Chapter 15: Fang Jing’s Complaints

"Well? Quite a surprise, isn't it? A major demerit—once that's on your record within the system, it will haunt you for life. You dare challenge me? You're still green behind the ears. Ha ha ha..."

In the Poverty Alleviation Office, Niu Dashan mocked Lu Hao relentlessly, thoroughly enjoying himself as he hummed a tune and strode out.

Lu Hao sat there silently smoking, fully aware that this time he had taken the blame for Niu Dashan and Song Bo.

He realized that the days of his proud tenure at the county committee were truly gone forever. Now, he was like a clown—helpless even in the small township of Fangshui, where others could manipulate him at will.

This was his first profound understanding of how crucial status and power were in officialdom.

Suddenly, the ringtone interrupted his thoughts. Seeing "Darling Fang Jing" flashing on the screen, Lu Hao quickly answered.

"Lu Hao, what on earth are you doing? You’ve only been in Fangshui Township a few days, and you’ve already earned a major demerit. With you like this, how can you ever get promoted to deputy section chief?" Fang Jing’s voice was anxious, tinged with a hint of reproach.

"How did you find out?" Lu Hao was stunned, then asked, though he already had an inkling.

He had just learned himself; how had Fang Jing gotten news so quickly?

"The township leadership held a meeting to discuss your punishment. Wang Shaojie defended you, spoke highly of you, but the other leaders insisted on the major demerit. That shows how badly you’ve performed in Fangshui Township," Fang Jing said disappointedly.

Sure enough, it was Wang Shaojie again.

"Fang Jing, don’t listen to Wang Shaojie’s nonsense. He’s not so kind. He just wants to break us up so he can take advantage of the situation," Lu Hao warned, worried that Fang Jing might be misled.

"Lu Hao, I don’t want to hear you badmouthing others," Fang Jing replied, clearly displeased.

Lu Hao felt uncomfortable at her tone but, thinking of their relationship, spoke earnestly, "I’m not badmouthing him. I had a falling out with Wang Shaojie back when I was at the county committee. My cousin was there then, so he couldn’t do anything to me. Now that I have no backing, he’s started targeting you, trying to sow discord between us. He might even be scheming against me behind my back."

At this point, Fang Jing grew impatient and angry. "Lu Hao, don’t see Wang Shaojie as the enemy. He’s your superior now. Besides, he told me that County Chief Li is the one targeting you. Li has already coordinated with your township head, Li Haotian, to get rid of you. This is just the beginning. Next time, they’ll kick you out of the civil service."

Lu Hao was shocked but knew Fang Jing was telling the truth.

Since arriving in Fangshui Township, he had been targeted everywhere—turns out, Li Zhen was the one pulling strings behind the scenes.

He never expected that even after being demoted to Fangshui Township, Li Zhen, a county chief, wouldn’t let him off.

Seeing Lu Hao silent, Fang Jing continued, "Lu Hao, you should apologize to County Chief Li. He’s acting as the interim county party secretary now. We can send him some money, even kowtow if necessary, as long as he leaves you alone. Wang Shaojie said he lives in the same neighborhood as Li and can arrange a dinner meeting. You just have to swallow your pride."

Hearing that name, Lu Hao was furious but held back his anger. "Enough, Fang Jing. Mind your own business. I won’t accept this punishment, and I won’t beg Wang Shaojie."

Fang Jing was angry at his answer. "Suit yourself."

Just as Wang Shaojie predicted, Lu Hao’s stubborn temperament meant promotion was out of the question. After hanging up, he felt utterly disappointed.

In his office, Lu Hao stared blankly at his now darkened phone screen.

He believed Fang Jing cared for him, though she was easily influenced by others’ words. Still, she cared enough to call and offer advice.

Lu Hao wanted to change his fate and climb higher, but now, that seemed impossible.

Anger, frustration, and hatred surged within him.

Just then, his phone rang again. Expecting it to be Fang Jing, he was surprised to see an unfamiliar number from the provincial capital.

Frowning, he answered. A woman’s voice, low and magnetic, came through: "Is this Lu Hao?"

"Yes," Lu Hao replied, not recognizing the voice. "Who is this?"

"Three years ago, during the car accident on Xiangjiang Bridge in the provincial capital, you jumped into the water to save me. Do you remember?" the woman gently reminded him.

Lu Hao paused. Three years ago was his second year after enlisting while still holding his student status. At that time, he was driving a military vehicle on official business and happened upon a rear-end collision on Xiangjiang Bridge. A small car had been flipped and thrown into the river, the driver barely clinging to life.

Without hesitation, he jumped off the bridge, pulled the occupant from the water, and administered emergency resuscitation on the bank.

He remembered saving a woman but had rushed off to his mission as soon as she regained consciousness. The rescue had been recorded and posted online, and he had been awarded a third-class merit for it.

"I remember. But how did you get my number?" Lu Hao asked in confusion.

He had never given it much thought, and the woman he saved had long since faded from his memory. He hadn’t expected her to contact him after three years.

"Getting your number wasn’t difficult. Tonight at six, I’d like to invite you to dinner at the Yunding Grand Hotel in Anxing County. I should have thanked you three years ago, but I’ve postponed it until now. Will you honor me with your presence?" the woman half-joked.

"You’re in Anxing County? Then I should be the one inviting you. But I don’t even know your name," Lu Hao said, surprised but agreeing immediately.

"Call me Ziyi. Don’t be late tonight," Ye Ziyi said, withholding her surname.