Family connections: From special recruitment by the county committee to the pinnacle of power

It wasn't that Xu Weidong didn't trust his son, but the more he looked at Xu Hansheng, the more cunning he seemed. Sometimes, even he, an "experienced person," felt like a complete novice in front of Xu Hansheng, which was just too much.

Just like what Xu Hansheng said, everything sounds logical, but upon closer examination, the underlying reasons are unfathomable.

Only those who have a deep understanding of human relationships and human nature can advance in this subtle and gradual way until the goal is achieved.

Even someone in his forties wouldn't dare say he could control the rhythm so well, how could Xu Hansheng possibly do it?

Could he have met some shady characters outside?

Xu Hansheng smiled faintly and said, "Guiguzi."

After saying that, he actually took out a copy of Guiguzi from his bookshelf and handed it to Xu Weidong, saying, "This book gave me a lot of inspiration."

Xu Weidong tossed the book aside, shook his head with a wry smile, and said, "Since you don't want to talk about it, your mother and I won't ask any more questions. Just don't follow some shady characters and learn bad things from them."

With a sigh, Xu Weidong and Li Xiuru went back to their room to sleep.

It's true that once a son grows up, he's no longer under his father's control. Since Xu Hansheng already has his own ideas, he doesn't want to interfere too much anymore. If Xu Hansheng can really succeed in his official career, it will be a great honor for the Xu family.

……

Some were happy while others were sad. Xu Hansheng proceeded with his plan step by step, but Su Qing was in a terrible situation. Not only did she and Zhou Shujuan fail to extort money from Xu Hansheng's family, but Zhou Shujuan also fell seriously ill when she returned home.

After a day and a night, Zhou Shujuan finally felt better. Su Qing then discussed with Zhou Shujuan whether she could withdraw a portion of her saved salary so she could buy a decent outfit to wear to work.

But it was only then that Zhou Shujuan told Su Qing the truth. It turned out that all these years, Zhou Shujuan's salary, aside from food, drink, and rent, had all been lost at mahjong parlors.

Upon hearing this news, Su Qing was utterly stunned!

Two years of high school, four years of college, that's six years! Zhou Shujuan earns such a high salary, yet she doesn't have a single penny of savings.

I'm counting down the days; the rent is due at the end of the month.

"Mom, how could you... how could you do this? You earn over 20,000 yuan a year, and after six years, you don't have a single penny in savings?"

Su Qing was completely devastated!

"Oh dear, how was Mom supposed to know I'd get fired? Anyway, it's a stable job, two thousand yuan a month. You're studying in another city, and Mom doesn't have much to do, so I started playing mahjong. Mom just wanted to win some more money, but who would have thought... my luck has been so bad..."

Looking at Zhou Shujuan, Su Qing felt like dying.

With the reporting date fast approaching, the family had no money left except for the thousand or so yuan that Li Xiuxiao had given Zhou Shujuan as her salary yesterday afternoon.

She has to pay rent, buy clothes, and on top of that, she just started working and still has a month to live on.

Just thinking about it made Su Qing feel like her head was about to explode.

If I had known it would turn out like this, I shouldn't have broken up with Xu Shuai the day before yesterday. At least I could have borrowed some money from him.

What should I do?

Su Qing paced anxiously around the room.

Seeing her daughter so anxious, Zhou Shujuan's eyes darted around, and she said to Su Qing, "Xiao Qing, don't worry. If all else fails, could you ask Xu Hansheng for a few thousand yuan to tide us over?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qing was furious and turned to Zhou Shujuan, saying, "Mom, do you know what you're saying?"

"Xu Hansheng was about to call the police to arrest us yesterday afternoon. Do you think he would lend us money?"

Zhou Shujuan thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up again, and she said, "If all else fails, why don't you ask Xiao Xu? I think he likes you quite a bit. Although his family isn't very wealthy, his father is the deputy director of the county government office!"

"He must have taken a lot of benefits from us usually. Lending us three or two thousand shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Su Qing took a deep breath and said, "I just had a falling out with him the day before yesterday, and now I'm asking him for money..."

Boom boom boom!

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Su Qing paused for a moment, then stepped to the peephole and glanced into the corridor through it.

The person who arrived was none other than Xu Shuai!

A smile instantly appeared on Su Qing's face. It was just like a pillow being delivered to someone who was about to doze off.

Thinking of this, she quickly gave Zhou Shujuan a wink, signaling her to lie down immediately. Zhou Shujuan understood instantly, quickly picked up a towel from the side, wet it, and placed it on her forehead.

Seeing that Zhou Shujuan had everything prepared, Su Qing opened the door, pretending to still be angry, and said to Xu Shuai, "What are you doing here!"

With a fawning smile, Xu Shuai said to Su Qing, "Xiao Qing, it was my fault that day. It's all my fault for not bringing enough money. Please don't be angry with me, okay..."

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw Zhou Shujuan lying sickly on the sofa not far from the door, groaning softly.

"Oh dear, what's wrong, Auntie?" Xu Shuai asked, frowning.

Upon hearing this, Su Qing's eyes instantly reddened. Wiping away her tears, she said to Xu Shuai, "It's all because of Xu Hansheng! His family is so bullying! Just because I successfully passed the civil service exam, Xu Hansheng is jealous of me. I originally wanted to break up with him peacefully, but that day, when you called me, he overheard it and mistakenly thought that I was with you."

"In a fit of anger, he fired my mom without even paying her much of her salary. My mom got so upset that she fell ill. Now I'm unemployed, what am I going to do...?"

As she spoke, Su Qing's tears streamed down her face, her crying so heartbreaking that it brought tears to the eyes of anyone who heard or saw her.

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Shuai immediately flew into a rage, grabbing Su Qing's arm and saying, "Come on, let's go find Xu Hansheng and reason with him! I refuse to believe there's no justice in the world! Why won't they pay our nanny her wages?"

Su Qing hurriedly shook off Xu Shuai and said, "Oh dear, even if we go now, they won't acknowledge it anymore. My mother is so seriously ill. I... I'm so unfilial..."

As she spoke, Su Qing cried even harder.

Seeing this, Xu Shuai's heart almost melted at Su Qing's tears. After hesitating for a long time, he took out two thousand yuan from his pocket and stuffed it into Su Qing's hand, saying, "Xiao Qing, take this money and use it to pay for Auntie's medical treatment. Originally, I wanted to ask you to go to that Sichuan restaurant in Qingshan City with me tomorrow, but given the current situation, it's more important to get Auntie's medical treatment first."

Upon seeing the two thousand yuan in her hand, Su Qing instantly stopped crying and said to Xu Shuai, "Xu Shuai, you're so good to me, I'm so touched. I'll definitely pay you back once I start working and save enough money."

Xu Shuai waved his hand and said, "No need to rush. By the way, how much wages does Xu Hansheng's family still owe Auntie? I'll ask my dad tomorrow to think of a way to help Auntie get her wages back!"

"I refuse to believe that with my dad's connections, I can't control him!"