After work in the evening, Chen Xing left the office and went to Cheng Rongjiang's home. Cheng Rongjiang had been waiting for him at the entrance of the residential area and welcomed Chen Xing with a smile. Not to mention that Chen Xing was the mayor, it was the first time that a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee came to visit his home. It wasn't that Cheng Rongjiang's status in the city was too low, but he had always maintained a neutral role. No matter which party threw an olive branch to him, Cheng Rongjiang would always politely reject it. Even if there was something, he wouldn't bring it to his home to talk about it. Business was either solved in the office or socialized in the hotel, so no one would deliberately try to rope him in. However, this also meant that Cheng Rongjiang couldn't have too many friends in the city.
Cheng Rongjiang had always been very clear about his business and private affairs. Otherwise, he wouldn't have kept silent when Chen Xing repeatedly asked him if he had encountered any difficulties. This time, he took the initiative to approach Chen Xing. Obviously, he was moved by Chen Xing's sincerity. Cheng Rongjiang and his wife only had one son, Cheng Siming. His son was the apple of his eye. Chen Xing had quietly helped him in this matter, which hit Cheng Rongjiang's soft spot and made Cheng Rongjiang willingly change his attitude.
When Chen Xing entered the door, Cheng Rongjiang's wife, Zhuang Caixia, was already standing at the door. She looked at Chen Xing with gratitude, and the smile on her face was sincere and warm. Mayor Chen is here, please come in, please come in.
Cheng Rongjiang, this is my sister-in-law, right? Chen Xing's way of addressing Cheng Rongjiang changed. In the office, he could call him Comrade Rongjiang, but at home, it would be too strange. Moreover, Cheng Rongjiang had now expressed his attitude, so Chen Xing naturally wanted to further improve the relationship between them. While talking, Chen Xing saw the shiny floor and smiled. This floor is so clean, I'm too embarrassed to step on it. I'd better take off my shoes.
Mayor Chen, don't, don't, just step on it directly. We all step on it directly. Seeing that Chen Xing was about to take off his shoes, Cheng Rong Jiang hastily stopped him.
Yes, Mayor Chen, the floor is dirty, you can just come in, don't be shy. Zhuang Caixia smiled from the side.
Sister-in-law, are you trying to deceive me? I think the floor has just been mopped, it's so shiny that it could almost be used as a mirror. Chen Xing laughed.
Chen Xing's kindness and gentleness made Zhuang Caixia, who was a little reserved, feel more at ease. After all, this was the first time that she had contact with Chen Xing. She didn't know whether Chen Xing, the mayor, was easy to talk to. Suddenly smelling a burning smell, Zhuang Caixia screamed and turned to run to the kitchen. While she was talking, she forgot that the sweet and sour pork ribs were still cooking in the pot.
This woman was like this. She had no memory and didn't know that there was food in the pot. Seeing his wife running to the kitchen, Cheng Rong Jiang smiled and shook his head.
After inviting Chen Xing into the house, Cheng Rong Jiang made tea for Chen Xing and said with a smile, "Mayor Chen, I wanted to go to a hotel, but I thought it would be more interesting to cook at home. If the food isn't delicious, Mayor Chen will have to put up with it later."
"Rong Jiang, I don't like what you said. Now, I like to eat home-cooked food at home. When I heard that I would have to go to a hotel, I was scared.
I had booked a hotel, but Rong Jiang called me at noon, saying that he would cook at home. I said that I was worried that my cooking skills wouldn't be good, but Rong Jiang insisted. So, I had to go along with him. Mayor Chen, if the food isn't good, please don't laugh at me. " Zhuang Caixia walked out of the kitchen, standing aside and smiling embarrassedly.
"Sister-in-law, I think you're being modest. The more people talk like this, the better they are at cooking. It seems I'm in luck tonight."
"Mayor Chen, I'm not bragging, but my wife's cooking is really good. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare to invite you home." Cheng Rong Jiang smiled. After he left Chen Xing's office in the morning, he decided to cancel the banquet at the hotel and cook at home. It was an idea that popped into his mind when he heard Chen Xing mention the word "banquet."
At their level, which one of them didn't have to go to a social gathering every two or three days? Sometimes, they would even go there every day. Ordinary people might be envious of government officials who could dine in and out of high-class hotels every day, and what they ate were all delicacies from the land and sea. However, they ate so much that they were about to throw up. Being able to eat a few home-cooked dishes at home, such as porridge or some vegetables, was a joyous thing. It was precisely because of this thought that Cheng Rongjiang felt that it would be more sincere to invite Chen Xing back home.
"Cheng Rong Jiang, how can you boast like this? Let's see how shameful you are when the food is not delicious." Zhuang Caixia rolled her eyes at her husband, but her face was full of confidence.
"Caixia, I have confidence in your cooking. After so many years, I feel that the food you cook is always the best. Otherwise, I would come back home every day at noon to eat the lunch you cook. Why bother?" Cheng Rong Jiang smiled. He forgot that he hadn't formally introduced his wife to Chen Xing. Cheng Rong Jiang hurriedly stood up and solemnly introduced his wife to Chen Xing. "Mayor Chen, let me introduce my wife, Zhuang Caixia. She works in the Civil Affairs Bureau."
"No matter what her name is, it's always right to call her sister-in-law." Chen Xing said with a smile.
Chen Xing's words made Cheng Rong Jiang and Zhuang Caixia feel very comfortable. Their originally grateful hearts were once again filled with emotion. In private, Chen Xing really didn't put on any airs at all. He was very easy-going, and it was easy for people to have a good impression of him.
When he thought of his son, Cheng Rong Jiang frowned and looked at his wife unhappily. "Where's Siming? Why didn't I call him out? Mayor Chen is here, but that brat still doesn't know how to come out and thank me. This is outrageous. He doesn't even know the most basic manners."
"I called him once just now, but he didn't respond." Zhuang Caixia muttered in a low voice. Her face was also a bit helpless, but more distressed. She walked to a room next to the living room and gently knocked on the door. "Siming, come out quickly. Mayor Chen is here. He helped you with everything. Quickly come out and thank Mayor Chen."
"Sigh, Mayor Chen, I've let you see a joke." Cheng Rong Jiang also sighed at this moment. His son's troubles had been solved, but his love affairs were still a mess. This time, if he hadn't forcefully dragged his son home, both he and his wife wouldn't have been at ease. They were afraid that his son would cause some trouble because of his love affairs. In a place like Beijing, Cheng Rong Jiang felt that his position as the chief prosecutor was even lower than a sesame seed or a mung bean. No matter what trouble his son caused, he was powerless. If it wasn't for Chen Xing's secret help, he didn't know what would happen to him now.
"Young people are like this. Everyone has a time when they are crazy about love affairs. I've also just walked out of that time. I can understand your son very well." Chen Xing shook his head and smiled. He also had a time when Zhao Qing was crazy. At that time, he was similar to Cheng Rong Jiang's son. If he wasn't drowning his sorrows in alcohol, he wouldn't have any appetite, or he would just shut himself in his room all day long. Therefore, Chen Xing didn't care about Cheng Rong Jiang's son's lack of manners.
"That girl is indeed not bad. My wife and I are quite satisfied with her. However, her parents don't agree. If we can't do anything, we can't snatch her away." Cheng Rong Jiang smiled bitterly and poured more tea for Chen Xing. Cheng Rong Jiang didn't want to talk about this kind of annoying family affairs at this time. He smiled and said, "Let's not talk about these family affairs tonight. Mayor Chen, let's have a drink tonight."
As Cheng Rong Jiang spoke, the door of the room opened. His son, Cheng Siming, walked out. The young man looked very haggard. His unkempt hair seemed to have just been thinned. It was still a little messy. When Zhuang Caixia saw her son, she was very happy. "Siming, quick, go and thank Mayor Chen."
Cheng Siming nodded slightly and walked to the sofa. When he saw Chen Xing, he forced a smile on his face. "Mayor Chen, thank you."
"Do you sound like you're thanking someone?" Cheng Rong Jiang scolded angrily. "Look at you now. Isn't it just a woman? How can a setback in love make you like this?" "If you're a man, you should pull yourself together, work hard, and show the girl's parents that you're blind. You should let them regret pushing a good son-in-law out of the door. That's a real man. If you're like this, I think you'll be useless for the rest of your life. It's not strange that the girl's parents don't like you. If it were me, I would also look down on a man like you who is worse than a woman."
"Rong Jiang, stop talking." Zhuang Caixia pushed her husband lightly. There was a trace of resentment on her face. It was rare for her son to walk out of the room and thank Chen Xing, but he still said such harsh words at this time.
"Go to the kitchen and watch your dishes. Don't burn them. Do you want Mayor Chen to go home hungry at night?" Cheng Rong Jiang ignored his wife's complaints and wanted to chase her to the kitchen.
At this moment, Cheng Siming lowered his head and remained silent. Only from his clenched fists, it could be seen that he was suppressing his emotions. Undoubtedly, his father's words were like needles piercing into Cheng Siming's heart. It made Cheng Siming, who was already in pain, even more emotional. If it weren't for Chen Xing's presence, Cheng Siming might have gone hysterical. During this period of time, he had suffered too much. He shut himself up and gave up on himself. He didn't even respond to his parents when they talked to him. However, this self-numbing isolation did not reduce his pain. Instead, it made him more decadent and depraved.
Chen Xing looked at the father and son in front of him. He could see Cheng Rong Jiang's painstaking efforts. He said those harsh words in hopes that his son could pull himself together.
The atmosphere was very quiet. Chen Xing didn't say much. He saw some of his own shadow in Cheng Siming. Compared with Cheng Siming, who was standing in front of him, Chen Xing, who was in his early thirties, was also an experienced man. He was filled with emotions. Who hadn't been crazy when they were young?
Zhuang Caixia sighed softly and didn't say anything more. A serious illness should be treated with a serious medicine. If a husband used this method, his son might be able to pull himself together a little. If he was too obedient to his son, it might not be a good thing.
Zhuang Caixia smiled at Chen Xing and said, "Mayor Chen, you must be hungry. There is only one stew left. It will be ready soon."
"No hurry. I'm actually not hungry." Chen Xing smiled.
Zhuang Caixia walked into the kitchen and got busy. In the end, she still remembered to give her husband a look, telling him to stop and not to provoke his son too much. Not only would he fail to achieve his goal, but he would also make his son more depressed.
After a moment of silence, Cheng Rong Jiang saw that his son didn't say anything and didn't hide in his room after being provoked by his words. He quietly let out a sigh of relief. He didn't have any confidence in his harsh words just now. Now, he saw his son quietly sitting at the side. Although his head was lowered, at least his expression was calm. Cheng Rong Jiang didn't want to provoke his son anymore.
Soon, Zhuang Caixia served the dishes one by one. "Rong Jiang, tell Mayor Chen to come to the table and eat while it's hot."
"Mayor Chen, since it's our home, let's not be polite." Cheng Rong Jiang stood up with a smile and said to Chen Xing.
Chen Xing smiled and said yes. He walked to the table and looked at a few home-cooked dishes. Chen Xing smiled again and said, "These are all my favorite dishes. It seems that I will have a good meal tonight."
"Mayor Chen, listening to your words always makes my heart feel good." Zhuang Caixia smiled and shook her head. Chen Xing didn't really like to eat, but he would always take care of others' faces.
He asked Zhuang Caixia to sit down and eat with him. Even Cheng Siming also sat at the side. Although the young man didn't say anything, at least he was willing to sit down. Cheng Rong Jiang and his wife were obviously relieved. They were worried that their son wouldn't even have the basic manners when Chen Xing came tonight.
"Mayor Chen, this sweet and sour spare ribs was made just now. When you came in, it was burnt. I guess it doesn't taste good anymore." Zhuang Caixia pointed at the sweet and sour spare ribs and said with a bitter smile.
"Why did you bring it up when it was burnt? Look at how you treat your guests. Hurry up and take it away." Cheng Rong Jiang glared at his wife.
"I don't think it's necessary. Since sweet and sour spare ribs can't be eaten, let's eat black pepper spare ribs. I think this dish should be called black pepper spare ribs." "Chen Xing said with a smile.
"Black pepper spare ribs. I think it's a good name." Cheng Rong Jiang also smiled. He poured a glass of wine for himself and Chen Xing and said, "Mayor Chen, let me propose a toast to you first."
"Since Cheng Rong proposes a toast to me, I have to drink it." Chen Xing smiled.
The two of them toasted. Cheng Rong Jiang looked at his son and said, "Siming, you have to propose a toast to Mayor Chen later."
"I know." Cheng Siming replied in a low voice.
Chen Xing looked at the young man sitting opposite him and asked with a smile, "Rong Jiang, what does the woman's family do? No matter what, your family isn't bad. The woman's parents have high standards. "
"The woman's parents are both businessmen, so they can be considered to be well-off. It's not that they look down on us, it's mainly because they already have someone they like. The man's family also works in the system. I heard that he's also a deputy director. His position isn't higher than mine, but the woman's parents really want to get married to him. The man's deputy director is in the capital, while mine is in Nanzhou. Cheng Rong Jiang laughed at himself.
The deputy director is the same everywhere. What's the difference? " Chen Xing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. However, he also understood the meaning behind Cheng Rong Jiang's words. The man the woman's parents liked was an official in the capital, and the woman's parents were doing business in the capital. Naturally, they would choose the capital. Although Cheng Rong Jiang was also a deputy director, he could only exert more influence in Nanzhou City. In the capital, he couldn't help the woman's parents much. The woman's parents naturally knew how to make a choice.
Although that was what he said, it was a pity that people didn't see it that way. Cheng Rong Jiang shook his head and smiled bitterly.
Chen Xing could only sympathize with this. He couldn't help with this kind of thing. After all, the marriage of a child still depended on the parents. He could help Cheng Rong Jiang's son solve the problem of hurting others, but he really couldn't help.
However, he really couldn't help her. Even an upright official couldn't settle a family dispute.
Nowadays, it was said that love was free. He didn't know what those parents who still had the idea of an arranged marriage were thinking. Zhuang Caixia said indignantly.
"Dad, Mom, let's not talk about this during dinner. Mayor Chen is a guest at our house. Why are you talking about this?" Cheng Siming, who basically didn't speak, suddenly spoke. Obviously, he didn't want people to talk about this matter.
After Cheng Siming finished speaking, he stood up and toasted Chen Xing. "Mayor Chen, thank you for your help. This cup of wine, I toast you."
When Cheng Rong Jiang and Zhuang Caixia saw their son's action, they looked at each other, and a trace of joy flashed in their eyes. Their son seemed to be a little more energetic. At least, he was no longer lifeless.
Chen Xing also took a sip of wine and said words of encouragement. "Young man, a temporary setback is nothing. Now you have lost a tree, but you have gained the whole forest. Perhaps you have heard this sentence so many times that you think it's just to fool those who have failed in love. But I have also experienced something similar to you. I can tell you with my personal experience that I lost my true love at that time, but I got something better. Now, the parents of the girl's family are probably holding their heads in regret. So, you see, it's not terrible for us men to encounter this kind of setback. What's terrible is that we beat ourselves down, and from then on, we will never be able to rise again."
"Mayor Chen, have you also been rejected?" Cheng Siming looked at Chen Xing, and his eyes regained some vitality. However, he still didn't believe it. "For a person like Chen Xing, who has become a mayor at such a young age, who would reject him?
Of course, I am Mayor Chen now, but I wasn't in the past. I wasn't even Section Chief Chen. " Chen Xing smiled and pointed at Cheng Siming's parents. "In the past, I didn't have such good family conditions as yours. Your father was at least the chief prosecutor, and he was also an official. My father was just a teacher, and my mother was just an ordinary civil servant. At that time, the parents of the girl's family didn't despise our family's lowly status, so they separated me from my girlfriend.
If I had a father who was the chief prosecutor at that time, maybe the marriage would have been settled. So, you should be glad that you live in such a family and have such good parents. You are also an adult, so you have to be responsible for your own actions and think more about your parents. Don't let them worry too much. When you grow up, you should know that your parents are getting old day by day. In the past, they took care of you, but in the future, you will have to take care of them. Now, you have to try your best to let them worry less. "
Chen Xing's humorous and relaxed words made Cheng Siming silent. Chen Xing's words were different from the preaching of his parents. He could really listen to them.
Cheng Rongjiang, who was at the side, saw that his son was really thinking deeply. He looked at Chen Xing with gratitude. A few words from Chen Xing might be more useful than the words of their parents.
This meal was very heartwarming. Although Cheng Siming remained silent most of the time, there were obvious changes in him. His face looked a little more resolute, which made Cheng Rongjiang and his wife feel the most gratified.
When Chen Xing left Cheng Rongjiang's house, it was already eight o 'clock. Cheng Rongjiang walked Chen Xing all the way to the entrance of the residential area. Before leaving, Cheng Rongjiang solemnly said his promise, "Mayor Chen, wait for my good news in a week. I will definitely not let you down.
I will wait and see. " Chen Xing smiled at Cheng Rongjiang, indicating that Cheng Rongjiang didn't need to walk him anymore.
After taking a car back, Chen Xing came to Jiang Wan's house. These days, Jiang Wan came back earlier than usual. Although Chen Xing didn't necessarily go there every day, Jiang Wan liked the happiness of waiting.
Did you drink again? Jiang Wan opened the door for Chen Xing. Smelling the smell of alcohol on Chen Xing's body, Jiang Wan bent down to take a pair of slippers for Chen Xing and asked.
He drank a little. Chen Xing smiled.
"Chen Xing, for someone like you who often socializes, you should drink less. Take care of your health. Drinking is bad for your health." Jiang Wan said with concern. She squatted down to help Chen Xing change his slippers.
"No, I can do it myself." Chen Xing shook his head with a smile. Every time he came to Jiang Wan's place, Jiang Wan treated him like a king and took good care of him. This made Chen Xing a little uncomfortable. For example, when Jiang Wan squatted down to help him take off his slippers, Chen Xing was not used to it. He didn't need to be served like this. Moreover, he treated Jiang Wan as his beloved woman, not as a servant.
Pulling Jiang Wan up by force, Chen Xing changed into the slippers he used to enter the house. Only then did he wrap his arm around Jiang Wan's waist and walk over to the sofa to sit down.
"Chen Xing, I plan to go home next month." Jiang Wan said.
"You didn't go home during the Spring Festival. Why do you suddenly want to go home now?" Chen Xing asked curiously.
"The restaurant is busy during the Spring Festival, and I don't feel at ease going home. Now that the busiest time has passed, I want to go home to see my family." Jiang Wan's face was a little gloomy.
"Going home to see my family is what I should do. As a child, this is my duty." Chen Xing nodded in support.
"Hmm." Jiang Wan nodded hesitantly. She raised her head and looked at Chen Xing. Jiang Wan finally said, "Chen Xing, the main reason I'm going back this time is to get a divorce certificate with that person. Otherwise, it won't do if we keep dragging it on."
Chen Xing was slightly taken aback. He had almost forgotten that Jiang Wan was still a 'married' woman in name. That night when he did it with Jiang Wan for the first time, the red spots that he saw with his own eyes made him think that Jiang Wan was an unmarried older woman. He had completely forgotten about this.
"Then go home and get it done. You will have an explanation for yourself." Chen Xing smiled and patted Jiang Wan's shoulder. Every time he talked about her previous marriage, Jiang Wan would always feel a little depressed. Chen Xing was not a man who could coax women with sweet words. He could only try to express his feelings through body language. Sometimes, a simple considerate action was more effective than thousands of words.
"I also think so. After getting the divorce certificate, I will be truly free and completely cut off my relationship with that family." Jiang Wan's face was resolute. She did not owe her husband's family anything. On the contrary, they owed her. Jiang Wan did not need to feel guilty.
"Then, should we celebrate your liberation in advance tonight? Let's have a glass of wine? " Chen Xing looked at Jiang Wan and smiled. He deliberately changed the topic to make Jiang Wan feel better.
"Chen Xing, I can't drink. Once I drink, I blush." Jiang Wan said.
"People who blush when they drink don't mean that they can't drink. Look, you just said that you will blush when you drink, but you didn't say that you will get drunk. It seems that you can hold your liquor well. I will see it tonight." Chen Xing joked. "Besides, this is your own house. Even if you are drunk, what are you afraid of? Are you afraid that bad guys will bully you?"
"Yes, I am afraid that people will take advantage of me when I am drunk. Maybe there is a bad guy in this house. Who knows what he will do when I am unconscious." Jiang Wan rolled her eyes at Chen Xing. There was a coquettish charm in her eyes. From a "young girl" to a real woman, Jiang Wan was like a budding flower that had completely bloomed. Her whole body glowed with a more beautiful brilliance than before.
"There is a bad guy? Where? Where? Point it out to me. " Chen Xing said with an exaggerated expression. Jiang Wan, who was beside him, could not help but laugh. She preferred the current relaxed and funny Chen Xing, not the serious and serious Mayor Chen.
Soon, Jiang Wan said, "Ah!"
Chen Xing pulled Jiang Wan into his arms and said in Jiang Wan's ear with a smirk, "Jiang Wan, every time I come to see you, you are in your pajamas. Do you do it on purpose?"
"No, I just came back and took a shower." Jiang Wan was so shy that her face turned red. She punched Chen Xing softly with her small hands, but she was not willing to use any strength.
"As soon as you came back, you took a shower. I think you were waiting for me to come." As Chen Xing continued speaking, even he had to admit that under the solemn expression he put on in front of outsiders, there were actually many mischievous interests. He had a particular fondness for uniforms, and even more so, he liked to see innocent girls like Jiang Wan bashfully under his teasing.
"Nonsense, I often get smoked in the restaurant. If I don't take a shower as soon as I come back, I will stink to death." Jiang Wan buried her face in Chen Xing's arms and did not dare to raise her head to look at Chen Xing. She only felt that her ear, which was being talked to by Chen Xing, was a little ticklish. She just wanted to stay in Chen Xing's arms like this, not willing to move at all.
"Well, it seems that I think too much. Oh, it seems that someone doesn't particularly welcome me. I'd better leave." Chen Xing smiled and pretended to stand up. As soon as he moved, he was hugged tightly by Jiang Wan. Jiang Wan was still whispering "bad guy", "bad guy".
When Chen Xing was about to go further, his phone rang at an untimely time. He picked it up and saw that it was a call from Lu Xiaojing. Chen Xing was slightly surprised and picked it up. "Miss Lu, what's the matter?"
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