The pushover offended a top-tier boss

Zhou Chenyu was stunned for a moment on the other end. "Pah, pah, pah, how can you talk about yourself like that?"

"It's just being prepared. I'm fine with it, but she's simple-minded and easily fooled."

"Don't worry." Zhou Chenyu hung up the phone.

The two went to the hospital again. Zhou Huaijin's stomach problem had improved a lot. The doctor said he was recovering well, and if he continued to pay attention to his diet for a while, there wouldn't be any major problems.

Ye Zhenzhen also checked herself out, and the doctor said she was in good condition and could start trying to conceive.

The wedding is scheduled for the spring of next year. The plan is to hold the wedding in Beijing and then have a homecoming banquet in Nanjing.

We missed the grassland road trip we mentioned last time. The weather turned cold, so we had to head south. The two of us discussed it and decided to go to the port city to celebrate New Year's Eve and watch the fireworks.

Everything is moving in a better direction.

But at this moment, Nan Jing ran into trouble.

A tourist fell off a cliff and died instantly while participating in a clubbing activity because the buckle was not fastened properly.

When Yang Guanyu arrived at the scene, the entrance to the scenic area was already surrounded by layers of people.

An ambulance was parked on the side of the road, police cars flashed blue and red lights, and reporters were carrying cameras and holding microphones.

"County Chief Yang, the bungee jumping equipment at the scenic spot is substandard, which led to a tourist falling to his death. What is your response to this?" A group of media reporters surrounded him.

Yang Guanyu stood at the front of the crowd and calmly replied, "We will definitely conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident and give everyone an explanation."

But the incident escalated instantly. Online comments, as if ignited by something, surged forth in a deluge.

Nan Jing's career has developed too quickly this year; she's practically gotten carried away.

[Yeah, isn't it just about using Yang Guanyu as an internet celebrity to attract traffic? They're only concerned with traffic and not safety.]

I've been there, and honestly, avoid it. It's just a trendy, commercialized county town.

At the same time, more negative news broke out.

Some tourists suffered food poisoning and were hospitalized but had no recourse for their complaints.

Some tourists were overcharged by unscrupulous merchants.

Furthermore, agricultural products sold in Nanjing were found to contain excessive levels of pesticides.

A torrent of criticism poured in, shattering Nan Jing's hard-earned reputation.

Some people even anonymously reported Yang Guanyu for embezzlement and dereliction of duty, saying that he used his power to line his own pockets in agricultural projects.

Suddenly, his reputation on the internet underwent a complete reversal.

[The claims of being a Tsinghua University graduate and Nan Jing being arrogant are all just online hype.]

Most of Nan Jing's money over the years ended up in his pocket.

[The illusion has been completely shattered; these corrupt officials who siphon off the people's wealth deserve to go to jail!]

Some local residents of Nam Tinh also began to waver and joined in the criticism on social media.

When Xu Shih-han called, Yang Guan-yu was in his office reviewing the accident investigation report.

"County Chief Yang, do you see this? This is the Nan Jing you love." Xu Shihan's voice was full of sarcasm, as if trying to make him face reality. "The Xu family can destroy a county chief with ease. Of course, it's not difficult for them to help you rise to the top either."

Yang Guanyu didn't say anything and hung up the phone.

His mind was in turmoil, a jumble of thoughts piling up, leaving him somewhat dazed.

He forced himself to stop thinking about those negative comments, took a few deep breaths, and walked to the old street of Nanjing.

The Ye family cleaned every day. Ye's mother wiped the windows clean again and again, and even took down the screens and washed them. Ye's father went even further, scraping off the old plaster from the outside wall and repainting it red, making their front door the brightest on the whole street.

Two neighbors passing by looked at the Ye family's house and whispered a few words, which reached his ears.

"Boss Ye is getting his daughter married off, and he's so busy every day that he doesn't even do business anymore."

"I heard the son-in-law is a big shot. He's so lucky."

"Of course! I heard he bought a house in Binzhou before even getting married, and his hometown is Beijing. How could he possibly be interested in someone from a small place like us?"

Yang Guanyu stared blankly at the newly painted red wall for a long time. From the courtyard came Ye's mother's laughter and Ye's father's shouts as he moved things. There was also Ye Zhenzhen's voice calling out, "Mom, don't move that, let me do it."

He looked away, turned and left.

Ye Zhenzhen went back to Nanjing several times this month. Since Lao Zhou was busy with work, she came back alone to visit her parents. Her parents bought lots of wedding decorations—big red "double happiness" characters, balloons, and ribbons—making the house festive and joyful. She helped her parents tidy up, keeping herself extremely busy.

She had naturally seen the news about Nan Jing. Opening her phone, the screen was filled with insults directed at Nan Jing and Yang Guanyu. She scrolled through them one by one, her brow furrowing deeper and deeper. "How could this be? Why are there so many more of these news stories online?"

She put down her phone, feeling a tightness in her chest.

"Sigh, everyone's saying County Chief Yang is just putting on a show and lining his own pockets," Ye's mother said indignantly. "He did so many good things for Nan Jing, why doesn't anyone say anything about that?"

Ye Zhenzhen knew that Yang Guanyu wasn't that kind of person; someone must be sabotaging him behind the scenes. She wanted to help, but couldn't; she wanted to comfort him, but didn't know how to start. Given her current status, anything she said seemed inappropriate.

As for Zhou Huaijin, she thought about it and didn't mention it. Never mind, even if she didn't say anything, he would definitely handle the matter impartially and clear Yang Guanyu's name.

On the day she left Nan Jing, Ye's mother frantically stuffed things into her car at the door: homemade pickled vegetables, freshly ground cornmeal, and several handfuls of greens just picked from the field. Ye Zhenzhen stood beside the car, looking at the trunk that was packed full. Just as she was about to close the door, she looked up and saw that familiar figure at the alley entrance.

Yang Guanyu stood by the roadside, carrying a cardboard box. He was wearing a dark gray jacket and looked thinner than before. There was fatigue in his eyes, but his back was still ramrod straight.

"Senior," Ye Zhenzhen called out, a sudden pang of sadness in her heart, "Are you alright?"

"Those comments online are clearly premeditated. Everyone has seen what you've done for Nan Jing, and the organization will definitely clear your name," Ye Zhenzhen said.

Yang Guanyu walked over, stood there, and smiled at her. "Thank you, Zhenzhen. Don't worry, the innocent will clear themselves."

"Going back?" He looked at the things in the trunk.

"Um."

When is the wedding?

February.

Yang Guanyu was silent for a moment, then nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Okay, congratulations on your marriage, I won't be going."

He handed her the cardboard box, which was printed with the words "Nanjing Ecological Agriculture". "This is Nanjing's new fruit gift box this year. It contains your favorite strawberries, tomatoes, and melons. They're all freshly picked."

Ye Zhenzhen looked at the cardboard box, unsure how to accept it. "Senior, I... can't accept it."

"Aren't we still friends?" Yang Guanyu asked her, his smile still gentle.

"Besides, you've also contributed to the development of Nanjing. It's just a box of fruit; it's not worth much money."

Ye Zhenzhen hesitated for a moment, then took it. "Thank you."

Yang Guanyu watched her take the box and said half-jokingly, "By the way, don't tell him it was me who gave it to you when you get back, or he'll get jealous again."

Ye Zhenzhen felt a little embarrassed.