Right path to power

Listening to her mother's somewhat rambling manner, Lin Xiao couldn't help but sigh: These people are really good at changing their tune with the wind. What kind of faces will they have when they find out that I know the new secretary?

There's a saying: good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. But isn't the news of being sent back to my hometown spreading a little too quickly?

Therefore, after careful consideration, Lin Xiao concluded that someone had tampered with the matter, and that person was most likely Cheng Junjie, the person who had handed over the work to him.

However, Lin Xiao just smiled coldly and did not intend to take any countermeasures. That was not the most important thing at the moment, and there was plenty of time in the future.

"Dad, Mom, I don't think it's a big deal if we don't transfer. You've been doing the same thing for decades, haven't you? Besides, they say a new emperor brings a new court. This leader is like this, but another one might do something different. So, maybe things will really be different after a while."

While comforting her, Lin Xiao subtly hinted that the future was still uncertain.

"Son, you're right. Actually, we're not trying to argue about anything. It's just that they went back on their word and didn't keep their promises. It feels like we've been made a fool of, which makes us very angry. So, what I want to tell you is that the world is very realistic these days. Only by working hard and achieving something can you live with more dignity." The mother, Xiang Fangjing, said this with genuine feeling.

"Alright, that's enough. Our son has grown up. He has his own ideas and ways of doing things. We should just support him and not put too much pressure on him. You, hurry up and get some hangover soup." The father, Lin Changhe, seemed very easygoing.

Just as Xiang Fangjing was walking towards the kitchen, there was another knocking sound at the door.

"Who is it?"

"Fang Jing, it's me."

Recognizing the voice, Xiang Fangjing quickly opened the door and asked, "Big brother, what brings you here?"

Outside the door, Xiang Aiguo asked with an embarrassed smile, "Fangjing, are my brother-in-law and the others home?"

Xiang Fangjing nodded and said, "Everyone's here, come in quickly."

"Uncle." Seeing Xiang Aiguo walk in, Lin Xiao hurriedly stood up and greeted him.

However, when the uncle saw his nephew, his expression became somewhat unnatural as he said, "Lin Xiao, you...you're off work? Being the county magistrate's secretary must be very busy and tiring, right?"

Xiang Aiguo's family did not live in the county town and were unaware of what was happening there, so naturally they did not know that Lin Xiao had been transferred back to the township.

Of course, Lin Xiao didn't explain much, simply saying that she was fine, and then poured a cup of tea for her uncle and handed it to him.

However, Xiang Aiguo slightly rose and took the teacup with both hands, which made Lin Xiao feel uncomfortable, and the expression on his face became a little stiff.

In Xiang Aiguo's mind, the county magistrate's secretary was, to some extent, the county magistrate's representative and the leader of the county government. If it weren't for his nephew, how would he have any chance to meet the county leaders?

This is the inherent sense of sadness that a genuine farmer feels towards officials, unaware that only when farmers like them are doing well can these officials be considered competent.

Xiang Fangjing cooked some hangover soup for Lin Xiao, then returned to the living room to talk to her older brother and inquire about the family's situation.

"Everything's fine. Xiao... Xiaoming has found a girlfriend, but... but the dowry she's asking for is a bit too much, so..." Xiang Aiguo said hesitantly.

"Since we've already talked about the bride price, it's almost settled, brother. You're almost through this!" Xiang Fangjing said with a smile, but the next second she realized she had misunderstood, so she continued, "Brother, the bride price where we live now is probably around 70,000 or 80,000 yuan, right?"

"They want 150,000!"

"150,000?"

Xiang Fangjing's voice suddenly rose, and she said with some dissatisfaction, "Brother, I remember that last year when my uncle's family got married, the bride price was only 60,000 yuan. Why is the other party asking for so much all of a sudden? It feels like they are selling their daughter."

Xiang Aiguo looked helpless. His son, Xiang Ming, was already thirty years old. He had finally found a girlfriend, but when it came time to discuss marriage, the other party's parents asked for a dowry of 150,000 yuan. This left Xiang Aiguo, who had painstakingly saved 100,000 yuan, feeling helpless. After thinking it over, he decided to ask his sister for help.

"Little sister, if I raise a few more pigs, and Xiaoming has a job and can save some money each month, we can pay you back in two years at most, so brother..."

"Brother, don't talk about this. We're all family, and I'll do my best. It's just that Grandma Lin Xiao had surgery recently, which cost some money, and now we only have 30,000 yuan left."

"It's alright, little sister. I should thank you for your help, and also for your husband." Xiang Aiguo stood up to express his gratitude, but was stopped by Lin Changhe.

"Brother, if you continue like this, it means you don't consider us family anymore. We also hope that Xiaoming can settle down and start a family soon, so that your burden can be lightened," Lin Changhe comforted him.

"Okay, okay, we're family." Xiang Aiguo nodded with a smile.

"We still owe 20,000," Xiang Fangjing said worriedly.

Seeing his parents and uncle anxious about 20,000 yuan, Lin Xiao felt a pang in his heart. After thinking for a moment, he spoke up.

"Mom and Dad, Uncle, I'll figure out how to get the remaining 20,000. Don't worry, I'll go make a call right now." As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Xiao got up and walked towards her bedroom.

"Little sister, this..." Xiang Aiguo said with gratitude but also a little embarrassed.

"Brother, it's okay. Since Lin Xiao said he would take care of it, he will definitely help you raise the 20,000."

After returning to her bedroom, Lin Xiao called Xie Tiancai, her high school classmate.

In the middle of last year, Xie Tiancai was short 20,000 yuan for the down payment on a house, so he asked Lin Xiao for a loan, promising to pay it back in six months. Now that it has been almost half a year overdue, it's time to get it back.

"Hey, Chief Secretary Lin, what are your instructions?"

Despite the loud music playing on the phone, Xie Tiancai could still be heard speaking with a grin.

"Tiancai, I urgently need money, you..."

"Haha, Secretary Lin, you must be joking with me. How could you be short of money? I heard you went back to Nangang. You must be getting promoted soon. When you have time, I'll treat you to drinks, and we'll drink until we drop. Oh, the next song is mine, so that's all for now."

The next second, Xie Tiancai hung up the phone, and Lin Xiao on the other end was completely stunned, then her anger surged.

This debtor so skillfully evaded the creditor's demands; he must be a seasoned veteran, not a novice.

A moment later, Liu Yun called and asked, "Lin Xiao, do you need the money urgently?"

Lin Xiao was taken aback and asked, "How did you know?"

Liu Yun immediately said angrily, "Didn't you check your phone? That bastard Xie Tiancai said in the class group that you're borrowing money from everyone."

Lin Xiao was even more shocked. Not only did he not return the money, but he also spread rumors. How could there be such a shameless person in the world? He had treated him as a good brother and transferred the money to him without hesitation.

Lin Xiao then told Liu Yun what had happened, which made Liu Yun so angry that she cursed him on the phone and said that she would definitely teach Xie Tiancai a lesson the next time she saw him.

"I'll transfer the money to you in a bit, and I'll figure out what to do if it's not enough."

"That's enough, just 20,000 short, then I..."

"What? You definitely have to pay it back."

"Okay, it makes it sound like I'm trying to renege on your debt."

"Even close brothers should keep clear accounts, but you can pay me back whenever you want."

"Okay, we'll do as Director Liu says."