Chapter 80: If You Like Her, Go After Her

Chapter 80: If You Like Someone, Go After Them

"I'm going to check how many floors they've built over there. Do you want to come along?" Huang Qiuyan pointed at the building under construction not far away.

"Yeah, sure."

The two chatted as they walked, and the closer they got to the construction site, the rougher the ground became—scattered rocks and cement bags haphazardly piled around.

Zhao Qian carefully watched the path ahead, his hand hovering loosely at his side.

Huang Qiuyan continued as she walked, "This isn't far from the food street either. Once this area is finished, it'll be convenient to move here."

"Oh, by the way, Xiao Qian, could you ask around if anyone's looking for work? Xiao Juan is pregnant and needs to go home to rest for a while."

Zhao Qian was taken aback. "Already?"

Xiao Juan had gotten married last year, and Huang Qiuyan had even given a gift at the wedding.

Huang Qiuyan smiled. "Yeah, so you need to step it up too. Xiao Juan is younger than you!"

Huang Qiuyan looked at him curiously. "So, don't you like anyone?"

Zhao Qian looked at her bright eyes, the faint gentle smile at the corners of her lips, and suddenly felt a surge of courage rise in him.

"There is." The tips of his ears turned red, and he lowered his head, not daring to meet Huang Qiuyan's gaze.

"Oh!" Huang Qiuyan exclaimed in surprise. "Really? Who is it? Why haven't you gone after her?"

"She... she doesn't feel that way about me."

"What's the big deal? How do you know she doesn't? Have you told her?"

"No, I... I don't dare. She seems to think of me as a little brother." Zhao Qian's heart pounded wildly, and he felt like he might blurt it out any second.

"She's older than you?" Huang Qiuyan said with slight surprise.

"Yeah." Zhao Qian nodded, his gaze never daring to meet Huang Qiuyan's.

"Mm, that's fine too. An older woman knows how to take care of you. Feelings grow over time. At least tell her first. If she rejects you, keep pursuing her. Be good to her—women have soft hearts." Huang Qiuyan spoke gently.

"Really? It's okay even if she rejects me?" Zhao Qian's eyes widened slightly, filled with eager hope.

"Of course. A persistent guy can win her over. Besides, our Xiao Qian isn't bad-looking—that height, that frame." Huang Qiuyan patted his shoulder encouragingly.

"So, who is it?" She stopped walking and looked at Zhao Qian, dying to know. This kid was always so tight-lipped—she never expected him to have a crush.

"I'll tell you once I've won her over."

"Oh, getting shy on me now, huh? If you have questions, come ask me. I've been there—I can at least give you some advice." Huang Qiuyan accidentally stepped on a rock and nearly stumbled.

"That doesn't count." Zhao Qian steadied her, then slowly let go.

"Fine. Though I don't have the best experience, I've watched plenty of TV shows—the alpha male lead, the devoted second lead, the quiet third lead."

"Whatever you do, don't be the quiet one. If you like someone, go after her. Be a little assertive. Go for it when the time is right. A little bad-boy charm goes a long way—girls love that." Huang Qiuyan said with conviction.

"Really?" Zhao Qian looked puzzled.

Huang Qiuyan nodded solemnly.

On the way back, they rode the motorcycle again. The money in her card was all spent, so Huang Qiuyan didn't care about the bag anymore. No matter how fast the bike went, her hands stayed firmly on the handles.

"We're here, Xiao Qian. I'll go set up my stall. You go do your thing."

Zhao Qian walked her right to her stall. Because of looking at the house, setting up today was a bit late, and Huang Qiuyan hurriedly got ready.

Not long after the oil was hot, two customers came by. Huang Qiuyan fried the meat while listening to them talk.

"I heard there's going to be more staff changes at the mine."

"Yeah, my husband works there. Sounds like the district chief is getting transferred to the city."

"Why can't good officials ever stick around?"

Huang Qiuyan couldn't help but ask, "Are you talking about Wang Dexian, District Chief Wang?"

"Yeah, that's right—District Chief Wang." The woman nodded.

"During his time here, the mining area's sanitation has improved, food streets and shopping streets have been built left and right, and he even got us new homes. We were about to move in, and now he's being transferred?"

"Who knows? Maybe he's getting a promotion! How could a small place like ours keep a guy like him?"

A hint of sadness settled in Huang Qiuyan's heart. District Chief Wang was a good official—she'd never met a better one. From her initial stall assignment to Lin Guowei's situation later, he'd helped a lot.

But in a small place like theirs, a good official like him was never going to stay.

A month later, the official transfer notice really came through. A red notice was posted at the entrance to the office building—District Chief Wang really was being transferred.

For a while, a hint of loss appeared on everyone's faces in the mining area. Over the years, District Chief Wang had eaten and lived with everyone, not even going home for Chinese New Year.

On the streets of the mining area, in the homes of the elderly who lived alone, and even in the smoky, dusty mine shafts, his figure could be seen. Everyone had gotten used to him being around—how could they bear to see him go?

Some people gathered on their own under the office building, shouting that District Chief Wang shouldn't be transferred, that he should stay.

Zhou Wei sat in his office with a scowl on his face, looking down at the rowdy crowd below. He'd worked here for nearly twenty years, and this rabble had never once shown him an ounce of gratitude.

Li Jie beside him looked worried. "Brother Zhou, are we really just letting Wang Dexian go? Won't there be problems?"

"I heard he's getting promoted to second-in-command back in the city. He knows everything about what's been going on here all these years."

Zhou Wei sneered. "It's not that easy. Isn't he still in the review period?"

"Find some dirt and report him."

Li Jie hesitated. "He doesn't take bribes or do anything corrupt. There's really nothing major on him."

Zhou Wei glared at him in dissatisfaction. "Having affairs, abusing his power, embezzling public funds—aren't those all problems?"

"Just find some evidence. Once he's investigated, I refuse to believe they won't find something wrong with him."

Li Jie's eyes suddenly lit up. That's right—other things might be hard to find, but there was a ready-made case for an affair.

Over the years, Wang Dexian had protected Huang Qiuyan more than once, and there was also Lin Guowei's broken leg. Weren't those all issues?

He made up his mind and began planning. The review period was only a few days, so he had to move fast. The complaint materials had to be drafted first.

Li Jie, who usually spent his days in revelry, sat in his office for once, typing away furiously at his computer.

Meanwhile, Wang Dexian was equally reluctant. He spoke on the phone with irritation, "I'm not done here yet. The shantytown renovation is only half finished, and the buildings haven't even been handed over."

"Besides, the plan for the new industry has just been drafted; how can I just leave?"

After a long pause, without knowing what was said on the other end, Wang Dexian let out a soft sigh. "Alright, I'll make a trip to the city."

Recently, Xiao Juan had gone home to take it easy during her pregnancy, and no one had been hired yet. After school, Lin Qingshi and Jiang Huaizhi would come by to help out.

Huang Qiuyan had just set up her stall and was adding chili oil to the jar.

Suddenly, several people hurriedly gathered around the stall, led by Li Jie.

He had a cold, menacing look on his face. Since Wang Dexian had gone back to the city today, this was the perfect chance.

"Huang Qiuyan, someone's reported you and Wang Dexian for having an affair and embezzling public funds. Come with us for investigation."

Huang Qiuyan was startled—how could that be? She and Wang Dexian were completely innocent. "What do you mean? Don't go around making false accusations—do you have any proof?"

Li Jie sneered, "Of course I do, otherwise I wouldn't be here. I saw the two of you fooling around in the office in broad daylight myself."