Liang Bingan’s arrest created new turbulence in Hedong County.

Previously, everyone thought Fan Zhenchuan’s case was closed, with all suspects either arrested or under investigation. Now it seemed uncertain, with officials still falling from grace at any moment.

The unstable situation in Hedong County wasn’t just under Shang City’s control. In the provincial capital, beyond the city government’s reach, even slight disturbances could alert provincial leaders. When Fan Zhenchuan was arrested, some leaders were displeased with Shao Limin. As Zhou Cheng had said, there were some ridiculous notions that Fan Zhenchuan was capable and his presence made Hedong County easier to manage.

Shao Limin faced considerable pressure, with some claiming he’d been causing trouble since arriving in Shang City, showing an autocratic nature and hunger for power!

Especially since Fan Zhenchuan wasn’t cooperating with interrogation, delaying the case’s conclusion.

Secretary Hou even slightly blamed Zhou Cheng, “Leader, this matter…”

Shouldn’t the Zhou family help handle this? After all, wasn’t she their future daughter-in-law? Why should their leader bear all the pressure alone?

After a while, Shao Limin spoke softly:

“You think the Zhou family doesn’t know? Zhou Cheng’s father called me last night.”

Regardless of how the Zhou family viewed this matter, Zhou Cheng represented them outside. If they didn’t acknowledge this favor, Zhou Cheng’s words would carry less weight in the future.

Secretary Hou’s hasty handling lacked finesse, so Shao Limin decided to keep him close for two more years of training before letting him take office.

How much he learned would depend on Secretary Hou’s insight.

With Zhou Cheng’s father acknowledging this favor, why should Shao Limin hurry?

Moreover, there was new progress – Fan Zhenchuan had finally started talking. Once a clam’s shell cracked slightly, wasn’t opening it completely just a matter of time? Secretary Hou worried too much! However, the Zhou family’s internal view of Zhou Cheng’s actions remained unclear, as Zhou Cheng’s father had been inscrutable, leaving Shao Limin unable to gauge his true feelings.

Zhou Cheng originally didn’t want to tell his family.

However, once he sought help from Shao Guangrong’s uncle, he couldn’t keep it from them. In this situation, if he didn’t tell his family and they heard it from elsewhere, Zhou Cheng wasn’t afraid of being scolded himself but worried they might misunderstand his future wife.

Since his mother already disliked Xiaolan, Zhou Cheng planned to get his father on his side.

After explaining everything, his father remained silent for a long time.

When he spoke, his tone was neutral. He didn’t scold Zhou Cheng for being foolish, just said he understood.

“Take fewer leaves in the future, it doesn’t look good. Let the family handle such matters, don’t let it affect your work!”

Zhou’s father was strict with himself and with Zhou Cheng. He thought it natural that Zhou Cheng couldn’t return home for New Year’s – his profession was special, so how could he take holidays like normal jobs? Yet Zhou Cheng, who had to work even during New Year’s, had already taken two leaves for their girlfriend from Yunan Province.

Guan Huie could hide things from the elderly Zhous, but could she hide them from her husband? She’d already told him about Zhou Cheng taking his girlfriend to eat Japanese food at the Beijing Hotel, expressing much dissatisfaction with Xia Xiaolan.

From various indirect sources, Guan Huie had concluded that Xia Xiaolan was just a pretty country girl who was vain and petty.

From any angle, such a girl couldn’t be Zhou Cheng’s wife.

Guan Huie even thought she wasn’t worthy of being Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend.

“Zhou Cheng must have lost his mind. When he was younger, he was so sensible and didn’t like any girls. I thought he knew what he wanted. Now I’d rather he’d been like that Shao boy, dating several times to learn to distinguish between good and bad girls!”

That’s what Guan Huie had said.

This was before Zhou Cheng rushed to Shang City, acting like a hero defending his beloved’s honor.

Father Zhou didn’t quite agree with his wife. Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend must have been beautiful – his son had high standards. But if it were just beauty, Zhou Cheng wouldn’t be so smitten. The girl must have outstanding qualities to captivate Zhou Cheng… If, as Guan Huie suggested, any vain country girl could bewitch Zhou Cheng, then it wasn’t the girl’s fault – it meant the Zhou family’s years of education had been wasted.

As a father, didn’t he know what kind of person Zhou Cheng was?

So when Zhou Cheng explained his trip to Shang City, including whom he’d met and how he’d handled things, Father Zhou didn’t immediately get angry but asked many questions. One question was similar to Shao Limin’s – was Zhou Cheng pursuing Hedong County officials because of Xia Xiaolan, or because they had truly violated laws and discipline?

Zhou Cheng gave the same answer, “Xiaolan’s situation was the catalyst, but discovering Fan Zhenchuan’s misconduct gave me the determination to expose everything. When such people serve as government officials, it’s the common people who suffer.”

This time Fan Zhenchuan had bullied Xiaolan, who had powerful backing, so he’d hit a wall.

If Zhou Cheng had just warned him, Fan Zhenchuan might have left Xiaolan alone and behaved for a while, but there would be other Wang Xiaolans and Zhao Xiaolans falling into his clutches. They might not be as lucky as his future wife and might have no one to stand up for them, leaving Fan Zhenchuan free to do as he pleases.

Moreover, Fan Zhenchuan’s misdeeds weren’t limited to womanizing. Zhou Cheng could say this with a clear conscience – he wasn’t a perfect person, but he maintained certain bottom lines.

After hearing this, Father Zhou just said that Zhou Cheng shouldn’t handle such matters himself in the future:

“Whether or not the girl can become your wife is uncertain, but she’s your girlfriend now. If someone bullies her, we Zhou family can’t stand idly by. Your father isn’t that cold-blooded.”

Zhou Cheng suppressed his joy.

He knew his father was more reasonable than his mother.

Before actually meeting Xia Xiaolan, his father wouldn’t completely reject someone based on subjective impressions.

“Dad, Xiaolan is taking the college entrance exam this July. She’ll apply to universities in Beijing. When she arrives, I hope you can meet her first.”

Father Zhou nodded slowly. Of course, he needed to see what the girl was like. Zhou Cheng was already 21 and this was his first girlfriend. Whether they were suitable or destined to marry was uncertain, but even just as Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend, courtesy demanded the Zhou family meet her.

Zhou Cheng was confident that once they saw Xiaolan, especially his father would approve of their relationship.

Xiaolan was too outstanding!

This excellence wasn’t limited by her background. While one’s family background was inherited, in a lifetime of struggle, family background could play a role but wasn’t decisive!

“You’ll like her, I promise.”