Tang Hongen laughed: “What do you want to pay attention to? Don’t try to be clever – just be yourself tomorrow in front of the old man. No matter how you try to hide it, your true thoughts will be completely visible to him.”

Xia Xiaolan felt sheepish.

Indeed, someone like Old Song who had experienced life’s ups and downs and dealt with equally formidable figures – Xia Xiaolan realized her little tricks weren’t worth mentioning.

She had overthought it momentarily; tomorrow’s focus would be on Old Tang and her mother. She might not even have a chance to speak.

There was no need to hide anything – Old Song must have approved of this marriage from the start. Was Old Tang just bringing his new wife to show the old leader?

Perhaps they would meet the Song family too… but that didn’t matter. The Song family would be stunned, and Xia Xiaolan would just enjoy watching the show.

“Uncle Tang, I understand completely. I promise not to embarrass you tomorrow!”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t continue being a third wheel, leaving space for the newlyweds.

Liu Fen was somewhat worried, “You didn’t tell me last time that we were meeting Old Song. Did I embarrass you?”

Last time Tang Hongen had tricked her into going to Xiangshan for an outing, but ended up taking her to Old Song’s recuperation villa.

Liu Fen wasn’t as perceptive as Xia Xiaolan – she thought it was just one of Tang Hongen’s elders, and remained confused even after the meeting.

She felt she hadn’t been graceful enough, and Old Song must have noticed.

Had Old Song not opposed her marriage to Tang Hongen?

Liu Fen had her doubts.

Tang Hongen put his arm around her shoulders:

“Fen, I’m over forty and know exactly what I want. Pursuing you and marrying you was my choice – how could Old Song object? What are you thinking? Do you still lack confidence and think you’re not good enough? You’re being silly – didn’t you notice Old Song likes you?”

What?

Did he like her?

Liu Fen only remembered a kindly old man who, upon learning she was from the countryside, made small talk with her about annual harvests and rural life.

Liu Fen hadn’t thought much about it then and just answered honestly.

In the past, during communal dining, they were often so hungry they wanted to eat tree bark, especially during the lean seasons.

A few years ago, after land was allocated to individual households, each family grew and harvested their crops. It was certainly hard work, but they no longer experienced the kind of hunger that made them want to eat tree bark.

Although they had to pay grain tax and retention fees, leaving little money, they could still fill their stomachs.

Even while living with the Xia family, there was enough food, since they had plenty of labor and tended the fields carefully – there was no reason for poor harvests!

Liu Fen’s hardships then were because Mother Xia controlled the family finances, holding all the family’s grain and savings.

Mother Xia herself didn’t live well either, as all the money went to Xia Ziyu’s family.

But this was the Xia family’s special situation. Looking at the bigger picture, farmers’ lives had indeed improved compared to before – Liu Fen had lived through the Great Famine years.

She had just told the truth, and Old Song had listened with great interest.

Thinking about it now, it must be rare for someone like Old Song to meet a genuine farmer.

Just like when Tang Hongen first arrived in Pengcheng as the new mayor, he had to take Young Wang to visit and investigate at the grassroots level to understand the city’s situation.

The higher one’s position, the more this was true. Without making an effort, one could only see the truth after it had been beautified by subordinates.

Liu Fen wasn’t experienced in these matters, but she trusted Tang Hongen’s words:

“Old Song likes me?”

Tang Hongen held her shoulders, “Why wouldn’t he like you? Old Song has met many liars in his life – he likes people who tell him the truth.”

It was laughable how some people tried to be clever, wracking their brains to make up pleasant lies, not knowing Old Song despised such behavior.

Tang Hongen particularly empathized with this.

Never mind Old Song’s position – even as just a mayor, people who would tell him the truth were becoming increasingly rare.

Xia Xiaolan told the truth.

When she needed help, she said so clearly.

She wouldn’t make up lies to deceive when she wanted something. This was what made Tang Hongen feel at ease when he first started associating with Xia Xiaolan.

The truth might not sound pleasant – if he weren’t mayor, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t have bothered to please him initially… but not wearing a mask and putting on a ridiculous performance in front of him was already like a breath of fresh air to Tang Hongen.

From a superior’s perspective looking at those approaching them, it was like a teacher standing at the podium – students might think their little actions were perfectly concealed, but the teacher saw everything.

What could the teacher say?

If it wasn’t too excessive, they simply couldn’t be bothered to expose it!

Tang Hongen didn’t deceive Liu Fen but explained piece by piece:

“So Old Song has no reason not to like you. Take me for example – my special work environment requires me to constantly analyze what others mean. When my superior scolds me, is he truly disappointed or trying to motivate me? When my subordinate smiles at me, does he genuinely think my idea is good or is he just flattering me? Not understanding others’ thoughts creates obstacles everywhere… So Fen, I have to guess others’ thoughts at work – when I come home, can you not make me guess your thoughts? When you’re happy or unhappy, can you just tell me directly?”

Is being a mayor glamorous?

Yes!

Especially being a mayor like Tang Hongen, wielding great power, and getting green lights wherever he went.

This was Tang Hongen’s first time confiding his troubles to Liu Fen.

Liu Fen couldn’t distinguish such mixed truth and pretense – naturally, she believed whatever Tang Hongen said.

“Alright, neither of us will tell lies in the future.”

Tang Hongen savored these words and smiled meaningfully:

“Fen, you learn very quickly.”

Liu Fen blushed, “What nonsense are you talking about!”

She had used a little trick.

Why should only she swear to tell the truth and not deceive? It should be both husband and wife.

But these words took on a different meaning when processed through Tang Hongen’s mind, seeming somewhat ambiguous.

…

At the Song family home.

Second Sister-in-law Song saw her husband hang up the phone respectfully and couldn’t help but sneer.

As if her father-in-law could see their situation through the phone line – did they need to be so careful?

Though she said this, when it was her turn, she was even more respectful than her husband.

In the face of absolute power, even family ties could become thin.

Second Sister-in-law Song suppressed her anger and tried to reason with her husband:

“Xuan called from Pengcheng, saying Tang Hongen married that countrywoman – they even sent her wedding candy and told her to get married soon! How could Tang Hongen do such a thing? Has he gone mad? Xuan waited for him for so many years – is he blind or deaf to ignore Xuan’s feelings… Xuan is already 30 this year, and he turned around and married another woman! Is he looking down on Xuan? Looking down on me, looking down on you…”

Her husband was agitated:

“Shut up! Do you know what the old man called about? He wants everyone free to go to Xiangshan tomorrow – Tang Hongen is bringing his new wife to visit!”