The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

"Chen Fang?"

Xiao Xiao immediately spotted Chen Fang standing in the living room.

Chen Fang immediately halted his footsteps and turned to look at Xiao Xiao, asking, "Deputy Mayor Xiao hasn't gone to sleep yet?"

"Oh, I got a bit thirsty and came out to find something to drink, and you? What are you up to?"

Xiao Xiao inquired.

Chen Fang hurriedly said, "Oh, same here, I also came out to get something to drink."

"Isn't the refrigerator over there?"

Xiao Xiao pointed in the opposite direction of Chen Fang.

Chen Fang gave a bashful laugh, saying, "Then I must have gotten confused and walked the wrong way."

There was nothing particularly amiss about Xiao Xiao.

Moving to the fridge, she took out two bottles of water, handed one to Chen Fang, and said, "Then you should head to bed early, okay?"

"Sure, Deputy Mayor Xiao, good night."

Chen Fang took the water and went back to his room, shutting the door before he finally caught his breath.

He thought to himself that was too close.

Even if it had been two minutes later, the scene of him carrying Xiao Ting back to his room would have been caught by Xiao Xiao.

The next morning came early.

When Chen Fang got up, it was around eight o'clock.

After washing up and opening his door,

he saw Xiao Xiao and Xiao Ting already sitting at the dining table.

As soon as Xiao Xiao saw Chen Fang, she immediately waved him over, saying, "Chen Fang, come and have breakfast."

Chen Fang had no choice but to sit down at the table.

Xiao Xiao pushed a prepared breakfast in front of him.

Feeling like a guilty thief,

Chen Fang kept his head down and ate earnestly.

Suddenly, Xiao Xiao asked, "Did you two hear any strange noises last night?"

"Strange noises? What kind of noise?"

Xiao Ting asked.

Xiao Xiao shook her head and replied, "I don't know, it sounded like the noise of playing cards, the slap-slap-slap noises, but it didn't quite sound like it. That noise woke me up."

Upon hearing these words,

both of them instantly blushed.

Especially Xiao Ting, who became visibly nervous.

She stammered, "Mom, you must have been hallucinating. How could there be any sound of playing cards?"

"Maybe I heard wrong then,"

Xiao Xiao said.

After finishing breakfast,

Xiao Xiao asked, "Chen Fang, do you have time this morning?"

"Uh, yeah, I do,"

Chen Fang replied.

Xiao Xiao said, "Good. In a bit, I'll go to your room so we can continue the treatment."

"Treatment? Mom, what treatment?"

Xiao Ting suddenly perked up and inquired.

Xiao Xiao replied, "There's been a little issue with mom's health. Chen Fang's family has practiced traditional Chinese medicine for generations, which is why I've asked him to come over for treatment."

"Mom, can I watch?"

Xiao Ting asked.

Xiao Xiao rolled her eyes and said, "What's so interesting about healing?"

"But I just want to see, is that okay?"

Xiao Ting, clinging to Xiao Xiao's arm, coaxed her playfully.

Having no alternative, Xiao Xiao said, "Fine, you can watch. Let mom go change clothes first."

With that, she turned and went into the bedroom.

The door clicked shut.

Xiao Ting hurriedly placed her hand on her chest, confessing, "That scared me to death; thankfully I was quiet last night. If I had been any louder, mom might have heard."

Chen Fang smiled faintly.

He said, "Your mom already knows."

"What?"

Xiao Ting paused for a moment, looking at Chen Fang with disbelief.

Chen Fang nodded and explained, "Your mom is very smart. She already noticed something was off, beginning from last night when she asked you to sleep with her. She's figured something out; she just hasn't said it outright."

"Ah? What do we do now? We're doomed, totally doomed. If my mom finds out about you and me… Oh my, what am I going to do?"

Xiao Ting spoke in a frenzy.

Chen Fang patted her on the shoulder.

He advised, "Since the boss hasn't kicked me out or exposed us, that means it's all fine. Don't worry."

"Really? Is it truly okay?"

Xiao Ting asked.

Chen Fang nodded firmly and said, "Don't worry, it's nothing."

Although he claimed it was nothing, Chen Fang still felt uneasy inside. After all, no one would allow their daughter to be bullied lightly. He was somewhat unable to fathom what Xiao Xiao was really thinking.

In the midst of speaking,

Xiao Xiao had already changed into the same pajamas she wore last time.

She walked straight into Chen Fang's room, took off the pajamas,

and lay flat on Chen Fang's bed, saying, "Let's start."

Xiao Ting saw this scene.

She was so shocked her jaw nearly dropped.

She looked at Chen Fang, and her eyes were full of confusion.

Chen Fang smiled and said, "Don't worry, there's nothing between me and your mom. I'm just treating her."

Having said that,

he went into the bedroom.

What followed was a massage and acupuncture session lasting over an hour.

Although Xiao Xiao was already forty,

the tenderness and elasticity of her skin, as well as the firmness of her figure, were only slightly less impressive than those of Xiao Ting.

For a forty-year-old woman to maintain herself to such a degree was already exceptional.

Throughout the entire treatment,

Xiao Ting sat quietly beside them.

Chen Fang's hands nearly touched every inch of Xiao Xiao's skin, every sensitive spot.

But just as Chen Fang said,

their relationship was solely that of patient and doctor, nothing beyond that occurred.

After the treatment ended,

Xiao Xiao got dressed.

Chen Fang asked, "Vice Mayor Xiao, have you noticed any changes in your body over the past week?"

After contemplating, Xiao Xiao said, "I guess so. My hands and feet were always cold before, but after the treatments, I've definitely felt a surge in vitality. At night, my hands and feet aren't cold anymore."

Chen Fang nodded his head,

and said, "That means the treatment is effective. If we continue for a few more sessions, there should be even more noticeable results."

"Thank you,"

Xiao Xiao said.

Chen Fang scratched his head and replied, "You're too kind, leader."

Xiao Xiao then looked towards Xiao Ting and said, "Tingting, mom will be heading back to Wen'an City soon. Chen Fang is our tenant, so if you're at home, take good care of him, and don't bully him, understand?"

"Mom, how could I possibly bully him?"

Xiao Ting said.

Xiao Xiao nodded her head,

and said, "That's fine then. You've grown up too, so there's no need for mom to nag. You understand how to manage your life and find your own happiness."

Leaving that somewhat cryptic statement,

Xiao Xiao went into the bedroom.

It wasn't long before

she came out dressed in formal attire.

Just as she reached the door, she seemed to remember something,

and said to Chen Fang, "Chen Fang, could you help me carry my bag downstairs?"

Xiao Xiao's bag was actually very small and hardly heavy at all.

Hearing her say this,

Xiao Ting quickly said, "Mom, I'll help you carry it."

Xiao Xiao waved her hand and replied, "You went to bed late last night. Go back to sleep for a bit. Chen Fang can carry it for me."

This comment clearly insinuated something more.

Chen Fang felt a jolt inside.

He picked up Xiao Xiao's bag and followed her down the stairs.

At the entrance to the complex, a government car with a municipal plate was already waiting.

After Xiao Xiao tossed her bag into the car, she turned to Chen Fang and said, "Chen Fang, you're a smart man. Some things don't really need to be stated outright. I don't care what happened between you and Tingting, but please, don't develop feelings for her, or let her develop feelings for you, okay?"

This statement—

Chen Fang was taken aback.

Before he could speak, Xiao Xiao interrupted him,

saying, "I don't need you to explain anything to me. It doesn't matter who Tingting likes, but it cannot be you or anyone from the official circles. I've told you about my past. I was like Tingting back then, falling for someone I could never have. Though you're unmarried, I also know that Tingting is not your ultimate destination."

"Vice Mayor Xiao..."

At that moment, Chen Fang seemed to vaguely understand.

Xiao Xiao patted Chen Fang on the shoulder and continued, "It's understandable for young people to let their feelings flow naturally. Although Tingting is quite lively, deep down, she's still very naive. As long as she doesn't fall in love with you, anything goes. You understand my meaning, and surely you can do that, right?"

Chen Fang took a deep breath,

nodded, and said, "Vice Mayor Xiao, since you've spoken to this extent, I promise the same ending won't happen to Tingting. Is that okay?"