Lan Peizhi ultimately did not accept the invitation.
Wang Heting felt somewhat regretful, but did not insist, and when he got up to leave, he did not forget to politely shake hands with Jiang Chen.
"Mr. Jiang, see you next time."
Every place has its own customs and people.
People from different areas have different characteristics.
Up to this day, Jiang Chen had already seen quite a few of the country’s powerful elite, each with a distinctly different personality.
There really is a variety of life out there.
"Such a young colonel really makes one feel ashamed of oneself."
Jiang Chen felt emotional and couldn’t help but think of his good friend Tie Jun who had been discharged from the military.
"You are not too shabby yourself; there is no reason to be modest."
Wang Heting turned his head, gave a glance to the two who were still sitting and chatting, and drove away.
"Thank you, Miss Lan, for the introduction."
Jiang Chen said sincerely.
What is a social connection?
Even if he was not sure about the precise background of the young colonel with whom he had exchanged contact information just now, it was unquestionable that forging a connection with him would probably mean he could walk sideways in Sichuan and Chongqing.
Such an opportunity could not be bought with mere money.
Shenzhou is different from the money-centric Western world.
Wealth is not omnipotent in this land.
"He is different from the usual dissipated young masters; try to become friends with him if you have the opportunity."
Of course, there was no need for Lan Peizhi to remind him of this.
However, Jiang Chen had already sensed her goodwill.
Seventy points of favorability indeed did not lie.
Lan Peizhi made her point and then took a sip of her coffee before standing up.
Jiang Chen asked subconsciously.
Lan Peizhi said softly.
At this moment, this revered Blood Guanyin seemed to have shed all her splendor and appeared just as an ordinary woman with exceptional looks and presence.
The guest complies with the host.
Jiang Chen didn’t voice any opinion, followed Lan Peizhi into the car, and arrived at a small tavern far from the city center before the sun set.
To entertain guests in such a place was undoubtedly a bit humble, but since Jiang Chen could tolerate even the simple meals in the countryside, he naturally wasn’t a picky person.
Although the tavern was not full, it was about seventy percent occupied and relatively lively.
A singer was strumming a guitar.
"After the rain cars come by, passing through the fading twilight, the old tin car heads south, the lover is no longer there..."
Dreams of Thirty Years.
The singer’s deep and husky voice created an exceptionally thick atmosphere.
By now, Jiang Chen had more or less figured out her age, she should be just over thirty, definitely not in her forties, which matched this song quite well.
Lan Peizhi looked towards the singer of folk songs.
"Would you like a drink?"
Jiang Chen asked while looking over the menu.
Jiang Chen glanced at her, hesitated for a moment, and then ordered two jars of the tavern’s signature liquor.
Coming to a tavern and not drinking seems to be missing out on something.
"I didn’t expect Miss Lan to come to such a place."
Jiang Chen closed the menu.
"Why can’t I come to such a place?"
Lan Peizhi asked, still watching the guitarist.
Jiang Chen was at a loss for words.
"A thousand acres of good land provide no more than three meals a day, and a mansion with thousands of rooms still only offers seven feet of bed for sleep."
Lan Peizhi spoke indifferently,
Jiang Chen chuckled silently, "I thought Miss Lan hadn’t read much."
Lan Peizhi turned to look at him.
Jiang Chen’s expression changed slightly.
"How do you know I haven’t read much?"
Jiang Chen wanted to speak but stopped, truly unsure of how to rectify the situation,
"Sorry, Miss Lan, I didn’t mean that..."
Lan Peizhi did not leave in a huff and showed no signs of annoyance, "You’re right, I indeed have not read much; to be precise, I didn’t even complete middle school."
"Nowadays, educational qualifications don’t really represent anything."
Jiang Chen hastily said, half-truthfully.
In an era where college graduates are as common as stray dogs, and master’s and doctoral degree holders deliver takeaways.
People who graduate from prestigious universities aren’t necessarily going to do better than those who only finished elementary school.
Especially for someone like Lan Peizhi.
Using educational qualifications as a measure is frankly absurd.
Just one thing puzzled Jiang Chen, though; while achievements don’t necessarily depend on the level of education, a person’s innate quality and cultivation, which comes from within, usually have some connection to the level of education received.
It’s easy to distinguish between a PhD and an elementary school graduate standing before you.
Just like the difference between aristocrats and nouveau riches.
Where did she resemble someone who hadn’t even completed nine years of compulsory education?
Jiang Chen thought of a name mentioned by the young colonel.
The Old Taoist Priest.
"Miss Lan, why didn’t you finish middle school?"
Jiang Chen tentatively asked.
"You already have the answer to that question, don’t you," Lan Peizhi replied softly.
Jiang Chen fell silent.
If he wasn’t mistaken, it should be due to family factors; from what he had observed at the Lan Family during this period, he could guess a lot about her childhood experiences.
Jiang Chen wisely did not follow up.
"Keep singing, squint the eyes, and the collapse of hot tears, is just an existence that has not arrived..."
In the midst of the melodious music, Jiang Chen poured drink into two cups.
Lan Peizhi seemed unfocused, as if suddenly spacing out, lost in her thoughts.
Jiang Chen pushed the cup of water towards her.
"Do you have any dreams?" Lan Peizhi asked suddenly, catching Jiang Chen off guard.
He didn’t respond for a long stretch.
"Does Miss Lan have any?"
Finally, Jiang Chen asked.
Lan Peizhi was silent, "I used to, but I’ve already decided not to pursue them."
Lan Peizhi took a sip of her drink, lowering her head.
Today, she seemed exceptionally talkative.