Chapter 940: The Sweet and Naive's Various Ways of Refusing

After Wan Yan was sent to the hospital, he was declared dead from a recurrent heart attack just a few minutes later, aged 67.

The old lady was grief-stricken, she called her daughter Wan Xiaoqing's phone, but it was still rejected.

Now Wan Xiaoqing's mind is full of official positions.

In order to keep the bureau chief's position.

Wan Xiaoqing had already driven to Jianglan Daxue, where Chu Lingxi works.

Chu Lingxi is not only Lin Dongfan's wife, but also the precious daughter of the old secretary Chu Jingsong. In Wan Xiaoqing's view, if she could persuade Chu Lingxi to intercede, it would be more effective than praying to gods and buddhas.

At the school gate.

Several senior students gathered together, chatting about taking the civil service exam.

Each one full of fervor and high spirits.

Wan Xiaoqian watched them, suddenly recalling her own college days, when she was just as confident, believing that hard work would get her everything she wanted.

Now she feels it's all ironic—hard work counts for nothing; connections are the real rule.

She raised her wrist to check the time.

Anxious as an ant on a hot pan, she paced back and forth at the school gate.

She waited another ten or so minutes.

Finally she saw Chu Lingxi come out of the school.

Although Chu Lingxi is several years older than her, she still looks like a young girl—her figure is kept in excellent shape, her skin is dewy and fair, and her face always bears a carefree smile.

This made Wan Xiaoqing envious; she thought a woman who is loved lives a happy life.

"Chu Teacher."

Wan Xiaoqing suppressed her jealousy and hurried forward.

Chu Lingxi heard the voice and glanced over; her eyes showed no surprise or hostility, only the ordinary look one gives a stranger: "Who are you?"

"Chu Teacher, hello. I'm Wan Xiaoqing, I work at the Tax Bureau. My father is Wan Yan; back then he and your father were old colleagues."

Wan Xiaoqing forced out a hint of a friendly smile.

Chu Lingxi smiled slightly: "Oh, it's Xiao Wan. I heard your dad mention you. Are you waiting for someone?"

"I came especially to see you today to ask a favor," Wan Xiaoqing said. "Sorry to bother you; I hope you won't take offense."

Chu Lingxi's expression shifted to surprise: "You want to learn dance?"

"Dance?"

Wan Xiaoqing stared, stunned.

She thought, "What kind of brain circuit is this? I'm a Division Level official—why would I bother learning dance? Stop pretending you don't understand!"

Wan Xiaoqing collected herself and forced a cheap smile: "Chu Teacher, you misunderstood—I'm not here to learn dance. This time I'm here to..."

When she got to the point, her smile turned even more awkward.

She steeled herself to continue: "To be frank, due to some misunderstandings at work, Mayor Lin has relieved me of my post. I came to ask you to put in a good word for me. I hope Mayor Lin will show me favor and give me another chance."

"Oh, I see."

Chu Lingxi looked embarrassed: "My husband forbids meddling in government affairs. He never lets me interfere in work matters. How about… you go elsewhere to try your luck? I'm afraid I can't help."

"Chu Teacher, if I weren't desperate, I wouldn't come here to impose on you," Wan Xiaoqing said with a bitter smile. "My dad and your dad used to keep in touch. Please, for the sake of our elders' friendship, say a few good words for me."

"Would… my words be of any use?"

Chu Lingxi thought it over carefully.

Then, as if suddenly realizing, she shook her head: "My dad has already been transferred out of the area; he probably can't handle Wuzhou's affairs anymore, so calling her likely won't help."

"!!!"

Looking at Chu Lingxi's innocent face, Wan Xiaoqing felt a spark of anger flare up inside her.

She thought, "Are you truly stupid or just pretending? With that intellect, you could be a college professor? It infuriates me—your words are so off‑key!"

Wan Xiaoqing took a deep breath and forced herself to be patient: "Chu Lingxi, even though the old secretary has been transferred, Wuzhou is still your family's domain. Just do me a favor and give Mayor Lin a heads‑up."

"You mean my husband?" Chu Lingxi quickly waved her hands: "That's not something I can greet him about—just as I said, he forbids meddling in government affairs."

"Chu Teacher..."

Wan Xiaoqing felt a black line of anger rise on her forehead, not knowing what to say.

Chu Lingxi tilted her head, thought a moment, then her eyes lit up: "How about this…?" Wan Xiaoqing, thinking she had found an enlightening guide, quickly replied: "Please go on."

Unexpectedly, Chu Lingxi enthusiastically added: "Come learn dance with me—I've started an adult dance class at our school, specially teaching office‑worker types like you. A little dance lifts the mood, and work matters will smooth out on their own. If you sign up, I'll give you a 50% discount."

"!!!"

Wan Xiaoqing nearly choked.

To say I'm not upset would be a lie—old me came asking for a backdoor favor, yet you turn me into a performance metric, dead set on dragging me into the dance circle.

A 50% discount—you really think you're giving me face!

Wan Xiaoqing drew a deep breath, straining to keep her bitter smile: "Chu Teacher, it's not just a bad mood. I've been removed from my post—removed, do you understand? I have no job."

"I understand, I really get how you feel," Chu Lingxi urged earnestly. "You absolutely must not give up. I'm telling you, the more times like this, the more you should take up dance. Think about it—you have no job, plenty of time; if you don't dance, what else will you do? Lying around at home just makes you gain weight."

"!!!"

Wan Xiaoqing gritted her teeth in anger, unable to hold back: "Chu Teacher, I came here hat in hand to ask for help—are you just messing with me?"

"Messing with you?"

Chu Lingxi blinked, apparently only now catching the scent of her anger.

She hurriedly waved her hands: "No, no, Xiao Wan, you misunderstood—I didn't mean that. My point is, dance really can improve your mood. If you think my fees are too high, I can waive them. Consider it a favor to Old Wan—would that work?"

"Thank you!"

Unable to continue the conversation, Wan Xiaoqing stormed off in anger.

But she hadn't taken two steps.

She again felt resentful, turned and asked with a smile: "Chu Lingxi, do you know why Mayor Lin dismissed my position?"

"I don't know, the inner court must not interfere in politics." Chu Lingxi shook her head.

Wan Xiaoqing mocked: "It's because I arrested the chairman of Mortal Group, Ye Jiaying! Our Mayor Lin, flying into a rage for a beauty! You, the principal wife, are truly magnanimous—you can even share your bed partner."

"Xiao Wan, if you're going to say that, then I'll have to give you a lesson."

Chu Lingxi stepped forward two steps.

She struck a stern, teacherly pose: "Have you not heard that the benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom? For example, if you encounter a pile of organic waste, you think it's the most disgusting thing in the world; but to an old farmer, it's the best fertilizer! So, do you understand my meaning?"

"You mean I don't know how to make use of waste?" Wan Xiaoqing chuckled lightly.

Chu Lingxi shook her head solemnly: "Xiao Wan classmate, teacher doesn't mean that. Teacher wants to tell you something—a disgusting person finds everything disgusting."

"You!!!!..."

Wan Xiaoqing trembled with rage, her face flushed.

Only then did she belatedly realize that Chu Lingxi wasn't just out of it—she was purely pretending to be a fool!

In her fury,

Wan Xiaoqing opened her mouth and snapped: "What do you think you are? If it weren't for your official father protecting you and your husband doting on you, you'd be nothing but a vase, good for nothing!"

"Even if I'm a vase, I'm a blue-and-white porcelain from Jingdezhen."

Chu Lingxi lightly raised her eyebrows.

She cupped her hands without courtesy: "The sky-blue awaits the rainy mist, while my husband waits for me. Someone like you, who has no husband to dote on her, wouldn't understand. Farewell!"