Chapter 214: Sooner or Later, You'll Be Wearing a Green Hat!

Tang Ye understood Xiao Hui's intentions clearly.

He consistently maintained a deliberate distance, striving to create an invisible barrier.

Yet, under the dim, ambiguous lights and the backdrop of the melodious, flowing music, Xiao Hui seemed as if possessed, single-mindedly wanting to break through these obstacles.

Perhaps because of Tang Ye's aloofness, Xiao Hui felt unwilling to give up, using the dance steps to vent the restlessness and regret in her heart.

"Tang Ye, do you think I'm particularly snobbish? To get a job transfer, I don't hesitate to attend this kind of social event." Xiao Hui spoke suddenly, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible desolation.

Tang Ye's expression was calm, and he responded in a gentle tone: "You're overthinking it. Everyone has their own way of handling problems; you must have your own considerations for doing this."

Xiao Hui continued: "Actually, I quite hate you. If it weren't for you, Shang Deyi wouldn't have fallen, and I could have been working at the Municipal Education Bureau long ago."

Tang Ye shook his head slightly, his expression indifferent: "So what if you worked at the Municipal Education Bureau? Being a teacher, educating and nurturing people, isn't that quite good too?"

Xiao Hui sneered, full of unwillingness: "That's easy to say, who doesn't want to climb higher? Actually, you and I are essentially the same type of person. I was with Shao Jinbo, you chose Du Xi; at the root of it, it's all the same logic."

Tang Ye frowned slightly and retorted: "You've got it wrong. I like Du Xi purely because of who she is; it has nothing to do with her family background."

A look of disdain appeared on Xiao Hui's face, and she gave a light huff: "Tang Ye, you really are hypocritical!"

Tang Ye gave Xiao Hui a look of annoyance, "Believe it or not."

Xiao Hui and Tang Ye danced three songs in a row.

During this time, she continuously exhausted all her efforts, doing her utmost to be proactive, yet Tang Ye was like a towering, immovable mountain, remaining completely unmoved.

This couldn't help but stir a trace of admiration in Xiao Hui's heart, as she marveled at Tang Ye's strong self-control in the face of temptation;

Yet at the same time, a touch of disappointment quietly sprouted in the depths of her heart; after all, her efforts seemed to have all gone to waste.

However, Xiao Hui could be certain that her body was very honest; she liked the masculine charm Tang Ye radiated.

This was something Shao Jinbo could not provide.

The last dance song ended.

She felt a bit uncomfortable and had to go to the restroom...

At ten-thirty, this small dance party neared its end.

At this moment, Chen Ping, with a face full of smiles, held a female comrade's hand and suggested with great interest: "It's still early, everyone was jumping and dancing just now, the amount of exercise wasn't small, and everyone must be hungry. How about we all go to the Ancient Ferry together, take a boat, and have a late-night snack, how about it?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the female comrades immediately cheered with joy.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hui subconsciously cast her gaze toward Tang Ye.

Tang Ye played deaf and dumb, avoiding Xiao Hui's gaze.

Seeing that Tang Ye seemed to have the intention of taking his leave, Chen Ping was quick-witted and fast-handed; he grabbed Tang Ye's wrist, leaned into his ear, and whispered: "Section Chief Tang, you are the core figure of our event today. Everyone is looking forward to getting closer to you; you absolutely cannot just leave like this."

Tang Ye looked around and saw that everyone else was in high spirits, especially those few female comrades, whose faces were brimming with anticipation.

He sighed helplessly in his heart and prevaricated: "Fine, I'll go to the restroom first."

Taking advantage of the gap while Tang Ye was away, Chen Ping found Xiao Hui and smilingly exhorted: "Teacher Xiao, once we get on the boat later, you must toast Section Chief Tang a few more times. Don't look at how young Section Chief Tang is; he is Mayor Jiang's Secretary, and his influence is huge. If you can get his help, those matters of yours might all be easily resolved."

Out of the corner of her eye, Xiao Hui caught the expressions of the other female comrades changing instantly.

This scene made Xiao Hui feel a complex mix of emotions in her heart.

She knew deeply that in official circles, people had always been this vain and sycophantic.

And she herself, without realizing it, had actually become one of them.

The group arrived at Gu Du and boarded the boat house.

Once the steaming boat-cooked dishes were on the table, Xiao Hui took the initiative to pick up her wine glass: "Section Chief Tang, just now Section Chief Chen guaranteed to me that as long as I toast you three glasses of wine, you will be able to help me solve all my problems."

Hearing this, Tang Ye couldn't help but mutter to himself: We are already so familiar with each other, yet you are still acting so distant here; what kind of act is this?

However, in front of everyone, he really felt embarrassed to clarify their relationship.

After hesitating for a moment, he said: "How about this, you drink one, and I'll drink three, just to liven things up for everyone."

Chen Ping couldn't help but chuckle: "I didn't expect Section Chief Tang to be so tender-hearted toward the fair sex."

Tang Ye gave a bitter smile, picked up his wine glass, tilted his head back, and downed the three glasses in one go.

Who would have thought that after Xiao Hui finished one glass, it was as if her fighting spirit had been ignited; she immediately drank two more in succession, looking very much like she couldn't stop.

Tang Ye was afraid that Xiao Hui would drink too much and do something unseemly, so he hurriedly leaned into her ear and warned in a low voice: "If you keep acting like this, I'm going to call Shao Jinbo."

Xiao Hui's body jolted violently; her originally hazy eyes instantly became clear, and she turned to glare fiercely at Tang Ye.

That look seemed to say: You wouldn't dare!

Immediately after, Xiao Hui gracefully picked up her wine glass and walked toward Chen Ping with confident steps.

Her eyes rippled, and her tone carried a hint of playfulness as she said ingratiatingly: "Section Chief Chen, I haven't missed a single drop of the wine I was supposed to drink."

Chen smiled broadly and raised his wine glass, "I am good brothers with Section Chief Tang. Since you were so supportive today, rest assured, as long as I can help, I won't be vague about it!"

After a few glasses of wine, Xiao Hui had completely changed into a different person, as if the Ren Du Meridians in her body had been opened in an instant.

Holding her wine glass, she was like a nimble butterfly, weaving through the boat cabin, enthusiastically clinking glasses with everyone one by one.

Everywhere she went, she was able to chat and laugh with everyone skillfully; her appropriate words and elegant demeanor made it hard for people to connect her with the slightly reserved woman from before.

Tang Ye sighed inwardly; Xiao Hui was definitely not a person who would stay in a small pond.

If she were to enter the officialdom, relying on her cleverness and social talent, she would surely be able to stir up clouds and rain and achieve great things in the official circles.

He secretly broke into a cold sweat for Shao Jinbo.

That kid's Big Head would sooner or later be covered by a green headscarf.

It was already one in the morning when they finished their late-night snack on the boat.

Chen Ping was still not satisfied, "Section Chief Tang, let me treat you to a bath and a full-body massage." Seeing Tang Ye hesitate, he added with a smile, "It's a very proper massage."

Tang Ye was not some greenhorn, so he naturally understood the implications.

He politely declined, "I have to follow Mayor Jiang to the province to work on projects tomorrow morning; there's a lot to do, so let's leave it for today. Another day, I'll host, and we can get together properly."

Seeing that Tang Ye's attitude was firm, Chen Ping did not insist further and instead made plans with the others to go for a massage together.

In some circles of civil servants in Hanzhou, this seemed to have become a norm, and they indulged themselves in this seemingly comfortable life.

Tang Ye was in the midst of it all, appearing to participate with everyone else, but deep down, he was actually full of repulsion.

He knew clearly that this so-called ease was actually taking advantage of the public, a desecration of his official duties.

Tang Ye intended to hail a taxi home; just as he reached the roadside, Xiao Hui hurried after him, her eyes filled with thick resentment.

Tang Ye pulled open the taxi door, and after Xiao Hui sat inside, he quickly closed the door and said to the driver, "Master, go to Xiyue Garden!"

The car slowly started, and only then did Xiao Hui realize that Tang Ye had not gotten into the car.

She hurriedly turned around and, through the rear window of the car, saw Tang Ye get into another taxi behind them.

At that moment, a bitter smile could not help but appear on the corners of Xiao Hui's mouth.

Loneliness and helplessness spread wantonly in this silent night...