The county magistrate's smile faded. "Xiao Liu, is it really necessary to go back? If you go back, this project will have to stop, and all the manpower and resources we invested in will be wasted. You should understand that."
Liu Jingze was caught in a dilemma. He would regret it if he didn't go back, but he would still regret it if he did. This was a project he had painstakingly created over several months. If he gave it up this time, it would really create an obstacle for his future path and become a stain on his political achievements.
Liu Jingze feels like he's burning at both ends of a candle; he's miserable no matter what he does.
"Xiao Liu, what happened at home? You should know that this is a critical time for you, young man. You have a long road ahead of you. Do you know what the consequences will be if you give up this time?"
"I have high hopes for you. I hope you can put the greater good before your own family. Show the attitude you have as a political science student from the Capital University." After saying this, the county magistrate patted Zhang Shouyi on the shoulder, pushed his bicycle, and left.
Liu Jingze stood there, torn between his own thoughts. He was weighing the pros and cons of the two options.
Finally, I firmly gripped my luggage bag, resolutely walked out of the compound, and onto the street, I took off running.
I ran to the train station without stopping. But perhaps even fate wasn't on my side; there were no trains heading back to my hometown or the capital today, and the last one had left ten minutes ago.
Liu Jingze immediately deflated, slumped to the ground, and buried his face in his knees. A man doesn't easily shed tears; that's only until he's truly heartbroken.
He didn't wail loudly, but a sense of sadness emanated from him. It was as if he was surrounded by sorrow.
What should I do? No, I can't just give up like this. But even if I go back now, I won't be able to catch up with Hongmei. By then, she'll probably have already embarked on her journey abroad.
Liu Jingze maintained this position for more than half an hour, but in the end he couldn't stand up, staggered, and knelt there.
My mind is completely blank now, I have nothing left, and I walk towards the county government compound like a walking corpse.
Is fate making things difficult for me? Is it truly a case of being destined to meet but not to be together?
But I, Liu Jingze, do not believe in fate; I only believe in myself and in my own abilities.
Thinking of this, a strong fighting spirit suddenly burst forth in Liu Jingze's eyes—a desire for power, a desire to succeed.
So what if Zhang Hongmei has gotten a marriage certificate with Zhang Shouyi? It's not that I don't have a chance. Hongmei is about to go abroad. Even if they really become husband and wife, as long as Zhang Shouyi is not good, I still have a chance.
Even if I went back now, what could I change? I'm actually glad that Hongmei is about to go abroad instead of staying here.
Back in his dorm, Liu Jingze, even though he had come to terms with things, still felt utterly drained after this profound grief. He'd missed dinner, and as a grown man, he wasn't used to having snacks, so he just drank a glass of water and lay down on his bed, feeling drowsy.
Liu Jingze didn't sleep well; his dreams were a jumbled mess. When he woke up in fright and opened his eyes, he had no idea what kind of nightmare he had been having.
Liu Aimin said goodbye to the township head and rode his bicycle home. On the way, he thought about it and felt that his son's behavior was not right, but he was thousands of miles away and there was no way for him to go to him.
He suddenly turned his bike around and rode back to catch up with the township head. "Old Zhou, I need to borrow your phone again tomorrow."
"Do you really need to come back and tell me about our relationship?"
"Hehe, I'm totally obsessed. You should go home too."
Liu Aimin thought that he would go back and find Hongmei, and no matter what, ask her to call their son tomorrow.
Having thought it through, Liu Aimin quickened his pace to get home.
Zhang Hongmei woke up at this moment, her sleep schedule now completely messed up. She got up and washed her face, then noticed the front door was bolted from the inside, realizing that Zhang Shouyi had returned.
Zhang Shouyi hadn't slept. Hearing the noise in the courtyard, he knew that Zhang Hongmei had woken up, and he should tell her that Liu Jingze's mother had come to see her.
“Hongmei, your great-grandmother’s aunt came looking for you while you were sleeping.”
"Oh, I see, they were too tired to wake up."
Brother Zhang, I'm going to visit Great-Grandma. You should go to Third Aunt's for dumplings at 6:30; I'll go directly from Great-Grandma's.
"No need, I'll come find you, let's go together."
Zhang Hongmei agreed, "Okay, let's go together. I'll be going now." After saying that, Zhang Hongmei waved to Zhang Shouyi and left the courtyard.
Hu Aifen was restless at home, unable to calm down.
When Zhang Hongmei entered the courtyard, she saw Hu Aifen sitting under the eaves, lost in thought.
"Auntie, you were looking for me? I just woke up; I'm really tired after these past two days and nights."
"Hongmei, let's go to my room. Auntie has something to tell you."
Zhang Hongmei obediently followed behind Hu Aifen, and the two entered the house.
“Hongmei, let me be frank. Your brother Jingze has always liked you, and I also consider you my wife and daughter.”
Zhang Hongmei felt utterly helpless. "Auntie, I've always treated my brother Jingze like a real brother. There's really nothing more to it. My brother Jingze told me this before, and I made it clear to him directly. I'm sorry, Auntie, I can't be your daughter-in-law."
Hu Aifen looked at Zhang Hongmei with complicated feelings. It would be a lie to say she wasn't angry, but a family with a daughter is sought after by many, and there was nothing she could do if the other family didn't like her son.
Besides, he really loved Zhang Hongmei. His own daughter wasn't around, so he gradually started to treat her like his own daughter.
Hu Aifen calmed herself down and patted Zhang Hongmei's head. "It's alright. It's just that your brother Jingze isn't lucky enough. Just like your great-grandmother said, you can't be a daughter-in-law of the Liu family, but you're still my daughter."
Zhang Hongmei was touched. She had always remembered how the Liu family had taken care of her. Humans are emotional beings, so how could she not be moved?
"Yes, I am your daughter, Auntie. Don't worry, I am still the same as before. I will never change for you."
"Yes, good boy, I know, I know. I just don't know how your brother Jingze is doing? He's always been a sensitive person, I'm really worried about him."
"Yes, I plan to call him before I leave."
"Sigh! Your uncle went to the township to call him right now. I really hope the kid can come to terms with it."
Zhang Hongmei didn't know how to respond. Yes, it's only natural for parents to care about their children, and she hoped Liu Jingze could be understanding. Actually, Zhang Hongmei didn't think there was a big problem. She and Liu Jingze had already made things clear. Besides, they hadn't spent much time together, so there probably wasn't much of a bond between them.
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