Chapter 45

After eating the dumplings, the time for parting had arrived. Especially the second mother, who kept wiping her eyes and giving endless instructions. Yuan Yuan's parents also held Yuan Yuan, asking Wang Yong to take good care of her in the capital and to call often. The two of them would return to the city with Wang Qiang. The uncle reassured them that the house was in his hands and there was no need to worry. Xiaohei, Xiaobai, Xiaolian, and Diao Zhu would all stay at home, taken care of by the second mother, so they wouldn't be neglected.

As the car left the village, the county, and got on the highway, the sadness of parting gradually dissipated. Besides Yuan Yuan, there was another person in Wang Yong's car—Wang Qian. This girl insisted on sitting with Yuan Yuan, saying they could chat along the way. With the second mother's firm support, Wang Yong could only watch helplessly as the girl happily climbed into his car.

The city of Gang was not far from the capital. After getting on the highway, it took only two hours to enter the capital. Along the way, Wang Yong's Jetta was sandwiched between two Audi cars with special permits. Under the guidance of the police cars, they drove straight to the capital without any stops, drawing envious, puzzled, and speechless gazes. Wang Yong repeatedly told Yuan Yuan and Wang Qian in the back seat: "No wonder so many people want to be officials. Look, even at the toll gate, it's clear. No need to slow down or stop, the special lane has the barrier lifted early."

After leaving the highway, Wang Yong started to get confused, turning left and right continuously. He wanted to ask Xiaoguang for directions, but he didn't know the destination. He thought Wang Qian must know where the house was, so he asked her. But she was discussing where to go shopping with Yuan Yuan and replied, "That's a state secret, you have no right to know." This made Wang Yong very angry. With no other choice, he had to follow the Audi car in front of him. After nearly two hours, they finally reached their destination.

Wang Yong's uncle's family currently lived in the family compound of the National Development and Reform Commission, in Villa No. 4. However, most of the time, the villa was empty. The family of four had their own affairs, and they rarely gathered in the capital. Apart from Wang Qian, who had more free time, the aunt could only return home at night, but the time was unpredictable. Most of the time, the large villa was occupied only by the housekeeper.

Driving the whole way had made Wang Yong very tired. Once inside the house, he lay down on the sofa and soon fell asleep. When he woke up, it was already night, past eight o'clock. He lifted the blanket covering him and sat up. His stomach growled in protest, and he was about to go to the kitchen to find something to eat when he saw Wang Gang coming down the stairs.

"Hey! You're awake!"

"Yeah, I woke up hungry. Get me something to eat."

"Don't eat at home. There's a gathering, I'll take you to meet some people," Wang Gang said.

"Are they all second-generation officials and businessmen? If so, you go by yourself. I'm not interested," Wang Yong said, just wanting to eat something and not go anywhere.

In the end, after Wang Gang swore and promised, Wang Yong agreed to go meet the so-called cool friends. Getting into Wang Gang's Buick LaCrosse, Wang Gang started introducing his special friend. According to Wang Gang, this friend was named Zhang Kai, whose father was a member of the Politburo and the Secretary of Zhehai Province. Zhang Kai was currently on a remarkable rise and had been designated as a candidate for the next main leadership. In other words, he might be the future top prince. Despite his father's prominent status, Zhang Kai was very low-key. He was currently pursuing a Ph.D. in archaeology at the University of the Capital, and no one at the university knew that his father was the Secretary of Zhehai Province.

Wang Gang and Zhang Kai had been classmates since elementary and middle school, and they were always desk partners. Zhang Kai left Nanjing to live with his grandmother until he was in the second year of junior high, when his mother brought him to the capital to study. After they separated, they didn't lose contact. During holidays, they would visit each other. It was during these visits that Wang Gang learned that Zhang Kai's father was the Governor of Zhehai Province.

After nearly half an hour of driving, Wang Yong was so hungry that he had no energy to argue with Wang Gang. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the discomfort and save his strength. Just as his stomach was aching from hunger, they finally arrived.

"Get out of the car!" Wang Gang looked at his brother with a helpless expression.

"How can you, a high-ranking official's descendant, be content with being a village chief in a remote mountain village? Although the scenery is beautiful and natural, it's still a rural area!" Wang Gang said.

Wang Yong stared at Wang Gang for a long time, making him feel uneasy, as if he had done something wrong and was facing his father's stern gaze.

"Ah! I need to have a serious talk with my uncle. Your thinking is problematic!" Wang Yong said.

"Right! You're absolutely right. Call your uncle right away. This guy's conscience is completely lost! He's dead!" A voice came from behind.

Before Wang Yong could turn to see who it was, Wang Gang had already rushed over.

"You, Zhang Kai, I haven't provoked you. How can you damage my reputation in front of my brother? That's not what a gentleman does."

"Hey, guys, are you done? I'm starving!" Wang Yong looked at the two of them with a weak voice, interrupting their argument.

"OK!" they both said at the same time.

The three of them entered the place, and many people passing by greeted Zhang Kai and Wang Gang. Wang Yong, walking beside them, naturally attracted a lot of attention. Many people were guessing who this stranger was, to be accompanied by Zhang and Wang.

On the second floor, they saw a private room with the door open and the lights off. Wang Yong pointed and asked the server, "Is this room available?"

A young server, wearing a qipao, tall and fair-skinned, with a handsome face, smiled and replied, "Mr. Zhang's private room is on the third floor."

Wang Yong, hearing this, glared at the two behind him and quickly headed for the third floor, making the server run to keep up with him.

Wang Gang and Zhang Kai exchanged a glance and smiled helplessly. This guy must be really hungry!

On the way, many second-generation officials came to greet them. When the two of them finally reached the private room on the third floor, they were stunned.

Wang Yong, upon entering the private room, immediately called the server over.

"Get me something to eat quickly, anything, just make it fast!"

The server quickly left the room and soon returned with a small bowl of porridge, a plate of braised beef, a plate of crispy fish, and a plate of steamed buns.

Without waiting for the food to cool, Wang Yong inhaled a plate of steamed buns with crispy fish in one breath. Then he drank the porridge in one gulp, put down the bowl, and felt the porridge was really good. As a northerner who usually preferred noodles, he had a sudden urge to have another bowl. Thinking about it, he picked up a piece of braised beef and said to the server, "Bring me another bowl of porridge, no, two bowls. Also, bring some hearty dishes and a bottle of White Niu Er. Go!"

After a while, Wang Yong looked up and saw the server still standing there, looking hesitant. Having worked in the service industry himself, he understood the server's dilemma. His request must have been difficult for her. After swallowing a piece of beef, he asked, "What's wrong? What's the matter? Speak up."

"Sir, are you sure you want the Erguotou?" the young girl asked cautiously. On her first day here, she was repeatedly told that everyone who came here was a big shot, and none of them could be provoked. So she had to be very careful at work. Today, this person asked for a bottle of Erguotou, which made her unsure what to do. Was he trying to cause trouble? Or did he just want to try something different? She had been here for over a year and had never heard anyone order Erguotou.

"Yes, I want the Erguotou. Go quickly!"

"Okay, please wait!"

The service here was indeed excellent, and the dishes came quickly. Wang Yong, familiar with the industry, especially admired the chef. The dishes that followed were to his taste, and he wondered how they knew he would like them. First, they brought a few small dishes: old vinegar peanuts, old vinegar jellyfish, spicy and sour cucumber, and dipping sauce. After ten minutes, the first hot dish, fish-flavored shredded pork, was served, along with a bottle of White Niu Er. Then came the three delicacies, chicken stewed with mushrooms, braised pork ribs, squirrel fish, braised lamb, clear-stewed ribs, and beef with potatoes.

"The dishes are all here. Please enjoy slowly," the server said and quietly left the room.

Wang Yong was enjoying his meal and drinks in the private room. Outside, it was a different story. Zhang and Wang's guest had asked for a bottle of ten-yuan Erguotou? Impossible! If he was chosen by both of them, he couldn't possibly be short of money. Could he be from the military, who preferred this drink? But they couldn't think of anyone in the military who would drink Erguotou. Could he be an illegitimate child of a high official? This idea seemed more and more plausible. The young man might be an illegitimate child of a high official, living in the countryside and not seeing much of the world.

When a familiar friend informed them that Wang Yong had asked for a bottle of ordinary Erguotou, the entire club was abuzz with speculation about his background. The two of them quickly ended their conversation with some acquaintances and rushed to the private room on the third floor.

When Wang Gang and Zhang Kai opened the door to the private room, Wang Yong had just raised his glass to drink a sip of Erguotou. Seeing them enter, he was about to speak but felt a burning sensation in his throat. He quickly ate a piece of lamb to ease the alcohol.

"Hurry up, why are you so slow? Chatting with this one and that one, all fake. Aren't you tired?" Wang Yong was very dissatisfied. He had already drunk three ounces of alcohol, and these two had just arrived, clearly putting him at a disadvantage.

"What are you standing there for? Come and sit down. Remember, you're late, so each of you has to drink a penalty cup first." Wang Yong picked up the bottle and filled two glasses, which were just full, and the bottle was empty.

"Server, bring another bottle."

After the server brought the alcohol and left, Zhang Kai said, "Do you think we want to come to such a place? It's all for the old man."

Hearing this, Wang Yong was puzzled: "Why does coming here have anything to do with your parents? Is this place Zhongnanhai?"

"Ah! This isn't Zhongnanhai, but its importance is no less." Wang Gang was about to say more but was interrupted by Wang Yong.

"Nonsense, do you think chatting and eating here can help your old man govern the country and regions? What's the point of you being here? The Politburo meetings could be held here." Seeing that the two were still not convinced, Wang Yong continued, "The key is, who told you to do this? Did you get your parents' approval? Or is this just your own assumption?"

Hearing Wang Yong's words, the two fell silent.