When the car got on the highway, it began to speed up. One of the advantages of Wang Hai's driving was that he could always drive the car steadily. Even on a bumpy road, Wang Hai could still drive the car comfortably. Zhou Mingfang had not changed a driver in the past few years, which had something to do with this.
Chen Xing glanced at Zhou Mingfang through the rearview mirror of the car and found that Zhou Mingfang had retracted his gaze. Since the car left Hai City, Zhou Mingfang did not seem to be looking out of the window.
Chen Xing was thinking about his own affairs and was a little absent-minded for a moment.
The car arrived at the provincial capital at around five o 'clock in the afternoon. Zhou Mingfang asked Wang Hai to drive the car to the Provincial Party Committee. After getting off the car, he entered the Provincial Party Committee building. Chen Xing and Wang Hai were waiting in the car.
"Old Wang, we will rarely see each other in the future." Chen Xing lay on his back in the seat and turned up the music. Just now, he was afraid of disturbing Zhou Mingfang, so he kept the sound low.
In fact, there are still many opportunities to meet. It is very convenient to go back and forth from Jiang City to Hai City. Secretary Chen, your home is also in Hai City. In the future, you can often come to me for a drink. " Zhou Mingfang had gone to work in the provincial capital. Unlike Chen Xing who continued to follow Zhou Mingfang as his secretary, he stayed in Hai City. When Zhou Mingfang went to the province, the Ministry would arrange a new driver for him. It was not that Zhou Mingfang had not asked him if he wanted to come to the provincial capital. After careful consideration, Wang Hai finally refused. He had already started a family in Hai City, and his wife was in labor. If he followed Zhou Mingfang to Jiang City, Wang Hai would be worried about his family, especially his wife who needed his care now. In the end, Wang Hai gave up such a good opportunity.
Fortunately, Zhou Mingfang did not mistreat him. Although he did not agree to follow him to Jiang City, Zhou Mingfang still arranged a good place for him to work in the Logistics Department of the Municipal Party Committee. He also helped him solve his career and become an idle leader in the Logistics Department. There were not many things to do, but the treatment was not bad. This job was just in line with the current state of life he needed.
Now that the country's personnel system was becoming more and more standardized, it was as difficult as ascending to the sky for a leader's driver to be promoted. Wang Hai was still very grateful to Zhou Mingfang. Zhou Mingfang had taken care of him before he left. Wang Hai also knew the drivers of other departments, but those people were not as lucky as him. Some of the weaker leaders' drivers could not even solve the establishment. They had been driving for the leaders for several years, but they were still self-paid. Of course, those leaders could not compare with Zhou Mingfang, but Wang was already satisfied.
"Old Wang, your wife is about to give birth, right? Don't forget to call me and invite me to a full moon party." Chen Xing joked. Wang Hai had the kind of straightforward temper of a soldier. Chen Xing had always felt that Wang Hai's temper and character were very much to his liking. In private, he had a good relationship with Wang Hai.
"Of course, when the time comes, I'm afraid that Secretary Chen will be too busy to come. If you come, it will also be a blessing for my child." Wang Hai grinned. When he mentioned his precious child that had yet to be born, he laughed so hard that flowers bloomed.
"Excuse me, I'll take a call." Chen Xing took out his mobile phone from his pocket. The caller ID was an unfamiliar number. Chen Xing frowned. Who could it be? He picked it up doubtfully.
"Hello."
There was silence on the other end of the phone. Chen Xing looked at the screen of the mobile phone again. It showed that he was on the phone, but no one spoke. "Hello, may I ask who this is?" Chen Xing had to speak again. This time, if no one spoke, Chen Xing would hang up the phone.
"Chen Xing, I haven't seen you for a while." Finally, there was a voice on the other end of the phone.
Chen Xing's body suddenly stiffened as if he had been electrocuted. This voice, for him, was too familiar, but also too strange. "It's you, Zhao Qing?"
"Yes, it's me. I didn't expect you to be able to recognize my voice at once." Zhao Qing's voice seemed to be a little happy.
Chen Xing was silent and did not speak. He was obviously a little surprised that Zhao Qing would take the initiative to call him, and he called when she had just arrived in the provincial capital. "Why?
Do you think I'm surprised to call you? Or do you think it's presumptuous?
I'm a little surprised.
There's nothing to be surprised about. After all, we're still friends, aren't we?
Or friends?
Yes, aren't we? "
Chen Xing sneered slightly. If Zhao Qing were in front of him at this moment, he would still have the same expression. How long had it been since the last incident, and how Zhao Qing behaved at that time was carved into his heart like a knife. The son of the director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau in Jiang City made Zhao Qing ignore the fact that he was almost killed by the other party, ignore justice, and stand on the other party's side regardless of who was right and who was wrong. Even if he was a stranger, he should not be so cold and heartless, not to mention that they had a four-year relationship.
"Zhao Qing, what's the matter?" Chen Xing's tone was a little cold.
"Can't I call you for no reason?" Asked Zhao Qing with a smile. "But we haven't contacted each other for a long time. It's a little presumptuous of me to call you suddenly today. I heard from my mother that you left Hai City at around three o 'clock, and I guessed that you should be in Jiang City by now, so I tried to call you."
Chen Xing suddenly realized that he had forgotten why Zhao Qing had his phone number. It turned out that he got it from Zhao Yiping, who even told him when he would arrive in the provincial capital.
"Chen Xing, do you have time to ask me out tonight?" Zhao Qing finally told him the purpose of his call.
At night? Chen Xing narrowed his eyes slightly. He was struggling in his heart. "Should I go or not?"
"Okay, then tonight it is. Tell me the time and place, and I'll be there." Chen Xing agreed. Since he had let go of his past relationship, there was nothing he was afraid of. To him, Zhao Qing was just a person in his memory that had been forgotten. What was there to be afraid of? This was what Chen Xing thought in his heart.
"Secretary Chen, you still have friends in the provincial capital. Seeing that you have a place to go as soon as you arrive, you won't be bored in the provincial capital in the future." After Chen Xing answered the phone, Wang Hai, who was beside him, said with a smile.
"Yes, an old friend from many years ago." Chen Xing smiled faintly and said this with some bitterness in his heart. How could Wang Hai, who was beside him, understand his mood?
Zhou Mingfang went in at about five o 'clock, and when he came out, it was almost seven o' clock. Chen Xing and Wang Hai's stomachs were growling, and their chests almost stuck to their backs. Chen Xing was even more surprised. He guessed that Zhou Mingfang had rushed to the Provincial Party Committee as soon as he arrived in the provincial capital to see Jiang Min, the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. Now, Zhou Mingfang was the Organization Minister of the Provincial Party Committee. Besides Jiang Min, the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, no one else could make him visit so quickly. Of course, it was also possible that Liu Jian, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, was the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. However, a few days ago, Liu Jian went to Hai City to announce the appointment decision on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee. At that time, Zhou Mingfang talked with Liu Jian in the office.
"How about it? Are you both hungry?" Zhou Mingfang got in the car and said to Chen Xing and Wang Hai with a smile, "Take me to the Jiang City Hotel first. If you two are hungry, you can eat there."
Wang Hai responded and started the car. He was no stranger to the Jiang City Hotel. After coming out of the gate of the Provincial Party Committee, he turned into the road and drove to the Jiang City Hotel.
Chen Xing quietly observed Zhou Mingfang. It seemed that Zhou Mingfang had something to do. The time set by Zhao Qing with him was 7 o 'clock in the evening. Chen Xing originally thought that Zhou Mingfang would only go to the Provincial Party Committee for a while, but he didn't expect that he would be there for more than an hour. When he came out, it was already 6 o' clock. If he went to the Jiang City Hotel now, he might be delayed for another hour or two. He would definitely not be able to make the appointment with Zhao Qing. Chen Xing was wondering whether he should mention it to Zhou Mingfang.
"Secretary Zhou, do you have any special orders tonight?" Chen Xing said with some uneasiness.
"At night? There's nothing important tonight. Why? Do you have something to do? " Zhou Mingfang smiled and glanced at Chen Xing. He could arrange his time at night, but he had to report on time tomorrow.
Chen Xing nodded with a smile and was slightly relieved. Zhou Mingfang was very good to him. In private, he rarely put on the airs of a leader. Chen Xing didn't know if it was because of the Zhang family.
Zhou Mingfang arrived at the Jiang City Hotel and went in alone. Chen Xing asked Wang Hai to eat first. He wanted to take a taxi, but Wang Hai insisted on taking him to the Regent Hotel, which was the place Zhao Qing had agreed to meet him. Chen Xing had a vague impression of the place. It seemed to be on the side of the road a little outside the community of Zhao Qing's home.
"Lao Wang, when we arrive at the hotel, you can also order some food. It's my treat." Wang Hai insisted on taking him there. Chen Xing was a little embarrassed. After all, Wang Hai was also hungry.
"Secretary Chen, you don't have to be so polite with me. I'm afraid that I can't afford a meal. It's not your treat." Wang Hai refused with a smile.
When they arrived at the destination, Wang Hai insisted on not letting Chen Xing treat him. Chen Xing had no choice but to say, "Lao Wang, remember to eat something. Otherwise, if you are hungry, it will be my fault."
"I see. Secretary Chen, please go in." Wang Hai nodded with a smile.
Chen Xing didn't argue anymore. He turned around and walked into the hotel. Zhao Qing was already waiting for him inside. When he arrived here, Chen Xing found that his heart was very calm. He was not nervous at all, nor was he happy or angry.
"In my eyes, Zhao Qing is just a passer-by on the journey of life." Chen Xing said to himself calmly in his heart.
Zhao Qing sat in a double seat by the window. As soon as Chen Xing went up to the second floor, she saw him at a glance. She was so familiar with his back that it was a little strange.
Hearing the footsteps behind him, Zhao Qing seemed to have a premonition. He turned around and stared at Chen Xing with a smile. Then he stood up and stared at Chen Xing.
Taken aback, Chen Xing slowed down his footsteps. The two of them stared at each other.
"We haven't had such a chance to sit down and eat together for a long time." Zhao Qing broke the silence first with a smile. "Sit down. Why are you still standing? You can't grow taller."
Chen Xing frowned slightly. Zhao Qing's seemingly unintentional words evoked his college memories. He still remembered that when they were in college, he often played basketball and Zhao Qing would wait by the court.
Every time he came off the court sweating profusely, Zhao Qing would always laugh at him. "Why did you jump up and grab the ball so hard? You can't grow taller. Today, hearing this familiar sentence from Zhao Qing's mouth again, Chen Xing didn't know whether Zhao Qing meant it or not.
It had been a long time since they sat down and had a good chat. Chen Xing sat down with a calm expression.
"It seems that you still have a prejudice against me." Zhao Qing glanced at Chen Xing, and the smile on his face gradually faded. "Do you still blame me for speaking up for Lin Mao last time and not putting myself in your shoes?"
"Lin Mao?" Chen Xing frowned. Then he remembered that the drunk driver who almost hit him was called Lin Mao. Chen Xing only remembered that he was the son of the director of the Provincial Public Security Bureau, but he neglected his name. "Do you think it is right to stand on Lin Mao's side? Even if you don't know him, at least you should know what is right and wrong. "
"I didn't say that what I did was right, but I can only say that what I did was not wrong." Zhao Qing shrugged his shoulders. "I remember that I told you that as long as you apologized, I would help you and ask Lin Mao to let bygones be bygones. Do you think that what I did was wrong?" "Do you think that I don't have a heart of justice and that I almost lost my humanity?"
"Yes, I was going to give you these two comments." Chen Xing glanced at Zhao Qing coldly. "I was afraid that it would be too hurtful to say it out loud. I didn't expect you to say it yourself."
"Hurtful?" "Chen Xing, you underestimate my psychological quality. I am not as weak as you think. If you have any dissatisfaction with me, you can vent it. There is no need to worry. I think I can bear it." Zhao Qing said calmly.
Zhao Qing glanced at Chen Xing. Seeing that Chen Xing had no intention to speak, he opened his mouth again. "Chen Xing, there is no absolute fairness and justice in this society. People are often unfair to each other. I remember that you were not Secretary Zhou Mingfang at that time. Oh, no, I should call you Minister Zhou now. I remember that you were not Minister Zhou's secretary at that time. Don't you think it's ridiculous that you want to talk about fairness and justice with the son of a leading cadre?
According to what you said, even if I was killed by Lin Mao at that time, I deserved to be blind. " "Those people who were born in poor and humble families in the world, if they were unfortunate enough to get into a car accident one day and couldn't get justice, they deserved to be killed because of their lowly status." "Zhao Qing, I don't know how you have been living these years. Your heart is too cold. You are a completely different person from before."
I didn't say it like that. It's your own understanding. I just want you to know that this world isn't as fair as you think it is. Nine out of ten things in this world won't go your way. You don't need to have a heart full of compassion for the state of the universe. In this world, there is only justice under power, not justice under law.
"Yes, what you said is reasonable, but you have gone to the extreme. Our country's legal system will become more and more perfect one day. The rule of man over the rule of law will become history one day."
"History?" "I don't know if it will become history, but I don't think I will live to see that day." Zhao Qing smiled sarcastically. "I hope that I can live to see this country become a purely legal country in my lifetime, thanks to you."
"Only a person with a sunny heart and full of hope can be full of love, justice, and passion for this country and even for life. Even if I can't see that day, I always believe that our generations are working hard. Even if there is only a little change, it is our progress."
"Sunny heart?" "Can I understand it as you said that the sunny heart is full of the spirit of Ah Q?" Zhao Qing smiled and glanced at Chen Xing.
"Whatever you want to understand." Chen Xing shrugged indifferently. "Zhao Qing, how should I describe our current situation in one sentence?" "Should I say that …"
"People of different principles cannot make plans together."
"It seems that our first long talk after not seeing each other for many years is not pleasant." Zhao Qing shook his head. "Let's not talk about this. In fact, it is meaningless for us to argue about this. We just have different ideas. There is no need to discuss it on the table. Let's talk about something else."
"Talk about something else?" "I don't know what else to talk about between us."
"What? Old classmates have nothing to talk about?"
Chen Xing glanced at Zhao Qing indifferently and did not comment.
"Sister Zhao?" Just when Chen Xing and Zhao Qing were silent, an unexpected voice came from the front. Chen Xing raised his head slightly and looked in the direction of the voice. His pupils suddenly shrank. "Enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road. Who else could it be but Lin Mao?"
"Sister Zhao, it is indeed you. I said that it looks like you from the side." Lin Mao walked over with a smile. When he got closer, he realized that it was Chen Xing opposite him. "It's you?" The smile on Lin Mao's face froze. Then he looked at Chen Xing with some unkindness.
"I said that I would beat you up every time I see you in Jiang City. It seems that my words have gone in one ear and out the other." Lin Mao looked at Chen Xing gloomily.
Last time when he met Chen Xing in the elevator of Jiangnan Building, he called the police and wanted to find a reason to detain Chen Xing and take him back to teach him a lesson. However, he did not expect that Chen Xing would take the number one car of Sea City. The two police were too timid to do anything, so the matter was left unsettled. This time, he met Chen Xing here again. Lin Mao had never taken Chen Xing seriously, nor had he seriously paid attention to Chen Xing's identity.
"Lin Mao, what are you talking about? Apologize to Secretary Chen now." Zhao Qing frowned and scolded Lin Mao.
"What Secretary Chen? Apologize to me?" Lin Mao looked at Zhao Qing and pointed at Chen Xing. He looked at Zhao Qing in disbelief. "Sister Zhang, are you sure? Or did I hear it wrong?
You heard it right. I asked you to apologize to him. " "Lin Mao, he is Minister Zhou's secretary."
"Minister Zhou? Which Minister Zhou … "Lin Mao curled his lips and looked a little disdainful. Then, the smile on his face froze and he looked at Zhao Qing with uncertainty." The new Minister of the Provincial Party Committee, Zhou Mingfang? "
It was no wonder that Lin Mao could recognize who Zhao Qing was referring to so quickly. The reason was that they had talked about Zhou Mingfang these days. Zhao Qing's father-in-law was Sun Zhihe, the Executive Deputy Minister of the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee. Zhao Qing's husband, Sun Xiang, was in the same circle as them and often hung out with them. Therefore, when Zhou Mingfang was transferred to the head of the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee, they naturally paid attention to it, especially Sun Xiang. He often took the initiative to mention Zhou Mingfang these days, so Lin Mao was familiar with him.
"He … he is Zhou Mingfang's secretary?" Lin Mao was obviously a little surprised. Chen Xing's identity had changed so much that he was a little surprised for a moment. He pointed at Chen Xing and was a little stunned.
"Yes, he is Minister Zhou's secretary." Zhao Qing nodded and smiled at Chen Xing. "Chen Xing, Lin Mao didn't know your current identity and was reckless. Please don't take it to heart."
Lin Mao stood there and looked a little pale. He looked at Chen Xing and opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't. He turned to Zhao Qing and said, "Sister Zhao, I have an appointment with my friend. I will go there first."
"Okay, you go first." Zhao Qing glanced at Lin Mao and slightly frowned, but she didn't say anything.
Chen Xing didn't say anything from the beginning to the end. What no one noticed was that when Lin Mao walked out, Chen Xing's eyes were burning with anger.
"Lin Mao lives in the same community as our family and we have a good relationship. This hotel is close to our community, so people from our community often come here to eat. It is not strange that Lin Mao also happens to eat here." Zhao Qing didn't know if she was trying to explain, but she said it intentionally or not.
"Zhao Qing, if there is nothing else, I will leave first."
"You are leaving now?" "You haven't eaten yet, have you?" Zhao Qing was stunned and looked at Chen Xing in surprise.
"You should eat according to your mood." Chen Xing took a deep look at Zhao Qing and turned to leave resolutely.
"Chen … Zhao Qing reached out his hand as if he wanted to stop Chen Xing. But when he saw Chen Xing's cold eyes, his hand stopped in the air." Okay, you go first. We will have a meal together next time. "
Chen Xing left with a resolute mood. Zhao Qing was no longer the former Zhao Qing, and he was no longer the former Chen Xing. The two of them were like two positive and negative parabolas, gliding toward their own paths of life.
"Sister Zhao, has that man left?" Lin Mao, who had been secretly watching Zhao Qing's table, finally came over after Chen Xing left for a while.
"Yes, he has left. Why? Do you still want to get even with him?" Zhao Qing looked at Lin Mao and said with a smile.
"Sister Zhao, you must be joking. This guy is lucky.
Damn, how did he accidentally become the leader's secretary? Now it will be more difficult to find trouble with him. "
"It's good that you know that. Lin Mao, I advise you not to have that kind of idea anymore. Zhou Mingfang has been transferred to the provincial capital. After all, Chen Xing is his secretary. If you still treat him as an insignificant person and want to find someone to deal with him, you may be the one who suffers in the end."
"That won't happen. I know my limits. Sister Zhao, don't worry."
"But you didn't apologize to him just now. I'm afraid that he already has an opinion about you." Zhao Qing frowned again.
"If he has an opinion about me, he should have had an opinion about me last time when I almost hit him with my car.
It doesn't matter this time. It's impossible for me to apologize to him. " Lin Mao looked arrogant.
"Aren't you afraid that he will affect your father's career?" Zhao Qing looked at Lin Mao with a faint smile.
"Hmph, I really want to see if he has that much power. Let's not talk about whether a secretary has that much influence on Zhou Mingfang. Even Zhou Mingfang himself has just been transferred to the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee and is only a minister. It's hard to say whether he can control the overall situation. Besides, my father is Secretary Zhou. (That Secretary Zhou is not Secretary Zhou. I have written before that the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee of Jiang City are Ge Jian-ming). I heard that there seems to be some friction between Secretary Zhou and Zhou Mingfang.
There is friction between them? Who did you hear that from? Zhao Qing's expression froze.
In the past, before Zhou Mingfang became a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, he made a lot of noise in Hai City's economy. The leaders of the central government praised him. In view of Hai City's growing importance, the province also wanted to raise Zhou Mingfang's status as the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee. I heard that when the Standing Committee discussed whether to let Zhou Mingfang join the Standing Committee, Secretary Zhou opposed it. There are no walls in this world that don't have ears. When Zhou Mingfang heard this news, he secretly had friction with Secretary Zhou. You didn't see that under Zhou Mingfang's leadership, Hai City seemed to be competing with the provincial capital. It surpassed the provincial capital in every aspect. This was the conflict between Zhou Mingfang and Secretary Zhou. Although Zhou Mingfang was now the Organization Department Head of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary Zhou would never allow him to meddle in the affairs of Jiang City. You should know that Secretary Zhou was still the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. If Zhou Mingfang wanted to go head-to-head with Secretary Zhou, he had to consider himself.
I don't know if what you said is true or false. Who knows where you heard this gossip from? Zhao Qing shook her head and smiled, but she didn't really believe it.
Sister Zhao, you really don't believe me. These two are both Secretaries with the surname Zhou. They really don't get along. Why don't you ask around? Lin Mao said anxiously.
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