Right path to power

Private room on the second floor of Changxing Restaurant.

Lin Xiao had just arrived at the door when she heard a familiar woman's voice. She was stunned for a second or two, thinking: Why did she come along too?

Lin Xiao knocked on the door and then pushed it open to go in, but she couldn't help but frown. The private room contained not only Yan Zhao and Kong Changgeng, but also Ding Shangkun and He Saihua.

"Director Lin, you're here! Come on, come on, have a seat here."

Yan Zhao waved with a smile and stepped forward to take Lin Xiao's arm, inviting her to the main seat.

As Lin Xiao walked past Ding Shangkun, she clearly heard Ding Shangkun say "Hello, Director Lin!" and bow slightly.

As for He Saihua on the other side, she stared at him with a faint smile, but there seemed to be a strange look in her eyes, a mixture of excitement and helplessness.

Despite Lin Xiao's repeated refusals, Yan Zhao still sat in the main seat, with Lin Xiao to his left and Kong Changgeng to his right.

"Xiao He, sit next to Director Lin. That way it'll be easier to pour him drinks, haha."

He Saihua did not answer, but instead walked to the seat next to Lin Xiao with some helplessness and sat down.

Soon, all the food and drinks were served.

"Xiao He, why haven't you filled Director Lin's cup yet?"

As Yan Zhao spoke, he picked up his wine glass, while He Saihua could only pour six or seven-tenths of the wine into Lin Xiao's glass. Unexpectedly, Yan Zhao, who had been staring at her, gave her a cold and sharp look. In the end, He Saihua could only fill it to about eight or nine-tenths full, and then she gestured to Yan Zhao with her eyes. Only when Yan Zhao smiled slightly did she put down the decanter.

"Come on, everyone, let's raise a glass to congratulate Director Lin on his promotion!" Yan Zhao said with a smile, raising the first glass.

"Yes, congratulations on Director Lin's promotion, you've done it all." Kong Changgeng echoed.

bang...

The clinking of glasses produced a crisp sound, and the rich aroma of the wine entered the mouth, immediately followed by a fiery sensation that flowed down the body.

"Eat vegetables, eat vegetables..." Yan Zhao said again.

They went back and forth three times before starting to toast each person individually, each time with a different set of words.

This is said to be a very popular drinking culture in Fengshan County, hence the saying:

"Those who are in charge are either drinking or on their way to drink."

Drinking is necessary to ask for favors, maintain relationships, experience good fortune, and deal with troubles.

If an official is not invited to drinks, it indicates that his career is in danger.

"Xiao Lin, you'll have to take good care of us in the future." Emboldened by the alcohol, Yan Zhao tried to build rapport. "You're a cadre who came from Nangang Township, and you're the pride of Nangang Township. We're all very happy about that. Especially when it comes to Songmao Village, probably no one knows it better than you. You must give us a lot of guidance in the future, otherwise we're afraid we won't be able to handle it."

Before he came, he had already discussed with Kong Changgeng that they must link Lin Xiao and Songmao Village together, otherwise it would be difficult to explain themselves.

"Secretary Yan, you're too kind. I've been keeping an eye on things in Songmao Village. You and Mayor Kong have already reviewed the plan. The county will establish a pilot leading group, and relevant departments will also participate. The township will also appoint a specific person to be in charge."

Yan Zhao smiled and glanced at He Saihua, then said, "Why don't we let He Saihua handle this? She often goes to the village and is quite familiar with the situation."

He Saihua was taken aback. Before she could respond, Kong Changgeng chimed in, "I think it's a good idea. Xiao He has always been good at execution. Whether it's a big dispute or a small conflict in the village, she can handle it in the shortest amount of time."

Ding Shangkun, who was standing to the side, nodded in agreement, as if not expressing his opinion would make him seem out of place.

"I will obey the leader's arrangements."

He Saihua could only grit her teeth and say that she had been "invited" over by Yan Zhao that night, but such things rarely happened before. And that night, these people kept trying to get her to lean on Lin Xiao, which made her guess a little bit about what was going on.

However, on the surface, she still had to pretend to be a good subordinate.

"Xiao Lin, do you think this arrangement is okay?" Yan Zhao asked tentatively.

A hint of coldness flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes, but he still smiled slightly and said, "I will obey the leader's arrangements. As long as it is for the development of Songmao Village, it is a good thing."

"Okay, it's settled then. Xiao He, you should communicate with Xiao Lin more often in the future, and ask Xiao Lin for help if there's anything you don't understand."

Yan Zhao beamed with joy and raised his glass to clink glasses with Lin Xiao, but Lin Xiao kept declining, saying that he had to talk to Gong Lei about work the next day and wouldn't drink any more.

Upon seeing that the county magistrate had been brought up, Yan Zhao could no longer insist. Instead, he asked He Saihua to clink glasses, stating that she hadn't touched a drop of alcohol that night. He Saihua could only reluctantly agree.

Next, Yan Zhao and the others drank several more cups by themselves.

The drinking party finally ended around 10 p.m.

At the restaurant entrance, Yan Zhao again asked He Saihua to take Lin Xiao, who had "drunk quite a bit," back home, claiming that Lin Xiao "drank quite a bit." He Saihua wanted to refuse, but Lin Xiao gave her a wink and she gave up.

After Lin Xiao's car drove away, Yan Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Old Kong, that kid is definitely not the same as before."

Seeing Yan Zhao's darkened expression, Kong Changgeng's smile vanished. He watched the departing car and sighed, "Yes, a deputy director of the county government office in his early twenties, his future was bright. Sigh, what about us before..."

Yan Zhao waved his hand, looking annoyed, and said, "Let's not talk about the past. Right now, we just need to deal with the matter of Songmao Village. This idea was proposed by this kid in the first place, so we must keep him firmly under our control."

"That's right, He Saihua, you played this move very well. If you really make a fuss, it'll be quite a show!"

Ding Shangkun, standing nearby, quietly interjected, "Both leaders, I've been observing these two all night, and I feel that the widow's gaze towards that young man is indeed a bit different. Could it be that they're really getting carried away...?"

At this moment, Yan Zhao and Kong Changgeng both looked over, exchanged a glance, and then burst into laughter.

"Director Ding, I'm sure you'd like to try that taste too!"

Yan Zhao pointed at Ding Shangkun and walked towards the car. Kong Changgeng and Ding Shangkun smiled meaningfully and then followed.

Thus, the three sleazy middle-aged men rode back to Nangang Township in the same car.

Meanwhile, the taxi that Lin Xiao and He Saihua were in also stopped at the intersection of the road in the village where He Saihua's family lived.

After telling the driver to wait a little longer, Lin Xiao got off the bus.

"Kobayashi, I really can't not go tonight."

"It's alright, Sister Hua. I just wanted to tell you that since they've put you in charge of Songmao Village, you should seize the opportunity. If you handle this well, it will greatly help your future promotion. As for the rest, don't worry about it. If you're upright, you have nothing to fear!"

"I'm afraid you'll mess things up, and then what will you do when the higher-ups blame you?"

"Sister Hua, you need to have confidence in yourself. Besides, I'll help you too."

"Then I'll do it?"

"right!"

"Thank you, Kobayashi."

"Don't be so polite with me."

The two nodded to each other, and Lin Xiao then said goodbye and got into the car.

Watching the car drive away, He Saihua smiled and then strode confidently toward her home.

Live for yourself—she remembered what Lin Xiao had told her!