259: First in the city

Chen Dongsheng and his wife watched the back of Lin Zifeng as he left. The couple looked at each other, and both saw deep regret in each other's eyes.

"If only we had…" Li Shufen sighed softly at this point, unable to continue, and shook her head with a bitter smile.

Chen Dongsheng said, his face full of regret: "If we had known today would come, why did we act as we did back then? We were the ones who personally ruined our daughter's wonderful marriage prospect!"

"I'm supposed to be an educated Vice Principal! Yet I was just as shortsighted as the rest!"

"Although Xin Xin has never said anything to blame us, I know she harbors resentment toward us in her heart."

"But what can we do about it? Xin Xin works in the City Level and hardly comes back a few times a year. When she returns home, she just stays in her Bedroom by herself and barely speaks a word to us."

"Xin Xin is almost thirty now, and she still refuses to date. She has rejected every blind date I've arranged for her. We have ruined Xin Xin's life!"

Saying this, Li Shufen shed tears of regret.

Chen Dongsheng sighed softly, stepped forward to take Li Shufen's hand, and as they walked out, said: "There is no medicine for regret in this world!"

"Lin Zifeng has not only become the County Party Secretary, but he is already married. I heard his wife is due to give birth in a few months."

"If we hadn't broken up Xin Xin and Lin Zifeng back then, why would I have to be so humble today, inviting the Bureau of Education director to dinner just so I could get a promotion before I retire?"

"If Lin Zifeng were our Son-in-law, these people would be scrambling to curry favor with us!"

"But all of that is impossible now."

The couple's hearts were filled with regret, but it was all to no avail. Lin Zifeng did not know about these things, and even if he did, he wouldn't take them to heart, because the Chen family was already a thing of the past for him.

Lin Zifeng returned home, took a refreshing shower, and went to bed.

The next day, Lin Zifeng went to work as usual. Since the Lunar New Year was only half a month away, after Lin Zifeng took over as Secretary, his work seemed slightly less busy than when he was County Governor.

That was because, having taken over as County Party Secretary, he could no longer spend most of his time conducting research in various townships. Instead, he had to spend the vast majority of his time in the County Committee Compound, processing documents and receiving Cadres who came to report on their work.

Lin Zifeng had just seen off Qiao Zhenyu, the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, who had come to report on his work. He had just sat down in his Office for a cup of tea and was reflecting on the work Qiao Zhenyu had reported when a knock was heard at the door again.

Lin Zifeng snapped back to reality and called out, "Come in." Wang Zhongyu pushed the door open and walked in from the outside.

"Secretary, the County Governor is here to report on his work to you."

"Please, invite him in." After saying these words, Lin Zifeng stood up and walked around his desk, preparing to welcome Xu Minghao.

Wang Zhongyu acknowledged this and quickly walked out.

Soon, Xu Minghao walked in, with Wang Zhongyu following behind.

After the two shook hands and greeted each other, they sat together on the sofa. Wang Zhongyu poured tea for Xu Minghao and then retreated from the Office.

"County Governor, from the moment you walked in, I noticed you had a joyful look on your face. Is there some good news?"

"Secretary, you really are prophetic! The economic data for all Districts and Counties in our Chunhua City has been released, and our Yushu County has reached the top with a narrow lead, taking first place in the entire City Level."

"This is the first time our Yushu County's annual GDP has reached first place in the City Level."

"There is also another piece of good news: Heping Town has risen from third place to second place among the top ten towns in the province, and the gap in economic output from the first-place town is no longer large."

"As long as Heping Town continues its steady and efficient development, it is expected to take first place among the top ten towns next year. Isn't this a joyous occasion worth celebrating, Secretary?"

Xu Minghao said with a face full of smiles and excitement.

"Hahaha, although this was within expectations, I must say this is definitely a piece of gratifying good news."

"I estimate that within a week, the City Level will hold an economic commendation conference. Our county's economic commendation conference should also be scheduled and held as soon as possible."

"We need to commend advanced townships and individuals, urge lagging units, and use the economic commendation conference to motivate Cadres across the county to continue to work hard next year and fully develop their respective townships."

"Let us take the development of Yushu County in all aspects to a higher level and continue to expand our leading advantage among all Districts and Counties in the City Level."

Lin Zifeng laughed heartily and said very cheerfully.

"Secretary, as for the annual economic commendation conference, the County Government has long had a plan and has already made a series of preparations."

"As long as the Municipal Party Committee issues the notice and we know which day the City Level will hold its economic commendation conference, we can stagger the time and hold the county-wide economic commendation conference."

Xu Minghao quickly said with a smile.

Lin Zifeng nodded and said: "It is already the end of the year, and there are countless tasks in the county. In addition to this, other work must also be arranged in an orderly manner."

"The visits and condolences for families of martyrs and military personnel and the five-guarantee households, the symposium and tea party for veteran Cadres, the key rectification of county-wide public security, and key precautions for the Spring Festival holiday—the government must make proper arrangements for all of these."

"Please rest assured, Secretary. The government has already included these tasks in this month's work plan, and they will all be completed before the arrival of the Spring Festival holiday."

Xu Minghao quickly promised.

"For this year's veteran Cadre symposium and tea party, as well as the Spring Festival condolence visits to various townships, you should attend on behalf of the County Party Committee and County Government!"

Lin Zifeng said with a chuckle.

Hearing Lin Zifeng's arrangement, Xu Minghao was slightly stunned and quickly said: "Secretary, you are the top leader of Yushu County. You should attend such occasions in person!"

"Only then can we show the importance that our County Party Committee and County Government places on this!"

"County Governor, I know you have been busy with work recently. Since you took charge of the County Government's work, you have devoted all your energy to it."

"But you must not forget that the representative congress will be held next March, and you still need to go through the vote to remove that 'acting' title!"

"Although we have absolute certainty that there will be no accidents, and no one would dare to risk universal condemnation by undermining the superior's intentions and creating a major political incident."

"But it's better to be safe than sorry! Being elected with a high number of votes is always better; that is something that will be recorded in your file."

Lin Zifeng had spoken to this extent, so how could Xu Minghao not understand his intentions? Therefore, he quickly said: "Secretary, you are the one who is thoughtful. I know what to do. Thank you, Secretary."

"We are close partners. Isn't it natural for us to help each other succeed? There is no need to be so polite."

Lin Zifeng waved his hand and said.

Afterward, the two discussed some other work matters before Xu Minghao left happily.

Lin Zifeng saw him out of the Office before turning back, and Wang Zhongyu followed him into the Office.

"Secretary, there are no other work arrangements for the morning. We can go to the canteen for lunch."

Lin Zifeng nodded, turned to go to the restroom, and then went downstairs with Wang Zhongyu to have lunch.