Vоlumе 1 Сhаpter 6: Тhе Саr Ridе
The meеting еnded just in time fоr lunch.
Thе tоwnshiр раrtу seсrеtаrу took thе group to a smаll rеstaurаnt nеаrbу fоr a mеаl.
Аdhering to hеr рrinciрles, Shu Miaо sat in thе seat farthеst from Мeng Yuсhuаn, closе to the entrаnсе.
During thе meal, thе tоwnshiр рarty sеcrеtary сontinuouslу flatterеd Meng Yuchuаn.
Shu Мiаo listеnеd and silently mаrvelеd tо herself: Nо wonder hе beсаmе a рarty sеcretаrу—hе really knows how to talk.
Mеng Yuсhuan’s exprеssiоn remained rаthеr neutral, showing no signs of pride despite the praise.
Shu Miao stole a few glances at him out of the corner of her eye.
His skin was quite fair, his features distinct, and just sitting there, he gave off an aura of integrity.
A phrase suddenly came to Shu Miao’s mind: “official presence.”
It perfectly described Meng Yuchuan’s demeanor.
After a short wait, the dishes were served. The secretary introduced them with a smile, saying they were all local specialty farm-style dishes.
Shu Miao didn’t eat much; she still felt nervous dining at the same table as Meng Yuchuan.
After the meal, it was still early. The secretary led the group to a conference room, brewed some tea, and suggested they sit and rest for a while.
Shu Miao and Lin Xiaomin sat in the corner of the conference room, while Meng Yuchuan sat on a sofa on the other side.
After sitting for a while, everyone couldn’t help but doze off.
Meng Yuchuan observed from the sofa not far away, his dark eyes fixed intently on the sleeping Shu Miao.
As she slept with her head down, her sleeve had ridden up slightly, revealing a snow-white wrist. Meng Yuchuan’s lips curved into a faint smile.
In the afternoon, the group got back into the car and continued their journey.
Meng Yuchuan planned to visit the crops grown by the villagers, accompanied by the township party secretary and the town mayor.
Shu Miao trailed at the back the entire way, while Cheng Tao and Lin Xiaomin, needing to take real-time notes, followed closely behind Meng Yuchuan.
Meng Yuchuan was very approachable when interacting with the villagers.
The villagers enthusiastically explained their planting and maintenance methods, talking nonstop.
Meng Yuchuan listened with great interest, occasionally asking questions or offering suggestions, engaging earnestly with the villagers.
By the end of the inspection, the villagers’ favorable impression of this young, handsome, gentle, and patient county magistrate had grown significantly.
Although Shu Miao was at the back, she observed Meng Yuchuan’s actions and expressions throughout, and her admiration for him couldn’t help but increase in that moment.
Meng Yuchuan genuinely cared about the lives of ordinary people and offered practical suggestions within his capacity.
After the inspection, they returned to the government building.
After a brief discussion with the township party secretary and the town mayor, Meng Yuchuan and the group prepared to head back.
As they reached the ground floor and were about to get into the car, Meng Yuchuan suddenly stopped.
Secretary Xiang immediately stepped forward and asked, “County Magistrate, is something wrong?”
Shu Miao and the others also paused and looked over.
Meng Yuchuan looked at Secretary Xiang. “The materials from this morning’s meeting—haven’t they been copied yet?”
Secretary Xiang thought for a few seconds before replying, “That’s right. I’ll go copy them right away.”
With that, he turned to head back into the building.
Meng Yuchuan called out to stop him. “Wait.”
Secretary Xiang halted and looked back, somewhat puzzled.
Meng Yuchuan glanced at Shu Miao standing by the car and smiled slightly. “Xiao Shu, go with Secretary Xiang. It’ll be faster with two people.”Suddenly being called upon, Shu Miao was a bit surprised. But thinking about how she hadn’t done anything all day, and now finally being assigned a task where she could finally be of use, she agreed without hesitation and followed Secretary Xiang inside.
The materials Meng Yuchuan had asked them to copy were some data and documents related to township development that the town mayor had reported to him that morning, and there were quite a few.
It took the two of them nearly twenty minutes to finish copying everything before they came downstairs.
Shu Miao noticed that only one car was parked downstairs—their unit’s vehicle had already left. A big question mark formed in her mind.
Seeing them come out, Meng Yuchuan got out of the car.
Noticing Shu Miao’s somewhat astonished expression, he smiled and explained, “Your unit had an urgent task, so they were called back first. You can ride with us.”
Shu Miao was dumbfounded, her mind going blank for a moment. Ride in the same car as Meng Yuchuan?
Seeing her reaction, Meng Yuchuan curled the corners of his lips, and his gaze softened.
He continued gently, “Get in the car. It’s getting late.”
By the time Shu Miao snapped out of it, Meng Yuchuan had already gotten into the car, leaving her standing there, hesitant and uneasy.
If she didn’t get in, how would she get back?
If she did get in, she probably wouldn’t even be able to breathe smoothly the whole way.
Caught in a dilemma and feeling utterly conflicted, a voice from behind kindly reminded her, “Comrade Xiao Shu, get in the car.”
Secretary Xiang had spoken up.
Shu Miao hesitated for a few seconds, thinking that Meng Yuchuan was still waiting for her in the car. Who was she to dare keep the county magistrate waiting? If she ended up angering him, there’d be no good outcome.
Steeling herself, she gritted her teeth, walked over, and got into the car.
Secretary Xiang took the front passenger seat, so Shu Miao had no choice but to sit in the back seat, right next to Meng Yuchuan.
Throughout the ride, Shu Miao sat rigidly upright, her back straight, hands on her lap, eyes fixed ahead, looking every bit like a student in class.
Meng Yuchuan was amused by her reaction, thinking to himself: How interesting.
His deep gaze fell on Shu Miao’s delicate face, studying it carefully for a moment.
Shu Miao had very fair skin, a standard oval face with just the right amount of softness, making her features perfectly lovely.
Her eyelashes were long and curled like a fan, her nose was straight and perky, and on the left side of her nose bridge was a light brown mole, neither too big nor too small, like a star adorning her face. Her lips had a beautiful shape.
For a moment, Meng Yuchuan was captivated.
Suddenly, a phone rang. Shu Miao’s brows furrowed slightly. Of all times to get a call…
The ringing continued for a while. When she opened her phone, she saw it was her mother calling.
She turned her head and looked at Meng Yuchuan with a hint of apology. “County Magistrate Meng, I’m sorry, I need to take this call.”
Meng Yuchuan smiled indifferently. “Go ahead.”
Only then did Shu Miao relax and answer the call. “Hello? Mom.”
Whatever was said on the other end, Shu Miao’s expression turned a bit awkward. She glanced discreetly at Meng Yuchuan and noticed he had closed his eyes and was leaning back against the seat, seemingly paying no attention to her.
She turned away and lowered her voice. “Mom, I’m not off work yet. Let’s talk when I get home.”
After saying that, she hung up, put her phone away, and resumed her rigid sitting posture.
“Comrade Xiao Shu, did you come back right after graduating?”
Meng Yuchuan suddenly spoke up.
Shu Miao jolted slightly and turned to find he had opened his eyes at some point and was looking at her with a smile.
She nodded honestly. “Yes.”
Meng Yuchuan continued asking, “How old are you this year?”
Shu Miao answered obediently, “21.”She thought to herself that County Magistrate Meng was quite adept at finding topics to chat about, acting every bit like a seasoned cadre, showing concern for a young newcomer like her just starting her career.
That was fine too, saving her from feeling awkward.
“Are you a local?”
“Yes.”
Shu Miao secretly grumbled: Does the county magistrate have so much leisure time? Why keep asking about a low-level employee like her? He really must have too much free time.
Though she was muttering in her heart, her mouth answered honestly—after all, she couldn’t afford to offend Meng Yuchuan.