An hour later, Qiao An also arrived at Li Lin's house.

Inside the house, warm yellow light poured down, giving the entire living room a cozy glow.

The solid wood coffee table is filled with sumptuous dishes, the freshness of steamed fish, the mellowness of braised pork, the freshness of seasonal vegetables, all kinds of aromas intertwined and permeating, whetting the appetite.

Li Lin took out a bottle of Shannan County wine from the wine cabinet. The crystal glass bottle reflected soft light. He skillfully poured half a glass for each person. The amber liquid swayed gently in the glass, exuding an enticing aroma of wine.

The four of them sat around the tea table. Li Lin raised his glass first, with a sincere smile on his face, and said, "It's the New Year. I wish everyone a happy new year."

Zheng Hao, Zheng Pei, and Qiao An also raised their glasses at the same time, with smiles on their faces, and responded in unison, "Happy New Year."

After three glasses of wine, the atmosphere became more and more heated and everyone's spirits were high.

Especially Zheng Pei, a charming blush appeared on her fair cheeks, and her eyes unconsciously drifted towards Li Lin. After secretly glancing at him twice, she quickly lowered her head like a frightened deer and picked up a piece of food with chopsticks in a panic.

She had not originally planned to go upstairs because Li Lin had not invited her and she did not want Li Lin to think that she was a spineless woman.

However, after some thought, she told herself in her heart that happiness must be achieved through one's own efforts. Even if she was rejected again, even if she was sad again, at least she had tried her best and would not regret it.

Tonight, she came with the courage to burn her boats. If Li Lin's attitude softened a little, she would take out her resignation letter without hesitation to express her determination to be with Li Lin.

She just wanted to be the woman behind Li Lin, doing his laundry, cooking for him, giving birth to his children, and taking care of his life.

Li Lin didn't think too much about it. He just simply thought that Zheng Pei's arrival was entirely because her cousin Zheng Hao was in his house.

The two of them are neighbors who live on the upper and lower floors, so it is normal for them to visit each other.

After drinking for a while, everyone wished each other well.

Zheng Hao, under the influence of alcohol, said sincerely with a slightly flushed face, "Team leader, Peipei is your soldier now. You must take good care of her in the future. Although I am in the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, I am not doing well. Many times I can't help Peipei..."

Zheng Pei gently tugged at Zheng Hao's sleeve, frowned slightly, and whispered, "Brother, you've drunk too much. You're so happy today, why are you saying these things? Besides, County Magistrate Li has taken good care of me."

Zheng Hao scratched his head embarrassedly. He was a sincere and honest man. He felt that as Zheng Pei's brother and since he had a good relationship with Li Lin, he should say a few good words for his sister.

But after Zheng Pei's reminder, he suddenly felt that it was a bit abrupt and embarrassing to say such words at this time, as if he came to visit Li Lin today purely to matchmake for Zheng Pei, which distorted his original intention.

In order to prevent Li Lin from misunderstanding and getting upset, Zheng Hao quickly explained, "Team Leader, I'm a straightforward person. I didn't expect that Pepe and you live in the same building, and we're neighbors on the upper and lower floors."

Li Lin smiled brightly and said, "Pepe is a very nice person. She often comes upstairs to help my old lady with housework. My old lady likes her very much, and she is also very good at work. The county leaders think highly of her. At present, she is in charge of the government's logistics. My food, clothing and daily expenses are all arranged by her, so now she takes care of me more."

Li Lin picked up the cup and held it in front of Zheng Pei. With a gentle smile on his face, he said, "Director Zheng, thank you for taking care of me. If you have any ideas, feel free to tell me. As long as it does not violate the principles, I will spare no effort to help you."

Hearing this, Zheng Hao was delighted and kept nodding and smiling at Zheng Pei, his eyes full of urging, as if to say, "County Magistrate Li has raised his glass, you should quickly raise your glass and clink it with County Magistrate Li."

Zheng Pei smiled, picked up the cup and clinked it with Li Lin's, and said softly, "You are too polite, County Magistrate Li. Serving the county leaders is what I, as an office worker, should do. If there is anything I have not done well, please correct me."

Li Lin nodded, picked up the wine in the glass and drank it all, then said, "Pepe, since there is a relationship between us called Zheng Hao, you might as well call me Brother Lin from now on."

Brother Lin?

When Zheng Pei heard these two words, she was slightly startled.

She didn’t want to call Li Lin brother, didn’t want to recognize Li Lin as her brother…

However, Zheng Hao didn't know what had happened between the two of them. He thought that this was a great honor from Li Lin, so he hurriedly urged Zheng Pei, "Peipei, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and call me brother! From now on, you will have County Magistrate Li to back you up in the county government. Who dares to look down on you?"

Zheng Pei glanced at Li Lin resentfully, and Li Lin looked at her calmly with a gentle smile on his face and a hint of expectation in his eyes.

Zheng Pei picked up the wine glass and drank it, then placed the empty glass firmly on the table. She seemed to be having a fierce psychological struggle. In order to avoid an awkward atmosphere, after a long while, she looked up at Li Lin and shouted with a forced smile, "Brother Lin..."

Zheng Hao immediately started to make fun of him, "Pepe, why don't you toast to your brother Lin? Hehehe..."

Without waiting for Zheng Pei to react, Li Lin took the lead and clinked glasses with her.

It seems that everything is unspoken, everything is in the wine.

Halfway through the banquet, Qiao An felt like smoking. He reached out and pulled Zheng Hao's arm, saying, "Old Zheng, let's go to the balcony and have a cigarette."

They both stood up and walked towards the balcony.

As Qiao An walked, he took out a cigarette box from his pocket, took out two cigarettes, and handed one to Zheng Hao.

Coming to the balcony, Qiao An lit a cigarette, took a deep breath, slowly exhaled the smoke, and said jokingly, "Old Zheng, you are really talkative today. You almost made me dizzy."

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