Chapter 71: Encounter in the Provincial Capital

After talking with Jie Lianbing for a while, Du Xiaobei dispelled the knots in her heart. It wasn't that she was incapable, but Jie Lianbing was too outstanding. Wang Jian's admiration for her had its internal logic. From now on, she might only be able to be friends with Wang Jian.

The roads in the countryside had not been repaired yet. Despite Wang Jian urging Wang Bensheng several times, there was no result. Now that Zheng Shiguang was facing setbacks, Wang Bensheng paid even less attention to him, and the road repair project was nowhere to be seen. After informing Zheng Shiguang, Wang Jian decided to go to the provincial capital to find Zhao Yixuan.

He called Chen Yu in advance, who was naturally delighted. Wang Jian and Lü Jun drove to the provincial capital, and Chen Yu specially came to the highway exit to greet them. Chen Yu got out of his car and welcomed Wang Jian into his vehicle.

"Ha, Chen Yu, you've got a new car again?" Seeing Chen Yu's car had been replaced with a high-end SUV, Wang Jian was pleasantly surprised.

Chen Yu, holding the steering wheel, smiled and said, "Nothing much, it's just a need for business negotiations. If you don't have a good car, people will look down on you. I'm different from you; your car is provided by the government, and it carries authority wherever you go."

"What authority? There's no car in the countryside that's in worse condition. The countryside is too poor to even afford road repairs. I came this time to try to get some money from the Transportation Department through Zhao Yixuan to repair the roads," Wang Jian said.

Chen Yu smiled and said, "How are things between you and Zhao Yixuan? I haven't heard any news about your interactions."

Wang Jian now had no feelings for Zhao Yixuan, and she seemed to show no interest either. Any help she provided in work was probably out of classmate sentiment. The main issue was the distance between them. Although distance can create beauty, it also severed their emotional connection.

"Let me be honest with you, Chen Yu. Zhao Yixuan isn't as infatuated with me as you said. She's in the Provincial Party Committee Office, with a high vantage point and high-level contacts. How could she look at someone like me, a country bumpkin? We are at most classmates and friends!" Wang Jian said with a smile.

Chen Yu regretfully said, "That's too bad. You two are a perfect match. If you could be together, it would be great. Is your heart still with Lin Feifei?"

According to Chen Yu, Lin Feifei was about to get married, to the son of the provincial capital's party secretary, who had been driving a BMW. After hearing this, Wang Jian could only sigh and had no lingering feelings. When Chen Yu mentioned it, he laughed and said, "You said Lin Feifei is getting married soon. Why should I still think about her? The matter is over, and I need to move on."

Chen Yu turned his head and asked, "Wang Jian, have you found a new love? You seem much happier this time!"

Wang Jian shook his head and laughed, "Ha, what new love? That sounds so harsh. I didn't abandon anyone. To be honest, I did start a relationship in the countryside with a village schoolteacher. Our relationship is still underground for now."

"Village schoolteacher? Your taste seems to be getting lower! Are you just trying to satisfy your physical needs?" Chen Yu said, widening his eyes.

Wang Jian laughed and said, "Chen Yu, do you think I'm like you, who got Zhang Meilu pregnant so early? This time, I'm serious. She is a village schoolteacher, but she is very pure and innocent. I'm still an idealist!"

Chen Yu still widened his eyes, unable to believe Wang Jian's words. Why pursue a village schoolteacher when someone like Zhao Yixuan is available? Doesn't he know that ideals are beautiful, but reality is harsh? As an official, building a solid network in the political arena is crucial. Zhao Yixuan clearly fits this condition, but what can a village schoolteacher offer?

"Wang Jian, I think you haven't learned from your experience with Lin Feifei!" Chen Yu sighed.

Wang Jian asked with interest, "What do you mean I haven't learned?"

"At first, Lin Feifei and you were a perfect match, and everyone thought so. But what happened? Reality shattered everything. You say you and the schoolteacher are pure, but is that possible? You're the township chief now, and people naturally want to curry favor with you. Do you really think women love you for love alone? Think about it!" Chen Yu warned.

Thinking about Jie Lianbing, Wang Jian said, "She's different from what you think. At first, she refused my advances, thinking I was the township chief and didn't want others to think she was climbing the social ladder."

"Ha, this woman is very calculating. It's a common tactic to play hard to get. Don't be fooled. I advise you to try to win Zhao Yixuan over. If you don't, it will be too late!" Chen Yu said urgently.

Thinking about Jie Lianbing again, Wang Jian didn't believe Chen Yu's words, but he asked about Zhao Yixuan, "What do you mean it will be too late?"

Chen Yu smiled slightly and said, "Look at you, you say you're not thinking about Zhao Yixuan, but you get so worked up when I mention her. I heard that a high-ranking official's son in the Provincial Party Committee is pursuing her. This official's position is even higher than the Finance Department head. I think her uncle would be swayed too. So, I advise you to win her over this time, or you'll regret it!"

This was a shocking piece of news. Zhao Yixuan had never mentioned it. If she agreed to this match, he would have to reduce his interactions with her to avoid upsetting the high-ranking official's son.

Seeing Wang Jian silent, Chen Yu knew he had been affected. He drove to a restaurant and suggested they eat first.

Getting out of the car, Wang Jian returned to his normal state and followed Chen Yu and Lü Jun into the restaurant.

This restaurant was one of the higher-end places in the provincial capital. As they entered, a sweet-looking waitress greeted them. Chen Yu bringing Wang Jian here was clearly a sign of respect.

"Chen Yu, let's change the restaurant. This one is too expensive for you!" Wang Jian said to Chen Yu.

Chen Yu dismissed it, "What's expensive? You don't come to the provincial capital every day. I must treat you well this time!"

Wang Jian had no choice but to follow Chen Yu into a private room.

They had just entered when a waitress said, "Sir, I'm sorry, but the restaurant is full today. Please go to another one."

Chen Yu was furious, "What do you mean? You let us sit down and then ask us to leave. Are you looking down on us?"

The waitress was at a loss. The restaurant had indeed acted improperly by letting them sit and then asking them to leave. It was unclear what the manager was thinking.

Seeing the waitress speechless, Chen Yu waved his hand, "Wang Jian, let's sit down. Ignore them!"

Wang Jian was also puzzled. The restaurant's behavior was outrageous. They were being driven out for no reason. Could the business be so good that they could discriminate against customers?

Just as they sat down, a few people entered the restaurant and shouted, "Is the room ready?"

A man bowed and said, "Mr. Gong, it's ready!"

When the man looked into the room and saw Wang Jian and the others still sitting, his face changed, and he scolded the waitress, "What's going on? Why are they still here?"

The waitress stammered, and the manager, unable to find the right words, approached Wang Jian and the others with a smile, "Gentlemen, could you please go to another restaurant?"

Chen Yu stood up and said loudly, "What do you mean? Are you afraid we can't afford to eat here?"

"Friends, I don't mean that. The situation is a bit special today. Please come another day, and I'll treat you well!" the manager said, acting like a servant.

"No way. We're hungry and must eat here. Otherwise, you'll have to compensate us for emotional distress!" Chen Yu, who had business in the provincial capital and knew many officials, wanted to show off in front of Wang Jian. He didn't expect to encounter this situation, so he had to be firm.

The manager was speechless. He had never heard of emotional distress compensation, and the boss would never agree to it.

After a long conversation, the people outside were impatient. A well-dressed young man entered and asked, "Who wants emotional distress compensation?"

Wang Jian and Chen Yu were taken aback and looked at the young man, who was extremely arrogant and didn't take them seriously.

"Mr. Gong, please don't be angry. I'll try to persuade them again!" the manager, not wanting any trouble in the restaurant, tried to calm the young man.

Hearing the manager call the young man "Mr. Gong," Chen Yu was startled. He knew this person was not to be trifled with. Seeing the manager trying to persuade them, he reluctantly said, "Since the manager is so polite, we won't eat here. But next time, you must treat us well!"

"Of course, of course, we will treat you well!" the manager, relieved, was sweating.

Chen Yu stood up, but Wang Jian and Lü Jun didn't move. No matter where they ate, there was a first-come, first-served rule. They had never seen a restaurant treat customers so differently. Why should they leave? Was the young man more important than them?

"Boss, we came here first. Why should we leave? If there's another reason, we can accept it, but this kind of discrimination is unacceptable. Why can't the people outside go to another restaurant, but we have to leave?" Wang Jian stood up and spoke.

This statement created another complication. The manager was worried. The people in the room might not be easy to deal with, and a confrontation could lead to trouble.

Chen Yu didn't expect Wang Jian to speak up and quickly pulled his hand, signaling him to stop, but Wang Jian didn't budge.

Seeing the situation, the young man got angry and said, "Manager, who are these people? Get them out of here now!"

This was an insult. Wang Jian and Chen Yu were both furious and said, "What right do you have to insult us?"

As soon as they spoke, a few burly men entered and said menacingly, "Insulting you is nothing. Offending Mr. Gong, you deserve to be beaten!"

Wang Jian was immediately furious. He had never encountered such arrogance. He and Lü Jun stood up and said, "What, do you want to fight?"