Right path to power

Lin Xiao didn't get home until around 10 o'clock.

"Oh, Lin Xiao is back."

"It looks like he's had quite a bit to drink, sister-in-law, quickly go and make some hangover soup for Lin Xiao."

In the living room, Lin Xiao's aunt Lin Meixia and uncle Ye Song's faces lit up with joy when they saw Lin Xiao come in. They stood up and asked her with concern.

Lin Xiao greeted them politely, but frowned when she saw the two gift bags on the coffee table in the living room.

Lin Xiao's mother, Xiang Fangjing, quickly brought out a bowl of hot ginger soup. Lin Xiao drank it while resting on the sofa.

"Lin Xiao, your uncle told us that you were not only transferred back to the county, but also promoted. We are all so happy. You've made something of yourself, and our whole family is so happy for you. Our Lin family finally has someone who becomes an official. We can all benefit from this from now on." Aunt Lin Meixia smiled so much that her eyes narrowed into slits.

Lin Xiao said with a smile, "Auntie, it's really not an official position. In my opinion, it's just an ordinary job, so there's no need for everyone to make a fuss about it. Let alone benefit from my position, on the contrary, I'm the one benefiting from others' position."

In his memory, his aunt and uncle had only visited his home a handful of times. Even on the few occasions they did visit during the Lunar New Year, his uncle, Ye Song, would drive downstairs and call his parents to come down and pick up some New Year's gifts. They never actually came inside, which shows that they didn't take his family seriously at all.

Now, however, they've come knocking on my door, eagerly awaiting my arrival with gifts.

In fact, during the time she served as Gao Dayong's secretary, her aunt and uncle had visited twice, each time bringing gifts and being very polite, just like this time. However, facing such a snobbish couple, Lin Xiao had no desire to get involved in their affairs.

As for his father, Lin Changhe, being transferred back to the county town, he didn't want to trouble his uncle, Ye Song, any further.

"Haha, Lin Xiao, you're just too modest and low-key. Don't forget, you're already the deputy director of the county government office and also the county magistrate's secretary. You're still so young, and you've already reached this position, so you're bound to have a bright future. Therefore, we definitely have to benefit from your success," Uncle Ye Song said with a smile.

Lin Xiao said calmly, "Uncle, you may not know this, but there are ten directors and deputy directors in the entire county government office, and I am ranked last and have the least seniority, so it doesn't matter. Besides, County Magistrate Gong has very strict requirements, and our secretarial work requires extra care, with no room for error."

Ye Song smiled awkwardly, but still nodded and said, "As a leader, it's understandable that you have high expectations, and you'll get better training in return. In any case, your current position is indeed very important. Besides doing your job well, you can also build a lot of connections, which can lay the foundation for your future development."

Oh, by the way, Deputy Director Ke from the Education Bureau called this afternoon and said there's a vacancy at the county's No. 1 High School. Now your dad's transfer back to the county is settled. Deputy Director Ke also said the corresponding salary could be increased. That's even better.

Hearing this, Lin Changhe hesitated and said, "Ye Song, to be honest, I think my level might not be high enough. After all, the No. 1 Middle School in Fengshan County is the best middle school in the county, and the students there are all top students in the county. I can't delay their studies. Besides, it's been so many years, and I'm used to living in the countryside. If it really doesn't work out, I'll apply for early retirement in two or three years."

Ye Song stood up anxiously and said righteously, "Brother, you're slapping me in the face! I've been thinking about you all these years and have tried many methods, but these things still depend on opportunity. Of course, I'm also ashamed that I couldn't transfer you back to the county as soon as possible. Now that there's finally an opportunity, you can't just give up like this."

Besides, teaching back in the county is not only closer to home, but the pay is also much better. More importantly, the benefits after retirement are quite good, which is what you deserve after decades of teaching. Furthermore, while the county's top high school is indeed the best, it doesn't only admit top students, so you don't need to worry about teaching there; it's definitely not a problem.

Lin Changhe glanced at his son and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Let's think about it some more. I'm not young anymore, and I'm not sure I can adapt to a new environment."

"Brother, it's alright. Just listen to my arrangements. I'll arrange a meeting with Deputy Director Ke another day so we can discuss things in person and finalize the details."

Ke Jianjun is in charge of the Infrastructure Office and Logistics Support Center at the Education Bureau. Ye Song previously secured school building renovation and repair projects through him, making a considerable amount of money from them. Now, Ye Song has his sights set on school cafeteria projects and hopes to use Ke Jianjun's connections to reduce obstacles to winning the bids. If Lin Xiao can act as a go-between, Ke Jianjun certainly won't refuse. After all, Lin Xiao's position as the county magistrate's secretary played a role in successfully securing those projects before.

Seeing Lin Xiao's absent-minded look, Ye Song was furious, but also extremely annoyed. He thought to himself, "Is this kid too lucky? He was sent back to his hometown, yet he managed to turn things around. If I had known this would happen, I should have dealt with his father's matter back then..."

Perhaps the alcohol was taking effect, Lin Xiao yawned and stood up, saying, "Aunt, Uncle, I have to pick up County Magistrate Gong early tomorrow morning, so I'll go and rest now. Please stay a while longer."

At this moment, Ye Song and Lin Meixia got up to say goodbye. But Lin Xiao picked up the gift bag on the coffee table and said, "Aunt, Uncle, take these things back with you. We don't need anything at home."

Lin Meixia's face immediately fell, and she forced a smile, saying, "These are all for my older brother and sister-in-law, they're worthless."

"Auntie, we know how you mean, but my current status is a bit special. There are also regulations in the county that prohibit leading cadres and their relatives from accepting gifts in any form. We are family, and you probably don't want me to make a mistake, right?"

Uncle Ye Song laughed heartily, "Xiao Xiao, didn't you say it yourself? We're family, of course we all hope you go far, and we certainly don't want you to make mistakes. Besides, normal family interactions aren't wrong, are they?"

Seeing this, Lin Changhe and Xiang Fangjing could only give Lin Xiao a look. In the end, Lin Xiao had no choice but to take out a box of milk powder for middle-aged and elderly people from the bag and hand over the rest of the things, saying, "Uncle, this is fine. Otherwise, you can take all these things back with you."

After hesitating for a few seconds, Uncle Ye Song said, "Alright, Lin Xiao, really, we're all family, why are you acting so distant?"

After forcing a smile, Ye Song and his wife took their gifts and said goodbye. Once they were in the car and the door was closed, Lin Meixia said angrily, "That little brat Lin Xiao really turns his back on us. I'm his aunt, after all. We, as his elders, have come all this way to visit him, and he's already putting on airs."

Ye Song also said angrily, "This kid is too heartless. He thinks that he can be arrogant just because he has become an official. He's a complete ingrate."

They started the car and drove off, grumbling and cursing all the way.

At home, Lin Xiao instructed her parents, "Dad, Mom, from now on, no matter who brings you gifts, you must not accept them. Whether they are relatives, friends, or my colleagues, you must not take them. You must not forget this."

Father Lin Changhe nodded and said, "I know, I know. When you're not home, we usually don't let strangers in. After all, they are your aunt and uncle, so it would be a bit unreasonable not to let them in."

"Hmph, I've never seen them come to our door in person before, let alone bring gifts to curry favor. In my opinion, they're like a weasel paying respects to a chicken—they're up to no good," the mother said angrily. She didn't have a very good impression of her sister-in-law's family either.

Lin Changhe continued, "Xiao Xiao has now been promoted to a leadership position, so we really need to be more careful in the future. I've thought about it, and I'm not transferring back to the county. I'll be retiring in a few more years anyway, or if all else fails, I'll retire early. Then I can help Xiao Xiao take care of her child."

"Dad, what are you saying? I don't even have a girlfriend right now, so where am I going to get you a grandson? Besides, I'll handle your work, so no one else needs to worry about it. So please stop talking about retiring early."

"That's right, Xiaoxiao is already a leader, so she doesn't need anyone else to worry about her. Oh, by the way, son, Mom wants to discuss something with you..."