NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: The Weight of Influence
Chapter 26: The Weight of Influence
Pei Heng explained, “The mayor of Green Bamboo Town is changed every ten years. It’s almost time for the next change, and our Pei family naturally wants to try it. So we would like to ask Brother Xu to introduce us to the Quarry Patrol Inspector. If the inspector is willing to speak to the higher-ups on our behalf, it should increase our chances.”
Xu Lian was stunned.
He hadn’t expected this!
As one of the three major families in Green Bamboo Town, was it that difficult for the Pei family to connect with the quarry patrol inspector?
He had thought that the three major families were powerful, but it turned out that they were just average.
The weight of the three major families in Green Bamboo Town dropped significantly in his mind.
At the same time, the weight of the Quarry Patrol Inspector increased significantly because they could influence the selection of the next mayor.
Additionally, Xu Lian deduced useful information from Pei Heng’s words: the mayor of Green Bamboo Town was not appointed by the Imperial Court but by the Yi Sect.
This showed that Green Bamboo Town was not under the control of the Imperial Court but under the control of the Yi Sect, further indicating who the “boss” of Green Bamboo Town was.
Xu Lian sighed slightly. “Young Master Pei overestimates me. I’m just a small pawn under the command of the Quarry Patrol Inspector. I can’t influence the inspector’s decisions.”
Pei Heng looked at him deeply. “Brother Xu is modest. Brother Han told me about your situation. The quarry patrol inspector seems to think highly of you. How can you know if the inspector won’t help you if you don’t try?”
Xu Lian couldn’t help but look at Han Du. Did this middle-aged “brother” misunderstand something? He had questioned the Quarry Patrol Inspector’s identity, and instead of getting angry, the Inspector had appointed him as the manager of the new mine. So Han Du thought that the inspector appreciated him?
Han Du said, “Brother Xu might be too close to the situation. The inspector has always treated me and other mine managers with a businesslike attitude. I can see that the inspector treats you differently from us.”
Really? Why didn’t I feel that? Xu Lian pondered. Maybe because he was a martial artist, the inspector saw him as a fellow practitioner and treated him better.
However, that was all; he didn’t have any special relationship with the inspector.
“I can only try, but I can’t guarantee that I can arrange a meeting between the inspector and your family.”
“Thank you, Brother Xu.”
Pei Heng bowed. “Originally, our family just wanted to try a different approach, so one more way means one more chance.”
“That’s right,” Xu Lian nodded. The Pei family must have already made other preparations to compete for the mayor’s position and wouldn’t put all their hopes on him, a new mine manager.
Pei Heng pointed to the document on the table. “Regardless of whether the matter succeeds or not, please accept this house deed, Brother Xu. Don’t refuse.”
“Then I’ll accept it.”
Xu Lian no longer hesitated and picked up the deed, putting it in his pocket.
If the matter was successful, there would be other rewards besides the deed.
If it didn’t, it would serve as a fee for the efforts.
After all, it was just a house, not much for a wealthy family like the Pei’s.
With the matter settled, the atmosphere around the table improved.
The three of them chatted and laughed, toasting each other, and even had lunch there.
After lunch.
Pei Heng stayed for a while longer, then left, saying he had some family matters to attend to.
Xu Lian called Aunt Fang and asked her to take him to Chuntao to discuss life and ideals.
Han Du shook his head and smiled. “You’re all leaving me here.”
“Inside, Manager Xu, you can go in yourself,” Aunt Fang led Xu Lian to Chuntao’s room and left with a smile, swaying her hips.
Xu Lian raised his hand to knock, but Chuntao had already opened the door, blushing slightly as if she knew he would come and had already dressed up.
Xu Lian had originally planned to chat with her briefly to improve their affinity, but her appearance was too captivating.
Last night, he had exhausted his energy, but after a morning, he could still muster some strength… not impossible.
Xu Lian immediately entered, closed the door behind him and picked her up by the waist, striding towards the soft couch.
As the soft couch rocked, the rain and clouds began to fall.
Xu Lian saw Chuntao’s affection for him.
【Name: Xu Lian】
【Rank: Muscle Refining Stage】
【Items: None】
【Skills: None】
【Note: Chuntao’s affection for you is 60/100】
Sixty was just for crossing the line?
Xu Lian was a little surprised.
After all, he had only met Chan’er once, and she had already developed a 70/100 affection for him.
Chuntao’s 60/100 affection was ten points lower, which was significant.
This 60 affection was probably due to Chuntao seeing him as someone who had paid to save her from having to entertain guests; otherwise, it might have been even lower.
“Are you used to living here?”
Xu Lian asked to see what Chuntao thought and if she had any requests.
Chuntao spoke quietly. “It’s better than at home. At home I was hungry every day, but here I can eat enough. Aunt Fang is also very kind to me.”
If that was the case, then why was her affection only 60? Xu Lian didn’t understand. “I know you feel wronged. Don’t worry, I won’t keep you here for long. Once I discuss it with the women at home, I’ll take you back soon.”
Chuntao remained silent.
Xu Lian asked her, “What’s wrong?”
Chuntao shook her head. “I don’t feel wronged. I want to stay here.”
Xu Lian was confused. He had thought that she wanted to go home, but she wanted to stay here for the long term. “Why do you want to stay here?”
Chuntao said, “When I see the sisters here laughing and being carefree every day, I sometimes wonder if women have to rely on men to live. They seem to be able to live well on their own.”
Xu Lian frowned. At this age, the environment here had a significant impact on her.
Xu Lian stroked her long black hair. “Silly girl, the women here are forced to live like this. To please the guests, they have to put on a happy face, but they’re not really happy inside.”
Chuntao didn’t speak again.
Xu Lian felt a headache, not knowing what she was thinking.
“If you don’t want to live with the women in my house, I can give you a separate place to live, okay?”
In order to increase her affection, Xu Lian needed to make her happy.
Chuntao replied with an “Mm.”
Xu Lian could tell that her answer was a bit reluctant. “What exactly do you want? You can tell me. Don’t worry about making me angry.”
Chuntao hesitated for a moment. “I want to learn singing and dancing.”
Xu Lian’s eyes narrowed. He understood. “Do you want to compete for the flower girl of Pingyang County?”
Chuntao looked at him bravely. “I want to try.”