Chapter 731: This Money Is Hot to the Touch!

"I haven't earned this, so I cannot accept it for no reason!"

Ma Ran quickly adjusted his tone and joked.

"Medical expenses! These are medical expenses for you!"

Jiang Zhongwen explained with a smile.

Ma Ran felt the thickness of the envelope was not right; he pinched the opening to take a look and saw there was at least thirty thousand, then said calmly, "Principal Jiang, isn't this too much?"

Jiang Zhongwen glanced at Chen Dongan and said to Ma Ran with a grin, "This is Director Chen's intention. Don't be so formal; after finishing this meal, we are all good friends. There will be many places where we need to help each other in the future, and I will still need to rely on you."

Ma Ran smiled modestly, "I'm just a Liaison Officer, what help could I possibly provide?"

Chen Dongan cleared his throat at this moment and said with a serious tone, "You are no ordinary Liaison Officer. You are County Magistrate Tang's Liaison Officer; your future prospects are limitless. Come, I'll toast you."

Ma Ran picked up his wine glass to clink with Chen Dongan and downed the wine in one gulp.

Seeing Ma Ran receive such great respect from Chen Dongan, Huo Xiaowen felt a complex mix of emotions.

She had heard before that Ma Ran's leader often worked late into the night, causing Ma Ran to be busy without stop all day, so Huo Xiaowen had once cursed Tang Ye in private.

However, on this occasion today, her impression of Tang Ye had changed somewhat.

"This leader of his is a real go-getter, causing Ma Ran to have to work overtime so often."

Qiao Lin smiled and said, "When I originally arranged for Ma Ran to serve as County Magistrate Tang's Liaison Officer, I had intended to give him a cushy job. I didn't expect County Magistrate Tang to have such strong work ability; he adapted to the environment quickly and achieved quite a few results.

Now, Secretary Ou and County Magistrate Jiang both think very highly of him. Ma Ran, you must work hard; you will definitely have a bright future."

Ma Ran stood up and raised his glass to Qiao Lin, "Director Qiao, I have always wanted to thank you for your cultivation."

Chen Dongan also stood up and complimented with a smile, "In a little while, you'll have to change how you address him."

Qiao Lin waved his hand modestly, "That's still nowhere in sight!"

Ma Ran understood what Chen Dongan meant: Qiao Lin was currently the Director of the County Government Office, and the next step up would be Deputy Division Level.

Word had leaked out that the county would promote a Deputy County Magistrate, and Qiao Lin was currently among those being considered.

Qiao Lin was considered a relatively young cadre in the Dayu County Government, and a Deputy County Magistrate promoted from the position of Director of the County Government Office usually had good prospects.

Because they were usually the County Magistrate's trusted aides.

The drinking had gone on for three rounds.

Ma Ran had drunk quite a bit, but his mind remained clear.

Taking advantage of the alcohol, Chen Dongan rested his arm on Ma Ran's shoulder and said softly:

"There is something I want to ask you about. Regarding that document on the moral Model Standard Bearer for the county education system, has County Magistrate Tang revealed anything? For example, will the list be adjusted?"

Ma Ran understood Chen Dongan's meaning and said cautiously, "Director Chen, I really don't know about this matter. Although I am County Magistrate Tang's Liaison Officer, he has very strong work ability, and he generally completes core tasks independently."

Chen Dongan knew Ma Ran was playing dumb on purpose and patted Ma Ran's shoulder, "If there is any news, please be sure to give me a signal."

Ma Ran smiled slightly, "Director Chen, please rest assured; your business is my business, and I will keep it in mind."

Seeing that Ma Ran was more sensible than he had imagined, Chen Dongan's initial concerns were swept away.

After the meal ended, Ma Ran prepared to call a car for Huo Xiaowen to send her back to school.

Huo Xiaowen grabbed Ma Ran's arm, "Don't call a taxi. It's not far to the school; let's walk back!"

Ma Ran also wanted to take the opportunity to sober up and replied, "Alright then!"

As the two walked under the shade of the trees, Huo Xiaowen suddenly grabbed Ma Ran's wrist, stood on her tiptoes, and took the initiative to offer her red lips.

Facing Huo Xiaowen's sudden passion, Ma Ran was momentarily taken aback.

Recently, Huo Xiaowen had changed drastically, to the point where he almost didn't recognize her.

However, thinking about it carefully, perhaps it was his own change in attitude toward her that had caused her to undergo such a transformation.

Ma Ran responded perfunctorily. Huo Xiaowen let go, looked at him with deep affection, and asked, "How much were the medical expenses you were given today?"

Ma Ran said expressionlessly, "Thirty thousand. Director Chen and Principal Jiang are truly generous."

Huo Xiaowen knew Ma Ran was still angry and advised, "It is better to resolve grievances than to keep them. Since they have already given so much for medical expenses, don't take it to heart."

Ma Ran sneered inwardly: Those punches weren't landing on your face, so of course you can say it so lightly.

"Don't worry, I'm not that petty. What's done is done; I won't keep dwelling on it."

Huo Xiaowen suddenly stopped, looked left and right, and seeing no one around, opened her bag, took out an envelope, and stuffed it into Ma Ran's arms.

Ma Ran looked at Huo Xiaowen in surprise, "What's in the envelope?"

Huo Xiaowen said in a low voice, "Principal Jiang asked me to give it to you; there are seventy thousand inside!"

Ma Ran's monthly salary was only a little over a thousand; even if he didn't eat or drink, he could only save twenty or thirty thousand a year.

With Huo Xiaowen giving him seventy thousand all at once, Ma Ran naturally understood what this implied.

"Principal Jiang suddenly giving so much money, I'm afraid he doesn't have good intentions, right?"

Huo Xiaowen paused and said softly, "Principal Jiang just hopes that you can put in a good word with County Magistrate Tang regarding the project for the county education system's Model Standard Bearer, and it would be best if you could arrange a meal so they could meet."

Ma Ran sneered, "This money is hot to the touch!"

Seeing Ma Ran being stubborn again, Huo Xiaowen stamped her foot:

"Ma Ran, can you stop being so pedantic?

Money doesn't just fall from the sky. Why would others give you thirty thousand in medical expenses and now ask for your help? This is clearly giving you an opportunity!

Housing prices in Yanzhou are so high now, and they are rising every day. If you don't seize the opportunity, you will never be able to buy a house in the future. If you don't have a house, what will you use to marry me?"

Watching Huo Xiaowen value money so highly and even tie it to love and marriage, Ma Ran felt incredibly disappointed.

"If I don't accept this money, are you going to break up with me?"

Huo Xiaowen's eyes turned red, and she said softly, "Honey, listen to me, just take the money first. If you don't want to help, you can just find an excuse to politely refuse later."

Ma Ran shook his head and sighed, "You are too naive. Accepting this money means I am completely tied to them. If I don't handle the matter well, they certainly won't let it go."

Huo Xiaowen bit her lip; she, of course, knew that accepting this money involved risks.

But facing such a large sum of money, she had already decided to stake everything on one throw.

"Ma Ran!

There are two paths before you to choose from:

One is to refuse, and from now on we will have no connection whatsoever;

The other is to accept, take this money to Yanzhou to get a mortgage for a house, and we will get married at the end of the year."

Ma Ran had not expected Huo Xiaowen to threaten him in this way.

He was silent for a moment.

He took that envelope from Huo Xiaowen's hand.

Seeing this scene, Huo Xiaowen felt a warmth in her heart.

Ma Ran loved her after all!

She hugged Ma Ran's arm tightly and said softly, "Come to my dormitory today? Recently, a stray cat appeared over at the dormitory; it can even do somersaults..."

Ma Ran: "..."