Chapter 2059: Chapter 1930: Chickenpox (Part 6)
Chapter 1934: Every Meal You Invite Deputy Director Qiao
As soon as Song Xiaodong heard this, he understood. It was probably Wang Hongfeiâs doing, clearly a Hongmen Banquet. But after all, this was Minghe City, his turf.
Song Xiaodong hesitated for a moment and said to Yang Chao, "Sure, sure, with everyone coming to invest in Minghe, as a Minghe local, Iâm very pleased. Itâs only right for me to fulfill my duty as host."
"Great, since Mr. Song is willing, letâs settle this then. Tonight at 6 oâclock, Qingde Building, see you there."
"Alright, bye."
"Youâre again going to bother those out-of-town investors?" Qiao Yutong was listening and understood.
"Deputy Director Qiao, how can you say Iâm bothering them? Itâs them inviting me to a privately organized dinner."
"Just donât cause trouble for Deputy Mayor Han," Deputy Director Qiao said with a frown to Song Xiaodong.
"They invite you, you go? Canât you say you canât make it, have plans in the evening?" Lin Suâer also said to Song Xiaodong.
"They called specifically to ask me; itâs not very nice if I donât go, right?" Song Xiaodong blinked at Lin Suâer.
After saying this, Song Xiaodong turned back, glanced at Deputy Director Qiao, and said, "Deputy Director Qiao, are you free this evening?"
"What are you doing?" Deputy Director Qiao looked at Song Xiaodong with a wary face and asked.
"Look at your attitudes, really see me, Song Xiaodong, as a bad person."
"You are a bad person," Lin Suâer replied.
"Deputy Director Qiao, if youâre free this evening, how about joining me at the banquet?" Song Xiaodong asked Deputy Director Qiao.
"This... might not be appropriate," Qiao Yutong raised her head, glancing at Lin Suâerâs expression.
Lin Suâer was intently observing Song Xiaodong and didnât catch Qiao Yutongâs eyes, nor did she have an unpleasant jealous expression.
"Hey, Deputy Director Qiao, yesterdayâs issue was because of you, today we need to resolve this conflict. Donât you think itâs appropriate for you not to be there?" Song Xiaodong said, waving his hand to Deputy Director Qiao.
"Donât do it; if something goes wrong, in the end, itâll be blamed on me by Deputy Mayor Han," Deputy Director Qiao told Song Xiaodong.
"Come on, itâs just dining; what trouble can occur? Are you going or not?" Song Xiaodong asked Qiao Yutong.
"I... Iâll go! Iâm going to watch you and make sure you donât offend those foreign businessmen." As Qiao Yutong said this, she glanced again at Lin Suâer.
Lin Suâer cast a sidelong glance at Song Xiaodong, unhappy, "Go ahead, Iâm going to the office to pack up my things." With this, Lin Suâer was ready to leave the office.
"Hey... Director Lin..." Qiao Yutong reached out to grab Lin Suâer but paused, leaving her hand in mid-air.
"No hurry, the dinner is in the evening!" Song Xiaodong stepped forward, grabbing Lin Suâerâs arm.
"Um... Mr. Song, Iâve watched the show; I have something to do, Iâll leave first." With this, Qiao Yutong lowered her head and hurried to the door.
"Director Qiao, we wonât leave without you this evening!" Song Xiaodong shouted, craning his neck.
"Deputy Director Qiao..." Lin Suâer also shouted, but Qiao Yutongâs steps were swift, already distant.
"Iâll help tidy up your office things, shall I?" Song Xiaodong coaxed Lin Suâer.
"No!" Lin Suâer replied with her mouth curling down, refusing to look at Song Xiaodong.
"Whatâs wrong?" Song Xiaodong asked Lin Suâer.
"Hmpf, every meal you invite Deputy Director Qiao, and with so many wives, you donât bring any. Really..." Lin Suâer tilted her head, turning away.
"Itâs different, after all, itâs a business engagement," Song Xiaodong said.
"Tsk, you fancy Deputy Director Qiao, stop tricking me," Lin Suâer turned, eyes on the floor.
"Why would I trick you? You know Iâm always honest with you, Lin Suâer," Song Xiaodong said.
"Thatâs true..."
"Donât be upset, Iâll help with the office, then we head home." Song Xiaodong hugged Lin Suâer, then led her from his office to hers.
"Wow, the directorâs office is surely different from a doctorâs office, quite impressive," Song Xiaodong said, surveying the directorâs office.
"Ah, whatâs the use of a fancy office? As a director, I canât even defend the hospitalâs rights, really useless!" Lin Suâer looked outside from the directorâs office window.
"Youâve done well. I guess when you slammed the table claiming youâd resign rather than accept the compensation, those leadersâ expressions must have been quite rich," Song Xiaodong said, patting Lin Suâerâs shoulder.
"Whatâs the use? The compensation still canât be reduced by a cent," Lin Suâer pouted.
"No worries, taking immoral money leads to getting sores all over, and theyâll spend the hospitalâs scam money on treatment, isnât that good?" Song Xiaodong comforted Lin Suâer.
"Alright, I know, Iâll never return to the medical field," Lin Suâer sighed.
"Alright, alright, letâs pack up, make room for Vice President Zhao; theyâre eager to move in. Chances are, their office stuff is already packed, just waiting for you to move out."
Song Xiaodong and Lin Suâer started tidying things up.
In the evening, Song Xiaodong went to attend the dinner organized by Yang Chao, calling Deputy Director Qiao en route.
"Hello? Deputy Director Qiao?" Song Xiaodong asked.
"Itâs me, are you coming to pick me up?" Qiao Yutong asked.
"Yes, Iâm on my way," Song Xiaodong replied.
"Drive carefully."
"Alright."
Qiao Yutong awaited at the police station entrance, hair in waves, brown wool coat, blue skinny jeans, black high heels, light blue handbag, straightening her hair in the autumn breeze, much like a movie heroine, with her usual feisty officer demeanor totally gone.
"Why are you so late?" Qiao Yutong raised her eyebrows, playfully scolding Song Xiaodong.
"Traffic jam, sorry. Waited long?" Song Xiaodong asked.
"No. Picking up a lady should be early, making her wait, not decent," Qiao Yutong said, entering Song Xiaodongâs car.
"You work at the station, downstairs, and Iâm driving from the outskirts, how to be early?" Song Xiaodong pinched his nose.
"No sincerity at all," Qiao Yutong raised her eyebrows.
"What more sincerity do you want? An eight-carry palanquin to fetch you?" Song Xiaodong asked.
"Humph." Qiao Yutong hummed, didnât reply.
"Still not satisfied when I host you dinner," Song Xiaodong continued.