"Chief, I think that guy surnamed Sun has a bit of a military air about him. He doesn’t come across like a businessman, more like a driver," remarked the policeman in the driver’s seat, lost in thought.
"You think I can’t see that? But we can’t jump to conclusions. There are lots of successful businessmen who came from the military. Either way, it has nothing to do with us. As long as we keep a good relationship, it’s all good." Yang Quan replied casually.
"The chief is wise..."
.......
In less than half an hour, Tang Qing and his crew arrived in the county. It was nearly eleven o’clock. Instead of going directly to his family’s shop to pick up his parents, Tang Qing turned up at the County Public Security Bureau to pick up Zheng Xiu. Knowing he was leaving today, Zheng Xiu suggested days ago they should get together for a meal. Tang Qing thought it over and decided to arrange a get-together for them all. As for Zheng Xiu, he was more than happy to attend. After all, he had not met Tang Qing’s parents yet and this would provide an ideal opportunity to get acquainted.
Upon arriving at the County Public Security Bureau, Zheng Xiu should have been at work, but he called earlier to tell Tang Qing that he was free. The venue was arranged by Father Tang and Mother Tang the day before, and they were set to head straight there.
Instead of ostentatiously driving in to pick up Zheng Xiu, Tang Qing decided to be modest, especially considering that the office of the leaders of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee was nearby. It was best not to draw unnecessary attention.
After parking his car, Tang Qing called Zheng Xiu, who showed up within five minutes. But it wasn’t just Zheng Xiu who appeared. Chu Feng, secretary of the county’s Political and Legal Affairs Committee, was also there. He had momentarily popped in for personal matters with Zheng Xiu. At first, things were fine, but as soon as Zheng Xiu took a call, Chu Feng became curious about the conversation, mostly because Zheng Xiu’s father-in-law was his former supervisor—a man he had known many years. While they were both subordinate and superior, the relationship wasn’t all that formal.
When Chu Feng asked, Zheng Xiu didn’t beat around the bush and directly pointed to the car under the window as what had come to fetch him.
Seeing the car, Chu Feng was taken aback, not because the car seemed high-end — as a standing committee member of the county party committee and a deputy commissioner-level cadre, he was certainly not a stranger to luxury. But, he felt a sense of déjà vu. The last time he had seen the car was in the city when they visited a big shot businessman to play cards, and he saw the car going into Liu Qian’s villa. Although it was a fleeting sight, he had also seen Liu Qian at his front door, greeting them with a smile.
So seeing this car again today, Chu Feng was stunned, not by the luxury of the car, but by the connection Zheng Xiu has with someone whom Liu Qian would personally welcome.
On that day, he casually asked his backer, Lin Hou, who is the executive deputy mayor of Qingyan City. Lin Hou was slightly surprised. People in Qingyan City who could get Liu Qian to greet them at the door were less than twenty, and they were all big shots—himself included. But Lin Hou also didn’t think about it too much. No matter who it was, it had nothing to do with him. He hadn’t been invited, so he certainly wasn’t going to be an unwelcome guest.
Even though Lin Hou didn’t take notice, Chu Feng did. He remembered the license plate and having encountered the car again today, he thought to strike up a rapport and decided to invite himself for dinner. In life, the more friends you have the more leads you get—that’s a concept he, as a government official, understands. Zheng Xiu didn’t refuse. There were already going to be many "strangers" at this meal, one more wouldn’t make any difference.
After the introductions, even though Chu Feng was a bit of an uninvited guest, Tang Qing didn’t think much of it. A couple more chopsticks and a meal, what’s the big deal? It would give him an opportunity to know more people who might come in handy in the future.
PS: After over half-a-million words, the build-up is almost done. The main storyline of this book will finally begin soon. Stay tuned.