After work in the evening, Chen Xing took a bus back to Hai City from Xi Men and arrived at the Haifeng Hotel mentioned by Li Zhongmin's secretary. Although he had guessed the purpose of Li Zhongmin's invitation, Chen Xing still had to attend the banquet. After all, Li Zhongmin was the Deputy Mayor of the Municipal Government. No matter how arrogant Chen Xing was, he would not embarrass Li Zhongmin directly.
A few minutes after Chen Xing arrived at the private room, Li Zhongmin also arrived. His secretary, Jiang Hua, stood at the door and glanced at Chen Xing in the room. Then he closed the door and waited outside. Only Chen Xing and Li Zhongmin were left in the private room. Li Zhongmin nodded to Chen Xing indifferently. He didn't want to disturb County Chen's work arrangement.
No emotion could be seen from Li Zhongmin's attitude. From the fact that he took the initiative to greet Chen Xing, it was impossible to tell that he had a great prejudice against Chen Xing. Wang Qing was facing the charge of intentional homicide. His little lover, Wang Ting, had been talking about Wang Qing in his ears these days. Li Zhongmin was very annoyed. Today, he finally decided to meet Chen Xing in person.
Mayor Li must be joking. It's time to get off work. It's my honor to have dinner with Mayor Li. Chen Xing stood and waited for Li Zhongmin to take a seat first. He maintained his respect for Li Zhongmin on the surface, but he was mentally prepared to deal with it. No matter whether Li Zhongmin wanted to pressure him or not, Chen Xing would never compromise.
I'm afraid that I will disturb County Chen's arrangement. Li Zhongmin smiled and sat down first. He nodded to Chen Xing, signaling Chen Xing to sit down as well.
Without hesitation, Chen Xing pulled out a chair and sat down. From Li Zhongmin's tone, Chen Xing had already heard some dissatisfaction, but he was not too surprised. Chen Xing still sat down with a smile. He refused to give face to Li Zhongmin, so he didn't expect Li Zhongmin to treat him warmly.
The hotel was Li Zhongmin's usual place to eat. When the waiter came over, Li Zhongmin just ordered one serving of the usual dishes. Then there were only the two of them left in the room. The atmosphere was a little quiet. Chen Xing looked at Li Zhongmin calmly. If the enemy didn't move, he wouldn't move. If Li Zhongmin didn't take the initiative to speak, Chen Xing didn't intend to mention Wang Qing first.
The dishes were served one by one. At first, the owner of the hotel came in and offered a toast. Then, he left sensibly. Li Zhongmin and Chen Xing drank a glass of wine. A few minutes passed peacefully. Just as Chen Xing was pondering Li Zhongmin's thoughts, Li Zhongmin suddenly said, "County Chen, I don't know if you know this data. Hai City has a population of more than six million. Last year, there were more than 9,800 traffic accidents in the city, 1,305 people died and more than 8,600 people were injured. On average, almost four people died because of traffic accidents every day, and 20 to 30 people were injured because of traffic accidents. This is only the traffic accident casualty data of Hai City, a prefecture-level city. If it is calculated on a national scale, the number of people injured and killed because of traffic accidents every year will be shocking. What do you think, County Chen?"
It was indeed shocking data. Chen Xing looked solemn. This was the first time he had heard the traffic accident casualty data of the whole city. In Hai City alone, nearly four people died because of traffic accidents every day. Such a data was placed in front of him, which made him feel a little numb. People died every day. Life was so fragile.
"Yes, the data is shocking, but in fact, if you look at it too much, it is just a bunch of data. Don't you think so, County Chen?" Li Zhongmin took a deep look at Chen Xing. "Needless to say, in the whole world, including our country, there are people dying because of traffic accidents every minute and every second. People are dying all the time. In fact, the death of one person is really nothing. There is no need to be too serious about some things. The dead are already dead. The key is to learn from past mistakes to avoid future mistakes, treat the sick and save the people, and give the wrongdoers a chance to repent. This is my opinion. I wonder if County Chen agrees?
Learn from past mistakes to avoid future mistakes, treat the sick and save the people. I agree with Mayor Li's words, but it depends on the situation. " Chen Xing clenched one of his fists under the table, with blue veins popping out. This was because Chen Xing had nowhere to vent his anger. "As Mayor Li said, the death of one person is really nothing. People die all the time in this world, so there is no need to make a fuss about it. However, if this person didn't die because of an accident, but because he was run over by someone, I think such heinous behavior is a blatant provocation of the law and the bottom line of morality. It is good to learn from past mistakes to avoid future mistakes, treat the sick and save the people, but the law is merciless. As government officials, how can we interfere with the fairness of the law because of our selfishness? Everyone is equal in front of the law." Mayor Li thought so. Chen Xing asked back with a tit-for-tat tone.
"I agree with the saying that everyone is equal in front of the law. However, there is another saying, outside of the law, there is nothing more than human feelings, especially in our country. Based on what County Chen has seen and heard, does he really think that everyone is equal in front of the law?" Li Zhongmin curled his lips disapprovingly. The saying that everyone is equal in front of the law was nothing but empty talk in front of him.
Mayor Li, I still insist on my opinion. If you had seen Wang Qing's behavior that night, I think you might have a different opinion. " Chen Xing looked at Li Zhongmin in the eyes.
So, County Chen was not willing to bend the rules? Li Zhongmin stared at Chen Xing, without a trace of smile on his face.
Mayor Li, it is not that I am not willing to bend the rules, but you are flattering me. I am willing to give Wang Qing a chance to correct his behavior, but his behavior has violated the law, so he can only accept the punishment of the law. Only in this way can he explain to the people. Mayor Li was aggressive, but Chen Xing was also holding his bottom line.
Okay, I understand what you mean. I still have something to deal with, so I will leave first. Li Zhongmin glanced at Chen Xing, stood up and walked out. He was not willing to stay in this room for a moment longer. Li Zhongmin was expressing his strong dissatisfaction with his actions. It was very impolite to leave suddenly, but Li Zhongmin was too lazy to care. He was already trying hard to control his anger by not getting angry in front of Chen Xing.
Chen Xing smiled bitterly at the dishes on the table. Just now, neither of them had eaten much. Now, he was the only one left. Chen Xing sat alone for a while, thinking about Li Zhongmin's reaction. Chen Xing shook his head and smiled. He should have expected this scene before he came, but he was a little surprised that Li Zhongmin left without any magnanimity. However, after thinking about it, it was not strange. Li Zhongmin, a deputy mayor, asked him for a favor, and he had already politely refused. He could not expect Li Zhongmin to beg him humbly, which would be abnormal. If it were not for Zhou Mingfang's support, Li Zhongmin might even be angry at him. It was not easy for him to restrain himself to this extent today.
Forget it, I have already fallen out with Li Zhongmin. It is meaningless to think about it. Chen Xing patted his head and stopped thinking about it. From the moment he decided to let Wang Qing be punished by the law, he and Li Zhongmin were destined to have such an ending.
Who knew that every single grain of food on the plate was so hard? Since he was here today, he couldn't waste food. Chen Xing got up and was about to leave. His eyes inadvertently saw the table full of dishes. He smiled and sat down again. He picked up the chopsticks and began to eat. Anyway, his stomach was empty. He could not treat others badly, but he could not treat himself badly.
Although Li Zhongmin had left, Chen Xing sat alone in the private room and ate with relish. He did not forget to ask his driver Zhang Min, who was downstairs in the car, to come up and eat with him. Later, when Li Zhongmin learned about the situation, he was so angry that he almost vomited blood.
Chen Xing, where are you now? Chen Xing's best friend, Huang Ming, called him.
I am in Hai City. Where are you now? I heard that you are going to open the branch in Ximen County. Why is there no news? Chen Xing laughed and scolded him. I am in Haifeng Hotel. If you have not eaten, come and eat with me. Someone is treating you for free today.
It will be a waste if I don't eat.
Well, fortunately, I know that you are a busy person. I have to make an appointment to see you. Otherwise, I would have rushed to Ximen County. Fortunately, I did not go there. Huang Ming smiled and said, "Wait for me. I will be there soon."
Not long after, Huang Ming arrived at the hotel. He pushed the door open and saw only Chen Xing. He recognized Chen Xing's driver. He could not help but be surprised. Ah, why is it only you? Didn't someone say that someone is treating me?
The person who is treating me left first. I will stay for dinner. Chen Xing smiled and said, "Have you eaten?"
"No way. Who is so arrogant? How dare he leave in the middle of treating you to dinner? He is not giving you face." Huang Ming was surprised.
"Let's not talk about this. Why are you looking for me?" Chen Xing smiled and changed the topic. "Now I see you clearly. You don't look for me if you have nothing to do. You think of me when you have something to do."
"Hehe, you have seen through me. As expected, we are not close friends who have worn the same underwear together in college. Chen Xing knows me the best." Huang Ming smiled and nodded. He did not stand on ceremony with Chen Xing. He pulled a chair and sat down. Then he went straight to the topic. "Chen Xing, I heard that the Jinyu Entertainment City in your county has been closed down for a few days.
Yes, it has happened. Why? What do you want to do? " Chen Xing's hand, which was holding the chopsticks to pick up the food, paused slightly and looked at Huang Ming strangely.
"Chen Xing, the boss of the entertainment city, Baldy Li, died in an accident. I guess that the entertainment city will be auctioned publicly. You are the county magistrate, so you should have more reliable inside information." Huang Ming looked at Chen Xing eagerly.
"Even if it is auctioned publicly, what do you want to do? Buy it?" Chen Xing raised his head and glanced at Huang Ming. He could vaguely guess Huang Ming's purpose. He couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you already find a store and even started the renovation? Why do you still want to buy an entertainment center to run a hotel?
"You are right. I plan to buy the entertainment city and use it as a store for our new hotel in Ximen." Huang Ming nodded with a smile. "I went to Ximen last time to have fun in that entertainment city. The decoration inside is absolutely first-class. The key is that it is suitable to be transformed into a hotel. There is no need to go through a lot of trouble to redecorate it. Hehe, if the entertainment city can be transformed into a hotel, it will definitely be very high-end. Maybe I will shift the focus of my business to Ximen in the future."
"Well, look at you." Chen Xing shook his head with a smile. "The final evaluation value of the entertainment city is certainly not low. Even if it is really auctioned, do you have the financial resources to buy it?" "Moreover, you should have rented a big store in Ximen before. What are you going to do with that store?"
"Can that store be sublet again? There is no need to be afraid of no one renting that location. At that time, I spent a lot of effort to rent it. Whoever can rent it will be lucky." Huang Ming casually waved his hand and his expression gradually turned serious. "Chen Xing, I'm really ready to go all out this time. For this matter, I've been asking around for quite some time. That Golden Jade Entertainment City was seized because it was involved in drugs, and the boss himself isn't clean either. If the entertainment city is auctioned off as stolen goods, the starting price will definitely be much lower than its actual value. I'm still very confident that I'll be able to win it. I've mortgaged our hotel in Hai City, my own car and house, and borrowed money from my friends. It wasn't easy for me to gather 20 million yuan. It can be said that I've sold everything I have, and I've even taken on a few million yuan of debt. I'm just waiting to go all out." Chen Xing, this time I'm ready to go all out.
"Tut, you are burning your boats." Chen Xing stared at Huang Ming for a long time before he smiled and said, "Boy, you are really born to do business. You are bold and adventurous."
"Of course, otherwise, I would have been a civil servant like you and lived a peaceful life for the rest of my life." Huang Ming said with a wry smile. "I thought I would be more promising in business than you in the civil servant exam. Now it seems that I will never be able to compare with you. Boy, you have risen too fast in these years. But I am really happy for you. The higher your official position is, the more face I will have. You don't know, now those friends who do business outside are very polite to me when they heard that the youngest county magistrate of Hai City is my best friend. This time when I said I wanted to borrow money, those people were eager to lend me more."
When Chen Xing heard this, he was a little vigilant. "Huang Ming, there are no real friends in the business world. You have to be more careful."
"Chen Xing, I know what you mean. Don't worry, my heart is clear. I will definitely not use your name to mess around outside. As for those people who want to use me to get something from you, it is wishful thinking. I have my own worries. I can't have a deep friendship with friends in the business world." Huang Ming nodded. He still attached great importance to Chen Xing's words.
"Alright, as long as you know what you are doing. As for your intention to buy the Entertainment City, I can't give you a definite answer yet. If the Entertainment City really decides to auction it, I will inform you at that time." Chen Xing smiled and said, "You can make your own decisions about business matters. Anyway, I am following you for free. Even if you spend all my money, I will not lose anything."
"Okay, with your words, I will move forward bravely." Huang Ming smiled. He didn't know how many times he had said this sentence. With Chen Xing behind him, he felt very confident.
"I have heard this sentence so many times. Don't blame me for not stopping you when you are poor in the future." Chen Xing smiled helplessly. "Okay, I am full. Let's go."
They went out of the hotel together. Huang Ming smiled and asked Chen Xing if he had any entertainment programs. Chen Xing smiled and said no. He planned to go home to be a filial son and chat with his parents. As soon as he finished talking, his phone rang. Huang Ming immediately joked, "As a county magistrate, I am afraid that you don't have time to be a filial son."
"I don't know who is calling." Chen Xing smiled. It was a strange number. However, not many people knew his private phone number. Chen Xing still picked up the call.
County Magistrate Chen, is it? Where are you now? He Li is having a drinking competition with someone. The atmosphere is a little tense. I am worried that something might happen. Tonight, we may fall into someone's trap. " The voice on the other end of the phone was very urgent. Chen Xing frowned. He didn't recognize the voice. However, thinking that He Li's friends might still know him, the figure of the plump young woman appeared in Chen Xing's mind. It was Chu Rong. Chen Xing immediately knew who it was. "Where are you now?
We are in the Huayue Hotel. Hurry up. I want to go in and have a look. He Li is stubborn. I am afraid that he has drunk all the wine. I took the opportunity of going to the washroom to call you secretly. Someone is following me outside. " After saying that, Chu Rong hung up the phone in a hurry.
"What happened?" Huang Ming saw Chen Xing's strange face and couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing. I don't know who He Li is having a drinking competition with. Let's go and have a look." Chen Xing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He couldn't ignore He Li's affairs. After all, they were a married couple. He was not a person who would turn a blind eye to her.
"He Li?" Huang Ming unconsciously raised his voice. With his eyes wide open, he stared at Chen Xing from head to toe for a while. "Chen Xing, you are not a good person. You have a relationship with Beauty He without telling anyone. Even your brother was kept in the dark."
"Ahem, what nonsense are you talking about?" Chen Xing was embarrassed.
"Chen Xing, it can't be true, can it?" Huang Ming was really shocked this time. He was just joking, but Chen Xing's reaction was not normal. Huang Ming saw the clue at once and was as surprised as he could be. He was not surprised that He Li had a relationship with anyone, but he couldn't imagine that he had a relationship with Chen Xing. They didn't look like the same kind of people.
"Let's talk about it later. Let's go and get in the car." Chen Xing smiled and pushed Huang Ming into the car.
At the Hua Yue Hotel, He Li and Chu Rong were having dinner with a few rich bosses in Hai City. They had met each other at some cocktail parties before, so they didn't have much vigilance. They just accepted the invitation. As they ate, they felt that something was wrong. Several men in black suits and sunglasses were making excuses to drink with them. It was obvious that they wouldn't stop until they got them drunk. He Li wanted to leave on the spot, but was stopped. Just when He Li was about to make a scene, a few men in black suits and sunglasses came in from outside. They were obviously bodyguards. They stood in a row and looked very intimidating. One of the bosses, who had the largest business, smiled and said that it was okay. Those were his bodyguards. Everyone continued eating, but it was clear that if He Li wanted to leave like this, there was no way. However, the boss also made a request. As long as He Li could drink a few bottles of liquor mixed with white wine, red wine, and beer, he would let him go immediately. It was obvious that he wanted to make things difficult for him.
Chu Rong could also see that the boss was more against He Li and didn't care about her very much. However, the way the others looked at her was a little strange, which made Chu Rong wonder if these men had divided them up before they came. The boss's target was He Li, and the others were her. Chu Rong knew that something was wrong. She knew too many dirty things in the so-called upper class. These people had almost drunk them, and it was not surprising that they would force themselves on them in the private room. Chu Rong said that she had drunk too much and wanted to go to the bathroom. The other party agreed very readily, but they asked her to hand over her phone and didn't forget to send someone to follow her to the bathroom.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
