Chapter 571

At that time, there was a joke among netizens: "Industry ruins the country, real estate speculation saves the nation." Although it was a joke, it contained the bitter tears of countless people!

Su Xinghui did not want to see this scene unfold in this life.

Although Zhang Kaishan had not yet experienced that era, Su Xinghui's logic was clear, and the cause-and-effect relationships were tightly linked. Zhang Kaishan knew the common traits of local officials all too well, and he could infer that what Su Xinghui described was absolutely possible.

On such a cold day, cold sweat trickled down Zhang Kaishan's back. Thinking of such consequences made his scalp tingle. If the country really developed to that point, what kind of concept would that be? He didn't dare to think about it.

Zhang Kaishan slapped the desk and said, "Such a thing must absolutely not happen!"

Su Xinghui said, "Therefore, these land transfer fees must absolutely not be the main source of local fiscal revenue. Shangjun County must still focus on developing industry and agriculture. Real industry is the foundation of a country."

Zhang Kaishan nodded, "Alright, what you say makes sense. I will think this over carefully. Oh, and about the park project, I will also find experts to conduct a feasibility study and strive to form a proposal to be passed by the Standing Committee as soon as possible."

Su Xinghui said, "That's great. Uncle Zhang, this park project will definitely become a brilliant stroke in your political career."

Zhang Kaishan smiled, "Xinghui, when are we going to Jiangcheng to pay our respects this year?"

Su Xinghui said, "How about the fifth day? It's been the fifth day every year."

Zhang Kaishan nodded, "Alright, then it's settled: the fifth day."

On the first day of the New Year, Su Xinghui paid his respects to the elders in Shangjun County. At the same time, some of his colleagues and subordinates came to pay their respects to him. Of course, none of them dared to bring any expensive gifts—at most, some pastries and fruit. As a matter of courtesy, Su Xinghui also gave them return gifts.

Guo Suhua said, "Xinghui, there are more people coming to pay their respects to you than to your father."

Su Wenjun said, "Xinghui is a first-level leading cadre now, after all. Of course, more people will come to pay their respects. Isn't that a Chinese characteristic?"

Su Xinghui actually found it quite a headache. With so many people, he had to host them and chat with them, which was quite tiring. But he knew there was no way around it—it was a Chinese characteristic. If he didn't give a good face to those who came to pay their respects, they would think he had an issue with them.

Among those who came to pay their respects to Su Xinghui that day were some of his former subordinates from Meng Hu Ling, such as village cadres from Wild Boar Ditch Village, as well as Zeng Xianglin and Wan Xing'an. However, Xia Zhu did not come this time, which surprised Su Xinghui.

Xia Lan told him privately that Xia Zhu had originally wanted to come, but after hesitating for a long time, she decided against it. She was probably afraid that Su Xinghui's current girlfriend would misunderstand. However, she had brought a New Year's gift for Su Xinghui and asked Xia Lan to deliver it.

Su Xinghui felt a sense of melancholy in his heart. He could certainly imagine the conflict and struggle in Xia Zhu's heart, but what could he say? He could only say to himself, *You silly girl.*

Sun Sinian still had his two daughters come to the Su family to pay their respects. Nominally, it was to pay respects to Su Wenjun, but Su Xinghui knew it was for his own benefit.

Sun Sinian had his daughters bring many gifts, including two bottles of Moutai and two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes. However, Su Xinghui insisted that the Sun sisters take them back, leaving only some pastries and fruit.

Although Su Xinghui didn't have a good impression of the Sun sisters, it was the New Year, and one shouldn't strike a smiling face. Therefore, he patiently chatted with them for a while.

After the two sisters left, Guo Suhua asked, "Xinghui, you didn't seem to like those two sisters very much. Why?"

Su Xinghui couldn't tell her the real reason, so he said to Guo Suhua, "Their father is too snobbish; I don't like that."

Su Wenjun said, "Yes, they said they were paying their respects to me, but do I even know him? Isn't he just looking at the fact that Xinghui is popular in the county now? That's why he's here to suck up to Xinghui. Otherwise, would he send such expensive things?"

Guo Suhua didn't like the sisters either, mainly because Sun Xuefei's makeup was too heavy, and Sun Xuelan had been like a mute, not saying a word. She nodded, "Xinghui did the right thing. You should return the gifts. Sending such expensive things is just to make Xinghui do favors for him, isn't it?"

Su Xinghui nodded, "Even if he didn't ask me to do favors, I couldn't accept such expensive gifts."

Su Wenjun said, "I'm relieved to hear you have that attitude."

Guo Suhua also laughed, "Our son won't go down the wrong path!"

After the first day passed, the family went to Baota Township to pay their respects to his grandfather and uncles. This year, the two uncles had made a lot of money growing lotus roots. They had taken the lead in establishing a cooperative, and not only did they make money themselves, but they also led the villagers to earn quite a bit.

The Guo family's house had also been renovated. It was an old house with decades of history, and it was time for a renovation. The new house was much brighter. Seeing that her parents and two younger brothers were living a good life, Guo Suhua felt much happier.

Returning to Shangjun, to Su Xinghui's surprise, Lu Xiaoya came to the house to pay her respects on the third day.

Lu Xiaoya hadn't called Su Xinghui before coming, which gave Su Xinghui a great surprise, and also surprised Su Wenjun and Guo Suhua.

One must know that the Lu family's background was much better than the Su family's. Usually, girls from such backgrounds wouldn't be so polite and would be a bit spoiled, but Lu Xiaoya was too sensible and too well-behaved.

She had accompanied Su Xinghui all the way from Jingcheng to celebrate Su Wenjun's birthday, and then came on the third day to pay her respects to the Su family. This was truly something not every girl could do.

Based on these two things, Su Wenjun and Guo Suhua genuinely accepted this prospective daughter-in-law. They also truly felt that Su Xinghui had excellent taste to find such an almost impeccable girlfriend.

After Lu Xiaoya sat for a while, Guo Suhua beamed and told Su Xinghui to take Lu Xiaoya out to play. Su Xinghui then took Lu Xiaoya out.

In the Shangjun County of the 1990s, the atmosphere of the New Year was still very strong. People were setting off firecrackers everywhere on the streets. Today was the third day, the day for "sending off the New Year" according to Shangjun customs. Amidst the continuous sound of firecrackers, the two strolled casually along the street.

Su Xinghui said, "You're not going back to Jiangcheng today, are you?"

Lu Xiaoya said, "Then do you want me to go back to Jiangcheng?"

Su Xinghui laughed, "Of course I don't want you to go back to Jiangcheng."

Lu Xiaoya said, "Then I won't go back to Jiangcheng. When you go to Jiangcheng on the fifth day, I'll go with you."

Su Xinghui nodded, "That would be best."

Lu Xiaoya said, "It's so lively here!"

Su Xinghui said, "Yes, today is the day to send off the New Year. Every family has to set off firecrackers; it's very lively. What, isn't it lively where you are?"