Chapter 4: The Valentine's Day Incident in the Car

The flickering lights in the carriage cast shadows, and Secretary Li quietly said, "I am very disappointed". Following that was a prolonged silence

Li Changyu is, after all, a seasoned veteran who has fought many battles. His rise from a secretary in a township enterprise to his current position is no coincidence. In this world, there is no problem that cannot be solved, as long as the right entry point is found; any issue can be easily resolved. The young man before him is at most in his twenties, even younger than his second son. When it comes to social experience, he is likely leagues away from himself. Li Changyu smiled and said, "Comrade, you must have mistaken me for someone else. However, no matter what, I will never forget you, my lifesaver." He leaned forward and took a stack of cash from the glove compartment, presenting it to Zhang Yang: "Just a small token, a modest expression of my gratitude!" Although he was facing his lifesaver, Secretary Li still habitually adopted an official tone. Despite his efforts to make his voice sound friendly and approachable, upon closer inspection, there remained a hint of superiority in his demeanor.

Zuo Xiaoqing coldly stared at the female police chief in front of her, joking? I would be crazy to believe you

Zhang Yang was taken aback. He had encountered many high-ranking officials and nobles during the Sui Dynasty, but this was the first time he had met someone as thick-skinned as Li Changyu. Clearly caught in the act, Li still managed to turn the situation around, linking a scandalous affair to the organization, leadership, and the masses with ease. It seemed that coming to the banks of the Chunshui River tonight for a car rendezvous was a glorious political mission. Although there was much grandiosity and emptiness in Li Changyu's words, Zhang Yang could still detect a tone of pleading; this Secretary Li was asking him to keep it a secret.

Zhang Yang is simply soft-hearted, especially towards beautiful women. Upon reflection, he realized that he had no particular fondness for that hypocritical teacher, Gao Wei, so allowing Zuo Xiaoqing to take advantage of the situation wouldn't be much of a problem. Moreover, she had even promised to treat him to a meal. Speaking of meals, Zhang Yang couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed; if it weren't for his shamelessness in mooching off Chen Guowei for food these past few days, he might have had to resort to begging on the street.

Gao Wei's smile was frozen on his face, awkward... speechless... The detestable medical student, however, had to display a victor's smile, looking down from a height, and said with an imposing tone: "Gao Wei, we are in a hurry, let's talk another day!" The two walked side by side into the distance

Zhang Yang was taken aback for a moment, while Zuo Xiaoqing's face turned slightly red. Although it was a misunderstanding, it still caused her heart to race a little.

Zhang Yang was just about to push open the car door and get out when he was pulled back by his arm, and in a low voice said: "Comrade, what happened to me just now?"

A string of cheerful laughter echoes through the streets.

Due to the absence of streetlights, I could not clearly see the appearance of the female police officer; I only felt that her figure was very beautiful

"Okay, I invite you to Zhiwei Restaurant, is that alright? You can order the dishes!" Upon hearing Zhang Yang agree to help her out, Zuo Xiaoqing was overjoyed, her face beaming with delight.

"What does it have to do with you?" Zuo Xiaoqing glared at him, stood up angrily, and walked towards the door. However, when she reached the staircase and looked out the window, she saw Gao Wei waiting at the hospital entrance on that Jin Cheng Suzuki, which frightened her back. Just then, Zhang Yang also arrived here. Zuo Xiaoqing took the initiative to call out to him. Following her gaze, Zhang Yang looked outside and saw Gao Wei, and couldn't help but laugh: "The wolf is coming!"

The smoke swirled inside the jeep, and Li Changyu's mood was extremely foul. Zhang Yang's last words brought him a slight sense of comfort; it seemed that this young man was not prepared to divulge his own matters. However, shrewd individuals are often formidable. Li Changyu could almost ascertain that the matter would not end here; that sum of money would likely not satisfy the young man named Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang lazily stretched his arms: with the book "Your Savior!" His eyes had already adjusted to the darkness of the carriage, and he felt that the outline of this man was somewhat familiar

Although the little girl is young, she is quite clever with her words: "Big brother, don't be so stingy. Today is Valentine's Day, give a rose to your girlfriend, it's only two yuan, not expensive."

Is it a fight?

Zuo Xiaoqing's expression on her delicate face suddenly turned to one of terror

Gao Wei nodded with a smile: "I’ve been waiting for you for quite a while. By the way, Hong Ling invited us to watch a movie together; she’s waiting for us to have dinner at the restaurant across from the cinema." Gao Wei spoke as if no one else was around, his eyes showing no sign of arrogance at all. To regard a medical school student as a rival in love? That is simply an insult to him.

The man then recalled what had just happened. He looked down at himself and saw that he was still mostly naked, sitting in the car. He hurriedly pulled up his pants and put on his shirt, and his panic subsided in an instant. He took a deep breath and, through the car window, saw the female police officer still sitting on the ground, dazed, while a slender girl was comforting her. His mind was in turmoil, and he fumbled in the car for a pack of soft Zhonghua cigarettes. He took one out, lit it, inhaled deeply, and exhaled a cloud of smoke, as if contemplating something.

Teacher Gao!" Zuo Xiaoqing greeted gracefully.

Ge Chunli raised her tearful eyes and suddenly grasped Zhang Yang's arm, crying out: "I didn't kill him... I really didn't kill him..."

Li Changyu is meticulous in his work. Since the matter has already occurred, he strives to minimize the negative impact as much as possible: "Comrade, where do you work? I will personally visit you another day to express my gratitude for your life-saving help." Li Changyu does not mention his own identity or position, yet he insists on probing Zhang Yang for details. The method he considers to completely eliminate future troubles is to silence him. Although he harbors this thought, looking at Zhang Yang's tall and imposing figure, he knows he lacks the capability to do so, so he can only first ascertain the other party's background before proceeding.

Ge Chunli trembled as if electrified, her eyes filled with an expression of disbelief. She had always been an atheist, not believing in the existence of ghosts in this world. After a brief moment of shock, she quickly realized that the voice indeed came from Secretary Li, which meant that the esteemed Secretary Li was not dead. She swiftly wiped away her tears, her strength instantly returning, and she stood up unsteadily. However, her smile remained quite stiff: "I’m sorry... just joking with you..."

Zhang Yang said softly, "Don't worry, I will keep it a secret for you. However, your health really has some issues. Well... never mind, you will find out soon enough." Zhang Yang did not clarify the matter, and after pushing the car door open, he got out. Li Changyu watched his retreating figure, feeling a turmoil in his heart, but he did not dare to chase after him to ask for clarification. He quietly reassured himself, this kid seems quite clever, he probably won't let it slip out, right?

In the carriage, Zhang Yang raised his right palm, channeling his internal energy into it, and suddenly struck the top of the man's head. The man trembled as if awakening from a dream, opening his eyes wide. When he realized that it was a young man before him, he exclaimed in some fright: "Who are you?"

This second tone completely shattered the little bit of hope that Li Changyu still harbored in his heart. The other party clearly told himself, I recognize you, stop pretending, you are Li Changyu, the first secretary of the Chunyang County Party Committee

The compartment was filled with a peculiar odor. Zhang Yang felt the man's pulse and immediately concluded that he was clearly suffering from a sudden stroke. Zhang Yang couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, surprised that this couple had chosen such a place for their illicit affair. He quickly removed the man's clothing, his fingers moving swiftly as he pressed along the points of Tongtian, Yuzhen, Tianzhu, Fengmen, and Guanyuan. He then helped the man sit upright in the back seat, continuing to press along the points of Tanzhong and Qihai... Outside the car, the female police officer sat on the ground in a daze, repeatedly muttering, "It's over, it's over..."

Comrade, thank you

He is named Zhang Yang, an intern at the county people's hospital. Xiao Ge, please investigate his background. This time, do not let the organization down.

Zuo Xiaoqing heard the incessant crackling sounds from the jeep, feeling both curious and worried, unsure of what was happening inside the vehicle. Curiosity is a common trait among people, and it is often stronger in young girls. She initially wanted to approach and take a look, but upon seeing the female officer's terrified expression, she found it hard to leave her side. In the moonlight, she could vaguely see that the female officer was quite beautiful, appearing to be around twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old, with two stripes and two stars on her shoulders. Zuo Xiaoqing came from a family of officials and had some understanding of police ranks; she knew that this female officer held the rank of Second-Class Police Supervisor, which indicated she was a departmental-level cadre. While this rank might not be significant in Jiangzhou City, in Chunyuan County, it meant she was a senior leader in the county's Public Security Bureau. What could possibly frighten this police supervisor to such an extent? Zuo Xiaoqing felt a vague sense of foreboding.

Zhang Yang's heart suddenly trembled; the voice was too familiar. He abruptly turned around and, gazing at the face shrouded in smoke, uttered a chilling remark: "Secretary Li!" Zhang Yang never expected that this man, who had engaged in a wild affair in a jeep with a female police chief by the riverside on Valentine's night, was actually Li Changyu, the county party secretary of Chunyang County.

The Buddha has said, "If I do not enter hell, who will?" Others treat you so well, and you are handsome and talented, young and accomplished; why not just yield to them

Zhang Yang rushed into the jeep at the first opportunity. In the back seat of the jeep lay a man. By the light of the moon, Zhang Yang saw that the man's pants were pulled down halfway, and that thing was drooping limply between his legs

Li Changyu whispered, "Regarding what just happened, I do not want a third person to know, aside from the two of us." He initially intended to add a threatening remark, but he swallowed the words before they could leave his mouth. If the other party were to become angry due to his threat, the situation could spiral out of control.

Zhang Yang smiled slyly and said: "Secretary Li, your illness this time is certainly not a coincidence. I just examined your body, and I found that multiple meridians are experiencing stagnation of qi and blood. If not treated promptly, I fear it may recur in the future"

After walking a distance, Zhang Yang secretly turned back to look and saw Gao Wei still standing dazedly next to his cobalt blue Jin Cheng Suzuki. Despite the considerable distance between them, Zhang Yang could still sense the killing intent in his eyes. He couldn't help but sigh, glanced at the side of him where Zuo Xiaoqing was, and slowly commented with two words: "Cruel"

"Just now... you scared me to death..." Ge Chunli sobbed softly, feeling a deep sense of guilt amidst her fear. Her earlier reaction had been too panicked, too immature. If it had not been those two young men she encountered, and if her scream had attracted the police, the consequences of the situation would be unimaginable. As the deputy captain of the criminal investigation team of the county public security bureau, her performance at such a critical moment was indeed too immature.

It's nothing! I'm just joking around...

Zuo Xiaoqing couldn't help but laugh: "Stop talking nonsense, I have no feelings for him at all!"

I want to eat braised pork!" Zhang Yang took the opportunity to put forward his own conditions

Zhang Yang had a serious expression on his face: "This has nothing to do with me regarding the picture book matter, so stop trying to scheme against me!"

Li Changyu originally thought that this young man might not recognize him, but unexpectedly, the other party still exposed his identity. In an instant, Li Changyu's mind went blank. As the county party secretary and the deputy captain of the criminal investigation team of the county public security bureau, engaging in a brief encounter in a car was not entirely inappropriate. Unfortunately, his overworked body was too weak, and he unexpectedly suffered a stroke during such a tense and stimulating moment. At this moment, Li Changyu was filled with regret; he should not have drunk that cup of wine, nor should he have listened to Ge Chunli's advice to come to the banks of the Chunshui River for excitement. What kind of identity did he have? A good cadre who had received years of education from the party and the state, a beloved leader of the people, a political star about to be promoted from county-level to deputy department-level, yet he had fallen because of this thing beneath him.

Zuo Xiaoqing smiled and shook her head: "Teacher Gao, I’m sorry, but Zhang Yang has already made an appointment with me"

At that moment, a calm voice came from the carriage: "Xiao Ge, even jokes should be made in moderation; don't scare people."

Amidst the thicket, a Toyota Desert Prince was parked. When they arrived, a woman in police uniform was frantically jumping out of the car, stumbling aimlessly in her escape. Upon seeing Zhang Yang and Zuo Xiaoqing, her panic intensified, and her originally pale face turned even more ghastly.

Zuo Xiaoqing habitually bit her lower lip. Seeing Zhang Yang about to leave, she hurriedly caught up and grabbed his arm: "Hey, wait a moment!"

Gao Wei waited until 5:30 before he saw Zuo Xiaoqing walk out of the hospital. Just as he was about to approach her, he noticed that there was a tall and big-headed goose beside her, which, at least in his eyes, was a fitting metaphor for Zhang Yang.

Zuo Xiaoqing couldn't help but sigh: "How vulgar, you are truly vulgar. A rather romantic matter becomes utterly tiresome the moment it passes through your lips." Holding the rose that had returned from the finish line to the starting point, Zuo Xiaoqing still revealed a knowing smile, as the other person was offering flowers to Buddha, yet she still had to pay for this fresh flower herself

So stingy, not even willing to part with 2 yuan

The female police officer was clearly so frightened that she was at a loss, trembling as she said: "Help... help... help me..." Her finger quivered as she pointed towards the jeep five meters away. Overwhelmed by immense terror, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground. Left Xiaoqing hurriedly supported her body, softly comforting her.

What frightened Li Changyu was that after the young man recognized his identity, he actually returned to the car, forcefully closed the door, and scrutinized him from head to toe.

The man fell silent again, taking deep puffs from his cigarette. One cigarette quickly burned down to the end, and Zhang Yang could no longer endure the foul smoke inside, forcefully pushing open the car door

I truly have no money! Even with Zhang Yang's thick skin, he couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed under the earnest advice of the children

Zhang Yang took the rose without hesitation and then solemnly presented it to Zuo Xiaoqing: "This is for you, consider this two yuan as a loan from you, and I will repay you as soon as I have the money"

Zhang Yang did not have time to think much and ran towards the direction from which the sound came. Left Xiaoqing, not daring to stay alone on the main road, also ran after him

Zhang Yang's nose was about to be twisted with anger. Am I being stingy? I truly have no money! At this moment, he suddenly realized how important money is to a person.

Gao Wei stood dazed in the wind, when suddenly a heart-wrenching cry from Wang Jie echoed from the nearby audio-visual store: "Her silhouette has slowly disappeared into the wind... I can only wait in the wind every day, letting the breeze blow..."

Ge Chunli, with a pale face, opened the car door and saw that Li Changyu was indeed sitting there in good condition, which finally put her mind at ease. She closed the car door and, disregarding everything, threw herself into Li Changyu's arms, desperately kissing his face and searching for his lips in the darkness, only to be gently pushed away by the unresponsive Secretary Li.

Upon seeing Zhang Yang return, Zuo Xiaoqing hurriedly asked, "What happened?"

The two walked along the Spring Water River in the county town towards the county hospital. Zuo Xiaoqing occasionally lowered her head to smell the rose in her hand, her mood becoming light and joyful. This was her first time celebrating Valentine's Day with a boy in her life. As this thought just surfaced in her mind, Zuo Xiaoqing's pretty face immediately flushed red. Where was her mind wandering? Zhang Yang was merely an ordinary friend; they happened to be interning at the same hospital. Moreover, he was younger than her, being her junior. In an instant, her thoughts became a tangled mess.

"Miss, do you know that curiosity killed the cat?" Under Zhang Yang's insistence, Zuo Xiaoqing finally walked away reluctantly.

After stabilizing her emotions, Ge Chunli cautiously broke the silence: "He may not necessarily know you..."

"What happened?" Zhang Yang asked loudly

Zhang Yang was accustomed to being treated to meals in the past, so he felt justified in enjoying this meal. However, as they walked out of the restaurant, a little girl with pigtails ran over, holding a rose high in her hand: "Big brother, your girlfriend is really beautiful; buy her a flower!"

Zhang Yang did not want to linger here, pulling Zuo Xiaoqing towards the main road. Zuo Xiaoqing, puzzled, said: "Hey, shouldn't we clarify things before leaving!"

Zhang Yang was not at all polite with him; he grabbed the stack of banknotes and placed it in his pocket. Saving his life warranted some compensation.

Ge Chunli seems to have been so frightened that she is in a daze; no matter how much Zuo Xiaoqing tries to comfort her, she still murmurs softly, unaware of what has transpired inside the car

Zhang Yang nodded slightly, extending his hand to pat Li Changyu on the shoulder. Under normal circumstances, such an action could only be performed by someone of a higher political rank than Li Changyu; otherwise, it would be regarded by Secretary Li as an insult. Now, our beloved good Secretary of Chunyang County maintained a humble smile, waiting for Zhang Yang to present his conditions

Zhang Yang immediately understood that the person in front of him was thinking of using him as a pawn. He was not that foolish; he had seen all kinds of people. How could a young girl like you think you could manipulate me?

My name is Zhang Yang, and I am currently interning at the county people's hospital Zhang Yang did not intend to hide this from him, and while speaking, he was also contemplating how to extract the maximum benefit from the county magistrate's hands

Li Changyu is a pragmatic individual who has never feared difficulties, nor does he lack the courage to face them. His voice has become more gentle, imbued with a sense of warmth: "Comrade, please keep my condition confidential; I do not wish for the organization to worry about me, nor for the leaders or the broad masses of the people to be concerned about me"

Zuo Xiaoqing could no longer bear to listen. She took out two coins from her wallet and handed them over. The little girl, with a smile as bright as a flower, placed the rose in her hand: "Big sister, you are truly beautiful, but your boyfriend is too stingy. It's better to get rid of someone like that..."

What a remarkable young talent! exclaimed Li Changyu

Zuo Xiaoqing indeed kept her promise and took Zhang Yang to the most famous Zhiwei Residence in Chunyuan County for a delightful meal. Since it was Valentine's Day, there were particularly many diners that day. Fortunately, they did not encounter any acquaintances. Zuo Xiaoqing regarded Zhang Yang as a friend with whom she could interact, a shield to fend off Gao Wei's advances, but she had no other intentions.

Zhang Yang is also experiencing Valentine's Day for the first time, but he has not thought about it in any other way. It is clear that Zuo Xiaoqing is using him as a shield tonight, and they are mutually beneficial. He helps Zuo Xiaoqing get rid of Gao Wei, and in return, she treats him to dinner, leaving them both with no debts to each other

Zuo Xiaoqing wore a red mid-length trench coat, cinched at the waist, accentuating her slender figure. Her walking posture resembled willows swaying in the wind, filled with the rhythm of youth. In contrast, Zhang Yang was dressed in a faded blue jacket, with the emblem of the county agricultural machinery factory embroidered on the front. His black trousers were shiny at the knees, and he wore a pair of suede leather shoes that looked utterly rustic. Against his backdrop, Zuo Xiaoqing bloomed like a flower, while he resembled something that flowers are inserted into. Gao Wei approached with a smile, but deep down, he was overwhelmed with jealousy. He simply could not understand why, in every aspect, he could easily outshine this medical school student, yet Zuo Xiaoqing chose to walk alongside this unsophisticated fellow.

Zhang Yang was just about to speak, breaking the silence, when suddenly a terrified scream pierced the air. The sound seemed to come from a woman. Zhang Yang and Zuo Xiaoqing exchanged a glance, then simultaneously turned their attention to the left bank of the river. On the south bank of the Chunshui River, there is a greenbelt stretching 4 kilometers long and approximately 50 meters wide, commonly referred to as Riverside Park, a favored spot for young couples to express their affection.

Zuo Xiaoqing looked at Zhang Yang's awkward expression and couldn't help but laugh, handing him the rose in her hand: "Here, this is for you"

"Please, I beg you, in this way, I will treat you to a meal!" Left Xiaoqing pleaded pitifully.

Zhang Yang secretly despised him, having seen shamelessness before, but never to this extent. He was well aware of his own actions, yet he had the audacity to question others. However, Zhang Yang clearly misunderstood the other person's intention and coldly replied: "It's just the wind! If it weren't for me encountering you, you would probably be dead by now!"

Knowing Secretary Li's secret is akin to holding a trump card. To maximize the effectiveness of this card, it must not be easily revealed. A secret remains a secret due to its unique scope; the fewer people who know it, the greater its power. Therefore, Zhang Yang is determined to keep this secret tightly guarded. Although Zuo Xiaoqing displays intense curiosity, Zhang Yang remains impenetrable. After leaving, Zhang Yang considers all possible scenarios, naturally contemplating the possibility of Secretary Li silencing him. However, Zhang Yang believes this possibility to be minimal, not only due to his confidence in his own martial skills but also for a more significant reason: Secretary Li indeed harbors a hidden ailment, and Zhang Yang has already left a contingency plan in the carriage.

Zuo Xiaoqing's rosy lips pouted charmingly: "Zhang Yang, we are friends, right? Just consider it a request from me. Will you walk out with me later?"

However, Zhang Yang's next words were somewhat disheartening: "I have no money!"

Ge Chunli nodded vigorously, climbing from the back seat to the driver's position. Her voluptuous figure was displayed in an extremely alluring manner before Secretary Li. Under normal circumstances, our esteemed Secretary Li would undoubtedly be stirred with passion, personally engaging at the front lines and providing hands-on guidance to the female police supervisor's work. However, after the recent events, he found himself devoid of any such mindset, his legs feeling cold and damp between them, concealing a heart even colder beneath his capricious exterior. The stack of money that Secretary Li casually pulled out was not a small sum; it was originally a Valentine's Day gift intended for Ge Chunli. Secretary Li was too busy, so he could only provide the funds for her to select a gift herself. Upon returning, Zhang Yang counted it and found it to be a full 10,000 yuan. Although he did not have a clear concept of modern currency, he understood that this was a considerable amount of wealth, especially for someone like him, a poor student struggling to make ends meet. The arrival of this money was akin to a timely gift in the midst of snow.