Chapter 20

Yazhu Club is indeed the top-rated four-star hotel in Qinglin City, leading the city's catering industry. Everyone feels honored to be able to invite guests to Yazhu, as being able to come here is itself a symbol of status.

If you haven't made a reservation in advance, you can only eat in the hall at Yazhu Club. Even then, it depends on the number of guests; if there are many, you have to wait outside with a number.

Today, Su Mu's luck was pretty good. When he arrived at Yazhu, although all the private rooms were booked, there were still a few empty tables in the hall.

"Brother Zhou, I'm really sorry, we can only eat in the hall," Su Mu said apologetically.

"We're all brothers, why be so formal? To be honest, just being able to eat here is already a big deal," Zhou Zheng said without a care.

In fact, Zhou Zheng's eyes had been darting around since he sat down, looking at the decorations. As the deputy mayor of Longjing Town, he really didn't have the qualifications to come to Yazhu Hotel. Sometimes it wasn't that he couldn't come, but rather that he couldn't afford it. A meal here would cost at least a few thousand yuan.

"Su Mu, are you sure you want to eat here?" Zhou Zheng asked.

"Of course!" Su Mu smiled. "We're already sitting here, so how could this be fake? These past few days, Brother Zhou has been treating me. With the seminar about to end, it's only right that I treat you once."

"I didn't realize you were a rich man, Su Mu. But there's something I need to remind you: some money you can take, but some money you absolutely cannot touch," Zhou Zheng said seriously.

Su Mu knew Zhou Zheng was looking out for him and smiled. "Brother Zhou, don't worry. This money isn't dirty. Eat and drink as you please. Haven't you seen these past few days? I've earned it all from dealing in antiques. How could this money conflict with the party's policies?"

"Haha, I was just saying. Do you think I don't trust you? Since you're a rich man, let's eat well tonight. Waiter, bring the menu and two bottles of your best wine!" Zhou Zheng laughed.

"Brother Zhou, order whatever you like, it won't make me poor," Su Mu smiled. Having a friend in the system is not easy, and more friends mean more paths. Moreover, Zhou Zheng chose to stand by him when he was in the most difficult and powerless position, which made this meal worth it.

Soon, the two began to eat and drink. Su Mu glanced around, and the faces of the people dining here were all flushed with pleasure. Those who could eat here were either wealthy or influential.

Some were relying on public funds, while others were rich business owners. Thinking about how these people were feasting here while the villagers in Heishan Town had already turned off their lights to save a few cents on electricity, Su Mu felt a twinge of discomfort.

However, discomfort aside, Su Mu knew this was the reality of society. With his personal capabilities, it was impossible to change this reality.

"My ideal is to help all poor families within my means to escape poverty and ensure that everyone's table has a mix of meat and vegetables."

Su Mu shook his head slightly, no longer thinking about those distant dreams. Focusing his mindset on the Heishan Town he managed, he felt much more at ease.

"Xiao Su, come, let's have a drink!" Zhou Zheng raised his glass and smiled.

"Sure!" Su Mu said casually.

As the two were chatting and drinking, a man slowly walked out of the restroom, his belly protruding and his face slightly red from drinking. This man was none other than Chi Junfeng.

"Am I seeing things? Is that Su Mu and Zhou Zheng? How can they afford to come to Yazhu?" Chi Junfeng stood outside the restroom, looking at the hall, his eyes wide open. He rubbed his eyes hard, making sure he wasn't mistaken, and then looked suspicious.

These past few days, Su Mu and Zhou Zheng had either eaten at the party school cafeteria or nearby snack shops. Chi Junfeng, who thought he knew them well, would never have believed they could afford to eat here if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. Could they be putting on a show?

Wait, Su Mu...

Just as Chi Junfeng was about to greet them, he suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing, and a wicked smile appeared on his face.

"Su Mu, I might have to use you to climb the ladder."

"Old Chi, why aren't you going back yet?"

At that moment, a man walked out of the restroom, looked at Chi Junfeng, and walked up, patting his shoulder hard with a smile.

"Xie Shao, I was just waiting for you," Chi Junfeng laughed.

"Really? Haha, don't worry, it's just a small matter. I'll call my dad in a few days, and I'll make sure you become the director of the Tourism Bureau!" Xie Minghao laughed loudly.

Indeed, the man was Xie Minghao.

Xie Minghao was originally under house arrest by his father, Xie Wen, but his restless nature couldn't bear the loneliness. After much effort, he managed to convince his mother to let him come to Qinglin City, ostensibly to relax. Of course, Xie Minghao wasn't completely unsupervised; he was staying at his uncle's house.

Xie Minghao's uncle was the director of the Tourism Bureau in Qinglin City, Su Junlai. Tonight's dinner was arranged by Chi Junfeng, who wanted to use connections to become the director of the Tourism Bureau in Xingtang County. Naturally, Su Junlai brought Xie Minghao along to the dinner.

With Xie Minghao's help, if Chi Junfeng could rely on Xie Wen, the position of Tourism Bureau director would be his for sure.

Chi Junfeng knew this, so he was trying his best to please Xie Minghao. He was willing to do anything to make Xie Minghao happy.

"Thank you, Xie Shao!" Chi Junfeng smiled.

"Don't give me empty promises. Just introduce me to a few cute tour guides from the Tourism Bureau, and I'll be happy, haha!" Xie Minghao laughed without restraint.

"No problem, just say the word, and I'll keep the tour guides for you," Chi Junfeng laughed.

"Haha, I knew you'd be a good guy, old Chi. Let's go back in and have a few more drinks. Don't keep my uncle waiting," Xie Minghao said, heading back inside.

"Xie Shao, wait!"

"What is it? Is there something else?" Xie Minghao frowned.

Chi Junfeng, sensing Xie Minghao's displeasure, quickly said, "Xie Shao, look who's over there."

Xie Minghao looked over curiously, and his eyes immediately lit up with a fierce look, his face twisted with malice. "Su Mu!"

If it weren't for Su Mu, Xie Minghao's face wouldn't have been publicly humiliated. The loss of reputation on Antiques Street was secondary; the key was that Xie Minghao's interests were greatly damaged, and he was severely reprimanded by his father. This made the always proud Xie Minghao unable to swallow his anger.

In Xingtang County, Xie Minghao was under house arrest and couldn't come out to deal with Su Mu. He never thought he would run into him here.

Since he had encountered him, he couldn't let this opportunity pass!

This grudge had to be settled!

In a fit of anger, Xie Minghao didn't think twice and charged straight toward Su Mu, reaching the table in a few steps and slamming his hand on it.

"Su Mu, where do you think you can run now?"

Su Mu hadn't expected to run into Xie Minghao here, and he certainly didn't expect him to be so arrogant and aggressive, slamming the table. But even so, he didn't react, instead suppressing his anger and calmly looking at Xie Minghao.

"Didn't your teachers teach you manners?"

"Ha! Manners? You don't deserve it! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been under house arrest for so long. For this, you won't get away today," Xie Minghao shouted.

"Get away? Who said I was trying to get away?" Su Mu said calmly.

"Su Mu, what attitude is this? Didn't you hear Xie Shao talking to you? Stand up!" Chi Junfeng shouted loudly, acting like a despicable person.

"Chi Junfeng, what are you saying?" Zhou Zheng said urgently.

"What am I saying! Zhou Zheng, this is Xie Shao's private matter with Su Mu. If you interfere, don't blame me for not warning you. You'll be in trouble too!" Chi Junfeng said menacingly.

"That's right! Anyone who speaks up for Su Mu today is my enemy. Zhou Zheng, if you don't want trouble, stay out of it!" Xie Minghao said disdainfully.

Xie Minghao didn't know Zhou Zheng's background, but if Chi Junfeng didn't care, Zhou Zheng must not have much influence. With his status as the son of the county party secretary, Xie Minghao didn't take such people seriously.

"You, I..." Zhou Zheng's face darkened. He knew who Xie Minghao was and had never thought of opposing him. For a moment, he hesitated.

"Brother Zhou, since they're targeting me, don't get involved. Sit down!" Su Mu smiled, knowing that his relationship with Zhou Zheng wasn't that close, and he didn't want to put him in an awkward position.

After saying this, Su Mu didn't give Zhou Zheng a chance to respond and turned to Xie Minghao. "Xie Minghao, can't you give your father some face? This isn't Xingtang County; it's Qinglin City, at Yazhu Club. Do you really want to embarrass your father here?"

"Bullshit! Who said I'm embarrassing my father? Su Mu, don't try to lecture me. I'm telling you straight, I'm going to deal with you today!" Xie Minghao said arrogantly, completely ignoring Su Mu's words.

"Right, you're just a deputy mayor. What are you being so arrogant for? Su Mu, if you know what's good for you, apologize to Xie Shao. Otherwise, when you get back to Heishan Town, your position will be taken away! Opposing Xie Shao in Xingtang County, you must be tired of living!" Chi Junfeng added fuel to the fire.

Slap!

Zhou Zheng, who had been trying to avoid conflict, saw Chi Junfeng's despicable face and thought about Su Mu's kindness over the past few days. Considering his own situation, with no chance of advancement, he decided to deal with this despicable person first. Otherwise, he would burst with anger.

Thinking this, Zhou Zheng slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and pointed at Chi Junfeng. "Chi Junfeng, what are you? You're just a flatterer who got to where you are by sucking up. Who do you think you are? Even if you're a deputy director, so what? Everyone knows the tourism industry in Xingtang County is a joke. What's so great about being a deputy director in the Tourism Bureau?"

The anger was intense!

To push Zhou Zheng to this point and tear apart the thin veneer of their classmate relationship, it was because Chi Junfeng's actions and words were too despicable. To advance, he was willing to use Su Mu as a stepping stone. Such a person was intolerable to the straightforward Zhou Zheng.

Su Mu hadn't expected Zhou Zheng's temper to flare up so suddenly, but anyone in his position would have found it hard to hold back. If it weren't for Zhou Zheng, he would have slammed the table himself.

"Hey, you actually dared to slam the table at me! Old Chi, who is this guy?" Xie Minghao said sarcastically.

"Xie Shao, this is Zhou Zheng, the deputy mayor of Longjing Town, in charge of education, science, culture, and health. He's just a small-town official," Chi Junfeng quickly introduced.

"A small deputy mayor dares to be so arrogant! But it's normal, birds of a feather flock together. Su Mu, Zhou Zheng, listen up. If you don't kneel and kowtow to me today, I won't let this go! Losing your positions is secondary; I'll ruin you!" Xie Minghao said arrogantly.

The hall was filled with the sound of his arrogant and domineering words, and the other diners couldn't help but look at Xie Minghao, wondering who he was and how he dared to speak so boldly at Yazhu.

If Xie Wen knew about this, he would have slapped Xie Minghao hard. Damn, I wouldn't dare say such things, and you're even more arrogant than me!

Su Mu, who usually had a good temper, couldn't bear it anymore. Xie Minghao targeting him was one thing, but now involving Zhou Zheng was too much. If he didn't stand up for himself, he would feel guilty.

Su Mu smiled coldly and said, "Xie Minghao, my position isn't for you to take away. Who do you think you are? Do you represent the county government or the county party committee?"

"Who I represent is none of your business. Just know that I can destroy you in a minute," Xie Minghao boasted. "Kneel and kowtow! Apologize and offer tea!"

" Dream on!" Su Mu said coldly.

"Damn, you dare to talk to Xie Shao like that? I'll deal with you!" Chi Junfeng, determined to climb the ladder with Xie Wen, rolled up his sleeves and turned red with anger, ready to attack.

If Su Mu hadn't seen it with his own eyes and heard it with his own ears, he wouldn't have believed Chi Junfeng could be such a person. He wasn't even a government official but a scoundrel, worse than a scoundrel, a wolf in sheep's clothing. How did such a person get into the civil service?

"Chi Junfeng, go! I'll deal with them today!" Xie Minghao shouted.

Alcohol had clouded his mind, and Xie Minghao was filled with excitement, eager to pin Su Mu to the ground and stomp on him.

"Xie Shao, watch me!" Chi Junfeng, eager to show off, took a step forward and raised his hand to strike.

Just as Su Mu was about to counter, a furious voice came from the opposite side of the table, "Chi Junfeng, you bastard, what are you doing?"

"Who dares to insult me? Damn, I... Director Su?"

Chi Junfeng, who had been cursing, turned around. The bravado fueled by alcohol vanished when he saw who was speaking. He felt as if he had swallowed a fly, unable to explain himself, and sweat dripped from his forehead like rain.

"This is getting interesting!" Su Mu retracted his punch, smiled, and sat back down, calm and composed.