Me! A high-ranking official!

Seeing this, Luo Shuishan quickly joined in with a beaming smile, flattering Guo: "Director Guo is truly decisive! The Culture and Tourism Bureau is really supportive! With a leader like you backing us up, our Luo Family Village has a very good chance of escaping poverty!"

Amidst the cheerful laughter and flattery, Luo Ming, sitting in a corner chair, stood out astonished. Since entering, he had kept his head down, his face ashen and lifeless. He didn't say a word, nor did he even make the gesture of pouring tea, like a wooden doll drained of all its energy. However, everyone's mind was focused on planning the future road construction and clinic, so no one paid much attention to his unusual reaction.

After finishing their business, the group got up and left the meeting room. Accompanied by Zhao Jianguo, Guo Nanguo and Xu Ling took another walk around the village along the newly cleared path, focusing on the newly built composting pit. Guo Nanguo praised this ingenious idea that could truly change the village's appearance and turn waste into treasure without spending a lot of money.

Around noon, the two were preparing to return to the county town. Zhao Jianguo earnestly invited them to stay in the village for a simple meal, but Guo Nanguo firmly declined, citing a meeting at the bureau.

Helpless, Zhao Jianguo could only escort them to their car.

Luo Shuishan and the others wisely stepped back a distance. Guo Nanguo opened the passenger door, paused, turned to look at Zhao Jianguo, and said in a low voice, "Jianguo, there's something important I need to tell you. The proposal for the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' wildlife park that you gave me yesterday was exceptionally well-written! I didn't waste a minute and immediately showed it to Secretary Zhou and County Head Han of the county. The two leaders were very satisfied after reading it. This morning, the secretary and the county head personally went to the city to report and communicate with the old leaders about this big project. If nothing unexpected happens, they should be back this afternoon with some news."

Zhao Jianguo's heart stirred, and he listened carefully.

Guo Nanguo sighed, his eyes showing some contradiction: "If this matter is really approved and approved, not only will our Culture and Tourism Bureau be the leading unit without a doubt, but you, the chief designer and instigator of this plan, will also be an indispensable core member of this major project. To be honest, I originally thought that seeing how miserable you were being squeezed out of this poor village by Zhang Baocheng, I planned to take this opportunity to forcibly transfer you back to the bureau under the pretext that the county's major project needed talent."

Guo Nanguo paused, looking at the villagers of Luojia Village who were watching them expectantly from a distance, and said with a wry smile, "But when I came here today, I saw that you were doing very well here, thriving and winning over the hearts of the people. You were indeed bringing benefits to the poor people in this area. If I were to suddenly transfer you back now, the good situation in Luojia Village would probably be completely ruined... Sigh, both sides are important matters, and I'm a bit troubled. Let's put this matter aside for now and wait for the county's opinion to be clear before I can coordinate privately!"

Zhao Jianguo nodded silently, fully understanding Guo Nanguo's dilemma and good intentions.

If the "Classic of Mountains and Seas Zoo" project were to actually be implemented, it would be an enormous undertaking. Going back to participate in such a project would be a huge asset for promotion. However, he knew perfectly well that as long as the top leader was still that narrow-minded old fox Zhang Baocheng, even if Guo Nanguo forcibly dragged him back, he would only be marginalized and suppressed by Zhang Baocheng. Not only would he be unable to exert his full potential, but the enormous political achievement he had painstakingly created might very well be seized by others, turning him into a pawn in someone else's game.

But if he continued to stay in Luojia Village, things would be different. Although it was remote and the conditions were tough, he could do things according to his own wishes. Every achievement, every road he repaired, and every smile from the villagers were solid accomplishments that no one could take away or erase. This would not only help smooth out the rough edges in his personality, but also provide him with an indispensable and solid grassroots experience for future advancement within the system.

After a brief silence, Zhao Jianguo raised his head, looking at Guo Nanguo with clear and firm eyes: "Director Guo, I understand your intentions. The bureau needs me, and I'm always ready to offer advice, but now that I've taken on the responsibility for Luojia Village, I don't want to put it down easily for the time being."

Seeing Zhao Jianguo's resolute attitude, Guo Nanguo understood that the young man had his own plan. He nodded approvingly and didn't press the matter further: "Alright, we'll see how to handle this later. It's good that you want to stay and do practical work at this crucial juncture. If you encounter any obstacles in the bureau regarding this plan, or if there are any issues with your personal treatment, I will do my best to advocate for you!"

"Thank you so much for your guidance, Director Guo!" he said sincerely.

After exchanging pleasantries, Guo Nanguo and Xu Ling got into the car. He stood by the roadside, watching the black sedan kick up a cloud of dust as it drove out of the village and disappeared from sight. Only then did he turn around to return to the village committee.

He hadn't walked two steps when he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure standing under an old elm tree not far ahead.

It was Luo Ming, standing straight in the shade of a tree, his eyes fixed on him, clearly waiting for him on purpose.

His heart sank slightly, and he felt a little strange. When he saw Guo Nanguo off earlier, Luo Shuishan had already gone back, so why hadn't Luo Ming left yet? Could it be that last night's kowtowing hadn't yielded any results, and now he was trying to take advantage of the fact that no one else was around to come and beg him for mercy again?

He hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward.

As he approached, he noticed that Luo Ming's condition was somewhat unusual. He had just given him a deep look, his face showing a gloomy and somber expression of relief, and even his shoulders were slumped.

"What's wrong, Director Luo?" He didn't offer a smile, and his tone was rather harsh: "Did you need something?"

Luo Ming's lips trembled for a long time before he finally managed to squeeze out a hoarse sentence: "Secretary Zhao, I... I called Zhiyong this morning, and I told him the truth. He... he promised to go to the town police station to turn himself in this afternoon!"

Upon hearing this news, his heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Luo Ming in front of him with a face full of surprise. He had always thought that with Luo Ming's stubbornness in protecting his own, he would not give up until he was completely convinced. He never expected that Luo Ming would actually take the initiative to persuade Luo Zhiyong!

Luo Ming's dry eyes reddened again as he stared at him and pleaded in a low voice, "Secretary, Zhi Yong has turned himself in. I... I wonder if I can swallow my pride and ask you for one more thing!"

"What is it?" Zhao Jianguo asked in a deep voice, suppressing his surprise.

"I secretly asked some relatives and lawyers in town who know the law." Luo Ming swallowed, his voice trembling noticeably. "They said that if Zhi Yong's situation causes irreversible and serious consequences, he will definitely be sentenced severely, especially since he drove Wang Xiujuan to the brink of mental illness, which is an aggravating circumstance. If Zhi Yong goes to jail, he'll probably have to serve at least ten years..."