Approaching the window, Liu Zhizhong was still somewhat surprised as he looked at Ma Xudong inside.
After more than half a year in prison, Ma Xudong's hair had turned somewhat gray, but his figure had slimmed down.
This weight loss, it seemed he had been successful.
His previously high blood lipids, they must have come down by now, right?
His blood sugar was high too, that should have dropped as well?
Between his eyebrows and eyes, one could faintly make out the vestiges of youth when he was quite handsome.
His vitality had indeed returned, and he seemed much more at peace.
Gone was the sharpness that accompanied his tenure as Mayor, and he had become much more reserved.
It seemed that even the wildest of men could be reformed in this place.
All in all, Ma Xudong had turned into quite a healthy looking old chap, a super middle-aged man?
However, as soon as Ma Xudong saw Liu Zhizhong, he couldn't help but feel moved, and tears began to flow uncontrollably.
He covered his eyes with his hands, bowing his head as he wept softly.
This scene deeply stirred Liu Zhizhong's heart, making him feel even more remorseful.
Yet Liu Zhizhong still had to suppress these strange emotions, maintaining a stern and solemn face as he strode to the window and sat down.
He picked up the phone receiver and said warmly, "Secretary Ma, it's been a long time. How are you?"
"Good, good, good... very good..."
Ma Xudong then began to dab at his eyes with a tissue while picking up the receiver and nodding repeatedly.
He looked at Liu Zhizhong with eyes full of admiration and gratitude.
"Zhizhong, I wasn't wrong about you, I really wasn't! Ma Xudong has spent half his life in officialdom, I've met countless people, and in the end, haha..."
With a bitter smile, he shook his head in self-mockery and loneliness, "Once I was incarcerated, everyone pretended not to recognize me. In officialdom, you were the only one who would come to see me. An official who values friendship and righteousness won't do poorly in the future. You, well, it should have been enough just to bring Qingqing along; you didn't need to come. It might not be good for earning points for your political career." Thıs content belongs to 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝕟𝕖𝕥
Liu Zhizhong felt apologetic as he said, "Secretary Ma, don't say that. I feel very ashamed. In the past six months, I've been ground down like a dog at the Provincial Party School's Youth Class, with no time or energy to visit you or bring you anything. Now that the course has ended, I finally got the chance to come. I'm very straightforward about this visit, it's only human nature. If the pursuit of a political career doesn't adhere to human nature, what's the point?"
"Very well said! There's so much scheming and rivalry in officialdom that humanity is often lost. You have not forgotten your original aspiration, nor your humanity, which is right. I am very comforted."
"Of course, and as for the favor you asked, Qingqing has made great progress. You should feel comforted by that too."
"Yes, comforted, very comforted!" Ma Xudong continued to nod, then added with concern, "You just mentioned that you were in the Provincial Party School's Youth Class? That is incredible! Weren't you affected by my troubles?"
Liu Zhizhong lowered his voice: "It stemmed from my political struggle with the Zhang Family. Now it's Zhang Hongyang's uncle, Du Yuesheng, who is the Mayor. He couldn't handle me and had to give me a spot because of it."
"Oh, I see. Black Du, haha... Without the Zhang Family, he's nothing. It's normal that he can't best you and can't control things. Zhang Hongyang must have been in that Youth Class as well, right? And he was the one making it difficult for you?"
"Yes, you're spot on. But regardless, I graduated successfully. On returning to Yangzhou, taking the position of Deputy District Governor in Dongjiang District shouldn't be a problem."
"Good, very good!" Ma Xudong nodded vigorously, giving a thumbs-up. "Zhizhong, may you never be hindered by me, and have a future as bright as brocade. I believe in you! You are truly promising. If only... if only..."
Speaking thus, Ma Xudong hesitated, with a reluctant smile emerging on his face.
Liu Zhizhong asked, somewhat puzzled, "Secretary Ma, what did you want to say?"