Zhen Ni left, and Lu Weimin was still immersed in the intense pleasure they had just shared.
Zhen Ni's body was always his favorite. Despite her doll-like face, the allure in her nature made Lu Weimin feel as if he were addicted to drugs, unable to extricate himself.
In Lu Weimin's memory, it took him a whole year to勉强 pull himself out of his depression after breaking up with Zhen Ni. This was only after another girl appeared in his life. However, he was hurt again, and he wondered if that girl was still around.
Thinking about this, Lu Weimin couldn't help but become a bit lost in thought.
Everything has changed, so will the relationship between him and Zhen Ni change as well? Lu Weimin lay in bed, pondering silently.
Thirty-eight years have passed, as if in the blink of an eye. One can soar to the heavens to pluck the moon, or dive into the deep ocean to catch a turtle. Returning with a triumphant song. There is nothing in the world that cannot be accomplished, as long as one is willing to climb. Suddenly, the old man Mao's poem floated in Lu Weimin's mind. For himself, twenty-one years have passed in the blink of an eye, and he was about to relive an old dream. But can history be repeated?
In the past two days, Lu Weimin had hardly thought about anything else because of Zhen Ni's father's matter. Now that this matter was settled, he had, in a sense, changed a trivial but significant outcome for himself.
No one knows whether the butterfly effect will truly take place; only time will tell.
Leaning against the headboard, the room still lingered with the faint scent of Zhen Ni from their intimate moment. The intense pleasure left some traces, and the used tissues and the underwear he had changed into needed to be disposed of, but Lu Weimin didn't feel like moving at all.
After such intense pleasure, his mind was particularly clear, and he needed to think carefully about his own affairs.
If history cannot be changed, he would have to report to Nantang in a few days. Unfortunately, all the college students in Nantang County this year would be assigned to the townships, and he would be sent to the relatively remote Dongpi Township.
He would stay in Dongpi Township for three years before being transferred back to the county Youth League Committee, where he would stay for another two years. He would then have to connect with the deputy secretary of Fengzhou Region, who was sent from the provincial level, to have the opportunity to be transferred to the provincial Youth League Committee. From there, he would gradually move from the county Youth League Committee to the deputy director of the county education bureau, then to the director of the county education bureau, and finally to the assistant district chief. Twenty-one years had passed in this way.
Fortunately, the Liyang Region, the largest and poorest region in the province, would be divided into the new Liyang Region and the Fengzhou Region in two years. This gave him the opportunity to be seconded to the Fengzhou Regional Committee and to serve as Secretary to the Deputy Secretary of the Fengzhou Regional Committee, Sun Zhen. When Sun Zhen returned to the provincial organization department as deputy minister after three years, he would have the opportunity to return to Changzhou, although by then everything would be different.
What if he goes back to Nantang? Lu Weimin took a deep breath. Everything will be completely different; he had the confidence to create his own history.
"Da Min, it's time to eat." His mother's calm call brought him out of his reverie. "Coming."
His father was still as silent as ever. Perhaps the failure to secure a job back at the factory had further damaged his father's self-esteem. It was the first time he had lowered his pride to ask for help, only to receive such an outcome, which was undoubtedly a strong blow to his father, who had never bowed down for personal matters.
Lu Weimin knew his father was in a bad mood, but he was more concerned about his own emotions, including his mother's.
"Mom, Dad, I have something to do tonight and won't be eating at home." As he ate, Lu Weimin said casually.
The stir-fried green peppers with fermented black beans on the table were still delicious. It had been a long time since he had tasted his mother's homemade fermented black beans. The unique rich aroma made Lu Weimin almost drunk. Only when you lose something do you truly realize its value, and this was a profound lesson for Lu Weimin.
His mother passed away in 2008, which was a huge blow to him. The saying "filial piety should be practiced early" can only be deeply felt when it's too late. Now, it seemed that heaven had given him another chance.
"Oh? Where are you eating?" Chen Changxiu glanced at her son, somewhat worried. "Don't go drinking with your classmates again. They've been working for a few years and have built up their drinking capacity in the workshop."
"No, not with them. It's the Zhen family inviting me to their home for dinner." A smile appeared on Lu Weimin's lips. "Zhen Ni came over this morning specifically to tell me about it."
"Ah?!" Lu Guangzong and Chen Changxiu both raised their eyes. Chen Changxiu put down her bowl. "Factory Director Zhen is inviting you to dinner? Why?"
Lu Guangzong was also surprised. Even if Zhen Jingcai couldn't help with the matter, it didn't mean he had to invite his son to dinner to apologize.
It was a favor to ask for help, and the outcome was uncertain. No one could guarantee success, and even if the matter failed, they still owed a debt of gratitude, as Zhen Jingcai had put in effort. Why would he invite his son to dinner?
Chen Changxiu, however, thought further. Could it be that the Zhen family had changed their mind and thought that their son Da Min was a good match for Zhen Ni, and they were considering recognizing this relationship?
"Yes, I've been helping Factory Director Zhen with some matters these past two days. He probably felt I was quite diligent, so he wants to thank me." Lu Weimin thought for a moment. He knew this sounded a bit unbelievable, but if he didn't say anything, his parents would be suspicious. So he decided to tell the truth, but to simplify the matter as much as possible.
"Oh?" Lu Zongguang thought for a moment and then reacted. "Da Min, there's a rumor in the factory that Factory Director Zhen is being investigated. But this morning, I heard from someone in the workshop that they saw Factory Director Zhen arranging work in the office, so I didn't really believe it. However, nothing in the factory happens without a reason. You said you helped him with some matters, so is it...?"
"Father, don't ask about the specifics. The matter is over, and there's nothing wrong with Uncle Zhen. He just wants me to have dinner at his house to show his gratitude." Lu Weimin didn't want to talk much about this matter and brushed it off with a few words.
"Da Min, now that you've graduated from college and are about to start working, I know you've always been steady and meticulous in your actions, so there's no need to worry. However, when you first enter society, people can be unpredictable, and many things are not as simple as they seem on the surface. You must be careful."
Lu Zongguang knew that his youngest son had inherited the best qualities from himself and his wife—generous and magnanimous, yet also shrewd and meticulous. He had joined the Party in college and performed excellently in the student council. The only regret was that he had faced a setback in his job assignment, which made Lu Zongguang very upset.
Thank you to Brother Xiao Liu (6146156) for becoming the first alliance leader of Nong Chao!