Chapter 67: VIP

"Little Brother Zeng, from now on, you are my brother. Your matters are my matters. If anyone dares to show you any disrespect, I, Tang Weiguo, will make sure they end up toothless!" Tang Weiguo, with a flushed face from drinking, raised his wine glass in one hand while holding Zeng Yi's shoulder with the other.

If anyone had such a pair of adorable twin siblings, they would surely treat them as if they were the most precious things in the world, afraid they might melt in their mouths or fall if held in their hands. Tang Yingxin and Tang Haolun were the darlings of the Tang family. Not only did the Tangs dote on them immensely, but even Deputy Commander Wei visited his beloved grandchildren and granddaughter regularly. If not for his busy work schedule, he would have already argued with Tang Xiuguan over who would take care of the children.

Zeng Yi had saved the lives of the two children, and Tang Weiguo was so grateful that he didn't know how to repay him.

"Always talking about fighting, is that all you can think of?" Tang Xiuguan scowled, the father and son, one literary and one martial, never seemed to see eye to eye.

Tang Weiguo chuckled and scratched his head, "I only know how to fight, nothing else."

Wei Xiangnan also raised her wine glass, "Zeng Yi, both Wei Guo and I are a few years older than you. If you don't mind, I'll call you Xiao Yi, and you can call me Sister. Don't treat us as outsiders; we are one family now."

"Sure! I couldn't be happier!" Zeng Yi smiled broadly, "I grew up with my grandfather, never saw my parents, and have no siblings. After my grandfather passed away, my closest person in the world is my senior brother. I really wish I had a sister like you."

Wei Xiangnan, who grew up in a military compound, was as straightforward as Tang Weiguo. She immediately filled her glass and said, "Alright, from now on, I'm your real sister. If you treat me like an outsider, don't blame me for giving you a hard time!"

Zeng Yi stood up and stopped Wei Xiangnan, "You can't drink this glass yet. Today, I have gained a sister, which is a big deal. We can't be hasty. I must drink three glasses first to show my respect to my sister!"

"Good! That's the spirit!" Tang Weiguo slapped the table, picked up the wine bottle, and poured three full glasses for Zeng Yi, "I like your attitude when it comes to drinking!"

Zeng Yi raised the glasses with both hands and presented them to Wei Xiangnan, "Sister, I toast to you!" He finished the drink in one gulp.

His decision to call Wei Xiangnan sister today wasn't because he had drunk too much. Over the past few days, while treating the two children, he had interacted more with Tang Weiguo and Wei Xiangnan, and understood what kind of people they were. Wei Xiangnan was straightforward and treated Zeng Yi very warmly, making him feel as if he had gained a sister. Therefore, when Wei Xiangnan suggested it, he readily agreed.

Wei Xiangnan was very pleased. When Zeng Yi called her "Sister," she responded with a "Mm."

After the three glasses, Wei Xiangnan also raised her glass, "Having a brother with such remarkable medical skills is my good fortune. Since my brother has toasted me three times, I will accompany you with three more!"

Tang Weiguo exclaimed, "Great! That's the spirit!" He came over and filled Wei Xiangnan's glass three times, "I haven't seen you drink so freely in a long time!"

"What's the point of drinking with outsiders!" Wei Xiangnan glanced at him, picked up the glass, and finished it in one gulp.

Zeng Yi also accompanied her with three more glasses.

After putting down the glasses, everyone sat down to rest. Tang Yingxin, holding three small glasses filled with juice, raised them in front of Tang Haolun, "Brother, I toast you three glasses, and you will toast me three glasses later!"

Tang Haolun, mimicking his father Tang Weiguo, slapped the table and said with a stern face, "Alright, that's the spirit!"

"Ha ha ha!"

Everyone burst into laughter, amused by the two kids.

Tang Haolun, with his hands on his hips, in a lecturing tone, said, "You adults can drink like this, but we kids can't. You adults are so selfish!" He then turned his head and said, "Xin'er, let's drink by ourselves, regardless of what the adults say!"

Everyone laughed again. These two kids always liked to lecture adults while trying to act like them. Perhaps everyone was like this when they were young, never understanding why adults' behavior was so amusing, yet still wanting to imitate them.

The door to the private room was knocked twice, and Yuan Wenjie, holding a wine glass, walked in with a smile. A waiter followed behind, carrying a tray with a bottle of Royal Salute.

"What a lively scene!" Yuan Wenjie approached, "I came uninvited, I hope I haven't disturbed your fun!"

Tang Weiguo glanced at him sideways, feeling somewhat annoyed. They were having a good time, and his sudden entry was certainly a disturbance. He hated these pretentious young men but didn't react because Yuan Wenjie was there for his wife.

Yuan Wenjie was also puzzled. Wasn't this supposed to be a reception for a VIP? But the scene looked more like a family gathering, with old and young people, and even a quack doctor. He didn't see any VIPs. He raised his glass to Tang Xiuguan, who was sitting at the head of the table, "Mr. Wei, this is...?"

"My father-in-law!" Wei Xiangnan frowned slightly.

"Oh..." Yuan Wenjie drew out the word, his face showing an extremely enthusiastic smile, "It's Mr. Tang! Oh, I didn't know you were here. If I had known, I would have come to visit you earlier. I'm really sorry. I'll drink this glass as a penalty." Yuan Wenjie drew out the word to remember what Wei Xiangnan's father-in-law's surname was, but he pretended to be very familiar.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!" Tang Xiuguan, not knowing who this was, responded politely.

Yuan Wenjie finished the drink in one gulp and had the waiter pour another glass, "Mr. Wei, I toast everyone here."

Wei Xiangnan raised her glass, "Mr. Yuan is too polite. I'll visit the Peony Hall later!" Wei Xiangnan knew about Yuan Wenjie's shady dealings and didn't like him, but she couldn't refuse a friendly gesture. Since he had come to toast, she had to follow the proper etiquette.

Everyone followed Wei Xiangnan and drank a glass.

After putting down the glass, Yuan Wenjie asked, "Where is Mr. Wei's VIP guest?"

Tang Weiguo couldn't hold back and glared, "Isn't he right in front of you? Can't you see?"

Yuan Wenjie looked in the direction Tang Weiguo indicated and saw Zeng Yi, the quack doctor. Could he be considered a VIP? He was disappointed but maintained his composure, smiling, "Of course, Doctor Zeng is a VIP. Doctor Zeng, the Health Bureau is planning a major project for the health base. I heard it was your suggestion. When the bidding starts, please give us Feilong Construction some consideration."

Zeng Yi thought to himself, "Don't worry, I will definitely give you consideration, but it might not be the kind you want." He smiled, "I have no official position and little influence in the Health Bureau. I'm afraid I can't do much."

Yuan Wenjie waved his hand, "Others might not know, but I do. You are a member of the health base preparatory group and the only advisor."

"Advisor, advisor, no action, no questions. I'm just a figurehead in the preparatory group." Zeng Yi thought that Yuan Wenjie had considerable influence. The Health Bureau had just finalized the health base plan, and Yuan Wenjie already knew all about it, indicating he had been closely following the project and was determined to win it.

"Let's discuss this later." Yuan Wenjie, knowing that Zeng Yi was Wei Xiangnan's VIP, lost interest in staying, "Please continue, I won't disturb you. It's an honor to meet Mr. Tang. This bottle of wine is a small token of my appreciation."

He had the waiter place the bottle and left. His purpose was to invite Wei Xiangnan to the Peony Hall, and he had achieved it.

"What a jerk!" Tang Weiguo spat, "Can't Zeng Yi be a VIP? I really want to punch him!"

Zeng Yi smiled, "Wouldn't you be afraid of dirtying your hands by hitting such a person?"

Wei Xiangnan thought Zeng Yi didn't know about Yuan Wenjie and was about to warn him, but hearing Zeng Yi's words, she realized he was just being polite. She felt relieved and said, "What major project is the Health Bureau planning?"

"They are building a health base, a large project that includes a large hospital, a retirement base for senior officials, and a national-level sanatorium."

Wei Xiangnan nodded, thinking that this was indeed a significant project. Just the outpatient and inpatient buildings of the hospital would be a major undertaking. "Yuan Wenjie seems interested in this project. If it doesn't concern you, it's best not to get involved," she warned.

"Who cares! Why can't I get involved!" Tang Weiguo was very dissatisfied, "That guy has done so many bad things, he deserves to be shot ten times. Zeng Yi, don't be afraid. If he doesn't know his place, my fists are itching."

"I have it in mind!" Zeng Yi smiled. Honestly, he didn't want someone like Yuan Wenjie to get the health base project. Unfortunately, he was just an advisor and couldn't make the final decision. He was thinking of ways to exclude Yuan Wenjie from the project.

After eating, Tang Yingxin and Tang Haolun were sleepy and fell asleep at the table. Zeng Yi, feeling a bit tipsy, said, "Let's call it a day. I've had a great time. We can continue another time."

The banquet ended. Downstairs, Wei Xiangnan took two large boxes from the car and handed them to Zeng Yi, "Xiao Yi, these are gifts from your sister."

Zeng Yi looked at the luxury items and said, "These are quite expensive!"

Tang Weiguo waved his hand, "Your sister is in this business. In the future, you won't need to buy clothes, shoes, or belts. Just let your sister take care of it."

"If that's the case, I won't be polite!" Zeng Yi smiled and accepted the gifts, "Be careful on your way back. If necessary, let the hotel send a driver."

"Don't worry, I've already arranged for someone to pick us up!"

Hearing this, Zeng Yi felt relieved, stopped a taxi, and went back.

The next morning, before Zeng Yi got up, he received a call from Wang Jinzhu of the provincial reception office, "Mr. Zeng, there's an urgent matter. Mr. Qiao's people will be coming early today to inspect our reception arrangements. I've already sent a car to pick you up."

The page flip ad starts

The page flip ad ends