What an assortment of rules just to have a meal. I turned to Ning Shixuan and said, "Of course the gentleman treats the lady; that’s basic chivalry in our Great Dragon Kingdom. Let’s go, it’s a good chance to get familiar with the area."

The two of us went downstairs only to see an old Santana parked in front of the building. A short, stout man, probably in his mid-forties or late forties, was just about to get into the car. Seeing Ning Shixuan, he closed the door, stood still, and smiled warmly at us.

"Little Ning, is this the newly arrived, college-educated young Zhao everyone’s been talking about?"

Ning Shixuan responded with an "Mm," then turned to me, saying, "This is County Magistrate Zhao. He thinks highly of you. Hurry up and say hello."

I almost blurted out, "Comrades, you’ve worked hard!" Instead, I said, "County Magistrate Zhao, you’ve worked hard. I’ll be striving for self-reliance and hard work here from now on. I hope you can look out for me."

County Magistrate Zhao shook my hand with genuine warmth. "Young people certainly have ideals. The poverty of Liangshan County depends on cadres like you to change its face. Work hard, and strive to be transferred back to a big city soon. When that day comes, don't forget your distant relative, the County Magistrate."

After a couple of pleasantries, County Magistrate Zhao said, "I have pressing matters. Little Ning, take young Zhao to the mess hall for lunch. This month’s meal expenses can be billed under my name. It’s not easy for young Zhao just starting out; we must take good care of him."

With that, County Magistrate Zhao got into the car and sped out of the government gates. I asked Ning Shixuan, "County Magistrate Zhao seems quite genial. It’s already midday, and he still has to go out on business? Truly commendable."

Ning Shixuan chuckled, "Yes, he’s going out to do business at the banquet table."

Sigh. It seems the customs of eating and drinking are universal, regardless of how poor or backward a place is. Before the two of us could move, another person descended the stairs. This one was nothing like County Magistrate Zhao; he was thin and tall, looking like a bamboo pole. Ning Shixuan quietly reminded me, "This is Secretary Ma."

This time, I proactively stepped forward to shake Secretary Ma’s hand and greet him. "Hello, Secretary Ma. I am Zhao Qian, newly arrived at the county government. Please feel free to call on me if you need anything."

Secretary Ma seemed startled by my directness. He looked at Ning Shixuan helplessly. Ning Shixuan quickly pulled my hand away, saying, "Secretary Ma, this is the new college graduate, Zhao Qian. He doesn't understand the rules yet; please don't take offense."

Secretary Ma nodded silently. Just then, another old Santana pulled up. Secretary Ma got in and, too, sped out of the government gates—presumably off to another banquet meeting.

Ning Shixuan wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Zhao Qian, you really are bold. You're the first person around here to shake Secretary Ma's hand!"

"What!" I exclaimed, shocked. "Seeing how affable County Magistrate Zhao was, I assumed Secretary Ma would be equally kind and approachable. What’s the big deal about shaking hands?"

Ning Shixuan sighed, "Of course, you don't know anything since you just arrived. County Magistrate Zhao is easygoing, but Secretary Ma carries himself with great authority and is strict with subordinates. We barely dare to speak much when we see him. And you—you actually told him, 'feel free to call on me.' He’s the Secretary; even if you did have a need, could you really help him?"

I laughed, "That’s not certain. Who knows, maybe I’ll be promoted far above him one day."

Ning Shixuan glared at me. "If you get promoted, can I ask you for favors too?"

"Absolutely, you have my word."

"My stomach is sticking to my back from hunger, and you’re talking about favors."

I said, "Then lead me to eat quickly! I don't know the way."

Ning Shixuan paused for a moment, then said, "Let’s take the shortcut. Since the two bosses are gone anyway, let’s jump over the back wall!"

Saying that, Ning Shixuan led me toward the rear of the office building. Behind the building were five single-story houses serving as the county government mess hall. It was lunchtime, and the small dining room was quite crowded. Many of the younger staff rushed out to greet Ning Shixuan enthusiastically, with one even asking, "Little Ning, is this your boyfriend? He is quite handsome. I’d say no one compares except Secretary Liu. No wonder you usually look down on the rest of us."

Ning Shixuan blushed. "Don't talk nonsense if you don't know. This is the new arrival, Zhao Qian. He just reported today. County Magistrate Zhao said he’s a distant relative of his, so he asked me to take him out to eat."

Upon learning I wasn't Ning Shixuan's boyfriend, many people breathed a collective sigh of relief. It seemed they all had a soft spot for her, but I didn't care about that. I had firmly decided that during my time in the countryside, I would cause no trouble, especially not romantic trouble. Therefore, I viewed Ning Shixuan with the mindset of a colleague only.

Since there were no romantic conflicts, things were easier. Many people came up to shake my hand. They were all grassroots clerks; the section chiefs and directors were probably out 'doing business' at this hour. Although the conditions here were rudimentary, I trusted that simplicity had its own way of doing things. After all, as long as one lives, one must eat.

Ning Shixuan turned to the group. "Please, you all, save the heavy flirting for later. We need to leave to get our meal."

I looked at the bowls of the others; they contained the most ordinary dishes imaginable, with hardly any visible meat. And the steamed buns weren't the white and fluffy kind I had in the capital; these were yellowish and wouldn't spring back for a long time after being squeezed. It seemed the local conditions were indeed poor. Frankly, I hadn't imagined that a county in the Great Dragon Kingdom could be like this!

I addressed the group. "I, your junior, have just arrived today. We will all be colleagues from now on. I know nothing, so I must ask everyone for guidance. I think it would be best if I treated everyone to a simple meal to express my sincerity."

An invitation to a free meal was certainly welcome news. Except for a few older comrades who preferred a quiet time, eight young people agreed to my suggestion. A few ladies weren't interested in our plans, and I didn't press them. This work was exclusively first published in text format by 16k Novel Net. Unauthorized reproduction or excerpting is prohibited. For the latest and fastest chapters, please visit www.16k.cn!

Ning Shixuan remarked to me, "People from the capital really know how to handle things. Your official rhetoric was excellent; you knew how to win hearts right away."

I replied, "It’s just a meal. We aren't using public funds for extravagance, so what is there to fear? Let’s go."

The compound wall was about a person tall, but a huge pile of furnace slag, dumped by the kitchen, had accumulated near the corner, almost reaching the top of the wall. We stepped on it to jump out of the government compound. As for Ning Shixuan, she jumped down from the meter-high wall without batting an eye or showing any panic, only crossing her arms slightly—clearly a woman well-tested by experience.

What was called the 'Farmers' Market' behind the government compound was just an open-air street market, set up along a wide avenue flanked by rows of commercial buildings. Thus, some people had opened butcher shops, restaurants, grain stores, and fruit stalls. At noon, there were few people in the market; the evening rush was probably yet to come.

"Let's go to Old Huang’s for dog meat," suggested Ling Fan from the Labor Union. He wore glasses and looked scholarly, suggesting he was familiar with the local eateries, so he spoke up first.

Lin Wenchong from the Development and Reform Commission agreed, "Sounds good. They have draft beer there too. I assume Young Zhao won't be stingy with a round of drinks."

I declared generously, "Then let's go for dog meat. The weather is hot; some draft beer will be perfect for cooling down."

The ten of us noisily crowded into the shop. This Old Huang Dog Meat House seemed accustomed to hosting this group, as the proprietress greeted them all with an obsequious smile. The establishment had two partitioned rooms in total. She immediately cleared a large space and ushered us in.

I scanned the interior. The place was only two and a half rooms large: half was the kitchen, the other and a half served as the main hall for casual customers, and the remaining half was divided into two private rooms reserved for these important government officials. Of course, I figured officials like County Magistrate Zhao probably wouldn't dine here; even in the poorest county seat, there must be hotels and inns, right?

On a simple counter, a small blackboard listed the dishes and prices in chalk. The main courses were all centered around dog meat. I quickly scanned the list—it was incredibly cheap. These prices wouldn't even buy you food at a casual street stall in the capital. Smelling the savory dog meat aroma wafting from the kitchen, despite the shop’s dilapidated decoration, the sanitation seemed passable, and my appetite was immediately piqued.

"Proprietress, there are ten of us. You prepare a table as you see fit, balancing meat and vegetables, so Minister Ning won't say I don't know how to look after the ladies," I instructed the plump proprietress.

Gao Weichen from the Civil Affairs Bureau couldn't wait any longer and eagerly interjected, "Bring out a platter of skin-on dog meat first, and then ten large glasses of draft beer. It's sweltering; let's cool down before we eat anything else."

That kind of skin-on dog meat was pre-sliced and plated, ready to be served the moment a customer ordered. After the proprietress brought out the dog meat, she turned on a fan for us and went to fetch the drinks. I glanced into the kitchen; only one cook was busy. It looked like a husband-and-wife operation.