Chapter 845: Old Acquaintances and New Journeys
Chapter 845: Old Acquaintances and New Journeys
Zhu Xian held Chen Chuan's hand and said with a smile, "Director Chen, my colleagues and I heard that you were coming back, and we were all very happy. We all wanted to come and welcome you."
Chen Chuan replied, "I came back for the New Year, to visit my family. I didn't want to trouble everyone, but thank you for your thoughtfulness."
"Where, where, Director Chen, you are one of us from Yangzhi. When you return, the people of your hometown are eagerly awaiting you. As local officials, we must cater to the people's hearts. If we don't do this, the people of Yangzhi won't be satisfied, and the colleagues here would also say that I, Zhu Xian, am not considerate, wouldn't they?"
Zhu Xian glanced around at the Civil Affairs officials behind him, and they all laughed in agreement.
Zhu Xian was adept at gauging the right moment. Knowing that Chen Chuan, as a Fighter, was not a true bureaucrat and had earned his position through his own martial prowess, he knew that too much bureaucratic ritual would only annoy people. So, after a few polite words, he got to the point, adhered to the formalities of official etiquette, and then said no more.
At this point, Guan Yuming walked up. He had watched Chen Chuan grow up, but now he was a subordinate. Despite his complex feelings, he did not put on an elder's airs. He gave a solemn salute and said with a full voice, "Director Chen."
This simple salute made it clear that his relationship with Chen Chuan was not ordinary.
Chen Chuan returned the salute and nodded, saying, "Director Guan."
After this, the main officials from Yangzhi City who had come to the scene started shaking hands with Chen Chuan, some warmly and others with solemn expressions. Under Zhu Xian's arrangement, they did not linger for long and politely withdrew after a few brief pleasantries.
Only then did Chen Chuan have a moment to turn around and dismiss the small team that had followed him. Everyone saluted him and then dispersed.
He then straightened up and walked toward the Nian family. From a distance, he saw two little ones waving and shouting, "Cousin, Cousin."
Chen Chuan smiled and walked up to Nian Fulu and Yu Wan, saying, "Younger Aunt, Aunt's Husband, I'm back. How are you?"
Yu Wan's eyes suddenly welled up. She quickly wiped them with the back of her hand and then smiled, saying, "We're fine, all fine."
Nian Fulu looked at him, seeing him in his neat uniform, standing there with a heroic posture. His heart was filled with emotion as he nodded and said, "Good! Little Chuan, we're all fine. The two little ones raised their hands and said, "Cousin, Cousin, we're fine! We're fine!"
Chen Chuan smiled, ruffled the heads of the two children, and called out to the sky, where Chao Ming flew down from the sky and landed beside the family. His current size was large enough to elicit gasps from the people around. The two children glanced at him a few times and then rushed forward to hug him, squeezing into the soft feathers.
Yu Wan smiled and said to Chen Chuan, "Chao Ming, let's go home first."
Chen Chuan nodded.
As they walked back home, Wei Chang'an also took off his hat and walked up to Wei Laohu, saying, "Father, I'm back."
Wei Laohu stood straight, looked around, and then patted him, saying, "Good son, you've made your old man proud! This uniform looks great. My son Wei Laohu is handsome, so tell me, are they convinced?"
The last sentence was so loud that half the street could hear it.
Wei Chang'an was caught between laughter and tears, saying, "Father, it's all due to Brother Chen's recommendation."
Wei Laohu said, "That's right, so we should thank him." He stepped closer and said solemnly, "Behave and do your job well. This younger brother of yours has talent. Your father has seen many capable people, all of whom were stuck in the mud. No one pulled them up, so they couldn't rise. To be able to help you is the greatest favor. Don't be too proud and forget your roots. We Old Wei Family doesn't have such an ill-mannered person!"
Wei Chang'an said seriously, "Father, I understand this."
Wei Laohu nodded in satisfaction and then grabbed his arm, giving him a stern look, "You only remembered to greet your father when you came back? What about those uncles and aunts? They watched you grow up from a little boy. You can't forget your roots." He turned around and loudly told his colleagues, "I'm warning you, not a single one of you is allowed to miss!"
Wei Chang'an was somewhat helpless but who could blame his father for being happy today? He went along with it.
The colleagues from the Patrol Bureau all had smiles on their faces, but secretly cursed Wei Laohu. A few of them had already decided to teach their sons a lesson when they got home, "Why don't you make your old man proud?"
Zhu Xian arrived at the back, and Secretary Pan promptly handed him two documents, "Governor, these are the news releases for the next two days. Please review them."
Zhu Xian took them and glanced through them. He made a small movement, and Pan immediately handed him a pen. After making a few corrections, he said, "Just release it as is." He then added, "Remember to let me see the photos before they are developed."
Secretary Pan said respectfully, "Rest assured, I'll keep an eye on it and send it to you as soon as it's ready."
Zhu Xian glanced at the direction of the airship and paused for a moment, then said, "Let's go back." He added, "Don't cause any trouble in Yangzhi these two days."
Secretary Pan quickly agreed and said, "Commissioner Guan has made all the arrangements, so you can rest assured."
Zhu Xian didn't say anything more and headed towards his personal vehicle.
At that moment, the airship was unloading the packages and vehicles that Chen Chuan and the others had brought from the Central City. After landing, dedicated service personnel helped to transport them to Nian Fulu's family.
Chen Chuan and Nian Fulu's family walked towards the lane entrance, surrounded by most of the neighborhood residents. They chatted non-stop as they walked, with people on both sides of the street talking continuously.
There were also many neighbors standing on both sides of the street, watching them pass by and discussing them.
"Little Chuan has grown taller, and that uniform looks so impressive!"
"Haven't you heard? Little Chuan is a fighter, and now he's a Director. Can't you see how impressive that is?"
"You two, be quiet! Don't call him 'Little Chuan,' call him 'Director Chen!' That's the top official in the Central City, equal in rank to the biggest one there, the one who can arm-wrestle!"
"That's right, I just saw it outside. Director Zhu was smiling so hard that his face was all wrinkled. He was really sucking up, bending over so low that his head almost touched the ground."
This remark elicited laughter from the crowd, and for some reason, it felt satisfying to hear it, as if Director Zhu's flattery was directed at them.
After Chen Chuan and his younger aunt's family returned home, the neighborhood residents helped them move the items Chen Chuan had brought. Chen Chuan also gave away many gifts to the residents.
He had brought many presents, some from the Besa Khanate, some from overseas, and some gifted by Fusion Frontier Corporation, but even after distributing a lot, the remaining gifts almost filled the living room.
The two little kids were the happiest, as they received many gifts, including a white fluffball each. These were a type of biological creature from the Convergence Zone, originally intended for biomechatronic implants but later bred as pets.
The fluffballs were fluffy and round, resembling rabbits, and bounced like balls when patted. Each time they were patted, they emitted cheerful sounds, and when hungry, they would burrow into the soil to absorb nutrients. They could be kept in large flower pots, making them very popular among children.
Yu Wan let the children play in the courtyard, and Chen Chuan sat down to chat with them for a while. He said, "Aunt, Uncle, why don't you bring my cousins with me to the Central City this time?"
Nian Fulu touched his chest, and Yu Wan stood up to hand him a pack of cigarettes, whispering, "Don't smoke too much."
Nian Fulu lit one and thought for a moment. "Well, Little Chuan, you mentioned this before, and I discussed it with your aunt. We thought it would be better to stay in Yangzhi. Your aunt and I have lived here for almost half a lifetime. We know the neighbors and familiar faces from our childhood. If we move, I'll miss them all."
But after you came back today, I've been thinking. Will they still treat our family the same as before? I'm afraid Nian Lu and Nian Mo will also be affected."
He took a puff of his cigarette and shook his head. "It won't be the same."
Chen Chuan nodded in agreement. With his high position now, those who wanted to flatter him or had ulterior motives would come forward. If they couldn't find him, they would target Nian Fulu's family.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized that this situation would only increase. He had just returned, and it wouldn't be long before the phone would start ringing with greetings and concerns. Living in such an environment wouldn't be safe for his cousins.
Nian Fulu finished his cigarette and tapped the ashes into the ashtray. "Yu Wan, what do you think?"
Yu Wan squeezed his hand and said, "Old Nian, you're the head of the family. It's your decision."
"Hmm."
Nian Fulu raised his head, stubbed out his cigarette, and said, "Little Chuan, your uncle, aunt, and cousins will follow your arrangements this time."
Seeing their agreement, Chen Chuan was delighted. He said, "Aunt, Uncle, rest assured. I've made all the arrangements in the Central City. I can arrange for teachers to come and teach your cousins, or they can attend specialized schools."
The distance from Yangzhi to the Central City isn't far. If you and Aunt want to visit Yangzhi later, or if the neighborhood residents want to come and see you, I can arrange for someone to pick you up at any time. If there's anything else, just let me know."
"Good, Little Chuan. You've thought it through," said Nian Fulu.
At this moment, Chen Chuan's expression turned serious. "There's one more thing I need to tell you both in advance, and this is also why I want the whole family to move to the Central City."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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