he mess with you? That's good, I heard County Chief Ma is going to transfer him to the county, probably as a deputy section chief right away, and he'll be one of County Chief Ma's favorites. Then you'll be climbing the social ladder, won't you?"

"You're crazy! He's the County Chief Ma's daughter's Zhang Bing-gege, the guy she talks about all the time. I'd kill myself if I tried to compete with him! Besides, I don't want such a womanizer. Haven't you heard? He's all lovey-dovey with that pretty young women's director in their village, and when he got to the county, he was chasing after the County Chief's daughter. He's a total womanizer."

"No way, I heard he's having an affair with a married woman in their town, and her daughter calls him 'brother' and 'dad,' haha. It's all over the county government now. I wonder what County Chief Ma will think when he hears this? 'Did he misjudge people?'"

"Alright, keep your voice down. It'll be bad if people hear you. He's still the county chief's favorite. You'll be in trouble. Come on, get back to work. The director will yell at us again if we don't finish entering those data by morning."

Chapter Twenty: The Vice Governor's Shock

In the afternoon, Zhang Bing received another call from Li Huan, her tone relaxed.

"Xiao Bing, do your sister a favor."

"Sister Huan, what are you saying? Your business is my business. Why are you saying 'help'? You're being so formal, your brother will get angry!" Zhang Bing instinctively felt something was wrong. Li Huan always ordered him around in a friendly yet seemingly fierce manner, never this politely.

"Take a morning off tomorrow and come pick up Feifei from school to take her to her grandpa's. He called today saying he misses her, but I'm busy tomorrow." Zhang Bing detected a hint of seriousness in the relaxed tone.

"No problem, I'll pick up my little darling tomorrow morning. Hehe, I'm taking her to the provincial capital too." "

Xiao Bing, why don't you take her shopping? Feifei loves riding on your shoulders while shopping. Also, if possible, ask—ask Ma Pei to come with you!" Towards the end, the voice on the other end of the phone became very unusual; Zhang Bing could hear suppressed sobs.

"Sister Huan? What's wrong? And why did you ask Ma Pei to come with us? Little Feifei doesn't like strangers. You should come with us; she'll be happiest that way." Zhang Bing felt a pang of anxiety when he heard the pitiful woman's cries. He understood her meaning; it was similar to Secretary Wang's suggestion. As long as Ma Pei saw Feifei, Zhang Bing would have a chance to clarify things, and the rumors wouldn't be so scary. Sister Huan was truly thinking of him, even if it meant suffering more herself. "Sister Huan, don't think so much. I've told you everything that's been going on every day. There's nothing between Ma Pei and me. I guess her clinginess is just a childish thing; it won't last long. Let's ignore those rumors and let them go. I'll pick you both up tomorrow to go to the provincial capital, okay? My precious Feifei needs you by her side!" (

crying) The voice was finally clear. Li Huan no longer hid anything. "Xiao Bing, remember, I'm your older sister. I'll do everything for your own good. You have to explain to Ma Pei, or I won't forgive you. I really have something to do tomorrow and can't get away. Besides, I don't want to see my parents right now. I've told you I'm ashamed to face them. Okay, that's enough. Come to my house early tomorrow morning to pick up Fei Fei. I've put her grandfather's address in Fei Fei's pocket. You can have a good chat with the old man and have lunch there."

Hearing the dial tone, Zhang Bing knew what Li Huan was hiding. Thinking of this beautiful woman who had been so good to him, thinking of that passionate kiss and sharing a bed that night, thinking of her tears, Zhang Bing felt a pang of heartache. He didn't know exactly what his feelings were for this older sister; they seemed very complicated.

The next morning, around 6 a.m., Zhang Bing headed to Chunhua Town. He wanted to get there before Li Huan went to work and try to persuade her to come to the provincial capital again. But when he arrived at 7:30 a.m., the nanny taking care of Fei Fei said she had already gone out to visit villages that day, so she left very early. Zhang Bing knew Li Huan was doing it on purpose, so he had no choice but to pick up Fei Fei and leave. Li Huan had already prepared the gift for the old man and put it in the car.

When Fei Fei saw Zhang Bing and knew they were going shopping, she was naturally overjoyed, chirping like a little oriole. She kept calling out to her brother and father, expressing her longing and joy over the past few days. When they arrived in the city, Zhang Bing thought it over and over, but he was still afraid of wasting Huan Jie's kindness and angering her so much that she would really ignore him. So he had no choice but to follow Huan Jie's instructions and call Ma Pei to invite her to go shopping together. He thought Ma Pei would probably be in class and not available, so he would have an excuse to go. To his surprise, the little girl was very happy and immediately agreed, so he had to drive to the school to pick her up.

Feifei also liked this childlike older sister very much, calling her "sister" happily, but she was clearly more attached to Zhang Bing. She would ride on Zhang Bing's shoulders or lie on his back, unwilling to move, excitedly pointing east and west at her "brother" and "father." She bought many small toys, and no matter how Ma Pei tried to tempt her, she wouldn't let Ma Pei hold her or allow Ma Pei to hug Zhang Bing's arm; otherwise, she wouldn't call him "sister" or even acknowledge him.

"Brother Zhang Bing, it's strange, why does Feifei call you 'brother' and 'father'? It's such a strange way to address you." While Feifei was choosing toys at a small stall, Ma Pei finally affectionately hugged Zhang Bing's arm, a long-lost feeling that made her very comfortable.

Zhang Bing was startled; it happened so quickly! "Have you heard some rumors?"

"What rumors? I just find this way of addressing you strange. What's wrong? Why are you reacting so strongly?" Ma Pei hadn't heard any rumors; she was just curious.

“Hehe, it’s nothing. There’s a story behind this nickname. Let me tell you, it’s what my darling Feifei calls me. She doesn’t have a father, and we get along really well. I like her a lot. Her mom told her to call me ‘uncle,’ but she refused, insisting on calling me ‘brother,’ saying only brothers would play with her. Later, after having a lot of fun and being teased by other children, she changed her nickname to this, as a way of making up for her lack of a father. It’s still a secret between us, haha, isn’t that interesting?” Zhang Bing explained the story, including their shopping trip in Chunhua Town.

“Oh, it seems you’re really good to her. But she’s so cute, I like her too, hehe, let’s go buy her some clothes!” The innocent Ma Pei was very touched. She felt sorry for this child without a father and liked her even more.

In the end, the two bought a lot of things for the little one. Zhang Bing was grateful for Ma Pei’s help and bought her a relatively expensive dress, which made her very happy. It wasn’t until 11 o’clock that Zhang Bing finally pulled the two girls away, reluctant to part, and took Ma Pei back to school.

As the car turned into the Honghu Villa, Zhang Bing began to feel nervous. He had never met an official before. When he encountered a low-ranking civil servant or a minor policeman, he would respectfully offer a cigarette and speak cautiously, always watching their expressions. But this past month, he had become a regular at the offices of the town mayor and the county magistrate, and he had finally grown used to being oblivious to their presence. But today, it was a vice-governor, a position at the vice-ministerial level—a figure he had never even dared to dream of before. What should he say? Fortunately, he was at home, with the man's adorable granddaughter, so he probably wouldn't need to say much. Never mind, if he felt awkward, he would quickly find an excuse to leave. He absolutely could not dine at the same table as the vice-governor; if he made a fool of himself, it would be a huge problem. The vice-governor could veto his career, and his path to becoming an official would be over, even with the county magistrate's help.

Zhang Bing's mind raced with these thoughts. Luckily, his adorable daughter, Feifei, was beside him, making funny faces and gestures; otherwise, he probably would have turned tail and run. After being contacted by the duty office, he was guided by the security guard to a three-story classical villa. The surrounding area was filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, with a small stream flowing through a bamboo grove—a truly tranquil place.

Feifei, with the door key on her chest, reached for the door, clinging to Zhang Bing's shoulder. Zhang Bing, feeling it would be impolite, rang the doorbell instead. The door opened quickly, revealing a tall, thin young man who resembled Secretary Wang, presumably Vice Governor Li's secretary. Behind him, a kind-faced, snow-white-haired old woman rushed out from the kitchen, looking extremely excited, her eyes seemingly filled with tears, her lips trembling as she remained silent.

As soon as the door opened, Feifei felt like she was back home in Chunhua Town. She nimbly jumped down from Zhang Bing's arms and snuggled into the excited old woman's embrace, excitedly shouting, "Grandpa, Grandma, Feifei's here!" After the old woman hugged and kissed her affectionately, her little eyes noticed Zhang Bing still standing at the door. She didn't want to leave, so she broke free and pulled Zhang Bing's smiling hand, saying, "Brother, Daddy, come in quickly! This is Feifei's grandpa and grandma's house. Grandpa and grandma are so kind, they love Feifei so much, there's lots of delicious food!" "!"

Zhang Bing changed into the slippers his secretary brought, patted Fei Fei's little head, and greeted the old lady with a smile, "Hello, Auntie, I'm Zhang Bing, I brought Fei Fei here specifically."

Unexpectedly, the old lady was stunned after glancing at Zhang Bing, her face filled with surprise and joy. Her mouth remained agape for a long time, her eyes darting around, but she stared intently at Zhang Bing. After a long while, Zhang Bing, almost dying of embarrassment, finally heard her trembling voice, gesturing to her back, "Old man, old man, come quick! Come quick!" Her tone was very excited.

The other three people at the door were all bewildered, the atmosphere extremely awkward. The secretary stood calmly to one side, Fei Fei's little head kept turning between her grandmother, brother, and father, while Zhang Bing, holding Fei Fei's hand, stood there helplessly. Just then, an old man in his fifties, wearing reading glasses and holding a newspaper, came out of the living room. He complained as he walked, "You old woman, even though your granddaughter hasn't been back for half a year, there's no need to be so excited! Quickly let Feifei come inside to warm up by the fire, it's cold outside!" He then bent down and stretched out his hands to Feifei, "Feifei, come here and give Grandpa a hug, it's been so long, I missed you so much!"

The old woman grabbed him, "Old man, look, look!" She pointed at Zhang Bing, trembling with excitement.

Vice Governor Li didn't get up, still preparing to receive Fei Fei's hug. He merely glanced at Zhang Bing casually, and then, as if frozen in place, his eyes didn't move again. He was even more excited than the old lady, leaping to Zhang Bing in a flash. He threw the newspaper on the ground, took off his reading glasses to wipe his eyes, and stared intently at Zhang Bing, remaining motionless for a long time. He mumbled incoherently the name "Feng'er," his face deathly pale, his whole body trembling. He gripped the old lady's arm tightly as she approached from behind, while reaching out with his other hand to grab Zhang Bing.

Little Feifei, who had been playfully swaying her head back and forth, suddenly became upset. She was probably terrified by her grandfather's pale face, thinking he was going to hit her brother and father. She burst into tears and ran to Zhang Bing, acting like a little eagle protecting its mother, trying to stop her grandfather from grabbing Zhang Bing. Between sobs, she cried, "Grandpa's bad! Grandpa, don't bully my brother and father! Don't! I'm going back to tell Mom!"

The granddaughter's cries woke everyone. Vice Governor Li was the first to snap out of it, withdrawing his wolfish gaze from Zhang Bing. He pulled the old lady beside him, still lost in her own emotions, patted her shoulder, let out a long sigh, and then picked up his struggling granddaughter. "Alright, Feifei, be good. Grandpa won't bully you. Let's go inside and eat!" Then he turned and headed towards the living room without looking back. The old lady, having composed herself, wiped away her tears, smiled at Zhang Bing, and took his hand. "Zhang Bing, right? Huan'er called and mentioned you, saying that Feifei really likes you. Come in and sit down, dinner's almost ready, hehe!" Her tone was that of a parent's loving care for their child. Before Zhang Bing could reply, she pulled him towards the living room, her grip on his arm tight, as if afraid he'd run away. The secretary at the door smiled, closed the door, and came in.

After Zhang Bing was seated on the sofa, Xiao Feifei, having calmed down under her grandfather's comforting words, ran over and jumped into Zhang Bing's arms. Standing on the sofa, her tear-streaked face turned serious as she said to her grandparents, who were staring at her curiously, "Mommy said that when we come in, Feifei should introduce her brother and daddy to Grandpa and Grandma. Her brother and daddy's name is Zhang Bing, and they love Feifei just as much as Mommy does!" As she spoke, she proudly kissed Zhang Bing, then pouted, "Grandpa and Grandma, you're so mean! Mommy said that polite Feifei should introduce her brother and daddy when we come in, but I forgot because Grandpa scared me. Now Feifei can't be a polite little girl!"

Everyone was amused by Feifei's adorable expression, but seeing her serious face, they all tried to suppress their laughter. However, the tense atmosphere from before was dispelled, and everyone relaxed. Zhang Bing's tense heart finally relaxed. She lovingly wiped away the tears still clinging to Fei Fei's face with a damp towel. "Fei Fei, you're a good girl. You're very polite. Your brother will tell Mom." Then she stood up, turned to the old man, and bowed respectfully: "Vice Governor Li, Auntie, hello, I'm Zhang Bing. I apologize for the trouble I caused you earlier!"

The old man had already put on a normal expression and waved his hand: "Zhang Bing, don't be so polite. Huan'er called and mentioned you, and Fei Fei always speaks highly of you on the phone. We're all so envious, haha! Now it's proven that Fei Fei really cares more about you than us. We'll have to trouble you more often in the future!" His tone held a mixture of disappointment and relief.

"No, that's not true! Mom said Grandpa, Grandma, my brother, and Dad are all very good to Feifei, and I love them all!" After saying that, she glanced at her grandfather, jumped over, and hugged his neck. "Grandpa, please don't bully my brother and Dad anymore, okay? Grandpa can't let me ride horses or go shopping with me. I can only play with my brother and Dad for those things. Mom said that my brother and Dad will often take me to Grandpa and Grandma's to play!"

Zhang Bing was afraid that Feifei would make her grandfather angry if she continued, so she quickly changed the subject: "Vice Governor Li, Sister Huan asked me to bring a lot of things for you two. They're all in the car downstairs. Shall I go get them now?"

"Xiao Bing, I heard you and Huan'er call each other brother and sister, that's great! You're Huan'er's godson, so you're our godson too. Just call him Uncle at home, don't be so formal. This house is your home too, welcome to come often!" Then she turned to the secretary and nodded, "Secretary Tian, go downstairs with your brother Zhang and help carry things upstairs, dinner will be ready soon."

The old lady nodded in agreement, "Yes, Xiao Bing, Fei Fei just said that Huan'er wants you to bring him here to play often. Don't be so formal, come visit us often, chat with us old folks. If you'd like, I'd even like to recognize you as my godson, hehe!" She kept winking at the old man, but he ignored her, just smiling at Zhang Bing.

"Uncle and Aunt, you're too kind, Zhang Bing doesn't deserve it. I'll go carry things now." Zhang Bing was completely confused by the two old people today, but being polite and cautious wouldn't hurt. She'd ask Huan'er when she got back.

Zhang Bing and Secretary Tian went to move things together, and they quickly became acquainted. Secretary Tian noticed the vice governor's strange attitude towards Zhang Bing. Although he wasn't sure what it was, he knew it wasn't dislike, so he chatted with him pleasantly, without putting on airs as the governor's secretary, and even gave Zhang Bing his phone number.

The old lady had prepared a meal herself. She had been busy all morning for her only granddaughter, and the meal was lavish, filled with all of Xiao Feifei's favorite dishes. The old lady was especially excited at the table, constantly piling food onto her granddaughter's plate. She also filled Zhang Bing's bowl to the brim, leaving the poor Zhang Bing both bloated and amused, and he had to keep thanking her. Luckily, the old lady managed to get him out of the predicament.

"Xiao Bing, why does Fei Fei call you 'brother' and 'dad'? That's a really strange way to address you." It turned out that Vice Governor Li had only heard his daughter mention that his granddaughter really liked one of her colleagues and kept calling him "brother," so he hadn't paid much attention. He'd been distracted by the shock he'd experienced before dinner, so he only noticed the oddity now. The term was ambiguous, and if Fei Fei called him that publicly, it could lead to misunderstandings. He really didn't know what his daughter was thinking, allowing this.

Zhang Bing had anticipated this question before coming; anyone would be surprised and ask, let alone Fei Fei's grandparents. He could only recount the events of that evening's shopping trip, attributing the problem to the little girl's innocence. "I think Fei Fei always feels that other people have fathers while she doesn't. She likes me, her 'brother,' and after her classmate mentioned it, she probably had this strange idea. Anyway, it's just a form of address; it doesn't matter. As long as she's happy." Looking at his elated granddaughter, the old man didn't say anything more, just sighed, preparing to go back and ask his daughter for clarification. He had many questions to ask her tonight anyway, and it would be best if she could come back.

Chapter Twenty-One: The Feud

After dinner, Zhang Bing immediately took his leave, knowing he had to go to work that afternoon. He was also genuinely afraid to stay there, especially by the two elderly people's gazes; they felt strange and uncomfortable. So, no matter how much the old lady tried to persuade him to stay for dinner, he refused. Little Feifei stayed at her grandfather's house, saying she'd play for two days, and Zhang Bing would pick her up the day after tomorrow when he finished work.

Afterwards, he called Li Huan, mentioning the strangeness when he entered. Li Huan smiled but didn't say much, only that he'd let him know when he got back, and that he shouldn't worry, as they felt no one in their family had any ill intentions. He suggested Zhang Bing visit more often, which made

Zhang Bing smile wryly. He continued working that afternoon, ignoring the rumors and focusing on his tasks. Seeing the plan gradually improve, he felt a sense of satisfaction. Of course, he had to thank Section Chief Xu and Director Ma for their valuable experience. Throughout the improvement process, he remained humble, constantly asking for their advice and showing them great respect. Coupled with the delicious food he received daily, the two were very generous in sharing their knowledge, and they developed a good relationship. As they were discussing where to eat near the end of the workday, Zhang Bing's phone rang. It was Deng Chunguang, the deputy director of the Furong District Public Security Bureau in the city. The two had met at a banquet hosted by the public security system the night before, introduced by Director Liu. They were from the same hometown, Chunhua Town, so they quickly became acquainted and chatted for a long time. He invited Zhang Bing and Ma Pei to dinner at the best restaurant in the city, Phoenix Restaurant, that night, saying that someone else was treating them. Zhang Bing couldn't refuse, so he had to agree.

After picking up Ma Pei from Xiangbei University, the little girl was overjoyed to be alone with Zhang Bing. She rushed into his arms, startling him. He could feel the softness and size of her breasts through her thick sweater. She deliberately rubbed against him. Looking down at her blushing, shy face, her large, watery eyes gazing deeply at him, a look of deep affection that could captivate any man, making him want to seek pleasure in her slightly parted, alluring red lips. Fortunately, Zhang Bing had been experiencing Qing'er's seductive advances every night for the past few days, and his body had developed some resistance. He quickly pushed the little girl away, looking to the side, saying, "Being this happy about food makes you think your father is abusing you. Okay, stop it, let's not keep them waiting." Then, without waiting for her to speak, he opened the car door for her, gentlemanly waiting for her to get in. The little girl had no choice but to sit in the passenger seat with a disgruntled expression.

When the car arrived at Phoenix Tower, it looked like a luxury car exhibition. All sorts of cars—elegant, prestigious, flamboyant, and lavish—were on display, even Zhang Bing, accustomed to seeing luxury cars in Beijing, couldn't recognize them all. As they approached the entrance, they were greeted by people. Surprised by the hospitality shown to ordinary citizens, they quickly went to greet them. After some small talk, they met two men nearby, both from the public security system: one was the deputy director of Xinhua Road Police Station, surnamed Zhu, and the other was the director of Furong District Public Security Bureau, Deng Chunguang's direct superior, also surnamed Zhu. They had seen this man at the banquet, but hadn't interacted much.

They were puzzled that Deng Chunguang had brought unfamiliar people, especially since the two men were clearly related—both surnamed Zhu and looked very similar. However, Deng Chunguang didn't say anything, and they didn't feel comfortable asking. The two men were exceptionally polite to them, especially the deputy director, who was practically obsequious, making Zhang Bing quite uncomfortable. Moreover, according to Deng, it was Deputy Director Zhu who was hosting the event. Originally, Director Zhu should have been seated in the head seat according to his official rank, but the three men unanimously recommended Zhang Bing for the seat. Zhang Bing, of course, wasn't arrogant enough, so he let Ma Pei sit there instead, since the young girl didn't care about anything.

With outsiders around, Zhang Bing didn't say much, appearing quite indifferent, only chatting casually about the weather forecast and news. Ma Pei only cared about her Zhang Bing brother and didn't speak to anyone else, only whispering to Zhang Bing. After a few rounds of drinks, Deputy Director Zhu and Director Zhu both stood up, holding their glasses, and approached Zhang Bing and Ma Pei. Zhang Bing immediately pulled Ma Pei up; after all, basic courtesy was necessary. In official circles, one couldn't easily offend someone, or one would suffer a terrible fate. Of the two who came, the older Deputy Director Zhu spoke first: "Director Deng didn't introduce us clearly earlier. My name is Zhu Jianguo, and this is my younger brother, Zhu Aiguo. We have long admired Brother Zhang and Miss Ma. Meeting you today, we are indeed a perfect match, truly extraordinary. This is a welcoming drink; let's drink to that!" He then downed his glass of wine. Seeing this, Director Zhu smiled slightly, "We brothers are both quite generous, let's drink to that first!" Reluctantly, Zhang Bing also drank.

But it wasn't over yet. The Zhu brothers refilled their glasses, and this time it was the younger brother, Director Zhu, who spoke, "Brother Zhang, you're so young and have such a bright future. Miss Ma is born into wealth. If you two ever come to the city, just let us know if you need anything. One call and we'll be there. My jurisdiction happens to be around Miss Ma's school, so we can guarantee excellent service! After this drink, we're friends, please!" The two brothers then emptied their glasses again. Zhang Bing was helpless, glancing at Deng Chunguang, who sat there with a wry smile and a resigned expression. Seeing Zhang Bing's expression, Deng Chunguang remained silent. Zhang Bing could only drink as well. Fortunately, he had a good tolerance for alcohol and wasn't in a hurry. He simply waited for the two brothers to reveal their true intentions, to see what was going on. However, he guessed it wouldn't be good news; otherwise, a police chief wouldn't need to be so obsequious in front of them.

Zhang Bing could wait, but Ma Pei couldn't. She'd seen too many of these banquets since childhood with her father and uncle, and it was incredibly annoying. Besides, she wanted to finish quickly so Zhang Bing could play with her. The little girl, always backed up by her father and uncle, was fearless, so she impatiently said, "I say, two bureau chiefs and directors, in principle, you've lowered yourselves to toast two ordinary people like us, and we should be grateful. But Brother Zhang Bing and I are going to my second uncle's house later. You should know my second uncle; he hates it when we drink and drive, and he'll yell at us. So let's not drink anymore, let's eat quickly." She then unceremoniously placed her drink on the table and snatched the glass from Zhang Bing's hand.

While Zhang Bing secretly rejoiced at how sensible the little girl was, the Zhu brothers were even more delighted. They hadn't known how to implicate Director Liu, and now their chance had come! The two brothers exchanged a knowing glance. The elder brother, Deputy Director Zhu, raised his glass anyway: "It seems Director Liu truly cares for you two. We parents should learn from that! We'll definitely discipline my good-for-nothing son more when we get back, and encourage him to learn from you two. Miss Ma, please put in a good word for Director Liu; we'll be incredibly grateful and will personally thank you in person later! This glass is our apology on behalf of my good-for-nothing son. Please, Brother Zhang and Miss Ma, drink this glass and give us a chance to educate our son!" He then downed his glass in one gulp, holding it up to the two men.

Zhang and Bing were stunned. What was going on? He was toasting them to discipline their son, as if a toast would magically change his mind. Wait, was he going to speak to Ma Pei's uncle? And it sounded like he'd offended them? Could it be—if that's the case, things will be complicated. Ma Pei was almost sexually assaulted, so she certainly won't be easy to talk to. Besides, Qing'er is his lover now. He scared Qing'er so much and almost stripped her naked. He can't just let it go so easily for Qing'er's sake. Judging from the two brothers' tone, Director Liu is probably furious about this. He's still keeping that scoundrel at the Municipal Bureau. The two brothers had no choice but to come to them. After all, this matter requires Director Liu's approval, and no outsider would dare to risk that trouble. Zhang Bing glanced at Ma Pei and noticed that she seemed to have thought of the same thing. He couldn't help but secretly praise this girl for not being as naive and confused as she usually appeared. Zhang Bing held her wine glass and deliberately hesitated before asking, "Director Zhu, who is your son?"

Director Zhu glanced at Deng Chunguang, probably wanting him to explain. After all, he couldn't bring himself to speak about such a shameful matter, especially with his subordinates in front of him. He had to maintain the dignity of his position as a leader. Deng Chunguang, a seasoned veteran, understood the unspoken message. Although he didn't want to get involved, he had already done his utmost by inviting Zhang Bing and Ma Pei today. He didn't even know if Zhang Bing would still consider him a friend afterward. But Director Zhu was his direct superior, so he had no choice but to speak up. "Hehe, Brother Zhang, Miss Ma, Director Zhu's son is the one you met at Rolling Stone KTV a few days ago. There was a misunderstanding then, and Director Liu said that Mr. Zhu would be 'educated' at the Municipal Bureau for a year and a half. Director Zhu, after understanding the situation, quickly came to apologize and hope to clear up the misunderstanding!" Deng Chunguang spoke while observing Zhang Bing's expression. He was quite familiar with the two of them and knew that although Director Liu was Ma Pei's uncle, Ma Pei was absolutely devoted to Zhang Bing. Women in love are all like that, so in the end, Zhang Bing had to agree. Besides, the woman who was almost raped was supposedly Zhang Bing's old classmate.

At this point, everyone knows what happened. To be honest, Ma Pei didn't care. She had an optimistic personality and forgot about things once they were over. Besides, influenced by her family, she knew some of the ugliness of politics; collusion among officials was common. If Director Liu weren't her second uncle, that scoundrel would probably have been released long ago. She was only angry that the scoundrel had openly assaulted a woman, especially since he was Zhang Bing's brother's old classmate, so she demanded that her second uncle punish him severely. Thinking of this, she secretly glanced at Zhang Bing's face and noticed he was in a difficult position, his expression a mix of anger and uncertainty. The clever Ma Pei immediately deduced Zhang Bing's thoughts: he didn't want to forgive the scoundrel, but he was hesitant to speak up. Thinking of this, Ma Pei was very happy. She could help Zhang Bing's brother again. She thought he would probably praise her later. What kind of reward should she ask for?

While secretly pleased, Ma Pei's face turned cold. She snorted, "Oh, so it was him! I get angry just thinking about that guy. He tried to seduce Sister Qingyun, and when I stopped him, he even tried to take off my clothes. What a pervert! If my second uncle hadn't arrived in time, he would have ordered Captain Shi to lock us all up in the police station, saying he'd detain us for a year and a half. Just thinking about it terrifies me!" She then deliberately leaned closer to Zhang Bing, feigning fear.

Old Zhu, with a fawning smile, bowed slightly to the two men, his plump body gleaming. "Miss Ma is right. That kid was too reckless. I didn't know the situation at the time, but after hearing what you said, I felt I should slap him a couple of times if I saw him. But Miss Ma, my son is still young and doesn't understand much, so please forgive him, Miss Ma and Brother Zhang. Besides, we've already been punished for this. My son is still in the city police station, and I heard he's been crying his eyes out for the past four days. That Captain Shi is now just an ordinary officer at a suburban police station, and I've gone from station chief to deputy station chief. His mother is crying her heart out at home every day, and the elderly in the family are also heartbroken. The house is in complete chaos. So please, for the sake of my only son and for the sake of my family's grief, please put in a good word with Director Liu and let my son come back to reunite with his family! Don't worry, I will definitely discipline him properly from now on!" He finished speaking and looked pitifully at the two men.

At this moment, the younger brother spoke up, "I, as the uncle, am also ashamed of what happened. So I beg you two to give my only nephew a chance to reform, for the sake of our friendship!" After saying this, he looked at Zhang Bing meaningfully, "I heard that Brother Zhang will be working in the officialdom in the future. Please take care of me in the future!" The threatening meaning in his words was obvious. He wanted Zhang Bing to say a word to persuade Ma Pei, since the two of them would need each other in the future.

Ma Pei looked at Zhang Bing, who was still deep in thought and expressionless. Knowing this, she decided to play the villain thoroughly. She adopted a girlish tone, "Uncles, you don't know, I never get involved in these things at home. My parents say I'm still studying and should just mind my own business. You said Young Master Zhu is still at the Municipal Bureau? I only just found out. I thought he'd been released a long time ago. So even if I wanted to help you, I couldn't say anything. If I bring up work, my uncle will kick me out. That's our family rule, and I don't care about breaking it!" Then she checked her watch and tugged at Zhang Bing anxiously, "Brother Zhang Bing, are you full? We agreed to go to Second Uncle's house, but we're running out of time! Let's go!" Without waiting for Zhang Bing to reply, she hurriedly pulled him outside, saying goodbye to the three of them.

Zhang Bing was racking his brains trying to figure out how to refuse the two brothers' demands while still maintaining a respectable appearance. Seeing the girl's performance, he quickly played along, pretending to be drunk and rambling as he said goodbye to the three men. He staggered out after Ma Pei, leaving the three dumbfounded. For a long while, he could vaguely hear Director Zhu yelling, "This kid doesn't know what's good for him! See if he'll ever need to beg for favors again!" He knew he had offended the Zhu brothers; this feud was now set in stone. However, his current work wasn't related to the public security system, so he figured it would be difficult to get help from them. Besides, his connections were strong enough; he didn't need to be afraid of them, so he didn't take it seriously.

A strong appeal for red flowers: Brothers and sisters, secretly save this post and give Xiao San a few flowers, okay? Of course, we don't object to those who want to vote as VIPs or get their stamps, hehe!

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