The Supreme Beauty Fell in Love with Me

"Actually, saying forgiveness is unnecessary." Lin Chuan smiled, then said, "The past is in the past. Besides, didn't Secretary Song reform and donate half of his family assets to charity funds?"

"That's right!" Song Ming nodded, then said, "Everything is over now. Whether small conflicts or deep-seated hatreds, everything has ended. So, let's not dwell on it anymore. It's all dispersed like wind and clouds."

"Hmm!" Lin Chuan nodded.

"Lin Chuan, actually, ever since Jiangbei City had you, everything has been much more peaceful."

"Of course." Lin Chuan nodded and said, "Any ruler who is wholeheartedly for the people and the country, I believe he too will go further and higher like Secretary Tang. Even if he temporarily suffers a setback, it's only temporary. After all, a valuable dragon is never bound by a pond, and it rises to meet the wind and clouds."

"Haha..." Song Ming laughed heartily and said, "This world never lacks capable people but lacks people with backgrounds. I've spent decades in Jiangbei City, and I've seen a lot. I've silently devoted myself to Jiangbei City for so many years, yet everything I've done was just for others to take credit. All because I have no background, being a farmer's son, I've climbed to where I am today through my own efforts. Beyond this, there won't be any results."

Lin Chuan was startled for a moment.

He suddenly understood Song Ming's inner pain. As a thoughtful and ambitious politician, he tried to prove his talent while governing, even using the city as his backdrop, but ultimately did not receive the rewards he deserved. Anyone would be heartbroken and despairing.

"So, you extended your greedy hand. Frenziedly accepting bribes?" Lin Chuan asked.

"Yes!" Song Ming nodded and said, "I couldn't get returns in the officialdom, I should at least get what's rightfully mine, right? I transformed Jiangbei City's economy from a poor city into one of the top three in the province. For decades I worked silently for this city, yet I was to watch it become someone else's possession while I received no rewards. Shouldn't I claim even a bit of what's mine?"

Lin Chuan remained silent.

Indeed, without Song Ming's efforts, Jiangbei City's economy might be utterly disastrous. Song Ming had silently nurtured this land turning it from a barren field into a fruitful one, turning it into something many people regarded as a treasure.

However, the higher-ups ignored Song Ming's existence, continually parachuting in several leaders and never considering Song Ming's feelings. Lin Chuan suddenly understood all of this and suddenly understood Song Ming's inner reservations.

Lin Chuan suddenly remembered some matters Tang Yumeng had told him before, finally understanding why Tang Yumeng had always spoken so highly of Song Ming and why Tang Yumeng always wanted to retain Song Ming, even reluctant to report him.

"Old Song." Lin Chuan looked up at Song Ming and said, "On behalf of the citizens of Jiangbei City, thank you. Thank you for your outstanding contribution to Jiangbei City and for all the efforts you've made."

"It's okay." Song Ming waved his hand and shook his head, saying, "I finally understand one thing now: all is vanity."

"It's good that you understand." Lin Chuan raised the coffee in his hand and said, "Today I'll toast you with coffee instead of wine."

Suddenly, Lin Chuan admired Song Ming a lot more. Song Ming was a capable man, and he was a bold man too. Yet, on this official path, he suddenly took a wrong turn. If he hadn't taken this wrong turn, his life should have been colorful and certainly not ending up with the loss of a son in old age, a seriously ill wife, and turning gray overnight.

"Okay, drink!" Song Ming nodded.

Up until now, Song Ming realized that Lin Chuan was indeed an outstanding young man, at least much more excellent than his own son. He even felt a late acquaintance with Lin Chuan. Song Ming tilted his head back and drank the cup of coffee.

Lin Chuan wiped his mouth and asked, "Where do you plan to go first?"

"First to Hong Kong, then to Australia for a vacation." Song Ming smiled, "I have a property in Melbourne, listed under my son's name. My son lived there for a long time, and I plan to take my wife to live there for a while, so she can feel our son's presence. Then from Australia to the United States, and the final destination is in Europe."

"Okay." Lin Chuan nodded, "When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow afternoon's flight." Song Ming looked at Lin Chuan.

The two sat in the café for a long while, and no one knew how long Lin Chuan and Song Ming talked inside. Later, many years after, someone wrote about Lin Chuan's legendary story, and in that story, it briefly summed up this conversation between Lin Chuan and Song Ming: That talk altered some of Lin Chuan's decisions. Later, Lin Chuan postponed the plan for Jvyi Gang to extend overseas.

............

The following afternoon.

At Jiangbei City airport, Song Ming dressed in casual attire, wearing shorts and a polo shirt. He had a gray baseball cap low over his eyes. He pushed a giant suitcase with spinner wheels.

Song Ming pushed the spinner wheels with his right hand, holding his wife's hand with his left. The two carefully walked through the airport, behind them were some of Song Ming's old subordinates.

"Secretary Song, you can't leave."

"That's right, if you leave, Tang Yumeng might just cut us all down swiftly."

"Secretary Song, please don't go, if you leave, who will help us?"

A dozen or so people, some wiping their noses and eyes, clearly showing that these people still had deep feelings for Song Ming. The Jiangbei local faction was, after all, a united group. For more than a decade, they centered around Song Ming, who was their leader. Now, Song Ming's departure was a severe blow to them.

Song Ming suddenly stopped and said, "Don't worry, Tang Yumeng won't drive you away. On the contrary, if I leave, you'll be put to good use."

"Why do you say that?" Some people curiously asked.

"With me here, Tang Yumeng naturally wouldn't dare to employ you heavily." Song Ming smiled and said, "Actually, you're all very capable people. Now, when I leave, Tang Yumeng must focus on Jiangbei City's economic development and environmental protection. So, she will certainly rely on you because you can help her take over the job quickly. Those important areas previously under my charge will certainly become Tang Yumeng's focus, and you can use this opportunity to become her key assets."

"Secretary Song, following her is just following a little girl." Some were dissatisfied.

"Don't speak like that." Song Ming smiled and said, "Although Tang Yumeng is young, she is very capable, and her government work is commendable. Believe me, she will become a political star in Jiang Province soon."

With Song Ming's words, everyone immediately seemed a little convinced.

"Well, we've grown used to Secretary Song, and now suddenly having us shift to follow a young girl does make it hard for us mentally." Someone helplessly said.

"You'll get used to it later." Song Ming patted the person's shoulder.

Afterwards, Song Ming shook hands with each of them, saying, "Comrades, thank you for following me all these years; I'm sorry I disappointed you."

"Secretary Song." Instantly, all of them were in tears.

At this moment, at the airport's entrance, two familiar figures began walking slowly towards Song Ming.

Song Ming saw those figures coming from afar and stood still, with a smile appearing on his face.

"Secretary Tang, I didn't expect you to come in person." Song Ming smiled.

"Old Song, you were leaving without saying anything, not even letting me see you off." Tang Yumeng said with a face of reproach, "No matter what, we were once comrades in arms. Although you decided to leave now, you will always be my predecessor."

"Secretary Tang, thank you." Song Ming nodded politely.

Tang Yumeng held Song Ming's hand and said, "Think of it as going out to relax, and the position of deputy mayor is still kept for you. The resignation letter you submitted to the organization department has been withheld by me. You can return anytime you want."

Song Ming was stunned, his whole body trembling slightly.

He had not expected that Tang Yumeng genuinely wanted him to return. A political adversary now genuinely wanted him to come back, which moved Song Ming deeply. Previously, Tang Yumeng had always persuaded Song Ming to stay, but Song Ming had never taken it seriously. Now, she even withheld his resignation, showing her genuine intention for him to stay.

"Okay, okay, okay!" Song Ming said three consecutive affirmatives.

"Come back soon." Tang Yumeng sincerely said, "The Party and the people need you!"

"Thank you. Thank you!" Song Ming nodded.

At this point, Mrs. Song urged from the side, "Old Song, let's go, the flight broadcast has started."

"Okay." Song Ming nodded, took a few steps back, straightened up, and suddenly bowed deeply to everyone, saying, "Secretary Tang, Lin Chuan, for the troubles I've caused you in the past, I, Song, apologize."