Chapter Eighteen: The Past on Horseback

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  Lu Xiaotong was notorious for being lazy in school, and every day he would be the last one to get up in the dormitory. After returning home, because he didn't have a stable job, he became even more idle, refusing to get out of bed until his father, Lu Huan, had urged him several times. Yesterday was no exception, after a chaotic night, he thought he was still at home and only got up when someone shouted "open the door", and by then it was almost 7:30.

  Outside the door, several people were standing. The man who led them had his eyes wide open, and his neatly parted hair was shiny in the morning light. He was the one who kept knocking on the door, shouting as well. When Luo Xiaotong opened the door, he hadn't even entered yet when he blurted out: "Brother, you sleep like the dead!"

  This is hard to hear, but Luo Xiaotong also had to bear it, with a smile on his face: "Sorry, got up late."

  A young woman next to him chuckled and said with her eyes on the man, "Director Qi, they say you're the biggest lazybones in our government. Now that an even lazier one has arrived, you finally have a companion."

  "How dare you compare me to him," Director Qi waved his hand and slapped the woman's buttocks: "He Ling, I am a formal civil servant of the state, if we are to be compared, it must be with someone of equal status. He is just a husband, not even a career official, several levels below me. You're humiliating me by saying this?" He Ling giggled and dodged, Director Qi chased after her, laughing and joking as they entered the building, leaving Luo Xiaotong behind.

  Those words, Luo Xiaotong heard clearly, not missing a single word, his face burning with anger. Looking at that Qi Zhanlong, he hated him so much that his teeth itched: "Bastard, one day I'll make you know that I, Luo Xiaotong, am not a coward, and you'll kowtow to me."

  This is just a kind of self-consolation for Luo Xiaotong's unbalanced mind, and even he himself doesn't know if there will be that day. It's just that people living must learn to comfort themselves.

  As people gradually came to work, Luo Xiaotong should also get off work and complete the handover. After tidying up the bedding, Luo Xiaotong simply washed his face and was about to leave when Chen Hua arrived and walked directly into the guard room.

  He looked at Luo Xiaotong with a gloomy face, clearly showing off his leader's demeanor: "Nothing happened last night, did it?"

  "No, they burned all the papers and left," Luo Xiaotong replied in a measured tone.

  "That's good, it seems you're still very capable. On your first day of work, you encountered this situation and handled it with ease, unlike last year when the office building glass shattered into a dozen pieces. Although the loss wasn't great, the impact was bad. It seems that young people really have vigor. Hehe, I've got my eye on someone who won't disappoint me." Wang's self-praise is quite thick-skinned. Even if he were really a connoisseur, he shouldn't be so self-satisfied, right? Moreover, Luo Xiaotong didn't think Chen Hua was a connoisseur to begin with; this job could be done by anyone, no need for a thousand-mile horse.

  However, Luo Xiaotong still had an honest attitude and smiled foolishly: "Town head is overpraising me, what ability do I have?" Chen Hua also waved his hand to stop him: "Xiaotong, I need to correct you, I am the deputy town head, don't call me town head all the time, it's not good for others to hear."

  Lu Xiaotong scratched his head, pretending to be innocent and said: "In my eyes, you are the town mayor, my town mayor." These words that sounded loyal and honest touched Chen Hua's heart. Although he was just a small bailiff, it was absolutely good to cultivate another admirer of his own.

  "If you think so, I won't stop you. However, in private, you can call me that when we're alone, okay?" The tone of voice softened a lot, and the face was full of warmth.

  "Alright, Mayor, I understand," Luo Xiaotong replied with a smile. Chen Hua nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave. As he watched his back, Luo Xiaotong suddenly had an idea - to build a good relationship with Chen Hua. Although he believed that Chen Hua had already gotten what he wanted from Bai Laowang, those were things of the past. The money might have only been useful for now and was already history. If he looked to the future, he would have to start anew. Thinking this, he quickly took a few steps forward: "Mayor, wait!"

  Chen Hua didn't go far. He walked at a moderate pace, which was his usual style. As a leader, one had to be mindful of their gait; walking quickly like the wind was for those who were serving others, only steady and calm steps were fitting for a leader. So when Luo Xiaotong called out to him, he walked up to the door of the guard room. Hearing Luo Xiaotong's voice, he immediately stopped and turned around to ask: "What is it?"

  Luo Xiaotong looked outside and saw no one passing by. Still, he lowered his voice and asked: "Do you have time this afternoon?"

  Chen Hua has been the deputy mayor for five years, and this kind of thing is getting old. It's clear what Luo Xiaotong wants to do, but because Luo Xiaotong is still someone who hasn't experienced any storms, he doesn't dare confirm whether his judgment is accurate: "It's lunchtime, so there's time, of course. What's up, something going on?"

  Lu Xiaotong said, "I'd like to invite you out for a meal." After saying that, he looked at Chen Hua. Coincidentally, there were no lunch plans that day, and on his way to work, Chen Hua was considering whether to grab a quick bite in the government cafeteria or find someone to treat him. Unexpectedly, Lu Xiaotong had come knocking on his door himself, proving that his initial judgment had been 100% accurate, and he couldn't help but feel secretly pleased with himself. However, his face remained expressionless: "I do have time, but I'm afraid eating out isn't an option." He said it firmly and decisively.

  Luo Xiaotong's heart sank, but he was unwilling: "Town head, where do you think you're going? I just wanted to take this opportunity to sit and chat with you."

  "You can come to my office anytime, why must you go to the restaurant?" The tone was slightly relaxed. Luo Xiaotong seized the opportunity: "Speaking in the office is stiff, and there are no constraints in the restaurant."

  Chen Hua smiled: "You little guy, your mouth is still very quick. Well, since you said that, I won't say anything either. Although it's not good to do so, but also can't give in to your face, or else it would seem like I'm putting on airs."

  Seeing him agree, Luo Xiaotong was extremely delighted. He said: "Then I'll wait for you at the Floating Splendor Wine House in town at noon."

  As soon as Chen Hua heard that they were going to the town, he shook his head and said that it wasn't a good place because there were too many familiar faces. The town was too small, originally just two or three people eating together, but halfway through, they kept running into acquaintances who would join them after exchanging greetings, and by the time they finished their meal, the table was full of people. To save money, why not go somewhere else?

  Lu Xiaotong understood that this was a refusal, so let's change places: "Where do you think is suitable?" The town chief, I have little knowledge and haven't been to many places, so you decide." Chen Hua also became straightforward and said: "Okay, then go to the city. Anyway, it will only take about 40 minutes round trip, and it won't delay work in the afternoon." Everything was settled, turned around to leave, but stopped again: "Who did you find?"

  Luo Xiaotong didn't think of finding someone else, but when Chen Hua asked, he quickly thought to himself: "Town head, everything is up to you, whoever you decide on." Chen Hua thought for a moment, then smiled and said: "Alright, let's just find one person, Bai Laowang. Conveniently, he has a car, so it'll be easy to come and go." Luo Xiaotong agreed, and only then did Chen Hua leave.

  Luo Xiaotong rushed home, and his father was delighted to hear that he had invited the town mayor for dinner. He thought his son had finally become capable and could get along with the mayor. When asked how much money to prepare, Luo Xiaotong said 500 yuan would be enough. But Luo Huan shook his head, saying that the first time hosting a banquet should be more generous. Nowadays, those in power are not like they were in the past; eating dinner is just an excuse, and they won't hesitate to indulge in luxuries like bathing, massage, or sleeping with mistresses. 500 yuan might not be enough, so take 1,000 instead. Easy to say, but 1,000 yuan was no small amount at home. Luo Huan handed over the passbook to Luo Xiaotong and told him to withdraw 1,000 yuan from the bank. His mother was heartbroken about spending the money, which she had carefully saved up. She didn't want to use it to entertain guests, but there was no other choice. Luo Huan comforted her, saying, "If you don't spend money on your child, you won't get a good return. Just wait and see, when our son becomes successful, he'll fill your cabinet with stacks of cash."

  After having breakfast, he returned to the town, withdrew some money from the bank, and it was almost eleven o'clock. Luo Xiaotong wanted to send his bicycle to the town government for safekeeping, but felt it wasn't suitable, so he simply locked it up in front of the bank. He believed no one would dare to take it, as the police station was right across from the bank.

  After everything was ready, Luo Xiaotong called Chen Hua and asked when they would set off.

  Chen Hua said: "Let's go now, Lao Wan has arrived and is right next to me."

  Lu Xiaotong cursed in his heart: "This guy who made me wear a green hat is so enthusiastic about eating." But his tone was very gentle: "Mayor, then I'll wait for you across from the government building."

  Chen Hua immediately stopped him: "Don't, it's not suitable for others to see you getting on our car, it will have a bad impact on me and I won't be able to work in the future." This sentence was full of deep meaning, no matter how he thought about it. But Luo Xiaotong didn't think that far, he just wanted to know: "Then where should I wait for you?"

  "Where are you?" Chen Hua asked.

  "In front of the bank."

  "Then you just wait there, we'll go over right away."