"Zhou Kai, I'll save this money for you. You can use it to buy a house or get married in the future." Zhou Kai's father was a genuinely honest worker who spent his whole life working in Changlin Community. Seeing that everyone had moved out, he borrowed some money from relatives and bought a small house of over seventy square meters in an even more remote location, with a simple renovation. Even so, to outsiders, Zhou Kai's family was still considered wealthy because, after all, they could afford to buy a house.

"Sure," Zhou Kai nodded, saying, "Anyway, I can earn more."

"You're promising." Zhou Kai's father, rarely excited, said with enthusiasm, "Come, have a couple of drinks with me. Now that you've grown up, I have a lot to tell you."

"Okay." Zhou Kai hurried to join the dining table.

The father and son hadn't eaten at the same table for many years. Zhou Kai's mother was also a worker. After Changlin Factory collapsed, she was rehired by the new owner to continue as a skilled worker. Today, she felt very relieved, not only because her child was promising but also because this father and son were able to come together again.

In the past, the two of them always remained silent, treating each other as if they were invisible. The father resented his son for not being capable, and the son disdained his father for lacking ambition. Even when they spoke, it was often accompanied by fierce arguments and almost came to blows.

Now, the father and son were finally able to sit down and talk properly, to have a good chat. This moved her deeply and also made her very happy. The family of three prepared seven or eight dishes, all of which were favorites of her son.

Little did Lin Chuan know, his unintended actions not only saved several families but also led several kids unwittingly onto a righteous and passionate path.

......

Tang Yumeng was very anxious. Initially, when she heard Lin Chuan had been arrested, she was so worried that she couldn't sleep all night. Later, the news came that Lin Chuan had escaped from prison, which threw her into even more panic; an escapee would surely become a wanted criminal. Thus, she was preparing to ask someone to find Lin Chuan. But then, a message came that Li Jiangping had gone to Changlin Community to arrest people, and a conflict arose with Lin Chuan and others.

Though it wasn't a direct confrontation, the nature of this conflict was somewhat nauseating.

After hearing about it, Tang Yumeng nearly laughed until she cried. She pondered for a long time and concluded that probably only a bastard like Lin Chuan could come up with such a 'vicious,' such a tormenting method. Nobody else could have used this approach.

Later on, there was news that Lin Chuan had single-handedly visited the police station and then... then it seemed there was no aftermath.

This left Tang Yumeng utterly puzzled; Lin Chuan, that bastard who could stir up trouble, had apparently managed to settle things as well.

"Secretary Tang, that's the situation." Zhong Wenyi told Tang Yumeng almost everything he knew.

"Lawyer Zhong, how exactly did Lin Chuan manage to do this?" Tang Yumeng asked curiously.

"I'm not too clear myself," Zhong Wenyi replied with a wry smile, saying, "He told me not to get involved in this matter. At first, I didn't believe him, but who would have thought that this guy could really squash this issue. Besides, Li Jiangping personally explained to me that it was a misunderstanding, that some police officers misunderstood Lin Chuan, leading to such a farce."

"Do you believe it?" Tang Yumeng asked with a smile.

"Of course not," Zhong Wenyi shook his head, saying, "If it were up to Li Jiangping's character, he would definitely have given Lin Chuan a severe punishment."

"Exactly." Tang Yumeng nodded, saying, "He would have ruined or crippled Lin Chuan. But instead, he said it was a misunderstanding. So, I guess Lin Chuan must have some kind of leverage or evidence against Li Jiangping, something he's using to threaten him."

"I've thought about that too," Zhong Wenyi said with an awkward smile, "But Lin Chuan and Li Jiangping hardly have any contact, it's unlikely Lin Chuan could have anything on him. Besides, Li Jiangping is always meticulous and careful in his actions, making it hard for anyone to catch him out."

"Sigh…" Tang Yumeng sighed, her curiosity killing her; most importantly, unless she understood the reason, she couldn't be at ease.

Just then, Xiao Xue came running in a hurry, out of breath, saying, "Secretary Tang, Lin Chuan has come to work."

"He has?" Tang Yumeng was startled, but just thinking of Lin Chuan made her cheeks flush, especially recalling the scene from a few days ago, which sent her heart racing.

"Yes." Xiao Xue nodded hastily, asking, "This jerk hasn't come to work for several days, should we give him a warning?"

"Let it be," Tang Yumeng shook her head.

After Lawyer Zhong took his leave, Xiao Xue eyed Tang Yumeng and said, "Secretary Tang, you… why do you seem off?"

"No," Tang Yumeng shook her head, "You... go on with your work. I should get busy with mine too."

"Okay." Xiao Xue nodded.

Sitting at her desk, Tang Yumeng strived hard to calm herself, but no matter how much she tried, her mind was fraught with wild thoughts. Memories of Lin Chuan's violent kiss, his caresses, his tenderness…

"No, why would I think of these things?" Tang Yumeng was very troubled.

She couldn't control herself and kept reminding herself this was an illicit romance, and she absolutely must not let any emotional transgression occur between herself and Lin Chuan. However, all her efforts and attempts ended in failure.

"Why am I like this?" Tang Yumeng bit her red lip, troubled and conflicted, even wondering if she was now seriously yearning for a man, or because of her age, she was greatly desiring a man's affection.

......

Lin Chuan arrived at the City Committee, and in fact, as soon as he stepped through the gates of the City Committee, seeing the grand courtyard's massive stone ox statue, he had a peculiar feeling. He suddenly remembered the ambiguous kiss between himself and Tang Yumeng, which was his first kiss. He had never thought that a woman's tongue could be so slippery, so enticing. And Tang Yumeng's butt was unexpectedly perky.

Gulp...

Lin Chuan couldn't help but look up at the towering City Committee building, images of Tang Yumeng's kiss and that first office visit where he accidentally witnessed a provocative scene flooded his mind, stirring a reaction within him.

"Fuck me, what am I thinking?" Lin Chuan snapped at himself with a hard smack to his ear.

The security guards at the entrance immediately snickered.

"Did that kid lose his mind?"

"Seriously scary. He's gone nuts."

Everyday, their boring duty made them seize the opportunity to mock any amusing scene, especially after Lin Chuan entered the City Committee building. One of the shorter security guards walked over curiously to the spot where Lin Chuan had stood, imitated his pose, looked up, and pondered.

Smack...

Suddenly, a hand reached out and delivered a slap.

"Ouch!" the short guard covered his face.

Song Wen chuckled, "What are you doing here, observing what?"

"Song... Mr. Song," the guardsman's anger dissipated upon turning and seeing who it was, his face instantly plastered with a smile. He even hurriedly fished out half a pack of 'Chunghwa' cigarettes from his pocket and offered one.

Song Wen smiled, took the half-pack of cigarettes from the guard's hand, and said, "Thanks."

After saying that, he walked away.

The guard was left dumbfounded, still holding a single cigarette. Damn it, that's too much. Not only did he slap me, but he also took off with half of my 'Chunghwa' pack, leaving just one for me. In his heart, the security guard cursed Song Wen so much that even his ancestors were smoke-signal-worthy.

"Hahaha... Serves you right for imitating others," the leading security guard laughed heartily: "Paid the price and lost the troops, huh?"

"Motherfucker, that Song guy is too much," the short security guard grumbled, clutching his face in annoyance.

"The excessive one isn't the Song brother, it's their uncle name of Song," the leading guard said with a meaningful laugh.

"It's all the same," the short guard complained angrily: "All no goddamn good."

Lin Chuan was puffing on a cigarette, his mind awash with random thoughts. He walked into the break room, which was not very crowded, probably because it was still early. Luo Guoqing, on the other hand, had arrived early in the break room. Li Minghua was not present today.

"Old Luo, good morning," Lin Chuan greeted.

"Morning," Luo Guoqing tossed a cigarette to Lin Chuan, saying, "You're rarely this early, kid."

"Really?" Lin Chuan laughed.

"I heard that you had a brawl with the folks from Huai Mountain South Road police station yesterday?" Luo Guoqing limped over, asking evilly, "I hear the scene was quite spectacular?"

"Haha..." Lin Chuan laughed heartily once again.

"So there is a story! Come on, tell your brother about it," Luo Guoqing said with a gleeful inquiry.

Lin Chuan eagerly recounted how he had battled the Huai Mountain South Road police station using manure water. Luo Guoqing's eyes bulged in shock, feeling a surge of stomach acid rising. He was almost about to throw up his breakfast.

"Stop... stop talking," Luo Guoqing begged, "Bro, I can't listen anymore."

"You're the one who insisted on hearing it," Lin Chuan said, cigarette in mouth.

"Enough already. Go gross out someone else, just don't foul me," Luo Guoqing quickly waved him off.

"Haven't they kept you busy these past few days?" Lin Chuan asked curiously.

"How could they not?" Luo Guoqing laughed, "I've been quite free these days. Vice Minister Li has been on leave lately, and Secretary Tang hasn't been going out, so I've been idle."

"End of the year and Secretary Tang isn't busy?" Lin Chuan was somewhat curious.

"What's so strange about that," Luo Guoqing smiled, "Secretary Tang seems to have been in a bad mood these days. Women, you know, always have those few days a month. You get it."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chuan's heart immediately tensed up. Tang Yumeng was also in a bad mood these days? Could it be because of his recent violation of her? Once more, Lin Chuan's conscience became troubled, and his expression unnatural. It appeared he had indeed made an unforgivable mistake.

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