Chapter 47

Today, I am determined to make you lose all your credibility and let the people of Heishan Town know that a young, good-looking guy like you, who isn't even as old as my son, absolutely doesn't deserve to be the town mayor.

"I'll drink first to show my respect!"

Despite feeling uncertain inside, Lin Fenghe thought that if he drank first, he could suppress Su Mu's morale. Then, as long as he managed to drink three small cups, about a catty of liquor, and started to lose face, he wouldn't need to continue. If he really kept drinking, he probably wouldn't even finish one cup.

Gulping, gulping!

Without any hesitation, Lin Fenghe picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one go. The three cups, totaling nine ounces, were finished very neatly. After burping, he laughed.

"Mayor Su, come on!"

Since you're looking for death, I'll help you achieve it. Lin Fenghe, you shouldn't play this game. If you act without knowing the other party's background, you'll end up dead.

"Mayor Lin, don't worry. These three cups are a sign of respect from you to me, so I must drink them."

Gulping, gulping!

In front of everyone in Heishan Town, Su Mu didn't hesitate at all. He picked up the three cups of white wine and drank them like water, not even frowning. As he put down the glass, Su Mu casually picked up the bottle and refilled the six cups. Without pausing, he lifted the cup with his right hand.

"Mayor Lin, having a leader like you come to our Heishan Town is a blessing for the town. We will work together from now on, so we must drink well. I said earlier that you toasted me three cups, and I will return the favor. Now, I'll drink first to show my respect!"

Gulping, gulping!

Another three cups, totaling nine ounces of white wine, went down his throat!

When Su Mu put down the glass, everyone was stunned. No one expected Su Mu to be such a heavy drinker. By now, he had drunk almost two catties of liquor, and he had done it so quickly. What was even more surprising was that he looked completely fine, smiling and looking at Lin Fenghe with a grin.

What a remarkable person!

We have such a remarkable person in Heishan Town! Having someone like this as the town mayor is truly a treasure! Liang Changgui and the others felt a great sense of relief and satisfaction, and they turned to look at Lin Fenghe.

"Mayor Lin, the mayor has already drunk his share. Why are you still holding your cup without moving? Are you looking down on the mayor and not giving him face?" the discipline inspection commission secretary Dong Xiangrui said with a smile.

"That won't do. Mayor Lin, drink quickly. I still want to toast you later!" Zhang An said loudly.

"That's right, Lin, the mayor's toast isn't something anyone can drink. You must drink it. Don't cause trouble. This small amount of liquor is nothing for our Mayor Lin. Lin said he would drink, so he definitely will. Otherwise, he would lose face!" Liang Changgui chimed in.

They were building him up!

Now, Lin Fenghe was in a difficult position. If he didn't finish the three cups in front of him, he would lose all his credibility in Heishan Town and no one would listen to him. If Xie Wen found out about this... Thinking of this, Lin Fenghe felt a chill down his back.

Damn it, I'll go all out. It's just three cups of nine ounces of liquor. I can drink it. I'll just close my eyes and pretend it's water!

"Ha ha, how can I not drink the mayor's toast?"

Lin Fenghe opened his slightly blurry eyes, enduring the churning in his stomach and the dizziness in his head. He picked up the first cup and poured it into his mouth. But before he could finish half of it, he couldn't hold it anymore and vomited.

Splash!

The ground was immediately covered with vomit, and the air became unbearably foul. As for Lin Fenghe, he fell to the ground like a limp dog, motionless, and passed out. Lying in the mess, he looked extremely undignified.

"Mayor Lin, get up. I haven't had a drink with you yet!" Zhang An said with a laugh.

"Enough!" Liang Changgui said with disgust, "Lin Chen, quickly find two people to take him back and clean him up. This is really embarrassing! If you can't drink, don't drink, and don't cause trouble!"

"Yes, Secretary!" Lin Chen hurriedly called two waiters to take Lin Fenghe away. Due to this incident, the banquet was effectively over. The few people exchanged glances and left without a word.

"Old Secretary, I'll take a leave of absence. Tomorrow, I need to go to the county town to talk with Luo's Construction. If everything goes well, we'll sign the contract and start construction tomorrow." After leaving the restaurant, Su Mu squinted in the sunlight and said.

"No problem, I approve! In the future, you can handle these matters without asking for leave. If there are any issues, I'll take the responsibility." Liang Changgui said.

"Thank you, Old Secretary!" Su Mu said with a smile.

"You sly guy, stop pretending! I didn't expect you to be such a heavy drinker. You drank two catties and didn't even show any signs of being affected. I have to test your limits someday!" Liang Changgui said happily.

"Whenever Old Secretary wants to drink, I'll be there to accompany you." Su Mu responded readily. His drinking capacity, honed by Shang Ting, wasn't something that could be easily matched.

Of course, this was also due to Su Mu's deliberate control. If he hadn't controlled himself, he would have been drunk after two catties.

This drinking session not only made Lin Fenghe lose face but also made Su Mu the center of attention. As close followers of Liang Changgui, Dong Xiangrui and Zhang An could see Su Mu's character through his drinking. Liang Changgui was nearing retirement, and they still had many years ahead of them.

The collapse of the Daliu Primary School in Heishan Town revealed that Su Mu had a powerful backing. His appointment as a marginalized deputy mayor in Heishan Town was not just due to Liang Changgui's influence. If they wanted to advance, they would have to find a way to build a good relationship with Su Mu.

Moreover, Liang Changgui intended to have Su Mu succeed him. As his confidants, they had a ready-made relationship with Su Mu and no reason not to work on it.

Ding, ding, ding!

Su Mu returned to his dormitory and was about to lie down to sleep when his phone rang. It was Luo Lin's clear and gentle voice, "Su Mu, it's me!"

"Okay, what's up?" Su Mu asked.

"Yes, there's something. Didn't I tell you we're having a class reunion? The time is set for tonight, and the place is the Golden Splendor Hotel in the county town. It has food, drinks, and karaoke rooms. It's at 8 PM, and you must come." Luo Lin said.

"8 PM, Golden Splendor, got it. By the way, Luo Lin, I want to ask if your family's construction company is still doing projects?" Su Mu asked casually.

"Yes!" Luo Lin's heart raced. Although she hadn't promised Luo Kanghua and Yan Chunhua that she could secure the project for Heishan Town, if there was a chance to talk to Su Mu, it wasn't impossible. After all, she was a member of the Luo family, and the family was in a difficult situation, so she had to help.

Luo Lin had always been unsure how to bring up the topic with Su Mu. After all, the Luo family and she had acted unethically in the past, and it was normal for Su Mu to refuse. But now, hearing Su Mu ask so proactively, she was genuinely surprised.

Could it be...

"If they are still doing projects, I'll rest for a bit and then go to the county town. I should be there by 5 PM. If Mr. Luo is free, I'd like to meet him." Su Mu said directly.

"No problem, I'll arrange it!" Luo Lin said.

"Okay, I'll rest for a bit then." Su Mu said.

"Wait, Su Mu, thank you!" Luo Lin said softly.

"What are you thanking me for? That's it!" Su Mu shook his head and hung up. He wasn't choosing Luo's Construction just because of Luo Lin. The company's credentials in Xingtang County were indeed reliable, and the primary school in Heishan Town needed to be rebuilt as soon as possible, or the children wouldn't be able to study in peace.

As for what Luo Lin thought, that was her business. Su Mu's heart was already calm. Besides, he already had Ye Xi by his side, and thinking of her, a smile of longing appeared on his face.

Setting the alarm, Su Mu fell asleep.

In the county town of Xingtang, at the Qingyou Teahouse.

This teahouse was a unique place in the county, usually quiet and elegant. In one of the private rooms, Luo Kanghua's family was sitting. To find out what Su Mu was thinking, Yan Chunhua had forced Luo Lin to come.

"What do you think Su Mu wants to talk about?" Yan Chunhua speculated.

"I think it's about the project in Heishan Town. In the entire county, there aren't many companies qualified to take on this project besides our Luo's Construction." Luo Kanghua said.

"Don't act like you don't know. Luo's Construction is on the verge of bankruptcy, and you're still boasting. If you don't get the Heishan Town project, Luo's Construction will close down." Yan Chunhua said pointedly.

"I..."

"What are you saying? When you meet Su Mu, the mayor, be humble. He's not the poor student he used to be; he's the mayor now!" Yan Chunhua said bluntly.

"Mom, Dad, you two should stop talking. We don't know what Su Mu wants to talk about. You think he's here to discuss the project?" Luo Lin said coldly.

"How can you talk like that? Aren't we doing this for the family? If you don't help us..." Yan Chunhua started to nag.

Thump!

Luo Lin suddenly stood up, shook her phone, and said, "Su Mu is here. I'll go greet him. We can talk about it when we get home."

With that, Luo Lin pushed the door open and left, leaving Luo Kanghua and Yan Chunhua to exchange glances. The latter said nervously, "Luo, do you think Su Mu still holds a grudge?"

"Who knows? Let's leave it to fate!" Luo Kanghua said gloomily. If only he had known then what he knows now!

"I..." Yan Chunhua muttered.

Soon, the door to the private room opened, and Su Mu, led by Luo Lin, slowly walked in. After so many years, seeing the now confident and dignified Su Mu, Yan Chunhua felt a moment of dizziness.

Is this the poor boy I rejected back then?

Thirty years on one side, thirty years on the other. Now, he has become the mayor, looking much more spirited.

Luo Kanghua was also stunned!

Such a young official at the county level was something he had never seen in his many years of experience. He had really been blind back then, not seeing Su Mu's potential.

"Mayor Su!"

Luo Kanghua quickly put aside his thoughts, extended his hands formally, and shook Su Mu's hand. The words that came out of Su Mu's mouth made his heart skip a beat, and a bitter smile quickly crossed his lips.