Li Ping's work situation was reported to Song Dongzheng every day, and Su Yu was also able to keep up with the situation.

Knowing that these people, apart from the first one being dishonest, started doing hard labor the next day and stopped complaining about the food, it was clear that Li Ping had successfully brought them under control.

Even when these people grow up, their relationship with Li Ping will remain strong. After all, from this point onward, Li Ping will have an indelible influence on their lives.

With this foundation, if Li Ping takes them out a few more times in the future, they will naturally develop feelings of admiration and respect for Li Ping as their older sister.

Habits are formed gradually, and these children will be able to help Li Ping when she needs assistance, especially after they grow up and their relationships stabilize.

Of course, from another perspective, it was also her help.

Aside from keeping track of Li Ping's information, Su Yu spent the rest of her time studying. She didn't have any contact with the outside world.

The women in other households, however, couldn't sit still.

Little did they know that school only had three holidays, which meant that County Magistrate Ming Song's girlfriend was about to leave. If they didn't seize this opportunity, they might not have another chance.

The first to give in was the wife of the propaganda minister. She didn't dare come, so she dragged Director Zhu from the Women's Federation along, hoping Director Zhu could mediate.

After thinking it over, he invited other female colleagues he was close to to come over as well. With others accompanying them, he wasn't worried about Secretary Lin targeting their family.

So, five or six people went to Song Dongzheng's house that afternoon. They were all wives of high-ranking officials.

When Su Yu opened the door, she was still holding her textbook in her hand.

Director Zhu said with a smile, "Comrade Su Yu, it's rare for you to come, and you haven't even gone out. Everyone is quite concerned about you."

Su Yu knew that Song Dongzheng had already established a firm foothold in the county, so she didn't have any intention of specifically trying to build relationships with these people. However, since they had come to her, it would be a waste not to do something. So she smiled and said, "The school assignments are heavy, and these two are studying. Everyone, please come in and sit down."

"Oh, I knew it! Comrade Su Yu must be busy." Director Zhu said with a smile, inviting everyone to sit down.

These days, when people visit someone's home, they bring their own enamel mug.

Su Yu filled everyone's enamel cups with water and sighed, "Actually, it wasn't just for studying. About the dinner I treated everyone to last time... I know some people were unhappy. Later, I discussed it with Comrade Dongzheng, and he told me about some things in the county. I really didn't understand the situation that time. I thought we were all cadres from the same county, so we must have a good relationship. I had no idea there were all these intricacies involved."

She didn't mean it explicitly, but the others understood what she meant.

Comrade Su Yu meant that she knew their families had good relations with Secretary Lin's side and bad relations with County Chief Song. So this time, she deliberately kept her distance from everyone.

The group looked embarrassed.

Director Zhu was blushing and deep in thought when Su Yu said, "Actually, I didn't mean anything by it. I don't care about things between men. My husband Dongzheng isn't the kind of person to get angry. I'm just worried about causing you trouble. If Secretary Lin's family finds out about your relationship with me, and they hold a grudge, or if you men criticize me when you get home, I'll really be in trouble."

Hearing Su Yu's polite words, everyone finally felt less awkward. At least she wasn't looking down on them.

Director Zhu smiled and smoothed things over, "Of course, how we women get along has nothing to do with the men. They are them, and we are us."

"Yes, yes, we don't concern ourselves with men's affairs."

"That's right, we only get along with you because we think you're easy to get along with. It has nothing to do with anyone else."

...

Everyone echoed Director Zhu's words.

Su Yu smiled and said, "Then I can rest assured."

After that matter was put behind us, everyone started subtly asking about the carload of military personnel from before.

Su Yu said, "Those people... came here to support rural development."

The propaganda minister's daughter-in-law said, "How come you're so familiar with them?"

"We're not close, don't overthink it. We really aren't close," Su Yu quickly waved her hands and said, "I'm just here to help with the construction."

Seeing Su Yu's increasingly suspicious behavior, everyone thought she was lying. However, they didn't press her further. Given her current state, continuing to ask would only show a lack of understanding of the situation.

Everyone sat for a while, chatting about everyday matters in the county. When it was time for the county officials to close and go home to cook, they all dispersed.

Su Yu walked to the window. "Let me see if anyone's here, Secretary Lin. We don't want anyone to see us. Otherwise, it'll hurt your relationship. Be careful when you go out, don't let anyone see you."

"..."

Hearing Su Yu's words, everyone felt somewhat uncomfortable. Since when had they lost even the freedom to make friends? Remembering how Secretary Lin's wife had given them a hard time after they had hotpot at Su Yu's house last time, they felt even more uneasy.

Watching those people sneak away, Su Yu continued to quietly read her book.

On the other side, Secretary Lin's wife did indeed see the group enter Song Dongzheng's house. Then she watched them sneak out.

The fact that they're so secretive when they meet someone suggests they're doing something shady.

Secretary Lin's wife was worried that these people might be secretly trying to get closer to County Chief Song's family, hoping to please both sides.

That's what she thought in her heart, and that's what she said when Secretary Lin came back.

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