At nearly six o 'clock, Zhou Mingfang came out of the teahouse. Zhang Zonglin, the director of the Economic Construction Department of the Ministry of Finance, also appeared. They chatted happily at the entrance of the teahouse.
Brother Mingfang, I really envy you. You can go to Mr. Zhang's 80th birthday party. You can at least get some of Mr. Zhang's nobility. I don't even have the chance to go.
Brother Zonglin, you can go with me.
No, no, I'd better not join in the fun. I'm not qualified, not qualified. Zhang Zonglin shook his head with a smile. Zhou Mingfang was just saying it out of politeness. He didn't dare to casually agree. The Zhang family was not an ordinary family. Mr. Zhang used to be one of the core leaders. Now that it was Mr. Zhang's 85th birthday party, it was easy to imagine what kind of people would be invited. He was not qualified to receive an invitation from the Zhang family. Zhou Mingfang was lucky to be appreciated by Mr. Zhang and knew the third son of the Zhang family, Zhang Guohua. Therefore, Zhang Zonglin was envious of him for being able to attend Mr. Zhang's 80th birthday party. However, he didn't dare to take the liberty of going with him. He might be regarded as someone important in the ministry, but in the big city of Beijing, he was really nothing. He could only look up to the Zhang family, which had a deep heritage.
They laughed and chatted for a while. Zhang Zonglin shook hands with Zhou Mingfang, then got into the car and left.
He turned around and followed Zhou Mingfang into the car. Listening to the address that Zhou Mingfang told Dong Chuanying to drive to, Chen Xing was not sure whether Dong Chuanying's guess was correct. After all, he didn't know where Mr. Zhang lived.
After driving for more than ten minutes, the car drove into an alley. On both sides of the alley were some quaint courtyard houses. In the first half of the alley, Chen Xing could still see many cars passing by. The deeper they went into the alley, the fewer people there were. There was a police booth in front, where the car was stopped. Chen Xing had already seen many cars parked along this road. When he took a closer look at the license plates, Chen Xing was really shocked.
Zongying, drive the car outside and wait for me. Chen Xing, you come in with me. Zhou Mingfang got out of the car and ordered Dong Chuanying, who was in the driver's seat.
While Zhou Mingfang was looking ahead, Dong Chuanying winked at Chen Xing. His face was filled with envy.
Zhou Mingfang was stopped by the guards outside, but he was not anxious at all. He smiled and told them his name. Zhou Mingfang waited patiently for the guards to inform him. He did not show any anger. Then, a staff member walked out and walked towards Zhou Mingfang and Chen Xing. You must be Secretary Zhou. Governor Zhang asked me to pick you up.
Zhou Mingfang nodded with a smile and followed the staff in. When the guards saw that Chen Xing was also going in, they seemed to want to stop him. The staff came out from the inside and said something in a low voice. Then the guards stared at the front again.
Chen Xing was speechless in his heart. Along the way, there was indeed a sentry post at every five steps and a sentry post at every ten steps. Each and every one of the guards had an abnormally stern expression as they stared at the surroundings without blinking. Once again, Chen Xing saw the demeanor of the guards around the country's leaders.
What Chen Xing did not know was that many retired leaders and some current officials would come to the birthday party tonight. This small courtyard was arranged according to the standard of the current first-class guards.
When Zhou Mingfang arrived, no one from the Zhang family came out to greet him. Only one staff member came out. It was not because the Zhang family was arrogant, but because they really couldn't leave. Zhou Mingfang, a deputy minister from a local region, was really insignificant among the people who came to the birthday celebration tonight. If it wasn't for the fact that Old Master Zhang had personally called for him, even Zhang Guohua wouldn't have invited Zhou Mingfang without permission.
Secretary Zhou, please rest here. Governor Zhang is busy now. He will come over in person later. Please forgive him. The staff member led Zhou Mingfang to a side hall and apologized on his behalf.
It's okay. Please tell Comrade Guohua not to worry about me. Zhou Mingfang nodded with a smile.
The staff member turned around and walked out. Zhou Mingfang turned to Chen Xing with a smile. "Chen Xing, sit down."
Chen Xing sat down on a chair next to Zhou Mingfang. In order not to appear to be sitting side by side with Zhou Mingfang, Chen Xing deliberately moved his chair back half a step. Although it looked a little abrupt, it made Chen Xing feel at ease sitting there.
Seeing Chen Xing's action, Zhou Mingfang smiled and said nothing.
In the side hall, more and more staff members came in to receive the guests. Chen Xing could see that Zhou Mingfang had also sat up straight.
Chen Xing secretly sized up the people who were invited in by the staff. He didn't know any of them, but even so, he didn't dare to look down on them. Based on Old Master Zhang's former status, Chen Xing knew that none of the people who could come tonight were ordinary. A local high-ranking official like Zhou Mingfang was already extremely prominent in the local area, but here, he could only stay in the side hall. From this, the standard of the guests who came tonight could be seen. If these people who were also invited to the side hall were all people in the system, they would be at least at the same level as Zhou Mingfang, or at least at the vice-ministerial level. Chen Xing guessed from Zhou Mingfang's solemn expression at this moment.
Among the people who came, there were not only people like Zhou Mingfang who wore formal clothes, but also military personnel in military uniforms. Although he didn't see those people with two or three stars on their shoulders, Chen Xing guessed that it was not that there were no such people, but that the people at that level should be received by the main figures of the Zhang family in another hall.
However, just looking at the several major generals who appeared in this side hall, the dazzling General Stars on their shoulders made Chen Xing feel a little dizzy. These people might not be worth mentioning here, but if they were taken to the outside world, they would all be influential figures.
The door of the side hall was opened from the inside, and a charming figure appeared. Zhang Ningning's agile body appeared at the door. Everyone here basically recognized Zhang Ningning, the most precious granddaughter of the Zhang family's old man, so they weren't too surprised. They all gave her a kind smile.
Chen Xing and Zhou Mingfang happened to be sitting with their backs facing the inner door, so they didn't see Zhang Ningning coming to this side hall. It was not until he felt a pair of soft hands patting on his shoulder that Chen Xing turned his head in surprise.
"It's you?" Chen Xing looked at the other party in surprise.
"Ah, Ningning is here." Hearing the voice, Zhou Mingfang also turned his head. When he saw Zhang Ningning, a smile immediately appeared on his face. "Everyone is busy tonight. Are you the most leisurely one?"
"No, my grandpa is also very free. He is drinking tea in the backyard and doesn't need to do any work." Zhang Ningning blinked her eyes with a smile. Her beautiful crescent moon-like eyes were unusually bright.
Zhou Mingfang was amused by Zhang Ningning's words and laughed. Mr. Zhang was famous for his strict management of the family. Among the Zhang family, only Zhang Ningning dared to say so. When other members of the Zhang family saw Mr. Zhang, they were all like mice seeing a cat. They were respectful and afraid of Mr. Zhang. Only Zhang Ningning dared to disobey Mr. Zhang.
"My father is busy in the main hall. He will come later." Zhang Ningning said with a smile. She was not ignorant of the ways of the world, but her identity and status made her not think too much.
"Chen Xing, it's so boring here. Let me take you to other places. It's boring to stay in this place." Zhang Ningning suddenly turned her head and said to Chen Xing with a smile.
Chen Xing was a little hesitant and looked at Zhou Mingfang.
"Chen Xing, it's good for you to take a walk with Ningning." Zhou Mingfang smiled and nodded, but he had to pay attention to the rules.
Chen Xing followed Zhang Ningning out of the side hall through the inner door. Outside was an open-air courtyard, and there were houses inside. Chen Xing sighed. He originally thought that the courtyard house rented by the Hai City Resident Office in Beijing was big, but after seeing it here tonight, he realized that it was not comparable at all.
In the courtyard, there were many people going in and out. They were all busy staff. In each of the four corners, there was a man in a suit who was wearing a headset and looking around vigilantly. Chen Xing was already very familiar with these people. They were all the same as the security guards that he met last time around Old Master Zhang.
There were people everywhere tonight. There was really no quiet place. Zhang Ningning curled her lips slightly. She did not like such a noisy atmosphere.
Tonight was Mr. Zhang's birthday. Naturally, there were many people coming to congratulate him. Chen Xing said with a smile.
"Actually, my grandfather doesn't like so many people coming." Zhang Ningning smiled and shook his head. However, there was nothing he could do if some people wanted to come. He could not stop them from coming to congratulate him. They had good intentions.
Chen Xing nodded his head. A figure like Old Master Zhang would surely have many disciples and acquaintances. If these people were to come, Old Master Zhang would surely not be able to bring himself to reject them. Even though he had already retired, Old Master Zhang was still a leading figure. There were some things that he could not do as he pleased.
Ningning, you are here. Outside the door, an old man in his fifties walked in. When he saw Zhang Ningning, his face instantly bloomed with a smile and he waved at Zhang Ningning warmly.
"Aunt, why are you only here now?" Hearing the voice, Zhang Ningning turned his head and ran over excitedly.
Chen Xing's gaze also turned to the door. He was shocked!
The three golden General Stars pierced Chen Xing's heart. This was a shock that came from the soul! This was the first time that Chen Xing had such a close contact with such a high-ranking general. What shocked him the most was that the person in front of him was Xiao Dingping.
Chen Xing could often see him on the news. He recognized him at a glance.
"Eldest son-in-law, you are here too." Zhang Ningning held the old man's arm intimately. Then, he turned his head and greeted Xiao Dingping with a smile.
"Ningning, you haven't been to my place for a while. Have you almost forgotten about me?" A kind smile appeared on Xiao Dingping's serious face.
That's not true. I've been there before, but I've never seen Eldest Young Master's figure. You're so busy that you can't get away, yet you're still saying that I haven't been there. This is the guilty party complaining first, don't you think so, Eldest Aunt? Zhang Ningning said with a smile. The two old men laughed heartily.
"Okay, okay, let's go in. Otherwise, your grandfather will think that we deliberately came late." The aunt that Zhang Ningning mentioned said with a smile.
"You go in first. I have to accompany my friend."
"Oh, what kind of friend can make our Zhang Ningning miss so much?" It was not that Zhang Ningning's aunt did not see Chen Xing just now, but she did not deliberately pay attention to him. It was not until Zhang Ningning mentioned that she took another look at Chen Xing's direction.
"Chen Xing, come, let me introduce my aunt and eldest son-in-law to you."
Chen Xing did not dare to be negligent. His heart tightened. Xiao Dingping was actually related to the Zhang family by marriage. The aunt that Zhang Ningning mentioned should be the eldest daughter of Old Master Zhang. In the past, he had always heard that big families often united by marriage and formed a closer relationship. Today, Chen Xing saw it with his own eyes.
"This is Chen Xing, a friend I met in Hai City." Zhang Ningning introduced Chen Xing to the two old men.
Zhang Ningning's aunt looked at Chen Xing with a smile. Xiao Dingping stared at Chen Xing for a while and then looked away. Chen Xing felt that Xiao Dingping's eyes only stayed on him for a while, as if he wanted to see through him.
"Ningning, then accompany your friend for a walk. Remember to come to the back hall later." Zhang Ningning's aunt smiled and patted Zhang Ningning's hand. Then, she walked to the back with her husband, Xiao Dingping.
Watching Xiao Dingping's back until he disappeared behind the door, Chen Xing's mind could not calm down for a long time!
"What are you thinking about?" Zhang Ningning stared at Chen Xing with a smile.
"Nothing.
My eldest son-in-law is usually like this. He looks very serious, but he is actually very nice. " Zhang Ningning said with a smile, recalling some childhood memories.
Chen Xing nodded with a smile. In Zhang Ningning's eyes, Xiao Dingping was a kind eldest son-in-law and an amiable elder. However, this was only to Zhang Ningning. In the eyes of others, Xiao Dingping was a respectable general!
The banquet started at half past six. Chen Xing and Zhang Ningning wandered around the siheyuan. Zhang Ningning returned to the back hall, while Chen Xing returned to the front hall.
Zhou Mingfang was talking to a middle-aged man with a smile on his face. Chen Xing did not know who the man was. He stood behind Zhou Mingfang silently and looked at the side hall again. Chen Xing saw that Zhang Guohua, Zhang Ningning's father, had arrived at the side hall and was talking to some people. There was also a man who looked a bit like Zhang Guohua, but was a little older than Zhang Guohua. He smiled and greeted the people in the side hall.
There were about twenty people in the side hall. There were two tables. Zhang Guohua stayed here to entertain the guests.
Comrade Chen, you sit at the table too. Zhang Guohua walked over and patted Chen Xing's shoulder warmly. Since Chen Xing was hospitalized last time, Zhang Guohua's attitude towards Chen Xing had changed a lot.
Chen Xing, you sit next to me. As soon as Zhang Guohua's voice fell, Zhou Mingfang responded in time. If Zhang Guohua had not spoken, Zhou Mingfang would not have dared to let Chen Xing sit at the table without permission.
Comrade Chen, don't be polite and decline at this time. I don't like that. Zhang Guohua glanced at Chen Xing with a smile and turned to greet the others.
The words that Chen Xing originally wanted to say were also blocked by Zhang Guohua's words. One must know one's own limitations. It was necessary to be modest. However, if he continued to decline, he would not know how to appreciate favors.
Sitting calmly beside Zhou Mingfang, Chen Xing was actually very nervous. The people here were at least vice-ministerial level cadres like Zhou Mingfang. He was the only small cadre at the section-level. Moreover, he was sitting at the same table with these people.
When Chen Xing walked around with Zhang Ningning just now, he saw that many people in this hall had brought their staff members here. However, the staff members were left in the cars outside. Only they came in themselves. Among the nearly twenty people, he was the only young man in his twenties. Looking at the others, they were at least in their fifties like Zhou Mingfang. Some were even older than that.
Chen Xing, who was relatively incompatible with the atmosphere, also attracted many people's attention.
Governor Zhang, after the banquet, Elder Zhang said that he wanted to see a comrade named Chen Xing. A staff member walked out and walked to Zhang Guohua, who was arranging seats, and whispered in his ear.
Okay, I got it. Zhang Guohua nodded and glanced in the direction of Chen Xing.
Nearly twenty people sat at two tables. The spacious side hall was not crowded at all. Zhang Guohua stayed in this side hall. The man that Chen Xing saw, who was slightly older than Zhang Guohua but looked quite similar to Zhang Guohua, wandered around in the side hall, then left through the inner door of the side hall and disappeared.
Sitting cautiously, Chen Xing actually had a hard time eating. All the people at the banquet were not ordinary. Chen Xing thought that his identity was ordinary, so he did not dare to interrupt. Whenever a dish was served, Chen Xing only took a small bite and did not move his chopsticks again. He was afraid that others would laugh at him, because he found that the others basically did not move their chopsticks.
This was the first time that Chen Xing attended such a high-level birthday banquet. He did not know that these people came here after eating. The Zhang family held a banquet as a gesture of politeness, but these people did not come here for the meal. Those who could really come here not only showed their status, but also could communicate with other people of the same level on such an occasion and expand their social circle. Chen Xing stupidly came here with an empty stomach. The more he ate, the hungrier he became.
Secretary Zhou also did not eat. Seeing that he had been participating in the communication at the table, he was probably starving. Chen Xing secretly glanced at Zhou Mingfang. He had been with Zhou Mingfang in the afternoon, and he remembered that Zhou Mingfang also did not eat.
There were two tables with about twenty people. Everyone was talking to each other, but the noise in the side hall was not loud. No one was talking loudly, and no one was laughing as if there was no one else around. Even if they were chatting, it seemed that everyone was like a modest gentleman, deliberately holding their voices, afraid that they would accidentally raise their voices and startle someone.
Chen Xing didn't know that there were only four tables in the Zhang family's siheyuan tonight, including the two tables in the side hall. There were two more tables in the main hall at the back. However, there were only five people at each table. Not everyone could enter the two tables. Even the juniors of the Zhang family couldn't enter the two tables for no reason. Old Master Zhang was at the back. Those who entered the hall to celebrate his birthday were all the current officials. It was natural for them to sit inside, but it also showed how important Old Master Zhang was.
Comrade Chen, you stay here. After the banquet, when Zhang Guohua saw the others off, he stood up and stopped Chen Xing. Then he turned to Zhou Mingfang and said with a smile, "Brother Mingfang, don't be in a hurry to leave."
After seeing the guests off one by one, Zhang Guohua walked back to the side hall. "Let's sit down and have a cup of tea first, then go to the back later."
Zhang Guohua turned to the two of them with a smile, and had already asked Zhou Mingfang to sit down.
Chen Xing did not know that Old Master Zhang wanted to see him, but he just saw the guests in the side hall leave, and it seemed that only one or two guests in the main hall had left.
Chen Xing sat on one side, and heard Zhang Guohua say, "This tea is bitter at first, then sweet. Only then can the bitterness be over and the sweetness will come."
That being said, you also need to pay attention to the method. If you swallow it in one gulp, you will not be able to taste the three flavors of the tea. Brother Guohua, don't you think so? " Zhou Mingfang smiled and nodded lightly.
"Yes, good tea should be savored carefully, but if you want to drink good tea, it is not enough to only have good tea leaves, but also to match it with good tea skills, water, and tea set. Only then can you really make a pot of high quality tea." Zhang Guohua glanced at Zhou Mingfang intentionally or unintentionally, and said with a smile.
Zhang Guohua's words obviously made Zhou Mingfang pause. He looked at Zhang Guohua thoughtfully, but for a moment, he did not answer.
Chen Xing looked at the expressions of Zhang Guohua and Zhou Mingfang from the side, and his heart moved slightly. The two of them had a hidden meaning in their words. Connecting that both of them worked in Jianghai Province, Chen Xing guessed that it must be related to Jianghai Province, but he couldn't figure out what the two of them were talking about.
Zhang Guohua and Zhou Mingfang talked until people went out of the inner hall one after another. Another staff member came out and whispered something to Zhang Guohua, and Zhang Guohua stood up with a smile. "Come, let's go to the back."
Chen Xing and Zhou Mingfang followed Zhang Guohua and walked inside. Chen Xing's heart was surging. They were going to see Mr. Zhang. Even Zhou Mingfang, who was walking in front, could see that his emotions were fluctuating. In the main hall at the back, Chen Xing finally saw Mr. Zhang again.
In the main hall at the back, Chen Xing finally met Old Master Zhang again. Apart from Old Master Zhang, Xiao Dingping, Zhang Ningning's eldest son-in-law, whom Chen Xing and Zhang Ningning had met at the front door at the beginning, was also present. Old Master Zhang sat alone in the main seat in the middle while Xiao Dingping sat on the lower right side. There was also a man who was a little older than Zhang Guohua whom Chen Xing had seen in the side hall just now, who looked quite similar to Zhang Guohua. Chen Xing didn't know that the man was Zhang Guohua's elder brother, Zhang Guozhong. Although Zhang Guohua was doing well in his official career, Zhang Guozhong didn't devote himself to it.
Brother Mingfang, Comrade Little Chen, please sit down. Zhang Guohua turned to Zhou Mingfang and Chen Xing, and then he walked to Zhang Guozhong's side and sat down.
"Director Wang and Director Xiang also left?" Zhang Guohua asked.
They were only here to express their sincerity on behalf of those two. Now that they had completed their task, they would naturally leave. Zhang Guohua said.
"Little Chen, we meet again." Mr. Zhang's eyes fell on Chen Xing, and a smile appeared on his face. Following Mr. Zhang's gaze, Zhang Guozhong, who was sitting below, also looked at Chen Xing with interest.
"Hello, Mr. Zhang. I didn't expect to see you again." Chen Xing stood up cautiously and responded.
"Take a seat, take a seat." Mr. Zhang smiled and waved his hand. "You helped our Zhang Ningning twice in a row, and the second time you were injured. I haven't thanked you yet. Now that you're in our family, don't be so distant."
"Mr. Zhang, you're welcome. That's what I should do. When a man and a woman are together, I should naturally bear the responsibility of a man. If it were another man, he would also stand up in that kind of situation."
"Little comrade, you're quite honest. Not bad." Mr. Zhang nodded with satisfaction and glanced at Chen Xing. "Little comrade, do you still remember the words I gave you when we first met?"
"Yes, I dare not forget your teachings, Mr. Zhang." Chen Xing was still standing humbly. "Mr. Zhang, you said, 'Only with righteousness can one's career be smooth'."
"Yes, that's what I said. It's rare that you still remember it." The smile on Mr. Zhang's face deepened. "Little comrade, the word 'righteousness' is not as simple as it sounds." As Mr. Zhang spoke, he glanced at Chen Xing, as if he didn't want to say more.
After a while, Mr. Zhang said in a seemingly casual manner, "After a few more years of training in the officialdom, you'll be able to deeply understand it in the future. You're still young, and there's still a long way to go. Little comrade, work hard. I hope to see you achieve something in my lifetime."
As soon as Mr. Zhang said this, the atmosphere of the scene changed subtly. Zhou Mingfang, who was sitting quietly at the side, was shocked. He quietly glanced at Mr. Zhang and seemed to be thinking about something.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
