96 A Cause for Envy

“That’s a good way to address her. That way, I won’t feel any pressure,” Bai Yuzhen said with easy grace.

After greeting Xiao Yao’s family, Fan Jingyu finally began introducing the middle-aged man who had come in with him.

“Xiao Yao, let me introduce you. This is Jiang Shuwei, the chief of our city’s Public Security Bureau.”

Jiang Shuwei looked to be around fifty, of average build, but lean and capable, with a strong and commanding presence.

“Hello, Mr. Xiao. I’m Jiang Shuwei.” His greeting was as concise as his manner.

Though Jiang Shuwei showed little expression when he spoke, the righteous integrity about him was impossible for Xiao Yao to ignore.

With Xiao Yao’s level of skill in reading people, he could tell at a glance what kind of man Jiang Shuwei was. Someone as upright and uncompromising as him was rare indeed these days, and a person like that was worthy of respect.

“Hello, Chief Jiang. I’m pleased to meet you,” Xiao Yao replied just as briefly, but with complete sincerity.

After Jiang Shuwei had also greeted Xiao Yao’s parents one by one, someone had already called over a waiter and brought in three extra chairs.

Fan Jingyu and Jiang Shuwei were far too important in status. By virtue of his work, Ji Guangrong could still occasionally see Fan Jingyu, but the others had no such opportunity. To sit at the same dinner table as him on a day like this was, even for Ji Guangrong, the first time in his life.

His position was not especially significant. If he had not only just taken up his post and happened to want to meet Fan Jingyu, then there would have had to be some important matter at the company before such a chance could arise. With his status, under normal circumstances, he would not have been qualified to sit at the same table as Fan Jingyu in any setting.

Now that Fan Jingyu and Jiang Shuwei had come over together to toast them, this rare chance to make contact with the leadership was naturally one Ji Guangrong was unwilling to miss. Before the waiter had even moved the chairs over, he had already stood up and given up his seat, saying, “Please, both of you, sit inside. I’ve been terribly rude today. I didn’t know you would be coming, and I failed to keep seats for you. I’ll drink three cups later as punishment and reflect properly on my mistake.”

Fan Jingyu waved him off. “I still have guests waiting on my side. I’m only having a few drinks before I leave, so I won’t be sitting long. Everyone stay where you are; no need to make a fuss.”

“How could that be?” Ji Guangrong said. “I know the two of you are approachable, but if we let you sit right by the door like this, I’m afraid none of us will have the courage to keep drinking afterward.”

Though Fan Jingyu had spoken politely, and though it was true that a leader saying such things was a sign of affability, Ji Guangrong absolutely did not dare accept it so casually.

“Today I’m here in a private capacity to offer a toast. Uncle Xiao and Aunt Bai are our elders. If they are both sitting by the door, how could I dare sit inside? Wouldn’t everyone agree that this is only reasonable?”

Once Fan Jingyu put it that way, Ji Guangrong truly no longer dared insist.

Making Xiao Zhenshan, the host, sit by the door was, in truth, because of him. He had originally assumed Xiao Zhenshan was merely an ordinary section chief, and the difference in their status was vast, so arranging a seat by the door seemed perfectly natural.

If he had known Xiao Yao and Bai Yuzhen’s true standing earlier, he would certainly have invited Xiao Zhenshan, the host, to sit together with him as the honored guest, and there would not have been this awkward scene now.

Fan Jingyu sat down directly beside Xiao Yao, with Jiang Shuwei and Ran Lixin seated in order beside him.

“Mayor Fan, Chief Jiang, today is a family gathering. Everyone here is an old colleague or old friend of my father’s, or their family members. Let me introduce everyone one by one...” Xiao Yao introduced each person at the table in turn.

“No wonder I could hear such cheerful laughter from outside. So everyone here is a friend of Uncle Xiao and Aunt Bai. It’s a pity I still have guests to entertain today, so I can’t stay here long. Let me borrow this occasion to offer everyone a toast. Please raise your glasses together.”

Fan Jingyu spoke with complete sincerity, with not a trace of bureaucratic airs. After speaking, he was the first to drain his glass in one gulp.

When a leader drinks first, the others naturally cannot refuse him face. Whether they could drink or not, and whether the cup held liquor or wine, everyone raised their glasses and drained them at once.

After toasting everyone, and once the waiter had refilled all the glasses, Fan Jingyu lifted his cup again and said, “This next cup is for Uncle Xiao and Aunt Bai. I’ve long wanted to visit you at home, but even now I still haven’t made the trip. I ask that you not take offense. I’ll finish this one, and the two of you please drink as you like.”

“Mayor Fan, you’re far too polite. You’re always welcome to come to our home,” Xiao Zhenshan and Bai Yuzhen said. Honored to receive a toast from the mayor, both of them cheerfully drained their glasses.

After Jiang Shuwei also separately toasted everyone at the table, Fan Jingyu and the others finally took their leave.

Once the leaders had been seen off, the mood at the table was still charged with excitement, and it took a while for everyone to settle down.

Xin Chengyou was the closest to Xiao Zhenshan and had nothing to be restrained about, so he looked at Xiao Yao and asked casually, “It really is true that after three days apart, one must look at you with new eyes. Xiao Yao, when did you get to know Mayor Fan, and how did you become so close?”

“My acquaintance with Mayor Fan hasn’t actually been long. We’ve eaten together a few times over the past two months, and little by little we became familiar,” Xiao Yao could only answer in such a simple way.

“You brat, you won’t even tell me the truth. Look at Mayor Fan’s attitude today—could the two of you really just have an ordinary relationship?”

Xin Chengyou had only asked out of curiosity. Seeing that Xiao Yao did not want to say much in front of everyone, he naturally did not press further. Instead, he joked, “Fine, don’t say it. I won’t make things hard for you. I only need to know that your relationship with Mayor Fan is a good one, and that’s enough. If your Uncle Xin ever runs into trouble and has to come to you for help in the future, don’t go refusing me.”

“Listen to you. Do I strike you as that kind of person? I’m not one of those government insiders who forgets their own flesh and blood. Whatever trouble you run into in the future, just tell me, and I’ll make sure it’s handled properly,” Xiao Yao promised very readily.

Xin Chengyou was his father’s best friend. The two families had always been especially close. From childhood to adulthood, Xiao Yao had received more New Year’s money and pocket money from Xin Chengyou than from his own father. His respect for Xin Chengyou was heartfelt and entirely genuine.

“Old Xin, I’m getting jealous of you now,” Ji Guangrong said half seriously, half jokingly. “With Mr. Xiao’s promise, whether it’s work or life, everything will surely go smoothly for you from now on. I’d say you’re not the only one jealous. You ought to show some gratitude right away.”

“Chengyou, count me among those who are jealous of you too. Hurry and drink,” Zhang Yunsheng chimed in good-naturedly.

Though everyone had a good relationship with Xiao Zhenshan, the strongest bond by far was still Xin Chengyou.

Now that Old Xiao’s family was clearly rising to great heights, they, as friends, might still benefit somewhat, but only to a limited extent. Xin Chengyou was different. His friendship with Xiao Zhenshan was as close as it could be, and now Xiao Yao had made such a promise. It was indeed enough to make anyone envious.

P.S. The book has quietly gone on sale. Today is the last day of the month, and if you still have monthly votes, they will only go to waste if you keep them, so I sincerely ask you to cast them for this book!