Chapter 60: The Four Great Bonds of Life

Inside the tranquil municipal party committee residential compound, illuminated by gentle, scattered lights, the night wove a serene canvas with shades of ink.

Zheng Nange sat holding a book, straight and composed at the desk that exuded a faint, natural scent of wood.

Near the banister leading to the second floor, two figures pressed close to the wall. Like nimble little kittens in the dead of night, they were cautiously spying on the movements down below.

Zhou Luoyao’s expressive, bright eyes sparkled with curiosity and mischief, a crafty smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Zhou Ye, however, wore a slightly furrowed brow, maintaining a composed and veteran demeanor as he eavesdropped on Zheng Qun making a phone call in the living room downstairs.

From time to time, Zheng Qun let out a hearty laugh. "Not at all, not at all. Uncle Hu isn't old yet..."

"So Xiao Ou is managing the Southwest District now? That is indeed wonderful news."

"Apologies? You flatter me too much, Uncle Hu. It's completely normal for kids to occasionally act up and squabble."

"Please don't put it that way, Uncle Hu... Most definitely, when I return for the New Year, I will certainly pay a visit to you... Since that boy Xiao Ou can now shoulder heavy responsibilities, you can finally set your mind at ease."

After hanging up the phone, Zheng Qun shook his head. He figured that brat Hu Xiao Ou must have received quite a severe scolding this time.

"Nange, come out for a moment."

A wave of dread washed over Zheng Nange. His father had just engaged in a round of diplomatic sparring over the phone with the Hu family, and calling him out now definitely meant nothing good!

The conversation where he told Hu Xiao Ou to "know who he is"—if word of it got out, it would likely be severely distorted.

For instance, it could be interpreted as him reminding others that he was the number one young lord of the city...

He braced himself and sat down before Zheng Qun, looking very much like someone awaiting the executioner's blade.

Zheng Qun stared at him, feeling both exasperated and amused, and said,

"In a couple of days, your father is going down to visit several cities and counties. You two behave yourselves at home, and just tell Aunt Li if you want anything to eat. I'm giving you this card; there are five thousand yuan inside. Use it sparingly, and you two brothers shouldn't keep freeloading off Luoran's allowance."

Zheng Nange felt a sudden surge of relief, as if a disaster had miraculously turned into a blessing. He took the card and tentatively asked, "Dad, that was the Hu family on the phone just now. Aren't you going to blame me?"

Zheng Qun thought for a moment and replied, "Whether you did it for Lin Cheng or Jiang Yuwan... You are growing up now, and you need to know what you are doing."

With a serious expression, Zheng Qun stated, "I hope you understand this correctly: since ancient times, heroes have never been gentle souls."

"My understanding is that none of those who achieve great things are ever overly mild-mannered!"

"In the process of getting things done, one must make decisive judgments within complex environments, and display a ruthless, cutthroat side amid conflicting interests—even if it occasionally appears cold-blooded and merciless."

"I neither encourage nor judge it. Seventeen or eighteen-year-old boys ought to experience certain things. You must make your own choices."

This lengthy discourse left Zheng Nange dazed for a long while. Not only had he changed, but his father's attitude toward him had also shifted—at times treating him like a child, at times like an adult, and offering earnest, heartfelt advice fit for a peer.

On Saturday morning, the earth was blanketed in a thin layer of mist, with distant mountain ranges and sweeping forests looming indistinctly like a fairyland on earth.

Amidst this quiet and mysterious atmosphere, Zheng Qun sat in his office. Outside the window, the occasional chirp of a bird formed a sharp contrast with the weighty travel itinerary clutched in his hands.

Zheng Qun's gaze danced between the lines of text, his brows alternately furrowing and nodding slightly as he brimmed with anticipation and deep contemplation regarding his upcoming inspection tour.

Recently, he had been conducting investigations and inspections everywhere, giving speeches and heart-to-heart talks, which had earned him the reputation of being a "people-friendly secretary."

Such matters inevitably carried both advantages and disadvantages, leading to mixed reviews within society.

The successive launch of the citizen hotline and the public petition office fostered an image of a government that was close to the people, served the public, and remained pragmatic.

Just as everything seemed to be progressing in a favorable direction, however, a turbulent undercurrent was quietly stirring.

Feng Hui, the rigorous and tough-minded deputy in charge of the provincial discipline inspection commission, began casting his gaze toward Zheng Qun.

Zheng Qun knew deeply that he needed to withstand any test, but as long as there was light in his heart, his footsteps would carry strength. A journey concerning faith, responsibility, and trials was quietly unfolding.

The horizon gradually burst into brilliant shades of gold and red.

Under the gentle caress of the light, frost crystals visibly and quietly melted.

A slightly chilly breeze gently swayed the few remaining withered leaves on the tree branches.

They drifted down slowly, ultimately coming to rest upon Lin Cheng's broad shoulders.

Cushioned beneath him was a thick, glossy-paged magazine sample that Tao Lu had just delivered.

Just as he opened his chemistry book—chemistry being his weak subject, a textbook he practically carried everywhere—

Preparing to review coordination compound structures once more,

A sudden, crisp, and urgent telephone ring, sounding like some sort of emergency signal, instantly snapped Lin Cheng out of his thoughts.

He picked up the phone, and the name flashing brightly on the screen was Zhou Luoyao.

"Hello? Why did you hang up?"

On the other end of the line, Zhou Luoyao's voice carried a hint of hesitation. "Um... if you're not busy, why don't you come over to our place?"

"Oh..." Lin Cheng responded softly. This simple invitation flickered like a candle flame blown by the wind, swaying gracefully.

What are the four closest bonds in life?

Having shared a classroom, having shouldered rifles together,

Having drifted across the sea together on a fishing boat, and having split the spoils together.

After Lin Cheng and Zheng Nange teamed up to ruin Hu Xiao Ou's banquet, the group of them had become the "Four Indestructibles."

Lately, Zhou Luoyao had been acting exceptionally diligent, to the point where Zhou Ye and Zheng Nange found her rather tedious.

With final exams approaching, she had begun tying her hair to the rafters by night to study diligently, while still maintaining an air of effortless detachment by day.

Lin Cheng arrived at the municipal committee residential compound, but Zheng Qun was not at home.

Zheng Nange and Zhou Ye exchanged a brief glance with him before heading off to sleep!

Taking advantage of Zheng Qun's absence for field inspections, the two brothers had gone to an internet cafe and fought fiercely through an entire night of gaming.

The apartment was rather warm, likely heated by northern-style indoor radiators.

Zhou Luoyao lounged against the soft sofa like a lazy little kitten.

Her long, waterfall-like hair cascaded past her delicate neck down to her waist and abdomen, revealing a slender expanse of fair leg, her toes resembling slightly pink seashells...

The scenery was so breathtaking that a sudden surge of heat rushed to his head.

"Stop staring blindly!" Zhou Luoyao shouted with a blushing face.

Lin Cheng immediately reined in his breath and composed his mind.

Though she felt shy, Zhou Luoyao glanced down at herself and let the corners of her mouth curl upward with a trace of pride.

She led Lin Cheng into the study and bade him sit.

The study carried a faint fragrance of sandalwood, while the rosewood desk and chairs, paired with dark glass panels, emanated a sense of profound weight.

When Zhou Luoyao appeared at the doorway once more, she raised a cartoon mug in her hand.

"Coffee? Want some?" Her tone was gentle, and her gaze was soft.

Lin Cheng accepted the mug from her hands.

That song "In the Rain"—did you write it?

Zhou Luoyao tilted her head slightly, her eyes holding a trace of incredulity and pleasant surprise.

Lin Cheng nodded. "Oh."

Zhou Luoyao's eyes instantly lit up. "Wow, was that really written for Wang Feng?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Do you want me to help?"

"Huh?"

Lin Cheng stared blankly at Zhou Luoyao, her pinkish cheeks looking precisely like peach blossoms newly blooming in spring.