rigade headquarters, convinced that Expert Min’s visit was tied to the mining permit.

"Heavens, this child! He's a Secretary now but still jumps at everything like a firecracker," Mrs. Liu was amused by Liu Mazi’s comment. Suddenly, Secretary Liu, rushing like the wind, almost collided with Expert Min and his entourage.

“What’s the matter, Secretary Liu? Are you not happy to see this old man?” Expert Min asked with a smile. Secretary Liu looked like a long-lost underground member finding his organization, shaking Expert Min’s hand with fervent excitement.

"Dear father, you are like my own father, Liu Peili! This is your home!" Secretary Liu’s words stunned everyone. Expert Min, unperturbed, responded, "Secretary Liu, how about we sit down at home?" Expert Min took the lead, headed to the living room, and pulled out two certificates from a large bag. 

“Look what your dear father brought you. Aren't you anxious about it?" Expert Min teased.

"The mining permit! Sir, you are a great benefactor to me and the people of East and West Villages. I owe you a bow." As Secretary Liu attempted to kneel, Expert Min quickly pulled him up. Amid the excitement, Secretary Liu did not notice the unusually modest behavior of Mayor Nie and Deputy Secretary Zeng, staying unobtrusively behind Expert Min.

“County Magistrate Wang, isn’t directly handing him the permit against regulation?” Expert Min asked the person sitting below him.

“It’s not against regulations, sir. Public servants should serve the people at their doorsteps," Magistrate Wang agreed.

"Today, aside from delivering the mining permits, I have some personal matters to discuss with Secretary Liu. Is it convenient?"

"Sir, I have a meeting, so I won't disturb you."

"Take care, County Magistrate.”

“Da Pao...” Mayor Nie was about to remind Magistrate Wang but was stopped.

“Let him relish this moment. He probably thinks he's dreaming. Now Da Pao is like a firecracker with no fuse,” Magistrate Wang chuckled, looking at Secretary Liu, who was clinging to the permit and smiling foolishly. Everyone laughed.

“Look at him! But he isn’t usually like this, Magistrate Wang,” Mayor Nie defended Secretary Liu. Just as Expert Min was about to see them off, they hurriedly departed.

Secretary Liu seemed excessively excited, otherwise, he wouldn’t have ignored the departure of County Magistrate Wang and his entourage. Liu Mazi wanted to escort them but, seeing Secretary Liu unresponsive, he assumed it was a special directive from his superior and did not act on his own.

Furthermore, considering the high-ranking visitors, his role as a mere messenger hardly mattered. In this remote area, Mayor Nie was the highest-ranking official ever to visit the village. Had it not been for the implementation of the village-wide a

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