Zhou Weining's home was in building number one of the county government's family area. It was a five-story small western-style building with one staircase serving two households. Both the front and back of the first floor had a fairly large yard.
"The yard on the left of the first floor belongs to Mayor Li Feng, and on the right, to Executive Vice Mayor Wang Haitao. We live on the second floor, and directly opposite me is Vice Mayor Liu Yibo!" Zhou Weining had been introducing the building's residents to Zhou Qing all along the way. The entire building housed deputy division-level leaders of the county government.
Zhou Qing smiled and said, "Boss, this must be the legendary 'division-level building', right?"
Zhou Weining was taken aback, then laughed dryly, "If you put it that way, yes, it counts!"
While talking, Zhou Weining had already opened the door, and Zhou Qing followed him into the house. The European-style decoration gave it somewhat of a splendid and magnificent feel.
Right upon entering was the large living room, furnished with a set of sofas.
Just as he was looking around, a woman around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old walked out from a room nearby. She was about one hundred and sixty-five centimeters tall, her slender, snow-white long legs involuntarily capturing one's gaze.
Her hair was put up in a bun, revealing her fair neck and captivating collarbones, while she was dressed in a true silk spaghetti strap nightgown, adorned with white lace's openwork edges, making it hard for anyone to look away.
Zhou Weining entered and immediately said with a smile, "Yaqing, we have a guest."
Saying this, Zhou Weining then turned to Zhou Qing, "Xiao Qing, let me introduce you, this is my wife Liu Yaqing. You can call her 'sister-in-law.'"
Zhou Qing immediately said, "Hello, sister-in-law."
Having said that, Zhou Qing looked up and was shocked; his legs trembled, and he almost turned and walked away.
The woman in front of him, wasn't she the one he had dated last night at the 'Watching the Night'?
Liu Yaqing initially had a smile on her face, but when she saw Zhou Qing, she also froze for a moment.
Damn it!
It was this guy?
Could he have come here on purpose? Did he intend to use this matter to blackmail me?
Zhou Weining was somewhat surprised, "What's with you two? Why aren't you speaking?"
"Xiao Qing, let me introduce her ceremoniously, this is my love, Liu Yaqing, working in the county women's federation."
As he spoke, he turned to Liu Yaqing and said, "Yaqing, this is Zhou Qing, a top graduate from the Political Science and Law department of Beijing University and my new liaison officer."
Zhou Qing had by then regained his composure and immediately flashed a smile, exclaiming, "Sister-in-law."
Liu Yaqing gave Zhou Qing a meaningful glance and also said with a smile, "Xiao Qing, good to meet you. Welcome to our home."
As she spoke, Liu Yaqing said to Zhou Weining, "Weining, take care of Xiao Qing and have a seat for a while. I'll go cook."
Zhou Weining laughed, "I'll help out too."
By that time, Zhou Qing's mind was still haunted by the particularly sensitive reaction during 'Watching the Night', and he was wondering.
Could it be that he was appointed Zhou Weining's secretary because of Liu Yaqing's recommendation?
Unlikely, if it were Liu Yaqing, her reaction wouldn't be this.
'Watching the Night'? He had thought she was a widow. But it seemed that wasn't the case. Then why would she… or was it because Zhou Weining had someone else on the side? Or perhaps this woman had strong desires that Zhou Weining couldn't satisfy?
While pondering, Zhou Qing could not find any clue, and decided to take things as they came; as long as Liu Yaqing didn't mention it, he would act as if nothing had happened.
Worst case scenario, he'd just return to the logistics division, nothing too serious.
With that thought, Zhou Qing had also made peace with the situation, listening to the noises from the kitchen. He walked over and stood at the doorway, saying, "Boss, let me help too. Sister-in-law, is there anything I can do?"
Liu Yaqing and Zhou Weining exchanged glances before she said, "Then you can peel the garlic."
The kitchen was spacious, about fourteen square meters. It didn't feel crowded even with three people inside. Zhou Qing, holding a bulb of garlic, found a low stool to sit on and started peeling.
Zhou Weining was chatting naturally with Liu Yaqing about various household matters.
Zhou Qing couldn't help but occasionally lift his head to steal a glance; the couple appeared so loving. Why would Liu Yaqing seek thrills elsewhere? It was baffling.
Busying himself with the garlic, he soon finished peeling it. Suddenly, a fragrance wafted over, and Liu Yaqing's voice rang out, "Xiao Qing, you're quite fast at this. You must often help out at home."
Zhou Qing looked up and suddenly couldn't tear his eyes away. Liu Yaqing's nightgown was rather short, and she was standing right beside Zhou Qing. As he looked up, a glimpse under the hem of her dress flashed by.
"Black!" That color flashed through Zhou Qing's mind.
Seeing the way Liu Yaqing looked at him, Zhou Qing became somewhat flustered, "Sis… sister-in-law, I'm done peeling."
He could be certain that Liu Yaqing had noticed.
About half an hour later, a lavish meal was spread out on the table.
Zhou Weining took out a bottle of Moutai from the nearby cabinet, "Xiao Qing, since it's rare you're here for the weekend and it's your first time dining with us, let's have a drink tonight."