Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 320 New Year's Eve

The island in the middle of the lake was very quiet on New Year's Eve, with only sporadic firecracker sounds coming from afar.

The prefabricated house was warm and brightly lit.

Zhang Huilan cooked a table full of dishes.

Steaming lake fish wafted out, stir-fried cured pork with garlic sprouts was glistening and fragrant, plump dumplings were arranged on the plate, and in the middle was a pot of boiling local chicken soup.

Wu Dagui poured warm rice wine into everyone's cup.

As they raised their glasses together, Wu Dagui said, "It's fate that our two families can spend the New Year together this year."

Wishing everyone a safe and healthy new year.

Han Genfa said emotionally, "Thank you for not looking down on me and for making my New Year's celebration so enjoyable."

Wu Zhiyuan said sincerely, "Uncle Han, you're being too polite. This is your home, we're family."

Wu Kexin placed a piece of fish belly meat into Han Genfa's bowl: "Uncle Han, try this. My dad caught it fresh today, it's incredibly fresh!"

When Wu Zhiyuan toasted his father, Wu Dagui said, "It's the New Year, so there are some things we should say."

Zhiyuan, you've brought honor to our family by becoming the county magistrate. Dad is truly happy for you.

But what Dad longs for even more is for you to have someone who cares about you, and for you to have your own little family. That's true warmth.

Han Genfa chimed in, "Brother is right."

Zhiyuan is a loyal and sentimental boy, and I've seen all of that.

It's just that Tingting wasn't lucky, but we have to keep looking forward.

"Zhiyuan, Uncle Han has no other intentions than hoping that you can find a good girl, settle down, and live a prosperous life."

Zhang Huilan replied, "Zhiyuan, Mom doesn't have any grand theories, I just want to tell you that no matter how busy you are with work, you must take care of your health."

Health is the foundation of everything, and so is marriage; don't take it lightly.

Han Genfa looked at Wu Kexin and said with a smile, "Kexin, you have to step up your game and not let your brother get there first."

Wu Kexin said generously, "It's not that easy for him to get ahead."

My boyfriend was insisting on coming home with me for Chinese New Year, but I didn't agree. I told him I hadn't gotten past my parents yet.

He had no choice but to change his mind and say he would definitely visit in the first month of the lunar calendar to offer New Year's greetings.

"That's great!" Wu Dagui perked up. "Kexin, what kind of person is your boyfriend? Tell your parents and Uncle Han about it."

"He's a year older than me and works at the Provincial Development and Reform Commission," Wu Kexin said with pride. "He's about the same height as my brother and just as handsome."

My standard for finding a partner is based on my older brother.

Everyone laughed.

Wu Kexin continued, "His father is a provincial-level official, and his mother is a university professor."

Wu Dagui said, "It's good that our family is well-off, but we are just ordinary fishermen. Although Zhiyuan is now a county cadre, he earned it all through his own hard work."

Kexin, Dad only has one thing to say: I don't care about what other people have, I just want them to be good people, to treat you well, and to live a stable life with you in the future.

Don't feel inferior because of your family background. My daughter graduated with a master's degree, has a good job, and is she lacking in looks or personality?

Wu Kexin said smugly, "That's right, I'm the daughter of a big farm owner, my family has contracted more than a thousand acres of water."

Everyone burst into laughter.

After the New Year's Eve dinner, Wu Dagui brought out a box of fireworks: "It's the New Year, after all, it has to be festive. Without fireworks, it just doesn't feel like the New Year."

Wu Dagui, carrying the box of fireworks, walked excitedly towards the lake.

He found a flat spot by the lake and arranged the fireworks one by one.

There were auspicious clouds of seven colors, a house full of gold and jade, a riot of colors, and several large creatures whose names I didn't know.

He crouched down and beckoned to Wu Zhiyuan, "Come on, light the fire."

Wu Kexin reminded everyone, "Be careful."

Wu Zhiyuan took the lighter and squatted down next to the fireworks.

The fuse hissed and caught fire. He quickly stepped back and looked up at the night sky.

"boom--"

The first firework shot into the sky, exploding against the dark blue backdrop, and golden sparks rained down, illuminating half the lake.

Then came the second, the third... red, green, purple, one after another blooming, adorning the night sky with dazzling splendor.

Fireworks burst into bloom in the night sky one after another, each one eliciting gasps of amazement from the crowd.

Wu Kexin clapped and cheered like a child.

Han Genfa tilted his head back, staring intently at the sky.

The flickering light and shadow of fireworks danced on his face.

Wu Zhiyuan noticed that his eyes were glistening with tears.

He knew that Han Genfa was reminded of his daughter by the sight of the scenery.

"Uncle Han, shall we release one?" Wu Zhiyuan walked to his side.

"Zhiyuan, I suddenly thought of Tingting again. She loves watching fireworks the most."

Every year during Chinese New Year, I buy her lots of small fireworks…

Wu Kexin walked over to Han Genfa and took his arm: "Uncle Han, let's set off fireworks together! Let Tingting see too!"

Wu Dagui said, "Old Han, you can light this biggest, most colorful firework."

Han Genfa lit the fuse.

When the fireworks exploded, a silvery-white halo appeared first, followed by countless colorful points of light bursting from the center of the halo. Red, yellow, blue, and green lights intertwined and slowly spread outwards, like a giant seven-colored chrysanthemum blooming slowly in the night sky.

Wu Kexin held her breath: "So beautiful!"

As the last glimmer of light faded, the night sky returned to silence.

Back to the prefabricated house.

Wu Zhiyuan's phone rang.

It was Xu Yunxi who made the video call.

Wu Zhiyuan pressed the answer button, and Xu Yunxi's smiling face immediately popped up on the screen.

She was wearing a red sweater, her hair casually draped over her shoulders, and judging from the background, she was in a bedroom.

Xu Yunxi chuckled and said, "Happy New Year, County Chief Wu!"

"Happy New Year, Yunxi, where are you?"

"In Jiangzhou, Dad is still working overtime."

Xu Youwei is the vice governor and director of the provincial public security department. On New Year's Eve, the more families reunite, the greater the responsibility on his shoulders.

"Where is Teacher Liu?"

"Aunt Qingqing is busy in the living room."

"Yunxi, may I speak with Teacher Liu for a few minutes?"

"sure."

Xu Yunxi took her phone and walked out of the bedroom.

Liu Qingqing was bending down to tidy up the fruit plate and candy box on the coffee table. She was wearing a casual off-white cashmere sweater, her hair was loosely tied back, and her profile was gentle.

Hearing footsteps, she straightened up and turned around.

"Aunt Qingqing, look who's looking for you?" Xu Yunxi turned her phone screen towards her.

Upon seeing Wu Zhiyuan in the video, Liu Qingqing's face immediately broke into a gentle smile: "Zhiyuan, Happy New Year! Are you celebrating the New Year with your aunt and uncle on the island in the middle of the lake?"

"Happy New Year, Teacher Liu! We're on the island in the middle of the lake. We just finished our New Year's Eve dinner and set off fireworks. Is Secretary Xu still busy?"

Liu Qingqing smiled and said, "Yes, he didn't even come home for New Year's Eve dinner. He said he was on duty in the hall with the front-line police officers."

I just got off the phone; it'll probably be late into the night. Is the New Year's atmosphere strong in Qingshan County?

"The festive atmosphere is quite strong. Unlike big cities, the countryside doesn't allow fireworks and firecrackers. I always feel that without fireworks and firecrackers, the festive atmosphere is incomplete."

Liu Qingqing nodded: "Yes, when I was a child, what I looked forward to most during the Spring Festival was setting off firecrackers and watching fireworks. I would cover my ears but still couldn't help peeking out."

Now that fireworks are banned in the city, it feels like something's missing. It's great that you can still set them off.

Wu Zhiyuan offered a few words of blessing.

Liu Qingqing glanced at Xu Yunxi beside her and smiled, "Alright, let's not keep you young people chatting any longer."

Yunxi, here's your phone. Zhiyuan, please give my greetings to your uncle and aunt, Brother Han, and Kexin. Wishing them a Happy New Year and good health.

"I'll definitely bring it. Happy New Year, Teacher Liu," Wu Zhiyuan said quickly.

Liu Qingqing returned the phone to Xu Yunxi, gently patted her shoulder, and turned to go back to her work, leaving the two young people alone.

Xu Yunxi took the phone, walked back to her bedroom, and closed the door behind her.

After chatting for a while, Xu Yunxi said, "Brother Zhiyuan, let me see your uncles and aunts, as well as Uncle Han and Sister Kexin! I want to wish them a Happy New Year!"

Unable to refuse, Wu Zhiyuan pointed his phone at his family members who were sitting around the table drinking tea and chatting.

"Uncle and Aunt! Uncle Han! Sister Kexin! Happy New Year! Wishing you good health, all the best, and may all your wishes come true in the new year!"

Xu Yunxi smiled radiantly on the other side of the screen.

Wu Dagui, Zhang Huilan, Han Genfa, and Wu Kexin all came over, their faces beaming with delight.

"It's Yunxi! Happy New Year, Happy New Year!" Zhang Huilan waved repeatedly at the phone screen.

"Auntie, Happy New Year! I still miss your steamed fish head with chopped chili."

Zhang Huilan beamed with joy: "Yunxi, when are you coming to the island in the middle of the lake? I'll cook you a whole fish feast."

"Okay, okay, now that you mention it, I can't wait!"

"Yunxi, how are your studies?" Wu Dagui asked with a smile.

"It's alright, but sometimes I can't draw it, and I get a little anxious, haha."

Xu Yunxi then asked Han Genfa, "Uncle Han, how are you feeling? Did you have a happy New Year?"

Han Genfa quickly replied, "Okay, okay, I'm perfectly healthy."

Yunxi, thank you for thinking of me.

I spent Chinese New Year with Zhiyuan and the others today. I'm so happy, so incredibly happy.

"That's good! Uncle Han, please take good care of yourself. When I go to the island in the middle of the lake, you must teach me how to fish."

"Okay, Uncle Han will be waiting for you."

Next, Xu Yunxi greeted Wu Kexin, and the two girls chatted for a while.

hang up the phone.

Zhang Huilan asked meaningfully, "Zhiyuan, it seems like Yunxi isn't just here to wish us a Happy New Year, is she?"

Wu Kexin smiled, pursing her lips: "She's taking a roundabout approach, first winning our favor, and then we'll speak well of her to my brother."

Wu Dagui chimed in, "I've had a few interactions with Yunxi. Although she's the daughter of the vice governor, she doesn't act like one at all, and she's genuinely kind to our family."

Wu Dagui looked at his son: "Zhiyuan, what your mother and Kexin said makes sense."

"Yunxi's heart is with you; anyone with eyes can see that."

Wu Kexin also looked at Wu Zhiyuan: "Brother, say something."

"That girl's been so proactive, you don't feel anything at all, do you?"

Wu Zhiyuan glanced at his sister: "What did you say?"

"Tell me what you're really thinking. If you're interested in her, don't be so aloof. If you're not, don't waste her time."

Wu Dagui nodded: "Kexin is right. Zhiyuan, you are the county magistrate, and you always know how to act appropriately."

But when it comes to feelings, if you go too far, it becomes indifference.

It's not easy for a young woman to be so shy, to take the initiative like this.

Wu Zhiyuan said, "Yunxi is indeed a good girl. Although she is the daughter of a high-ranking official, she does not have the arrogance and spoiled nature of a young lady."

However, some things, like watching the fireworks just now, are dazzling and bright, and everyone who sees them will like them.

But the fireworks faded, and the night remained the same, the lake the same.

Some feelings can only be truly seen after the excitement has faded.