Faced with Wang Jun’s sudden question, Wu Liang was momentarily dumbfounded.
Huang Ming’s proposal to develop heavy industry was actually his idea.
On one hand, it was to help Huang Ming quickly achieve political success.
On the other hand, it was also for his personal gain.
He lightly cleared his throat and replied calmly.
"Since Qingshi County has such great resources, leaving them untouched would be such a waste. I think the path to developing heavy industry is absolutely fine."
Wang Jun nodded and replied with a smile.
"Since you put it that way, I can rest assured. Once I go back, I will fully support County Magistrate Huang."
Wu Liang had called Wang Jun over in the first place to try to put pressure on him.
He didn’t expect Wang Jun wouldn’t oppose, but instead expressed his support for Huang Ming.
Sizing Wang Jun up from head to toe, Wu Liang felt increasing contempt for him.
What "fearless workhorse"? Just an empty gimmick.
Since Wang Jun chose to back down, there wasn’t any need to continue wasting words on him.
"Alright, you can go back now!"
As soon as Wang Jun left, Wu Liang immediately called Huang Ming.
He informed the latter that the matter with Wang Jun was resolved, and told him to proceed boldly.
After work in the evening,
since the next day was Saturday, Wang Jun, who had been cooped up in his dormitory for an entire month, decided to return home with Chen Bin.
As the two entered the house, they saw Zhao Xinmei and Li Mengying sitting at the dining table.
On the table were over a dozen dishes of varying sizes, looking extremely lavish.
"Honey, you’re back!"
Zhao Xinmei immediately stood up, walking to the doorway to help Wang Jun with his briefcase.
Chen Bin stood behind Wang Jun.
He noticed the way Zhao Xinmei looked at Wang Jun, desire mixed with a hint of guilt.
This puzzled him. Could it be that his godmother had done something to wrong his godfather?
After exchanging pleasantries with Li Mengying, Wang Jun started eating.
Since Wang Jun’s recent promotion coincided with Zhao Xinmei’s hospitalization, they hadn’t had a chance to celebrate.
Although Li Mengying was technically an outsider, her relationship with Zhao Xinmei was very close.
Sitting at the table could barely be considered a family gathering.
With Wang Jun as the focus of today’s celebration, Zhao Xinmei took on the role of spokesperson.
She picked up her wine glass, smiled at Wang Jun,
and the beauty mark beside her lips trembled slightly, looking very alluring.
"Honey, you’ve worked tirelessly for our family day and night. I didn’t celebrate your promotion last time, so here’s to making up for it today!"
Chen Bin and Li Mengying, upon seeing this, quickly picked up their wine glasses as well.
"Godfather, congratulations on your promotion!"
"Old Wang, congratulations!"
Wang Jun looked at the three of them, his face full of joy.
Before, the house had just been him and Zhao Xinmei, always lifeless and quiet.
Now, with the presence of Chen Bin and Li Mengying, he felt a long-lost sense of happiness.
Finally, Zhao Xinmei gazed at Wang Jun with deep affection.
"Honey, wishing you great success in the future!"
The sound of wine glasses colliding rang out, and the two exchanged smiles.
Watching Zhao Xinmei’s blissful expression, Chen Bin felt a storm of emotions within.
But he didn’t dare let it show and instead got up to stiffly pour wine for everyone.
At this moment, Li Mengying seemed to recall something.
She raised her wine glass and looked mysteriously at Wang Jun.
"Old Wang, Sister Zhao has a surprise for you tonight. Let me congratulate you in advance."
"A surprise? What kind of surprise?"
As he spoke, Wang Jun looked at Zhao Xinmei.
The latter also appeared completely confused, "I have no idea!"
Li Mengying gently nudged Zhao Xinmei and laughed.
"Sister Zhao, quit pretending. I already know."
Seeing Zhao Xinmei still feigning ignorance, Li Mengying turned to Wang Jun and said with a grin.
"Congratulations, you’re going to be a father again!"
Wang Jun froze slightly and turned to look at Zhao Xinmei.
"Xinmei, did you just take in another godson?"
For a moment, Zhao Xinmei was clearly unprepared, her face instantly pale as snow.
Then, she suddenly shouted at Li Mengying.
"Mengying, stop talking!"
Wang Jun frowned slightly, full of suspicion as he looked at Zhao Xinmei.
"Stop talking about what?"
"It’s... it’s nothing."
Wang Jun still wanted to press further.
But glancing at Li Mengying sitting nearby, he ultimately sighed.
With a stiff smile, he muttered.
"I thought I was going to be a father... Turns out I got excited for nothing."
He then continued eating.
Yet Chen Bin could clearly sense the atmosphere had become extraordinarily tense.
Especially Zhao Xinmei, who, despite her calm exterior, trembled slightly as though worried about something.
Li Mengying seemed to realize she had said something wrong, so she raised her wine glass again.
"Old Wang, I was just joking with you. Congratulations on your promotion!"
Wang Jun nodded slightly and downed his drink in one gulp.
After the meal, Zhao Xinmei went to the kitchen alone to wash the dishes.
Wang Jun acted like nothing had happened and sat on the couch watching TV.
Except there was a bottle of white liquor on the table in front of him, brought back from Bailing Town by Chen Bin.
Seizing the moment when no one was paying attention, Chen Bin immediately dragged Li Mengying into a room.
"Sister Mengying, what did you mean by that earlier?"
Li Mengying shook her head, her face full of embarrassment.
"It didn’t mean anything. I was just joking."
"Don’t hide anything from me; just tell me the truth."
After a brief hesitation, Li Mengying still nodded.
It turned out that earlier in the afternoon, when she came over, she found a pregnancy test in the trash can.
It confirmed a positive result.
Chen Bin’s mind buzzed as if hit by a shockwave.
Zhao Xinmei was actually pregnant!
Whose child could it be?
Although Chen Bin remembered what happened that night with Zhao Xinmei, it was only one night. How could she be pregnant so quickly?
The thought of his godmother being with other men made Chen Bin feel like his heart was being shredded.
It was as though his favorite toy had been taken away by someone else.
Leaving the room, Chen Bin walked into the kitchen as if nothing had happened.
"Mom, need any help?"
Zhao Xinmei turned to glance at Wang Jun sitting on the couch drinking, before fixing her eyes firmly on Chen Bin.
"You haven’t told anyone about that night, have you?"
"No... definitely not!"
Putting the cleaned dishes into the cupboard, Zhao Xinmei was silent for a moment before picking up a kitchen knife and speaking in a low voice.
"If you dare tell anyone about that night, neither of us will survive!"
The knife slammed onto the cutting board with a crisp sound.
Chen Bin shuddered in fear.
He was almost certain that when Zhao Xinmei said those words, she wasn’t joking in the slightest.
"Mom, don’t worry. Even if I die, I’ll keep that secret safe."
Sneering coldly, Zhao Xinmei warned Chen Bin a couple more times.
Then she drove him out of the kitchen.
On his way out, Chen Bin recalled Zhao Xinmei’s series of unusual actions.
A shocking thought suddenly emerged in his mind.
His godmother’s child might be his!