Chapter 2877

Xin Jing sighed: "Ah, this matter is too thorny—you've taken on a hot potato. It'll be easy now, but getting rid of it later will be hard."

Su Xinghui said: "Since I'm the vice mayor in charge of education, and since I've encountered this issue today, I have no choice but to take responsibility for it."

Xin Jing said: "Ah, I'm just worried about you—this matter will likely make you the target of everyone's criticism!"

Xin Jing's concern wasn't without reason: the blanket dismissal of private teachers was a widespread phenomenon across the province and even nationwide; even a neighboring city to Baozhou had boasted about it as a political achievement, claiming it had dismissed so many private teachers and shed so much burden.

If Su Xinghui insisted on resolving the private teacher issue in Baozhou, he'd be too unconventional—and indeed, easily become the target of everyone's criticism.

If Su Xinghui exposed this unwritten rule and the central authorities found out, many people would surely hate him.

Su Xinghui said: "Xin Jing, can you really watch quietly as those private teachers suffer such unfair treatment?"

Xin Jing said: "Of course I can't bear to watch—but my power is limited, and I'm too weak…"

Su Xinghui said: "Since you can't bear it either, then please don't say any more—I'm determined to do this."

Xin Jing said: "Alright, since you're determined to do it, then even though my strength is slight, I'll support you wholeheartedly!"

Su Xinghui smiled: "Xin Jing, thank you!"

Xin Jing smiled: "Don't mention it—it's exactly what I should've done but didn't. Alright, I'm heading back. By the way, this bed I sat on? I laid out the bedding myself—you'll sleep here tonight."

Su Xinghui nodded in agreement, and Xin Jing left.

After Xin Jing left, Su Xinghui also went out, smiling at Xia Song and the others: "Come on, let's keep playing cards."

Seeing Su Xinghui's demeanor, Xia Song and the others had been worried, but now that he'd regained his cheerful attitude, they all relaxed.

Xia Song brought out the playing cards, and they resumed playing; soon, paper strips began appearing on everyone's faces again.

That afternoon, the duty room received several calls from the provincial government checking on attendance—these were routine checks; aside from those few calls, nothing else happened that day.

In the afternoon, the cafeteria delivered their meals; after eating, they rested a while, then resumed playing cards—there simply weren't any other forms of entertainment here.

At ten o'clock, Zhai Yingjie said: "Vice Mayor Su, you should go rest."

Su Xinghui played cards only to share in the people's joy; if he didn't play, the three of them would have nothing to do. He had little interest in cards himself, so he put down the cards and said: "Alright, I'll go rest for a bit—you all take turns resting too. Call me at midnight to relieve you."

They all nodded in agreement, and Su Xinghui went into the inner room, took off his coat, and lay down on the bed Xin Jing had mentioned. The bedding had been brought by Xin Jing the day before—clean, neatly folded, showing she was a very hygienic person.

The bedding carried a faint, pleasant fragrance that calmed Su Xinghui's mind; soon, he fell asleep. When he woke again, it was six in the morning.

On the other bed now lay Yin Zhe—he must have been the last to take his turn sleeping.

Su Xinghui got dressed and stepped out quietly. Xia Song and Zhai Yingjie were sitting outside, still watching TV—on a night shift like this, watching TV was the only way to pass the time.

Su Xinghui said: "Why didn't you wake me?"

Xia Song said: "Vice Mayor, you have so much work every day—we wanted you to sleep a little longer."

Su Xinghui nodded: "Then you two should rest too."

The moment he spoke, he regretted it slightly—Xin Jing had said she didn't want anyone else sleeping on her bedding—but since the words were out, he couldn't take them back.

Fortunately, Xia Song and Zhai Yingjie both shook their heads, saying they'd already slept several hours and weren't sleepy now.

Su Xinghui sat with them and chatted for a while.

Soon, several guards from the gatehouse arrived—they had officially started work today. They greeted Su Xinghui and the others with New Year wishes and urged them to go wash up.

Su Xinghui folded Xin Jing's bedding, carried it upstairs, and knocked on her door. She was still in her pajamas, her long hair loosely tied at the back, looking languid and alluring; though barefaced, her features were exquisitely refined.

Seeing her like this, Su Xinghui felt slightly embarrassed: "Sorry, did I wake you?"

Xin Jing smiled: "No problem, I've already gotten up—I was just about to go jogging."

Su Xinghui handed her the bedding: "Thank you!"

Xin Jing asked: "Did you sleep last night?"

Su Xinghui said: "Yes, slept straight through until this morning. No one else slept on your bedding."

Xin Jing felt an inexplicable joy and smiled: "Good. Then go wash up. Aren't you going to exercise downstairs? I'll go too, right away."

Su Xinghui said: "Alright, I'll wash up. See you soon."

Xin Jing smiled: "Mm, see you soon."

Su Xinghui hurried downstairs. Xin Jing closed the door, hugged the bedding, leaned against it for a moment, and took a deep breath of its scent, then closed her eyes.

She seemed to smell the scent of male pheromones in the bedding—so pleasant. Su Xinghui didn't smoke, didn't reek of alcohol, so he had no unpleasant body odor; instead, he carried a strong, masculine aura that made Xin Jing feel intoxicated.

Xin Jing's marriage had never been happy; she hadn't had intimate relations in a long time. Now, smelling this scent, her soul and body trembled.

After leaning against the door for several minutes, Xin Jing came to her senses. She placed the bedding on her own bed, changed into sportswear, and went downstairs to jog.

Downstairs, Xin Jing saw Su Xinghui already practicing fist techniques in the woods—his movements were powerful and vigorous, radiating strong masculinity; he looked truly stunning.