No matter if it was in the workplace or the government, people would always treat their former colleagues to a meal when they were transferred or promoted. Therefore, it was reasonable for Ji Gang to treat them to a meal. Li Rui quickly said: "Oh, Director Ji, you are too polite. You can't use words like 'giving face' between us. Haha, I originally wanted to call all my colleagues in the Municipal Party Committee to celebrate your promotion and treat you to a meal. Who knew that you had already made arrangements. Since that is the case, then I will not be polite. I will wait for your call, I will definitely rush over."
Li Rui's speech, or it could be said that it was an impromptu performance. Except for the last sentence, the rest of his speech was the so-called "speak human language when you see a human, speak ghost when you see a ghost". Ever since he entered the Municipal Party Committee Office, he did not like Ji Gang. Moreover, Ji Gang had been chasing after Ou Yangxin recently. He was a little jealous in his heart, so he disliked Ji Gang even more. However, even if he did not like Ji Gang in his heart, he had to show that he liked Ji Gang. This was one of the rules of survival in the government. Li Rui was well versed in this, so he did a good job of showing off his face.
Ji Gang was really happy after hearing this. He said, "Okay, then it's settled. Wait for my call in a few days. I haven't booked the hotel yet. It's almost the Shengjing Hotel. I'll let you know when I've booked it.
After he left, Li Rui snorted. He thought to himself that this person was Yu Heping's trusted aide like Zheng Meili, and they were indeed the same. A dog's stomach could not hold two taels of incense oil. He had just been promoted to the first secretary of the city government, and yet he wanted to hold a banquet in a five-star hotel. Although it seemed generous on the surface, it was too high profile. Was he afraid that others would not know of his rapid rise in power? Of course, the reason why he chose to hold a banquet in Sheng Jing might have another meaning, which was to flatter the hotel's general manager, Ou Yangxin. Perhaps, on that day's banquet, he would show off his friendship with the beautiful general manager, Ou Yangxin, in front of him and the others, to show off his connections and charm. Thinking of this, he shook his head and sneered twice.
At noon, Yu Heping, the candidate for mayor of Qingyang City, who was actually already confirmed to be the new mayor of Qingyang City, hosted a banquet at the Qingyang Hotel. He also invited most of the members of the Standing Committee of the Qingyang Municipal Party Committee. There was only one leader from the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department who came to Qingyang City to attend the meeting. He was a deputy minister in charge of the Department of Cadres. Accompanying him was the director of the Second Department of the Organization Department. It was also this director who announced Yu Heping's appointment at the meeting. Of these two people, one was a deputy director, and the other was a director. In terms of rank, they were not comparable to Yu Heping, who was about to be promoted to director. But why did Yu Heping host a banquet to entertain them?
There were many explanations for this. For example, Yu Heping was the host, and the other party was the guest. Of course, the host had to entertain the guest. Another example was that the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department was Yu Heping's superior, so of course, Yu Heping had to entertain them well … There were many other explanations, but in fact, to put it simply, it could be explained in two words: convention.
When a superior organization department came to a certain place to announce the appointment of a local leader, the appointed leader or the local government would usually host a banquet to entertain the other party. This was already a convention.
Of course, the convention had to be followed, especially in the officialdom, which could not be easily changed.
This time, Yu Heping also invited Song Chaoyang to the banquet. He was afraid that Song Chaoyang would not come, so he specially sent his secretary Ji Gang to remind him. And Song Chaoyang had no reason not to come. Even if he did not like Yu Heping, he still had to show enough effort on his face. Especially in front of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department, he had to show the state of unity and harmony.
Since the old mayor, Sun Yaozu, had gone, there were only two leaders left in the leadership of Qingyang City, Song Chaoyang and Yu Heping. Since the two leaders had attended this banquet, their respective subordinates and confidants naturally had to show up as well. Therefore, except for the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Military Political Commissar, Gao Guosong, all the other members of the Standing Committee were present.
The banquet was arranged in the VIP lounge of the Qingyang Hotel's restaurant. In the private room outside the VIP lounge, there were also two tables of banquet. One table was for the accompanying cadres and staff of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department, and the other table was for the local cadres of Qingyang City who were more or less related to this banquet. Li Rui was at this table.
During the meal, Li Rui's left eyelid kept twitching, as if the muscle at the corner of his eye was cramping. It kept twitching until his left eye was almost like a camera. As the old saying goes, "The twitching of the left eye is a blessing, while the twitching of the right eye is a disaster." But Li Rui could not figure out what kind of blessing he had recently. Was it because of Qingman's pregnancy? But she had been pregnant for a few days. Her left eye should have twitched long ago, but it should not twitch suddenly at this time. It seemed that only Yu Heping was about to be in charge of the municipal government. But even if he was in charge of the municipal government, it would not bring him any blessing. Hiss, it was really strange.
He was thinking about these things while eating. Occasionally, he would chat with the people at the banquet. The meal was tasteless.
When he finished eating, the banquet in the VIP lounge was not over yet. But he did not have to wait for the boss, Song Chaoyang, to come out. Before going to the banquet, Song Chaoyang had already told him that this meal might take a long time, and he might even drink some wine. Song Chaoyang also planned to go back to his room to rest after the meal, so Li Rui did not have to wait for the banquet to end.
With this invitation, Li Rui had two choices after finishing his meal. One, he could go straight back to the Municipal Committee. It was up to him whether he wanted to rest or work. Two, he could find a room in the VIP building and rest while waiting for his boss to come back to work in the afternoon. But he quickly remembered that he had one more thing to do before that.
What was it? The thing that Guan Bao asked him for help in the morning!
"Alas, I am too easy to talk to. Guan Bao even set me up last night. Today, I have to intercede for him. Is this the legendary repaying evil with good? How can I repay good? "
After coming out of the restaurant, Li Rui walked to the VIP lounge. On the way, he thought about this and could not help but smile bitterly. He also knew that the right thing to do was not to intercede for Guan Bao, nor did he hit him when he was down. He should have just watched him fall into a miserable state. After all, this was what he deserved. It was as the saying goes, "You bring evil upon yourself." But he did not know why he could not harden his heart and watch him suffer. Was it because his tolerance had reached an inestimable level, or … he wanted to take the opportunity to see the beautiful mayor again?
Thinking about Wu Nan, Li Rui felt that there must be something wrong with his mind. It could even be said that his mind was twisted. He had so many young and beautiful female confidantes around him, such as Bai Bing and Zhuang Haixia, but he had never had any feelings for them. So why was it that when facing such a beautiful woman like Wu Nan, he could not help but have a good impression of her? Could it be that because he was old, he liked mature women more? But he was not that old. At most, he was only 30 years old. At this age, even if he liked young women, he should like women of the same age or about the same age. Why would he like the 40 year old Wu Nan? Was it because she was the mayor? Was he infatuated with her beauty and the power that surrounded her?
He could not figure it out no matter how much he thought about it. His heart was puzzled as he walked into the VIP lounge.
"Director Li, you really came. You are such a trustworthy person. Haha, I have been waiting for you for a long time. Come with me quickly. My boss has already returned to his room. He should not be resting yet …"
As soon as Li Rui entered the door, Guan Bao rushed out. Without any explanation, he grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the stairs while praising and thanking him.
Li Rui did not know whether to laugh or cry. He pushed his hand away and said, "Director Guan, there is no need to pull me. I can walk on my own." Guan Bao said embarrassedly, "Director Li, you are such a good person. Thank you, thank you so much. I am definitely going to be your friend. As long as you can persuade my boss to forgive me, you will be my best friend in the future … If you ever come to the Eastern State in the future, I will definitely treat you warmly … "Li Rui ignored his words. This person had a bad temperament. It was not an exaggeration to say that he was a despicable and shameless person. He could not trust the words of a despicable person. Otherwise, he would only harm himself. He interrupted," Don't expect too much. I can only try my best to help you, but I cannot guarantee that Mayor Wu will forgive you … "
The two of them spoke softly as they hurried up to the second floor. They turned around and walked towards Wu Nan's room.
When they reached the door, Guan Bao lowered his voice and said, "I will not go in. Knock on the door yourself. You must help me persuade her. I beg you …"
Li Rui smiled bitterly and nodded. He thought to himself, If you knew this would happen, why did you do what you did in the first place?
After Guan Bao finished speaking, he turned around and went back to his room. Li Rui was the only one left in the empty corridor.
Li Rui raised his right hand and placed it on the door. Before knocking, he took a deep breath and calmed himself down before knocking.
Knock, knock … knock, knock, knock!
After two short and three long knocks on the door, Li Rui's face showed a natural and warm smile. He planned to first give Wu Nan a smile before saying anything else. It would also help to adjust her mood.
After about ten seconds, the door opened. A handsome and elegant face appeared. It was Wu Nan.
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