Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 310 Chamber Pot

The situation reported by Wang Meili is very important.

Indeed, some entrepreneurs value the political honor of being a National People's Congress representative.

People's Congress deputies not only have the opportunity to get to know officials, but because they have a voice, some functional departments are intimidated by them and often look up to them.

Some entrepreneurs, like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, use all their unique abilities to obtain the title of National People's Congress representative. Naturally, they hope to use this status to gain benefits for themselves or their companies. When someone promises them all sorts of benefits, how can they turn a blind eye?

Qingshan County is an impoverished county, and most of the entrepreneurs elected as county people's congress representatives are not heads of large enterprises; they may be pig farm owners or aquaculture farm owners.

Wu Zhiyuan asked, "Who exactly was the middleman?"

Wang Meili crossed her legs and said slowly, "I know Bi Yuan, the CEO of Biyuan Group. I don't know about the others."

I've heard that Bi Yuan's Biyuan Villa has been hosting a lot of banquets lately, including some of the top two officials from townships.

Generally speaking, the top two leaders of townships are mostly county people's congress representatives.

I did not attend such dinners, but people who did have privately revealed that Bi Yuan did not say he would not vote for Ding Yiyi, nor did he say he would choose Cheng Tanzhi instead.

He spoke cryptically, only saying, "Only by choosing the right county magistrate can Qingshan County have a future," and "Qingshan County needs a leader who understands economics and is grounded in reality."

He added that some of his friends had reservations about certain practices of County Head Ding, feeling that she was a veteran discipline inspection cadre who didn't understand economics and was too rigid in her adherence to rules, which might hinder the development of Qingshan County.

Wang Meili had limited information; she was using this opportunity to get closer to Wu Zhiyuan.

She stood up and went to the kitchen to wash the strawberries.

Judging from her demeanor, someone who didn't know better would think she was the lady of the house.

Before long, she came with a plate of washed, bright red strawberries.

She casually picked up a strawberry and held it to Wu Zhiyuan's lips, her eyes sparkling: "County Chief Wu, it's very sweet, want to try one?"

Wu Zhiyuan didn't take the strawberry offered to his lips. Instead, he reached for another one from the plate, smiled, and politely said, "I can do it myself, thank you."

Wang Meili was somewhat disappointed: "County Chief Wu, you always have this aloofness that keeps people at arm's length."

Wu Zhiyuan smiled calmly: "Director Wang is joking. We still need to be mindful of our boundaries."

He chewed on the strawberry; it was indeed sweet and juicy.

Wang Meili's actions just now went beyond the normal superior-subordinate relationship, carrying a clear sense of testing and intimacy.

This woman has never been simple-minded.

He was sent to the Qinglong Mountain Forest Farm because of her.

Moreover, she also seized the deputy section chief position that rightfully belonged to him.

This moment, that moment.

Although he no longer held grudges from the past, he still had to be wary of this woman.

Wang Meili sat down again, and said sullenly, "County Chief Wu is right. I didn't know my place."

Her tone carried a hint of self-deprecation, yet also sounded like a test: "You're the executive deputy county head, with a bright future ahead of you. Naturally, you should keep your distance from someone like me, a mere director of the Culture and Tourism Bureau."

Wu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Director Wang, you can't say that. There are different ranks and different responsibilities, but we are all working for Qingshan County."

Maintaining appropriate boundaries and distance is good for work, for you and for me.

Wang Meili smiled awkwardly: "What County Chief Wu said is absolutely right."

I misunderstood for a moment, always feeling that because we'd known each other since we were both young and inexperienced, we had a closer bond than others. Now I realize I was overthinking it.

After a pause, she suddenly asked, "County Chief Wu, there's a girl in our Culture and Tourism Bureau who's got a pretty face, a great figure, and a great temperament. I think she'd be a good match for you."

If County Magistrate Wu is interested, I'm willing to act as a go-between.

Wu Zhiyuan waved his hand: "I'm not considering it for now. Thank you for your kind offer, Director Wang."

Wang Meili was somewhat surprised: "Does County Chief Wu have someone he likes, or is he waiting for someone?"

Wu Zhiyuan smiled but remained silent.

Seeing that Wu Zhiyuan didn't respond, Wang Meili didn't press him further and began to talk about her own life: "I've come to understand that marriage is just like that."

When I was young and naive, I always tried to climb up to someone. Now, I think being alone is pretty good, I'm free.

Sometimes I inevitably feel lonely. Especially at night, when there's no one to talk to.

It's an open secret that Wang Meili is Gan Simiao's lover.

"Director Wang, didn't you expect to be transferred back to Longcheng city?"

"Transfer back to the city? Who wouldn't want that?"

But County Chief Wu, as you know, I'm just a woman, what connections do I have?

Wang Meili was lying, of course. Gan Simiao is now the director of the Municipal Transportation Bureau and has extensive connections. It wouldn't be difficult for her to transfer Wang Meili back to the city.

Wu Zhiyuan said tactfully, "Director Gan is your former superior, you can go to him."

Wang Meili's eyes darted away: "County Chief Wu is joking. Director Gan is my old leader, but he's been busy with work since he was transferred to the city. How could I trouble him for personal matters?"

Besides, some relationships, once the past has passed, are best left unmentioned.

It seems that Wang Meili and Gan Simiao's relationship has come to an end.

A lecherous man like Gan Simiao, who also wields power, couldn't possibly have only Wang Meili as his mistress.

It's common to meet new love and forget old love.

What exactly is the entanglement between Wang Meili and Gan Simiao remains unknown, and it's not appropriate to ask further.

"County Magistrate Wu, let's not talk about these unpleasant things."

Sometimes, when the night is quiet and I think about my life, I realize that my love life has been a complete mess, and my work has been just so-so. It's all pretty meaningless.

To outsiders, it looks glamorous; only they know the hardships they endure.

She paused for a moment, then brazenly said, "County Chief Wu, you are a man who accomplishes great things. You have a long-term vision and a broad mind."

Someone like me wouldn't dare to have any improper thoughts.

I just feel at ease when I'm with you. Unlike some people who say one thing to your face and another behind your back.

I don't want anything, really. Titles and status, those are all empty things; once you've experienced them, you'll take them in stride.

"I just feel that if I could have someone as steady and reliable as County Chief Wu, someone to talk to occasionally, someone to lean on, even if it's just from afar, knowing that such a person exists would make me feel less lonely."

Although these words were not spoken explicitly, anyone with a modicum of common sense could understand their implied meaning.

Wu Zhiyuan scoffed, saying that even if he were to find a lover, he wouldn't choose someone like Wang Meili.

Because this woman is a scheming bitch.

Her desire to become Wu Zhiyuan's lover was not merely out of admiration or loneliness; there must have been other motives as well.

"Director Wang, you didn't drink tonight, did you?" Wu Zhiyuan asked seriously.

"He poured himself a glass of red wine and drank it all by himself," Wang Meili said quietly.

"Director Wang, you're talking nonsense because you're drunk. Some things shouldn't be said, especially not at this time and in this place."

However, Wang Meili seemed not to hear, or perhaps she was too drunk to listen.

"County Magistrate Wu, I'm not drunk. I know perfectly well. I just feel that everyone in this world wears a mask and is hypocritical."

But you are not like that, you are different. I don't ask for anything else, really.

I know I am not good enough for you, and I dare not hope for anything.

I don't want any title or reward; I just want to pass the time.

Even if you don't treat me as a lover, even if you treat me like a chamber pot, I'll still be willing.

A urinal?

Wu Zhiyuan chuckled to himself.

This Wang Meili really dares to say anything!

In recent years, has she been Gan Simiao's chamber pot?

Are you suggesting he use an old, dirty chamber pot now?

Wu Zhiyuan sneered inwardly: I, Wu Zhiyuan, am not a junk collector.

He said sternly, "Director Wang, please have some self-respect! If a person doesn't respect himself, how can he expect to gain the respect of others?"

What you just said crossed the line, and crossed it way too far!

I, Wu Zhiyuan, am upright and honest. I do not need, and will never, use the method you described to dismiss anything!

To compare oneself to a chamber pot is an extreme contempt for one's own dignity!

I don't want to hear those words from you again. It's not only an insult to yourself, but also an insult to me!

To Wu Zhiyuan's surprise, Wang Meili suddenly threw herself into his arms, wrapped her arms around his waist, and said in a pleading tone:

"Zhiyuan, that's not what I meant. I'm just feeling really down. Please have pity on me. I'll do whatever you say tonight."

I had no intention of harming anyone. I swear to God, if I harbored any evil intentions, may I be struck by lightning!

It must be said that Wang Meili is a beautiful woman; otherwise, Gan Simiao would not have been so infatuated with her before.

She was clearly dressed up carefully tonight, and she was even wearing perfume.

Perfume is a deadly weapon to seduce men.