Chapter 17: Joanna Moves In to Live Together
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To He Shinian’s surprise, when he returned home, Qiao Yina had already moved her luggage in. The apartment where He Shinian lived was a collective housing unit funded by the textile factory, an old and dilapidated building from the 1990s. It consisted of two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom, covering more than seventy square meters. It was the only property left to him by his mother.
After his military discharge, He Shinian had done some basic renovations and waterproofing. The apartment was warm in winter and cool in summer, comfortable to live in.
“Yina, what are you doing?” He Shinian asked, puzzled by the pile of luggage.
Qiao Yina’s cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled, “Of course, I’m moving in to take care of you!”
He Shinian felt a surge of emotion and asked, “Does your mother know?”
“Heehee, she’ll probably find out soon enough!” Qiao Yina puckered her lips and smiled.
“Aren’t you afraid she’ll punish you when she finds out?” He Shinian joked.
“No, now that you’re the secretary to the county party committee, you’re busy every day. Me moving in is just right—I can take care of you.”
An inexplicable warmth coursed through He Shinian’s body.
In truth, the idea of living together had come from Qiao Yina’s mother, Wei Ziqin. He Shinian was now a prized asset—like a hen laying golden eggs. Wei Ziqin had told her daughter that as the secretary to the county party committee, He Shinian faced many temptations daily. Having Qiao Yina move in was partly to supervise him and partly to “take care” of him.
He Shinian and Qiao Yina had been in a relationship for six years. Though they had already crossed the boundary of innocence, Wei Ziqin’s strict watch meant it was rare.
Qiao Yina had inherited her mother’s complexion and physique: fair but not overly so, smooth skin without sagging, a delicate waistline—not gaunt but with a hint of baby fat. To any normal man, her figure and skin were irresistibly alluring.
Her moving in meant they could share nights together freely. The thought sent a wave of heat through every pore of He Shinian’s body.
Finally, they moved all the luggage inside.
“I’ll take a shower first; you tidy up a bit,” He Shinian said, removing his shirt.
His sharply defined but not overly muscular torso left Qiao Yina stunned. Despite having left the military a year ago, He Shinian had maintained his fitness through running and cycling. His abdomen boasted a well-defined eight-pack.
Blushing, Qiao Yina whispered, “I’ll join you.”
He Shinian was speechless.
About forty minutes later, they emerged from the bathroom, both dripping wet. Qiao Yina’s face was flushed, and she staggered slightly as she walked, shooting He Shinian a look full of grievance.
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He Shinian, aware that his pent-up passion had overwhelmed Qiao Yina, causing her discomfort, chuckled, “Let me help you organize your things.”
Qiao Yina wanted to say, “You’re as intense as ever... I’m scared...” but instead said, “No, I can manage.”
Only then did Qiao Yina notice that He Shinian’s bed was an old wooden plank bed with only a cotton mattress laid on top, neatly made but with just one pillow and a neatly folded quilt—no different from the military standard.
“A wooden plank bed? Shinian, how can you sleep on that?” Qiao Yina frowned with disdain.
He Shinian said, “I’m used to it. I’m keeping the habit from the military. I think it’s good for the spine.”
“No way! You’re retired now, living a normal life. You should be like ordinary people. Tomorrow we’ll buy a new bed, a decent mattress. Otherwise, I’m going home.”
He Shinian was used to living alone and didn’t care much, but since Qiao Yina was moving in, he should consider her feelings. He said, “Alright, I’ll listen to you. We’ll just make do tonight.”
“This bed is too hard. I can’t get used to it. I’ll go home to tough it out tonight. After we buy the bed, I’ll come back.”
He Shinian wasn’t willing to let her go so easily. He suddenly embraced her from behind, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, “A lamb entering a tiger’s mouth has no way to escape.”
Before Qiao Yina could react, He Shinian pinned her to the bed amid her startled cries.
Monday.
After reporting the week’s work plan to Wu Yunqiu and returning to his office, He Shinian noticed a brown paper envelope on his desk. He glanced instinctively towards the door—no one was there.
Hesitating briefly, he picked up the envelope, opened the string, and began reading.
The more he read, the heavier his expression became.
It was a petition letter, detailing issues concerning the transfer of 2,300 mu of land in Nanping Town.
The content was more detailed and explicit than what He Shinian had previously known.
Why was this letter on his desk? Who had delivered it?
According to procedure, such petitions should first be submitted to the petition office, then handed over to Ou Huasheng, the director of the county party committee office, for review, and then presented to Wu Yunqiu.
Someone had quietly left it on He Shinian’s desk, indicating that after the petition reached Ou Huasheng, he suppressed it and never forwarded it to Wu Yunqiu.
He Shinian was shocked that such an important document had been withheld, a clear violation of organizational procedures.
Yet holding this letter, his mood grew even heavier.
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If he submitted it to Wu Yunqiu like Ou Huasheng should have, he too would be breaking protocol.
But land transfer concerned the people’s interests and their livelihoods.
After some thought, He Shinian made a decision.
For the sake of the people, even if he were later criticized or retaliated against by Ou Huasheng, he must ensure Wu Yunqiu knew the truth.
He went to Wu Yunqiu’s office, where she was busy at her desk.
“Sister Qiu, this morning someone left a document on my desk. I’m unsure if I should submit it to you for review,” He Shinian said, hinting that the document should have been passed along by Ou Huasheng but wasn’t.
“Oh?” Wu Yunqiu glanced at him. “What document?”
“It’s a petition regarding illegal land transfers in Nanping Town.”
The mention of land piqued Wu Yunqiu’s interest. “Let me see.”
He Shinian handed it over. Wu Yunqiu glanced at the title, then looked up. “Have you read it?”
“I’ve looked it over.”
Instead of rushing to read further, Wu Yunqiu asked, “You came from the Land Bureau. Were you aware of this before?”
He Shinian answered honestly, “To be frank, I was responsible for this matter at the Land Bureau, but I didn’t approve it.”
“Why not?”
“There were problems with price assessment and some land use classifications. I couldn’t compromise my conscience and harm the people.”
Seeing Wu Yunqiu’s serious attention, He Shinian continued, “Out of the 2,300 mu, 980 mu are fertile farmland. According to ‘Arable Land Reclamation’ regulations, this land cannot be used for commercial transfers and must be returned to the villagers.”
Wu Yunqiu nodded in agreement and asked, “What happened next? How was this resolved?”
He Shinian gave a bitter smile, “After I left the Land Bureau, a section chief replaced me. According to the petition, they have already approved it.”
Wu Yunqiu frowned. “So they illegally approved the land transfer?”
Wu Yunqiu, recently appointed from the provincial party committee and holding a high position, wasn’t fully familiar with frontline procedures or the possible corruption within.
“This kind of thing happens often. Where there’s profit, there are capitalists, corruption, and lawless parasites,” He Shinian said.
Wu Yunqiu nodded silently, no longer asking questions, her gaze fixed on the document as she read.
Gradually, her expression grew grave.
By the end, anger burned in her eyes.
“This is utterly outrageous. If the petition is true, their behavior tramples on the people’s interests.”
He Shinian silently handed her a glass of water.
After a moment’s thought, Wu Yunqiu closed the document and said, “Have Ou Huasheng come to my office.”