CHAPTER 491: 491 GO HOME

That way it won’t seem abrupt. Since Tao Juncheng values his daughter-in-law so much, he’ll probably lend a hand.

Secretary Cao knocked on the door and came in, "Vice Secretary Tao, are you eating in the canteen or going outside?"

Tao Juncheng looked at Wei Kaiyun as if to defer to his decision.

"I won’t stay for dinner, let’s discuss anything further on Qian Jun’s wedding day."

"I’m not gonna stay either, but I’ll definitely attend the wedding, just not during the midday."

Wei Kaiyun stood up, nodded with a smile, and followed Secretary Cao out.

Tao Juncheng watched Wei Kaiyun’s departing figure. Once thought to be his greatest rival, now he posed no significant threat.

Regarding ability, he admired Wei Kaiyun. Despite giving so much money to higher-ups, he never lets anyone catch him; that’s what a truly formidable person does.

Such a person can only be a friend; one must not show leniency if they become an enemy.

Wei Kaiyun stepped out of the building and ran into Shen Xueqi at the entrance.

"Xiao Wei?"

"Old Shen?"

"Haha, what brings you here? Got work?"

"No, isn’t the day after tomorrow Qian Jun’s big day? I’m taking this opportunity to stroll around."

"Haha, did Qian Jun call you?"

"Yeah, I came to join in the celebration."

"Xiao Wei, give me a moment, I need to submit a document. Luckily, I’m free today and managed to sneak out, otherwise, I’d miss you."

"Sure, should I wait for you at the restaurant?"

"Fine."

They shared a laugh and parted ways.

Although they weren’t in the same camp, they had a mutual respect for each other, never discussing work matters but maintaining a pure friendship.

Wei Kaiyun strolled leisurely, pondering over things in his heart, sure that although Tao Juncheng hadn’t betrayed them, he definitely had other connections.

Just as he reached the restaurant entrance, he heard someone calling from behind.

"How’d you get here so quickly?"

"Just a document. Let’s go. I just called in to take the afternoon off. Let’s not leave until we’re drunk."

Wei Kaiyun shook his head with a smile. "I can’t do that, I have to return to the county in the afternoon."

"Not staying until tomorrow? Or how about leaving together in the afternoon the day after tomorrow? I haven’t seen what Qian Jun’s wife looks like yet."

While talking, they entered the restaurant, where Director Li promptly greeted them, "Director Shen, is this Director Wei?"

Wei Kaiyun smiled, "That’s me. Director Li has quite the keen eye; I haven’t been here in years."

"Haha, that’s because Director Wei hasn’t changed much, come on, you both follow me."

Back in the day, Director Shen was a rarely seen handsome young man, but he’s aged these years. Meanwhile, Director Wei hasn’t changed much, allowing me to recognize him at a glance.

Shen Xueqi laughed behind, "Old Li, even if you want to compliment Director Wei, don’t undermine me, alright? I may not be a handsome young man anymore, but surely I’m a handsome uncle, not as bad as you say?"

"Old Shen, you’re still so vain."

From an outsider’s perspective, it seemed the three were especially close friends.

Li Shengli led the two to a private room, "You two settle in first, I’ll arrange the dishes. It’s on me today."

"Old Li, that won’t do, it’s rare that Xiao Wei visits, I’ll treat this time, quickly serve up some good dishes for us brothers."

"Alright, I’ll treat next time. I’ll make the arrangements now. There’s a new chef who’s particularly good at tofu, I’ll let you try it."

"Just handle things as you see fit."

Left alone in the room, Shen Xueqi asked, "Xiao Wei, are you in a hurry to get back for anything?"

"Nothing major, but I just met with Vice Mayor Tao, and he asked me to persuade Jiang Xinyu to work here."

"I’ve heard about it too; Vice Factory Director Jiang is quite capable. With a university degree, it’s a bit of a waste for her to stay in the textile factory."

"Haha, my persuasion might not be effective." Wei Kaiyun said, laughing.

"You’re known as her mentor, she should listen to you, right? Plus, this is an opportunity."

Wei Kaiyun shook his head with a smile, "Others might have ambitions, but that girl likely doesn’t think about it, she once told me and Qian Jun that she wants to be a truck driver, traveling freely wherever she wants."

"Haha, that’s a great thought, a female driver? Certainly unique. I remember she knows how to drive, right?"

"She does. I taught her to drive just for convenience, and she got the hang of it in half a day, handling it quite well."

Shen Xueqi laughed, the girl’s idea was indeed rather odd.

"It’s just a few words, no need to rush back today, right? It’s just me at home, it’s been years since we last met, perfect for catching up."

"You have time?

After all, I have to meet with friends when I go back."

"True, you’ve stayed in the county for quite a while, you must have lots of friends there, right?"

"Not too bad, I’ve got good relations with almost every factory director. We used to meet often for meetings, so we inevitably learned from each other, relationships can’t help but be good."

As they were talking, Li Shengli came bringing the dishes.

Finally, he brought over a bottle of wine, "Erguotou, authentic from Niulanshan."

"Old Li is really going all out today, bringing out the good wine. How about joining us for a drink?"

Li Shengli shook his head with a smile, "I can’t, lots of things to do, let’s do it another time."

Shen Xueqi tried to pour wine for Wei Kaiyun, but was refused, "I’ve quit drinking?"

"Quit drinking? Do you still smoke?"

Wei Kaiyun shook his head with a smile, "I’ve quit both smoking and drinking."

"What’s going on with you? Quitting both smoking and drinking?"

Wei Kaiyun just chuckled beside him. Ever since he got married, he quit smoking and drinking.

"What joys are left in life? Xiao Wei, you say abstain from women, now quit smoking and drinking, are you planning on becoming a monk?"

How could he abstain from women? Without even seeing his wife, just thinking about her makes him feel restless.

"A place of purity wouldn’t want someone like me whose six senses aren’t clean."

"You’re not pure in your six senses? If you don’t drink with me, I’m not drinking either, wasting Old Li’s good wine."

"You could drink alone, couldn’t you? I’ll accompany you for a chat just the same."

"No, I, the host, drinking while the guest doesn’t is a bit odd."

Since Shen Xueqi refused to drink, they straightforwardly focused on the meal.

"Xiao Wei, how long can you stay?"

"After Qian Jun’s wedding, I’ll head to Shanghai for two months of study. The timing depends on Vice Factory Director Jiang, as she’ll go with me. It’s organized by the Management Bureau, each city’s textile factory sends a vice director."

"Oh? Xiao Wei, what do you think of Jiang Xinyu?"

Wei Kaiyun looked at Shen Xueqi in confusion.

"You’re still single, how about pursuing Jiang Xinyu? You could date her, I think you both would make a good match. Seize this opportunity for proximity and gain advantage."