Chapter 7

Although very nervous, Xu Ju and the others were all shrewd people, and the signs of their nervousness had long been concealed.

"Hey? Manager Wang, Secretary Li? I came to a meeting today and unexpectedly ran into both of you... Who is this?"

Xu Ju looked at Zhang Jue with a smile, but a hint of shock flashed in his eyes. He hadn't expected the visitor to be so young. His mind raced, and he secretly speculated that someone so young, yet receiving such a grand reception, must be a high-ranking official's child.

Manager Wang and Secretary Li first nodded at him with a smile, then said to Zhang Jue:

"Comrade Zhang Jue, this is Xu Demao, the Chief of the Public Security Bureau of Jiangbei City."

"Chief Xu, this is Minister Zhang Panshi's distinguished guest, Comrade Zhang Jue," said Secretary Li.

Xu Demao inwardly resented Li Ding for giving such a vague introduction, not revealing a single piece of information, but he still smiled and stepped forward, extending his hand: "Hello, hello, I am Xu Demao. Since Comrade Zhang Jue is a distinguished guest of Minister Zhang, you are naturally also a distinguished guest of mine. Is this your first time in Jiangbei?"

"That's right," Zhang Jue also smiled and shook hands with Xu Demao.

"Oh, I apologize for the inadequate reception. I represent the people of Jiangbei in welcoming you."

"Chief Xu, you're too kind."

Then, Xu Demao introduced Zhang Jue to several of his subordinates, and after shaking hands with each of them, they became acquainted.

At this moment, Xu Demao smiled again and said, "Today, Jiangbei has a distinguished guest. I failed to welcome you from afar, and the reception was inadequate. Please forgive me, Comrade Zhang Jue."

Zhang Jue smiled, hearing the underlying meaning in Xu Demao's words. He wanted to establish a connection with him.

"Of course not. By the way, I heard Manager Wang has prepared a table of food. If Chief Xu and the other chiefs don't mind, why don't we all go up and have a drink?"

Xu Demao and the others were delighted inside but said, "How can we impose? Why don't I set up a separate table and properly entertain Comrade Zhang Jue?"

Although they really wanted to go, it was necessary to be polite.

Zhang Jue patted Xu Demao's hand and said, "Oh, Chief Xu, you're being too formal. Let's go, please follow me upstairs."

"Please!"

'Ding Dong'

Just then, another elevator arrived, and out stepped Director Wan, who was sweating profusely. As he walked out, Zhang Jue and the others were about to enter the elevator. Seeing the person in the middle, surrounded by Chief Xu and others, Director Wan felt a sense of familiarity but didn't have time to think about it.

He hurriedly ran up and said, "Oh, Chief Xu, Secretary Li, Manager Wang. What a coincidence."

Chief Xu's eyes were almost spitting fire, and the district chiefs behind him were seething with hatred, already planning how to deal with Director Wan when they returned.

The group's attention was drawn to Director Wan, who then went up to shake hands with everyone. When he reached Zhang Jue, he smiled and said, "This..."

Just as he said that, Director Wan saw the young man looking at him with a smile, and gradually, the smile overlapped with a face from his memory, turning into a nightmare. Director Wan's face turned pale, and cold sweat poured down. He almost fainted.

Secretary Li, recalling that this guy had bumped into Minister Zhang earlier, had no good expression and coldly snorted, ignoring him. Chief Xu and the others also had no good expression.

Manager Wang, however, didn't know the inside story. As a manager, he believed in being well-connected, and knowing that Director Wan was from the Education Bureau, he thought it might be useful to introduce him, as a favor.

"Comrade Zhang Jue, this is Director Wan from the Education Bureau, with many students. Ha ha."

"Director Wan, this is Minister Zhang's distinguished guest, Comrade Zhang Jue."

Director Wan swallowed hard, his legs trembling like a sieve, and he extended his trembling hand.

Zhang Jue shook his hand and said with a smile, "No need for introductions, I know, I know."

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked and looked at Director Wan with newfound respect.

But just as Zhang Jue finished speaking, he changed his tone and said, "Today, I accidentally bumped into Director Wan, and he taught me that young people should be more careful when walking. Ha ha, indeed, he has many students."

With that, Zhang Jue walked into the elevator, his hands behind his back, and said no more.

Everyone suddenly understood. Oh, so that's how they knew each other.

At this moment, the way everyone looked at Director Wan was not just amusing but also cold. Chief Xu was so angry he could have killed him. Zhang Jue had just arrived in Jiangbei, and Director Wan had already made such a bad impression, potentially affecting their view of Jiangbei.

Manager Wang was even more furious, cursing himself for his loose tongue. He hadn't sold the favor and might even be seen as being in cahoots with Director Wan. He glared at Director Wan and coldly snorted, following Zhang Jue into the elevator.

Chief Xu gave Director Wan a cold look and said, "I will call your superior and report on your excellent performance today, Director Wan."

Everyone filed into the elevator, leaving Director Wan standing at the entrance, at a loss. Secretary Li stood in front of him and smiled, "Director Wan, is there anything else?"

The underlying meaning was, if there's nothing, you should leave quickly.

Director Wan nodded hesitantly and slowly turned to leave. He knew he was finished. His future was dark, with no light at all...

"..."

After a few rounds of drinks and several courses, Zhang Jue excused himself, saying he was tired, and went to rest in the guest room.

Xu Ju and the others didn't want to disturb him and quickly said their goodbyes.

Leaving the Guomao Hotel, Xu Ju and the others stood in the cold wind, deeply pondering. Although they had shared a meal with Zhang Jue, they were not at all happy.

Wang Liping and Li Ding were simply not worth it. Throughout the meal, they only played the role of accompanists, not speaking a word. They were tight-lipped about Zhang Jue's identity and background, as if the information was locked in a safe.

This was not entirely their fault. Wang Liping genuinely didn't know, and Li Ding didn't dare to say anything, not knowing where to start.

Xu Demao didn't dare to inquire either. After some probing, Zhang Jue casually said, "I'm from a small place, not worthy of Chief Xu's attention."

With just that, Xu Demao was completely shut down and didn't dare to ask any more.

So, after the meal, the already mysterious Zhang Jue became even more mysterious in the minds of Xu Demao and the others.

"Ah, Xu Ju, who is this person?"

Xu Demao frowned, took a deep puff of his cigarette, and said, "Forget it. Since he didn't say it himself, it means he doesn't want us to know. If we inquire rashly, it will make him resent us. Let's call it a day and go home."

Xu Demao looked back at the Guomao Hotel, sighed, and drove away.

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