Chapter 222: News of Promotion and Cultivation

After getting up in the morning and finishing breakfast with Mother, just as I was about to wipe my father's portrait, Huang Weiwei called, asking me to find He Jiaxiao and go to the Xinlinyin Hotel coffee shop to sit for a while.

After hanging up the phone, I smiled apologetically at my mother and Meizhu, indicating that I had to go out. Mother was still reluctant to let me go, holding my hand and chattering. It was Meizhu who pulled my hand out of Mother's hand and said: "Brother has something to do, he has to go out, he will come home in the evening."

Mother's eyes didn't move, gray and cloudy as if covered with a layer of gauze. My heart trembled, and I patted the back of her hand, which was like withered tree bark, comforting my mother: "Mother, Meizhu is at home to keep you company, I'll be back soon."

After walking out the door, I felt a sourness in my eyes and almost shed tears. Mother is old, as old as the old chinaberry tree in front of my house. Time has mercilessly bleached her hair and carved deep gullies into her face.

I called He Jiaxiao's phone, but it was turned off. I wanted to dial the landline of my cousin's house, but I was afraid that Aunt Wanru would answer. After thinking for a long time, I still felt that I had to enter the tiger's den; otherwise, how could I get He Jiaxiao, this tiger cub?

It was still Sister Xiao Mei who opened the door. Seeing me, her face bloomed with a smile like peach blossoms.

I changed into slippers and entered the house. On the sofa in the middle of the living room sat my Aunt Wanru, holding a book in her hand, a long dress trailing on the clean marble floor, a unique hairpin in her hair, pinning her smoky hair behind her head, her white-as-jade neck exposed, like a Chinese painting, under the light twilight, a line of clear spring elegantly flowing over.

I stepped forward respectfully, lowered my eyes, and called out: "Hello, Aunt."

Aunt Wanru didn't even raise her head, only lifting her eyelids to look at me. Suddenly, it was as if a thousand-year glacier was hanging in front of her, the cold light piercing my bones.

"Back?" she asked me faintly, pointing to the sofa opposite: "Sit."

Aunt Wanru has the natural posture of a noble lady, and every move makes people afraid to be presumptuous, and every frown and smile makes people feel a fearful majesty.

After all, she is a high-level executive from a big company. According to administrative rank, she is considered a deputy department-level cadre. In our Hengyue City, Aunt's rank is not something that can be coveted easily.

I sat upright, hands on my knees, in a submissive posture.

"At home, relax a bit." Aunt comforted me: "Xiao Feng, it's good that you're here, I was just about to ask you something."

"Please speak, Aunt." I was terrified, muttering in my heart, what could she ask me?

"What is Jiaxiao doing at your place? You must tell me honestly." She seemed to have a plan in mind, as if as long as I said half a lie, she would know everything.

"Reviewing, reading, eating, sleeping."

"Just these?"

"Just these." I said with absolute certainty: "Aunt, Jiaxiao is very sensible."

"It's not just these, right?" Aunt looked at me with a sneer: "You are lying to Aunt!"

"No!" I had the urge to pat my chest. If I don't bite the bullet now, the only result is death. If I don't complete what Huang Weiwei entrusted to me, it's not her I'm offending, but the unpredictable Chen Meng.

"Then let me ask you, the leaders of the Central Province Culture Department are inquiring about Jiaxiao's affairs, how do you explain that?" A look of anger appeared on her face, this was the precursor to getting angry! Aunt Wanru is a person who has served as a high-ranking cadre, and getting angry is a familiar path for her.

I shook my head, indicating I didn't understand.

"I have an old classmate in the Central Province Culture Department who is responsible for cultural relic management and excavation. People have even called my home, and you are still hiding it. Tell me, what do you want to do?" Her tone was sharp, and her originally dignified face was covered with a layer of clouds.

"You are talking about the cultural relics at the construction site." I suddenly realized and explained: "Jiaxiao just happened to be out for a walk that day and encountered the stone coffins dug up at our new government relocation site. If it weren't for Jiaxiao, those seventeen stone coffins might have been buried underground forever. It was Jiaxiao who, based on his knowledge, determined the history of the cultural relics at the Suxi construction site. Aunt, where did Jiaxiao learn this skill? It's truly admirable."

A trace of warmth appeared on Aunt's face, and she sighed: "Jiaxiao has liked messing with antiques and such since he was a child. When he was studying, he insisted on taking the archaeology major. It was your uncle who beat him to death and wouldn't let him study it, so he changed to marketing."

I looked envious and said: "Jiaxiao is truly amazing. Among young people today, how many still have his professional knowledge? Even those in the archaeology major might not be able to see through the ground with the naked eye. Only Jiaxiao."

Aunt Wanru smiled and said: "He might not really be as capable as you say."

Sister Xiao Mei brought a cup of green tea and placed it in front of me, giving me a secret wink. I knew she was hinting at me, but I pretended not to see anything and smiled politely at her.

"Are you here to find Jiaxiao today?" Aunt Wanru asked calmly.

I shook my head and said: "No, I'm here to visit Uncle and Aunt."

"Don't be so sweet-mouthed! Xiao Feng, what kind of ghost ideas are you hiding in your stomach? Can't I see? Tell me, where are you two brothers planning to go today?"

I laughed guiltily and said: "I don't want to wander around, just go outside and walk around. Aunt, I stay in the township all year round, covered in dirt. Taking advantage of the few days I'm back in the city, I should hurry and find some modern civilization things to decorate myself. I'm afraid of falling behind."

"Alright, remember to come home early." Aunt Wanru sighed helplessly: "He has been locked at home by me for a while, he should have figured it out. You are the older brother, you must help persuade your younger brother. He is still young, it's not the time for men and women to love. Without a career, even if there is a Chang'e, he can only carry an axe and chop the osmanthus tree for a lifetime."

Aunt Wanru's metaphor almost made me laugh, and I felt a bit disdainful of her words just now. Aunt, do you know that your son is not as obedient as you imagine!

On his first day in Hengyue City, He Jiaxiao had a car-sex session with Xuelai, the catering manager of the Xinlinyin Hotel. Such a bold little boy is not something an ordinary little boy in Hengyue City dares to do.

"Xiao Feng, you are a town mayor now, a regular section-level cadre, right?" Aunt Wanru asked me, taking a sip of tea.

I hurriedly said: "Just promoted, I have to thank the leaders."

"You don't have to thank the leaders, it's your own work that has achievements. I saw a document of your uncle's a while ago, it seems to be about the candidates for the third echelon of promotion and cultivation, and your name is in it. Work hard and win glory for your uncle." After Aunt finished this sentence, she stood up: "I'm going to rest, you young people do as you please."

My heart suddenly felt like a five-flavor bottle had been knocked over. It seems that life in the countryside has come to an end, and I am finally going to make a name for myself. The so-called third echelon is the future leadership!

Promotion? What position will I be promoted to? This question lingered in my mind, so much so that when He Jiaxiao jumped down from upstairs like a donkey, I was still staring blankly at the green tea in front of me and didn't notice him. ===== CHAPTER 223 =====