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The school officially opened on the sixteenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar.
Goodbye to Mao Jie; Hu Ruoyun still felt a bit awkward, but fortunately, Mao Jie didn’t show any significant signs of discomfort and still dragged him to play basketball during the break. However, in their conversation, the amount of information Mao Jie provided was overwhelming, making it hard for him to digest.
Rumors about Mayor Mao's promotion were rampant, but initially, the organization had planned for him to take up his new position in the second half of the year. This would allow him to fully hand over responsibilities to his successor and ensure that Gaoqiao Town continued its established trajectory of good development without disruption. Mao Weiguo himself was willing to hold on a little longer to elevate Gaoqiao Town to a higher level.
However, plans often change. Just before the Spring Festival, a Vice County Head who was supposed to step back at the end of the year was suddenly taken away by higher authorities from the discipline inspection department due to serious economic issues. After this scandal broke, it also implicated a deputy official from the County Committee—specifically, Qiu Mingren, who was Xiao Qiu's father. This became quite a scandal within Jinan City’s administrative circles.
Even Annan County Party Secretary Li Gaoqiang and County Head Jiang Ruming were summoned for discussions by their superiors because of this incident. A delegation from Jinan City’s Organization Department arrived in Annan to urgently consult with Annan's two main officials and their colleagues about personnel issues facing Annan.
The Jinan City Organization Department proposed sending down a deputy secretary. In response, Li Gaoqiang and Jiang Ruming accepted the organizational arrangement but suggested that Vice County Head Mao Weiguo should take up his new role ahead of schedule while concurrently serving as Gaoqiao Town Mayor until the new town mayor candidate (currently the deputy town mayor Zhou Kaiping) became familiar with all matters before making further adjustments.
This proposal ultimately reached a consensus. This meant that for the foreseeable future, Mao Weiguo's responsibilities would extend beyond just the town and encompass the entire county.
Last night, Mao Jie’s family held a meeting where Mao Weiguo informed his children about decisions made with his wife: they would move their home to Annan County City, and Mao Jie would transfer to Experimental High School to complete his final semester. However, he wouldn’t change his student registration; he would still apply under Annan Eight Middle School’s name and fill out his preferences there.
As they say, personnel matters are political. Although formal appointments had not yet been issued, word had already spread within Annan County’s circles. The leadership of the Annan County Postal Administration, under various pressures, offered Mao Na a three-year study opportunity at Jiangbei Postal and Telecommunications School under the guise of "caring for and nurturing young comrades." (Here we can only say that Mao Na met the conditions and requirements for such an assignment.) After graduation, she would receive a nationally recognized college diploma, paving a smoother path for her future career. She was expected to report to school in early March.
To facilitate Vice County Head Mao’s work and life, Mao Jie and Mao Na’s mother, Zhang Xiuzhen, would also be transferred from Gaoqiao Town’s Family Planning Office to serve as deputy director at Chengguan Town’s Family Planning Office.
This meant that soon, Mao Jie’s entire family would be leaving Gaoqiao Town.
Hu Ruoyun was taken aback; this change was happening too quickly! There were still some details that Mao Jie didn’t dare elaborate on. Last night, his mother once again discussed potential issues with his sister Mao Na: “Look at you; three years from now you’ll graduate from college and definitely be better off than before. But what about Xiao Hu? If he doesn’t have any prospects after high school graduation, what will your futures look like?
Your mother misjudged Xiao Qiu's situation, but you need to think long-term…” A friend of their mother suggested that Qi Zhengtai’s eldest son from the county Commerce Bureau—Qi Weimin—had good qualities in many aspects, and they could consider getting to know him better!
Sister Mao Na was not angry; her words were calm yet delivered with a sharpness that cut through the air. "Mom, do you know who Qi Zhengtai is? Ouyang Xiaxue's father wants to marry her off to his son! Ouyang Xiaxue has already looked into him thoroughly. His son, Qi Weimin, is notorious for his debauchery—drinking, gambling, and all sorts of vices! If you don’t believe me, you can check the records at the Town Police Station; just last week he was dealt with for a public disturbance!
When Xiaoxue refused to date him, this Qi Zhengtai colluded with his relative Kuai Jianghao, who holds a leadership position in the Education Committee, to make things difficult for Xiaoxue’s boyfriend, Zhang Qiang. Just before the New Year, they demoted Zhang Qiang to a post at Xipo Store Township!
People like him are even worse than Qiu!
Xiao Hu and I haven't even gotten serious yet, and you... Regardless of what happens in the future, can you let me enjoy a happy relationship at this age?"
After saying this, she wiped her eyes and returned to the dormitory at the Post Office.
Mao Weiguo cast a reproachful glance at his wife. The incident with Qiu had already hurt their daughter, and now this inexplicable situation arose—it was not love for their daughter but bullying disguised as maternal affection!
In the end, Mao Weiguo refrained from directly criticizing his wife and instead said to Mao Jie, "Let Xiao Hu come by the Post Office tomorrow night to keep your sister company."
Mayor Mao understood better how to handle certain issues and conflicts; sometimes it was better to ease tensions than to confront them head-on.
Zhang Xiuzhen hesitated but did not voice any objections.
After school in the afternoon, Hu Ruoyun sought Teacher Wang's approval for several hours of leave and hurried to the Post Office.
Mao Na had been waiting early at the back gate. When she saw Hu Ruoyun approaching, tears welled up in her eyes before she could say anything.
Hu Ruoyun embraced her and gently patted her back. "Come on, let’s take a walk outside of town!" Mao Na obediently extended her hand for him to hold as they walked closely together toward the outskirts.
On the chilly night of Jiangbei during Lunar New Year, Hu Ruoyun wrapped an arm around Mao Na's shoulders. As he listened to her softly speak about how she had confronted her parents regarding Ouyang Xiaxue and Zhang Qiang, he leaned down and kissed her cheek gently. "You did a great thing! Do you believe that Zhang Qiang will soon be transferred back from Xi Po Dian? Before long, Qi Zhengtai, that Director of the Bureau of Industry and Commerce, and his cousin in the Education Committee will probably face consequences too."
Mao Na looked up at him. "Why?"
Hu Ruoyun grinned mischievously. "Do you think Vice County Head Mao is someone who lets things slide?"
Mao Na remained skeptical. "You think my dad will intervene?"
Hu Ruoyun tightened his embrace. "If you don't believe me, let's make a bet."
They continued discussing their future. Hu Ruoyun told Mao Na, "Isn’t it just going to school in the Provincial Capital? You just focus on your studies; I’ll follow closely behind you. Unless you give up on me, there’s no way you can escape my grasp.
We’re only experiencing a little separation; it’s definitely not a painful farewell. Even if you decide to let go of me someday, I want our memories together to be filled with happiness and joy—no hurt or regrets."
Mao Na slipped her small hand into Hu Ruoyun's sweater. "I believe you!"
At half past nine in the evening, the two of them finally returned to the back gate of the Post Office, hand in hand. Mao Na opened the door and Hu Ruoyun waved goodbye, saying, "Don't think too much, just get some rest!" Then she turned and walked away.
In the shadows, Zhang Xiuzhen pulled her husband along as they had been "strolling" nearby since dinner. Mao Weiguo remarked, "Let's go back and sleep; I'm freezing!"
He continued, "What did I tell you? You just wouldn't believe Xiao Hu, but you have to trust our own daughter!"
Feeling pleased with himself, he added, "With my eye for things, when have I ever been wrong?"
Zhang Xiuzhen shot him a playful glare in the darkness. "Show off," she teased.
She then wrapped one of his arms around her waist, which was no longer as slim as it used to be. "Hold me tight; let me relive some memories..."
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