feeling indescribably delighted.

Fu Yushui, on the other hand, was heartbroken seeing the discarded durian. These days were the busiest for him—juggling arranging iron ore procedures for Secretary Liu and also serving Secretary Fu. Only when Secretary Liu received his own driver's license did Fu Yushui finally relax a bit.

"Bad Shui! You don't want the durian? How about I treat you to a meal? You wouldn’t refuse that, would you?" Secretary Liu couldn’t even be bothered to glance properly at Fu Yushui. He felt that returning the durian was a sign of not appreciating his goodwill. Of course, Secretary Liu also knew who was behind this, so he aimed to show even more propriety, not letting those across the river laugh at him.

Thus, Secretary Liu temporarily put aside his usual fiery temper. Instead of the storm Fu Yushui anticipated, he encountered gentle breezes, leaving him feeling quite out of place. When Fu Yushui came to return the durian, he was prepared for self-sacrifice.

Otherwise, Secretary Fu wouldn’t have personally gone to the county to buy durian to support Fu Yushui. Instead of a heroic sacrifice, there was an invitation to drink, leaving Fu Yushui rather dazed by Secretary Liu’s gesture.

“No need, Secretary Liu. If you have something to say, just go ahead. Besides, don’t we in East and West Villages rely on each other?” The major difference in addressing Secretary Liu had to do with who else was present.

"Get lost! Get out immediately! Driving a car from West Village and claiming East Village relies on you—get out, get out!!" Finally, the volcano erupted, and Fu Yushui's anxiety settled. If Secretary Liu hadn’t exploded over the embarrassing rejection, Fu Yushui would’ve lost sleep.

"Secretary Liu, if you need anything from West Village, just let me know, alright?" As Fu Yushui spoke, Secretary Liu’s hefty shoe whizzed past Fu Yushui’s face!

"Wow, what a stench! Haven't washed your feet in three years?" Pinching his nose, Fu Yushui sped away. By the time Secretary Liu came out to scold him further, Fu Yushui had vanished.

"Old Cannon, it’s not me saying this, but Bad Shui diligently helps you. Not only do you not thank him, but you also scold him. Such actions really tarnish your reputation, Secretary Liu, betraying your prime virtue of repaying a drop of water with a flood." Secretary Fu critiqued sternly as he sat on his sofa, nudging him gently.

"Fine, you just spoil him!" Secretary Liu stood up and left.

"Brother Peili, that’s just how he is. Don’t mind him," Secretary Fu’s wife intervened.

"Sister-in-law! That Bad Shui is really too much! I invited him for a meal, and guess what he said?"

"What did he say?" Secretary Fu's wife responded, typically refraining from involving herself in their affairs, describing them as "a 

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