Liu Lihai sent Chao Zi away and arranged everything before returning to the office. But when he went to work again, Liu Lihai was called to his office by Shi Zhilin. When Shi Zhilin poured water for him again, he stopped Shi Zhilin and asked, "Secretary Shi, what's the matter?"
Shi Zhilin was a little embarrassed by Liu Lihai's question. He laughed dryly and asked Liu Lihai, "Do you have any thoughts about the election?"
"The election is a fair and just competition. I didn't get elected because I'm not capable enough. Why would I have any thoughts?" Liu Lihai's tone was very calm. In fact, he was very disgusted with Shi Zhilin pretending to be a good person after the incident. He also thought that Shi Zhilin called him here because of the election, but he was wrong. Shi Zhilin didn't continue to talk about the election. Everyone knew about this in their hearts. Instead, he changed the topic and asked, "Chao Zi is back?"
Liu Lihai didn't expect Shi Zhilin to know about Chao Zi's return so soon. Did he know about Chao Zi's surrender? Was Shi Zhilin afraid that Chao Zi would return to Lin County? Several questions turned in his mind at once, but he still couldn't figure out Shi Zhilin's attitude. Early in the morning, Shi Zhilin called him to his office and asked about Chao Zi in a roundabout way. He was probably very concerned about Chao Zi's return to Lin County. But the expression on Shi Zhilin's face was very calm. He couldn't tell what Shi Zhilin was thinking.
Liu Lihai glanced at Shi Zhilin and asked, "Secretary Shi, are you familiar with Chao Zi?"
Shi Zhilin was stunned for a moment and quickly said, "Not really, but Secretary Gong treated me very well in the past. I have always treated Gong Yue as my daughter. That's how I got to know Chao Zi."
Liu Lihai replied with an "oh" and didn't want to say anything else. He increasingly felt that Shi Zhilin was really good at acting. A person who could deceive Gong Daojin's trust was definitely not an ordinary person. It was just that he really didn't know how to get along with this leader that he had always rejected. Even though Leng Hongyan had given him countless theories about officialdom, when faced with real people, he felt that all the theories were empty. It was easier said than done. He knew that Shi Zhilin was acting everywhere, that Shi Zhilin wanted to control the lifeline of the entire Lin County, and that as long as he compromised a little, Shi Zhilin would put him in an important position. However, when he really had to compromise with such a leader, his heart was incomparably painful.
At the moment, Liu Lihai's state was different from when he was relying on Leng Hongyan. There was affection between him and Leng Hongyan. Besides, although Leng Hongyan was familiar with all kinds of theories in the officialdom, she was still a very sunny person in her heart. She would not harm others behind their backs, let alone stab them in the back. Moreover, she loved and cared for him. Over the years, she had given him all sorts of experiences and experiences on his path of growth. She had also given him a goal to push forward. Even though he now doubted this goal, he was still unwilling to give up everything he had now.
Shi Zhilin was infuriated by Liu Lihai's "oh". He didn't expect the boy to be so unappreciative. He only wanted to use the election to dampen his spirit and see if he could be roped in under his banner. However, he received news that Chao Zi had returned to Lin County last night and had entered Liu Lihai's dormitory. As for where Chao Zi was now, he really hoped that Liu Lihai would take the initiative to tell him, but Liu Lihai was obviously tricking him. This boy had always been incompatible with him. He waved his hand and said, "You can go."
Liu Lihai quickly got up and left Shi Zhilin's office. He didn't even want to stay for a minute longer. He knew that there were many people like Shi Zhilin in the officialdom, but he just couldn't convince himself to face such people. Last night, with the help of his old leader, Zhao Guangming, he had sent Chao Zi to the Jingjiang City Public Security Bureau. As long as he left Lin County, Chao Zi would be the safest. He also didn't expect Chao Zi to turn himself in. In comparison, a person like Chao Zi was much more worthy of befriending than Shi Zhilin. Although he also knew that Shi Zhilin would help him move up the officialdom, he still didn't want to become a heartless person for the sake of an official position.
After returning to his office, Liu Lihai turned on his computer. He really wanted to know if Sun Xiaomu had seen his message. When he quickly went online, he found that it was quiet. Sun Xiaomu hadn't replied to him. He felt a wave of disappointment in his heart. Was Sun Xiaomu really not willing to forgive him? Or was she not online? He held his phone and wanted to call Sun Xiaomu again, but halfway through, he stopped. His current situation in Lin County wasn't ideal. He couldn't decide whether to stay or resign. At this time, if Sun Xiaomu wanted to leave him, she would definitely be happier.
Liu Lihai put down his phone and called Xiao Zhou to have him prepare the car. He wanted to go to the school in the village. He didn't know if he would have the chance to visit these rural schools again in the future.
When Xiao Zhou drove Liu Lihai to the countryside, his gaze was attracted by the mountain village in winter. Outside the window, there were bare trees everywhere. In his eyes, these trees actually gave off a strong sense of power. This was a feeling he had never felt before. In his imagination, these bare trees would look very desolate, but when he really saw them, he realized that these trees were accumulating their strength, using the winter to exchange for the green and hope of spring.
Liu Lihai's mood improved a lot. He stopped thinking about Shi Zhilin and those two-faced methods. No matter what, he had promised Chao Zi that he would let Fang Yezi and Gong Yue live on. He wanted them to live with hope and a future. Currently, he had to compromise with Shi Zhilin for Fang Yezi and Gong Yue. If he left Lin County, their lives would be even more difficult. With this thought, his interest in work returned to him. He asked Xiao Zhou to take him to see the merged schools, but not to alarm the school leaders.
Liu Lihai and Xiao Zhou secretly went to the three merged schools and found some villagers to understand the situation after the merger. Although some places were a little far from the schools, the teachers in the merged schools had greatly improved. Many parents were much more relieved. Which parent didn't want their children to receive a better education?
Liu Lihai and Xiao Zhou only returned to the county after dark. In the car, Xiao Zhou said to Liu Lihai, "There are too few leaders like County Magistrate Liu." Usually, which leader didn't inform their subordinates in advance when they went to the countryside? Letting the subordinates make all kinds of preparations in advance was the safest way for the higher-ups. There were probably not many people who would investigate quietly like this. It wasn't that it was difficult to investigate in the countryside, but that no one was willing to find such trouble. Everyone knew that there were problems, but no one was willing to take on these problems.
Liu Lihai didn't answer Xiao Zhou. He hoped that he could do something practical within his ability. If that was the case, he felt that he was worthy of his position.
After arriving at the county, Liu Lihai let Xiao Zhou go home to rest. He drove to Fang Yezi's house, where Fang Yezi and Gong Yue were eating. When they saw him, Fang Yezi and Gong Yue put down their bowls and looked at him. Their eyes flashed with inquiry and trust in him, which made him feel both touched and sad. If Gong Daojin was still here, they would definitely still be a happy family. But now, they had no other choice but to rely on him.
Liu Lihai pretended to be casual and asked Fang Yezi, "Mom, is there any food left? I haven't had dinner yet. "
Fang Yezi said yes as she ran to the kitchen. After Liu Lihai sat down at the table, Gong Yue said, "Brother, thank you."
"Silly girl." Liu Lihai smiled at Gong Yue.
Gong Yue's tears rolled down. This girl, who used to be carefree all day long, had become so quiet and sensible. The environment could really force a person to grow up overnight, but this kind of growth was painful for Liu Lihai. He didn't even want to see Gong Yue grow up. He didn't want to see her quiet and mature.
"Brother, I want to sell this house. What do you think?" Gong Yue looked at Liu Lihai and asked.
"Then where are you going to live?" Liu Lihai asked.
"After my dad and Chaozi's verdict is out, I will leave this place with my mom, but I haven't decided where to live yet." When Gong Yue said this, her expression was like an adult, which made Liu Lihai feel sad again. He said to Gong Yue, "No matter where you go to live, I will always be your brother. Remember this."
"Okay." Gong Yue's tears flowed out again. When Fang Yezi's footsteps sounded, she quickly wiped away her tears. For some reason, the more Gong Yue acted like this, the more Liu Lihai's heart ached.
That night, Liu Lihai didn't return to his dormitory. For the first time, he stayed at Gong Daojin's house. He felt that they needed him now. This family needed a man to come and go.
The news of Liu Lihai staying at Gong Daojin's house was heard by Shi Zhilin again. He called Liu Lihai to his office again and advised Liu Lihai, "Secretary Gong's case hasn't been solved yet. Can you pay attention to your behavior?"
"Thank you for your concern, Secretary Shi. I will pay attention. "Liu Lihai said very politely. The more he acted like this, the more Shi Zhilin couldn't do anything to him. Originally, he was asked to help Ma Xianli prepare the groundbreaking ceremony for the Martyrs' Cemetery. However, his attitude and the gossip that came out when he stayed at Gong Daojin's house made Shi Zhilin give up on putting Liu Lihai in an important position again.
When Liu Lihai left Shi Zhilin's office, he bumped into Ma Xianli in the corridor, which made him feel a little embarrassed. After all, he lost to Ma Xianli's votes. However, Ma Xianli smiled at him warmly. He had no choice but to say, "Hello, Department Head Ma." Ma Xianli was a little surprised to be called Department Head Ma. He was stunned for a moment and immediately replied, "Hello, Mayor Liu." At this time, Shi Zhilin shouted at Ma Xianli in the office, "Old Ma, hurry up. What are you waiting for?"
Ma Xianli responded, left Liu Lihai, and ran to Shi Zhilin's office. Liu Lihai looked at Ma Xianli's back as he ran and smiled bitterly. He quickly walked to his office. After returning to his office, he turned on his computer and went online. Sun Xiaomu still didn't reply to his message.
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