Chapter 101: Struggle Less for Ten Years

  The party didn't end until midnight. Since the driver had gone to sleep in the hotel arranged for him, Liu Siyuan hailed a taxi and went back to her rental house with Chen Jun.

  Back at Chen Jun's place, he suddenly remembered that she seemed to have something to say to him. Seeing him bring it up, her expression turned serious and she said: "Si Yuan, I want to have a serious talk with you about our future."

  At that moment, Liu Siyuan felt a tightness in his chest. Just as he was about to say something, she gently pressed her small hand over his mouth: "You listen to me first."

  Liu Siyuan could only nod, and Chen Jun sat down on the sofa, adjusting his thoughts: "Siyuan, are you planning to marry Ouyang Minister's daughter?"

  Liu Siyuan stared at her in shock, and she smiled wryly: "I work at the municipal government every day, how could I not have heard of the legend about you and Ouyang Qian?"

  Liu Siyuan sighed and said honestly, "Actually, I may not be worthy of Ouyang Qian, but I admit that we did have an intimate relationship."

  Chen Jun pursed his lips, and after a while, he said: "Director Ouyang has already taken office as the Standing Vice Minister of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department, with even more power than before. Actually, I've said it before, I always think that if you really have the chance to marry his daughter, don't miss this opportunity because of my existence, because Ouyang Qian can at least make you struggle ten years less. And don't worry about me, I'm a free and easy person, I've always thought that marriage is the tomb of love, actually, in my heart, I think it's good for us to be like this, relaxed and casual, neither of us owes anything to each other, nor are we shackled by each other."

  Liu Siyuan was somewhat bewildered: "Do you mean that you hope I will marry Ouyang Qian?"

  Chen Jun nodded and said, "Don't worry, if you don't mind me either, I can continue to be your lover and maintain our current relationship. Maybe one day I'll find someone I like, and we can end this relationship. If I'm unlucky and can't find anyone, maybe one day I'll come to my senses and ask you to have a child with me."

  Liu Siyuan originally wanted to say that his actual girlfriend was not Ouyang Qian, but someone else. Later on, he thought that since she was so open-minded, there was no need to say anything more. Honestly speaking, he wasn't at a disadvantage either. Although she had expressed the possibility of leaving at any time, everything is mutual. As the saying goes, "what you don't want done to yourself, don't do to others." He didn't have the qualifications to ask her to be faithful to him. This was already a very ideal outcome.

  Thinking of this, he nodded and said: "Between the two of us these days, it's all my fault. Even if you say you want to leave today, I won't stop you, nor do I have the right to stop you. Since you think it's good, let's do as you say."

  Chen Jun smiled and said, "As long as you understand, two people being together is most important to be happy."

  Liu Siyuan nodded and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

  It wasn't their first kiss, but the intensity of this one far surpassed all previous ones. Perhaps it was because many things had finally been said and they had both finally put down the burdens in their hearts.

  At night, Liu Siyuan was leaning against the back of the bed, while Chen Jun was kneeling under him, doing something special for him. In his heart, he felt a sense of admiration, thinking that Chen Jun was indeed different from his other women. When it came to such things, she only gave without asking for anything in return. What she was doing now was something that the other women by his side could not accept, let alone the proud Ouyang Qian and Fang Xinyi, even Ding Hui had never done this for him before. Yet, Chen Jun, who usually loved cleanliness, was willing to make such a sacrifice for him.

  After entwining with each other for almost the whole night, Liu Siyuan left Hanjiang City in a hurry early the next morning and took the bus back to Beixi Town. For several days, he didn't come back, but there weren't many things waiting for him. Under Wu Weiqiang's leadership as town head, the entire small town was operating normally. Ma Feng still came first to report on his work, this time bringing truly good news: the eco-vegetable base project had basically been settled. What made Liu Siyuan extremely happy was that only Yuxinsha was being a bit emotional, feeling that the town government had eaten a loss. Liu Siyuan didn't bother to pay attention to him now, letting him do as he pleased.

  Just mentioning this matter, he couldn't help but think of the Ouyang family again, and was once again reminded that there had been no news from Ouyang Qian for several days. For many days, he had tried to call her phone, but whether it was her mobile, home or workplace, no one answered, and his heart grew increasingly worried.

  Ma Feng finished talking about the town's affairs and suddenly brought up another topic. He said, "Secretary Liu, I heard that the county is going to add another Standing Committee member."

  Liu Siyuan was taken aback and said: "Is the news certain? I haven't heard any rumors at all?"

  Ma Feng smiled and said: "Secretary Liu may not know, perhaps it's because you haven't been in the county for the past few days. I heard it from Director Zhang Zhongyi of the County Party Committee Office."

  Liu Siyuan said somewhat strangely: "I've only been a member of the Standing Committee for a few days, why is there already going to be an addition?"

  Ma Fengdao said: "This is normal, because the Standing Committee members are usually an odd number. Our county party committee originally had 9 people, and now you've joined the team, it's become 10 people, isn't that even? So either we have to subtract one or add one. Who would be willing to be subtracted? You tell me, which of these Standing Committee members doesn't have a backstage in the city? And besides, our municipal party committee has 12 Standing Committee members, so the county party committee should also match up. Even with 11 Standing Committee members, it's still one short."

  Liu Siyuan felt that he was indeed reasonable, nodded and said: "Hmm, you mentioned Director Zhang of the county party committee office earlier. Could it be that this time Director Zhang is going to join the team?" The director of the county party committee office was originally a high-ranking official who could be paired with a standing committee member, so it was also reasonable for Zhang Zhongyi to join the team.

  Ma Feng might have felt familiar with Liu Siyuan, and his words became more casual. He smiled and said: "Secretary Liu may not know that Director Zhang is just one of the candidates, and the other candidates are also very competitive, so Director Zhang came to me, probably to sound out your inclination."

  "Oh? Who else is a candidate?" Liu Siyuan also became interested and asked with great interest.

  Ma Feng cleared his throat and said with a hint of pride, "Liu Secretary, listen to me slowly. Apart from Director Zhang, the first candidate is Zhao Dongnan, the head of the county's United Front Work Department. Old Zhao has the most seniority and experience, and now that the central government is emphasizing the importance of united front work, more and more heads of the United Front Work Department are becoming standing committee members. These are his advantages."

  "Another candidate is Zhong Hanyun, the Party Secretary of Chengguan Town. Secretary Zhong almost made it to the Standing Committee last time, but ultimately lost to you." Ma Feng continued with a look of admiration: "Secretary Zhong's advantages are that he has the best relationship with Secretary Fan, and his qualifications and education are also relatively high. However, his disadvantages are also significant, as there is already one town party secretary on the Standing Committee, and adding another would be a bit forced."

  As soon as he heard this name, Liu Siyuan's heart tightened involuntarily...