Lin Fan arrived at Tianpin Pavilion as promised, taking in the ornately carved and painted decor. It was here that Guo Baoming had toyed with Xu Jiaojiao last time, and today, it was anyone’s guess what kind of trickery might unfold at the dinner table.
Guided by the waitstaff to the private room’s entrance, Lin Fan, stripped of his phone once again, pushed open the heavy door.
Inside the private room, there weren’t as many people as last time, yet there was Xu Jiaojiao, wearing a black cocktail dress, smiling warmly at Lin Fan as he entered. Besides her, two other women of about the same age flanked Guo Baoming, still clothed for now, though that wasn’t guaranteed to last.
"Deputy County Magistrate Lin, you’ve been quite busy lately!"
Guo Baoming smiled at Lin Fan as he walked in. The place setting beside Xu Jiaojiao, who was sitting opposite him, indicated the seat was reserved for Lin Fan.
"It’s nothing really; we’re just low-level employees doing trivial tasks, far less taxing than the leaders’ work."
Lin Fan sat down obediently next to Xu Jiaojiao, whose suggestive glances spoke volumes.
"Don’t be so formal, tonight is just for an informal chat. There’s no hierarchy here."
With a woman in each arm, Guo Baoming said, "Originally, I thought it’d be just us two dining, but a seat is incomplete without a lady, so I invited Ms. Xu to keep you company. At least you won’t be lonely. Plus, I’ve heard you’ve got Ms. Xu wrapped around your finger. She’s pretty tough to handle, I must say. The name ’Golden Spear King’ certainly isn’t unearned."
"Yes, Deputy County Magistrate Lin has me quite scared. In him, I see the shadow of Mayor Guo in his younger days, such a commanding presence that even thinking about it now makes my legs weak."
Xu Jiaojiao admitted brazenly, with no hint of coyness, and of course took the opportunity to flatter Guo Baoming as well.
"Stop buttering me up. That’s something you’re born with; I can’t compare. Talent is God’s way of feeding you; how much or how little you get is predetermined. Let’s eat and talk."
Guo Baoming picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and only then did the others dare to follow suit. This was the protocol. Lin Fan, unable to retort, could only respond with an awkward laugh, a cover for his discomfort.
"Lin Fan, working in the town must be quite comfortable, right? All the team members should treat you well."
After a few bites, Guo Baoming steered the conversation back to work.
"Yes, yes, my recent transfer to Lotus Town has truly taught me a lot of things I’d never encountered while working in the government, and everyone’s cooperation with my work, including the promotion of the Chinese Herbal Medicine Cultivation, wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the town’s leadership."
Lin Fan nodded repeatedly, but Guo Baoming smiled knowingly. "Do you know why they’ve been so good to you?"
"It must be because of the leadership’s regard for me."
A timely bit of flattery; Lin Fan knew how to play the game.
"You learn fast, kid. Looks like Ms. Xu’s coaching has been fruitful; you’ve got a way with words that’s quite pleasing."
Guo Baoming nodded with a smile: "That’s right, it’s because you’ve been dispatched from the City. People aren’t scared of you, but the power you represent. Additionally, your rank ensures you won’t interfere with local interests, so everyone is buttering you up, happy and harmonious, ready to make money together. So, behind this amicable relationship is the fact that your position is low enough not to affect anyone!"
"You’re right, leader!"
Lin Fan seemed to grasp something but could only keep offering flattery.
"But things will be different when you move up to the County. You’ve been asking Ms. Xu about Red Flag County’s situation and you’ve learned about Zhao Zhichun, which shows you’re aware of the gravity of the situation. Before, you were scavenging for scraps under the table, and if someone dropped a piece of meat, it didn’t matter to them if you picked it up, hence the friendly and welcoming faces."
As Guo Baoming spoke, he drew a woman toward him, sliding her under the table where she promptly unzipped his trousers and began to busy herself with a certain activity. On this side, Xu Jiaojiao understood it was her turn to perform and knelt down, unbuckling Lin Fan’s belt. This time, he did not refuse.
Feeling Xu Jiaojiao’s moist warmth and skillful tongue, Lin Fan still pondered over Guo Baoming’s words. After a brief pause, he continued, "But now, going to the County’s a whole different situation. Sitting at that table is like you’re joining a feast where each dish is like someone else’s woman, already spoken for. Once you’re up there, you’re fighting over the meat in others’ mouths, over someone else’s wife. Things definitely get different then; you’re in a fight to the death!"
Enjoying the service of the woman below, kneading another’s plump flesh, and observing Lin Fan’s contemplative look, Guo Baoming added, "So do you still think being transferred to the County is a good thing? It’s like sending a sheep into a den of wolves."