CHAPTER 377: CHAPTER 370: GREEDY OFFICIAL

Mu Xiulian stayed in Ningbo for only two days, staying at a hotel arranged by the local government, during which she had a meal with local government leaders, and Sisi felt an indescribable agony.

At this time, government officials are exceedingly flattering towards overseas Chinese like Mu Xiulian, a stark contrast to the distant and wary attitude they held before.

In the past, if a family had a relative overseas, it was considered extremely unlucky, almost a secret one would hide; but now, having an overseas relative is a bonus, a reason for great joy during marriage proposals!

And when a wealthy overseas Chinese hails from the locality, the local government is overjoyed, for they see it as a brilliant economic opportunity!

Thus, the local leaders of the county where the Mu Family lived offered the highest standard of reception to Mu Xiulian and her party, being extraordinarily attentive; even the Mu family members basked in the reflected glory.

Consequently, the members of the Mu family were walking taller these two days, casually remarking in public and private that their family’s graveyard has good feng shui since it produced Mu Xiulian, a person of such great promise, conveniently forgetting the years when they intruded and lived in the Mu family’s ancestral home.

Returning to the meal, Mu Xiulian and Sisi joined the local government for a meal that included the finest delicacies—be it from the sky, land, or water, everything was available, presenting a feast for the eyes.

Qiao Xingbang was dazzled and murmured to Sisi, "Before coming here, I heard how poor this place was, eating tree bark and grass roots, but now it seems it was all nonsense. Looking at these dishes, even we in Hong Kong don’t eat this well; I dare say not even the Governor eats like this."

Sisi gave a wry smile. This was a longstanding bad habit among Chinese, to ’swell one’s face to fill out a fat man’, the cost of this one meal probably could have fed an average family for half a year.

Moreover, where did the money for this feast come from? Wasn’t it all reimbursed from public funds? After all, it was all squeezed from the people!

Thinking back to past media reports about Chinese government officials spending billions on public funds for dining annually, Sisi felt these dishes were like a glaring exclamation mark, mocking everyone present, making it harder to swallow.

"Vice Mayor Liu, are all the dishes served? If there are still more to come, please tell the kitchen to stop; we already have enough and should not waste."

Vice Mayor Liu, a chubby man in his forties with a rosy round face, was principally in charge of receiving Mu Xiulian. The other person was Director Li from the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, a refined and delicate middle-aged man.

Director Li was not much of a talker, so the voice of Vice Mayor Liu, which resembled a duck’s quack, dominated the conversation.

"Well, uh, a few dishes are not yet served; they will be ready soon," Vice Mayor Liu, thinking Sisi was complaining about the slow service, quickly smiled apologetically to explain.

Sisi sighed and explained again, "Vice Mayor Liu, what I mean is to not serve the remaining dishes. We only have these few people; it is unnecessary to have so many dishes. It would be a waste and it’s such a pity."

"No worries, if we cannot finish, we can feed it to the pigs; it won’t be wasted."

Vice Mayor Liu disregarded the concern, not thinking much of it.

"Do pigs need to eat this well? Are the pigs under Vice Mayor Liu’s jurisdiction eating better than the common people?"

Vice Mayor Liu was left speechless by Sisi’s questions, unable to find a response. Not that Sisi expected one, as she continued,

"Let me ask Vice Mayor Liu, who is paying for all these expenses to host us? Is it the government? And where does the government’s money come from? Vice Mayor Liu, your handling is really too extravagant!"

Sisi couldn’t hold back her anger. The common people are still eating wild plants and coarse grains, yet you officials live lavishly, feeding sharks fins and abalones to pigs? Truly great servants of the people!

"My Mama was thinking of contributing her humble efforts to the hometown’s development, but looking at how loosely Vice Mayor Liu handles things, it makes one worried. Who knows if the money is actually feeding pigs or going to the people?"

The words Sisi spoke were indeed harsh, but she wasn’t afraid. With her wealthy mom abroad, and Tian Xinhua, Mr. Yun, Old Man, Daddy to back her up, she had no fear of this minor Vice Mayor Liu!

Besides, she truly believed that the money Xiulian contributed could end up in the bellies of these state parasites, seeing the Vice Mayor with his belly full of brains, who surely eats well typically.

After Sisi’s sharp and biting remarks, Vice Mayor Liu was sweating profusely. Could he admit that this young girl had hit his sore spot?

Originally, Vice Mayor Liu was specifically in charge of economic and foreign affairs. Since Ningbo is someone influential’s hometown, many people who fled overseas often return for ancestral worship.

Of course, these returnees bring some money, either to build schools or libraries, or to set up hospitals. Being the Vice Mayor in charge, he has certainly reaped many benefits!

Receiving Xiulian this time, he was secretly elated seeing Mui’s affluent appearance, already estimating how much he could benefit. However, Sisi, this young girl, had exposed all his thoughts, making him feel as if he was stripped naked, his hidden motives now blatantly visible.

"How is that possible? Miss He is overthinking. Everyone is very happy today because Ms. Mu is visiting her hometown, so we prepared extra dishes to welcome her. We didn’t consider the waste, thank you for your reminder, Miss He, it won’t happen again."

Vice Mayor Liu, indeed seasoned in the bureaucratic field, quickly regained his composure, instructed the waitstaff to stop serving the remaining dishes, and reassured Xiulian that the donated money would absolutely not be spent on banquets but would go to the people.

The atmosphere gradually livened up. Xiulian playfully scolded Sisi, this naughty girl leaving no face for others, forgetting he’s still a Vice Mayor!

He Xuewen didn’t mind, he wasn’t the focus today, the Vice Mayor and others were too busy pleasing Xiulian!

Besides, he didn’t think Ah Nan was wrong either. Having dealt with officials over these years, how could he be unaware of the rampant extravagance in the bureaucracy?

Sometimes even he is secretly shocked. The country is still so poor, yet these officials waste so much, truly greedy officials!

Sisi whispered to Tian Xinhua, "Brother Xinhua, I think that Liu guy must be a corrupt official. Look how fat he is, just like a pig, definitely can’t be less corrupt. My Mama’s money must not go through his hands, who knows how much he would skim off?"

Tian Xinhua glanced at Vice Mayor Liu, agreeing inwardly. The nation’s economy wasn’t strong, and for someone to get so fat and robust, surely he must have eaten a lot under false pretenses.

He secretly decided to discuss with Mr. Yun later and stop this improper practice, clearing out these parasites.