Chapter 43: Rebirth Traumatic Aftermath

  At night, Hou Jianjun dragged Hong Tao to grab a meal again. When they knocked on the door, Lu Zhong was reading a letter from Tong Susu.

  Du Xiaohu was a hot-headed person. Upon hearing that Lu Zhong had a letter at Liu Xiaohui's place in the junior high school of No. 1 Middle School, he rushed to No. 1 Middle School in the afternoon and found Liu Xiaohui in the dormitory building, bringing the letter back with him.

  Tong Su's letter was very affectionate, and she jokingly reported her recent life to the "Commander-in-Chief". She said in the letter that according to the crew's rules, she and all the crew members ate and lived together, and her mother had also been picked up in Beijing. In short, everything was fine, please rest assured, Commander-in-Chief.

  Hou Jianjun and Hong Tao arrived while Lu Zhuang was reading his letter.

  Hou Jianjun swapped apartments with someone and now lives in 201, right under Lu Zhong's feet. Hong Tao didn't get a quota for housing this time, so he still lives in the old dormitory of the county bureau.

  Lu Zhong put away the letter, smiled and invited Hou Jianjun and Hong Tao to sit down. He wanted to go get water for them, but Hou Jianjun hastily took over the thermos and said with a smile: "We're not outsiders, you don't have to be polite. As the play says, isn't this killing us with kindness?"

  Hong Tao actually had some dislike for Hou Jianjun's flattering and sycophantic behavior. In his heart, Lu Zheng was his lifesaver, a hero he admired and revered, and also the mentor who recognized and promoted him. He could have sold his life to Lu Zheng, but these thoughts were hidden in his heart and would not be revealed as openly and shamelessly as Hou Jianjun did.

  On the screen, CCTV is broadcasting news. The TV program is a fresh thing, and even Lu Zhong, Hou Jianjun, and Hong Tao can't help but point fingers and discuss it.

  As they were talking, Hou Jianjun suddenly said: "I heard that Mayor Zhang is going to be transferred?"

  Lu Zhong smiled and said, "It seems there is such a message."

  Hong Tao couldn't get a word in edgewise at this point, he and Hou Jianjun were different, the news wasn't so well-informed.

  Hou Jianjun curled his lips and said, "Damn it, Ma Wei's arrival is not a good omen. It seems that this time, Qu Dahe has gone too far. I originally thought he was aiming for the county magistrate position, but now that he's speaking out, I think even the secretary might become his." Among the upper-level cadres in the county government, there had long been rumors that Mayor Zhang was Secretary Qu's patron. This rectification campaign would inevitably lead to a major shift in the power structure of the Wushan Municipal Party Committee, and it would also affect the people around them. If Yuan's patron in the city really fell or was transferred away, then Qu Dahe's days would be numbered.

  Lu Zhong smiled and said: "Who knows?" Mayor Zhang's transfer is still the aftermath of Tong Susu's father's storm, it is the result of a compromise between the top.

  Hong Tao suddenly exclaimed: "Mayor Zhang? Is that the Mayor Zhang who came to Guangning for inspection on National Day?" He was always slow to react.

  Hou Jianjun helplessly said: "It's him I'm talking about."

  Hong Tao shook his head and said: "He was just speaking in Guangning, guaranteeing that he would lead the people of the whole city to a new level of living standards, but unexpectedly..."

  Hou Jianjun sighed, picked up the teacup, and for a moment felt a sense of desolation, although his own rank was far inferior to others, but in the officialdom, it was indeed "its prosperity is also prosperous, its decline is also sudden", making people feel sympathetic, thinking about it can't help but feel sad.

  Lu Zhong lit a cigarette, took a slow drag and said: "Let's not talk about him, he has nothing to do with us, we just need to do our own job well."

  Hou Jianjun nodded slightly, seeing Lu Zhong's calmness also put his mind at ease. Even if Ma Weiguo really became the county party secretary, but now the public security system has a stronger vertical management, let alone Lu Bureau transferred to the public security front line and is a cadre managed by the municipal bureau and filed with the provincial department, the county party committee can't interfere much.

  But think about it, if Ma Weiguo is really appointed as the county party secretary, I'm afraid the work of Guangning County Bureau will be difficult to do in the future, especially for Lu Ju. It's likely that Ma Weiguo will try every means to transfer him away. After all, if the county party secretary is not satisfied with the head of the county bureau, considering the overall situation, the municipal bureau and provincial hall will not ignore the opinions of the county party committee.

  Hou Jianjun thought about it and got a headache. If Lu Ju was transferred, Ma Weiguo became the county party secretary, then the position of director must belong to Gao Zhikai. From now on, he might be squeezed out everywhere.

  Righteous thoughts do not belong, but listen to Lu Zhong asking: "By the way, Jianjun, ask you something. A few days ago, wasn't there a teacher from No. 1 Middle School named Lei Dajun who was caught by us? You should verify it again and see what's going on. Also, the first phase of the severe strike campaign is about to end in victory, and the municipal bureau has issued a document requiring our work focus to gradually shift to protecting the achievements of socialist economic construction. As for public security, regarding the identification and sentencing of various crimes, the tone can be relaxed appropriately."

  Hou Jianjun nodded repeatedly and said, "Lei Dajun, right? I have an impression that he was caught by Sun Xing's people. I'll go ask later." Sun Xing was the deputy director of the Public Security Bureau when Lu Zhong was in charge, and now he has been promoted to director of the Public Security Bureau, which is also considered as one of Lu Zhong's trusted subordinates, and his relationship with Hou Jianjun is quite good.

  At this time, the door creaked and Du Xiaohu came in with several plastic bags containing small dishes. Behind him, two little boys made a "whooshing" sound as they rushed in, making airplane noises. However, upon seeing Lu Zheng and Hou Jianjun, the two little rascals immediately quieted down and hid behind Du Xiaohu, looking timid and fearful.

  This is Wei Xiangxiu's younger brothers Qiangtou and Xiaodong, Qiangtou is in the fifth grade of elementary school, and Xiaodong is in the second grade. Du Xiaohu quite likes these two little monkeys, whenever there's something good to eat, he often calls them over. And these two little monkeys especially love to come here to watch TV, especially when Lu Zheng is not at home, the living room of this big house becomes a paradise for the two little monkeys.

  The two little monkeys were especially afraid of Lu Zheng, especially the younger brother Xiao Dong. They had been caught by Lu Zheng and Hou Jianjun for stealing buns before, so in his childish mind, he naturally felt that Lu Zheng and Hou Jianjun were like evil spirits. Today, seeing Hou Jianjun also here, he became even more obedient, and even pulled on his older brother's sleeve, wanting to go home.

  Hou Jianjun walked over with a smile, grabbed Xiao Dong's collar and pulled him to the sofa, saying: "Little rabbit, you don't even know how to greet your uncle, do you know that's impolite? You'll be punished to copy big characters later!"

  Xiao Dong was so scared that he didn't dare to speak, and Qiang Tou was also afraid of Lu Zhen. He had been repeatedly ordered by his sister, but he didn't know who Hou Jianjun was. Seeing his brother being bullied, he naturally felt a sense of solidarity with him. Clenching his small fist at Hou Jianjun, he said: "Let him go! You're such a big person, bullying a little kid! I'll go back and tell my sister! My sister is a police officer! She specializes in catching bad people!"

  Hou Jianjun was amused and laughed, saying: "I know your sister, she can't catch me, I'm not afraid of her."

  Her face flushed with anger, she thought for a moment and said, "And then there's my second sister, who has been practicing martial arts since elementary school. She also wants to take the police academy exam. She's even more formidable than my older sister! People in our neighborhood are all afraid of her! You can't beat her either!"

  Hou Jianjun laughed and said: "Wow, your second sister is so awesome? What's her name?"

  Mentioning his second sister, Gang Tou seemed to be filled with courage, and he said loudly: "My second sister is called Wei Yingzi, and she can beat up any hooligan ten years older than her!"

  Hou Jianjun smiled and said, "Really?" With a swift motion, he had already picked up several sugar balls from the tea table and stuffed them into Xiaodong's hand, saying, "This little monkey is still honest, honesty gets you sugar to eat!"

  Lu Zhong waved his hand, "Alright, what's the point of teasing those two kids? Let's go, get a few more drinks." Ever since he felt that something might have happened between him and Wei Xiangxiu, he had a strange feeling towards her, but he didn't know what it was. Was it pity? A man's possessiveness? Maybe it was both. He also had a bit of protectiveness towards Wei Xiangxiu's younger brother.

  Hou Jianjun saw that Lu Zhong seemed to like the two little monkeys, so he stopped teasing them and followed Lu Zhong into the dining hall with a smile.

  ……

  Lu Zhong and Hou Jianjun, Hong Tao were drinking and toasting each other when Wei Xiangxiu came over to pick up her two younger brothers. Until Hou Jianjun and Hong Tao got drunk with red faces and said goodbye, Wei Xiangxiu was still in the living room eating melon seeds and watching TV. Lu Zhong walked in but she didn't even notice, being completely absorbed in the TV drama.

  "Blood Doubt", this Japanese TV series was introduced to China, instantly causing a sensation of thousands of people emptying the streets. In government units, regardless of gender, everyone liked to discuss this TV series. This is a special result brought about by the sudden liberation of extreme spiritual poverty. At the county cadres' conference, Ju Dahe even mentioned the strong and unyielding spirit of the heroine in "Blood Doubt", calling on all county cadres to learn from her.

  Today's episode 13, the warm scene of the heroine Yuko and her relatives spending Christmas together is being stared at by the two little monkeys, Strong Head and Little Dong.

  Wei Xiangxiu was even more so, her family didn't have a TV set, she would always hear Liu Jie from the office discussing this TV series, just by listening to Liu Jie's discussion of the plot she became addicted, every day she had to listen to Liu Jie's vivid and detailed account of the previous night's episode, it was simply irresistible.

  Today, I came to pick up two little monkeys and go home. However, the TV at someone's house was playing "Blood Doubt". Several men were drinking outside noisily. Wei Xiangxiu thought of sitting down to watch for a while, but who knew that once she sat down, she became completely absorbed in it and forgot about time.

  She was wearing a light-colored home dress, elegant and refined, with her hair scattered down, slightly curly, setting off her delicate face, looking like she had just gotten a fashionable perm, but when she put on the police uniform and tied up her hair, it couldn't be seen at all, quite clever.

  Du Xiaohu made a "squeaking" sound while moving the table outside, Wei Xiangxiu was startled, turned her head, and just saw Lu Zhong preparing to sneak out quietly.

  Wei Xiangxiu hastily stood up, calling out to her two younger brothers, "Let's go, let's head back home! I've been calling you guys for a while now, but you refused to leave!" Extremely awkward, she shifted the blame onto her brothers.

  Lu Zhong smiled and made a downward gesture, saying: "Nothing's wrong, look, Little Wei, I was just thinking of chatting with you for a bit. Sit down, let's watch and chat."

  As he spoke, Lu Zhong also walked over and sat down, beckoning with his hand for Wei Xiangxiu and her siblings to sit down as well.

  Qiang Tou and Xiao Dong continued to watch TV with great enthusiasm, while Wei Xiangxiu felt a bit constrained, but she couldn't just turn around and leave, could she? After all, she had a guilty conscience. If by any chance the truth were to be discovered by this live bandit in front of her, she feared she would be skinned alive.

  Wei Xiangxiu sat down with a slightly nervous look, she had originally made up her mind not to have any private contact with the man in front of her, but her two younger brothers were not cooperative and always came to this house to watch TV. Today was a disaster, all three siblings were defeated.

  Wei Xiangxiu was even more annoyed with herself. It's just a TV series, why did she have to sit down and watch it?

  Lu Zhong glanced at Wei Xiangxiu a few times, seeing her wearing light white home clothes with a quiet and sexy little woman's charm. He felt an unusual feeling in his heart. Appreciating the beauty of the woman who had "already" become his own, his gaze was different from before.

  Wei Xiangxiu noticed Lu Zhong's fervent gaze and regretted it in her heart. If she had known that they would have their own place to live and work earlier, why did she have to put on that show? How could she wrap things up now?

  Then, Wei Xiangxiu felt that Lu Zhong's gaze fell on her pink slippers and the bare white feet inside. Wei Xiangxiu hastily withdrew her feet, almost tucking them under the sofa.

  Lu Zhong coughed, and he also felt that how was it now like a villain teasing a good girl? To say that his previous life's personality was extreme, and he was even more numb to men and women, but he wasn't stupid. He had also suspected whether he had really done anything with Wei Xiangxiu. In his past life and present life, in various dreams, he sometimes couldn't distinguish between reality and fantasy, and all sorts of strange dreams kept appearing alternately. Until these past few days, the nightmares on the battlefield and from his past life finally started to dissipate, and as he thought back, he gradually became certain that what happened with Wei Xiangxiu was real, because afterwards, when he thought about it, he vaguely remembered that when he had that erotic dream, he had opened his eyes and seen Wei Xiangxiu in front of him.

  As for how he got this memory, it's unknown, perhaps that's what they call post-traumatic rebirth syndrome.

  "Xiao Wei, have there been any difficulties at home recently?" Lu Zhong asked.

  Wei Xiangxiu lowered her head and gazed at the floor, shaking her head gently.

  Lu Zhong coughed and said, "Wait a minute." He got up and walked out, not long after, he came back with a paper bag in his hand.

  He handed the paper bag to Wei Xiangxiu and said, "Take a look, do you like it?" Only then did he remember that the two little monkeys were still by his side, and shouted: "Tuzi, take Qiangtou and Xiaodong to your house to play, I'll talk to Little Wei for a while." He didn't need to hide anything from Du Xiaohu either.

  Seeing two younger brothers being taken away by Du Xiaohu, Wei Xiangxiu was even more panicked, and she didn't dare to take the paper bag handed over by Lu Zhong.

  Lu Zhong had already taken out the black windbreaker from the paper bag and said: "I bought it for you in Beijing, take a look, isn't it nice?"

  Wei Xiangxiu simply shook her head vigorously.

  Lu Zhong put down the windbreaker and sighed, saying: "I also know that you are helpless, but things have happened, we must face them and solve them. I think so, if you are willing, let's get a divorce first. Don't worry, I will still take care of Biaozi and his parents' lives. You can deal with your former in-laws as you like. After the divorce, after a period of time, next year or the year after, we'll get married."

  Lu Zhong was speaking from the heart, originally didn't believe in love, now he has no high hopes for relationships between men and women. The most unforgettable lover of his past life is destined to never appear, so it's fine to just marry anyone. Wei Xiangxiu, seemingly romantic but actually loyal and righteous, is a rare good girl who may not necessarily become his virtuous wife in the future.

  But Lu Zhong also knew what he was doing. If he were to marry Wei Xiangxiu immediately after her divorce, it would certainly cause a huge stir and even become a lifelong stain on his reputation. So, it's better to drag things out for now.

  Lu Zhong spoke very sincerely, but scared Wei Xiangxiu so much that her face turned white, and she subconsciously said: "No, no, I won't get a divorce."

  Lu Zhong was stunned for a moment, nodded slightly and said: "You still like Biaozi very much, I was too sudden."

  Wei Xiangxiu hastily said: "It's not, it's not, how can I be worthy of you?" She knew that directly refusing a man would hurt his self-esteem, especially this bandit in front of her. If she were to provoke him, she would suffer later on, and even if she didn't say anything now, the bandit might get angry and kill her.

  Moreover, Wei Xiangxiu's words were also true, she didn't know what Lu Zhong was thinking? With a successful career, being the youngest public security bureau chief in the province, how could he think of marrying a divorcee? Is this person mentally ill? Or is there some hidden physical illness?

  Lu Zhong hummed, knowing that he had never been able to figure out his feelings for girls. "It's not about whether you're a good match or not," he said. "You're just scared of divorce, aren't you? Afraid of being criticized by society?"

  Wei Xiang's beautiful face was tinged with a bitter smile as she said, "What reputation do I have left? What criticism am I afraid of? In short, alas, it's hard to put into words..." As she spoke, there was a hint of bitterness in her voice. The man in front of her had stirred up some warmth in her long-dried heart. Who wouldn't want to marry such a young and promising man with unlimited prospects? But clearly, this was impossible. Yet, he had solemnly proposed to her, which was truly unexpected.

  But it also makes me feel a little scared, being proposed to by the moody and unpredictable Lu Jing. Thinking about it carefully, it's really a terrifying thing.

  This isn't it either. Lu Zhong scratched his head, women are really troublesome, coughed and said: "Then, let's talk about it later."

  Wei Xiangxiu suddenly looked like she had been granted a great amnesty, hastily got up and said: "Alright, Director, I'll leave first?"

  "Take the clothes! I bought them for you!" He pointed to the paper bag on the table. When it came to marriage proposals, he was a novice and a softie, but since they weren't discussing emotional matters, he regained his true nature as a bandit, still so overbearing with a commanding tone.

  Wei Xiangxiu didn't dare to disobey, fearing that it would lead to unnecessary trouble, so she hastily picked up the paper bag and walked out.

  Looking at Wei Xiang's beautiful buttocks and slender waist, Lu Zhong felt a surge of heat in his heart again. He shook his head immediately, although he had never been a good person and had done many deceitful things in his past life, but he was not the kind of lustful wolf who would think of taking advantage of every beautiful woman he saw. Why couldn't he hold back now? Was it just because she had spent the night with him?

  It's easy to imagine this beauty's charming smile and captivating demeanor, Lu Zhong couldn't help but feel his heart racing, he stood up, forget it, might as well go take a cold shower!