184: The year 2010 has arrived.

Chen Yuqing answered the phone quickly, and her sweet voice rang out from the receiver immediately.

"Happy New Year, Zifeng. Have you been so busy with work that you only just found time to call me?"

"You guessed right. I was on duty at the County Government today. Now that the year's work is finally over, I've finally found the time to call and wish you a Happy New Year. Yuqing, Happy New Year. I'm sending you my early New Year's greetings."

"Thank you for your New Year wishes. I wish you a smooth year ahead, that all your wishes come true, and that you continue to rise in your career."

Just like that, the two chatted for over ten minutes. As they were saying their goodbyes and preparing to hang up, he faintly heard a child's voice. He only vaguely caught the word "Mommy" before the other person hung up the phone.

Lin Zifeng thought he had misheard and didn't give it much thought.

After all, he knew Chen Yuqing was someone who didn't believe in marriage, so how could she have a child?

The day passed by quickly.

After dinner, Lin Zifeng sat in the rest room of his Office, watching the beautiful fireworks that lit up the dark night sky outside from time to time. He couldn't help but think that he would soon be twenty-seven, and Yuxi would be twenty-five.

It was time to put marriage on the agenda. In a few days, when he went to the provincial capital, he would have to discuss this properly with Yuxi.

They had been dating for nearly three years; it was time to make their relationship public.

The achievements he had attained by now should be impressive enough in front of Yuxi's family, right?

Just as he was lost in thought, his phone rang again.

Seeing that it was a call from Wei Ting, he answered it casually.

Following that, Cao Shuang, Zhang Zhenhua, Qin Xiao, Li Weixin, and several other township Cadres called one after another to wish him a Happy New Year.

It wasn't until midnight, when the sound of firecrackers outside became a continuous roar, that his phone finally quieted down.

Lin Zifeng looked at the colorful fireworks outside the window, the corners of his mouth curling up as he enjoyed the beautiful scenery all by himself.

It was almost one o'clock before he went to bed.

Early the next morning, Lin Zifeng woke up before seven o'clock. After washing up, he had breakfast with the company of Wang Zhongyu.

Once the Executive Deputy County Mayor on duty for New Year's Day, Xu Minghao, arrived, the two shook hands and exchanged New Year's greetings. Only then did Lin Zifeng drive away from the County Committee Compound, heading in the direction of Miaoshan Town.

Because it was the first day of the Lunar New Year, there were almost no vehicles on the road, so he drove into Miaoshan Town in less than an hour.

Ten minutes later, he drove his car directly into his grandparents' courtyard.

As soon as he got out of the car, the Old Couple Lin Zhenqiang and Mr. and Mrs. Lin Jiahua came out to greet him. Lin Zifeng hurriedly offered his New Year's greetings to the four of them.

Lin Zhenqiang and his grandmother, Li Lan, took his hands—one on the left and one on the right—and as they walked into the house, Li Lan said, "With my Eldest Grandson not at home, the New Year has been so bland. I've been waiting and waiting, and finally, my Eldest Grandson is back."

"Haha, my Eldest Grandson is back! At noon, you'll have a few drinks with your grandfather. Your Father's tolerance for White Liquor is no match for mine! Drinking with him isn't satisfying at all."

Lin Zhenqiang said happily, laughing out loud.

Lin Jiahua was caught in the crossfire again and muttered aggrievedly, "I was only thinking that you're getting on in years, which is why I didn't dare let you drink freely."

"Oh, give it a rest! Don't look at my age; my body is sturdier than yours. I've been practicing the Eight Extremities Fist since I was a child. You couldn't handle that hardship, which is why you're like a weakling."

Lin Zhenhua rolled his eyes at Lin Jiahua and pulled Lin Zifeng into the house.

Lin Jiahua shook his head helplessly behind them, unable to help but think that in his parents' hearts, he would never compare to his own son!

Lin Zifeng spent the whole morning chatting with the four of them.

At noon, he had a few drinks with his grandfather and his father. Happy days always pass quickly.

Soon, it was the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. In the morning, while he was chatting with his family, several cars parked outside the main gate.

Zhang Chunhua said, puzzled, "Why are there so many cars outside? Are we having guests?"

"We don't have many relatives. With so many cars arriving all at once, they must be looking for my Eldest Grandson, right?"

Li Lan said wisely.

Hearing the conversation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Lin Zifeng and the father-son duo Lin Zhenqiang stood up and walked outside.

Upon reaching the courtyard, they saw Qin Xiao leading several Cadres from Miaoshan Town, each carrying gifts as they entered the yard. Lin Zifeng was the first to walk up to greet them.

Qin Xiao spoke first, "County Mayor, we heard you returned to Miaoshan Town, so we came to wish you and your family a Happy New Year. We aren't disturbing you, are we?"

"Happy New Year, Comrades. Since you're already here, why talk about disturbing? I welcome you as guests, but as old colleagues, you should know my rules."

Because he had a close relationship with Qin Xiao, he spoke quite casually. As he spoke, he glanced at the gifts they were carrying.

Qin Xiao, of course, understood what he meant, so she quickly said, "County Mayor, naturally I know your rules. The gifts each of us brought for Grandfather and Uncle do not exceed two hundred yuan in value. Everything is in accordance with the local customs for visiting relatives."

"Zifeng, hurry and let the guests come inside! Don't just stand out here talking."

Lin Jiahua said.

Lin Zifeng then stepped forward to shake hands with Qin Xiao and the others one by one, introduced the father-son duo Lin Zhenhua to them, and then ushered them into the room.

Everyone entered the room together, exchanged New Year's greetings, and chatted for over ten minutes before Qin Xiao and the others prepared to take their leave.

"It's almost noon already. During the Lunar New Year, how can you leave without eating? Zifeng, keep your colleagues here and have them stay for lunch!"

Lin Zhenhua urged them to stay.

"Secretary Qin and everyone, please stay. My grandmother and mother have just about finished preparing lunch; I can already smell the food from the Kitchen. I'm heading back to the county tomorrow, so since you're here, let's get together!"

Seeing that Lin Zifeng had spoken, Qin Xiao replied on behalf of the group, "Then we shall impose upon you."

Given the relationship between Qin Xiao and Lin Zifeng, she was very relaxed in her speech, but the others were somewhat reserved in the presence of Lin Zifeng, the County Mayor.

Therefore, throughout the lunch, none of them drank much, consuming only about half a jin of White Liquor each.

After lunch, they chatted for another half hour or so before Qin Xiao and the others once again proposed to leave.

Lin Zifeng and his family walked them out to the gate. They shook hands with him once more before getting into their cars and leaving.

As they turned back to walk inside, Zhang Chunhua asked, "Son, I heard you say just now that you're going back to the county tomorrow? Isn't tomorrow only the fifth day of the Lunar New Year? There are still several days left before work officially starts! Why are you in such a rush to go back?"

"Mom, I'm in a rush to get back to the county seat because I want to use the last few days of the holiday to take a trip to the provincial capital."

Lin Zifeng said with a smile, not hiding anything.