Chapter 926

As a man, Su Yang couldn't tolerate such verbal mockery; he said, "What short-not-short, you don't know what energy I have?"

"This is just because I've been overworked these past days, plus these two days I've been visiting leaders and attending banquets; even if I were made of iron, I couldn't maintain normal output."

"Having said that, even if one were made of iron, there are always a few days each year when one isn't in top form— isn't that normal?"

"Your demand is a bit high; besides, I'm thinking of our son— don't let him face such a harsh environment before he's even born, okay?"

Zhou Ruohan gave Su Yang a sideways glance: "I always feel something's off with you today; you're definitely in a deficient state. I'm spot-on about this."

"Then I'll boil you a hangover soup; after you finish it, we'll see how you perform."

Su Yang said: "Big sister, I'm a person, not livestock; even a production team's dare not treat a donkey like this."

Zhou Ruohan said: "I don't care about all that; even if I count your spring festival marriage leave, the extra days off wouldn't exceed half a month, and after half a month you're off to the county again."

"By then I can't just make a special trip to find you; besides, Grandma and Grandpa wouldn't want me to travel that far."

"So I roughly added up all the normal demands of a normal person and planned to finish them in a short period."

"It's like work: as long as you work overtime, you can finish a year's work in a month or ten days—that's fine too."

"That way the organization won't criticize you, but if your working hours are already short and you dawdle, you can't finish the work, so the organization will inevitably have opinions."

"If this continues, who would dare to rely on you? Isn't that the reasoning?"

Su Yang's head buzzed: "You're still hitting me with this big reasoning? Fine, tonight I'll show you how this man with steel-like will makes you surrender."

"By then you'd better not be unable to get out of bed tomorrow, becoming a laughingstock during the New Year."

Zhou Ruohan said: "Tch, who can't get out of bed? Don't you know that in your heart?"

Thus that night, the family truly had no peace while keeping watch for the New Year, not until after 6 a. m., when the firecrackers sounded again, did calm return.

Surprisingly, no one called them to get up in the morning; even Zhou Ruofan slept until past noon before waking.

Not to mention Su Yang, he slept soundly until past one in the afternoon.

When he woke up he said: "Not bad, the family's quality is high; they also understand us young people, not coming to disturb us early in the morning."

Zhou Ruohan said: "Really? I'll tell you, Grandma and Grandpa got up after 4 a. m., and Mom and Dad came back at 5."

"Then guess why they didn't come to wake us up?"

"They really have no sense of restraint; now the whole family knows about that, and I'm just watching where you put your face."

Su Yang said: "This is all because you insisted, demanded, wanted both, wanted again, wanted spitefully, wanted still more— how did it all end up on my head?"

Zhou Ruohan was unreasonable, even with a hint of petulance: "I don't care; it's all you, it's you, I was forced."

"If anyone later brings this up, you'd better show a man's responsibility; that's also very important in our family."

"A man must have responsibility."

Su Yang stopped speaking; at this point, no matter what he says to Zhou Ruohan, he'll have to take the blame.

He simply took out a cigarette, leaned against the headboard and started smoking, while yesterday's scene floated up in his mind.

He generally felt that something real had happened at the hotel yesterday, but he couldn't say why it felt so real.

Moreover, Fang Jingwen's final reaction seemed unusually calm, which is too inconsistent with her character.

Moreover, what she said last basically meant we wouldn't interfere with each other from now on; if that were true, although it seems unlikely, at least we could still be friends.

Shamelessly speaking, he still needs many people's help at work; moreover, he clearly understands that with Old Comrade Fang, if he and Fang Jingwen get along well, she will speak up for him, making everything easier.

If he and Fang Jingwen truly become familiar strangers, Old Comrade Fang, even if he later helps them based on their current rapport, won't be as selfless as he is now.

Unless Old Comrade Zhou steps in, that favor need not be mentioned.

Of course, Zhou Ruohan had already washed up and dressed; lately her mood has been great, although on days she's not around she'd be disheveled and not care about others' gazes, but now it's completely different— she spends at least an hour each day on makeup.

Even though she got up already at noon today, she didn't cut corners on herself.

At that moment Zhou Tong knocked on the door outside, saying: "Sister, brother-in-law, Uncle wants you to come over."

Su Yang responded with an "oh": "Okay, I'll be right there." Then he finished washing up in three minutes.

While dressing, he suddenly noticed the outfit he'd worn yesterday was missing, replaced by another set of home clothes.

As he wondered, Zhou Ruohan said: "No matter how well the outer clothes fit, they're only suitable for certain occasions; at home they're unnecessary, so I prepared these for you long ago."

As for where this set of clothes came from, Zhou Ruohan didn't ask at all, not even mentioning it, which made Su Yang somewhat suspicious.

Fang Jingwen's condition is a bit odd, and Zhou Ruohan is the same; however he doesn't think this is necessarily good— there might be a hidden bomb, and he doesn't know when it'll go off.

When the two arrived at the main hall, they found Grandma and Grandpa also there, along with Old Comrade Zhou and Chairman Qiao.

Su Yang said: "Mom and Dad, when did you get back? I heard from Ruohan you might only return this afternoon."

Old Zhou said: "Oh, there was originally an event I had to attend, but the local comrade volunteered to go in my place, so I just came straight back."

"Besides, isn't there a lot going on this time? Besides visiting leaders, I also have to worry about your wedding; it's too late, I'm afraid I won't make it."

Chairman Qiao didn't speak; she simply called Zhou Ruohan over to the side.

"I say, can't you pay a little attention? Normally I wouldn't say anything, but at this critical juncture you're still unrestrained; if something goes wrong, what then? Not to mention us, can even Grandma and Grandpa accept that?"

Zhou Ruohan immediately deflected: "Mom, how can you hang this on your lips? It puts our faces where? Of course I also need to clarify— this isn't my fault; it's all Su Yang's, he said he's been alone in the county for half a year, so..."

Chairman Qiao said: "Just shut up; you actually have the nerve to tell me this? From today on you two must sleep separately; since you're living at Grandma and Grandpa's, go stay at your maternal grandparents' house."

Zhou Ruohan was extremely unwilling, but she certainly couldn't oppose this, so she could only say: "Then I also need to hear Su Yang's opinion; we can't just leave them out when they come back to celebrate the New Year."

The mother and daughter whispered to each other on the side, while Old Zhou and Grandfather Zhou began giving Su Yang some work-related corrections and pointers.

Old Zhou said: "Yesterday you went to Minister Fang's house, I heard Minister Xia was also there— how did your talk go? Did you find a chance to report your matter?"

Su Yang then recounted yesterday's events; Old Comrade Zhou nodded: "Minister Xia is also a person of temperament, just didn't expect his relationship with Old Fang to be so good; since he's backing you, your highway and Yingbin Dadao project surely won't have problems."

"Besides, the Yingbin Dadao matter originally wasn't under the Ministry of Transport; his support is half for Old Fang's sake, half possibly for mine— such a favor will eventually have to be repaid."

"Minister Xia's general move next year is basically set— he'll take over Secretary Sha's post."

Su Yang, hearing this, was overjoyed: "Then that's good news— Zhang Jiangbo won't openly trip me up."

"And future work will proceed smoothly."

Old Zhou shook his head: "You still don't understand some things; even if Minister Xia is leaving, it won't be until the second half of the year."

And Zhang Jiangbo will be leaving after the New Year, so you still need to get ready mentally for this; and when the time really comes, it will be Secretary Xia who goes over, plus your uncle is also in the province, including the newly appointed Municipal Party Committee Secretary and Mayor Wang—they are all your connections.

But the Cultivation Organization does not allow this; if such a situation really arises, you will definitely be transferred away.