297: Lin Zifeng, feeling a little guilty

Cao Mingxiu finished reading the application materials carefully, set them aside, and said happily, "Secretary Zifeng, I didn't expect Yushu County to start preparing six months ago."

"The conditions in your Yushu County have already met the requirements for a County-to-city conversion. It looks like you're preparing to launch a satellite!"

"Your confidentiality work has been well done. After preparing for such a long time, not a single word leaked out. You were making moves in silence, only applying once all the data met the standards."

"Hahaha."

After saying this, Cao Mingxiu burst into a rare fit of hearty laughter.

Yushu County's ability to achieve a County-to-city conversion was not just a political achievement for the Cadres of Yushu County; as the municipality directly overseeing Yushu County, it was also a political achievement for these Municipal Leaders.

Especially for him, the Municipal Party Secretary, and Mayor Jiang Shiyu; the two top municipal officials would benefit the most, so Cao Mingxiu had no reason not to be happy.

"Secretary, the fact that Yushu County could undergo such big changes and meet the conditions for a County-to-city conversion is inseparable from the strong support of you and the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government."

"Isn't our ability to achieve such results today due to relying on the 'big tree' that is you and the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government?"

Lin Zifeng was not a pedantic person. As the saying goes, 'everyone carries the sedan chair'; as long as it benefited the County-to-city conversion, he didn't mind pushing the credit onto the Municipal Leaders.

Hearing Lin Zifeng's words, Cao Mingxiu felt even more delighted and couldn't help but tease, "Since when did our pragmatic Secretary Zifeng learn to flatter others like everyone else?"

"Secretary, I'm not flattering you. I'm just telling the truth."

Lin Zifeng said without blushing or his heart skipping a beat.

He stayed in Cao Mingxiu's Office for over an hour. The two had a pleasant conversation. When Lin Zifeng took his leave, Cao Mingxiu personally escorted him to the stairwell before stopping.

Cao Mingxiu patted Lin Zifeng's shoulder as a sign of encouragement.

After bidding farewell to Cao Mingxiu, Lin Zifeng went straight to Jiang Shiyu's Office.

Jiang Shiyu treated Lin Zifeng with even more closeness, always regarding him as a junior.

He readily accepted Lin Zifeng's invitation. Upon hearing the report about the County-to-city conversion, Jiang Shiyu was even more happy and excited than Cao Mingxiu.

"Zifeng, I believe Yushu County's County-to-city conversion will soon pass through the various levels of approval."

"Once the approval is passed and Yushu County becomes a County-level city, you, as the Secretary, are expected to be promoted to a deputy department level within a year."

"A deputy department level official under thirty is rare in the entire country. I am full of expectations for your future and truly happy for you."

"Mayor, I want to thank you for your continuous strong support for our Yushu County."

"You've watched me get to where I am today step by step. Without the care of you and the other Municipal Leaders, I wouldn't be who I am now."

"I want to sincerely say thank you!"

"Hahaha, today is a good day! It's worth celebrating. You haven't been to the City Level for a while."

"Yufei just called me; she's also returning to the City Level this afternoon."

"I know you and Yufei are very good friends. Taking this opportunity today, come over to the house for dinner!"

"Yufei and I often mention you at home. Your Aunt has wanted to meet a young talent like you for a long time."

Jiang Shiyu said with a smile, his face beaming like a spring breeze.

How could Lin Zifeng refuse Jiang Shiyu's invitation? For Jiang Shiyu to invite him to his home for dinner meant he treated him as an absolute confidant.

As long as one wasn't a political novice, they wouldn't refuse such an invitation.

So he quickly said, "Thank you, Mayor. Then I shall intrude upon your home tonight."

While Lin Zifeng agreed without hesitation, he couldn't help but think that Jiang Shiyu and his wife were essentially his unofficial parents-in-law. Going to their home for dinner with Jiang Yufei felt like meeting the parents!

He needed to find some time later to call Yufei and give her a heads-up.

"Good, good, good," Jiang Shiyu said 'good' three times in a row before continuing, "Don't talk about intruding. I'll call your Aunt in a bit and have her prepare dinner in advance."

"You probably have to visit other Municipal Leaders, right? Go attend to your official business! We'll see you at home tonight."

Lin Zifeng gave his assent and then took his leave.

After leaving Jiang Shiyu's Office, he went to the Office of Li Xinzhang, the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee.

At noon, after having lunch, Lin Zifeng went to the Municipal Party Committee Guesthouse to rest. Only after Wang Zhongyu left his room did he call Jiang Yufei.

The call was quickly connected, and Jiang Yufei's sweet voice came through the receiver.

"Zifeng, aren't you in the City Level? Is there something you're calling me for?"

"It's like this, Yufei."

Lin Zifeng then told Jiang Yufei everything about Jiang Shiyu inviting him to dinner at their home.

Finally, Lin Zifeng added, "Yufei, this is my first time visiting your home; why do I feel a bit nervous?"

"You're a dignified County Party Secretary; what grand scenes haven't you seen? My parents aren't monsters; they won't eat you, will they?"

"Besides, it's not like my parents don't know about our relationship. What are you so nervous about?"

"Don't worry! I won't let anything slip in front of my parents."

Jiang Yufei knew why Lin Zifeng was nervous, so she teased him and spoke understandingly.

"Yufei, eating at your house isn't like seeing Your Father in the Office. After all, I've stolen their daughter; just think of it as me having a guilty conscience."

The two chatted for over half an hour before hanging up.

Half a day passed quickly. After finishing their official business in the afternoon, Lin Zifeng and Jiang Yufei met at the entrance of the Municipal Party Committee Compound.

To avoid suspicion, the two took separate cars and headed towards the Jiang Family.

Jiang Shiyu left work half an hour early and went to the kitchen to help once he got home.

Jiang Shiyu's wife, Zhang Jiayi, had almost finished preparing dinner. Seeing Jiang Shiyu enter the kitchen, she said with a smile, "Oh, our big Mayor is back. Has the sun risen from the west today?"

"How come you're off early? This is quite rare!"

The Nanny helping in the kitchen quickly greeted Jiang Shiyu, who nodded with a smile. He said, "Sister Wang, you can head out for now; I can handle things here."

The Nanny gave her assent and walked out of the kitchen. Jiang Shiyu then said, "Isn't a guest coming over? I can't have the guest arrive and wait for me, can I? That's no way to treat a guest."

"Every time I hear you and Yufei talk about how excellent Lin Zifeng is—seeing is believing. I want to see for myself just what is so excellent about this young man."

"That makes both father and daughter full of praise."

Zhang Jiayi said with a look of anticipation.

"Coming from an ordinary family, being a twenty-eight-year-old Division-Head Level County Party Secretary already says enough about his excellence."

"Moreover, not only is his working ability strong, but he is also a man of striking appearance."

"Back then, I was very much in favor of Yufei being with him. It's such a pity that they were destined to be together but lacked the luck! It's truly a shame."

Jiang Shiyu said with great regret.