Chapter 487: Young Master Xu

Seeing Xue Bing appear in such a manner, I felt a mix of joy and sorrow.

Deep down, I discovered that I still loved her. Xue Bing was like a clear spring in the mountains, or a trumpet creeper on a cliff; she had once given me so much tenderness and fantasy. Because of her, I had put down roots in Suxi. Because of her, I understood that a love etched into one's bones could be so heart-wrenchingly painful.

Only today did I realize that when I wanted to leave her back then, she had long since seen through my restlessness. But to keep me from worrying and to spare me from guilt, she had fabricated the excuse of needing to go to the city.

To love someone is to want them to be happy! By the time I understood this phrase, it was already too late.

For these past few years, she had been struggling alone in Hengyue City, like a lone goose separated from its flock. I had never offered her comfort, nor even given myself the chance to miss her. It turned out I was just afraid of the heartache!

I had to admire Huang Weiwei; she had handled the transfer procedures for Xue Bing behind my back, yet never revealed a hint of pride before me. Just as she herself had said, only by placing an enemy right under your nose can you grasp and control their actions. With Xue Bing under her nose, she was like a transparent person, every move under her surveillance; this was likely why Xue Bing had had no contact with me for so long in Hengyue City.

I suddenly realized that I was a person with extremely inflated desires. When I left Xue Bing back then, wasn't it because Huang Weiwei's father was the Organization Department Minister? I had always consciously avoided this question, refusing to think about it at all. I always told myself that all of this was the result of my own hard work.

These self-deceiving reasons were like bubbles floating in the air, ready to burst at any moment. But I could only see the iridescent colors of the bubbles under the sunlight, never thinking about the nothingness that would follow their popping.

I was just a grassroots nobody; even if I had personal charm, if no one appreciated it, I would be as irritating as dog shit. Could it be that my being with Huang Weiwei was also just climbing the social ladder?

I was startled by this thought. To be honest, I had never thought about this issue in the past. I always categorized my love for Huang Weiwei as a natural progression, a mutual attraction.

Reality is always cruel. Xue Bing's transformation in the blink of an eye left me feeling suddenly lost. I couldn't even figure out if I felt joy, regret, or indifference.

However, I had one question: did Xue Bing really love Guo Wei?

Was Guo Wei genuinely good to Xue Bing?

When Guo Wei and I were partners, he knew of my relationship with Xue Bing. He envied me for having a girlfriend as beautiful as a fairy, but he had never thought of taking my place.

All of this had to be credited to Huang Weiwei's matchmaking; she was the one who brought them together. I understood Huang Weiwei's intentions—she wanted to completely sever my lingering thoughts.

Actually, Huang Weiwei was overthinking it. After confirming my relationship with her, I really had never thought about breaking up with her. Even the appearance of Lin Xiaoxi could not affect her position in my heart in the slightest.

Huang Weiwei was my lover, and she would be the lover who accompanied me for the rest of my life.

Before me, Guo Wei was overflowing with tenderness. It seemed that in his eyes, there was only Xue Bing. He gently massaged Xue Bing's shoulders as if no one else were around, making one jealous yet helpless.

But Xue Bing didn't seem to want to enjoy his affection; she twisted her shoulder and said indifferently, "Sit down. I don't need a shoulder massage; I'm not old yet."

Guo Wei exclaimed fussily, "That won't do. You're a treasure now. You need special protection; this is a task the organization gave me. Isn't that right, President Xu?"

Xu Mengda smiled noncommittally, tapping the table as he closed his eyes to rest his mind.

After a long while, he opened his eyes and said to me, "There are a few things I'd like to discuss with you privately. Do you have time, brother?"

I quickly stated my position, "Go ahead, Brother Xu, I am all ears."

Xu Mengda scanned the room, hesitating to speak.

I understood that he didn't want others to hear these words, so I waved at Yu Wei and said, "Xiao Yu, take Town Mayor Liu outside for a walk. See if there's anything you can help Town Mayor Liu with."

Yue Bai immediately understood that I was dismissing her; she squeezed a smile onto her face and, without a word, turned and walked out.

Only Guo Wei and Xue Bing remained in the room.

Xu Mengda coughed lightly, reminding Guo Wei, whose eyes had never left Xue Bing.

Guo Wei was still oblivious, diligently clearing the leftovers in front of Xue Bing.

Xue Bing stood up and walked out. Guo Wei paused and asked, "Teacher Xue, where are you going?"

Xue Bing turned back and said sharply, "Didn't you hear that they have things to discuss?"

Guo Wei said foolishly, "They can discuss their things; I'm not in the way."

Xue Bing ignored him and walked out on her own.

Guo Wei had no choice but to follow. At the door, he turned back and said with a smile, "Chen Feng, let's have a few more drinks later."

Everyone in the room had left, leaving only me and Xu Mengda. I waited for him to speak.

Xu Mengda pondered for a moment and said, "Brother, I've done everything I was supposed to do. Reporter Chen's internal reference has also reached the Secretary's hands. It's just that some things aren't as simple as we imagine."

He sighed, furrowing his brows, and said, "In ancient times, this would be considered chivalry."

I cupped my hands and said, "Brother Xu, you are a hero of the underworld, after all."

Xu Mengda smiled indifferently, "If my calculations are correct, a world-shaking event will happen in your Suxi Town tomorrow. Your Suxi Town will occupy the headlines of the newspapers."

I laughed, "Must be. With your help, Brother Xu, my Suxi town inauguration and the groundbreaking of major projects are just waiting to borrow your momentum."

Xu Mengda stared at me, shook his head, and said, "Are you truly not understanding, or are you playing dumb with me?"

I looked at him innocently and said blankly, "Brother Xu, your words are full of hidden meaning. You know what kind of person I am, don't you? I never pretend to be ignorant when I know the truth."

"You brat, I assume you wouldn't dare. I'm warning you, keep the scheming to a minimum in front of me." Xu Mengda smiled conceitedly, stroking his chin, which lacked a single whisker, and leaned back in his chair, saying seriously, "Brother Chen Feng, I really had no interest in coming to your Suxi, such a small place, for such a showy inauguration. Why did I come? Because I want to watch a big show."

I was stunned by his words. I didn't know how much mystery was hidden in Xu Mengda's words, but I knew there must be something in there I didn't dare to imagine.

"Brother Xu, speak clearly, don't scare me." I said with a fawning smile, "You know I'm from a small place and haven't seen much of the world."

"Looking at you like this, you're still not steady enough." Xu Mengda said, enunciating every word, "Tomorrow, someone from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection will come."

"To Suxi?"

"Can't they come?"

"What for? I didn't invite them." I became nervous; nothing good ever came from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection showing up.

"You'll know when the time comes." Xu Mengda laughed, "However, I'll tell you, this result today is largely thanks to your Guo Wei."

"What do you mean?"

"This kid Guo Wei still has a sense of justice. Without him, even if you poked a hole in the sky, I'm afraid not even half a stone would fall." Xu Mengda stood up, reservedly handed me a piece of paper, and said, "See for yourself."

I hurriedly took it, looked down, and instantly every pore on my body opened up.

It was a copy of an internal document from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, with the heading "Letter Regarding the Filing and Investigation of Former Chunshan County Party Committee Secretary Guan Peishan and Others for Disciplinary and Legal Violations." The classification was Top Secret.

As soon as my eyes hit the words "Top Secret," I felt as if I had been scalded and nearly dropped the document.

Organizational discipline is ironclad; what level of person can access what level of document? This top-secret document was definitely not something I should be seeing. Xu Mengda giving me such a thing—wasn't he trying to ruin me!

Xu Mengda saw my nervous state and nearly laughed out loud. He patted my shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I can see it, and I can get it, so what are you afraid of? I'm not a person in your ranks anymore."

I smiled bitterly and said, "Precisely because you aren't in the ranks, you aren't afraid. I'm different; I'm a tiny sesame official. Accessing these things carries the suspicion of leaking secrets. Brother Xu, I haven't seen anything, don't harm me."

Xu Mengda laughed, "You tiny sesame official, if you're lost, you're lost, what's there to regret! Look at you, have some backbone."

These words of his showed that our relationship was very close.

Boss Xu Mengda—I hadn't had much contact with him. Because of He Jiaxiao, Huang Weiwei and my aunt had stayed at his club for a night. Speaking of which, it could be considered returning a favor; I had handed the Suxi ceremony activities to him to organize just to let him make some money and repay the favor.

I understood very well that Xu Mengda didn't care about this bit of money; he was a person with a background, what kind of money hadn't he seen? This small amount of money from our Suxi wasn't even enough to fill the gaps in his teeth. But by doing this, I not only showed that I was a person of sentiment, but it was also the best way; other than this, I had no other way to repay him.

Xu Mengda seemed to have a predestined connection with me from a past life; after we met, whenever I asked, he always responded. Just how deep the water was for such a refined man, I had no way to reach the bottom. This document alone was enough to show his power.

"I only have this much backbone, Brother Xu." I continued to smile bitterly. In front of Xu Mengda, one must never pretend to be a big shot. What kind of person hadn't he seen? Would he not be able to see through someone else's tricks?

"I understand you too." Xu Mengda stopped laughing and said seriously, "Chen Feng, things have reached this point, and now you need to cooperate well. At the very least, you must protect the safety of the two people under you."

"Which two?"

"I find you becoming more and more confused. Didn't you have two people under isolated investigation? Didn't they come out a few days ago?"

I hurriedly said yes, but I didn't know where they were now.

I had been extremely puzzled by their sudden release before. There must be a reason for them to come out at this critical juncture.

Xu Mengda, like a master clearing up confusion, said, "They came out because they heard the intentions of the superiors, wanting to eliminate the influence of this matter. To put it bluntly, it's to tell you that they've released the people, and you should let go of the matter too."

"Does it involve me?" I asked, terrified.

"Of course. Who else did you think it was? This matter, to put it bluntly, is you and Guan Peishan playing a power game. Who lives and who dies depends on fate." Xu Mengda nodded meaningfully with a smile. Without waiting for me to speak, he left me behind and walked out alone.

I was left alone in the empty room. Xu Mengda's words still echoed in my ears. At this moment, my whole body felt weak, cold sweat broke out, and I felt an invisible net descending over my head. ===== CHAPTER 488 =====