Chapter 257

When Lu Fan came out, Secretary Tan Yin heard the movement and immediately came out to observe.

Seeing Lu Fan, he warmly and politely greeted him, and Lu Fan nodded and returned to the office.

Now Tan Yin has completely given up any thought of vying for favor with Lu Fan, for he feels the Secretary treats this Deputy Secretary-General more dearly than a own son—everything goes his way, he is indulged, and anyone who files a petty report against Lu Fan will be severely reprimanded by the Secretary.

Although Tan Yin couldn't understand it, he could see the situation clearly; his strategy toward Lu Fan could only be to curry favor, and he thought this person wouldn't stay long in the Municipal Party Committee office, expecting to be transferred out as soon as his term ended, which made people envy him immensely.

Back in the office, Lu Fan lay on the bed savoring Secretary Li Mingzhou's words, feeling only moved and grateful.

"Lu Fan, are you done with work? Have you slept?" Lu Fan's thoughts were interrupted by a message from Li Zimeng.

Recalling today's happy event, Lu Fan replied, "Zimeng, I'm especially happy today; a long-held wish has finally been achieved as a small goal!"

"Congratulations! When you're happy, I'll smile too; I hope you're happy every day!"

Lu Fan smiled knowingly; as his girlfriend, Li Zimeng had almost no flaws, never lacking understanding and tolerance toward him.

Thinking of that troublesome marriage issue, Lu Fan boldly said, "Zimeng, can we be together?"

"Aren't we already together?"

"What I mean is, are you willing to be the person I care about most, value most, and consider most special?"

Time ticked by second by second, and finally a message came: "Lu Fan, do you like me? What do you like about me?"

Lu Fan stared at the phone screen, recalling every moment with Li Zimeng, then slowly typed: "Your casual smile warms my world. I like you for not despising me, for your understanding and thoughtfulness, and for you being like spring passing into autumn, with begonias blooming."

Li Zimeng seemed moved by Lu Fan's words, replying: "This is the first time you've said something like this; I thought you wouldn't! Can I take this as a proposal?"

Lu Fan gave a slight smile, his heart filled with resolve: "Zimeng, I haven't been part of your past, but I will stay with you through your future! Though I can't give you much excitement, I can accompany you for a long time, to grow old together, accompanying and knowing each other until old age."

"Are you serious? Or are you just carrying out a task assigned by the leader? Are you looking for me just to get married?"

"Zimeng, feelings are precious, love is sacred, marriage is a lifetime; I will not profane it! Everything I've said is sincere and well-considered, and I will always be frank with you." After sending this, Lu Fan felt a bit nervous and expectant, keeping his eyes on the phone, waiting for a reply.

However, after a long while, just as Lu Fan was about to give up, his phone suddenly vibrated; he hurriedly looked at the message: "Brother Fan, maybe you don't believe it, but when I first saw you, in the dark I had already decided on you, unchangeable, from approaching to entering! As you said, your past I have not been part of, but meeting has no early or late; after meeting you, the best times begin! You marry, I will marry, always accompanying you! If you don't let go, I won't leave; my eyes see no one else, all around is you."

Lu Fan looked at those words, his heart filled with emotion, feeling the other's affection, and secretly resolved to cherish his beloved and do his utmost to make her happy.

"Zimeng, wait for me; this weekend I'll go to Jingcheng to find you!"

When good fortune comes, one's spirit is refreshed; the next day at work, Lu Fan's face beamed with a happy smile, and he even proactively greeted Deputy Secretary-General Li Guanglei.

Things often turn out this wonderfully; Li Guanglei returned to his office, thought it over, assumed Lu Fan's earlier kindness was a gesture of goodwill, and after careful consideration picked up a box of tea and pushed open Lu Fan's office. Since coming to the Municipal Party Committee office, he had never been this idle, knowing that stubbornly resisting wouldn't work.

"Secretary Lu, I've brought you something good! My son works in Hangzhou; this is the Longjing tea he specially picked for me—please give it a try!"

Lu Fan had no grudge against him, and didn't know what Li Guanglei was trying to compete over; since the other had lowered himself, Lu Fan took the opportunity, smiling and saying, "That's meant to honor you—how could I take it?"

"Honor your father, he dares to take only one box? Rest assured, you couldn't finish it in a year!" After setting down the tea, Li Guanglei said, "I'm stubborn, like to nitpick, and am an old-fashioned person; if there are any shortcomings, don't hold it against the old comrades."

"If others respect me a foot, I respect them ten feet," Lu Fan laughed, "The valuable experience of senior comrades is always wealth; besides, you're now in your prime, a capable backbone of our Municipal Party Committee office—how dare you call yourself old?"

"Everyone lifts the flowery sedan chair," and the two mutually flattered each other to their heart's content.

Finally, Lu Fan said, "Secretary Li, there are a few tasks just assigned by the Secretary; the Inspection Office is under your charge, so please handle them."

"Rest assured, I guarantee timely completion!" After receiving the documents, Li Guanglei left satisfied.

That's how people are—when one thing goes smoothly, everything follows success; success boosts a person's confidence, and a good mindset affects his life, work, social life, etc., enabling smooth development in all areas.

January 16, my sister Lu Yao finished her school activities and was coming back.

What Lu Fan didn't expect was that Yao Yao, through soft and hard persuasion, even dragging her along, brought Li Zimeng back, and for the old Lu family to continue its lineage, Lu Yao worried herself sick!

At eleven in the morning, Lu Fan drove to the train station to pick them up.

Just as he arrived at the waiting area, Secretary Li Mingzhou called, saying, "Get ready; later I'll take you to the City Investment Company for research."

"How coincidental?" Lu Fan said with some reluctance, "Secretary, I need half an hour before I can return; my sister and girlfriend are coming back today, so I'll stop by the train station to pick them up."

Secretary Li Mingzhou furrowed his brows and said, "Your girlfriend is also coming? Oh, then you first take care of your own affairs; you don't need to go to the City Investment Company. Since they've come all this way, you don't have to rush to work this afternoon—bring something nice to eat."

"Secretary, after I pick them up I'll come right back; I won't delay your work."

"If I tell you to go, you go—this is an order!"

After hanging up, Secretary Li Mingzhou snapped, "This girl, coming to Yingjiang without even telling her own dad—truly, having a boyfriend makes her forget her father! Ah, a grown daughter is hard to keep!"

From childhood on, his daughter had always been his heart's treasure; he raised her through hardship. Now his little padded jacket has been snatched away by a "yellow-haired" guy, and any father would feel an inexplicable sense of loss.

After picking them up, Lu Yao proudly said, "Brother, I've brought your sister-in-law back—you'd better seize the opportunity!"

Lu Fan laughed, "Zimeng, you've worked hard on the way! Let's go eat first; the meal is already booked."

"Brother, I've worked hard too; you've got a wife and forgotten your cute sister!"

With Lu Yao's teasing, the two gradually stopped feeling awkward.

After getting in the car, Lu Fan asked, "Zimeng, do you really want to spend New Year in Yingjiang?"

Li Zimeng laughed, "Yes, aren't you welcoming?"

"That's certainly not the case; the main thing is whether your family agrees."

"My affairs, I decide!"

Lu Fan tentatively asked, "How about another day—I'll go visit your family?"

Li Zimeng smiled, pursing her lips: "What, preparing to meet the parents? There's no rush; when the opportunity is right I'll take you to my home. But one thing you can set your mind at ease: my family knows you, and they won't object."

"Then that's fine; let me know when it's convenient, and I'll be on standby at any time."

Li Zimeng gave a slight smile, meaningfully saying, "It depends on your leader—he can only go see when he has time."

The restaurant was set at Yingjiang Hotel; upon entering the private room, Lu Yao sighed, "Sister-in-law, my brother really plays favorites—today he's benefiting from your presence, he's never brought me here before!"

Li Zimeng laughed, "Of course, after all I'm the guest."

The dishes were Yingjiang specialties; the three ate warmly, like a family, which moved Lu Fan inexplicably.

In the afternoon, Lu Fan went to work, while Lu Yao took Li Zimeng home to tidy up.

Not long after they sat down, Du Wenlong pushed the door in and even locked it from inside.

Lu Fan immediately felt expectant and asked, "Chouchou, did you find any problems?"

"Brother Fan, we've made a big gain! The problems currently found in Le Xue Li are: 1) Using power for personal gain, mainly setting up obstacles and extorting fees for oil mines, demanding engineering projects; so far 59 items have been uncovered, involving funds of over 29 million yuan!"

Lu Fan sighed, "A mere township secretary, and he's so good at 'raking it in'!"

Fan Ge, the township he's assigned to is an oil area; that's normal. Every year's well sites have to be turned over to the township secretary, otherwise the work crews can't enter. Le Xueli alone has over 55 well sites under his name! Besides, there's construction and upkeep of production roads, all sorts of things added up—actually more than what I've uncovered!

Alright, keep going!

2. Embezzlement and misappropriation of township infrastructure construction projects and various special funds—28 projects involved, corrupt funds totaling 6.39 million yuan! 3. As for expenditures, so far over 800,000 yuan have been found, mainly used to buy high-end cigarettes and liquor; his accountant actually kept all the payment receipts, I guess he's afraid of getting implicated if something goes wrong!

Lu Fan asked, "Do you have solid evidence?"

Fan Ge, the investigation is clear; both personal and material evidence can form a closed loop. Secretary Bian has contributed the most in the investigation—his word is now unquestioned by the current township secretary, so the township government is fully cooperating!

Chouchou, thanks for your hard work! Leave the materials with me; you head to Ningyang to continue the investigation and solidify the evidence chain. I'll promptly report to Secretary Li and hope for good news!

Fan Ge, rest assured; as soon as the leadership gives the word, I guarantee we'll take down Le Xueli!

Carrying the materials, Lu Fan went to Li Mingzhou's office; before he could even speak, Secretary Li said, "The cafeteria food's gotten boring—let's go to your place this afternoon for some home-cooked dishes and a few drinks!"

All right, Secretary, I'll get ready in advance.