The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

As soon as the words escaped her lips,

Hu Qin knew it was over.

She covered her face with a hand, suddenly unable to speak.

"How does it feel, how does it feel to be with Chen Fang? Was it comfortable?"

Wen Mei asked with keen interest.

With pouted lips, Hu Qin replied, "Why do you ask so many questions? You can't let a man touch you, and even if I told you, you wouldn't understand."

"How could I not understand? I've been cured of that 'disease' a long time ago, and it was Chen Fang who cured me."

No sooner had Wen Mei finished speaking than Hu Qin asked in surprise, "Are you saying that you and Chen Fang... have already done that?"

"Of course, otherwise why would I make a bet with you, urging you to also taste such a wonderful flavor?"

Wen Mei said proudly.

Hu Qin suddenly understood everything.

Angry, she said, "Wen Mei, are we still good sisters, good classmates?"

"Of course, yes! Look, I didn't keep the good things to myself. And still, you say I'm not a good sister, a good classmate? Hee hee... I knew Chen Fang would satisfy you."

These words were indeed true.

Even now as she recalled, Hu Qin still felt her face flush with shame; that celestial sensation was irresistible.

"I'm not talking to you, you villain!"

Thinking of this, a warm current started to surge inside her again.

Frightened, she quickly hung up the phone.

Hu Qin was left savoring the lingering thoughts.

Meanwhile, Chen Fang was utterly baffled.

All the way, he wondered whether he had misunderstood the signs.

That shouldn't be the case.

She dressed that way and insisted he act like a man—wasn't she asking him to sleep with her, or could there be another meaning?

Besides,

He had only intended to kiss her; it was she who clung to him and wouldn't let go. How come, in the end, she turned angry?

Thinking hard but unable to figure it out, he knew the minds of women were deep and unpredictable.

Chen Fang could only shake his head.

The next morning, bright and early,

Chen Fang hurried to the county government building.

He was summoned by Mayor Li Xiaomin, and when he arrived, two people were already in the office.

One was Li Xiaomin—that goes without saying—and the other was Deputy County Magistrate Ding Yuan.

Upon seeing Chen Fang enter,

Ding Yuan crossed his legs in a way that suggested he was disinterested.

"You're here? Have a seat."

Li Xiaomin pointed to the sofa.

Barely had Chen Fang sat down when Li Xiaomin began, "Comrade Chen Fang, two matters bring you here today. First, the preparation team for the Vocational Technical College. According to the plan, the project will break ground after the New Year's. As the team leader, you need to coordinate resources and manpower across departments. Should you encounter any difficulties, go directly to Deputy Ding; he will assist you."

"Okay,"

Chen Fang said, though inwardly he cursed.

Ding Yuan caring about him was a long shot—he'd be glad to see Chen Fang fail.

"The second matter, as you know, the Vocational Technical College is a privately-owned institution. The investor is Yongfu Education Group. In two days, leaders from Yongfu Education Group will visit Jinde County for an inspection. Previously, Comrade Pan Youde was in charge, but now that he's no longer available, the responsibility falls on you. I have only one principle, let these visitors arrive happy and leave satisfied. As for the specific funding issues, you can discuss them with Deputy Ding."

"Yes, Mayor Li,"

Chen Fang nodded as he spoke.

"That's it for now; I have another meeting. You two can coordinate on the remaining issues."

Having said that,

Li Xiaomin tidied his notebook and pen on the table and left.

Ding Yuan stood up, humming a tune, and leisurely left, plainly heading back to his own office.

Although Chen Fang didn't care for Ding Yuan,

he had no choice. After all, he was a county leader, and besides, Li Xiaomin had made it clear that all preparations must be communicated through him. Even if he wasn't a deputy county magistrate yet, he still had to bow his head in front of Ding Yuan.

It was precisely because of this that he had enough capital to throw his weight around.

He held his breath.

Following behind Ding Yuan, he arrived at his office.

Ding Yuan leisurely sat down, looking at Chen Fang who stood with his hands tied, with no intention of offering him a seat.

He coughed.

He said, "Comrade Chen Fang, let's not talk about the preparatory team's matter for now, let's first discuss the hospitality issue. How much funding do you need?"

Chen Fang thought for a moment and asked, "How long is the Yongfu Education Group planning to stay in Jinde County?"

"Three days."

"How many people are in their party?"

"Four people, three males and one female."

"Do we need to arrange all their meals, accommodations, and transportation?"

Chen Fang continued to ask.

Ding Yuan was clearly getting impatient, he frowned and said, "Of course."

"And what about the standards of hospitality? What level should we treat them with?"

"Why do you have to ask about everything? Are you hosting or am I hosting? Are you really that dumb?"

Ding Yuan scolded.

Chen Fang wanted to lose his temper, but he swallowed his words at the last moment.

He said, "Let's budget a thousand per person per day. Just give me a total of 12,000 in funds."

Chen Fang had initially reported the lowest price, since these were major bosses after all. How could a thousand a day be enough? The reason he quoted it this way was also for fear that Ding Yuan would make things difficult for him.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Ding Yuan's eyes widened and he asked, "Twelve thousand, Chen Fang, do you think our government's money comes from the wind? Twelve thousand, what are you thinking? I'll give you two thousand. The rest has to come from your education department's budget or you'll have to cover it yourself. I don't care, I only want results, not the process. If any of these four people are not satisfied with your arrangements, then don't blame me, Ding Yuan, for being unkind."

He had guessed right.

Ding Yuan was indeed using this opportunity to make things difficult for him.

It was a way to avenge past humiliations, it seemed.

With a budget of two thousand, averaging six hundred a day over three days, and less than two hundred per person, how could he host? It was clearly meant to be difficult.

Seeing Chen Fang's furrowed brows.

Ding Yuan asked with a smug look, "Is it difficult?"

"No, definitely not difficult. Deputy Magistrate Ding, rest assured, I'll definitely make our four guests happy and completely satisfied,"

Chen Fang said.

Upon hearing this.

Ding Yuan slapped the armrest of the sofa, stood up,

and said, "Good, Chen Fang, those are your words. If you handle this well, I'll commend you for it. But if you mess it up, then you might as well stop being the head of the education department and let someone capable take over. Go prepare, I'll have my secretary send you the details of the time and location later."

"All right, goodbye Deputy Magistrate Ding."

Chen Fang nodded, turned, and left.

As he left,

a small door in the office opened.

Political and Legal Committee Secretary Guan Cunzhong came out.

He complained, "Old Ding, what are you doing? Do you think giving him two thousand in funds will actually trouble him? That's dreaming."

Ding Yuan leisurely sat down.

He asked Guan Cunzhong, "Do you know how much Pan Youde spent the last time these people came over?"

"How much?"

Guan Cunzhong asked.

With a grin, Ding Yuan said, "Thirty-eight thousand for three days!"

"That much?" Guan Cunzhong's mouth fell open in surprise.

"That Pan Youde, he has embezzled quite a bit of money over the years. Thirty-eight thousand is just a drop in the bucket for him. Do you think Chen Fang can come up with thirty-eight thousand?"

Guan Cunzhong thought for a moment, then agreed. Suddenly, he frowned and asked, "But what if he can come up with thirty-eight thousand?"

"Him? Look at the guy, he's been in Jinde County for just over a month and doesn't even own a car. If he can come up with thirty-eight thousand, then I really need to investigate his income,"

Hearing this, Guan Cunzhong also understood somewhat and burst out laughing. He gave Ding Yuan a thumbs up and said, "That's brilliant, really brilliant."

Ding Yuan waved his hand in a humble gesture and said, "That's not the point. The point is Deputy Zhao Yunpeng on this trip..."