"Xu Shuman, when I was in my glory days, you became my girlfriend,"
"But as soon as I fell on hard times, you immediately broke up with me."
"Utilitarianism is really on full display with you!"
"Perhaps in your eyes, feelings are just bullshit, not worth anything at all."
"You even started looking for your next conquest as soon as you broke up with me, didn't you?"
"But have you ever considered that I, Xu Qianli, might see my day of resurgence, perhaps even today?"
"When that time comes, I'd really like to see what kind of face you'll have."
"Bawling and begging for my forgiveness, asking me to take you back?"
"Or will you throw a tantrum and threaten to sabotage my reputation if I don't reconcile with you?"
Xu Qianli said these words with unmatched calm.
During the first two days after breaking up with Xu Shuman, his heart felt as if it were blocked by a giant stone, incredibly uncomfortable. The thought of their three-year relationship ending filled him with nothing but reluctance and helplessness.
After a trip to the city and facing a life-and-death crisis, his mentality suddenly changed, and he thoroughly understood certain things.
This utterly mercenary woman wasn't worth cherishing by Xu Qianli.
"What are you saying, Xu Qianli? You're going to make a comeback today?"
Xu Shuman laughed out loud, covering her mouth and giggling.
After having her fill of laughter, Xu Shuman spoke with utter contempt.
"Don't think I haven't heard. The County Government has already issued an announcement, appointing you to go to Qingshan Town to survey the reservoir for a full five years."
"To put it bluntly, this decision is to relegate you to watch the reservoir for a lifetime!"
"As long as County Magistrate Zhang remains in Jiang City for one day, you'll never be able to turn over a new leaf!"
"And County Magistrate Zhang is about to officially take office as the rightful County Magistrate of Jiang City, with the old secretary planning to step down next year. He is the front-runner to take over as secretary."
"Meaning, for the foreseeable years, you'll be stuck at that reservoir."
"How are you going to rise again, let alone today?"
Xu Shuman deliberately mocked and ridiculed Xu Qianli.
She was well aware of everything that had happened to Xu Qianli lately.
Zhang Kuisan's suppression of Xu Qianli was all-encompassing, and today he dealt a heavy hand by dispatching him to the reservoir. How could this guy possibly turn things around, especially not within today?
Impossible, absolutely impossible. There's no chance at all!
Xu Qianli said, "What if I can do it?"
"If you can do it, then I, Xu Shuman, will be your dog from now on!"
Xu Shuman let it slip without believing that Xu Qianli could turn the tide and rise again today.
If Xu Qianli could really do it, she would be his dog!
"Being a dog, I, Xu Qianli, would choose a loyal one. I wouldn't want a two-faced piece of goods like you."
"Being my dog, you, Xu Shuman, are not worthy!"
"As for what I said, just watch with those seemingly pretty eyes of yours that have actually been blinded by greed,"
Xu Qianli forcefully removed the IV from his hand, got out of bed, and without so much as a look at Xu Shuman, he strode out of the hospital ward.
Time was precious, and he had no time to waste here. He had to rush to do something major that would turn everything around.
Watching Xu Qianli leave, Xu Shuman felt unexpectedly empty.
She knew Xu Qianli was a good man and had treated her well, but since Xu Qianli had fallen on hard times and couldn't give her what she wanted, that was why she had the heart to break up with him.
She thought Xu Qianli would be devastated by the breakup, and that upon their next meeting he would be crying and screaming for a reconciliation, begging her to give him another chance.
But she didn't expect their first encounter after the breakup to be like this, the guy actually disdained her, saying she was worse than a dog.
Hmph, what gives him the right?
He used to be the glorious secretary to the County Magistrate, the Director of the County Government Office.
Now, he had been exiled to watch the reservoir, reduced to nothing. What right did he have to speak of her like that?
As for his claim that he would rise again today, ha, as if that's possible!
...
Xu Qianli left the hospital and headed straight to a place, the home of his sworn brother Wu Kai.
Upon arrival, not only was Wu Kai there, but there were also more than a dozen people, all from the county public security system, with two of them being chiefs of local police stations.
Everyone sat in silence, smoking, each bearing a worried frown.
Seeing this, Xu Qianli didn't need to ask to know that they all must have been dismissed along with Wu Kai.
Zhang Kuisan was ruthless enough to eradicate the old County Magistrate's supporters from the police system completely.
After waiting anxiously for Xu Qianli's return, Wu Kai hurried over.
"Brother, you finally came back, all my brothers and I are counting on you. What should we do about this situation? Is there any way to save our jobs?"
"I'm a bachelor, it's not much of an issue for me, but what about these dozens of brothers? They have families to support. What are they going to do without their jobs?"
Xu Qianli looked around the room and quickly spoke up.
"Kai, don't panic, it hasn't come to that yet."
"As it stands, Zhang Kuisan is going after us, the remnants of the old County Magistrate's team, and he clearly wants to purge us completely."
"In our current situation, we have two options: either sit and wait for death, letting Zhang Kuisan manipulate us, or fight him to the end."
"But to do that means we'll be completely breaking with Zhang Kuisan, and there will be no going back. Do you all have the courage to follow me in this fight?"
It was a critical moment and without taking action, Xu Qianli was clear that he and his colleagues who were left by the old County Magistrate were finished.
He already had a plan in mind, it just depended on whether these people in front of him had the courage to follow through.
Wu Kai said, "Bro, you're wrong to say that. We aren't afraid of even the most vicious bandits, so why would we fear Zhang Kuisan? If you have a way, just lead us. Whether it's climbing up the knife mountain or descending into the sea of fire, we won't be vague about it!"
Wu Kai patted his chest loudly, making a thumping sound.
Nothing could scare him if it meant keeping his and his brothers' jobs secure.
Not only Wu Kai, but the others also expressed their stance, ready to fight to the end.