Noon.
County Investment Bureau.
During lunch break, Dong Xuebin took his subordinates out for a meal, both to communicate with one another and to celebrate their upcoming promotions. But perhaps because they had heard about the county's hard target of fifty million in investment, everyone from Zheng Dayou to Gong Na looked somewhat conflicted. They acted casual enough, but the stiffness on their faces was obvious. One by one, they barely ate anything. Even Cheng Yujie, who had been promoted to deputy section chief, seemed listless. Only Chang Juan smiled carefree, eating and drinking as she pleased, in an excellent mood.
"Sister Chang," Dong Xuebin called out to her.
"Xue... County Chief Dong, go ahead." She had almost called him Xuebin, but quickly corrected herself. Their relationship was close, but there were others present. Chang Juan was no longer Dong Xuebin's old colleague; she had transferred to the Investment Bureau, so the way she addressed him naturally had to change.
Dong Xuebin raised his cup. "Come on, let's have a toast. This meal is also to welcome you."
Chang Juan laughed. "Hehe, this isn't alcohol, though. All right, I'll toast you."
Dong Xuebin clinked cups with her. "Mine isn't alcohol either. We don't drink during work hours. It's the thought that counts. Cheers."
"Director Chang, I'd also like to toast you." Chen Yunsong raised his cup as well.
Seeing this, Cheng Yujie, Gong Na, and Xiao Hong also picked up their cups and toasted Chang Juan.
The words "Director Chang" left Chang Juan beaming. Happily, she clinked cups with everyone one by one, then took the initiative to toast Zheng Dayou as well.
At the table, only Dong Xuebin and Chang Juan were laughing and smiling. Everyone else was preoccupied with their worries, unable to relax, their faces full of