Chapter Twenty: Ambiguity on the Road

  Yin Su'e listened with a torrent of words, and Zhang Qingyun only felt a chill, hastily packing up his things in disarray, saying:

  "Alright, alright, Mother, don't say any more. We have to go, or we won't arrive at Lizi Ping until who knows when."

  Yin Su-e heard this and although she had some misgivings, she could only keep quiet. However, her attitude towards Geng Shuang became even more enthusiastic, and Geng Shuang also responded appropriately, with a natural and dignified expression, showing off their elegance.

  Finally, Zhang Qingyun's parents personally escorted the two downstairs. When they saw a Honda Accord parked downstairs, the old couple couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Although the Accord is not a high-end car, in a small county town, people who drive this kind of car are considered to have some status.

  The old couple was secretly worried, when did Zhang Qingyun become so capable? Found such a dignified girlfriend. However, the two were more worried, from Geng Shuang's temperament, this child must have an unusual background, can their son match up to her family? Can this marriage be successful?

  But Zhang Qingyun didn't know that the old couple had thought so much, he just felt that Geng Shuang was indeed a smooth talker, what she said about inspecting the vegetable base was probably nonsense, and finding herself to pull relationships might be the real purpose. If she knew her current situation in the county committee office, would she still be so enthusiastic? Zhang Qingyun thought secretly.

  "I took the liberty of going to your home, you won't mind, will you?" Geng Shuang said with a smile as he started the car.

  "Mind? What opinion can I have? I hitched a ride on your car, and still had an opinion about you. That's also too much to say!" Zhang Qingyun said.

  Geng Shuang gave him a sideways glance, her charming demeanor on full display. Her face slightly flushed as she said: "You still don't have a girlfriend? I think Auntie and the others are getting anxious, you'd better work harder!"

  Zhang Qingyun dryly laughed a few times, at this moment he secretly regretted sitting in the front seat. To be honest, discussing his girlfriend with a beautiful woman was indeed a bit ambiguous.

  "Let's not talk about this, you didn't plan on going to Lizi Ping today, did you?" Zhang Qingyun said, changing the subject.

  "Yes! I originally planned to go tomorrow, but Director Zhang you want to go to Lizi Ping, so I brought the schedule forward. What's wrong? Do you think I'm deliberately trying to curry favor with you?" Geng Shuang said bluntly.

  Zhang Qingyun's face was momentarily stunned, and Geng Shuang's candor obviously made him feel somewhat unexpected. He hesitated for a moment before saying:

  "Do you need to fawn on me? You're a famous person in Yongping, the county party secretary and county head will all give you some face when they see you. I'm just a small fry, you might meet a dozen people like me in one day. If you don't bully me, I'll burn incense for you, so why fawn on me?"

  Geng Shuang smiled a few times, obviously Zhang Qingyun's words were to her liking. Zhang Qingyun was also a straightforward person.

  "It's rare to see someone as interesting as you in the officialdom of Yongping, no wonder everyone says you're an oddity in Yongping, indeed one of a kind!" said Geng Shuang.

  "Is that so? Then they've also been too kind to me, I've always had this personality, lived for decades, and only recently did others say I'm an oddball, it's really quite humorous."

  Geng Shuang turned her head and took a glance at Zhang Qingyun, she felt that she couldn't see through this person. The first time she met Zhang Qingyun, she thought he was an extraordinary person. In fact, it was true, Li Gang had just arrived in Yongping and promoted him. Based on her familiarity with the officialdom, she knew that such a promotion was extremely difficult. If Li Gang hadn't valued some aspect of Zhang Qingyun, he would have never done so. From this, it can be concluded that Zhang Qingyun is absolutely a formidable character.

  However, every time she came into contact with Zhang Qingyun, she couldn't help but feel that there was something extraordinary about him. He spoke candidly and humorously, not at all like the typical bureaucratic official, but rather like a big boy next door.

  But what made Geng Shuang even more puzzled was Zhang Qingyun's composure and calmness. He had seen many young cadres, and when they saw him, they were either trying to curry favor or show off their extraordinary abilities. Only a few, like Wu Zhiqiang, would try to win his favor by flattering him.

  Only Zhang Qingyun was an exception, he was very natural and relaxed, in his eyes, he seemed to be just an ordinary woman, polite but not a word more. Didn't he know the benefits of getting close to himself? Apparently this is impossible.

  Besides, Zhang Qingyun accidentally overheard the conversation between Wu Zhiqiang and himself last time, but afterwards he acted as if nothing had happened. Could it be that there was something fishy going on between Geng Shuang and Wu Zhiqiang? This rumor wasn't big enough already? As a member of Li County's team, he could have easily made a subtle move to deal with the Wu family. Was he just pretending not to notice?

  Geng Shuang was lost in thought, and Zhang Qingyun's mind wasn't idle either. He was thinking about the Li Zi Ping matter. Yesterday he called Wan Guoshu to say that he would be returning to Li Zi Ping, and unexpectedly, Wan Guoshu postponed his holiday by a day. It was clear that Wan Guoshu was trying to curry favor with him, give himself some face. Looks like Wan Guoshu is also preparing to take sides.

  As soon as he thought of the Book of Nations, Zhang Qingyun's mind immediately became active. The Book of Nations was a regular subject and an old qualification. Since it was so flourishing with age, demanding progress, why shouldn't he help it out?

  If there's an opportunity, I'll discuss with Lijiang and transfer him to the county to be in charge of a department. This will also be a great help to me. Hu Lie is also a deputy director, he has made sacrifices for several years in Liziping, according to organizational regulations, it's also possible to promote him. Why not win over these people?

  As soon as he thought of this, Zhang Qingyun's mind began to help Li Gang plan next year's work. Now, Wu De and Huang Songshan are each in charge of one side, and the various departments and bureaus in the county are like a needle that can't be inserted or water that can't be poured in - it's really hard to find a breakthrough.

  Moreover, the next step in the development of Yongping is also facing a bottleneck. The previous secretary, Liang, has achieved some success, but the investment in infrastructure construction has been increasing year by year, and the county's financial deficit has exceeded tens of millions. It will be challenging for this government to maintain stability and growth while taking over this burden. Even the 10,000-mu tea garden cannot match the contribution of a single highway to GDP.

  The issue of achievements is also something that Lijiang needs to consider. After all, Lijiang is different from Huang Songshan. Huang Songshan is already old and does not expect to be promoted, so it's enough for him to have held onto Yongping for a few years. However, what Lijiang needs most is achievements. Without achievements, taking further steps recklessly will lead to future problems.

  "Director Zhang, what are you thinking about?" Geng Shuang said as she saw Zhang Qingyun staring blankly out the window.

  "Oh, no, no, I'm just taking a casual look at the scenery. I've been running on this road for two years now!"

  "What's wrong? Judging from your expression, it seems like you're a bit reluctant to leave. Do you still want to walk this mountain road often?" Geng Shuang said with a smile.

  "It's a bit reluctant, after all, this is the road I've taken!" Zhang Qingyun said faintly, but her eyes gazed into the distance.

  "You're really living a fulfilling life, with goals and ideals. Even looking at one road can evoke so many feelings. I'm not the same, I'm just muddled along every day, passing the days without knowing where I'm going." Geng Shuang sighed and said.

  Zhang Qingyun hastily stopped talking, she knew about Geng Shuang's situation. Her husband had died soon after they got married, and she was considered a woman with a tough life. When women like her talk about life, it's inevitable that they will have some feelings.

  "Your business is doing very well! You even have a vegetable base in Lizi Ping, you should be satisfied."

  Geng Shuang let out a long sigh, and a bitter smile spread across the corner of his mouth. He didn't say anything else, and Zhang Qingyun also found it hard to continue speaking. For a while, the two fell into silence again. Geng Shuang drove the car forward in a daze on the winding mountain road with nine turns, while Zhang Qingyun was lost in thought, and later even fell fast asleep.

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