Chapter 393

Suxi Town had taken on a new look; one could deeply feel the changes from the moment one entered the territory of Suxi.

The entire Suxi Town seemed to have become a huge construction site; along the roadside, villagers had already built houses of all sizes. This would have been unimaginable a few decades ago.

By the time I entered Laoyingzui, this feeling became even more intense; my eyes seemed insufficient, and this scene of bustling activity made my heart churn.

Two years ago, not a blade of grass grew here. The huge, steep Laoyingzui was like a natural barrier, cutting Suxi into two worlds. On this side of Laoyingzui, one could still feel the smoke of human life; on the other side of Laoyingzui was a strange and desolate world.

Nature's great hand was masterful; on this side, there were three mountains, six waters, and one part farmland; on the other side, seven mountains, two waters, and half a part farmland. The remaining half was occupied by caves.

I had once spent six years of my youth on this land; I went to sleep with this land and woke up with it. I thought I would never leave this land in my life because I had poured deep love into it.

From afar, I saw red flags fluttering under Laoyingzui, machines roaring, and building after building rising from the ground. The streets were spacious, the voices were loud, and a picture of the human world was realistically and movingly presented before one's eyes.

The expressway not far away was already open to traffic; vehicles coming and going would leave a string of crisp honks after noticing Suxi New City.

A huge billboard several people tall stood in a prominent place, inscribed with "The People of Suxi Welcome You."

I watched the car slowly, appreciating the scenery near and far, my heart clear and bright.

In the past, the New City was just an outline; now, the New City had begun to take shape. A welcoming avenue ran through the entire New City. Flowers and plants had been newly planted along the road, blooming in vibrant colors. Two rows of white poplar trees swayed in the breeze.

In the center of the Welcoming Avenue was the location of the Suxi Town Government. This was our original plan; entering from a street to the left of the government was the Suxi Town Agricultural Trade Street, and there was an agricultural trade market in the street. To the right were the Power Supply Station and the Township Enterprise Office.

During the planning, I specifically made the Township Enterprise Office an independent small building because I knew that no matter how big a town was, without enterprises to support it, it would be nothing but a passing cloud.

Across the street was the Suxi Cultural Center, a cinema. Behind the cinema were the residential buildings for the Suxi Town Government staff.

Most of the buildings were basically topped out, and occasionally one could see renovation workers moving in and out of the buildings.

I parked the car in front of the town government building, opened the door, and stepped onto the solid ground; a surge of heroism rose from the soles of my feet, almost making me unable to control myself.

No one paid attention to me; everyone was busy. I was like a tourist, out of place in the bustling world.

"County Magistrate Chen, it's really you." I heard an exclamation in my ears, and then I saw Qian Youyu appear before me.

Qian Youyu was wearing a well-fitting suit, and he had actually tied a bright red tie around his neck. However, he was wearing a pair of white travel shoes on his feet, covered in dust, like the face of an old woman.

Seeing me looking at him, he awkwardly tried to hide his feet behind him.

I laughed out loud: "This is our true boss, Qian Youyu."

Qian Youyu laughed along and shouted into the building: "County Magistrate Chen is here!"

Before the words fell, a group of people poured out of the building. Leading them was the graceful Town Mayor Yue Bai.

I was the Secretary of Suxi Town, but this was my second time coming here since I was promoted to County Magistrate of Chunshan County.

Such a large town, such an important matter, all pressed on the frail Yue Bai; I felt a bit guilty. Therefore, after seeing Yue Bai, I took the initiative to reach out and hold her slender hand, saying sincerely: "You've worked hard."

Yue Bai smiled faintly, looked back at the cadres behind her, and said proudly: "With them here, no difficulty is too great to fear."

Yue Bai's words won a round of applause.

I looked along the way; the past cadres were all there, and everyone seemed to be glowing with youth. Xuelai was also there; she had a white handkerchief tied around her head, and the coarse cloth clothes she wore still couldn't hide her exquisite figure.

Seeing me looking at her, Yue Bai dragged her out from behind and laughed: "County Magistrate Chen, you sent us a treasure!"

I looked at her suspiciously, not knowing what Yue Bai meant by this.

"Xuelai is truly capable! She wants to start a hotel in the town; it will definitely not be worse than the Xinlinyin in Hengyue City." Yue Bai said proudly, her neck raised and cackling like a hen that had just laid an egg.

"Good!" I laughed, feeling suspicious in my heart: "Who is investing?"

"Me," Qian Youyu, who was on the side, answered, saying softly: "Yue Bai asked me to invest."

His words drew a round of laughter. The relationship between Qian Youyu and Yue Bai had now become public. Everyone knew they were talking about marriage. Therefore, Qian Youyu could only obey Yue Bai's requests.

"This is good!" Qian Youyu's face turned red, and he shouted: "You laugh, but when the time comes, I won't take anyone from your families."

I looked at Qian Youyu, not understanding, and laughed: "Boss Qian, what's going on?"

Qian Youyu answered me seriously and earnestly: "A hotel can solve the employment problems of how many people? The girls and wives of my Yuetang Village, the girls and wives of Laoyingzui Village, can all come to work at the hotel. They dare to laugh at me; I won't take a single one of them."

"Boss Qian, you dare! You black-hearted capitalist." Everyone laughed out loud.

"Watch if I dare or not! Isn't that right, County Magistrate Chen?" Qian Youyu pulled me to stand in front to block the bullets.

"Of course he dares!" I affirmed: "The hotel belongs to Boss Qian; it's up to him who he takes. However, even when gods descend to earth, they have to ask the local deity; our Boss Qian isn't that he doesn't dare, but that he won't."

Everyone laughed kindly. Everyone knew these words were jokes and didn't need to be taken seriously.

"Let's go in and take a look." Yue Bai invited me, turned around, and took the lead in walking into the town government building.

I nodded, and the crowd surrounded me, slowly entering the building.

The town government building was finished; the five-story government building was much more imposing than the Chunshan County government building.

"Your office is on the third floor," Yue Bai introduced as she walked: "It still needs a few days to finish the renovation."

I said "Oh," full of interest, and followed Yue Bai upstairs.

Xuelai walked a few steps quickly, caught up to my side, and whispered: "Do you want to see our training later?"

I nodded in agreement and asked casually: "Is everything okay?"

Xuelai's face was like a flower, and she said coquettishly: "With Town Mayor Liu here, it wouldn't be possible for it not to be good."

Yue Bai interjected: "Isn't it because you are capable?"

When we reached my office and opened the door to enter, I was immediately taken aback.

This office was nearly twice as large as my office in Chunshan County, and it was a suite. The wall renovations in the room were already done, with marble floors and wooden wainscoting. The heavy curtains had three layers inside and out; in the inner suite, there was a restroom and a bedroom, all fully equipped. Beside a wide Simmons bed was an exquisite bedside table.

I looked back at Yue Bai standing by the door and said hesitantly: "Our office space here is even more luxurious than the county's."

Yue Bai laughed and said: "If the cadres in your county think our place is good, they can all come here to work."

Xuelai looked left and right, pinched the curtain and stroked it for a long time, and said: "If we put a few green plants in the room, it would have more life."

Yue Bai said: "Secretary Xiao Xue, rest assured. I have already arranged it; everyone's office will have green plants."

Coming out of the office, the cadres gathered by the door hadn't dispersed yet, waiting for me.

I waved at them and said: "Everyone, go busy yourselves if you have things to do."

Everyone said: "Secretary, now that you're back, you have to give us some instructions so we can go busy ourselves."

"Instructions is too strong a word; it's good for everyone to chat together," I said, taking out cigarettes and handing one to everyone.

When a County Magistrate offers a cigarette, no one refuses. Regardless of whether they smoke or not, they will reach out to take it.

After distributing the cigarettes, I was just about to light one when Yue Bai glared at me and said: "Secretary, we have a no-smoking policy here."

"Isn't there a translator?" Mao Ping saw me laughing and laughed along: "National leaders receive foreigners, it's all the translator's business."

I laughed awkwardly and held the cigarette in my hand.

Damn it, is this still my own territory? It's not easy to live a life where you are constrained by others everywhere. I laughed: "If it's a no-smoking policy, this is the first grassroots unit in Chunshan County."

The group walked toward the conference room; the conference room was on the fourth floor, in a large room on the far east side.

Halfway there, I asked Yue Bai: "How is the police station arranged?"

Yue Bai curled her lips and said: "Forget about them. The County Public Security Bureau is an iron rooster; they don't want to pull out a single feather."

"You can't let them keep working in the old township government, right?" I asked, wanting to laugh. It wasn't that the County Public Security Bureau didn't have money; that group of people was used to skimming off the top, and I didn't expect them to capsize in Yue Bai's place.

"I have no way. Now every building has an owner; every radish has a hole; where is there a place for them?" Yue Bai said angrily: "I asked them to pay fifty thousand yuan, and I would give them a place, but they wouldn't agree. If you are not benevolent, how can I be righteous? Let them stay in the old place and watch the scenery."

I laughed: "Government work needs them to escort us."

Yue Bai puffed out her cheeks and said unhappily: "No money, don't even think about getting a place."

I didn't want to talk about this anymore. After all, I was the boss; the final decision still required my consent. I could understand Yue Bai's unhappiness. When Suxi Town built the city, anyone who had even the slightest connection contributed money and effort; only the police station didn't contribute a single cent.

I remembered the matter of asking the County Public Security Bureau for people, so I took out my phone and called the Director.

The Director said on the phone: "County Magistrate Chen, you don't have to be that urgent, right? You only said it yesterday; I can't get it done today."

I laughed and said: "I'm not asking you for people, but to give you a new police station."

The Director was overjoyed, his voice even trembling as he asked: "County Magistrate, are you talking about Suxi?"

"If not here, then where else?"

"That female town mayor of yours is very stingy," the Director said suspiciously: "Did she agree?"

"We are all Party cadres, not private property; it's not a question of being stingy or not," I said: "Work requires cooperation. As long as the cooperation is good, there's nothing stingy about it."

The Director understood and was grateful on the phone, saying to me: "County Magistrate, you must be in Suxi; why don't you find Hao Qiang first and give him a heads-up. I will arrange for Lao Mo and the others immediately. County Magistrate, rest assured, I will definitely give you a team you can trust and rely on."

"Then thank you," I said, hung up the phone, and turned to Yue Bai: "Call Hao Qiang from the police station to come over."