Officialdom: The beautiful leader took me to the top

Speaking of which, Su Xiaotang's background is rather pitiful.

Before she was born, an accident occurred at the mine, and Su Xiaotang's father also died in the accident.

In other words, Su Xiaotang has never met her father.

At the time, the mine not only gave a large sum of compensation, but also promised that Su Xiaotang could take over her father's job at the mine after she came of age.

That's why Mr. Li didn't want to bring up the matter from back then.

To avoid gossip outside, saying that the Li family was eyeing Su Xiaotang's father's compensation money, bullying the widow and her orphan, and trying to exploit them.

As Su Xiaotang grew more and more beautiful, the matter eventually faded away.

Of course, Li Dong and Su Xiaotang had quite a lot of contact before they entered junior high school.

After all, they were neighbors on the same street and childhood playmates.

Li Dong, being the older brother, often treated her like a younger sister, so it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were childhood sweethearts.

After entering junior high school, for some reason, or perhaps due to puberty, the two suddenly had less contact, and Su Xiaotang even intentionally avoided Li Dong.

Later, Li Dong went to high school and took the entrance exam for police academy.

Su Xiaotang attended a mining high school but went to work at the mine instead of going to university, so the two sides had even less contact.

Currently, Su Xiaotang should be managing accounts in the finance department of Guodong Mining.

My mother had mentioned before that Su Xiaotang was the most beautiful girl in the Guodong Mine, and many young men in the mine liked her and had many suitors.

Unfortunately, business at the mine has been slow in the last two years.

The mine can't retain young people, and even those who are willing to stay aren't good enough.

So in the past two years, there has been no news of any progress in Su Xiaotang's love life.

On the contrary, he almost got married to Zhang Ting, but now he has entered the hall of marriage with Song Ci.

Now things have changed, and Su Xiaotang's calling him "Brother Dong" has stirred up a storm of memories for Li Dong.

It seemed to remind her of the little girl who used to follow behind her and call her "Brother Dong" back then.

I never expected that she would have grown into such a beautiful young woman.

The crisp blue overalls she wore didn't look dull at all; instead, they accentuated her slender figure.

The girlish naiveté has faded from her eyes, replaced by the sharpness and competence of a working woman.

It has to be said that Su Xiaotang is still as beautiful as ever, no wonder she is known as the factory flower of Guodong Mining.

Although she's not quite as beautiful as Song Ci, she's still on par with Zhang Ting.

Moreover, Su Xiaotang comes from a single-parent family and has a natural air of heroism in her eyes and brows. Compared to the affected mannerisms of ordinary girls, she is obviously much more robust.

Su Xiaotang strode forward, her delight in her almond-shaped eyes now impossible to hide.

She subconsciously tidied the stray hairs by her ear, even her fingertips were slightly warm. "It really is you!"

“I saw something that looked like you from afar, and it was even wearing a police uniform, but I was afraid I was mistaken.”

"After all, it's been so many years since we last met. It would be really awkward if there were any misunderstandings."

Li Dong's Adam's apple bobbed, and a complex feeling welled up in his heart.

He was young at the time, just beginning to experience romantic feelings, and he did secretly have a crush on this pretty and well-behaved girl next door.

On the way home from school, I deliberately slowed down to wait for her and even gave her the candy I had been saving up for a long time.

It's a pity that good luck makes people.

As he recalled the past, Li Dong's voice became gentler than usual.

His gaze lingered on her face, then unconsciously drifted away. "Xiao Tang, long time no see. Are you working at the mine?"

Even Li Dong himself felt that these words were superfluous.

This is a mining area, and Su Xiaotang has taken over her father's job. Where else could she be if not at the mine?

That's why Su Xiaotang was amused and burst out laughing.

Soon, a dimple appeared on her face. "Brother Dong, it seems you don't pay much attention to me."

“I’ve been working in the mine for several years now. I came here to take over my dad’s job.”

"The mine's leaders were quite kind to me, and they let me work in the finance department."

Li Dong said earnestly, "Then congratulations! Working in the finance department is much more comfortable than working in the mine."

Su Xiaotang sighed, "What's so great about it? The coal mines are not what they used to be."

"You know what kind of social status our children in the mining industry have."

“Unlike you, great hero, people’s police officer, even I have heard about you while I was working in the mine.”

For some reason, Li Dong felt unusually embarrassed, scratched his head, and said, "It's not that exaggerated..."

Seeing Li Dong's embarrassment, Su Xiaotang became bolder, "What's the exaggeration?"

“Every time I go home, my mother would often nag me, saying that a remarkable person has emerged from our neighborhood.”

"They say you're a rising star in the Tianzhou police force, and also a heroic and exemplary police officer."

"They say you have a bright future and will become a leader in the police force sooner or later."

“And it’s not just my mother who says so, all the neighbors say so.”

"Now, everyone on this street gives you a thumbs up when they mention Li Dong."

As she said this, Su Xiaotang's face beamed with pride.

Just as Li Dong's honor made her feel proud as well.

Moreover, the way Su Xiaotang looked at Li Dong was filled with an undisguised fervor, as if she were looking at her idol and hero.

If it were anyone else, Li Dong would definitely not have shown the slightest emotional fluctuation.

Unfortunately, the other party was Su Xiaotang, a girl he had a crush on since childhood.

If you said you felt no emotional reaction, you wouldn't be a normal person.

Li Dong chuckled and said, "Don't listen to their nonsense, it's just the neighbors praising you."

"I'm just an ordinary policeman, nothing special."

"By the way, why are you here?"

Su Xiaotang explained, "I went to the mining area down there to take care of some things, and I was just about to go back to the office when I saw you."

"And you, what brings you to the mine?"

"You're here... to investigate a case?"

It's no wonder Su Xiaotang thinks this way; Li Dong is now a well-known police officer in Tianzhou.

He made great contributions, appeared on television, and reportedly received a special commendation from his superiors.

Moreover, some time ago, Li Dong had already moved his parents out of the old neighborhood and into a large house in the wealthy Jiangbei district.

Since Li Dong became wealthy, the entire Li family has had no connection with the mine.

If it weren't for the case, she really couldn't think of any reason why Li Dong came here.

A few years ago, during the boom period of the coal industry, mines were not ordinary entities.

But now, the coal industry is already in decline, and the mines have become negative assets, incurring debt year after year.

The workers weren't making any money, and they were very resentful.

If leaders can't pay salaries, they'll naturally cut back on benefits.

Especially recently, problems have been occurring frequently at the mine.

Fighting, theft, and petitioning—Li Dong's presence here is most likely related to handling a case.

Unexpectedly, Li Dong shook his head. "No."

This time it was Su Xiaotang's turn to be surprised, "No?"

Since it wasn't a case, she couldn't think of any other reason why Li Dong, a rising star in the police force, would be here.

Could it be... that Li Dong came looking for me?

Thinking of this, Su Xiaotang's heart started pounding uncontrollably!