Chapter 271: Lu Yao

After dinner, as dusk fell, Lu Yao's residence was not far from here, and Chen Xu walked her home.

When they reached the building's entrance, Chen Xu mustered his courage and said, "You're about to start work; aren't you planning to find a boyfriend?"

They've known each other for several years, so how could Lu Yao not know Chen Xu's thoughts? Today's meeting was meant to clear things up.

"Brother Chen, when I was very young, my father died wronged," Lu Yao sighed softly, her eyes filled with sorrow.

My mother endured hardship to raise my brother and me, but good people don't live long; in my first year of middle school, mother also left us. At that moment, I felt the sky collapsed!" At this point, Lu Yao's eyes grew wet.

"My brother held up my sky; he dropped out to support my schooling, did everything to transfer me to the best school in the city, never let me lack money. I know how much pain and difficulty he bears; he's only a few years older than me!

However, over the years my brother has endured countless oppression and bullying, was taken away by the Discipline Inspection Committee twice, and even his girlfriend 'was' killed in a car accident! He was repeatedly stepped on, silently bearing everything helplessly, swallowing countless grievances, still shielding me from wind and rain, never letting me suffer a bite! And I could do nothing but watch him suffer, bear burdens, and endure hardship!" Lu Yao's gaze showed both compassion for her brother and a hint of resolve!

"Now that I'm grown and about to start work, I can share my brother's burden. My sole wish now is his happiness! So I won't allow anyone to bully him or hurt him; I'm willing to give everything for that! I also want those villains to receive their due punishment!"

Listening to Lu Yao calmly recount her deepest pains, Chen Xu felt an inexplicable heartache, yet didn't know what to say to comfort her.

"Brother Chen, you're a good person and I understand your feelings, but I'm not right for you! You'll meet a better girl later; I sincerely hope you find happiness," Lu Yao's voice carried resolve and firmness. After speaking, she waved and hurried upstairs.

Watching Lu Yao fade away at the stairwell, Chen Xu's heart felt struck by a heavy hammer, filled with loss and helplessness.

After Lu Yao entered, Li Zimoeng said, "Chen Xu is quite good; though a bit gloomy, you can see his sincerity toward you. Yao Yao, really not considering him? Didn't you see how heartbroken and lost he looks!"

"Sister‑in‑law, you were spying?"

Li Zimoeng laughed, "Not spying, but watching openly and intently!"

"Sister‑in‑law, why does it feel like your belly has grown a lot these past few days?"

Li Zimoeng hurried to a mirror, looking puzzled, and said, "Why don't I feel it? Shouldn't it be?"

Seeing Lu Yao's teasing look again, Li Zimoeng realized, "Yao Yao, you just graduated and already turned bad!"

The aunt and sister‑in‑law laughed for a moment, then Li Zimoeng asked, "The interview is soon; are you confident?"

Lu Yao shook her head and said, "The competitors are strong; I'm worried the well‑connected will push me out!"

Hearing that, Li Zimoeng also felt uneasy, so she stood up and said, "Stay here; I'll step out for a while."

"Sister‑in‑law, should I go with you?"

"No need, I'll be back soon!"

After Chen Xu returned home despondent, he saw his father there, walked over and said, "Dad, after all these years I never asked you for anything; today, could you grant me a request?"

Chen Deming saw his son's solemn demeanor, his mood still low, and said, "What is it you want to ask?"

"So, Lu Yao applied to the Central Discipline Inspection Committee, ranked third in the written exam; the committee is recruiting 20 officials, and I want you to help her achieve her wish!"

Chen Deming frowned and said, "You're just a hot‑headed fool; what's your relationship with her?"

Chen Xu said firmly, "Dad, I only ask you to help her this once; whatever you assign me later, I'll obey!"

Chen Deming asked, "Did she ask you for help?"

Chen Xu shook his head and said, "No, I just heard about it; I don't want her to have regrets!"

"What do you think that place is? You can't just make a casual call; to get in you need real credentials!" Chen Deming was furious, wanting to call him a spineless loser, saying he couldn't even handle a woman, and was about to hang himself from a tree!

Chen Xu said, "Dad, stop giving me bureaucratic talk; just handle it as you see fit!" After that, he turned and went back to his room.

Is this a way of begging? Chen Deming was angry and helpless; indeed his son had never asked before!

After leaving the house, Li Zimoeng headed straight for the North Headquarters alley.

Upon seeing Grandfather, she affectionately grabbed his hand and acted cute.

Li Lao laughed and asked, "Girl, speak the matter, don't use that routine!"

Li Zimoeng laughed, "I always know Grandfather dotes on me; he'll fulfill any request!"

"First, tell me the matter; if I can't do it, your effort will be wasted!"

"Grandfather, Yao Yao got into the Central Discipline Inspection Committee, third in the written exam—impressive, right?"

Li Lao nodded, "She's Lu Fan's sister, right? Scoring like that in the central selection is truly excellent; I recall she has a bachelor's degree, while the competitors are likely master's students."

"Who says not? Yao Yao is indeed outstanding, also the student council president, but she's worried that the well‑connected might manipulate the interview. Grandfather, just give her a greeting; we don't want a backdoor, just ensure fairness and justice!"

Li Lao thought for a moment, then said, "The siblings really have it tough, but there are indeed some bad practices now. Fine, as you wish, I'll give a greeting!"

Li Zimoeng happily said, "Thank you, Grandfather. From now on I'll be assertive in my in‑laws!"

Li Lao immediately dialed the Central Discipline Inspection Committee secretary's phone, discussed the central selection issue, and mentioned Lu Yao, requesting the committee ensure fairness and impartiality during the interview!

After hanging up, Li Lao turned, catching his granddaughter's triumphant smile, his eyes full of tenderness and dote.

Such a small trick can't escape his keen eye; as long as his granddaughter is happy, that's what matters! Moreover, Lu Yao is truly a promising talent, so lending a hand is no trouble.

In August, entering the flood season, Lu Fan accompanied Li Mingzhou on continuous county‑level field investigations, inspecting the emergency flood‑control projects along the Ying River, supervising on‑site flood‑prevention work, demanding each area be strict, meticulous, and prudent in all preventive measures.

Back in the city, the Municipal Party Committee Office arranged a 24‑hour duty roster; Lu Fan simply moved into the office to monitor the latest updates from all counties and reservoirs at any time.

That night, after the usual report to the Secretary, Li Mingzhou suddenly asked, "Lu Fan, when were you promoted to Deputy Division Level?"

"Secretary, the document was issued on January 20, 2015."

"Oh, by the end of the year it'll be two years; then you can become the Municipal Party Committee Office Director as well, first resolve the full Division Level," Li Mingzhou said lightly.

"Thank you, Secretary, for your support; I will work hard and never disappoint your expectations!" Lu Fan felt very excited; in official circles, no one remains indifferent to a promotion!

Li Mingzhou continued, "The Municipal Party Committee Office is just a transition; next you'll be assigned to a county. Use this time to familiarize yourself and plan ahead; once there, conduct targeted work!"

"Secretary, I will definitely follow your requirements, strengthen my studies, and act purposefully at work, avoiding battles without certainty!"

From then on, aside from daily duties, Lu Fan spent his remaining time researching Ganshui County's conditions.

The more he studied, the less certain he felt; governing a county requires economic development first, yet there the poverty left only green mountains and clear waters.

Moreover, the County Chief of Ganshui County is his ex‑girlfriend's father; forming a team together would be so awkward!

In September, the County Party Committee Secretary of Yingjiang City Fangzhou was promoted to Deputy Director‑General of the Provincial Department of Culture, leaving a coveted vacancy; people streamed into Li Mingzhou's Secretary Office to report work.

Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary‑General Liu Yuheng arrived at Lu Fan's office with a tea cup, chatted casually, then said, "I've been Deputy Secretary‑General for six or seven years; before coming here I served as Deputy Secretary in a county. Now that a County Party Committee Secretary position finally opened, I really want to compete for it; please, leaders, give strong recommendation!"

Lu Fan quickly replied, "Secretary‑General Liu, you're joking; both of us are Deputy Secretary‑Generals, what kind of leader am I?"

Liu Yuheng said seriously, "You can't say it like that; you are the director overseeing office work. We all answer to the office leadership, and in my mind you are the direct leader—that's the consensus. Now that there's an opportunity, you, as the 'parent', need to speak up for our deputy positions!"

Lu Fan almost burst out laughing, but he didn't refuse, saying, "Whether my words are useful or not, I will definitely say what needs to be said to the secretary, but I can't guarantee whether it will be useful."

Liu Yuheng understood that getting things done required effort; if Lu Fan could treat this matter as his own, there was great hope. He then said, "I come from a rural background, and being able to get this far is already a tremendous fortune! But people are like that—standing on this mountain and gazing at a higher one, working in the county has been my long-held aspiration. I implore the leadership to strongly recommend me! If my wish is fulfilled, I will surely follow the leadership's lead."

Lu Fan temporarily didn't know the secretary's personnel intentions, so he could only say, "The position of county party committee secretary is too important. Let me first sound out the secretary's attitude; if there's any news, we'll keep each other informed at any time."

Liu Yuheng expressed his stance again: "Then it'll be trouble for the secretary-general; as long as I can do it, just give me instructions anytime—I've already made all preparations!" After saying that, he even patted his money bag.

Entrusted by others and faithful to the task, moreover Lu Fan and Liu Yuheng got along very pleasantly; they could complete his assigned work with high quality, so he was willing to help.

After work, Lu Fan found an excuse and went to Li Mingzhou's office to report on his work.

After finishing the work talk, he still lingered, unwilling to leave.

Li Mingzhou looked up and asked, "Anything?"

Lu Fan said embarrassedly, "Liu Yuheng has been lingering in my office all afternoon, hoping to vie for the position of Fangzhou County Party Committee Secretary."

Unexpectedly, Li Mingzhou directly said, "It can be considered; have him come see me!"