Chapter 2928 Love and Marriage

Qin Feng and Xie Zhiguo were drinking, while Xie Simin and Tian Huifen were eating. Soon after, Xie Simin and Tian Huifen finished eating and went into the kitchen to clean up, leaving Qin Feng and Xie Zhiguo sitting at the table continuing to drink.

"Secretary Xie, are you aware of Chen Wuning's matter?" Qin Feng hesitated for a moment before asking Xie Zhiguo.

Qin Feng's way of addressing Xie Zhiguo as Secretary Xie is just a title; he has been using it ever since he first met Xie Zhiguo, and it has little to do with Xie Zhiguo's specific position.

"Chen Wuning? Deputy Secretary of the Dongyang Municipal Party Committee?" Xie Zhiguo was stunned.

"Correct."

"I heard that something happened in Dongyang recently, but I didn't ask for the specific details. I'm not very familiar with Chen Wuning; I only remember that he used to be the county party secretary of Xinlian County," Xie Zhiguo said.

"Yes, he was working in Xinlian County when you were working in Shannan County."

"Something happened?" Xie Zhiguo asked.

Qin Feng recounted Chen Wuning's situation in detail to Xie Zhiguo, including the information he had heard from Hu Jiayun.

Xie Zhiguo listened quietly as Qin Feng finished speaking, and only nodded slightly after he had finished.

“I roughly understand the whole story. I have some connections with Huang Ming. He’s a ruthless character and has a lot of influence in the provincial party committee. You have a good relationship with this Chen Wuning?” Xie Zhiguo asked.

"Yes, when I was working in Dongyang, he was the Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee. He took great care of me, and we've always had a good personal relationship," Qin Feng replied.

Xie Zhiguo did not reply immediately upon hearing this, but instead drank his wine and ate his food, clearly weighing the matter in his mind.

"I don't expect him to be unharmed. I just hope he can come out safely and live as an ordinary person without going to jail," Qin Feng emphasized. He knew it was impossible to completely protect Chen Wuning because this was not a simple legal case.

“This is no small matter,” Xie Zhiguo said after Qin Feng finished stating his demands.

Qin Feng nodded. He understood what Xie Zhiguo meant. Xie Zhiguo's words meant that he had the ability to help with this matter, but the price to be paid was too high. He was asking Qin Feng if it was worth it and whether he absolutely had to help.

Qin Feng never said he wouldn't help Qin Feng from beginning to end.

"If you can help, please ask Secretary Xie to put in a good word for me with the Provincial Party Committee. Hu Jiayun from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection will find a way," Qin Feng said.

Xie Zhiguo is now the most popular political star in the entire Jiangnan Province, with unlimited potential, and his influence in the Provincial Party Committee is self-evident.

As the vice governor and mayor of the provincial capital, this book signifies his extraordinary status.

“Okay, I’ll try my best to find a way for you, but I can’t guarantee success. I have a good relationship with Huang Ming, and I’ll give him a call. As long as he doesn’t go to jail, there’s still a chance.” Xie Zhiguo nodded directly.

That was the end of the matter. The two did not discuss it further, but instead talked about the country's development trends, mainly economic ones, including the international situation.

Qin Feng didn't come to see Xie Zhiguo today specifically about Chen Wuning. This was something he had arranged before he returned. Chen Wuning's matter just happened to come up, and it only occupied a small part of their conversation tonight.

That evening, Qin Feng and Xie Zhiguo talked for a long time and had a very enjoyable conversation. They drank a whole bottle of wine, which was quite rare for Xie Zhiguo, who was of a certain age and status.

It was quite late when Qin Feng said goodbye and left.

Xie Simin and Qin Feng went out together because she did not live with Xie Zhiguo and his wife, but lived in an apartment near her workplace.

Xie Zhiguo lives near the Zhongjiang Municipal Government, in the southwest of Zhongjiang City, while Xie Simin works in the Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department, which is in the northeast of Zhongjiang City. They are too far apart, so she usually only comes back on weekends because they are too far away.

The two went downstairs, and Xie Simin looked at the Maybach parked downstairs and asked, "You've drunk so much, you have to call a designated driver, otherwise I won't let you get in the car."

Xie Simin was worried about Qin Feng's safety. People at their level wouldn't consider something as trivial as whether they would encounter a traffic police checkpoint for drunk driving.

"How are you going to get back?" Qin Feng asked Xie Simin.

"It's about a ten-minute walk, or you can take the subway and transfer once to get there."

“Okay, then I’ll take the subway back too. The last time I took the subway was more than ten years ago when I was working in Shanghai,” Qin Feng said with a smile.

"Then what about your car?"

"Don't worry about it, someone will come and take the car back later."

"It's good to be rich," Xie Simin teased.

"Are you making fun of me? You'll be rich soon too, won't you?" Qin Feng said with a smile, walking towards the subway station with Xie Simin.

Xie Simin glanced at Qin Feng and smiled slightly. She knew that Qin Feng was referring to the fact that her boyfriend's family was wealthy.

Qin Feng noticed a slight change in Xie Simin's expression and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Uh... I don't know how to say it. You heard it too, my relationship with Zhang Bin was arranged by both of our parents, it wasn't a love match," Xie Simin said.

"You don't like Zhang Bin?" Qin Feng frowned.

“I don’t dislike him at all. Zhang Bin is very good, outstanding, and very kind to me. How can I put it? He is almost impeccable in terms of both his character and his family background,” Xie Simin replied.

“But… I just can’t find any romantic feelings in him,” Xie Simin added.

Hearing this, Qin Feng roughly understood what was going on and asked, "Given your personality, if you're unwilling, no one can force you."

“No one forced me. My parents have always respected my own wishes. It was my choice to be with Zhang Bin.”

“I told you, Zhang Bin is very good to me. He’s a perfect person, we’re about the same age, our families are well-matched, and we both work in Zhongjiang, so we’re not in a long-distance relationship. What more could I ask for than such a good partner?”

"This is a bit unlike you," Qin Feng said, surprised.

“I’m all grown up now. I’m looking for a marriage partner, not someone to date. I’ve been in love a few times in my life, the first one was with you.” Xie Simin said, looking at Qin Feng.

"Nonsense." Qin Feng said somewhat awkwardly.

"Although you won't admit it, in my heart, you are my first love. The second time, you know, this is the third time. To be precise, it's not really the third time, because this time I'm aiming for marriage."

"Marriage is different from dating. Dating is about feelings, love, and the feeling of love at first sight, a flutter of the heart, and butterflies in the stomach. Marriage is different. Marriage is about compatibility, compatible personalities, compatible family backgrounds, and compatibility in all aspects. Two incompatible people together will only suffer endless pain."

"Of course, it would be best if the people in love were also suitable for marriage, but that only exists in movies and novels, and it is very, very difficult in reality."

“I’ve dated before, and now I just want to get married. For myself, and to stop my parents from worrying me. Besides… I should be getting married at this age, right?” Xie Simin said with a smile.