Deputy Bureau-level, Division-level

The next day, Shen Nian slept until nine in the morning, holding onto a soft, fragrant beauty.

Actually, he was a little afraid that his family or Xia Yanchun's family might come up to the third floor looking for either of them, thereby discovering their little nightly secret. But some things were truly addictive; once you took a bold step, as long as you hadn't been caught, you would feel like you'd never be discovered.

This was exactly Shen Nian's mindset right now.

Ever since waking up, he had been using his Mind's Eye to listen for any movements, terrified of a surprise attack from Aunt Wen. The moment he heard even the slightest sound of someone coming up to the third floor, he would immediately slip away, climbing back over to his own house.

Fortunately, Aunt Wen and Uncle Xia had both gone down to the first floor. Shen Nian could hear them chatting animatedly with his own parents.

The two families had been close for three generations, and now both had produced top scholars, almost as if it were a joke.

Shen Nian listened to them talk about the upcoming visit from the leaders, only snapping out of his Mind's Eye state when the little figure in his arms groggily woke up.

Xia Yanchun was still a bit dazed, making some adorable little noises, humming and murmuring. She stared blankly for a long time before noticing the movement in front of her, and only then did she shyly toss Shen Nian's large hand away.

Did she really fall asleep in this posture yesterday?!

Xia Yanchun felt like the sky was falling. Shen Nian, that guy, definitely felt her up to his heart's content.

Fuming, she had just gotten out of bed when she kicked Shen Nian's leg with her bare foot.

"What are you doing, being so explosive first thing in the morning?"

"I'm going to beat you to death."

"It seems we must have a samurai duel to determine our ecological niches, otherwise some weaklings will always try to rebel against their superiors," Shen Nian said with a serious face.

"I'll show you rebelling against superiors, I'll show you! You really need a beating!"

"Ouch, I was wrong, I was wrong, stop hitting me..."

"Hmph." Xia Yanchun puffed out her cheeks, throwing a little morning tantrum on the bed before calming down and getting up to brush her teeth and wash her face.

In front of the mirror, Chunbao held her toothbrush, brushing her teeth clean stroke by stroke, her mouth full of foam.

Her fair skin, clean little face, and long eyelashes completely mesmerized Shen Nian. As expected of a sweet beautiful girl!

While the expressionless Chunbao was admiring herself in her heart, Shen Nian suddenly leaned over from the side and poked her tender cheek.

"Woo woo!" It was inconvenient for her to speak, so she could only make noises to tell Shen Nian to stop teasing her.

Shen Nian pinched his chin, almost thinking he had mastered the language of beasts since he could actually understand what Xia Yanchun meant.

If you don't let me tease you, then wouldn't we be archenemies for nothing? If archenemies don't oppose each other, are they still archenemies?

Fun fact: The "enemy" in archenemy is the same as in "enemy."

The more the enemy doesn't let me tease her, the more it proves I'm teasing her right.

Just as Xia Yanchun was about to gargle water, Shen Nian kicked her on the butt, making her stumble. It even hurt a little.

When she wanted to lash out, Shen Nian had already slipped out onto the balcony at escape velocity.

"...Shen Nian!!" Xia Yanchun laughed out of anger, calling out his name in a low, resentful voice. Her little fists clenched, and the toothbrush bore a pressure it was never meant to endure.

After giving Xia Yanchun a kick, Shen Nian felt like all his bad moods for the year had been swept away.

Whenever he was unhappy, he could cheer himself up with this kick.

He also brushed his teeth and washed his face, then went downstairs to eat. After breakfast, he went outside to chat with the parents from both sides, entering an untargetable state so that Xia Yanchun couldn't do anything to him. Looking at Xia Yanchun's aggrieved expression, he felt like his mood for the next year had improved as well.

Shen Nian would never cry again.

After breakfast, Xia Yanchun also stayed on the first floor listening to them chat.

Both houses had their doors wide open, making the interiors bright and airy. The previously somewhat messy coffee tables had been tidied up, displaying some tea leaves and a treasured bottle of Prince liquor.

Shen Shi had never interacted with high-level figures. No matter who was coming, he treated them as distinguished guests. Shen Nian remembered that the bottle of Prince liquor cost over six hundred yuan and was a gift from someone else; Shen Shi had never been willing to drink it himself.

He seemed to subconsciously lower his own status, even though his son was the provincial top scholar and the other party was coming specifically to visit him.

This was probably the most common portrayal of ordinary townspeople facing city leaders.

In the afternoon, the weather was perfectly sunny.

Three black sedans slowly drove over and parked at the entrances of the two houses, followed by a minivan at the very back.

Hearing the commotion, Shen Nian walked out to take a look. The three pure black cars looked freshly maintained; even if they weren't luxury cars, they looked very impressive.

Shen Shi and Chen Minyue also followed him out upon hearing the noise, watching nervously. Seeing that Xia Herui was just standing there, they didn't go out to greet them either.

With both families gathered on Shen Nian's side, the coffee table seemed a bit small.

The car doors opened, and middle-aged men wearing white shirts and dark dress pants stepped out one by one, their leather shoes polished to a shine.

So this is what it feels like to have an imposing presence... Shen Nian murmured to himself. This was much more intimidating than some suit-wearing thug.

Not only were there these leaders, but Shen Nian also saw the principal of Cinan No. 2 High School and a familiar woman...

No way, man, Ms. Su, how did you end up in the leader's car?

Teacher Haji, you rascal, even I couldn't sit with the big leaders, but you did. You're just getting carried, huh.

From behind, Su Kexi quietly waved her hand at him and Xia Yanchun.

Alright then, Su Kexi's appearance indeed made Shen Nian and Xia Yanchun less nervous.

The leader walking in front was cheerful and not strict at all. Seeing Shen Nian, Xia Yanchun, and the four parents standing at the door, he even stepped back a bit to confirm he hadn't gone to the wrong place, then took two steps forward and chuckled softly, "Student Shen Nian, Student Xia Yanchun?"

"Hello, Leader!" Shen Nian had no idea what role the man in front of him played in Cinan or what his rank was in the city, but the first person to speak was definitely right to be called "Leader."

Xia Yanchun also softly said, "Hello, Leader." Compared to Shen Nian, she was a bit nervous, but compared to Shen Shi and Chen Minyue, she appeared somewhat natural.

Xia Herui saw the town mayor behind the city leaders, so he went up to shake hands with them, discussing something unknown.

Shen Nian guided the leaders to sit around the coffee table in the house, but there weren't enough seats, so a few younger ones had to stand. Some less formally dressed media personnel also followed them in.

"This must be Shen Nian's father, Mr. Shen, and this is Ms. Chen?"

"Yes, that's me."

Chen Minyue just nodded.

The leader then confirmed things with Xia Yanchun's side, nodding and smiling. A person next to him took the opportunity to introduce them: "Hello, I am Wu Shuo from the Cinan Education Bureau. This is Vice Mayor Zhang of Cinan City, this is Director Tang of the Education Bureau, and this is Minister Liu of the Propaganda Department."

"?"

Deputy departmental level... Full division level... Shen Nian and Xia Yanchun exchanged a glance, almost scared to tears.

After the introductions, Vice Mayor Zhang raised his hand. "You don't need to be too nervous."

"I really didn't expect that both of Cinan City's top scholars would come from our town, and as neighbors too. This town truly has outstanding people and a blessed environment."

"Both of you are such outstanding kids. You've brought glory to our town, our city, and our province! You're role models for all the students in the city!"

Shen Nian scratched his head, feeling rather sheepish.

"I heard you two also do live streams to tutor and solve problems for other students for free?" Director Tang from the Education Bureau chimed in from the side.

"Yeah... we do stream sometimes," Shen Nian confirmed.

"As the top scorers of the college entrance exam, being able to set aside your prestige and help your juniors for free shows that you've truly put your education to good use."

"..."

As expected of a high-ranking official, he really knew how to make things sound good.