469: Face your first love calmly

Not long after Lin Zifeng saw off Wei Ting, Wang Zhongyu knocked on the door and entered the Office again.

“Secretary, the Office just received a notice from the Municipal Party Committee Office, informing you to arrive at the Municipal Party Committee before two o'clock this afternoon for a Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee meeting.”

Hearing Wang Zhongyu's report, Lin Zifeng nodded and said, “Then let's set off at ten o'clock and Head to the City Level for lunch.”

Wang Zhongyu acknowledged the order and left the Office.

Lin Zifeng sat in his chair, recalling that a week ago when he went to the City Level for a meeting, he had specifically visited the Office of Zhu Jiahua, the Head of the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department.

Lin Zifeng knew that Qian Yuhua, the Executive Deputy Minister of the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, would be retiring soon, so he specifically recommended Qin Xiao to Zhu Jiahua.

Zhu Jiahua owed Lin Zifeng a favor from last time, and Qin Xiao had been commended by the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government this year, making her fully qualified as a candidate, so Zhu Jiahua readily agreed.

Because of this matter, Lin Zifeng had also specifically communicated with the Top Three Leaders of the City Level, meaning that barring any accidents, this matter was essentially a done deal for Lin Zifeng.

The Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee meeting held in the City Level today would include this personnel appointment as one of its topics.

Thinking of this, a confident smile appeared on Lin Zifeng's face.

At ten o'clock, the three of them set off on time. Since tomorrow was the weekend, Lin Zifeng called Chen Yuxi and told her that if it got late today, he would stay overnight in the City Level.

Lin Zifeng often went to the Province and City for meetings recently, and staying overnight outside was common, so Chen Yuxi had grown accustomed to it.

Around noon, Li Qiang drove the car off the Expressway, and as they passed a Beef Noodle Restaurant, Lin Zifeng spoke with a smile.

“It's been a long time since I've had Beef Noodles. A hot bowl of Beef Noodles sounds great.”

Li Qiang, understanding the implication, immediately grasped Lin Zifeng's meaning, drove the car off the main road, and quickly parked not far from the Beef Noodle Restaurant entrance.

After Lin Zifeng got out of the car, he reached out and tightened the woolen overcoat he was wearing. Lin Zifeng, who was 1.85 meters tall, looked even taller and straighter in the black, knee-length woolen overcoat.

Lin Zifeng led the way toward the Beef Noodle Restaurant, with Wang Zhongyu and Li Qiang following behind him, one on his left and one on his right.

The three of them walked into the Beef Noodle Restaurant together and sat down at a table. Wang Zhongyu went to the counter and ordered three large bowls of Beef Noodles, and the three of them sat waiting patiently.

Just then, a figure walked in from outside, surprising Lin Zifeng.

Just as Lin Zifeng saw the person, the person saw him as well.

This person was none other than Chen Xinxin, whom Lin Zifeng had not seen for nearly two years.

After Chen Xinxin saw Lin Zifeng, she subconsciously paused, and her gaze became fixed on him.

Chen Xinxin, with complex emotions in her eyes, maintained this state for a full three seconds until the strange looks from other diners brought her back to reality.

Upon realizing her surroundings, Chen Xinxin subconsciously walked toward Lin Zifeng.

During the brief interaction just now, Wang Zhongyu and Li Qiang also sensed the unusual tension between Chen Xinxin and Lin Zifeng.

Knowing that the two must be old acquaintances, when Chen Xinxin walked toward them, both men stood up and moved their bodies to make room for Lin Zifeng.

Seeing Chen Xinxin approach, Lin Zifeng stood up and proactively extended his hand to Chen Xinxin with a smile.

Chen Xinxin hesitated slightly before shaking Lin Zifeng's hand. “Hello, Secretary Lin. I didn't expect such a coincidence; to run into you here! Do you still eat this kind of fast food?”

“Hello, Student Xin Xin, long time no see! I also didn't expect to run into you here. It really proves the saying, 'We meet everywhere in life!'”

“Why wouldn't I eat this kind of fast food? Don't forget, when we were in college together, whenever the cafeteria served Beef Noodles, I would rush to be the first in line.”

“I even remember you treating me to a meal at the university cafeteria once!”

“Since we both happen to be here eating noodles today, let me treat you to a bowl of Beef Noodles!”

Lin Zifeng was now very open-minded and philosophical when facing Chen Xinxin, his first love.

After saying this to Chen Xinxin, Lin Zifeng turned to Wang Zhongyu beside him and said, “Zhongyu, order another bowl of noodles, a small one. Remember to tell the waiter not to add cilantro.”

Wang Zhongyu acknowledged the order and went to the counter again. Only then did Lin Zifeng look at Chen Xinxin and say, “Sit down and eat together!”

Chen Xinxin nodded and sat down across from Lin Zifeng. She maintained a calm exterior, but inside, she couldn't help but feel like crying.

Chen Xinxin was completely surprised that Lin Zifeng still remembered she didn't eat cilantro. While feeling deeply comforted, seeing Lin Zifeng's attitude toward her just now, she knew that Lin Zifeng had completely moved past their relationship.

Now, when Lin Zifeng faced her, he only treated her as a Student, nothing more.

Therefore, Chen Xinxin felt a mixture of emotions, but she didn't want to show any of it in front of Lin Zifeng.

After Wang Zhongyu returned, he gave Li Qiang a look before speaking, “Secretary, please catch up with your Student! Qiang Zi and I will sit at this table.”

Lin Zifeng nodded, and Wang Zhongyu and Li Qiang moved to another table.

Soon, the waiter brought the four bowls of Beef Noodles to the table one after another, and Lin Zifeng and Chen Xinxin chatted softly while eating their Beef Noodles.

The two chatted casually, like old friends who hadn't seen each other for years. Chen Xinxin also put away her complicated feelings, feeling no awkwardness as if they were just Students catching up.

Through their conversation, Lin Zifeng learned about Chen Xinxin's recent situation. After more than two years of effort, Chen Xinxin had been promoted from Deputy Section Chief to Section Chief of the Finance Section of the Municipal Education Bureau.

My father Chen Dongsheng had retired a month ago. The Old Couple were enjoying their retirement life in Yushu City, and occasionally they would come to see Chen Xinxin, always returning home the same day.

Although Chen Xinxin didn't say it, Lin Zifeng could tell from her words that the rift between Chen Xinxin and her parents had not yet been resolved.

Chen Xinxin had been secretly keeping tabs on Lin Zifeng and knew his situation well, so she spoke up, “Secretary Lin, don't just focus on asking about me. I remember that Uncle Lin from your family started working around the same time as My father, right?

Is Uncle Lin also retiring soon?”

Hearing Chen Xinxin's question, Lin Zifeng nodded and said, “The school goes on winter break in a week, and that's also when My father retires.”

“Time really flies! I remember when we first entered High School, My father and Uncle Lin were still middle-aged men in their mid-forties.

In the blink of an eye, thirteen or fourteen years have passed. Their backs are bent, and we have reached the age of thirty. The past is worth recalling, but at the time, we were oblivious.”

Chen Xinxin said emotionally.

“Why are you getting sentimental? We're not at the age for nostalgia yet.

As your High School and university Student, let me kindly remind you: while you are still young and beautiful, hurry up and get married!

Your life path ahead is still long; you can't possibly stay alone forever!”

Lin Zifeng said with a chuckle.

Hearing Lin Zifeng's words, Chen Xinxin couldn't help but think: With your excellence preceding you, missing you was my fate. How could any other man easily catch my eye?

Although she thought this internally, she said aloud, “I think being alone is quite good too. Without the constraints of family, how wonderful is it to be free and unrestrained by myself?

If I meet someone worth loving in the future, I will consider ending my single life.”

Soon, the four of them finished lunch and walked out of the Beef Noodle Restaurant. Lin Zifeng shook hands with Chen Xinxin and said goodbye.

Only after seeing the car Lin Zifeng was in merge into the main traffic flow did Chen Xinxin withdraw her gaze, muttering to herself, “It's quite nice to be able to chat with him like an old friend!”