Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 365 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Liu Yiyi arrived at a private restaurant in Jiangzhou.

There was also a chubby man.

Wu Zhiyuan recognized him at a glance.

He was the same man who had an affair with Liu Yiyi at Qinglong Mountain Forest Farm that year and suffered a stroke.

Wu Zhiyuan believes that Liu Yiyi bringing her lover to the dinner party may have two meanings. One is that she is afraid her lover will misunderstand, since Wu Zhiyuan only invited her, and Wu Zhiyuan is also a lone person.

Another possibility is that her lover wanted to express his gratitude.

After all, it was Wu Zhiyuan who pulled him back from the brink of death.

"County Chief Wu, let me introduce you. This is my friend Xu Enpei. You've met before."

Xu Enpei was in his forties, looking at least ten years older than Liu Yiyi. He was fair-skinned and chubby, with a round face and a big belly. He probably couldn't even see his penis when he urinated.

I don't understand how Liu Yiyi, who has both beauty and temperament, could fall in love with Xu Enpei.

Is it true that love makes one's eyes pop out of their head?

Is it because Liu Yiyi's marriage is unhappy that she's accepting anything she can get?

Or was it that Xu Enpei had some extraordinary qualities, or some special magic that attracted Liu Yiyi?

Of course, we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. A fat man doesn't necessarily mean he's not excellent.

Wu Zhiyuan was puzzled only by the huge difference in their appearances.

Appearance is only one aspect. Not everyone is a natural-looking person.

Xu Enpei stretched out his chubby hand, his face beaming with smiles, and tightly grasped Wu Zhiyuan's hand: "County Magistrate Wu, I've heard so much about you! You're my savior, your kindness is like giving me a second life!"

If it weren't for your miraculous healing that day, I would have lost my life on Qinglong Mountain!

I've been wanting to find an opportunity to thank you in person, but you're a very busy person, and Yiyi also said that you're a low-key person, so I'm afraid it would be inappropriate to disturb you abruptly.

I'm so glad to finally see you today! I must offer you a few toasts later!

Wu Zhiyuan smiled, but inwardly he thought: A life-saving grace? It's been years, and I'm only seeing you tonight? This gratitude is really belated!

But he said, "Mr. Xu, you're too kind. It was just a small favor."

I was working at a forest farm at the time, and I happened to be there. Anyone would have done the same thing.

There's no need to dwell on the past; it's good that Mr. Xu is in good health now.

"I'm fine, I'm fine! Thanks to you, I'm full of energy now!" Xu Enpei patted his round belly and laughed heartily.

Then, Xu Enpei took out an exquisite gift box from his bag: "County Magistrate Wu, this is just a small token of my appreciation."

Wu Zhiyuan glanced at it; the box was labeled as a famous foreign brand watch.

He waved his hand: "Mr. Xu, I really can't accept this. Saving people was an instinct and a duty. If I accept something, it will change the whole story."

Xu Enpei insisted, "County Magistrate Wu, I have no other intention than to express my gratitude for saving my life."

Wu Zhiyuan said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "President Xu, I appreciate your kind intentions, but I really can't accept the gift."

The fortune teller said that accepting expensive gifts will diminish my good fortune, especially not accepting money or valuables as a thank-you gift for saving someone's life. Otherwise, the next time someone needs help, my hands and feet won't be able to move properly.

Liu Yiyi advised, "Enpei, since County Magistrate Wu has said so, you shouldn't force yourself."

You know the rules of the system.

Xu Enpei then stopped, put away the gift box, and said with emotion, "County Magistrate Wu is so young, yet he handles things with such tact. No wonder he has made such rapid progress."

A county magistrate who is twenty-nine years old—you can't find many like him in the whole province.

Wu Zhiyuan humbly replied, "It was the organization's cultivation, the leaders' trust, and a bit of luck."

Liu Yiyi chimed in, "County Chief Wu is too modest. Luck favors the prepared."

She looked at Xu Enpei and smiled, "Enpei, if you really want to thank County Chief Wu, then support the development of Qingyan County more."

County Head Wu has devoted himself wholeheartedly to the development of Qingyan County. Today, he went to the Provincial Department of Transportation and met with Director Hu Tianlong.

Upon hearing this, Xu Enpei perked up immediately: "Oh? County Chief Wu went to the Transportation Department today? Hu Tianlong is a tough nut to crack; it's not easy to even get a meeting with him. How's the project going? Any progress?"

Wu Zhiyuan smiled faintly: "Director Hu thinks highly of Qingyan County. He promised to give special support to the road in Wuhe Town and replan it according to the standards of a secondary highway."

Once this road is completed, it will open up a lifeline connecting Wuhe Town to the provincial capital, and its significance to Qingyan is no less than that of a major economic artery.

Xu Enpei exclaimed in surprise, "A secondary road? A four-lane road in both directions? That's incredible!"

Liu Yiyi laughed and said, "So, Enpei, if you really want to thank County Chief Wu, why not do something more substantial?"

"With so many companies under your city investment group, investing in any project in Qingyan would be better than giving any gift."

Xu Enpei nodded: "Yiyi is right, she's right! County Chief Wu, as for the City Investment Group, I will definitely give priority to Qingyan if there is an opportunity."

Wu Zhiyuan then chimed in, "I've taken Mr. Xu's words to heart."

Although Qingyan has a weak foundation, it has obvious locational advantages, especially Wuhe Town, which is less than 50 kilometers away from the provincial capital and has great development potential.

If Mr. Xu is interested, we can visit Qingyan for an on-site inspection another day. I will accompany him throughout the visit.

Liu Yiyi suddenly remembered something: "It's just the three of us tonight? We can't even play cards properly."

How about I ask my younger sister Qingqing if she's free?

As she spoke, Liu Yiyi dialed Liu Qingqing's number: "Qingqing? Where are you? We're one short for our three-player game. There are no outsiders here. Enpei and Zhiyuan are here too. Okay, I'll send you the address."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yiyi said to Wu Zhiyuan, "Qingqing happens to be nearby, she'll be over in a bit."

Wu Zhiyuan's heart stirred.

Time flies. It's been several months since I last saw Liu Qingqing, and I miss her terribly.

A short while later, the door to the private room opened, and a woman with outstanding looks and elegant demeanor walked in.

Wu Zhiyuan quickly stood up and said, "Hello, Teacher Liu!"

Liu Qingqing smiled and said, "Zhiyuan, you've come to Jiangzhou."

Wu Zhiyuan briefly explained the situation and thanked Liu Yiyi.

Liu Yiyi and Liu Qingqing, one mature and charming, the other elegant and intellectual, each have their own merits.

Xu Enpei laughed from the side, "County Magistrate Wu has a lot of influence; he even invited two beauties."

Liu Qingqing smiled and said, "Fatty Xu, what brings you out today? Isn't your city investment group supposed to be incredibly busy?"

It's clear that Liu Qingqing and Xu Enpei are very familiar with each other, as they even call each other by nicknames.

Xu Enpei chuckled: "No matter how busy I am, I have to come even if County Magistrate Wu invites me. He's my savior, after all."

Liu Qingqing nodded without saying anything more.

She knew everything about her younger sister's affair with Xu Enpei.

If you don't play guandan before a meal, it's like you haven't eaten at all.

Before the dishes were served, the four of them played a game of Guandan (a card game).

Xu Enpei and Liu Yiyi are rivals, and Wu Zhiyuan and Liu Qingqing are rivals.

Liu Yiyi asked, "Qingqing, do you have any performances planned lately?"

"We're going to Beijing next month for a performance of a new play, and we've been rehearsing it all this time."

I finally have a day off today, so I'm going shopping nearby to buy some clothes.

You called, but you still haven't bought the clothes.

"Qingqing, how about I go shopping with you after dinner?"

"OK."

While playing cards, Xu Enpei mysteriously revealed an important piece of information to Wu Zhiyuan: "County Chief Wu, I heard that Longcheng may be merged into the county."

Wu Zhiyuan was taken aback.

Rumors about Dragon City have been circulating for many years.

The wolf is coming! The wolf is coming! Is the wolf really coming?

Xu Enpei was well-informed and wouldn't make baseless accusations.

As Wu Zhiyuan played his card, he asked, "Mr. Xu, is the information reliable?"

Xu Enpei said, "I work at the City Investment Group, and I deal with provincial departments all day long, so I'm better informed than most people."

The province has studied this matter several times and has basically set the tone.

Longcheng's economy is too small, and its fiscal revenue has been declining year after year. It's like a small horse pulling a big cart; it can't pull it anymore.

Rather than living in this stagnant state, it would be better to merge it with a stronger neighboring city, consolidating resources and increasing efficiency.

Xu Enpei looked at Liu Qingqing: "Dean Liu should know, right?"

Liu Qingqing was not actually the deputy director of the theater. Xu Enpei used this title as a respectful one, just like at the dinner table, someone who is not the boss is still the boss, and someone who is not the section chief is still the section chief.

A beautiful sedan chair is carried by people.

Liu Qingqing shook her head and said, "Youwei doesn't talk to me about work, and I don't ask about politics either."

Liu Yiyi interjected, "What Enpei said is pretty accurate. The information I received from the department is that the merger of Longcheng is highly likely. The province is currently formulating a plan, but it has not yet been approved by the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee."

Once the Standing Committee approves it, the matter will be settled. It is currently under strict secrecy, the purpose of which is to maintain social stability.

Liu Yiyi looked at Wu Zhiyuan and stopped calling him "County Chief Wu" but called him by his name: "Zhiyuan, you know what Enpei said."

During this critical period, do not spread the word; just keep it to yourself.

Observe the situation calmly and proceed as usual, but adjust and prepare your thinking in advance.

Wu Zhiyuan nodded and played out the pair of Aces in his hand: "Understood, thanks for the reminder."

Xu Enpei said, "County Magistrate Wu, once Longcheng is annexed, your Qingyan will be 100% assigned to Jiangzhou. Why? Because it's close!"

Previously, since we weren't in the same city, it was difficult to provide much support; it wasn't legitimate or justifiable.

Once we become a family, things will be different; the city's support for the suburbs will be different in both scale and method.

Our urban investment group's expansion into suburban counties is now more legitimate.

Wu Zhiyuan nodded and said, "President Xu, if that day really comes, it will indeed be a major opportunity for Qingyan."

What Qingyan lacks is large-scale projects and investments to drive development.

You just mentioned that the City Investment Group could give priority to Qingyan. Does Mr. Xu have any specific areas of cooperation in mind?

Xu Enpei played a card and said slowly, "As for directions for cooperation, there are definitely some."

Our group has many business segments, including infrastructure, real estate, cultural tourism, and environmental protection.

However, what to invest in specifically depends on what Qingyan has, what we lack, and what the market needs.

Xu Enpei lowered his voice: "County Chief Wu, I have another piece of information to tell you."

The city is planning to relocate the Jiangzhou Wildlife Park. The old park is located in the city center, its size is limited, and animal welfare and visitor experience are affected, making relocation inevitable.

The competition for the new site is fierce, with several surrounding counties vying for it.

The wildlife park belongs to our city investment group. If Longcheng hadn't been merged, Qingyan County definitely wouldn't have had a chance, but once it was merged, things would be different.