"Town Chief Qin, are you perhaps referring to Cheng Lu?" Chen Feng tentatively asked.
"If not her, then who? Cheng Lu is a top student from Ducheng University. You're pursuing a degree from Ducheng University through self-study, so who else would be more suitable to help you than Cheng Lu?" Qin Yan said with a knowing smile.
"Town Chief Qin, I just feel, aren't we getting a bit too close to Cheng Lu?" Chen Feng asked quietly.
"Is getting close a bad thing? She's a top student from Ducheng University and has connections in Jiangcheng. This is an opportunity many people dream of but can't obtain. And here you are, complaining about getting too close?" Qin Yan said with a smile.
"Town Chief Qin, I'm not afraid of anything else, I'm just afraid of harming Cheng Lu. To be honest, Cheng Lu is a very good woman. However, you know the Cheng family is wealthy and influential in Jiangcheng. They wouldn't even look twice at a graduate from a second-tier university like me. If we force ourselves to be together, there will be no outcome. Since there's no outcome, shouldn't we avoid getting too close?" Chen Feng explained honestly.
As the saying goes, although he didn't know what the Cheng family did in Jiangcheng, one thing was certain: the Cheng family was definitely wealthy and influential there. The reason was simple: the young lady's aura that Cheng Lu exuded couldn't be faked.
"Chen Feng, your way of thinking is too pedantic. Admittedly, with your current circumstances, you're not yet worthy of Cheng Lu, and her family wouldn't agree. However, people develop. Especially young people like you who are talented and willing to work hard have limitless potential for growth. If the Cheng family doesn't approve of you now, they surely will once you've developed. Besides, you're not being asked to marry Cheng Lu and have children right now. It's just about maintaining contact with her to prepare for the future. Understand?" Qin Yan encouraged Chen Feng.
"Town Chief Qin, the logic is sound, but can Cheng Lu wait that long? You know, success in the political arena doesn't happen overnight," Chen Feng asked with a serious expression.
"You don't need to worry about that. I'm a woman, and I can empathize with Cheng Lu's thoughts. If she had no feelings for you whatsoever, would she be willing to accompany you from a small place like Wulin Village all the way to becoming the town chief secretary of Mingshan Town? Let me tell you, if she wanted to, she could return to Jiangcheng in an instant. Why has she been working with you in the grassroots? Do you really think she likes being trained at the grassroots level? Isn't it all because of you?"
"Town Chief Qin, hearing you say that, I think I understand."
"It's not 'I think I understand.' Chen Feng, trust me. Cheng Lu, like me, is definitely a benefactor in your life. You must cherish her." Qin Yan said with a serious expression.
"I understand, I will cherish her, but..." Chen Feng hesitated.
"But what? You're a man, why are you being so hesitant?"
"Town Chief Qin, if I get too close to Cheng Lu, won't you be jealous? After all, we've slept together." After a moment of hesitation, Chen Feng finally spoke his mind.
"Of course, I'll be jealous! To be honest, you're the most outstanding man I've ever met, and I deeply wish to spend my life with you. However, I'm a realist. It's fine for us to maintain a physical and spiritual relationship. But marriage is unlikely. Firstly, the age gap between us is too large. Secondly, I have great ambitions and want to keep climbing the ladder, so I haven't really planned to get married. Of course, for the occasional physiological needs of a woman, I'll still need you to satisfy them. You won't refuse, will you?" Qin Yan replied honestly.
"Town Chief Qin, you're too kind. You're so beautiful and elegant, and you're so good to me, I have no reason to refuse. However, isn't this a bit too much of a compromise for you?" Chen Feng asked tentatively.
"It's not a compromise. I think this is a win-win situation. In my opinion, marriage isn't always necessary between men and women. Maintaining a physical and spiritual relationship is also a good option. Also, you are a good man, and you're young. I don't want to hold you back."
And so, the two chatted for a while. When the mood became intimate, Qin Yan directly locked the office door and leaned over the desk...
Chen Feng wasn't stupid, so he naturally understood what Qin Yan meant. Without a word, Chen Feng...
Afterward, Chen Feng went to find Cheng Lu.
"Cheng Lu, I have some good news for you." Before Chen Feng could even ask for the materials for the self-study program at Ducheng University, Cheng Lu exclaimed excitedly.
"What good news?" Chen Feng asked cooperatively.
"There's a comprehensive diploma enhancement program recently launched in Lianhua Town. Qualified personnel can go abroad to pursue a doctorate, funded by the town government. You and I are on the list. We can go abroad for half a year, then return and spend a few years studying full-time, and we'll have our doctoral degrees. Isn't this good news?" Cheng Lu said enthusiastically.
"Miss Cheng, I'm sorry, I refuse. No, to be precise, I'm not refusing, I'm cashing out." Chen Feng replied with a serious expression.
"Cashing out?"
"Yes, cashing out."
"Are you short of money? This is a great opportunity to improve your qualifications. To waste it like this?" Cheng Lu asked, unable to understand.
"Miss Cheng, this isn't about whether I'm short of money or not." Chen Feng explained patiently.
"It's not about money? Then tell me, what's going on?"
"This time, the new Mingshan Town government is sponsoring diploma enhancement, but it's for diplomas from third-rate universities. A doctoral degree from a third-rate university can impress at the town level, but it's useless in Jiangcheng, the provincial capital, or the capital city. Therefore, it's better to cash it out." Chen Feng explained patiently.
"Chen Feng, you've really awakened me from my delusion! How did I not think of that? In that case, I'll cash out too. You aspire to enter the political arena in Jiangcheng, the provincial capital, and the capital city. I want to follow in your footsteps." Cheng Lu said excitedly.
"If you cash out, tell Town Chief Qin about it then."
"I still need to tell Town Chief Qin?"
"Of course, you do! Otherwise, do you think this cash-out of hundreds of thousands is so easy to get?" Chen Feng replied truthfully.
"Alright, I'll go and talk to Town Chief Qin when I have time. Anyway, I'm Town Chief Qin's secretary now, so I have plenty of opportunities to meet her. By the way, what did you come to see me for today?" Cheng Lu asked back.
"I came to get some self-study materials from Ducheng University."
"You want to get a second degree from Ducheng University?" Cheng Lu asked with surprise.
"Yes, if I want to go to Jiangcheng, the provincial capital, or the capital city, without a degree from a key university, I won't be able to go even with connections. So, while I'm still young and my grassroots work isn't too busy, I'll self-study for a degree from Ducheng University after work. You graduated from Ducheng University, don't you have a way to get the materials?" Chen Feng said calmly.
"Of course, I do! Don't worry, I'll get the materials for you tomorrow." Cheng Lu said excitedly.
Previously, she didn't know why Chen Feng exuded a charm that made her unable to resist. Now she knew why: it was Chen Feng's drive. A man with ambition is infinitely charming. Most men, if they had a backer like Qin Yan, would have already become complacent. Chen Feng, however, maintained a vigorous and diligent drive, progressing every moment he could. What woman wouldn't like a man like that?
"Then thank you."
"If you really want to thank me, help me with something too." Cheng Lu said with a smile.
"What is it?" Chen Feng was taken aback. Recently, he, Qin Yan, and Cheng Lu had all been doing well. Was there anything Cheng Lu needed help with?
"Have you forgotten? That research class is graduating in a few days. I'm not good at writing my graduation thesis. You have a sharp mind, help me write one." Cheng Lu said with a smile.
"Me write it? Wouldn't that be a bit awkward if I wrote the first-place thesis?" Chen Feng joked with a smile.