Although the situation in Haicheng was even more daunting than Xu Wendong had imagined,
He felt a strong sense of challenge rising within him.
With his current abilities, if he was assigned a task he could complete with ease, how could that showcase his skills?
"I hope some interesting things happen in Haicheng!"
Xu Wendong smiled, then lay on the bed and drifted into slumber.
Hearing the sounds of someone washing up in the bathroom, Xu Wendong also got dressed, tidied up the bed, and packed his clothes into the suitcase.
Today he was going to report to the city planning bureau and would surely be assigned accommodation there; no need to live under someone else’s roof anymore.
Coming out of the bedroom, Xu Wendong encountered Liu Shimei, who was in casual home wear, preparing to make breakfast, with her long hair casually tied into a high ponytail, looking playful and charming.
She also wore a pink apron, adding a touch of cuteness to her appearance.
This was a woman of many facets.
"Morning!" Xu Wendong greeted with a smile.
Liu Shimei smiled and said, "Go freshen up first, breakfast is almost ready."
Xu Wendong acknowledged, took his toiletries to the bathroom, and by the time he arrived at the dining room, two breakfasts were already laid out on the table.
"Is Brother Zhang not around?" Xu Wendong couldn’t help but ask.
Liu Shimei replied, "He drove the boss, no time for breakfast at home. Let’s eat, no need to mind him!"
Xu Wendong didn’t say anything more, put the toiletries back in the suitcase, and headed to the dining room, tasting the wontons Liu Shimei handmade herself.
"How do these wontons taste?" Liu Shimei asked with a smile.
"Thin skin, generous filling, and juicy; they’re delicious." Xu Wendong gave the most honest and objective evaluation, truly not expecting Liu Shimei’s cooking skills to be so exceptional.
"If they taste good, have some more." Liu Shimei said joyfully, giving a few of her wontons to Xu Wendong, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment watching him eat with such satisfaction.
She softly said, "Wendong, although we only met by chance as siblings, I really like you as a brother. If you ever want sister’s cooking, come over anytime."
"If you’re not opposed, we could become sworn siblings."
Hearing this, Xu Wendong was moved.
The title of sworn siblings sparked many thoughts.
Although he wasn’t sure yet about Liu Shimei’s feelings towards him, given how much she had said, he readily agreed, and the two exchanged contact details.
Xu Wendong voluntarily cleaned the dining table and washed the dishes as well.
This made Liu Shimei quite fond of him.
Because her husband was very lazy usually, not responding to even several calls if there was housework to do; if he was a third as diligent as Xu Wendong, she’d be satisfied.
While Xu Wendong washed the dishes, she went back to the bedroom and changed into a black suit.
A white shirt underneath, paired with a black suit and pencil pants; although a common work outfit, it looked stunning on her.
Especially the prominently round top, which seemed ready to burst open, causing concern about the buttons popping off at any moment.
"How do I look, sis?" Liu Shimei blushed when Xu Wendong looked at her, a touch of charming shyness showing on her face.
Xu Wendong chuckled, "Even better than a movie star."
"You really know how to sweet-talk!" Liu Shimei obviously enjoyed Xu Wendong’s compliment.
Then Liu Shimei put on a pair of high heels and took Xu Wendong downstairs.
Her vehicle was a BYD electric car, with panda stickers, looking quite cute.
Demonstrating she had a youthful heart.
She opened the car door, put Xu Wendong’s suitcase in the trunk, and casually asked, "Where’s your unit? Sis will give you a lift."
Xu Wendong: "The city planning bureau!"
"What?" Liu Shimei’s voice suddenly raised several octaves, her eyes full of disbelief: "You’re the new colleague at our unit?"
Xu Wendong was equally surprised: "Wow, sis also works at the city planning bureau?"
Liu Shimei burst into laughter: "Looks like fate had this arranged for us long ago!"
"I have no objections to what you’re saying," Xu Wendong himself hadn’t expected to run into such a coincidence, never imagining that the beautiful married woman he met on the train would be a colleague from the same unit.
"Get in the car!" Liu Shimei said, opening the door and sitting inside, fastening her seatbelt, and as Xu Wendong did the same, she drove the car towards the city planning bureau.
She spoke softly, "Wendong, I don’t deny that the work at the city planning bureau is quite relaxed, but... our unit doesn’t have much of a future, not as high-earning as other units."
"You’re still young, you shouldn’t slack off at work because when you slack off, your whole state changes."
"Then, you might end up staying at the city planning bureau until retirement, with your mind and body slowly decaying there."
"Sis means that you should seek better opportunities and development, not be confined to the city management bureau."
She sincerely thought about Xu Wendong.
That’s why she said so much.
After all, some public institutions could erode a person’s ambition and drive, turning them into a lifeless walker, making it hard to achieve significant accomplishments in life.
"Sis, thank you for the reminder, I’ll take your words to heart." Xu Wendong was earnest, and it’s often said to put oneself in another’s shoes, he naturally felt Liu Shimei’s good intentions.
If she wasn’t thinking of him, she wouldn’t have said such things.
Liu Shimei smiled brightly and said, "I’ve worked at the city planning bureau for six years; though just a small employee, I have a pretty good relationship with my colleagues. If there’s anything, use my name... "
"Nevermind, when your group of new employees processes your entry, I’ll give the colleagues a heads up, can’t promise much, but at least can get you in a good position."
Xu Wendong felt quite awkward.
He intended to say he was the new deputy director of the city planning bureau.
But, he worried saying it would make Liu Shimei disbelieve.
Twenty minutes later.
Liu Shimei drove the car into the city planning bureau’s yard, and just after getting out, she saw the bureau leaders and colleagues gathering in front of the office building.
Among them was her husband, Zhang Jin.
"Why’d you bring Wendong along?" Zhang Jin quickly approached and asked quietly.
Liu Shimei: "Wendong is the new recruit at our unit!"
Zhang Jin was full of surprise, but didn’t say much more, urging his wife to quickly line up to welcome the new leader.
A black Hongqi car drove into the city planning bureau’s yard.
Director Deng Changhai immediately walked over to open the car door, respectfully saying, "Welcome, Director Zhang, for guidance!"
Zhang Wei smiled politely, then bent over to get out of the car.
Deng Changhai nervously glanced at the car and couldn’t help but ask, "Director Zhang, didn’t Director Xu come along with you?"
Zhang Wei looked around and, seeing Xu Wendong, his eyes lit up, smiling as he said, "Director Xu has already arrived early!"
Zhang Wei’s words sent shivers down the spines of Liu Shimei and Zhang Jin.
Xu Wendong turned out to be the new deputy director?!