Chapter 399: I

Lao Can seemed to have known I would come to Qilin Villa long ago. As soon as our car stopped, he rolled over like a gust of wind, respectfully opened the door for us, and bowed to invite us inside.

Deng Hanyu was shouting and calling ahead, teasing the waitresses all the way. From time to time, he would pinch someone's cheek or pat someone's butt.

These women were very familiar with him. Seeing him come, they all swarmed up, pushing and shoving, deliberately letting Deng Hanyu take advantage of them with their pretty faces and plump buttocks.

I smiled, not saying a word. Behind me followed Hao Qiang, in casual clothes. He had a weapon tucked in his waist, bulging, as if it were a money bag on a businessman.

A woman walked over quickly and called me sweetly. Looking closely, it was the woman who had washed my feet for the first time.

I smiled and responded, my eyes sweeping over her chest, still pretty and tall. Both sides were protruding, looking like a mountain peak. The scenery at the peak was infinite, as if it wanted to break through the constraints, standing tall and sharp.

The woman obviously knew what I was looking at. She didn't avoid it, but deliberately puffed out her chest, making the picture even more vivid.

"I'll wash your feet," she grabbed me, her smile charming, her voice gentle.

Deng Hanyu turned his head and shouted, "Get lost. I have business today."

The woman was scolded by him and instantly turned red, looking like she was about to cry.

Lao Can followed up and said, "Go do your own work. The bosses have big things to handle tonight. When they need you, they will call you."

A swarm of women scattered, and in an instant, the house full of chirping birds and singing flowers left only an empty building.

Deng Hanyu walked straight upstairs. I followed behind, muttering to myself, wondering what kind of trick Deng Hanyu was playing by inviting me to Qilin Villa? But no matter what tricks he wanted to play, I wouldn't be afraid of him tonight.

Hao Qiang was the gatekeeper I invited tonight, and Deng Hanyu also knew his identity. Even this Lao Can seemed to have heard some rumors and was very polite and respectful to Hao Qiang.

Upstairs, Deng Hanyu pushed the door, and then I saw him lighten his footsteps, sneaking in.

I followed him into the room and was shocked to see Lin Xiaoxi with one of her small, exquisite legs crossed, holding an exquisite teapot, sipping tea leisurely.

Deng Hanyu called out in a low voice, "Old Party Secretary, I'm here."

Following his gaze, I saw Guan Peishan smiling, appreciating a landscape painting in his hand.

I followed him to pay my respects. Looking at Lin Xiaoxi with the corner of my eye, I found that she was also looking over. Was there teasing in her eyes? Sarcasm? Or schadenfreude? I didn't pay much attention.

Guan Peishan beckoned me over, pointed to the painting in his hand, and said, "Little Chen, help me see if it's an authentic work?"

I took it with both hands and examined it carefully under the light.

This was a large freehand brushwork by Shi Tao. In the picture, the mountains were layered and beautiful, the stone patterns were complex, clouds and mist were entwined among the mountains, and the pine and miscellaneous trees were lush. A canopy boat was moored on the shore, with two people sitting opposite each other talking. The brushwork was dense and delicate, the coloring clear and bright, fine but not stiff, fresh but not flashy, and the style was fresh.

I immediately sighed, "What a landscape painting."

Guan Peishan smiled and pointed at Lin Xiaoxi, saying, "Little Xi sent it specially, and I don't know if it's true or false. In my opinion, even if it's a fake, it's a high-level fake."

Lin Xiaoxi stood up from the chair and said coquettishly, "This painting of mine is not a fake. County Magistrate Chen, tell me, is it?"

I could appreciate it, but I couldn't appraise it.

Therefore, I said, "Old Party Secretary said it well, who cares if it's true or false. Anyway, it's a good painting."

Lin Xiaoxi raised her eyebrows upon hearing this and said loudly, "Chen Feng, do you mean this painting is fake?"

I waved my hand and laughed, "I didn't say that."

Lin Xiaoxi snorted and said, "You bureaucrats, what do you know about art?" After saying that, she snatched the painting from my hand and rolled it up carefully. She didn't even look at us anymore.

Everyone laughed; she was a young woman, pretty, and her voice was gentle. Even if she went too far, who would mind her?

Guan Peishan saw Hao Qiang behind me and gave an surprised "Oh."

I hurriedly introduced, "Director of Suxi Town Police Station, Hao Qiang."

Guan Peishan nodded with a smile, "Hmm, young, and spirited. Not bad."

I further said, "His father was the former Township Head of Suxi Township. He passed away a few years ago."

Guan Peishan was stunned, immediately stood up, and reached out to shake Hao Qiang's hand. His face was miserable, "Ah, Old Hao's son! I have failed Old Hao."

My heart churned; the death of Township Head Hao changed the world of Suxi.

First, Liu Quan was removed from office, then Zhu Shizhen took office. After that, Guo Wei took charge of Suxi, and I later came from behind and picked up the position of Township Head.

And all of this happened one after another after Township Head Hao died. It all stemmed from Township Head Hao going to Beijing for medical treatment. Suxi was poor and couldn't come up with the money. Liu Quan privately used public funds, which led to many stories later.

Hao Qiang was not enthusiastic about Guan Peishan's misery. He was Liu's son-in-law, how could he not know why Liu Quan was removed? Without Guan Peishan, Suxi would definitely still be in Liu Quan's hands, and there wouldn't be today's Suxi Town.

This is an emotion that cannot be distinguished. If Liu Quan were here, everything would be the same as the past. If Liu Quan is not here, Suxi is turned upside down.

Should this be fortunate, or is it worth being sad?

I felt the same way about Guan Peishan's self-reproach. No one can see what happens behind them. Guan Peishan is like this, and so am I. Millions of people in this world are no different.

Guan Peishan patted Hao Qiang's hand and said, "Little Director Hao, your father was a good cadre! I hope you inherit your father's wish and lead the people of Suxi onto a broad road."

I wanted to laugh; Guan Peishan is probably senile! Hao Qiang is a policeman; his self-reproach is to eliminate violence and maintain social order. As for the level of people's living standards, what does it have to do with him?

I deliberately stated Hao Qiang's identity, naturally having my own thoughts. From the moment I entered Qilin Villa today, I felt that today was very different from the past. First of all, I didn't see the bustling crowd; at the entrance, except for the two cars we came in, there was only Lao Can's car.

I know that half of the cadres in Chunshan County choose Qilin Villa after work. Isn't the desertedness today telling me that these people have received news?

From seeing Lin Xiaoxi and Guan Peishan, my heart understood. Deng Hanyu inviting me to Qilin Villa was not a whim, but a premeditated plan.

Sure enough, Guan Peishan waved at Deng Hanyu and said, "Little Deng, you go chat with Director Hao. I have a few words to talk with County Magistrate Chen."

Deng Hanyu pulled Hao Qiang and wanted to walk out. Hao Qiang looked at me, but his body didn't move.

I gave him a wink, and he followed Deng Hanyu out.

Lin Xiaoxi also wanted to leave, but was stopped by Guan Peishan, who patted the sofa armrest and said, "Little Xi, tell us about your program this time."

Lin Xiaoxi swept her eyes over me, her face pale red, and said hesitantly, "Old man, you guys chat. I'll go fishing with Team Leader Deng."

Guan Peishan smiled, "A girl, what fishing. It's rare for County Magistrate Chen to be free today, you report your work situation, this is a good opportunity. If you want to make progress later, how can you make progress without reporting your work thoughts in time?"

Lin Xiaoxi's face turned red, and she said hesitantly, "Nothing big. It's about the County TV Station, this investigation on the re-employment of the whole county."

"How is the investigation?" Guan Peishan asked expressionlessly.

"Basically finished."

"Any problems?"

"I don't understand much either. It's just that Director Xie of the Personnel Bureau said that the re-employment in the whole county has affected the economic development of the whole county."

"Nonsense!" Guan Peishan cursed, "This Xie Tian is senile."

I didn't make a sound; I didn't know what medicine Guan Peishan was selling in his gourd. The re-employment of the whole county was decided by Guan Peishan. All the re-employed people were done during his tenure.

"County Magistrate Chen, what is your opinion?" Guan Peishan asked with a smile on his face.

"I..." I hesitated for a long time, really unable to think of anything to say.

"I think, re-employment is a good thing. These old cadres, retiring at sixty or so, are just at the right age to do business. Having accumulated experience for a lifetime, but having to retire, is not conducive to the development of the cause." Guan Peishan knocked on the side of the sofa, his eyes like an eagle, piercing through my heart.

I nodded repeatedly, not daring to speak.

"Some people are afraid that the world won't be in chaos. They can't do things themselves, and they are afraid that others will succeed. Such cadres are not conducive to social development."

A cold sweat broke out on my body. Guan Peishan is beating me!

"This re-employment matter. It was decided by the County Party Standing Committee at the beginning. Xie Tian, as the Personnel Bureau Chief, just needs to execute it. He jumped out to say it, could it be that the re-employed cadres have affected him?" Guan Peishan said calmly, "County Magistrate Chen, I think, you just took office, you must be good at distinguishing the situation. Some people just want to take advantage of the opportunity when you just took office and are not familiar with it, to make some things happen, making it difficult for you."

I nodded repeatedly, and another layer of fine sweat broke out on my body.

"Cadres like Old Xie, I think, are hindering the organization's leadership and are not suitable to hold leadership positions anymore." Guan Peishan sighed, stood up, walked to the desk, took a thread-bound book, and pretended to read it.

I glared at Lin Xiaoxi, cursing in my heart, little woman, really meddlesome.

I naturally understood these things, they were all told to Guan Peishan by Lin Xiaoxi. Lin Xiaoxi was responsible for the production of the TV special on re-employment in the Personnel Bureau. She knew all the situations inside very well.

Lin Xiaoxi didn't care about my fierce glare at all, but smiled at me, revealing a row of neat white teeth.

"Old Party Secretary, do you have any other instructions?" I also stood up and asked by his desk.

Guan Peishan's current office location was at Qilin Villa, which could be seen from the layout of his room.

"Nothing. Regarding the investment problem in your Suxi Town, I told Little Deng to do his best, County Magistrate Chen, you can rest assured." Guan Peishan waved at me without raising his head.

I was about to go out when Lin Xiaoxi called me from behind, "Are you going back to the city?"

I nodded.

"I'll take your car, okay?" She stopped me with a smile, making me not know how to refuse.

"County Magistrate Chen, Little Xi has no car, you take her back," Guan Peishan said to Lin Xiaoxi, "Bring some tea to Little Chen. Good tea! Authentic Liu'an Guapian from Anhui."

I still wanted to call Hao Qiang to go together, but Lin Xiaoxi leaned into my ear and said, "Chen Feng, can't you let others relax?"

I looked at her suspiciously, and she pursed her lips and smiled, "Your Director Hao has long been taken away by Deng Hanyu." ===== CHAPTER 400 =====