Volume 2: Phoenix West Chapter 20 The Tragic Principal

  Arriving at the third floor, Lu Zhong took out his key and inserted it into the keyhole of 302, which was opposite his home. Then, he pushed open the door and said, "Come in and take a look."

  Wei Xiangxiu felt inexplicably strange, but also followed Lu Zhong into 302.

  Like Lu Zhong's home, it has a three-bedroom and two-hall layout, with pink floor tiles, a suspended ceiling, elegant and warm, all kinds of furniture are very complete, and even in the kitchen there is a light green refrigerator with double doors.

  "How is it?" Lu Zhong asked with a smile.

  Wei Xiangxiu's tall and sexy figure, under the green police uniform, with silk stockings and beautiful legs, exuded an unspoken temptation in her elegant demeanor. She walked around in her high heels, let out a soft sigh, and said: "You're moving again, such a beautiful big house, you really know how to enjoy life." She had once dreamed of having a warm home like this too, but her expectations were not so high, she never dared to hope for high-end consumer goods like color TVs and refrigerators, nor did she ever imagine that she could decorate her room so beautifully.

  But this dream, I haven't had it for many years now.

  Lu Zhong had already tossed the key to her, Wei Xiangxiu subconsciously caught it, looking at Lu Zhong with some confusion.

  "This house is yours, it was bought for you. You and your husband's parents can move in together, that side can be given to your younger brother-in-law, otherwise, with a family of five and also supporting your younger brother-in-law, life will definitely not be convenient."

  Wei Xiangxiu shook her head in surprise: "No, this won't do. I don't want it." Lu Zhong was simply a madman, the things he did always made people think he was crazy.

  "You just take it, I've also helped you choose a nanny. You can meet her tomorrow and if it's okay with you, she can take care of your parents-in-law in the future. Then you won't be so tired."

  Lu Zhong said with a gesture: "It's settled then, listen to me!" He then walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, took out two cans of Jianlibao, and tossed one to Wei Xiangxiu, saying: "Carbonated drinks, perfect for summer, refreshing when chilled!"

  Wei Xiangxiu shook her head and said, "This won't do, first of all it's too expensive, I wouldn't dare accept it; secondly, how can I explain this to others? Where would I get the money to buy such a big house?"

  Lu Zhong nodded and said, "That's okay, just don't register the household for now. Anyway, the head of the household is my sister's friend, so let's just consider it rented to you. As for the rent, pay the same amount as you would at the Municipal Bureau's residential area. If someone asks, just tell them the truth and say it's a rental."

  Wei Xiangxiu shook her head: "No way." The allocated public house, the municipal bureau side, the rent is over a block of money per month. Lu Zhong's house, what's the difference between letting him live here and giving it to himself for free?

  Lu Zhong said: "I told you to take it and you took it. You move over here, I can keep an eye on you, so you won't go astray!"

  Wei Xiangxiu knew that Lu Zhong was joking, but she couldn't help laughing and crying at the same time. "What's with this infidelity nonsense? You're not my lover. If I were to cheat, it would be with you..." She quickly covered her mouth after saying that, as she had been through a period of being overly cautious in the office for survival. Although those days were already over, when facing Lu Zhong, she was extremely relaxed and still showed off her old fox tail.

  Lu Zhong coughed and said, "Then let's just celebrate for me. I have some good news that should make you happy too."

  Wei Xiangxiu let out a soft "ah" and said: "I heard you've gone to be the deputy director of the Education Commission, is that true?"

  Lu Zhong hummed: "Today is the fifth day." Then he counted the days and said: "Didn't I tell you about this? We haven't had dinner together for a week, have we? This time is a bit long."

  These days, they often eat together, go to bars and stuff. It doesn't seem like a romantic relationship, but it's not like they're not in one either. When they're together, they probably both have some unusual feelings. Even they themselves can't clearly say what their relationship is.

  "Keep the key and that's it!" Lu Zhong said with some impatience as he struck the final note.

  Wei Xiangxiu fell silent, knowing Lu Zhong's temperament, he hated it when women nagged about trivial matters. Although he had been treating her much better recently, she knew that when it was time to listen to him, she had to obey quietly.

  As two people came out of 302, they saw a man who was dressed in a rustic manner lurking around the door of 301, eavesdropping on the sounds inside.

  "Who are you? What are you doing?" Lu Zhong furrowed his brow. Thieves in this neighborhood too?

  The man behind the voice turned around, saw Lu Zhong, and immediately had a flattering smile on his face: "Director Lu, you're back. I thought you weren't here." He also noticed the beautiful female police officer beside Lu Zhong and was slightly taken aback.

  The newcomer was Lao He, the principal of Qinglong County's Qingwa Sub-district.

  Lu Zhong immediately knew what he was up to.

  Lao He has never resigned, which is also within expectations. Many things are like this: above there are policies and below there are countermeasures; at the bottom there are circles of their own with their own protective umbrellas. Unless the top leadership really decides to take him down, who would voluntarily resign?

  Recently, someone introduced by others came to visit Lu Zhong, probably through connections. A section chief from the Municipal Education Commission brought some gifts to see Lu Zhong. At that time, Lu Zhong often went to the Education Commission and was familiar with this section chief. Lu Zhong didn't say anything and asked the section chief to take the gifts back.

  But obviously, Lao He had no intention of resigning on his own initiative at all.

  But now, Lu Zhong suddenly became the deputy director of the Municipal Education Commission and became Lao He's direct superior, which made a big difference.

  Lao He forced a smile, but his heart was more bitter than the yellow flower. How could he say such things? Originally, he thought he could get away with it, after all, as a deputy director of the municipal government, would he always be able to keep an eye on him? Moreover, it's unlikely that they would go to the trouble of finding the head of the Municipal Education Commission just for a small school principal in the countryside. That would be too petty and narrow-minded, and the head of the Education Commission might not even bother with him.

  Now it's good that this Lu Chu has become one of the top officials in the city's education system, and if he wants to deal with himself, whether it's killing or burying, it's just a matter of saying so.

  Lao He felt that his luck for this lifetime was probably running out, otherwise, how could he be so unlucky? Is there anything more miserable in the world than unknowingly offending someone who has control over your life and death?

  It's simply an unexpected disaster, a bolt from the blue!

  "Director Lu, I won't go inside, I'm here to hand in the inspection report." Old He fished out a crumpled piece of paper from his breast pocket and was immediately stunned, unsure how it had become so wrinkled. Was it from being squashed on that sweltering bus? This seemed too disrespectful to the leader, and Old He almost became tearful.

  Wei Xiangxiu heard that such a big age, an old man said something about "checking", and couldn't help but burst out laughing. Seeing Lu Zhong glared at her, she quickly restrained herself.

  Looking at Old He, Lu Zhong couldn't help but feel that he was a bit pitiful. However, people who are pitied must have something despicable about them. In front of him, he seemed like a mouse seeing a cat, but from the way he treated Teacher Xiao Mei, it could be seen that this guy wasn't a good person.

  "You go back first, I was also angry that day. You think about it carefully when you get back, how to be a good principal." Lu Zhong said calmly.

  Lao He was stunned, and it was clear that today's Director Lu was vastly different from the one at the dinner table that day. The current Director Lu spoke in an official tone, making it impossible to know what he really wanted to do.

  Is this the prelude to killing people? Old He's heart is more bitter than Huang Lian, but there's no way, he doesn't dare stay any longer, lest it makes the leader even more annoyed. With a bitter melon-like smile, he goes downstairs with three steps and two glances back.

  "Who is this?" Wei Xiangxiu asked curiously.

  "It's nothing, don't listen to rumors." Lu Zhong opened the door and entered the house.

  Wei Xiangxiu stuck out her tongue and followed him in.

  ……

  On Monday, Lu Zhong had just entered the office when he received a call from Zhang Yuke himself, asking him to come over.

  Lu Zhong, for the first time entered Zhang Yu-Gong's office.

  The fifth floor of the municipal party committee office building, a very spacious room with bright windows, creamy white sofas and dark glass coffee tables, filled with modern atmosphere.

  "Zhuangzi, sit down." Zhang Yugong smiled and invited Lu Zhuang to sit on the sofa. Another secretary came over and poured hot water for them.

  Lu Zhong didn't drink water, took out a pack of cigarettes and handed one to Zhang Yugong.

  Lu Zhong's actions left him stunned, after all, this seemed to imply a somewhat equal exchange, which was vastly different from the usual yes-men attitude of deputy department-level cadres in front of him. Zhang Yugong still smiled and accepted it, slightly bowing his head as Lu Zhong lit it for him.

  "I didn't expect that. They all say you're not highly educated, but your German is quite good?!" Zhang Yuke smiled and sized up Lu Zheng, as if he was seeing him for the first time.

  Lu Zhong smiled and said, "A blind cat can catch a dead mouse, but it only knows a few tricks."

  Zhang Yuguang nodded: "You're quite modest, but the Germans don't think so. Mr. Schr?der said that in future negotiations, you need to be present, he thinks you're professional and capable!"

  Lu Zhong was taken aback and said, "Is the city preparing to negotiate with them?"

  Zhang Yuguang nodded, "That's right, I've investigated and the Germans are not some kind of swindlers from the jianghu, they really do have a large company with investment intentions. It's already shocked the central government!" Zhang Yuguang pointed to the sky, his face flashing with an unusual expression.

  "So this time's investment, we must get it down, from the province to the central government have expressed their attitude, will fully support, in terms of policy, give the green light."

  Zhang Yuke said, patting Lu Zhong's shoulder: "Zhongzi, there is also a bottom line issue in this, you must grasp it well, if anything happens, report to me."

  Lu Zhong immediately knew that the person in charge of negotiations in the city was not Zhang Yugong, and thought that it should be Secretary Duan Zhongcheng, the number one figure in the municipal party committee.

  "I understand." Lu Zhong nodded.

  Zhang Yuke smiled and said: "In short, this is an opportunity for you, grasp it."

  Lu Zheng nodded silently.