Chapter 756: Chapter 757: Low-key
Secretary Shi Wei, whose name is Chen Yuping, had secured the position of city secretary in the economically developed city of Minghe. His ability was certainly very strong, and his background was equally impressive.
The Su Family had also supported him a lot initially. In many large families, it was often necessary to spend money and effort to support someone. Such actions often resembled gambling; if the person you supported rose smoothly in their career, it could bring benefits to the family. If, however, the supported individual failed and was suppressed by others, that family would also suffer losses.
"Secretary Chen, Mayor Li, I am late. I have kept you waiting for a long time, and I am truly sorry," Song Xiaodong said as he arrived at the reserved private room. Chen Yuping and Li Qiuhe, the mayor, were already there, each accompanied by their wives.
Chen Yuping smiled and said, "You are a very busy person. Even coming out for a meal is not easy for you, so this isnât considered late."
Song Xiaodong replied hastily, "Youâre making me blush with such comments. Both of you are the parents of our city of Minghe. You are the real deal, managing myriad matters every day. I am just busy chasing minor benefits for my own family, whereas you are busy working for the happiness of all the citizens. The nature of our tasks is completely different."
His words greatly pleased both Chen Yuping and Li Qiuhe. Usually, if someone made such comments, it would be regarded as mere flattery, and they wouldnât take it to heart. But coming from Song Xiaodong, it often signified genuine admiration.
Everyone then introduced their wives. Shui Qingyueâs youth and beauty didnât particularly impress the two leadersâthat sort of thing was expected from someone in Song Xiaodongâs position.
However, when Shui Qingyue chatted with the wives of the two leaders, her appropriate comments and elegant demeanor exhibited a unique personal charm in front of the leaders.
As everyone ate and talked, the conversation was quite casual. However, due to the identities of the three men, it mostly concerned urban development and public welfare.
Chen Yuping and Li Qiuhe were career-minded individuals. Before reaching their positions, they might have thought about manoeuvring for advancement, but upon achieving their ranks, the thoughts of advancing faded. Instead, they were more concerned with performing their duties well.
This was also why Song Xiaodong was willing to interact with them. If they had been solely focused on promotion and wealth, he would have been reluctant to engage with them beyond weighing interests.
The dinner was relaxed, yet it did not last long. Everyone was busy, and they all got up to leave after less than two hours.
Song Xiaodong and Shui Qingyue then went to a banquet hall on the third floor, which was where Lin Suâer and others were attending a charity gala.
Song Xiaodong shook his head and said, "Qingyue, do you think this is ridiculous? Hosting a gala like this costs a lot of money. If they really had charitable intentions, why not just donate the money directly?"
Shui Qingyue, linking her arm with Song Xiaodongâs, replied, "This is just an excuse for a gathering while claiming itâs for charity. Itâs something people in this circle love to do, and Iâve also been to a few."
Song Xiaodong shook his head again and said, "Well, it seems Iâm still not fully integrated into the upper echelons of society."
As they were talking, they encountered Cheng Xiaoyue and Qiao Bin walking towards them.
"Big Brother Song, what are you doing here?" Cheng Xiaoyue, dressed in an evening gown, excitedly hurried over when she saw Song Xiaodong.
Song Xiaodong smiled and said, "We just finished dinner and thought weâd come over to have a look."
Qiao Bin also came over, initially dazzled by Shui Qingyueâs attire. However, his main concern was still Cheng Xiaoyue, and he quickly said, "What a coincidence! Would you like to join our charity dinner?"
Song Xiaodong smiled and said, "Sure, letâs go see what itâs like."
Qiao Bin replied, "Wait a moment then. Iâll accompany Xiaoyue to the restroom, and then Iâll bring you in."
Cheng Xiaoyue didnât really need the restroom, but was trying to find an excuse to avoid Qiao Bin for a while. Now that Song Xiaodong was there, she immediately said, "No need, letâs just go in now."
"Youâre not going to the restroom?" Qiao Bin still asked, puzzled.
"No." With Song Xiaodong there, Cheng Xiaoyue felt more confident, though she would have been completely unconcerned if they were in Tiannan, Song Xiaodongâs stronghold. There, no one would dare trouble him.
But Minghe was incomparable to Tiannan. Even if Song Xiaodong was powerful, a strong dragon could not suppress a local snake, so Cheng Xiaoyue didnât expect Song Xiaodong could offer much protection here.
Seeing that Cheng Xiaoyue wanted to get away from Qiao Bin, Song Xiaodong smiled at her and said, "Why donât you take Qingyue with you?"
"Of course, Iâll take good care of sister-in-law," Cheng Xiaoyue replied happily, now having a perfect excuse.
Qiao Bin rolled his eyes. Although he sensed that Cheng Xiaoyue didnât really like him much, he walked ahead with Song Xiaodong and asked, "Bro, what are you doing here?"
"Just doing some small business," Song Xiaodong replied casually.
Qiao Bin said, "Doing business? With which company? Let me see if I can help you out, make sure you earn more."
Song Xiaodong chuckled and thanked him, "Thank you, but Iâm just dealing with a small matter, so I wonât bother you."
Listening to Song Xiaodong downplaying it, Qiao Bin assumed he was talking about a business worth just a hundred thousand or so, and casually said, "Thatâs true, no point bothering about it unless itâs worth seven or eight hundred thousand. But if you have such a deal in the future, come to me and Iâll help you out."
Shui Qingyue, following behind, suppressed a smile. Cheng Xiaoyue whispered, "Sister-in-law, whatâs making you laugh?"
Shui Qingyue shook her head, saying, "Itâs nothing."
"Oh, youâre laughing at that guy being over his head, right? I know Brother Dongzi is quite capable," Cheng Xiaoyue said.
"Donât mention that," Shui Qingyue quickly warned. "Weâre just here to have some fun."
"Oh, I understand," Cheng Xiaoyue nodded repeatedly, though her thoughts differed greatly from Shui Qingyueâs. Shui Qingyue wanted to avoid drawing attention to Song Xiaodongâs identity and causing a sensation.
Whereas Cheng Xiaoyue thought that Song Xiaodong, being a foreigner, should not showcase his power here to avoid trouble.