The next morning, Chen Bin still prepared breakfast.
Worried that Zhao Xinmei might not come home the entire day again, he directly pushed open the door to the master bedroom, carrying a bowl of food inside.
Zhao Xinmei had just woken up and her gaze was still a bit dazed.
Looking at the pumpkin porridge Chen Bin brought in, she gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
"If you were being attentive as a son, wouldn’t that be great."
"I am your son, always have been."
Shaking her head, Zhao Xinmei lazily responded.
"Take it away, I’m declaring a hunger strike today."
This left Chen Bin completely stupefied.
"Why on earth are you going on a hunger strike?"
"Starting now, every time you touch me, I’ll go on hunger strike for a day. If you touch me a second time, I’ll go on hunger strike for two days. If you’re not afraid of starving me to death, then keep messing around."
As she spoke, Zhao Xinmei puffed up her cheeks, acting bratty.
Chen Bin never expected this — the usually noble godmother — to use such a tactic.
"Alright, I’ll never touch you again. Now, hurry up and eat."
But Zhao Xinmei lay back in bed, "I said I won’t eat, and I won’t eat!"
Seeing her throw such a tantrum, Chen Bin was momentarily at a loss.
After trying to persuade her for a long time, Zhao Xinmei was still unwilling to eat.
With no other option, Chen Bin sat by the bed, just sitting there idly.
Zhao Xinmei ignored him completely, turning her body to look at her phone.
The two spent the entire morning .
Approaching noon, Chen Bin ordered two servings of takeout.
Once delivered, he opened the containers and placed them in front of Zhao Xinmei.
"Mom, this is bone broth. Take just one sip. You need to eat to have the strength to continue your hunger strike."
Zhao Xinmei turned her body away, still unwilling to acknowledge Chen Bin.
Ultimately, he could only place the bowl of bone broth on the bedside table.
"Fine, if you don’t eat, I won’t eat either. Hunger striking, right? I’ll do it with you!"
Zhao Xinmei remained unmoved by his words.
By afternoon, Chen Bin became unbearably hungry.
Stepping out of the room, he made some honey water and brought it to Zhao Xinmei.
No matter what he said, she still refused to give in.
By evening, Chen Bin ordered more takeout and began eating it in front of Zhao Xinmei with relish.
Her stomach growled loudly with hunger, yet she remained resolute in her refusal to eat.
Until one morning, Chen Bin entered the master bedroom and found Zhao Xinmei looking utterly ill.
She appeared frail and sickly, evoking sympathy.
Chen Bin felt as if his heart was being twisted in pain, gritted his teeth, and said.
"You win, you’ve beaten me. From today onward, I will never touch you again. Now, hurry and eat something."
Zhao Xinmei’s face lit up with joy.
She quickly climbed out of bed and said, "Next time you touch me, I’m going to hunger strike for two days. You better remember that."
With a resigned sigh, Chen Bin nodded and replied.
"Alright, starting now, let’s go back to a normal mother-son relationship. I will never have inappropriate thoughts about you again."
In Chen Bin’s opinion, swearing was as meaningless as spouting nonsense.
Since Zhao Xinmei wanted to hear it though, he still raised his hand, putting on a serious expression as he spoke.
"I swear, if I ever harbor indecent thoughts toward my godmother again, may I choke on my food and die, may I drown on water and die..."
"Stop, stop, can’t you take it seriously? Do it again!"
Seeing how anxious she was, Chen Bin pulled her out of bed.
"Come on, just get up and eat first. I’ll swear while you eat, and I’ll say whatever you want me to."
Since Zhao Xinmei was starving, her chest practically glued to her back, she found this acceptable and sat up from the bed.
"You little rascal, swearing requires sincerity. How could you just say whatever I tell you to?"
After leaving the room, Zhao Xinmei went into the bathroom to freshen up.
Chen Bin quickly filled two bowls of fresh pumpkin porridge and placed them on the dining table.
After breakfast, Zhao Xinmei’s complexion improved significantly.
She spent the entire day at the mall with Chen Bin, and even personally drove him back to Qingshi County.
As he stepped out of the car, Chen Bin reluctantly asked.
"Mom, aren’t you going to check out the dormitory?"
Without hesitation, Zhao Xinmei shook her head.
"And aren’t you going to see my godfather?"
After thinking for a moment, she still refused.
"Forget it. If he wants to avoid me, let him avoid me. I don’t want to bother him."
Her words fell, and Zhao Xinmei waved goodbye to Chen Bin.
Watching the car fade into the distance, Chen Bin sighed inwardly.
His godmother choosing hunger strikes to counter him—what could he do about it?
On Monday, advertisements for Bailing Wine suddenly flooded the market, swiftly spreading to every corner of Yanxi Province.
Many people sensing profit began actively reaching out to the winery.
Some even traveled directly to Qingshi County to discuss agency work.
Ma Juan seized this opportunity and managed to sell all the remaining bottles of Bailing Wine in just one day.
He Chaoping, keeping his promise, formally partnered with Ma Juan and transferred the distribution rights for Tianhai to her.
As Bailing Winery became a renowned enterprise throughout the province, Qingshi Mountain Coal Mine turned into the economic pillar driving Qingshi County’s advancement.
Before long, Qingshi County transformed from Tianhai’s largest county in terms of area to being the leader in both economic strength and size.
Recognizing Wang Jun’s abilities, the Tianhai Municipal Committee decided to appoint Wang Jun as a member of the Municipal Standing Committee.
He was promoted from division chief to deputy bureau level.
Upon receiving the news, Wang Jun danced with joy in his office.
He had thought he’d spend his entire life stuck as the County Committee’s deputy secretary.
To achieve success now was incredibly thrilling.
Of course, he didn’t forget those he should thank most.
He immediately promoted Chen Bin from deputy section officer to section officer.
While feeling elated, Chen Bin also asked Wang Jun to promote Dong Lili to the position of comprehensive Section One’s Chief.
Though puzzled, Wang Jun didn’t ask too many questions.
He readily agreed to Chen Bin’s request.
While the two were celebrating their success, Huang Ming wore a troubled expression.
He couldn’t understand why, despite it being his idea to develop the coal mine, the credit had been attributed to Wang Jun.
Still harboring resentment, he drove to Mayor Wu Liang’s house alone after work.
The two were both still struggling in their ambitions, and shared mutual sympathy. Sitting together, they drank in conversation.
"Mayor Wu, whose idea was it to promote Wang Jun to the municipal standing committee?"
"Cao Sanjin and Xu Tai, alongside unanimous agreement from other committee members."
Sighing heavily, Huang Ming’s face bristled with discontent.
"With Wang Jun’s promotion, his position as county committee secretary is now fully secure. What about me?"
"If you want to be the top leader, it doesn’t necessarily have to be in Qingshi County. Yanxi is vast; anywhere you lead is leadership."
Huang Ming thought Wu Liang’s words contained hidden meanings. After reflecting, he couldn’t help but ask.
"Are you planning to leave Tianhai?"
Wu Liang didn’t answer, but instead showed an enigmatic expression.
While they chatted, Huang Ming’s home was a scene of fiery passion.
Zhou Jiajun had pinned Xu Huwen beneath him, relentlessly wielding his manhood to punish his superior’s wife.
Moaning seductively, Xu Huwen twisted her flirtatious body, gasps echoing as though piercing through the walls.
At the same time, Xie Shan stood outside the door, breathing increasingly heavier as he listened to the sounds coming from inside...