CHAPTER 80: 077 BEING SICK OF LIVING

Mayor Su is about to be transferred to the Capital City, and tonight there will be a farewell banquet at Huadu Hotel. Given the current social climate, officials are careful about their reputation, so the meal is just a simple selection of homestyle dishes, even the alcohol is the most common Er Guo Tou.

Yun Shen and several key economic figures were invited. After exchanging a few words with Minister Yan, Yun Shen stood up with his glass raised: "Mayor Su, without your wise governance, Jiangzhou would never look as it does today. We could not have thrived if Jiangzhou hadn’t developed. It’s safe to say, whatever I have achieved today is all thanks to your efforts, Mayor Su. I wish you plain sailing in your future career, and I’ll drink first as a sign of respect."

A few bosses couldn’t help but roll their eyes. Yun Shen seemed quite reserved, but had no shortage of flattery when he opened his mouth.

Mayor Su raised his glass from afar, with a very official smile: "President Yun, you’re too kind. It’s all your own doing."

The others quickly offered similar flattery: "Mayor Su, don’t be modest. Without you, our achievements today wouldn’t exist. In the future, just give us a shout and we brothers are willing to go through fire and water..."

Throughout the meal, Minister Yan remained silent, simply keeping his head down and eating. Actually, those present didn’t really respect the minister because he seemed too young. Compared to the group of slick, middle-aged men with shiny bald heads and big bellies, he was like a snow lotus that grew on top of snowy mountains—him and Yun Shen were the odd ones out.

Yan Nanmo didn’t care, but was internally criticizing them. A bunch of slippery old eels. I should’ve stayed home with my wife and kids. But he knew too well there was no way out of this.

Yun Shen filled up his cup once more and turned in Yan Nanmo’s direction, a slight smile spreading across his handsome face: "Minister Yan, young and promising. Under your leadership, Jiangzhou’s economy has seen notable progress these past two years. I look forward to more miracles from you in the future."

The deep meaning hidden in his words was only understood by Mayor Su and Yan Nanmo. The others didn’t catch any hint and simply assumed Yun Shen was just buttering up the rumored privileged son who was placed in Jiangzhou from the Capital City.

Yan Nanmo raised an eyebrow and lifted his tea cup with a smile, "I’ll drink tea in place of wine, accepting your auspicious words."

For a moment, some of the crowd looked at Yan Nanmo with contempt. Tea in place of wine? Is this manhood?

Yan Nanmo didn’t care what they thought. In fact, he had sworn never to touch alcohol again in his life. Yun Shen was a smart man, but every time he thought of his wife incessantly mentioning Yun Shu, he felt uncomfortable.

Your mom offended my wife, no matter who you are, don’t expect any kindness from me.

Yun Shen’s face stiffened, before he casually downed his drink as if nothing had happened.

Was Minister Yan doing this deliberately or not?

He couldn’t figure it out just yet.

Mayor Su glanced at Yan Nanmo and shook his head with a smile. Really no respect at all, making it hard for someone to save face.

Yan Nanmo’s eyes held a proud glint. Did Yan Nanmo need to give face to anyone? That depended on whether the other party was brave enough to ask for it.

"I’ve heard President Yun recently got married. Haven’t had the chance to congratulate you," Yan Nanmo suddenly spoke.

With his words, everyone’s eyes turned towards Yun Shen.

Yun Shen smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Minister Yan."

"It’s just... Miss Bai’s reputation isn’t that good. President Yun has so much to manage. You should be more careful," Yan Nanmo said with seeming concern.

Yun Shen’s smile stiffened for an instant, so fleeting it was as if it had never been there, "Rumors are just that, not to be believed."

"There’s a saying, where there’s smoke there’s fire, and flies don’t bite a seamless egg. Of course, I’m just kindly reminding you. After all, as a wise man, you wouldn’t stumble twice in the same spot," Yan Nanmo added.

Yun Shen’s eyes darkened with layers of meaning. What was Minister Yan trying to say?

Everyone looked at Yun Shen with amusement gleaming in their eyes.

After a satisfying meal, the guests escorted Mayor Su out of the private room, with Yan Nanmo and Yun Shen trailing behind.

Yun Shen walked beside Yan Nanmo, "If there’s anything I’ve done wrong, I hope Minister Yan can point it out."

Yan Nanmo glanced at him sidelong and let out a slight chuckle: "Yun Ya is a bright and sweet child. My wife and I like her very much."

Yun Shen paused, unsure why Yan Nanmo suddenly brought up Yun Ya.

A cold glint passed through Yan Nanmo’s eyes, causing Yun Shen to feel a subconscious jolt in his heart.

"My wife wanted to formally acknowledge her as our goddaughter, but was regrettably turned down by Lady Yun. It seems that even with our status, we’re still not qualified to be Yun Ya’s godparents... what a pity," he said before turning away without another look at Yun Shen.

Yun Shen frowned tightly. So that was the reason. Before he had time to think further, Yan Nanmo suddenly stopped, turned his head with a half-smile, and glanced at Yun Shen.

"The land in the east of the city, your company’s bid doesn’t meet the requirements. Let’s leave it for someone more qualified," he said, observing Yun Shen’s suddenly undisguisable dismay. With a cold curve of his lips, he turned and strode away.

So you dare to trouble my wife? How weary of living you must be.

Time to go home and claim my reward from my wife. He had been looking forward to trying a new position tonight...

----

Yun Shen entered the living room from outside with an air of coldness swirling around him.

Bai Ran immediately approached with enthusiasm, only to receive a cold glare from Yun Shen. Bai Ran’s smile stiffened as she involuntarily withdrew her hand.

"Where’s Mom?" Yun Shen asked coldly.

Bai Ran’s eyes flickered momentarily before she answered with a smile, "She must have gone to bed already..."

Yun Shen strode toward Yun Shu’s bedroom, and upon seeing this, Bai Ran smirked.

Full of anger, and it seems it’s directed at Yun Shu.

So much for the devoted filial son. Can’t hold back anymore?

Hypocrisy seems to run in the family.

But she was curious about what Yun Shu did to make Yun Shen so angry.

----

Meanwhile, on the second floor.

Kang Jinxian, hearing Yun Shen returning, subconsciously peeked her head out from the room.

"Ah..." The next moment, a sharp scream suddenly rose.

The girl’s brows were lightly furrowed, showing a touch of frustration at being interrupted. Her eyes, gentle as the sun and the moon, inadvertently drew one into their depth.

"Aunt Ah Xian, what’s wrong?"