Chapter 722: Ma Ran's Romance Takes a Turn!

Walking through the campus, Huo Xiaowen could clearly feel the admiring gazes of the boys and the worshipful eyes of the girls; she very much enjoyed this atmosphere and feeling.

After finishing her music class and returning to the office, she lit up her phone screen and discovered that her boyfriend had replied to her message.

"I was in a meeting just now. Is something the matter, my dear?"

Huo Xiaowen pursed her lips and, with an expressionless face, pressed the keys to edit a text message: "I haven't seen you for a month. I sometimes find it strange; ever since you became a Liaison Officer, it's as if you've vanished from the face of the earth. I am not your 'dear.' Your leader is your 'dear'."

Ma Ran looked at the message coming in on his phone, a bitter trace appearing at the corners of his mouth; he had frequently had to work overtime during this recent period, and although Tang Ye would let him go back early, Ma Ran still chose to stay.

This was because he felt that since he had become Tang Ye's Liaison Officer, he should keep his pace consistent with his.

Seeing that Ma Ran was working so hard, Tang Ye also frequently gave him guidance and suggestions.

Ma Ran felt that in the span of one month, he had grown faster than in the past few years.

"Baby, don't be angry. I've been a bit busy lately and neglected you. Once I finish this busy spell, I will definitely make it up to you properly."

Seeing the text, Huo Xiaowen's expression improved slightly: "Hubby, I know you are very ambitious, but you also have to take care of my feelings. I feel like having a boyfriend is the same as not having one. Besides, my parents have mentioned many times that they want you to come to our house for a meal. You have refused many times, and they are very angry."

Ma Ran gave a bitter smile and replied: "My dear, I have been working hard; just give me a little more time. If I go to your house now, I don't have the confidence to face your parents."

Huo Xiaowen's emotions were somewhat agitated: "Don't you want to marry me?"

Ma Ran hurriedly replied to the message: "We have been in love for six years, from our freshman year until now; my goal and motivation is to one day walk into the halls of marriage with you. But I want to give you the best, and I don't want your parents to look down on me."

Huo Xiaowen bit her lip and replied: "Don't use these high-sounding words to fob me off. I'm not young anymore, and my parents putting pressure on you is because they hope you will be more proactive."

Ma Ran sighed helplessly: "My dear, please give me a little more time!"

Huo Xiaowen replied very firmly: "You must give me a result by the end of the month, otherwise let's break up!"

Ma Ran replied to the message impatiently: "My dear, how can you so casually put 'break up' on your lips? I won't give up. I have to go to a meeting. How about this, let's go watch a movie together this weekend; there's a movie that's quite good..."

Huo Xiaowen replied with a cold sneer: "No need. I have plans; you go busy yourself with your own affairs!"

Returning to the dormitory, Huo Xiaowen sat before her vanity mirror, gazed at herself in the mirror, and began to sort out her emotions.

For her, tonight's dinner party was definitely a trap disguised as a feast.

Director Chen and Principal Jiang often invited women to attend social engagements, and later these women all had good career developments; for example, a female teacher from before was directly transferred to a township to serve as a principal because she frequently reported her work to Director Chen.

After thinking it over, Huo Xiaowen dialed her father's phone number.

Her father, Huo Tai, was a section chief at the Municipal Agriculture Bureau.

"Xiaowen, is something the matter that you're calling me?"

Huo Xiaowen said softly: "Dad, Principal Jiang asked me to accompany the county bureau leaders for a meal tonight and mentioned recommending me to become a Model Standard Bearer in the education system. I'm a bit conflicted right now."

Huo Tai frowned: "For an occasion like this, you should go, but you must remember to keep a sense of propriety. Building a good relationship with leaders is not a bad thing; it is beneficial to your advancement."

Having received her father's encouragement, Huo Xiaowen said softly: "Okay, Dad, thank you."

Although Huo Tai was only a Section-level Cadre, he felt that he was a cadre of the city.

Previously, he had entrusted someone to put in a good word for his daughter.

The people at the County Education Bureau should not do anything to Huo Xiaowen.

"By the way, how is your relationship with Ma Ran?" Huo Tai's tone was somewhat displeased.

"Ma Ran has been very busy lately, and we haven't had time to meet. Dad, just give him a little time; he is already a Liaison Officer for a County Leader now."

Although Huo Xiaowen was not very satisfied with Ma Ran's recent performance, Ma Ran did, after all, have years of emotional history with her.

In her heart, Ma Ran was her future husband.

Huo Tai said impatiently: "You, you've made your mother so sad. There are many people outside who want to introduce you to suitors—there's the Mayor's nephew, the County Party Secretary's nephew—why don't you look favorably upon any of them?"

Huo Xiaowen bit her lip and said: "Dad, I've set my heart on Ma Ran."

Huo Tai said with frustration: "I've inquired about the leader Ma Ran follows. He's called an Executive Deputy County Magistrate, but he's an Exchange Cadre who will leave Dayu County in two years. At that time, Ma Ran's two years will have been for nothing. Moreover, Dayu County is the poorest county in Yanzhou; even if he gets assigned to a township or an agency unit, what kind of great prospects can he have?"

Huo Xiaowen pleaded: "Dad, why don't you think of a way to transfer Ma Ran to the city."

Huo Tai said with displeasure: "That kid isn't worth me spending energy and effort on. I'll give him another six months; if he can't buy an apartment in Yanzhou, you break up with him. This is the final ultimatum!"

Having received Huo Xiaowen's complaining text message, Ma Ran appeared absent-minded during the meeting.

After the meeting adjourned, Tang Ye keenly observed the changes in Ma Ran's mood.

Tang Ye took a speech draft and placed it beside Ma Ran; seeing he had no reaction, he said softly: "Ma Ran, your state is not right. Has something happened at home?"

Ma Ran gave a start and said with a forced smile: "County Magistrate Tang, I'm fine. Is there something that needs to be done?"

Tang Ye had originally intended to have Ma Ran perfect the speech draft according to his own revisions, but seeing that Ma Ran's state was not right, he smiled and said: "During this period, you have been getting off work with me every day. My family is in Hanzhou, but you are different; you also need to manage your own private life well. There is no need to wear yourself out here with me."

Ma Ran hurriedly stood up and said in a firm tone: "County Magistrate Tang, I have never had any complaints about working overtime; this is voluntary on my part."

Tang Ye patted Ma Ran on the shoulder and glanced at the photo frame on the desk.

In the photo was a portrait of Ma Ran's girlfriend, Huo Xiaowen.

"This is your beloved, right? You keep the photo on your desk, which shows that the two of you have a very good relationship. Working overtime during this period, she must have grievances in her heart. Get off work now; this is an order!"

Ma Ran looked at Tang Ye in surprise.

Tang Ye took back the speech draft and walked back to his office.

Ma Ran felt moved beyond words.

After spending a long time with County Magistrate Tang, he discovered that besides having outstanding ability, he was also particularly humane!