Chapter 321: A Good Way to Train Your Abs!

Twilight had just descended.

Tang Ye stepped into the elegant private room of Bixiang Building.

After ordering the dishes Cheng Lin loved, he stood leaning against the window.

About ten minutes later, crisp footsteps approached from afar.

Cheng Lin pushed the door open and entered; a moon-white dress made her look refined and ethereal.

"See if there's anything else you'd like to add?" Tang Ye handed over the gold-leaf menu.

Cheng Lin's fingertips glided over the list of dishes, and a gentle smile rose at the corners of her lips: "It's kind of you to still remember my preferences."

"How could I forget?"

"Our statuses are different now; be more careful with what you say in the future, it's easy to cause misunderstandings."

"Du Xi is not a petty person; she understands the relationship between you and me."

Cheng Lin lowered her eyes and turned the celadon teacup, her voice carrying a hint of self-mockery: "We used to be colleagues; I don't even know what our relationship is now."

Tang Ye laughed heartily: "In my heart, you have always been an older sister."

These words caused Cheng Lin's movements to pause.

An indescribable sense of loss flashed across her eyes, but it quickly turned into a relieved, faint smile.

"I also treat you like a younger brother."

The topic turned to work, and Tang Ye thought of Xu Qiao.

"By the way, how has Xiao Xu been performing lately?"

Cheng Lin picked up her teacup and took a light sip, her eyes full of approval: "Her comprehension is extremely high, and she is meticulous in her work. I am going to take up a post in Suiyuan County and want to take her along to gain experience, but I still have to respect her wishes."

Upon hearing this, Tang Ye was secretly delighted; this was exactly the arrangement he had hoped for.

Cheng Lin's vast network of connections, combined with the natural advantage of being a woman, could protect Xu Qiao far better than he could.

"She will definitely be eager to go."

Before Tang Ye could finish his sentence, Cheng Lin suddenly threw out a question: "Are you interested in going to Suiyuan together?"

"Things like this aren't up to me to decide; I have to listen to the organization's arrangements."

Cheng Lin smiled brightly: "Look at how nervous you are. Although there are many challenges there, it is also easy to achieve results."

Tang Ye nodded thoughtfully: "Opportunities and challenges coexist; it is indeed a good opportunity for tempering."

Just as they were speaking, the private room door was pushed open gently, and Du Xi stepped in gracefully.

Tang Ye hurriedly stood up to make introductions.

Du Xi smiled in a poised and generous manner: "We have met before; can I call you sister from now on too?"

Cheng Lin looked at the heroic and spirited girl before her, and the inexplicable bitterness instantly dissipated.

Such a clever and magnanimous young woman was indeed a perfect match for Tang Ye.

"I'll go urge them to serve the food."

Tang Ye suddenly wanted to smoke, but he didn't want to smoke in the private room, as that would make the two women uncomfortable.

Especially Du Xi, who had been preparing for pregnancy recently; although she had never mentioned it to Tang Ye, Tang Ye still tried his best not to smoke or drink in front of her.

He used this as an excuse to leave his seat.

Only the two women remained in the private room.

Cheng Lin took the initiative to pour tea for Du Xi, her gaze filled with inquiry and appreciation: "It's strange to say, but the first time I saw you, I felt that you and Xiao Tang would have a story."

Du Xi's cheeks flushed, and she said candidly: "We started as friends and went through quite a lot; I cherish being able to reach this point today."

"Tang Ye is a rare, good man." Cheng Lin gently turned her cup, her tone sincere, "We were once superior and subordinate, and later became siblings. During those difficult days, I relied entirely on him to accompany me. But don't worry, things between us are very pure."

This confession allowed Du Xi to completely set aside her lingering worries,

and her doubts turned into a relieved smile.

When Tang Ye returned, Cheng Lin brought out an exquisite gift box: "A wedding gift, please don't mind the humble offering."

Unwrapping the velvet packaging, a pair of bone china tableware with gilded edges revealed their luster.

Du Xi stroked the delicate patterns, unable to put them down.

"It's so beautiful, thank you, sister!"

"I'm glad you like it. I picked it out for a long time."

Watching the joy flickering in the girl's eyes, the knot in Cheng Lin's heart quietly unraveled.

Some emotions do not need to be spoken; sealing them deep in one's memory is the best destination.

After dinner, Tang Ye and Du Xi did not return to the Hospital Staff Quarters, nor did they head to Yunhu Courtyard, but went straight to their new home in Xiyue Garden.

Although the new home still needed ventilation to dissipate the smell after renovation, the two would still occasionally come here to stay for a few days.

The wooden bed at the Hospital Staff Quarters was hard and unstable, and Yunhu Courtyard was, after all, Du Chengfeng's residence; they always felt constrained and unable to relax there.

Only in Xiyue Garden could the two of them completely relax their bodies and minds.

After washing up, Tang Ye leaned against the bed watching television.

Before long, Du Xi walked into the room wearing pajamas, lay down beside Tang Ye, and rested her cheek gently against his chest, sighing: "Cheng Lin is truly an elegant woman; even the sound of her voice is exceptionally pleasant."

Tang Ye couldn't help but smile: "It's really not easy to be praised by you."

Du Xi reached out and pinched Tang Ye's lower abdomen, teasing: "How come it feels like your abs are gone?"

Tang Ye shook his head helplessly and sighed: "There's no helping it; I spend my days indulging in the gentleness of a beauty, so my physical fitness is naturally not as good as before."

Du Xi gave a light hum: "It's clearly that you are lax in your own training, yet you push the responsibility onto me."

Tang Ye smiled slyly: "I've thought of a good way to train my abs."

Having said that, he had Du Xi lie on top of him and nimbly began doing sit-ups, completing fifty in one breath.

Every time Tang Ye propped up his upper body, Du Xi would offer a sweet reward.

"Be careful, don't strain your waist," Du Xi urged with concern.

"Rest assured, my waist is just fine; I could do three more sets without any problem!"

The next morning, as soon as Tang Ye stepped into his workplace, he received a summons from Lin Ru.

Pushing open the door, he asked softly, "Secretary-General, what are your instructions?"

Lin Ru swept a faint gaze over Tang Ye, her tone devoid of ripples: "The Municipal Party Committee Inspection Office is launching an investigation into the issues at Hanxing Group. Mayor Jiang has directed that you be responsible for coordinating this matter with the Municipal Party Committee Inspection Office."

Tang Ye nodded slightly and responded steadily, "I will communicate with them shortly."

Lin Ru's expression was cold as she continued to remind him: "Dealing with the Municipal Party Committee Inspection Office requires attention to methods and approaches; you must be cautious in your words and actions. If you act too aggressively, it is easy to cause trouble, and when that time comes, even Mayor Jiang might find it difficult to clean up the mess for you."

Since the argument with Lin Ru last time, the conflict between the two had already become public.

As Tang Ye's direct superior, it was easy for Lin Ru to find opportunities to knock him down a peg.

However, Tang Ye did not care about this.

Wan Ming's quip about "treating it as her menopause acting up" became his psychological comfort.

"Thank you for the reminder, Secretary-General Lin. I will certainly be extra careful and will never cause trouble for you or Mayor Jiang," Tang Ye said in a calm tone.

Lin Ru sneered inwardly, her words laced with sarcasm: "If you really mess up, I don't have the ability to protect you. But I suppose Mayor Jiang will do his best to help you solve the problem."

Tang Ye remained composed and turned to ask, "Regarding Mayor Jiang's schedule for this month, are there any other instructions?"

Lin Ru casually tossed her work notebook in front of Tang Ye.

Ordinarily, Mayor Jiang's work schedule was managed by Tang Ye. Having followed by Mayor Jiang's side, Tang Ye knew the leader's work rhythm and needs like the back of his hand; after drafting the itinerary, he would report it to Lin Ru.

Lin Ru, in turn, was required to review the itinerary and make adjustments based on the overall work requirements of the Municipal Government.

Although Mayor Jiang had granted Tang Ye full work authority, for the sake of smooth progress, Tang Ye still needed to coordinate with Lin Ru regularly.

After all, Lin Ru not only managed Secretariat Section Two but also undertook liaison work with the Executive Vice Mayor and various municipal departments.

Having completed the work handover, Tang Ye hurried out of the office.

Every second spent in the presence of Lin Ru made him feel tormented.