Coming out of the County party committee building, Lu Yiwei sat in the car angrily. He was more and more disappointed with Nanyang's officialdom. After Liu Kecheng left, Yang Derong came. The two's governance styles were surprisingly similar to a certain extent. However, Liu Kecheng was overbearing and arbitrary, while Yang Derong was more selfish and gangster-like. If such a person was allowed to lead Nanyang County, it would be difficult for him to get ahead in a few years.
Looking back at the past ten years of politics, it was like a roller coaster with ups and downs. From the statistics bureau to the government office, it could be said that it was smooth sailing. However, the road after that was extremely tortuous. The front was full of thorns with tusks, and every step was extremely difficult. Perhaps, it was the same as living a life, with problems piling on top of each other. Without contradictions, such a life would be dull.
Lu Yiwei could totally change his way of living. At that time, as long as he insisted that there was something wrong with Chu Yunchi and refused to take the blame, he would have taken the initiative to join Liu Kecheng's embrace, and he would have formed a clique with Gao Bowen and the others to indulge in debauchery and wealth, he would have definitely become a capable general on their side. However, this was not his character. He would never go against his conscience to do something that was outrageous and devoid of conscience. The price he paid for not giving in was to become the target of public criticism, and the target of being besieged and chased everywhere.
Lu Yiwei still remembered that Liu Kecheng often said that his character was not good. He still did not know what the so-called character was. Perhaps, in the eyes of others, such a stubborn and stubborn person like him was different.
Lu Yiwei looked back at the majestic County party committee building through the window and shook his head helplessly. There was too much helplessness and sorrow in his heart. He started the car and slowly drove out of the gate.
Out of the gate, he did not know whether to go left or right. At this time, a motorcycle came from the left. He took the opportunity to turn into Jiefang Road.
He drove aimlessly until he reached the end of the street. In an inconspicuous corner, he found a sign that read "Nanyang County Statistics Bureau". Ever since Lu Yiwei left the statistics bureau, he rarely came back. Seven or eight years had passed, but the former statistics bureau had not changed at all. A two-story building from the founding of the nation had witnessed the vicissitudes of Nanyang in the wind and rain.
He stopped the car and suddenly saw Director Li Guolong walking out of the director's office. He still looked as plain as before, but his appearance had changed slightly, and his back was much more stooped than before. He had been in such a small unit for more than ten years. Even if he was not old, his heart was old.
Li Guolong could be considered Lu Yiwei's first teacher when he entered officialdom. Li Guolong had personally selected this person to be transferred from the County's First High School to the Statistics Bureau. After arriving at the Bureau of Statistics, Li Guolong did not pay much attention to Lu Yiwei. Who would have thought that the young lad from back then would become a Deputy Division Leader that was higher than him today? The world is unpredictable.
Lu Yiwei looked at his watch. It was still early, so he decided to pay a visit to the old leader. He parked the car, took out two cartons of cigarettes from the trunk and put them in his clothes. He locked the car and walked to the statistics bureau.
Although Li Guolong was old, he was not deaf or blind. He was about to go back to his office with a cup of tea when he saw a familiar figure from the corner of his eyes. He turned around and saw Lu Yiwei smiling and waving at him. He took off his reading glasses and rubbed his eyes. After confirming that it was Lu Yiwei, he did something unimaginable. He put the teacup on the windowsill and ran all the way down the stairs. He had already stretched out his hands to greet Lu Yiwei and said excitedly: "Mr. Lu, it's really you!"
Lu Yiwei held Li Guolong's dry hands and said with a smile: "Mr. Lu, I'm here to see you."
"Oh!" Li Guolong could not believe his ears and asked: "You're here to see me?"
"Yes!"
Li Guolong was stunned, and his lips were trembling with excitement. In the past few years, the Bureau of Statistics had never received any concern from the county leaders, let alone the higher-ups. He immediately asked: "Is it business or personal?"
Lu Yiwei looked at him and said: "What do you think?"
"Oh! Come in quickly! " Li Guolong was a little flustered and shouted into the office: "Da Ke, Da Ke, there's a guest. Hurry up and pour some tea." He held Lu Yiwei's hand tightly and went to the office on the second floor.
While no one was around, Lu Yiwei took out a cigarette and stuffed it into Li Guolong's desk drawer. Li Guolong stared at Lu Yiwei and asked, "What is the meaning of this?"
Lu Yiwei whispered in Li Guolong's ear: "This is a token of my appreciation. I hope you don't mind."
Other than his subordinates visiting him during the holidays, no one had ever thought about him. Li Guolong patted Lu Yiwei's shoulder and said: "I was right about you."
"Mr. Lu, you're here." Office Director Zhou Dake came up with a kettle and said happily.
"Dake, long time no see." Lu Yiwei took the initiative to shake Zhou Dake's hand. Zhou Dake quickly put the kettle on the floor and rubbed his hands on his clothes. He bowed and said: "Mr. Lu, you're finally here."
Zhou Dake and Lu Yiwei were both seconded to the statistics bureau from the county's First High School to carry out economic surveys. Lu Yiwei was transferred to the government office by chance after he was appreciated by the then County Head, Chu Yunchi, while Zhou Dake stayed in the statistics bureau. He stayed there until now, and after unremitting efforts, he became the office director.
A person's development trajectory was often dramatic. If it weren't for the mayor's survey, Lu Yiwei would probably be like Zhou Dake, doing nothing in the statistics bureau and living a muddle-headed life.
Lu Yiwei gave Zhou Dake a hug and used the greeting gesture from back then. He punched Zhou Dake's chest and said happily, "You brat, you haven't come looking for me all these years. Have you forgotten about me?"
"I don't dare to." Zhou Dake said cautiously: "You are a high-ranking official. I do want to look for you, but I'm afraid you don't know me. Haha." Although both are in the same year, Zhou Dake does not dare to be too presumptuous. After all, Lu Yiwei is a County Leader.
Lu Yiwei admitted his mistake: "Dake is right. I will reflect on myself. I should have come earlier, but I kept coming up with all sorts of excuses. I apologize to you and Director Li. "Lu Yiwei bowed to both of them.
"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing? "Zhou Dake quickly held onto Lu Yiwei's shoulder and said:" You can't do this. "
Li Guolong glared at Zhou Dake and angrily criticized: "Dake, why are you saying these useless things? Isn't Yiwei here now? I can't guarantee other things, but I am confident in Yiwei's character. He will not forget us. "
"Yes, yes. It's all my fault." Zhou Dake fell into deep self-blame.
"Quickly pour a glass of water!" Li Guolong urged Zhou Dake and then pulled Lu Yiwei to sit on the sofa to carefully observe him. With a kind smile on his face, he nodded and said, "Not bad, you've changed. You've become more mature and steady."
Looking at Li Guolong's old age, the past flashed in Li Guolong's mind as if it happened yesterday. Li Guolong can't help but sigh. Lu Yiwei hurriedly took out a cigarette and passed it to Li Guolong. Unexpectedly, Li Guolong waved his hand and said: "I don't smoke anymore. I quit a long time ago."
Lu Yiwei was shocked. The old smoker actually quit smoking. He asked: "How long did you quit?"
At that time, Li Guolong never left his mouth. There was still half a cigarette in his mouth. His other hand had already started to take out a pack of cigarettes and continued to smoke. According to him, this was the way to enjoy it. He was so addicted to smoking that when he woke up in the morning, he would lie on the bed and smoke five or six cigarettes in a row. After breakfast, he would smoke another two or three cigarettes before going to work. When he arrived at the office, he would have nothing to do in the morning. He could smoke two packs, and in the afternoon, he would take one pack to his armpit to play mahjong. Before the match, he only needed to use his lighter once. After that, he would smoke day and night until he finished one pack. The amount of cigarettes he smoked was shocking.
After years of smoking, his fingers were like withered twigs stained with pine grease, waxy yellow. His teeth were smoked black. Not only did he have bad breath, but his whole body was filled with the strong smell of tobacco. Even the walls of his office were blackened by the smoke, which showed how profound his skill was.
Li Guolong replied: "I have quit for three to four years. My body can't take it anymore. If I smoke again, I will die!"
Lu Yiwei took out his pack of cigarettes and kept it in his pocket. "I never expected a heavy smoker like you to quit. Looks like it's time for me to quit."
"Yeah, it's good that you quit!" Li Guolong imparted his experience. "In the past, I felt like I was missing something if I didn't smoke. I would find all sorts of excuses for myself. I'm a man after all. That's why I don't buy clothes or cosmetics. But now that I think about it, it's a joke with my life. Now that I don't smoke, I feel relaxed. My skin is better, and my weight has gone up. It's good! "
Lu Yiwei was ashamed. "I have also thought of quitting, but I'm not determined enough."
"That's right. Quitting is not an addiction, but a mental addiction." Li Guolong said. "It's the same logic as mahjong. If you don't play it, you will stop thinking about it after some time. "
"You quit playing mahjong?" Lu Yiwei was surprised.
"Yeah."
Lu Yiwei was filled with admiration. "It looks like I have to learn more from you in the future. I'm ashamed!"
Li Guolong walked to his desk and handed a book to Lu Yiwei. "Read this when you're free."
When Lu Yiwei received the book, he saw that it was a Buddhist book. He curiously asked, "Chief Li, you won't be asking me to convert to Buddhism, right?"
Shaking his head, Li Guolong solemnly replied, "This book is a Buddhist scripture, and it's the code of Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhism advocates a pure heart and Buddha's nature. Seeing one's nature to become a Buddha is a process of cultivating the heart. Nowadays, society is fickle, and it's hard for people to calm down and comprehend the heart. I don't want you to comprehend it too deeply. You just have to read it once a day, and you will slowly comprehend it. "
Keeping the book, Lu Yiwei replied, "Thank you for your guidance. I will definitely read it when I'm free."
Li Guolong nodded his head. "Don't worry about it. If you don't want to read it now, you can put it aside for now. You can read it when you're in a bad mood. It might help you."
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