The Beauties Help Me Become the No.1 Official
Chapter 378: The Bone-chilling Cold in the Hot Spring Pool

Chapter 378: Chapter 378: The Bone-chilling Cold in the Hot Spring Pool

In the twilight, surrounded by mountains, lay the hot spring pool.

Lin Fan, wrapped in a bath towel, soaked in the water, gazing upon the misty landscape as one with the mountains and waters, lost in thought.

It was agreed to be just a meal. Who would have thought they’d end up at the hot springs? As beautiful as the scenery was, after his intense confrontation with Zhu Dan that afternoon and having burned through his lunch, soaking in a hot spring on an empty stomach was hardly enjoyable.

"How do you like the view here?"

Just as Lin Fan pondered where to get some food to fill his stomach, he heard the voice of Zhu Defu from behind. Wrapped in a bath towel as well, Zhu Defu, wearing slippers, walked up to the pool, tested the water temperature, and sat down in the water.

"The scenery is indeed nice here, Uncle Zhu knows how to enjoy life."

Lin Fan could not say much and had to respond with a smile.

"As one gets older, one no longer has the vitality of youth and begins to appreciate the ways of maintaining health," said Zhu Defu in the hot spring. With a splash, he washed his face and continued, "Ten years ago, I too loved the company of women, indulging in food, drink, and pleasures, enjoying the joys of carnal delights. A night of excess would leave me vigorous the next day, but not anymore. Time spares no one; it’s like sheathing a precious sword and hiding a fine instrument. Now, no matter how beautiful a woman may be, she can’t awaken the dormant dragon."

"Uncle Zhu’s still robust. It must be the stress of work that’s causing this. I’ve recently made a friend who can get real Tiger Whip Wine from a tiger farm. How about I get a couple of bottles for you, Uncle Zhu? I guarantee after drinking it, you’ll have the strength to ’battle’ ten women at night."

For a man in his fifties like this leader, the most compelling thing was the method of strengthening the waist and kidneys. After all, at this age, money and power are plentiful, but the misery of being unable to act upon one’s desires plagued not only Zhu Defu.

"Really? That would be fine. Your circle of acquaintances seems quite broad these days."

Zhu Defu wasn’t above such things, but his words carried a deeper meaning.

"That’s all thanks to your influence. When I’m out and about, people show respect to you, Uncle Zhu. At most, I’m just the errand boy."

In such private meetings, one must be extremely careful with words. Lin Fan was always mindful of his status, well aware that despite Zhu Defu’s current kindly and elder appearance, there was no guarantee there wouldn’t be a sudden turn of face.

"You’ve become more worldly and shrewd recently, which is both good and bad. Someone who is too smooth may lack tenacity. You young people should know how to seize opportunities, otherwise if you only think about reaping without sowing, you’ll only sink into decay. Also, I hope the two of us can maintain good communication and not give others the opportunity to exploit us."

Zhu Defu’s meaningful gaze rested on Lin Fan—a conversation with more beneath the surface—causing him to hesitate. "Uncle Zhu, you’re talking about Mayor Guo contacting me, aren’t you?"

"That’s part of it."

Zhu Defu didn’t deny it. "Ever since Hou Changyao went in, the focus of the heated discussion has been whether Guo Baoming or I can assume the position. Everyone’s all smiles on the surface, but they’re all dirty-handed behind closed doors. I passed on that video you gave me, but it’s like a stone sunk in the sea, no response. It’s clear, he has strong connections above, so it’s going to be difficult to determine a winner. Now, he’s playing dirty tricks on me from below the table, but for the time being, we are equally matched. So, it’s quite normal that he’s targeting you."

"Uncle Zhu, that seems a bit abnormal, doesn’t it? After all, it’s the gods who are fighting. I can’t understand why Mayor Guo would want to get involved with a mere deputy mayor like me."

Lin Fan looked at Zhu Defu, who clearly at this point was unaware of his relationship with Chu Shihan. This meant that the mysterious person behind Chu Shihan had been further involved with Guo Baoming. Thus, he was even more eager to hear Zhu Defu’s thoughts on why he had become an object of Guo Baoming’s interest.

"Because you’re currently working for me. If he manages to win you over or suppresses you, wouldn’t that be a slap in my face in front of everyone?"

Zhu Defu laughed and patted Lin Fan’s shoulder, "To sit in this position, one must be wily as an age-old fox, aware of each other’s strategies. From the moment you left the office to take a post in Lotus Town, he must have guessed the reason I sent you there wasn’t for Lotus Town’s investments but for the tendering projects in Red Flag County. After all, compared to provincially managed projects, Lotus Town is nothing more than a worthless spare rib."

"So, you’ve been planning this since I took the post in Lotus Town?"

Lin Fan suddenly felt a chill down his spine as he unknowingly looked at Zhu Defu—it had never occurred to him that there had been such a strategy in place from so early on.

"You were indeed only considered for use at that time. However, when it comes to Red Flag County, I began preparing the moment Lao Luanping was appointed as county magistrate. As for you, you happened to catch the last bus, yet you have the chance to monopolize the dividends."

Zhu Defu smiled as he looked at the shocked Lin Fan, "Do you still think I was sending you to the ’Dragon Pond and Tiger Cave’ when I sent you to Red Flag County?"