119: There are rules in officialdom.

Wan Guoliang had proposed the impromptu Standing Committee meeting specifically to let Lin Zifeng and Li Yulin familiarize themselves with the procedures and seating arrangements of the Standing Committee.

He also wanted to use this opportunity to introduce the two of them at the Standing Committee.

Therefore, the Standing Committee meeting concluded in a cheerful atmosphere in less than half an hour.

Afterward, staff from the County Party Committee Office led Lin Zifeng to the Office prepared for him in the County Committee building.

The Office had been cleaned until it was spotless, and all kinds of Office facilities were fully equipped.

After the staff from the County Party Committee Office left, Wang Zhongyu smiled and said, "Secretary, you now have an Office in the County Committee Compound as well."

"This Office is missing some greenery; I'll have someone bring over a few potted plants to put in here!"

He shook his head and said, "Let's not go to the trouble. My main place of work is still in our Heping Town."

"I will only use this Office occasionally when I come to the county for meetings."

"If I don't come here for a long time, having someone look after the plants would be quite a hassle."

"You and Qiang Zi should tidy up the small Office next door. That way, when you accompany me to the county in the future, you'll have a place to rest."

Wang Zhongyu and Li Qiang agreed, then walked out happily.

Lin Zifeng used the time before getting off work in the afternoon to visit the Offices of the other Standing Committee Members.

Just before quitting time, he had barely returned to his Office when Wei Ting knocked and walked in.

"Secretary Lin, it's about time. Qin Xiao and the others have already gone to that Farmhouse Restaurant and are waiting for us."

"Then let's head out! I won't keep you for tea; let's not keep the Comrades waiting too long."

As he spoke, he stood up with a smile.

"We don't need so many formalities; otherwise, it will seem distant."

"However, personal relationships are one thing, but when it comes to work, I will show more respect to you as a County Party Standing Committee Member from now on."

"No matter how good our personal relationship is, we cannot disrupt the rules of officialdom."

Wei Ting, walking by his side, said this solemnly.

Lin Zifeng knew that officialdom had its rules; he could not act like a maverick, or else he would be treated as an outsider.

So he smiled and nodded, not refuting her.

The two talked all the way downstairs, and Li Qiang, who was following behind, immediately ran over to get the car.

Several people got into their respective cars, and the two vehicles drove one after the other out of the County Committee Compound, heading toward the Farmhouse Restaurant.

When he and Wei Ting walked into the Farmhouse Restaurant and entered the largest Private Room, the other ten people were already waiting inside.

Seeing the two walk in, everyone stood up one after another, ushered Lin Zifeng to the main seat, and Wei Ting sat beside him.

Today was a day of great joy for them, a day of harvest, a happy day for them, and even more so, the day of their final gathering.

Because tomorrow, Wei Ting, Qin Xiao, and Zhang Zhenhua would be leaving Heping Town to take up their new posts in the county and other townships.

Lin Zifeng and the three of them became the main characters of the drinking party. While Wei Ting and the others accepted congratulations from everyone else, they also thanked Lin Zifeng once again.

Wei Ting and the other two exchanged glances and simultaneously raised their glasses toward Lin Zifeng. Wei Ting spoke first: "Secretary, our progress today would not have been possible without your guidance and cultivation. Let us toast you together."

Qin Xiao and Zhang Zhenhua also chimed in, their gratitude evident in their expressions.

Lin Zifeng raised his glass and said, "You three don't need to be like this. The progress you have made today is inseparable from your own hard work. I hope you will continue to make persistent efforts, create even more brilliant achievements in your new positions, and make new contributions."

After Lin Zifeng finished speaking, he clinked glasses with each of them and drank with the three of them.

Lin Zifeng and the others drank happily, and laughter could be heard from the Private Room from time to time.

This drinking party lasted for over two hours, and it only ended when everyone had had enough to drink.

After the party, everyone walked out of the Farmhouse Restaurant together and said their goodbyes at the entrance.

Lin Zifeng declined Li Qiang and Wang Zhongyu's offer to escort him, telling them to return to the Guesthouse to rest. Using the excuse of taking a walk to sober up, he walked in the direction of his home.

Once he was out of everyone's sight, he sent a text message to Jiang Yufei. She replied quickly, and he changed direction, heading toward another location.

Ten minutes later, the two reunited.

When Jiang Yufei worked at the Propaganda Department of the County Party Committee, she had rented a one-Bedroom apartment. Sometimes when she came to the county on weekends to stay at her cousin Zhang Yuhan's house, she would also stay at this rented apartment at night.

Therefore, she had never given up the lease, and the apartment was fully stocked with all daily necessities.

After they met, they smiled at each other and walked toward the apartment.

Ten minutes later, the two entered the apartment one after the other.

The next day was the weekend. After they had breakfast, Jiang Yufei smiled and said, "Zifeng, I'm going to my cousin's house in a while. After the meeting yesterday, my cousin made an appointment with me."

"My cousin wants me to spend the weekend at her place, and she also wants to talk to me about work."

"I've been promoted to Deputy Secretary, haven't I? My cousin wants to share some work experience with me."

"Then you should go. I'm going home for the weekend too. My parents called me yesterday, but I told them I had some things to take care of and could only go back today."

"When Zhongyu and the others come on Monday morning, shall we go back to Heping Town together?"

"Better not. Let's go back separately! You've just been promoted to County Party Standing Committee Member; you need to be more careful about certain things."

Although Jiang Yufei was very tempted, she rejected his proposal for his sake.

Lin Zifeng looked at the understanding Jiang Yufei and nodded with a smile. The two left the room one after the other, deliberately keeping some distance between them as they walked out of the Residential Community.

When Lin Zifeng returned home, Lin Jiahua and Zhang Chunhua were both there. Zhang Chunhua knew her son was coming home today and was already preparing ingredients for lunch.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, the couple walked out, one from the Bedroom and one from the Kitchen.

Seeing him walk in, Zhang Chunhua said happily, "Son, you're back?"

"Last night, Your Father and I watched the news on the county TV station together. We saw you on TV, and the camera even gave you a long close-up!"

"The way you sat on the Rostrum, you looked composed and dignified. Your Father and I are proud of you."

"Mom, not many people watch the county TV channel. How did you and Dad think to watch it?"

He asked casually while changing into his slippers.

"I watch it occasionally to keep up with county news."

"I heard you went to the county for a meeting yesterday and might appear on the news. Your mother heard about it and was waiting in front of the TV before it even started."

"I didn't expect to see the whole process of you being appointed as a County Party Standing Committee Member."

"Zifeng, why didn't you tell your mother and me about this in advance?"

Lin Jiahua adjusted his glasses and said excitedly.

"That's because before things were finalized, if I had told you and then something had changed, I was afraid you would have been happy for nothing."

He explained patiently.