151: What merit do I possess to deserve such favoritism from such a wonderful girl?

Lin Zifeng was no fool; how could he not understand the meaning behind Jiang Yufei's words?

Thus, he said with emotion, "How could I deserve this? To receive such favor from a girl as wonderful as you! I feel guilty in my heart!"

"Zifeng, let's not explore this issue anymore. Haven't I expressed it before? This is all of my own free will."

"In this life, being able to be with you secretly is enough for me; I have no other extravagant demands."

"So, you should never feel pressure, much less guilt."

"If you did, I would feel pressured as well."

"Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's discuss tomorrow's work!"

Jiang Yufei took the initiative to change the subject. The two talked about work for another ten minutes or so before hanging up.

By then, Lin Zifeng had arrived at his front door. Since his suitcase was still in Li Qiang's trunk and hadn't been taken out tonight, and his house keys were in the suitcase, he rang the doorbell.

Mr. and Mrs. Lin Jiahua had watched the local television news tonight and knew that Lin Zifeng had returned today and was accompanying the Inspection Tour during the day.

So, after finishing dinner, they sat on the sofa in the living room, watching TV while waiting for him to return.

Hearing the doorbell, Zhang Chunhua stood up and quickly walked toward the door.

Not having seen their son for over three months, the couple missed Lin Zifeng dearly.

However, as the mother, Zhang Chunhua showed it completely, while as the father, Lin Jiahua buried this longing in his heart, forcing himself to remain seated on the sofa.

But if there were anyone else in the room, a careful observation would reveal that Lin Jiahua's fixed gaze toward the door exposed his true thoughts.

Zhang Chunhua opened the door and saw that it was indeed Lin Zifeng standing outside. Happily reaching out to take his hand and pull him inside, she said joyfully, "Son, you're back! Come in and let Mom have a good look at you."

After closing the door, Zhang Chunhua carefully looked Lin Zifeng up and down.

"Mom, the food at the Party School was quite good. I haven't lost weight, so don't worry!"

As Lin Zifeng spoke, he took Zhang Chunhua's hand and walked toward the sofa, sitting down next to Lin Jiahua.

"Didn't we just see our son on the television news?"

"Didn't I say? From the news, it looked like our son hadn't lost weight and even seemed a bit chubbier, but you just wouldn't believe me."

Lin Jiahua adjusted his glasses and spoke.

"Can seeing someone on TV be the same as seeing them in person?"

"He's my son; I'll look at him however I want. Why are you, an Old Pedant, talking so much?"

"If you don't speak, no one will take you for a mute."

Zhang Chunhua gave Lin Jiahua a sidelong glance and then continued to study Lin Zifeng beside her.

"Fine, fine, fine. I'll stop talking, alright? Now that our son is back, my status has plummeted! I don't even have the right to speak anymore."

Lin Jiahua quickly surrendered, not feeling even a hint of anger.

Seeing his parents bickering as usual, Lin Zifeng felt a deep sense of happiness.

Only by returning home and being with his parents could he feel most relaxed, warm, and happy.

Facing his parents, he could shed all his armor, take off his mask, and show his most relaxed state without any reservations.

He leaned against his mother and chatted with his parents.

The couple asked about his life at the Party School, and he gave a general account of his time there.

Seeing Lin Zifeng's eyes half-closed and his voice becoming increasingly weak.

The couple exchanged a look, and Zhang Chunhua gently patted Lin Zifeng, saying softly, "Son, since you're tired, go to your room and sleep!"

"Don't bother with a bath tonight; just take one tomorrow morning!"

Lin Zifeng gave a word of agreement, stood up unsteadily, and walked toward his bedroom in a daze.

Worried he might bump into something, Zhang Chunhua followed behind him. Only after seeing him enter the bedroom and close the door did she turn and walk toward her own bedroom.

Lin Zifeng took off his shoes and coat, collapsed onto the bed, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning around six o'clock, Lin Zifeng woke up full of energy.

He took a refreshing bath and changed into a clean, crisp suit, feeling as though he had been fully resurrected.

Zhang Chunhua had prepared his favorite breakfast in advance. Seeing him ready and out of his bedroom, the family of three sat at the dining table and ate breakfast.

"Son, how many days will the Provincial Level Inspection Tour stay in our Yushu County?"

Zhang Chunhua asked while eating breakfast.

"According to the plan, they will stay until tomorrow at the latest before leaving Yushu County."

"As for what time tomorrow they'll leave, I don't know; that's for the leaders to decide."

"If the leaders feel the purpose of this Inspection Tour has been achieved, they will leave earlier tomorrow."

"If they feel it's not enough, they will visit more places."

This wasn't confidential information, so he mentioned it casually.

"I say, Chunhua, from now on, as parents, we should inquire less about such matters."

"Our Zifeng is now a county magistrate; his rank is already quite high."

"If we make a habit of this and Zifeng unintentionally leaks a secret to us, and then we leak it further, we'll be harming him."

"So, we must start cultivating good habits now. We absolutely must not pry into what we shouldn't."

"We absolutely must not ask things we shouldn't ask in the future."

Lin Jiahua said with a cautious expression.

"What you said makes sense. I was careless. I promise to restrain my curiosity from now on and not pry into our son's work."

Zhang Chunhua did not argue with Lin Jiahua on this matter and spoke very reasonably.

"Mom, Dad, having parents like you is a son's blessing and honor!"

Lin Zifeng said with a smile.

Thus, the family of three chatted happily while eating breakfast and soon finished.

It was just seven o'clock when they finished breakfast. Seeing that the time was about right, Lin Zifeng packed up briefly, said goodbye to his parents, and went downstairs.

Wang Zhongyu and Li Qiang were already waiting downstairs. Lin Zifeng had arranged for them to pick him up at seven this morning.

But the two felt that since the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and so many leaders were at the County Party Committee Guesthouse, it would be irreparable if they delayed Lin Zifeng's time.

So, they had arrived downstairs at Lin Zifeng's home half an hour early.

When Lin Zifeng stepped out of the building entrance, Wang Zhongyu went to meet him. After exchanging greetings, Wang Zhongyu took the lead in opening the rear car door, and the two got into the car together.

Li Qiang drove out of the Residential Community and headed smoothly toward the County Party Committee Guesthouse.