Chapter 43

On July 5th, Lu Fan received a notice from the Forestry Bureau: the County Committee and County Government were organizing the first observation and inspection of the "Forest Creation" and afforestation work across all townships, towns, streets, and management committees, with Baishu Bay being the top priority.

Director Guo Tongyu called personally, emphasizing repeatedly that they must attach great importance to this, compare themselves against the standards, strengthen measures, and accelerate the progress of the observation points.

At the same time, the township government was also preparing intensely; Secretary Li Daqiang took Lu Fan to check every point one by one, as their ability to "save face" depended entirely on this.

Secretary Li was no longer content to stay in the background and wanted to advance; he had heard that the city was undergoing personnel adjustments, and he wanted to compete for the position of Deputy County Chief, or at the very least, be transferred to a major town or a key department in the county.

Ningyang County had developed rapidly in recent years, especially Zhouchuan Town, which, under the leadership of Secretary Wang Hongtao, had repeatedly created "satellites" and radiated an incomparably dazzling light; their "Party Member Commitment System" had become famous nationwide.

Lu Fan had heard of his teacher's great achievements many times; while silently offering his blessings, he was also filled with envy, having long since regarded his teacher as a beacon.

Because of seniority issues, Secretary Wang could not be promoted for the time being, but others benefited greatly; it was said that several county leaders were about to be promoted or transferred. There was also talk that County Party Committee Secretary Guo Mingxiong was set to be promoted to a member of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee, but these things had nothing to do with Lu Fan; he couldn't reach that level at all.

Early the next morning, Lu Fan went to Niuzhuang, where economic forests, flowers, and landscape forests were concentrated; it was the most critical part of the observation, and workers were busy setting up display boards and fixing "Forest Creation" propaganda slogans.

The phone rang, and upon checking, it was actually his high school classmate Wu Heng calling.

After answering, he laughed: "Old classmate, how do you have time to call me today? Are you done studying hard?"

Wu Heng replied speechlessly: "My dear Brother Fan, the college entrance exam is already over, what kind of bird-studying should I still be doing? You really don't care about your brother!"

Lu Fan patted his head and said: "Sorry, look at my memory. The results should be out by now, right? How was it? Did you make the golden list?"

Wu Heng said with a sobbing tone: "Brother Fan, I'm just a poor student, I can only go to a vocational college. To hell with it, I'm not going to attend this bird-school, I'm going home to inherit the family business and learn to do business with my old man. Who knows, in a few years I might be the richest man in Yingjiang! Those college students will have to bow down before my jeans and work for me!"

"Haha, that's ambition! However, I personally think it's better to go to school. Whether you learn anything is another matter, but at the very least, you can go out and see the world. Let your dad spend money to send you to a big city to study; anyway, you have to come back to inherit the family business in the future, so it doesn't matter if you get a diploma or not. Don't you just want to go to the flashy world and have some fun?"

"Brother Fan, I want to do business now. My dad has already been persuaded by me. Isn't going to college just to meet college students? If I have money in my hands, can't I have as much fun as I want? Whether I go to college or not doesn't affect that."

"You kid, take it easy! If that's what you think, I strongly support you not going to college, so as not to harm innocent young girls."

"Oh, I almost forgot the main point. Brother Fan, are you free today? The brothers want to get together. Except for me, they all got into college."

Lu Fan hesitated for a moment and said: "If there are many people, I don't really want to go. You guys will be in high spirits, and I'm a dropout, I don't want to join in that excitement."

"I knew you would say that. Don't worry, it's just us few who get along: Zhu Jianglin, Wang Meng'en, Huang Xiaoyu, and Deng Junchi. That son of a bitch Wang Haibin wanted to join in, but I sent him away."

"Alright then, what time? Where?"

"I'm treating today, Ningyang Hotel room 888. How about that, grand enough, right!"

"Wu Heng, you guys are all students, I'm working at least, why don't I treat, to congratulate you all."

"Brother Fan, whoever tries to snatch the bill from me, I'll get angry with them. I am a dignified rich second generation!"

"Fine, fine, fine, no one will steal your thunder."

"That's settled, five o'clock in the afternoon, be there or be square!"

Busy until noon, Lu Fan went to the guest room to take a shower, changed into his best clothes, tidied himself up, and called Du Wenlong to head to Ningyang, wanting to meet his classmates in his best state and let them know that he wasn't doing badly.

After driving out of Baishu Bay, the two swapped seats, and Du Wenlong drove. Recently, his skills had improved rapidly, and he had also signed up for a driver's license—a guaranteed pass, which cost 2,300 yuan.

On the way, Chouchou asked: "Brother Fan, what do you plan to do with that money? Do you want to buy a house?"

"Buy a house for what? No use for now, not buying. We aren't at the stage to enjoy ourselves yet. A portion of that money needs to be taken out; in two days, withdraw 100,000 in cash, I have a use for it. Your salary is low, and although you eat and live at the forest farm, there's always a need for money. You take 20,000. Keep the rest, and when Su Xiaoyi comes back, we'll open a massage parlor. Now we have to make money beget money; if you want to do big things, you have to use money to pave the way!"

Du Wenlong didn't stand on ceremony, but he kept this friendship in the deepest part of his heart.

"That's right, I've finally understood: in this society, if you have money, you can go anywhere, but if you don't, you can't take a single step! Brother Fan, a massage parlor is good, I absolutely support it!"

"I think your real intention is not just the massage parlor, Chouchou. Those who achieve great things do not indulge in female beauty. We have no one to rely on, and every step we take is difficult; we must keep ourselves in check. If we make a mistake, no one will save us!"

"Brother Fan, I understand, at most I'll go once a month!"

"Hurry up and find a girlfriend, I think you're addicted. Chouchou, I'm warning you, stay away from the barbershop when you have nothing to do. That woman is the public lover of all the township cadres; she has a thing with everyone. Playing with you is as simple as eating a dish."

Du Wenlong drove with a straight face, as if he hadn't heard what Lu Fan said, but his little face was as red as an apple.

Arriving at the Ningyang Hotel, they parked the car and were just about to go upstairs when they ran into two classmates, Chen Liqiong and Wang Haibin.

Chen Liqiong saw Lu Fan at first glance and immediately shouted: "Deskmate, Lu Fan!"

Lu Fan turned his head and smiled: "What a coincidence!"

Chen Liqiong said happily: "I knew you guys were having a party today, and you didn't call me. Luckily I'm smart and managed to get it out of them."

Wang Haibin was a bit embarrassed, squeezed out a smile and said: "Lu Fan, Du Wenlong, hello!"

Chouchou had an indifferent look, but Lu Fan said magnanimously: "Haibin, you're here too, let's go, let's go up together!"

"Lu Fan, I was ignorant back then and said some stupid things, causing you to drop out. I've always felt guilty in my heart, and I just wanted to apologize to you in person."

"Haibin, we are classmates, let's not talk about the past. Didn't you get beaten up too? Let's call it even. We didn't know each other until we fought. Let's go, let's go up, everyone should be there."

"Forget it, I just wanted to come over and see you. I don't get along with those few, we'll talk if there's a chance in the future, you guys have fun." After saying this, Wang Haibin turned and left.

Chen Liqiong explained: "We ran into each other on the street just now, and I let it slip. He insisted on following, I have nothing to do with him."

"Oh, let's go up!"

Pushing open the door to room 888, several classmates were chatting heatedly. Seeing Lu Fan, they all started shouting: "The big forest farm manager is here!"

Huang Xiaoyu said loudly: "Brother Fan, you didn't even say a word to your brothers about working and becoming an official, that's too unloyal, we must get you drunk today!"

Lu Fan smiled: "Let me state first, I'm not an official, I'm just temporarily presiding over the work of the Baishu Bay Forest Farm. And the forest farm manager is only at the deputy section level, it's not called being an official at all. Also, it's just drinking, who's afraid of whom? Let's talk about it first, how did you all do on the exams?"

Zhu Jianglin said: "Brother Fan, congratulations first, you've come through the bitterness! I got into a first-tier university, applied to Chang'an University of Technology. Wang Meng'en and Deng Junchi got into second-tier universities, both applied to Chang'an University of Finance and Economics. Huang Xiaoyu applied to Northwest University of Political Science and Law. Liqiong's score is high, I don't know where she applied? As for Wu Heng, let's not talk about it, you can't compare with a rich second generation, he's going to inherit billions in assets."

Chen Liqiong naturally sat down next to Lu Fan and smiled: "I applied to the Normal University, I want to be a teacher in the future. Lu Fan, what do you think?"

Lu Fan said: "It's what you think that matters! Brothers, ten years of hard study, one day of success on the golden list, congratulations to you all for getting into college, your future will surely be bright! I'm happy for you from the bottom of my heart, I can only be envious and jealous!"

Huang Xiaoyu said seriously: "Brother Fan, I will definitely be a policeman in the future!"

Lu Fan knew there was more to his words, so he didn't pick up the thread, but gave him an affirmative look; everything was understood without words.

Four cold dishes were served, and Wu Heng opened two bottles of Moutai, shouting: "Drink Moutai, smoke Huazi, brothers, let's get started! Don't save for me, drink hard, if we don't finish this case today, no one is allowed to leave!"

A person can meet many people in a lifetime. It is said that the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water. Time is the best tool, allowing you to recognize some people and deepen your friendship with others. Some people drift apart as they walk, while others get closer in their hearts the further they go.

Many friends don't see each other for years at a time. Even though they are in the same city, it's like a long-distance relationship. That phrase "I'll treat you to dinner next time" is usually just a polite greeting, and it's very likely you won't see each other for another few years.

Who is right and who is wrong, the result will tell you; who stays and who leaves, time will tell you. Therefore, don't live too tired, why please others, just be happy yourself.

Lu Fan and Du Wenlong had been wandering in society for more than a year, and their drinking capacity had already become great, so naturally, they didn't fear these few fledglings who had just started out.

After the drinking session began, the two started to dominate the field, with only Wu Heng barely having the strength to fight back. The atmosphere was extremely lively, making Lu Fan feel a long-lost, pure friendship.

Wu Heng whispered in Lu Fan's ear: "I was the one who took the initiative to reveal the news to her. Opportunities are rare, you have to act when it's time to act!"

"What are you two whispering about?" Chen Liqiong felt they weren't up to any good and must be talking about her.

Wu Heng waved his hand and said generously: "Class beauty, let's have a drink, I wish you to still be the class beauty in college, no, the school beauty! You won't look down on us who didn't get into college, right?"

"If you want to drink, let's drink, who's afraid of whom?"

Wu Heng gave Lu Fan a triumphant wink, meaning: I'll lead the charge, you finish it off!

The sixth day of the first show, scoring begins, five-star reviews needed, thank you for your support!

Asking for two days off from all book friends, because I'm going to Guangdong, I can only update one chapter per day, will resume two updates on April 1st, really sorry!