Chapter 1068: with translation of chapter title

This is getting a bit out of hand for Su Yang; this aunt is overly enthusiastic—you can't just dismiss someone's good intentions. He quickly smiled and said, "Thank you, aunt. We were just discussing our job prospects earlier."

"Being able to stay in Jingcheng temporarily is also what I aspire to, but I'm afraid the Cultivation Organization might not allow it then."

Fang Jingwen's mother's face instantly broke into a smile: "As long as you have this idea, that's enough. Your Uncle Fang has basically spent his whole life working for the Cultivation Organization, and he's never done anything private for himself—oh, right, except for recently transferring Fang Jingwen to an enterprise."

"Actually, that doesn't even count as using power for personal gain—they're doing a fine job; which County Magistrate would want to run over to an enterprise?"

"On this matter of yours, he can also say a few words to help you out."

"If he can't even handle this matter, then he shouldn't set foot in this Cultivation Clan Name again."

Su Yang felt his head buzzing; it seemed one misstep would stir up a family feud for them.

But this enthusiasm—he mainly has no way to repay it.

However, he didn't dare to respond to that, so he could only pretend to lower his head and drink tea.

If this were placed on any other official, as long as they were Division-level or below, they'd probably jump up excited on the spot.

Old Fang stayed in the restroom for a while—full ten minutes before he came out.

When he came out, the dishes were already on the table; he didn't mention what they'd just talked about at all, now full of praise for how delicious today's food was.

"Oh dear, haven't you had such a lavish meal in a while? Today I'm also benefiting from little Su's presence—our Jingwen, when she comes back, sometimes just goes out to eat on her own."

"Coming home early today really was a wise choice—every day going to activities, the table is full of all kinds of delicious food, but what you actually eat isn't always to your taste."

"Without exaggeration, sometimes you might not even get enough to eat; it's still the home-cooked meals that really fill you up."

I thought that topic had just been dropped, but Fang Jingwen's mother then said, "Based on what I just said, if you can't get this done, do you still want to eat? You won't even get soup."

Old Fang's face instantly flushed with embarrassment: "Look, look—isn't little Su here today? Can you give me some face?"

"I may be a senior official, but now you've given me a dressing-down, making me no different from those forty‑ or fifty‑year‑olds who accomplish nothing, linger at home earning nothing, can't cook, and can't even look after kids."

Fang Jingwen's mother glared and said, "Little Su isn't an outsider—what face am I supposed to give you?"

He scolded Old Fang while also serving himself extra dishes: "Little Su, I heard you've faced a lot of injustice at work lately, and they're still reviewing you, so you probably haven't had any tasty meals. Today aunt made a few extra dishes, mainly for you."

Su Yang quickly said, "Thank you, aunt, the food is really delicious."

Su Yang was just being polite, but Fang Jingwen's mother said, "If you stay in Jingcheng, it would also be convenient to come over for a meal now and then."

"Although, as you said, this household is also settled in Jingcheng, your mother‑in‑law usually works in Jiangnan."

"These days, young ladies basically can't cook; the maids they hire cook just like hotel chefs, adjusting everything according to so‑called recipes, and they simply can't produce the taste of a normal home kitchen."

Fang Jingwen listened and grew more upset: "Mom, enough, enough, stop it—I don't even want to come back, why are you making people return?"

"Besides, with his status, would it even be appropriate for him to come to our house every day? You'd just arrange it, and then what would people say behind our backs?"

Speaking of this, Old Fang declared righteously: "What's wrong with having a proper meal? Others might want to come but still can't get through our gate."

Su Yang was now shoveling food into his mouth with gusto, yet everything seemed to be dragged onto him—how could he possibly bear it all?

Besides, he had no intention of staying in Jingcheng; if he really did stay and just showed up here for a meal out of the blue, Zhou Ruohan would surely blow her top.

Although he also thought there was nothing wrong with having a proper meal.

But the saying is one thing, the principle another.

So he hurriedly declared: "Actually, I'd also like to come often for a free meal, but nowadays people are constantly up to little tricks—who knows what they'll say then."

Old Fang, however, said: "What's the big deal? You're just coming for a normal meal—this is something I agree to and allow. You don't know, but in some places officials go to local leaders' homes just to scrounge a meal, not only bringing their own high‑end ingredients from Kunming, they even cook themselves."

"Thinking about it, that's understandable—local folks are all over the map; there's nothing you can't imagine that they can't do."

"Cooking is one thing, but some people even go to cry at others' graves during Qingming—what on earth is that supposed to be?"

Su Yang felt pressured by this meal, thinking that if it weren't to see Old Fang, he'd better stay away as much as possible; this extraordinary enthusiasm was truly more than he could handle.

After the meal, Fang Jingwen naturally saw him downstairs, walking straight to the door, before she said, "I think you should seriously consider my suggestion—staying in Jingcheng is better than going anywhere else."

"Don't keep shouting your lofty ideals and your pledge to serve the people every day—among the nation's countless officials, who can't serve the people, who lacks the aspirations you have?"

"I know you now feel fearless, backed by the people and justice, capable of fighting the Monkey King to a standstill."

"But do you realize? What you're going through now, compared to where you're headed next in the southwest‑north region, is practically a comfort zone—understand?"

"In the southwest there's an invisible black‑market tourism industry chain; many officials turn a blind eye. If you really went there, you'd surely want to clean it up—which would be like overturning everyone's table. Think about what the consequences would be."

"Southern cities' economies are indeed developed, so you face no pressure in developing the economy—but do you know how powerful the clan forces are down there? Compared to the petty squabbles out in the open, clan power is an invisible big hand; once you touch their interests, the best you can hope for is to be removed from office again."

"And there are worse things I won't even mention."

"But what worries me most is your stubborn streak—if you really head north, the most dangerous place is Shanxi Province; believe me, you've heard the saying that all the nation's black‑industry enterprises and gangs fall into two types: one led by coal bosses, the other everything else."

"So don't show off here—your father‑in‑law has already been taken down by them, and they'll surely come down hard on you; if I'm not mistaken, with no outside interference, they'll definitely send you to Shanxi or the southwest."

"You've got everything going for you—people have listed your strengths in a basket; you're right whether you're fighting for justice or for the livelihood of the common people."

"Your patriotic feelings are commendable, but you've never thought of yourself—you're no longer just an individual; if something happens, what then?"

"How do you plan to explain things to the children… to Zhou Ruohan and them?"