Chapter 2130

In the span of this single day, the situation could be described as a sudden change in the political climate; the speed of this shift left everyone dumbfounded, almost unable to react in time.

Su Xinghui, however, seemed indifferent to all of this. He returned to his office with his usual vigor and began to handle official business.

He had just sat down behind his desk when he heard a knock on his office door. He said, "Please come in," and the door was pushed open. The person who entered was Nie Xin.

Su Xinghui did not look surprised in the slightest. He remained smiling and gestured toward the guest sofa, saying, "County Magistrate Nie, please sit."

Su Xinghui acted as if nothing had happened, but there was one difference: this time he did not stand up from behind his desk, but instead sat with Nie Xin on the guest sofa. This subtle difference was, of course, captured by Nie Xin, but he had nothing to say.

With a humble smile on his face and his back slightly hunched, Nie Xin walked to the sofa and sat down.

While processing documents, Su Xinghui asked, "County Magistrate Nie, is there something you need?"

Nie Xin hurriedly said, "County Magistrate, I am here to report to you on the progress of the embankment renovation project."

The embankment renovation project was currently proceeding very smoothly and should be fully completed in April. Su Xinghui knew this better than anyone, as he frequently went to the construction site to inspect it. However, since Nie Xin wanted to report to him, he certainly would not refuse, so he nodded and said, "Good."

Nie Xin then picked up a document he had brought and began to report the project's progress to Su Xinghui.

It must be said that Nie Xin was quite competent in his position; he deserved much of the credit for the embankment renovation project proceeding so smoothly.

Su Xinghui nodded in approval as he listened. After Nie Xin finished his report, he said to him, "County Magistrate Nie, the progress of the embankment renovation project is very good. You deserve credit for being able to successfully complete it before the flood season."

Nie Xin stammered, "County Magistrate, I was pig-headed a few days ago; I hope you won't blame me!"

Su Xinghui, of course, knew what Nie Xin was talking about. In the past few days, the cadres promoted by Su Xinghui had basically all come to report their work to him, indicating their support for him. Only Nie Xin had never reported his work to Su Xinghui, nor had he spent time alone with him.

To say that Su Xinghui was completely indifferent would be impossible, but he truly had not taken the matter to heart.

He did not judge people solely on whether they were loyal to him; as long as they were capable and had decent integrity, he would use them. Nie Xin fit this description; he had performed well in the work he was in charge of, and with his supervision, Nie Xin would not commit any major mistakes.

Moreover, Su Xinghui could understand Nie Xin. Nie Xin had originally been a Standing Committee Deputy County Magistrate with good prospects. It was Su Xinghui who had used a strategy of sowing discord to force Nie Xin to defect to his side; he had never been Su Xinghui's die-hard supporter.

Nie Xin had also objectively supported Su Xinghui in some Standing Committee discussions, a fact Su Xinghui would not forget.

As for his behavior of avoiding contact while Su Xinghui was under investigation, that was merely a self-preservation tactic to avoid harm. As a minor deputy county magistrate and an ordinary person, he was no hero; wasn't it perfectly normal for him to make such a choice?

As far as Su Xinghui knew, Nie Xin had not thrown any mud at him when the investigation team spoke with him, which in itself was no small feat.

Therefore, Su Xinghui did not intend to give up on Nie Xin; as long as he could perform his duties well in the future, that would suffice.

Su Xinghui said, "What are you talking about, County Magistrate Nie?"

Nie Xin said with a pained expression, "My behavior those past few days was truly inexcusable. You have cultivated me so much, yet I don't know why I was so confused those days. Please forgive me, County Magistrate."

Su Xinghui said, "Alright, alright, I don't blame you for this, so there is no talk of forgiveness or lack thereof. Just make sure you do a good job with the work you are in charge of from now on."

Thinking that Su Xinghui still had not forgiven him, Nie Xin said anxiously, "County Magistrate, I am truly sincere this time. In the future, no matter what happens, I will follow your lead without question. You must forgive me!"

Su Xinghui couldn't help but laugh. It seemed that if he didn't say the word "forgive" today, Nie Xin wouldn't be at ease. He said sternly, "Very well, Comrade Nie Xin, I hope you learn from this lesson and work harder in the future. I forgive you!"

Only then did Nie Xin happily say, "Thank you, County Magistrate! Thank you, County Magistrate! Just watch my performance in the future!"

Su Xinghui said, "Alright, go back to work. The embankment renovation project is under tight deadlines, and it is also the time for spring plowing, so don't waste any more time."

Nie Xin stood up and said, "Thank you, County Magistrate. I'm off to work."

Nie Xin's steps were much lighter as he left the room.

Su Xinghui shook his head and lowered his head to look at the documents again.

He hadn't read many pages before the door was knocked on again. Su Xinghui said "Please come in" once more. This time, the person who entered was actually Yuan Yifu.

Yuan Yifu walked in with his hands behind his back, taking steady, measured steps, a smile still on his face.

Su Xinghui hurriedly stood up and said to Yuan Yifu, "Secretary, do you have something for me? You could have just given me a call and I would have come over. Why did you come here yourself? Others might say I don't know the rules."

Yuan Yifu said, "It's nothing. I just came up from downstairs and was passing by, so I came to have a few words with you."

Su Xinghui said, "Then please sit, Secretary."

Yuan Yifu sat down with a smile. Su Xinghui brewed him a cup of tea and then sat down beside him.

Yuan Yifu took a sip of tea and said with emotion, "County Magistrate, facts have proven that you can withstand the test. I told you long ago that you would be fine; those guys were completely making false accusations."

Su Xinghui smiled faintly and said, "Accepting an investigation isn't a bad thing; at the very least, it can prove my innocence."

Yuan Yifu said, "County Magistrate, the election is in three or four days. Don't worry, I have arranged everything this time. Your prestige in the county is so high now that you will certainly be elected smoothly."

Su Xinghui said, "Then thank you, Secretary. I am just doing my own job; whether I get elected or not is not something I can control. That requires the people to judge me."

Yuan Yifu said, "You have done such an outstanding job in Chongjin County, and the common people love you dearly, so there will definitely be no problem this time. How about this: on the day you are officially elected County Magistrate, I will host a banquet at my home to celebrate for you!"

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Thank you, Secretary. I will definitely be there."

Yuan Yifu laughed and said, "Since you arrived in Chongjin County, I haven't really had a chance to drink with you. This time, we must have a good drink."

Su Xinghui said, "Fine, we'll have a good drink that day."