CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 39: UNCLE ZHENG, WHAT A COINCIDENCE (PLEASE FAVORITE)

The top brass! Someone from way up! Is it the city leaders, the provincial leaders, or...

Watching Director Guo and his group hurriedly packing up, rushing downstairs to the lobby to welcome them.

Jiang Hongfei held a wine glass, his breath coming in short, rapid gasps. It felt as if he’d been struck by a gold nugget; he’d never expected good luck to come his way twice in one day.

He’d thought he was just attending a family gathering, but then he’d unexpectedly run into Director Guo celebrating his birthday.

He’d only been in the private room offering birthday wishes for less than ten minutes when this senior leader arrived.

It seemed today was his lucky day.

He’d toiled for so long; it was his time to soar!

Jiang Hongfei paced back and forth. A bottle of Maotai for Director Guo would leave a good impression.

But for someone even more important than Director Guo, would one bottle of Maotai be enough?

Not enough! Far from enough!

Clenching his teeth as if he’d made a momentous decision, Jiang Hongfei looked at Jiang Shu, who hadn’t left yet. "Shu, just stay in the private room. When the Maotai arrives, take it and wait for my instructions."

With that, Jiang Hongfei headed towards the hotel manager’s office. He’d met the manager a few times. If he could use that connection to get some fine wine and tea prepared in advance, it would surely boost his image in front of the leader!

As for the Jiang Family gathering? Attending or not made no difference! What could be more important than his career!

「About half an hour later.」

The hotel lobby.

A government sedan slowly pulled up to the entrance.

Director Guo, who had been waiting by the entrance, immediately went to open the car door. Bowing deeply, he said, "Director Zheng, hello, hello! I’m Guo from the Cultural and Tourism Bureau..."

"Bureau Chief Geng specifically instructed me to ensure you are well taken care of."

"There’s no need for such fanfare. Let’s keep it simple."

The middle-aged man getting out of the car frowned upon seeing the crowd at the entrance. "The guests arriving later are quite important, Director Guo," he said. "Just find two or three people to accompany us."

"Yes... yes, yes."

Director Guo’s face flushed slightly, tense, as he quickly waved his hand, signaling his department staff to disperse. Leaving only two trusted aides, he closely followed Director Zheng toward the private room.

Soon, they arrived at the private room. Director Zheng pushed the door open and entered. Director Guo glanced at the room number, took a photo, and sent it to Jiang Hongfei with a message: "Come quickly."

"Please, sit. No need to be formal."

Director Zheng took the main seat. He casually selected a few signature dishes from the menu handed to him by the waiter, then set it down and spoke to Director Guo, who was perched on the edge of his chair:

"This year, the responsibilities of the Cultural and Tourism Bureau are going to increase. Director Guo, you must be prepared to shoulder them." Director Zheng’s voice was very steady, but Director Guo felt as if he were floating on air.

Last month, the Bureau Chief had hinted at this. Now that Director Zheng had said it too, it seemed the Cultural and Tourism Bureau was poised to take off. And the greater the Bureau’s responsibilities, the higher his, Director Guo’s, status would become.

His fortieth birthday coinciding with such a joyous development.

It truly echoed Jiang Hongfei’s words: "Forever young, rising step by step."

This young man had been rather clueless in the past.

But looking at him now, he might just turn out to be a lucky charm for me!

Director Guo was secretly delighted.

About fifteen minutes later, a woman in formal work attire with short, neat hair pushed open the door to the private room. Following her was a girl wearing sunglasses.

The girl had waist-length hair and wore a dark green cloak that enveloped her entire body, concealing her figure.

She walked straight toward Director Zheng, removed her sunglasses, and revealed a stunningly familiar face. "Director Zheng, hello, hello."

"Miss Ye, hello."

Director Zheng stood up, shook hands with the girl, and said, "Thank you, Miss Ye, for your support for Ji City. I believe that once this Martial Arts promotional film is successfully completed, it will undoubtedly spark a new trend."

"It’s all in line with the general trend."

Ye Zhenzhen smiled.

As a celebrity, she might not be considered high society, but she certainly wasn’t lacking in information. That’s why, after receiving invitations from several cities, she had chosen her maternal grandfather’s city to shoot the promotional video.

The two sat down and chatted. Director Guo chimed in from time to time, and the atmosphere at the dining table was harmonious.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK."

The sound of knocking came from the door. Jiang Hongfei’s face peeked in; he was holding a tray with a complete tea set.

"Director Zheng, Director Guo, good day."

Seeing Ye Zhenzhen sitting there, Jiang Hongfei was startled for a moment. But he quickly recovered. So what if she was a celebrity? In the face of power, even the biggest stars had to humble themselves!

He kept his gaze steady as he poured tea from the pot into each cup, the fragrant aroma wafting to every seat.

"Director Zheng, this is young Jiang from our department," Director Guo explained. When Jiang Hongfei came close, Guo gave him a subtle kick under the table.

Clear tea was fine, of course. But Maotai liquor was far better for building connections.

"It should be arriving soon," Jiang Hongfei understood Director Guo’s hint and replied softly. He was also anxious. He had rushed over as soon as the tea set was ready, afraid that arriving late would prevent him from smoothly integrating into the table’s atmosphere.

He’d thought that delivering a bottle of Maotai—such a simple task—would mean Jiang Shu and the waiter would already be waiting at the door.

But now, there was still no sign of them!

If they waited until all the dishes were served before bringing out the Maotai, what would be the point!

Jiang Hongfei couldn’t resist opening his messaging app and sending a message to Jiang Shu: "Why aren’t you here yet? Hurry, hurry! Bring it right in!"

The message vanished as if into an abyss; there was no response.

Amidst the cheerful chatter and laughter at the table, Jiang Hongfei grew increasingly anxious, so much so that his scalp began to itch.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK."

Finally, another knock sounded at the door.

Jiang Hongfei, who had been intently watching the door, shot up and hurried over.

The waiter entered, carrying a tray on which sat a bottle of Maotai.

Jiang Hongfei heaved a long sigh of relief, his face beaming with joy as he took the Maotai from the waiter. Ignoring his cousin, who was still standing by the door, he turned and headed back to the table, ready to pour the first glass for Director Zheng.

At the doorway, Jiang Shu’s downcast eyes were calm.

This cousin of his was truly becoming more and more opportunistic.

If their grandparents hadn’t been here tonight, eager to see Jiang Hongfei, their eldest grandson, why would he have followed him all this way?

But this was where it ended.

"You should head back early; Grandma and Grandpa are waiting."

After saying this one last thing to Jiang Hongfei’s retreating back, Jiang Shu didn’t even bother to see who the so-called important leader was and turned to leave.

He couldn’t bring himself to acknowledge such a person as his cousin.

If Grandma and Grandpa really wanted to see him, they could have Jiang Yongren bring him over.

This cousin of Jiang Hongfei is so inconsiderate! Director Guo, who was sipping his tea, nearly dropped his cup as a thought suddenly struck him.

This wasn’t just some ordinary friendly get-together!

No matter how low Jiang Hongfei’s status, right now he was accompanying Director Zheng!

Family might be important, but were they more important than Director Zheng?

Simply outrageous!

He quickly stood up, intending to reprimand the young man.

But just then, a voice suddenly spoke from beside him: "Student Jiang Shu?"

The voice was very familiar. It carried across the small private room directly to Jiang Shu, who had just turned.

Jiang Shu looked back and saw the middle-aged man in the main seat looking at him with a smile.

Suddenly, a hint of embarrassment touched Jiang Shu’s face.

"Uncle Zheng, what a coincidence."