Chapter 924: The Sweet Naive Punishment: Swapping Homework

Leaving the private restaurant, Wan Xiaoqing stood at the entrance and took a deep breath.

The sun was glaring, but she felt the whole world had brightened.

Director of the Tax Bureau.

She had waited for this day, waiting ten years.

After getting in the car, she didn't start it right away; instead, she sat in the driver's seat, staring blankly at her phone screen. The screen showed her father's number, labeled "Unfortunately not the emperor."

After hesitating for a few seconds, Wan Xiaoqing still didn't dial the number.

What's the point of telling him?

He's lived a mediocre life; what could he understand?

Wan Xiaoqing tossed her phone onto the passenger seat and started the car.

She hadn't driven far when the phone rang.

It was a familiar name—Chen Junsheng, the boss who did construction work, and also her…… how to put it, friend? Lover? She couldn't say.

But Chen Junsheng had one advantage—he was rich.

"Xiaoqing, are you free tonight? Let's meet at the usual place." The man's voice carried a smile.

Wan Xiaoqing's lips curled slightly: "Sure, perfect—I have some good news to tell you."

After hanging up, she pressed the accelerator.

The car merged into traffic.

Seven o'clock in the evening.

An upscale residential complex in East City.

Wan Xiaoqing parked her car in the underground garage and took the elevator up to the eighteenth floor. This was Chen Junsheng's apartment in Wuzhou; she had been there many times and had a key.

The door opened, and Chen Junsheng stood in the doorway wearing an apron, still holding a spatula.

"You're here? Have a seat, it'll be ready soon."

Wan Xiaoqing changed into slippers and walked into the living room.

Several dishes were already laid out on the table, and the red wine had been allowed to breathe. Although Chen Junsheng was a boss, his cooking was good; he personally prepared the meal each time she came.

Wan Xiaoqing leaned on the sofa, watching the busy figure in the kitchen, and suddenly felt a bit dazed.

Chen Junsheng was fifteen years her senior, divorced, and had a son studying abroad. In Wuzhou he was also a person of some standing; several of his projects had turned out well.

They had known each other for three years.

From the initial business dinner, to later private dates, and now…… she couldn't even say what kind of relationship it was.

They weren't husband and wife, nor lovers, but there was a hint of something.

She knew what Chen Junsheng saw in her—young, beautiful, working at the Tax Bureau, useful. She also knew what she saw in him—money, resources, connections, the ability to help her advance.

Each took what they needed.

Not bad.

Chen Junsheng came out with the last dish and took off his apron.

"Want a drink?"

"Today is a good day; we must have a drink."

Wan Xiaoqing poured the wine herself.

They clinked glasses and took a sip.

Chen Junsheng chuckled, looking at the ordinary-looking but pleasant government official's daughter before him: "What good news has you so happy?"

"I'm going to be the director of the Tax Bureau."

Wan Xiaoqing set down her glass, smiling with eyes crescent-shaped.

Chen Junsheng stared for a moment: "Director? Really?"

"Secretary Wang said it himself. The Standing Committee will nominate me next week."

Wan Xiaoqing took another sip of red wine, her excitement plain to see. This joy surpassed even when Chen Junsheng had handed her the keys to his Maserati.

But Chen Junsheng's expression grew much more complicated.

Chen Junsheng questioned: "Wang Qigang? … Are you sure he genuinely wants to promote you?"

"What, you don't believe me?"

Wan Xiaoqing countered.

That question left Chen Junsheng speechless.

After a moment's thought.

Chen Junsheng analyzed carefully: "Xiaoqing, everyone knows Wang Qigang's situation now. His wife was taken away by the Commission for Discipline Inspection, and the province is buzzing that he'll soon be transferred. Relying on him at this point……"

"What about relying on him?"

Wan Xiaoqing forcefully cut off Chen Junsheng's words.

She interjected: "He's still the Municipal Party Committee Secretary and a provincial Standing Committee member. If he nominates me as director, I become director. Once he's transferred, I'll be the legitimate director—what does it have to do with him?"

Chen Junsheng looked at her, saying nothing.

Wan Xiaoqing continued: "I know what you want to say. But this is an opportunity I can't miss. I've worked at the Tax Bureau for ten years, outlasting three directors. Why have those good opportunities never come my way before? It's because my father is a self-righteous good-for-nothing who won't bother to say hello and doesn't care about my future at all."

Saying this, Wan Xiaoqing raised her glass and downed the red wine in one gulp, as if she were drinking not wine but her resentment toward her father.

She slammed her glass back onto the table: "I've had enough! Why do people inferior to me keep climbing over me? What do I lack compared to them?"

"Xiaoqing……"

Chen Junsheng's expression shifted.

Wan Xiaoqing waved a hand: "Don't misunderstand—I'm not angry at you."

"Xiaoqing, don't forget that your father used to be a subordinate of Chu Jinsong, and Mayor Lin is Chu Jinsong's favored son-in-law. Wang Qigang and Mayor Lin are already at odds—this is common knowledge. For the Wang faction to promote you at this juncture isn't that just helping Lin Dongfan curry favor? That makes no sense."

Chen Junseng looked solemn, hoping Wan Xiaoxing would take this matter seriously and not be used as a tool.

Wan Xiaoxing replied disdainfully:

"I'm not an idiot; I've thought about what you said. Wang Qigang wants me to investigate the Mortal Group, to investigate Ye Jiaying. Who is Ye Jiaying? Lin Dongfan's first love, their relationship is not ordinary."

"Do you know you're still wading into this muddy water?"

Chen Junseng looked speechless.

Wan Xiaoxing laughed: "Why not take it? Auditing is my job. Finding problems is my merit; not finding them is also normal. No matter how capable Lin Dongfan is, can he dismiss me just because I'm doing my duty lawfully?"

"!!!"

Chen Junseng fell silent again, not knowing what to say.

Wan Xiaoxing raised her glass and clinked it with his: "Don't worry, I know my limits. Getting promoted two ranks in a row is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If I miss this chance, I'll truly regret it for the rest of my life."

……

At the same time, in the Municipal Party Committee compound, Lin Dongfan's home.

Having just finished dinner, Lin Dongfan leaned on the sofa reading documents. Chu Lingxi was beside him peeling fruit, occasionally glancing at him.

"Husband, did you go see Old Wan today?"

"Yeah, I ran into him at the hospital."

Lin Dongfan's gaze never left the document in his hand.

Chu Lingxi took the peeled apple, cut a small piece and stuffed it into his mouth, then asked concernedly: "How is Old Wan's health? Nothing serious, right?"

"Not bad."

Lin Dongfan gave half-hearted answers, responding casually.

Chu Lingxi said: "Old Wan is a fine person; my father thinks highly of him. I heard his daughter works at the tax bureau—if you get the chance, look after her."

"Yeah."

Lin Dongfan still kept his eyes on the document in his hand.

Chu Lingxi furrowed her brows, took an angry bite of the apple, and while eating said: "Are you even listening to me?"

"Yes."

Lin Dongfan turned to the next page of the document and continued reading.

Chu Lingxi immediately straddled Lin Dongfan's legs, staring intently at him: "What did I just say?"

"What did you say?"

Lin Dongfan lifted his eyes, his face full of bewilderment.

Chu Lingxi promptly shoved the remaining half-eaten apple into Lin Dongfan's mouth, coquettishly complaining: "I knew you weren't really listening to me."

"Chu Teacher, I didn't mean to—could you say it again?" Lin Dongfan looked innocent.

Chu Lingxi said: "Forget it, I won't say it again, lest you accuse me of meddling in the harem. As punishment, you must hand in your homework tonight; if it's not up to standard, you're not allowed to leave."