Chapter 1105: Survival of the Fittest

To survive in the Chinese officialdom, one must master and skillfully apply these terms: "to compromise for the sake of the greater good," "to live in humble submission," and "to know when to bend and when to stretch." Ma Debang, having managed to climb to the position of Deputy Director of the Provincial Construction Committee, naturally understood the essence of these terms quite thoroughly. The current situation he faced was the perfect opportunity to apply them, and it was precisely at this moment, seeing Zheng Tulu waver slightly, that he seized the chance to launch into a profound self-criticism, apologizing to Zheng Tulu with an extremely sincere attitude.

Although it was impossible for Zheng Tulu to forgive Ma Debang based on a few hypocritical apologies and the sight of him slapping his own face twice, out of respect for Secretary Zhang, he still relented. Softening his tone, he said, "Alright, alright, stop putting on a show in front of me. I, Zheng Liangyu, am not such a petty person. Let's just consider what happened last night water under the bridge."

Upon hearing Zheng Tulu say this, the stone that had been weighing on Ma Debang's heart finally fell, and the look of worry in his eyes faded significantly. He smirked and flattered, "Director Zheng, you truly are a magnanimous person who doesn't hold grudges against small-minded people. I can finally rest easy now that you aren't taking last night to heart."

Zheng Tulu squinted at him and warned him with a stern face, "Old Deputy Director, let me give you a heads-up: don't you dare go around spreading baseless nonsense like you did last night! Talking recklessly will lead to trouble!"

Ma Debang smirked, "That was just me being drunk and rambling; I had no idea what I was saying. It was all just nonsense, pure nonsense."

Ma Debang was a smart man; he understood that the reason Zheng Tulu had been so furious the previous night was precisely because he had said things he shouldn't have, causing Zheng to fly into a rage out of shame. That was why he said what he did—the underlying meaning was to tell Zheng Tulu, "I don't know what I said last night; I don't know anything."

Zheng Tulu sneered and said, "Deputy Director Ma, as long as you understand."

Secretary Zhang chimed in with a chuckle, "Deputy Director Ma is a sensible man; he surely knows that one cannot speak recklessly. Just as Director Zheng said, there are consequences for saying the wrong things. However, considering this was your first offense last night, and Director Zheng is a magnanimous person, we won't hold you accountable. Just be more careful in the future. In the days ahead, the work of our Construction Committee will still require the two of you to cooperate to get things done well. Let's turn the page on last night; it's in the past, haha..."

Ma Debang took it for granted that Zheng Tulu had turned the page on the matter. Over the next few days, things seemed to return to "normal" between them, as if nothing had happened. They went sightseeing at various attractions and ate and drank together as usual. However, after that night, Ma Debang became more cautious; he kept a low profile when dining with Zheng Tulu and didn't dare drink too much, terrified of saying the wrong thing.

The conflict between the upper-level leaders seemed to have subsided, but ever since that night when Zheng Tulu and Ma Debang had such an intense, direct confrontation, the leaders and cadres who were present had been discussing the matter in private, secretly observing how things would develop. It was precisely because of this unexpected incident that the affair between Zhao Desan and Lan Mei was temporarily forgotten by everyone. The two of them seemed to have been forgotten as well, and when the unit went out for outings, they no longer called for Lan Mei. Zhao Desan naturally had plenty of time to spend their most unforgettable, happy moments with Lan Mei in the hotel bed. After the long Spring Festival holiday, Zhao Desan had lost a layer of weight, while Lan Mei, nourished by his male hormones, appeared even more beautiful and charming. Her skin was fairer and smoother than before; in just seven days, she seemed to have grown several years younger.

As the holiday neared its end, Zhao Desan considered that upon returning to Xijing City, the first thing he would have to face was "paying the public grain" to Sister Su. He had spent five full days indulging in unbridled passion with Lan Mei in Sanya, thousands of miles away, releasing himself no fewer than twenty times—an average of four times a day. By the last two days of the holiday, he truly had nothing left to release, so on the night before their return, he took the initiative to declare he was physically exhausted and needed a "ceasefire." The twenty-plus times of pleasure had fully satisfied Lan Mei, a young married woman in the prime of her desires whose floodgates had been opened and who was perpetually unsatisfied. When Zhao Desan proactively proposed a ceasefire, she didn't force him, only teasing him with good-natured sarcasm, "Didn't you say your body was very strong? How come you're begging for mercy now?"

Watching Lan Mei look at him with a mocking gaze, Zhao Desan really wanted to lose control and assert his masculine dignity on her once more. But on matters of great principle, he had a clear stance; he would not forget what he truly wanted just for the sake of one more romp. If he didn't rest a little now, he feared that tomorrow night, upon returning to Xijing, he would end up bleeding while paying his "public grain" to Sister Su. In the end, reason overcame the endless desires of human nature. Yet, he couldn't lose his masculine dignity in front of Lan Mei because of this, so what was he to do?

Just as Zhao Desan was at a loss while looking at Lan Mei's provocative eyes, not wanting to lose his masculine prestige, the room door was knocked upon.

Lan Mei and Zhao Desan looked at each other simultaneously, both with faces full of surprise. After all, for so many days, the two of them seemed to have been forgotten; no one had come to disturb them again. It was already past ten o'clock; who could it be? Lan Mei thought to herself while asking, "Who is it?"

"It's me." Ma Debang's voice came from outside.

"Deputy Director Ma." Lan Mei whispered to Zhao Desan, "Put your clothes on first." As she spoke, she quickly put on her own clothes. After waiting for Zhao Desan to get dressed, she tidied up the somewhat messy bed, then walked forward with feigned composure and opened the door.

"Xiao Lan, is Xiao Zhao with you?" Ma Debang asked with a smile, getting straight to the point.