Liu Meijuan pointed to the black Volga parked on the side of the road, with a government pass still pasted on the window.

Looking at the car, Su Mingde felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

Just two weeks ago, he was a down-on-his-luck man who had been kicked out of his home by his father, but now he's riding in a car reserved for officials.

He instinctively straightened his back, but this aggravated the injury on his leg, causing him to grimace in pain.

Be careful.

Liu Meijuan immediately supported him, pressing her soft body against him.

"The doctor said your leg will need another month to heal."

The car door opened, and a middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit stepped out and respectfully took the luggage.

"Miss Liu, Comrade Su, please get in the car. Director Liu has already arranged accommodations."

Su Mingde was helped into the car, and the feel of the leather seats made him feel a little uncomfortable.

He secretly touched the seat, then quickly withdrew his hand, afraid that others would notice his unease.

As the car drove away from the hospital, Su Mingde saw a familiar figure on the street corner through the car window.

It was Su Mingqiang! He was dragging a dilapidated five-drawer chest and haggling with an old man who collected scrap.

Su Mingde instinctively wanted to roll down the car window to say hello, but Liu Meijuan held his hand down.

"Stop looking."

She said softly.

"You and him are now from two different worlds."

Su Mingde withdrew his gaze, but a strange sense of superiority welled up inside him.

On the day the family property was divided, Su Mingqiang was still arrogant and demanded 70% of the assets, but now he has been reduced to selling off his furniture.

And Su Mingde will soon be moving into the cadre housing.

The car drove into a cluster of red brick buildings and stopped in front of a three-story building.

Su Mingde looked up at the building, which was even more impressive than his own courtyard house, and his throat felt a little dry.

"This is...?"

"The staff quarters of the Metallurgical Bureau."

Liu Meijuan said with a smile.

“Although my dad was demoted, he still has old connections. This house was temporarily lent to us by one of his former subordinates.”

The men in Zhongshan suits helped them carry their luggage upstairs.

The apartment is located on the second floor, facing east. It has three bedrooms and one living room, and is fully furnished, even the curtains are newly replaced.

Su Mingde stood in the center of the living room, as if in a dream.

Do you like it?

Liu Meijuan hugged him from behind.

"This will be our home from now on."

Su Mingde turned around and hugged her tightly.

"Meijuan, I...I don't know how to thank you and your dad."

"fool."

Liu Meijuan chuckled and pushed him away.

"Go take a shower first, you smell like the hospital. I'll cook dinner; my dad's coming to see us tonight."

In the bathroom, hot water poured down from the showerhead.

Su Mingde tilted his head back, letting the water wash over his face.

He recalled those days in the hospital, when Liu Meijuan would bring him different delicious food every day, help him with bathing and massage, and even treat him gently when he was angry.

And now, her father has given him another house like this...

"This child isn't my biological child, so what..."

He muttered to himself.

When I came out of the shower, four dishes and a soup were already laid out on the dining table.

Liu Meijuan, wearing an apron, was serving rice.

Her eyes lit up when she saw Su Mingde come out.

"Perfect timing, dinner's just finished. My dad just called to say he has an urgent meeting and won't be here until later."

Su Mingde sat down and looked at the braised pork, steamed fish, stir-fried vegetables, and seaweed and egg soup in front of him. His stomach started growling uncontrollably.

Hospital food is decent, but it can't compare to homemade food.

"Try this."

Liu Meijuan placed a piece of fish in his bowl.

The fish melts in your mouth and is incredibly delicious.

Su Mingde wolfed down his food, while Liu Meijuan sipped her rice slowly, occasionally putting some food on his plate.

"Eat slowly."

She said with a smile.

Nobody's going to take it from you.

After the meal, Liu Meijuan was clearing away the dishes when Su Mingde tried to help but was pushed away.

"Go sit on the sofa, your leg isn't fully healed yet."

Su Mingde sat on the leather sofa and looked around.

This house is at least three times larger than his room in the courtyard house. The furniture is all made of solid wood, there are landscape paintings on the walls, and several potted plants are placed on the windowsill.

He reached out and touched the sofa armrest; it had a smooth, delicate texture.

"So, are you satisfied?"

Liu Meijuan wiped her hands and walked over, sitting down next to him.

"I'm very satisfied."

Su Mingde took her hand.

"But... wouldn't this be too conspicuous? I'm still just a regular clerk..."

Liu Meijuan smiled mysteriously.

"Who said you'll always be a clerk?"

"What's the meaning?"

"That's what my dad came to talk about today."

Liu Meijuan lowered her voice.

"He used his connections; you might be promoted to deputy section chief next month."

Su Mingde's eyes widened.

"This...how is this possible? My leg injury hasn't healed yet, and besides, there was the issue of dividing the family property..."

"Shhh."

Liu Meijuan pressed her finger against his lips.

“My dad said these aren’t problems. There are personnel changes at the Metallurgical Bureau, and there are vacancies. Although you have a leg injury, your work ability is widely recognized.”

Su Mingde's heart was racing.

Deputy Section Chief!

That was the position he had always dreamed of.

"Meijuan, I..."

He was so excited he couldn't speak.

"Don't thank me yet."

Liu Meijuan leaned on his shoulder.

"Once you're officially promoted, we'll get married. My dad said we'll have the banquet at the Friendship Hotel and invite all the leaders from the bureau."

Su Mingde hugged her, his heart filled with gratitude.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!