CHAPTER 386: CHAPTER 386: BEING STINGY IS ALSO A KIND OF STATE

Wan Yuwei didn’t know how to respond, so she could only lower her head, her face turning bright red.

Chen Bin scooped some lamb from the pot and placed it on the empty plate in front of her, then asked:

"Hou Haoyu is quite young to be studying at the municipal party school. His background must be significant, right?"

"His uncle is Cao Bencong, the Executive Deputy County Magistrate."

"Dating is all about matching families. Your family’s conditions shouldn’t be too bad either, I suppose?"

"My mom is Qian Shujuan."

"Ah, so you’re Vice Secretary Qian’s daughter. That I really didn’t notice."

At this moment, Wan Yuwei curiously asked:

"You’re so young and already at the main department level. Your family background must be quite extraordinary too, right?"

Chen Bin shook his head with a bitter smile and replied self-deprecatingly:

"If I had any background, how could I have ended up in Beihuang as the Political Consultative Conference Chairman?"

"You mean you reached the main department level purely on your own merits?"

Not wanting to continue with this topic, Chen Bin directly changed the subject:

"Do you truly like Hou Haoyu?"

Wan Yuwei picked up a piece of lamb, dipped it in the sauce, and answered:

"He’s all right, I guess. My mom likes him well enough anyway."

Chen Bin gently held her left hand and asked, "I’m still single right now. If you know anyone suitable, could you introduce me to someone?"

Wan Yuwei initially wanted to pull her hand away, but after hearing these words, she appeared visibly surprised.

"You’re kidding, right? That beautiful girl with you at the end of last year wasn’t your girlfriend?"

After thinking for a moment, Chen Bin guessed she was referring to Liao Ruoli and shook his head.

"No! I’ve known her for so many years. If anything could’ve happened, it would’ve happened long ago."

For some reason, after hearing his explanation, Wan Yuwei let out a small sigh.

Her heart suddenly felt a little more at ease.

At this moment, Chen Bin suddenly said, "Actually, I think you’re pretty great yourself."

In an instant, Wan Yuwei’s cheeks flushed red again.

She quickly pulled her hand back and teased shyly, "What nonsense are you talking about? I already have a boyfriend."

"As long as you’re not married, I still have a chance."

"No way, I won’t give you that chance."

Seeing Wan Yuwei’s embarrassed expression, Chen Bin didn’t push further and initiated a change in topic.

Throughout the meal, the two managed to have an enjoyable conversation.

After leaving the hot pot restaurant, Chen Bin even took the initiative to send Wan Yuwei home.

When turning away, he suggested:

"Tomorrow’s Saturday; I plan to visit the city. Why don’t you come along to see Hou Haoyu?"

Without much thought, Wan Yuwei nodded and agreed.

"Sure, see you tomorrow then."

Nodding briefly, Chen Bin turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, he suddenly turned back.

Only to find Wan Yuwei still standing in the same spot, silently watching him.

Wan Yuwei hadn’t expected Chen Bin to turn back halfway.

Her face flushed red, and she quickly turned and ran shyly into the building.

The next day, Chen Bin and Wan Yuwei took the bus to the city together.

As soon as they arrived at their destination, Hou Haoyu was already waiting at the bus station.

Chen Bin suspected Wan Yuwei had contacted him beforehand.

Soon after, the three of them began wandering around the mall.

Women naturally love shopping, and Wan Yuwei was no exception.

However, every time she found something she liked, Hou Haoyu would deem it unsuitable.

Once or twice was fine, but after several times, Wan Yuwei started to get upset.

In her view, as her boyfriend, Hou Haoyu should present himself well in front of Chen Bin.

This attitude was far from what she wanted.

Not long after, Wan Yuwei fell for a handbag.

To save face, she directly told Hou Haoyu:

"I want this bag. Buy it for me, will you?"

Seeing the price, Hou Haoyu’s expression changed.

He quietly muttered, "Yuwei, don’t you already have plenty of bags? Why buy another one? This kind costs three to four hundred in our county, but here it’s eight hundred. Such a rip-off!"

"No way. The ones in our county are all cheap imitations. I want this one!"

Seeing Wan Yuwei’s firm stance, Hou Haoyu became annoyed and started rebuking her.

"They’re all just bags. If you’ve got one to carry, why do you insist on being so wasteful?"

Originally, Wan Yuwei wanted to prove to Chen Bin how much Hou Haoyu cared for her.

But upon hearing this, she felt completely disheartened.

"I don’t want to hear your nagging. Just say whether you’re buying it or not!"

"Money needs to be spent wisely. Is this lousy bag really worth eight hundred? I won’t buy it!"

Furious at his response, Wan Yuwei stormed off.

Without hesitation, Hou Haoyu quickly chased after her.

Watching their figures retreat, Chen Bin felt a surge of emotion.

He had always thought highly of Hou Haoyu, but now realized he was unbelievably stingy.

Not even willing to spend eight hundred on his girlfriend, he likely wouldn’t achieve much in life.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Chen Bin purchased the handbag Wan Yuwei had desired.

Additionally, he went back to several previous stores, buying everything else she had her eyes on.

After doing this, Chen Bin visited a supermarket, left the items in storage, and then contacted Hou Haoyu.

Once the three of them regrouped, Hou Haoyu, trying to win back favor, insisted on treating them to a fancy meal.

Chen Bin’s first thought was lobster and abalone, though he doubted Hou Haoyu would open his wallet for those.

At the very least, it should be a higher-end restaurant.

When they reached the destination, Chen Bin found it was just another hot pot restaurant.

Having eaten hot pot the day before, Chen Bin wasn’t exactly thrilled, but Wan Yuwei seemed quite happy.

Just as the three sat down to order, four people suddenly walked through the entrance.

Upon spotting them, Wan Yuwei immediately smiled and waved.

Leading the group, one man quickly approached.

"Fancy running into you all here. What a coincidence!"

Hou Haoyu nodded, "You guys out shopping too?"

"That’s right!"

After a brief exchange, the leading man turned his attention to Chen Bin.

"Oh my! Isn’t this Chairman Chen? Chairman Chen, nice to meet you!"

Facing the extended hand, Chen Bin stood up and shook it politely.

Though, in his memory, he couldn’t recall knowing this person.

Just then, Wan Yuwei began introducing the group:

"This is Gu Bei, the County Magistrate’s son. This is Tang Zhuqing, the County Committee Office Director’s daughter. This is Yin Tong, the Disciplinary Committee Secretary’s son. And this is Li Jia, the County Propaganda Minister’s daughter. They’re two pairs of couples."

Having worked in Beihuang for so long, Chen Bin had always heard about how the county’s top leaders’ children and relatives dominated government agencies.

Now, hearing the introductions, it was clear that political matchmaking was also involved.

After exchanging handshakes with the four, pleasantries were formally exchanged.

Since they were acquaintances, Wan Yuwei cheerfully suggested:

"Since we ran into each other, why don’t we sit together for a meal? My dear Haoyu will treat us."

Knowing Haoyu’s notorious stinginess, Gu Bei waved his hand in refusal.

"No need, you guys enjoy your meal. We’ll take another table."

Chen Bin stepped in at this point.

"Since everyone’s here, let’s eat together. It’s more fun with more people."

Seeing Chen Bin insist, Gu Bei finally sat down.

The other three followed suit.

Frowning slightly, Hou Haoyu instantly looked as if he’d swallowed a bitter fruit.

Having so many people eat together, how much would it cost!

While the group varied in rank, they were all young, so the conversation became lively.

Between drinks and laughter, the meal was quite enjoyable.

Except for Haoyu, who barely touched his chopsticks.

After all, the more he ate now, the more he’d have to pay later—it wasn’t worth it!

After the meal, Wan Yuwei, in high spirits, immediately suggested:

"Since today’s the weekend, how about heading to a karaoke lounge now?"

The group was still enthusiastic, so they all agreed.

Haoyu suspected that Wan Yuwei would insist he pay again.

So he quickly clasped his forehead, pretending to look dizzy and lightheaded.

"Oh no! I... I think I drank too much..."