Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 207 Single Man and Devoted Girl

Wu Zhiyuan laughed: "Yunxi, you're still dwelling on things from a few years ago?"

Xu Yunxi pouted, "Zhiyuan, you know this was a promise made years ago? You didn't keep your word! We even pinky swore!"

"Yunxi, I didn't say I was going to go back on my word, but I also didn't say when I would keep my promise!"

Seeing Wu Zhiyuan using delaying tactics, Xu Yunxi's eyes flashed with a sly glint: "Alright, alright, I know you're busy as the Party Secretary, but I can give you some more time to keep your promise."

She paused, her finger swiping across her phone screen. "By the way, Zhiyuan, there's something I'm not sure if I should tell you."

Wu Zhiyuan casually asked, "What's wrong? Why are you being so mysterious?"

"Brother Zhiyuan, there's a senior at our school who's really outstanding."

His father is the CEO of a publicly listed private company; he comes from a wealthy family, is quite handsome, and has been pursuing me recently.

Xu Yunxi pulled out a few messages.

Indeed, the message was not just ambiguous, but almost a direct declaration of love.

Wu Zhiyuan smiled calmly: "Yunxi, this is a good thing!"

You're so beautiful and outstanding, it's perfectly normal for boys to like and pursue you.

University life is wonderful. If you meet someone suitable and outstanding, you can try to get to know them and learn more about them.

As long as the other person is of good character and genuinely cares for you, your parents and I will be happy for you.

To Wu Zhiyuan's surprise, the lively and cheerful Xu Yunxi suddenly burst into tears.

"Brother Zhiyuan, don't you really understand my heart, or do you just always see me as an immature little sister?"

Xu Yunxi raised her tearful eyes and looked straight at Wu Zhiyuan: "Am I destined to end up like Sister Tingting, only receiving a little bit of your love on my deathbed? I'd rather not have it!"

The thought of Han Tingting and the wedding in the hospital ward filled Wu Zhiyuan with an indescribable pain.

"Yunxi, don't cry, okay?" Wu Zhiyuan gently wiped away Xu Yunxi's tears with a tissue.

"Yunxi, you are so young and beautiful, like a flower with dew in the morning."

The version of me you see is incomplete and may not be the most authentic.

Yunxi, I'm eight years older than you. If you were just a younger sister, I would take care of you, protect you, and watch you be happy for the rest of my life.

But if it's a lover, I'm afraid I can't bear it. I'm afraid of the storms of life, the uncertain future, and even more afraid of accidentally hurting you.

You deserve the brightest sunshine and the purest joy, not to bear burdens with me.

With tears blurring her vision, Xu Yunxi raised her head and said with unusual stubbornness, "Brother Zhiyuan, I'm twenty years old, not a child anymore. I know what I'm saying and what I'm waiting for."

You're afraid I'll act impulsively, afraid I'll regret it later, but how do you know that I didn't think about it for a long time before daring to say it today?

I just want you to know that my feelings for you are not the worship and dependence of a little girl on an elder, but the appreciation, tenderness and love of a woman for a man.

You can take your time to consider it; a year, two years, or even longer, I can wait.

But please, at least stop using your sister as an excuse to push me away, okay?

I know about your past relationships; you were very sad after Tingting passed away. Now you're all alone. I don't pity you; I genuinely admire and respect you.

"Yunxi, I don't know what I have done to deserve your favor?" Wu Zhiyuan gently patted Xu Yunxi's shoulder. "Yunxi, look at you, you're like a pear blossom in the rain."

It was wrong of me to make you cry. What's that song lyric again? A man shouldn't make a woman cry.

I heard every word you said.

"Brother Zhiyuan, I'm willing to wait. As long as you don't reject me, I'll keep waiting, willingly."

"Silly girl," Wu Zhiyuan said with a smile, "Alright, you've cried and talked it out."

Wipe away your tears first, look at you, you little kitten.

Come on, I'll take you to try some of the local delicacies of Xindian Town first, and then I'll take you to Qingshan Gorge.

Qingshan Gorge is truly beautiful, breathtakingly so. Sketching there would surely inspire you.

The two tidied up and left the dormitory.

I ran into Hu Lijin.

"Oh, Secretary Wu, who is this pretty young lady? I've never seen her before."

A new girlfriend? You've kept it well hidden!

Hu Lijin has a very outgoing personality, so her words were half a joke and half a test.

Wu Zhiyuan neither admits nor denies it.

Xu Yunxi just started crying.

How can we prevent her from being hurt again?

He smiled and introduced Hu Lijin to Xu Yunxi: "Yunxi, this is Director Hu from the town's Party and Government Office."

"Hello, Director Hu!" Xu Yunxi said sweetly. "Director Hu is a great beauty."

Hu Lijin laughed heartily, "Yunxi, you have such a sweet tongue! I love hearing it!"

Wu Zhiyuan took Xu Yunxi to a local specialty restaurant.

This shop's specialties are rice cakes and fried rice dumplings.

The rice cakes are pan-fried on one side, resulting in a golden-brown, crispy and delicious appearance. The other side remains smooth and glossy without sticking to the pan, and has a soft and chewy texture that is oily but not greasy.

The rice dumplings are pan-fried until golden and crispy. When you bite into one, the steam and the aroma of the filling burst out. The tenderness of the dried tofu, the freshness of the river shrimp, the crispness of the bamboo shoots, and the spiciness of the scallions and ginger are perfectly balanced, with a good balance of saltiness and not at all greasy.

Wu Zhiyuan smiled at Xu Yunxi: "Yunxi, is it delicious? It's hard to find this kind of food in Jiangzhou and Hangzhou, isn't it?"

"It's so delicious, I feel like I'm completely absorbed in it."

"Then come often."

"Brother Zhiyuan, you said it yourself! Don't find me annoying later."

"Of course not."

After enjoying the local delicacies, Wu Zhiyuan got on his motorcycle.

Xu Yunxi sat sideways in the back seat and gently wrapped her arms around Wu Zhiyuan's waist.

"Brother Zhiyuan, we can finally let loose!" Xu Yunxi waved her arms excitedly.

"Yunxi, do your father and Aunt Qingqing know you're here?"

"I don't know. What if I did know? I'm not a minor."

Besides, they have a very good impression of you. And you, right now, are single.

Wu Zhiyuan smiled and said nothing more, but instructed, "Hold on tight, the mountain road has many bends, hold on tight."

The spring breeze, carrying warmth and the scent of the mountains and fields, swept over Xu Yunxi, stirring her long hair and clothes.

"Brother Zhiyuan, the mountains here are so green, and the air is so fresh."

"Yes, aside from other things, Xindian Town has a very good ecological environment. Green mountains and clear waters are our greatest resource."

"Brother Zhiyuan, after I graduate from university, I'll come to Qingshan and become an art teacher."

"Isn't that a waste of talent?"

"Brother Zhiyuan, for me, the place where you are is the best place."

Whether it's a desolate desert or a remote, impoverished place, as long as I'm with you, everything I see is beautiful, and everything I do is joyful.