Chapter 2268 - 2268

Immediately, Liu Zhizhong picked up the backpack, unzipped it, revealing the colorful US Dollars inside.

"Teacher, please look..."

Zhang Qidong's gaze shifted instantly from the salted fish to the contents of the backpack.

As soon as he saw the US Dollars, his eyes lit up slightly.

They were all genuine, and he recognized them.

Moreover, he really needed this stuff now!

However, Zhang Qidong immediately frowned, "Zhizhong, what are you doing? What are you doing? Are you trying to bribe your teacher?"

"No, Teacher, this is just a small token from a student! You..."

Zhang Qidong's face turned serious, and he immediately sat down opposite Liu Zhizhong, suddenly exuding the demeanor of a mentor.

"Even a small token won't do, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to put your teacher in an unjust position? Besides..."

Liu Zhizhong looked despondent and said, "Teacher, I never intended to harm you, it's just a special situation, I really have no choice! This money, it's how I got it..."

As he spoke, Liu Zhizhong recounted everything in detail.

Zhang Qidong nodded from time to time as he listened, but the seriousness on his face never diminished.

Eventually, Liu Zhizhong said, "My situation, if you call 12346, you will know. So I am really unwilling to just waste my future and prospects. What's a mere 300,000 in compensation compared to life's ideals? A teacher is a teacher, has always treated me well. In this situation, I'm sure the teacher will lend a helping hand. But, I must express my gratitude, right? One must not forget gratitude and righteousness! By the way, isn't your daughter studying in the United States? This money would surely come in handy, right? I exchanged this money on the black market, just take it."

He spoke sincerely, not treating Mayor Zhang like an outsider.

Zhang Qidong was really quite ecstatic inside.

It was like getting a pillow when you're sleepy!

He was worrying about where to gather money for his daughter, and then a prized disciple came to deliver it.

However, Zhang Qidong's expression remained solemn, "Zhizhong, I know your situation, I know. Unknowingly, there will be significant resistance, after all, it's a conflict between you and the Zhang Family. You also understand the situation of the Zhang Family in Southeast. If the teacher rashly intervenes, well... can you imagine the political implications?"

Liu Zhizhong nodded, "What the teacher said is very reasonable. But with someone like me, Liu Zhizhong, with no relatives to turn to, after suffering this injustice, who do I have to rely on? In this world, where have justice, law, and order gone? The only one I can think of is the teacher!"

Zhang Qidong pushed up his glasses and said, "I can help you, although it will be very challenging. However, you must promise me one thing!"

Liu Zhizhong was overjoyed, "Teacher, what do you ask?"

"As for these US Dollars, I will accept them, but consider it me borrowing from you. I won't give you a promissory note. We are teacher and student, verbal agreement should suffice, is that okay?"

"Ah? Teacher... why are you borrowing?"

Liu Zhizhong looked puzzled and unsure.

Zhang Qidong chuckled and said, "To be honest, Zhang Qidong has political ambitions and ideals, just like you. So money is really something external. It's just that my daughter's situation in the United States..."

As he spoke, he also revealed the whole truth.

Finally, Zhang Qidong stated, "This money is truly borrowed from you by the teacher. You have to agree, otherwise, I won't help with your matters. They are of great significance, and pushing them to the City Committee Member meeting is not impossible. The pressure on me will be considerable as well. What's more, offending the Zhang family wouldn't look good, right? Your situation is special, if you really want to retain your status, after your work assignment, you need your own home, a car for commuting, and eventually starting a family. Without some capital, it's not possible, right?"

Liu Zhizhong was deeply moved, it was rare for a city-level leader like the teacher to maintain such a revolutionary spirit.

He could only say, "Alright, teacher, Zhizhong will listen to you, consider this money lent to you. Just return it when you have it, and there must be no sudden or unexpected funds, alright?"

"Hahaha... sure, sure, no problem! Now come, let's cook together, and have a good drink tonight?"

"Alright, alright... Teacher, please..."

"... "

The teacher and student, ah, became even more harmonious like this.

That night, the two drank and talked happily, the dishes weren't great, but the steamed marinated broad-bodied carp was a culinary delight, and Zhang Qidong drank a few more glasses due to excitement.

That night, Liu Zhizhong also made an exception and smoked with the teacher, and the cigarettes were quite good, haha...

After dinner, the two played chess, both Chinese and international, and even engaged in several games of Go and Five-in-a-Row, which turned out to be quite lively and meaningful, with wins and losses.

In fact, it was Liu Zhizhong who let the teacher win! With his level of chess skills, Zhang Qidong couldn't win a single game.

Zhang Qidong originally had a private meeting at nine, but he postponed it, choosing instead to spend quality time with this prized disciple.

He truly felt Liu Zhizhong's sincerity and reliability; after recovering from a vegetative state, his wisdom remained intact, plus he had gained more composure; truly a chosen political rising star!

Thus, in Zhang Qidong's political philosophy and ideals, Liu Zhizhong was indeed a reliable choice.

Of course, he was determined to protect Liu Zhizhong's status as a selection trainee for the City Organization Department.

Not to mention, just by borrowing Liu Zhizhong's US Dollars, it solved an urgent problem, and Zhang Qidong was also deeply moved inside.

It was late at night when Liu Zhizhong finally left the teacher's home, riding a shared electric scooter, enjoying the cool autumn breeze of Dongnan City's night, and internally breathed a sigh of relief: everything was settled...

Of course, the leftover marinated broad-bodied carp was naturally left for Zhang Qidong, haha...

A couple of days later, the City Committee Member meeting, the most influential meeting in the city, bar none, was held. It was to decide the city's major development plans and important personnel changes, and naturally, Zhang Qidong had to attend, offer suggestions, and vote.

After all the agenda items were settled, and the meeting was about to conclude satisfactorily, Zhang Qidong raised his hand and proposed a motion to his colleagues: a proposal to reinstate Comrade Liu Zhizhong as a selection trainee for the City Organization Department!

The proposal caused an uproar on the spot.

"Hey, Mayor Zhang, isn't this proposal a bit out of line?"

"Wasn't Liu Zhizhong's situation considered as voluntary abandonment due to not reporting to the organization department?"

"Furthermore, Mayor Zhang has always been a model of integrity and principled behavior. Is he really going to go all out for his student this time?"

"..."

All sorts of opinions emerged. The City Committee Member meeting was a high-level gathering, but sometimes it really was just a noisy meeting, haha...