MTLNOVEL Chapter 658 - 658: Xu Chaomu Is Too Cunning
Chapter 658: Chapter 658: Xu Chaomu Is Too Cunning
The entire ward was filled with quietude, as the sunlight lingered and danced, spilling across the floor from the window.
“I often felt that I was calm and mature, but now that I think about it, I was quite childish,” Zhou Ran also smiled bitterly.
It turned out that in the face of love, age didn’t matter; one would always become a fool…
She had been asking Shen Cexian for that photo for so many years, just so she could keep looking at his youthful self. After all, that was the only photo of them together from their youth.
Although, Xu Mengxi was also in it.
“Aran…” Shen Cexian finally spoke, “Do you know why I never wanted to give you the photo?”
“Why?” Zhou Ran asked indifferently.
“The same as you,” Shen Cexian smiled ruefully.
Zhou Ran paused, “Because… it’s the only photo of you and Xu Mengxi?”
“No, with you,” Shen Cexian’s eyes reddening.
It turned out that their thoughts were so unexpectedly in sync. It was just a pity that because neither of them wanted to give in first, because neither wanted to share their feelings with the other, they had missed so many years.
By the time the truth came out, they had already missed the best of times…
Zhou Ran was stunned, she truly had never considered such an answer. Even though Shen Cexian was telling her in person now, she simply couldn’t believe it.
She lowered her head, still holding her arms slightly, and it took a long while before she spoke.
“Cexian, actually, I don’t believe it, because, I know that for all these years, the person you loved was Xu Mengxi.”
“Yes, when we were in college, when we had just gotten married, I couldn’t forget Xu Mengxi,” Shen Cexian confessed, “But slowly, I realized that I no longer felt right without you…”
Despite being over fifty years old, Zhou Ran felt a surge of bitterness in her heart when she heard these words and lowered her head.
“Saying these things, after all, is too late,” Shen Cexian then closed his eyes, shaking his head.
He never even hoped for Zhou Ran’s forgiveness; the worst thing he had done was to bed Liu Rumei while drunk, not long after they got married.
He had no feelings for Liu Rumei; it was only because he couldn’t forget Xu Mengxi.
Liu Rumei’s eyes looked so much like Xu Mengxi’s that the moment he first saw Liu Rumei, he couldn’t help himself.
“Aran, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Suddenly, Shen Cexian’s tears flowed freely…
This was a belated “I’m sorry,” and he hadn’t expected that he would have the courage to say it to her face in his lifetime.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, you don’t need to apologize to me,” Zhou Ran said lightly, “To blame, blame our stubbornness.”
Those years, she had never once said “I love you” to him, despite loving him, pretending not to.
“Aran… come here…”
Shen Cexian stretched out his hand, his gaze blurred; he wanted to hold her again.
Zhou Ran turned her head, and as she turned around, her gaze met Shen Cexian’s tear-streaked eyes.
His hand trembled from the recent surgery, but he insistently held it out.
Zhou Ran walked over slowly and, as she drew close, placed her hand in his.
He held her hand tightly, clenching it; he thought that this time, he wouldn’t let go again…
Zhou Ran sat by his bed, just quietly watching him, tears welling up in her eyes too.
Above the stage, a banner for the Wanghai leadership meeting hung prominently. The venue was solemnly quiet, signifying the great importance of the event for Wanghai.
Following the Yuhai scandal, the leadership in Wanghai has been cut down repeatedly, like chives in a vegetable field. The city’s cadres have become somewhat numb to it all.
However, clear-sighted individuals could see that the political changes in Wanghai were linked to the central government’s recent changeover. National media reports confirmed this. Now that the dust has settled following the central government’s transition, the shake-ups within Wanghai’s system are expected to quiet down. Therefore, many shrewd department leaders were straight-faced and serious; those with support were naturally hoping for a good impression with the big boss, while those without support were hoping for recognition from the new leadership.
Transferred in officials needed people to make real changes, illustrated by those who sided with Mayor Nie, reaping numerous benefits. Isn’t this hard proof?
The city committee secretary, Yi Chang, was somewhat discontent. The reshuffling in Wanghai was too fast. Before he could get comfortable in his position, new leaders stepped in. Undoubtedly, Yi Chang was in an awkward situation.
As the host, Yi Chang controlled the pace and atmosphere of the meeting. After his opening remarks, he announced loudly, “Next, please welcome the Provincial Committee member and head of the Organization Department to announce the new appointments and promotions.”
Sun Yuzhou cleared his throat slightly, picked up the microphone in front of him, moved it around, and tapped it gently before saying, “On behalf of the Central Organization Department, and after careful consideration by the Provincial Committee, we have made the following decisions: We have appointed Comrade Tian Xujian to serve as a member, Standing Committee member, and Secretary of the Wanghai Municipal Committee. We hope that the team at the Wanghai Municipal Committee will closely unite around Tian Xujian and make greater achievements and contributions for the economic construction and development of Wanghai.”
The reason why Tian Xujian delayed taking office until this day, and had Sun Yuzhou, a Minister of the Provincial Committee organization, announce his appointment, was all for this singular announcement.
Don’t underestimate the power of these words. Among the many officials in the city, especially for a sub-ministerial city like Wanghai, which has more staff than other similar cities, not every official has insider information or knows about what happens at the provincial committee level. These mainstream words, although usual, can greatly influence the thoughts of some officials, and is beneficial for Tian Xujian to carry out his work.
Sun Yuzhou continued his job of announcing staff changes, as he looked around at everyone present. “Appoint Comrade Li Chaoyang as member, Standing Committee member, and deputy secretary of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee, appoint Comrade Wang Jianhua as member and Standing Committee member of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee, and nominate Comrade Wang Jianhua as the candidate for Executive Deputy Mayor of Wanghai Municipality.”
After announcing the staff appointments and dismissals, Sun Yuzhou looked around at all the officials of Wanghai, and sternly said, “The new team in Wanghai has been carefully considered by the provincial committee and the central government. I hope that all officials in the city will guard against arrogance and rashness, work steadfastly and build new achievements for the economy of Wanghai.”
As Sun Yuzhou finished speaking, the city committee secretary, Yi Chang, said, “Next, please welcome the municipal party committee secretary, Comrade Tian Xujian, to give a speech.”
The inauguration speech of a new official is a customary practice within the system. From this speech, one can comprehensively understand the quality and level of an official. Whether it’s an improvised speech off the cuff, or if it’s just reading from the script. Is it aggressive or conservative? Is it pragmatic or just window dressing? These can all be discerned from the speech.
As Yi Chang finished speaking, Tian Xujian stood up with a smile. He bowed deeply, show or not, at least in this occasion, his performance won a round of applause.
Then, Tian Xujian sat down, smiling and said, “Respected Minister Sun Yuzhou, and my comrades, when I first learned of my appointment in Wanghai, my initial reaction was fear. Wanghai is one of the fifteen provinces and municipalities in our country. It is a centrally administered city on the economic planning list. It is a special reform and opening up zone, as well as a bridgehead. Wanghai’s economic construction is at the forefront of our country. My worry was whether I, Tian Xujian, was capable enough. However, since the central government chose me, it means that the central government trusts and approves of me. I, Tian Xujian, will uphold the organization’s trust in me and will meet the expectations of the two million people of Wanghai…”
As Tian Xujian spoke, Nie Zhenbang’s face remained unchanged. Tian Xujian was indeed not an ordinary person. At least at this moment, his performance was enough to prove that he will be an incredibly challenging opponent in future.
Next, Li Chaoyang and Wang Jianhua delivered their inauguration speeches. Afterward, the city committee secretary, Yi Chang, announced the end of the meeting. The group then headed to the Wanghai City Hotel.
The three public regulations of Wanghai are famous throughout the province for their strict and thorough implementation measures. The outstanding results obtained from their execution over the past few months have also gained the attention of the Minan Provincial Committee and the Provincial Government.
In the banquet hall at Wanghai City Hotel, a total of six tables were set up, with the Standing Committee of Wanghai Municipal Party Committee, some former leaders of the Party Committee, major leaders of the Municipal People’s Congress, the Municipal Political Consultative Conference, along with Sun Yuzhou’s entourage, and assistants of various leaders.
The dishes on the table were also strictly prepared according to the Three Public Expenditures regulation. Each table had five bottles of white wine, all in accordance with the standard system.
Looking at the dishes, Sun Yuzhou was chuckling at the moment, “I have heard that WangHai City has a Three Public Expenditures regulation. It is said to limit everyone’s dining benefits, damaging their health. I think it’s all slander. Mayor Zhenbang, did you raise the standards for these dishes?”
Sun Yuzhou’s words made all the committee members in WangHai City laugh knowingly. At that moment, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “Minister Sun, please rest assured. In the implementation of the Three Public Expenditures regulation, the Standing Committee of Wanghai Municipal Party Committee strictly follows the standards. We don’t deliberately raise them.”
After hearing this, Sun Yuzhou laughed again, “That’s good, that’s good. We need this kind of courage and broad-mindedness. We need this kind of strict attitude.”
Then, Sun Yuzhou looked around at everyone and sighed, “Comrades, our party has always had good policies, but it lacks a strict attitude and persistence in implementing these policies. Wanghai city’s attitude is commendable and worth learning and carrying forward by all provincial cadres. I have attended banquets in the whole province, big and small, but I think today’s banquet is the most comfortable and secure one I’ve had.”
“I heard that Achi even let her work at the corporation,” Shen Cexian sighed.
“I heard that too, it’s just that outsiders don’t know the nature of their relationship.”
Shen Cexian was silent for a while, filled with heartache, helplessness, and of course, anger.
After a long time, he spoke again: “Aran, all these years, have you ever wondered who Xu Chaomu’s father is?”