Chapter 807: He's Become More Handsome and More Spirited!

Friday, 10:00 AM.

The Yanzhou Municipal Party Committee auditorium held a commendation conference for outstanding figures in emergency rescue and disaster relief.

As a representative being commended, Tang Ye sat in the first row.

Municipal Party Secretary Liu Mingyuan attended the conference; upon seeing Tang Ye, he smiled and took the initiative to reach out his hand.

"Little Tang, we meet again!"

"Secretary Liu, hello!"

Tang Ye hurriedly reached out with both hands and gently shook the other's hand.

Being remembered by a Municipal Party Secretary is no easy feat these days.

Clearly, Tang Ye was not just someone Liu Mingyuan simply remembered!

Subsequently, Liu Mingyuan shook hands with Shen Yuping, Chu Weiming, Gao Xiang, Ji Shaoquan, Ma Wu, and others in succession.

This commendation conference was hosted by Cao Rongcheng, the Full-time Deputy Party Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee.

The conference began with a speech by Liu Mingyuan, who highly affirmed everyone's contributions during the disaster relief work, and specifically highlighted the key role Tang Ye played in it.

Immediately following, Tang Ye took the stage as a representative of those being commended to speak:

"Respected leaders, comrades: It is a great honor to stand here and share my feelings about participating in the disaster relief.

Our ability to evacuate villagers through timely early warnings and emergency measures could not have been achieved without the assistance of numerous comrades.

Therefore, this honor does not belong to me alone, but to all the comrades in Dayu County who poured their heart, soul, and sweat into the rescue efforts.

Although this mudslide did not cause any casualties, it destroyed the village and brought severe property losses to the villagers.

This has only made the already impoverished common people's situation worse.

Therefore, the work ahead is arduous and long-term; we must do our utmost to help the disaster victims rebuild their homes.

This cannot be done without the support of everyone present.

Today's commendation from the Municipal Party Committee is, for me, a heavy responsibility!

I hope everyone will supervise my future work, and at the same time, I welcome you all to join in the post-disaster reconstruction work in Dayu County.

Thank you all!"

After Tang Ye's speech concluded.

Bursts of applause erupted in the auditorium.

Liu Mingyuan was very satisfied with Tang Ye's speech.

Tang Ye's speech was neither humble nor arrogant; instead of dwelling on his own merits, he consistently emphasized the difficulties of post-disaster reconstruction.

This level of character is admirable!

……

Next, the proceedings moved to the commendation segment.

Tang Ye was the first to walk onto the stage.

Shen Yuping followed closely behind Tang Ye, taking the stage in her wheelchair.

Her mood at this moment was quite complex.

She felt somewhat guilty receiving this commendation.

Because from beginning to end, not only did she not help with anything, she was more like a burden;

yet her accidental injury became a "medal of merit."

Thinking about it carefully, it was truly ironic.

Qiao Lin clapped numbly, his heart full of regret.

If he had been a bit braver at the time and insisted on following Tang Ye into the mountains to assess the risks, he could have easily obtained a Third-Class Merit.

With this Third-Class Merit, his chances of securing a Deputy Division Level position would have been much higher.

Qiao Lin harbored a twisted mindset toward Tang Ye!

In fact, he had always hoped to get on good terms with Tang Ye.

But Tang Ye pushed him away time and time again.

This sense of loss from being unable to get what he wanted became increasingly intense as Tang Ye became the "hero" of Dayu County over and over again.

……

"Mom, today is the disaster relief commendation conference; I heard that reporters from Shaanxi Provincial Satellite TV went to cover it." Du Xi told Xiao Qin after receiving the news.

"Alright, I know! The provincial station really takes it seriously!" Xiao Qin said with a smile.

At 8:00 PM, Xiao Qin turned on the television and tuned to the news channel of Shaanxi Provincial Satellite TV.

About fifteen minutes later, the female host reported in a lighthearted voice:

"Today, Yanzhou City held a commendation conference for the mudslide disaster emergency rescue; ten comrades, represented by Tang Ye, received commendations. Please see the detailed report below."

The screen quickly cut to Tang Ye.

Xiao Qin said with a heartache: "Why does it feel like he has lost weight again!"

A smile appeared on the corner of Du Xi's mouth: "I think he has become more handsome and more spirited!"

As she spoke, she dialed Qin Lan's phone: "Mom, Tang Ye was commended, and he even made it onto the Shaanxi Provincial Satellite TV local news!"

Qin Lan hurriedly asked: "Really? Is it still playing now?"

"It has already ended, but it should be rebroadcast."

"Alright, then we will wait to watch the rebroadcast." Du Xi heard the pride and joy in Qin Lan's tone, and her own heart was filled with deep emotion.

Beyond the pride, there was even more heartache.

Because behind the glitz and glamour, Tang Ye had paid too high a price.

……

When Tang Ye was receiving his commendation on the screen.

In the darkness, someone was staring fixedly at him.

Zhang Lin angrily turned off the television.

He dialed Li Na's phone number.

"Did you see today's news?"

Li Na sighed: "I saw it."

Zhang Lin said softly: "In a few days, the Provincial Geological Team will enter the mountains. You must organize a group of people to represent the common folk of Zhangping County and present our demands. This mine does not just belong to Dayu County; it also belongs to Zhangping County."

Li Na replied: "Very well, County Magistrate Zhang, I will arrange it properly."

After hanging up on Li Na, the room door was knocked upon.

Zhang Lin walked over and opened the door, only to see Xu Haiyan standing outside, pushing a food cart.

"County Magistrate Zhang, I have brought your dinner."

Zhang Lin nodded toward Xu Haiyan and, looking at the dishes on the cart, said: "This meal looks quite sumptuous. Have you eaten yet? If you haven't, stay and eat with me!"

Xu Haiyan hurriedly waved her hand to refuse: "I am just a server; how could I possibly eat with you? If the Manager found out, I would certainly be reprimanded."

Zhang Lin put on a serious expression: "You can rest assured and stay to eat. If anyone dares to criticize you, I will stand up for you."

Xu Haiyan obediently sat down opposite Zhang Lin, and after taking a sip of soup, tears suddenly slid from the corners of her eyes.

Seeing her suddenly cry, Zhang Lin asked in surprise: "Why are you crying all of a sudden? Is someone bullying you?"

Xu Haiyan choked back sobs and said: "No, County Magistrate Zhang, I am just too moved. No one has ever been this good to me."

Zhang Lin picked up a tissue and handed it over, sighing with emotion: "In the future, when we are in private, you can just call me 'Brother'. Actually, the first time I saw you, I felt that you were a very good girl—gentle and delicate, giving people a feeling of wanting to protect you."

Xu Haiyan took the tissue and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes: "Alright, then I will call you Brother Zhang from now on."

Looking at Xu Haiyan's touching appearance, a desire to protect and a carnal desire ignited in Zhang Lin's heart.

When Xu Haiyan looked at him with tender affection, Zhang Lin could no longer control the desire in his heart and grabbed Xu Haiyan's wrist.

"Brother, you, you, you scared me."

"Haiyan, trust Brother. As long as you listen to me, I will definitely treat you well."

"Mm, of course I believe you."

"Haiyan, your name is truly beautiful. It reminds me of an essay by Gorky, 'The Stormy Petrel'. Shall I recite it for you?"

"Alright, Brother, I am listening!"

"The Stormy Petrel cries out, soaring!

Like black lightning, it pierces through the dark clouds like an arrow, its wings brushing the spray of the waves.

Look, it dances like a spirit!

A proud, black spirit of the storm! It laughs, and it howls...

It laughs at those dark clouds, it howls with joy!"

"Brother, you recite so well!"