Let's go together

In another private room not far away, Zhang Liang and Liu Neng were fawning over a man who looked like a government official.

"Director Yu, come on, let me offer you a toast," Zhang Liang said with utmost eagerness.

The man addressed as Director Yu looked disdainful. He merely picked up his glass, took a small sip, and set it down before saying gravely, "You should both know that a lot of companies have their eyes on this government procurement contract. Your company has no advantage whatsoever, whether in size or pricing."

How could two seasoned businessmen fail to pick up on his meaning?

Zhang Liang hurriedly took a bank card from his pocket and slipped it into Director Yu's hand. "You're absolutely right, Director Yu. That's why we'll need you to put in a little extra effort on this matter."

At the sight of the bank card, Director Yu initially put on a show of integrity and pushed it away. "What are you doing?"

Zhang Liang chuckled. "Just a small token of our appreciation. We hope you'll look out for us, Director Yu."

As soon as Zhang Liang pressed the card into Director Yu's hand, Liu Neng sweetened the deal. "If you help us secure this contract, Director Yu, we can also give you a ten-percent kickback."

At that offer, Director Yu's eyes lit up almost imperceptibly.

The government procurement project he oversaw was worth more than ten million. Ten percent meant over a million. That illicit income certainly tempted him.

After a little consideration, Director Yu adopted a serious expression. "This project is being put out to public tender. Only a capable bidder can win. All I can do is try to look into it for you."

Although he had not given them a direct answer, his implication could hardly have been clearer.

Liu Neng and Zhang Liang immediately exchanged a glance, then raised their glasses for another drink.

After draining his glass, Director Yu suddenly heard his phone ring.

He checked the caller and answered impatiently. "Hello? What do you want? I'm busy right now."

The person on the other end had barely said two sentences before Director Yu sprang out of his chair. "What did you say? Mayor Jia is dining at the Ancient Sovereign right now?"

With that, Director Yu hung up, grabbed his wineglass, and hurried out.

Zhang Liang and Liu Neng froze for a moment, then immediately caught on. Director Yu was clearly going to offer Mayor Jia a toast.

A city's mayor was no ordinary figure. Never mind men like Liu Neng and Zhang Liang—even Director Yu could hardly meet him whenever he wished. How could the two of them miss such a chance to get noticed?

They had just followed him out when Director Yu frowned. "Why are you two following me?"

Zhang Liang chuckled. "Director Yu, you're going to toast the mayor, aren't you? Take us along."

Director Yu immediately stopped, displeased. "Do you think you can see the mayor whenever you like? Stop meddling and go back."

"Director Yu, wouldn't having us with you make you look more important? If Mayor Jia is happy to see you and invites you to sit down for a drink, we could even drink on your behalf." Liu Neng's sales background certainly showed. His pitch left Director Yu blinking.

Seeing Director Yu waver, Zhang Liang quickly added, "Exactly, Director Yu. Take us along and let us broaden our horizons."

Under their persuasion, Director Yu began to hesitate. After collecting himself, he finally said, "All right, but I can't guarantee you'll get inside when we arrive. And if you do get in, don't say anything out of line."

"Don't worry. We absolutely won't."

Inside private room VV888, Chen Hao and the others were eating when two people entered.

Leading the way was a highly capable-looking middle-aged man. The moment he entered, he hurried toward Chu Jinliang with a welcoming smile.

Chen Hao recognized the man following him: Wang Xuankai, the Ancient Sovereign's lobby manager.

When the middle-aged man reached Chu Jinliang, he also greeted Mayor Jia. His gaze passed over Chen Hao, revealing a hint of puzzlement.

"Oh, Commander Chu, I'm terribly sorry I wasn't there to welcome you. I hope you won't hold it against me." The middle-aged man launched straight into pleasantries beside Chu Jinliang.

Chu Jinliang merely glanced at him without offering much of a response, leaving the man somewhat embarrassed.

Smiling, he took a gold card from his pocket and placed it on the table in front of Chu Jinliang. "Commander Chu, I won't take up much of your time. I only came to present you with a Supreme VIP Card for the Ancient Sovereign. I hope you'll do us the honor of accepting this modest gift."

The others present might not have understood the significance of the Ancient Sovereign's Supreme VIP Card, but Mayor Jia knew it very well.

Mayor Jia immediately put on a serious expression. "Now, Manager Wang Kaixuan, I spent more than half a year asking you for a Supreme VIP Card and never got one. Yet the moment Elder Chu arrives, you simply give him one. I'm offended!"

Of course, Wang Kaixuan understood that Mayor Jia was not criticizing him, but indirectly elevating Chu Jinliang's status. He smiled. "Mayor Jia, as you know, we can only issue one Supreme VIP Card each year. The number is extremely limited. How about this? Next year, I'll definitely apply for one for you."

Hearing his name, Chen Hao immediately understood. Wang Xuankai and Wang Kaixuan—they were brothers. No wonder they looked somewhat alike.

As the two traded remarks, Chu Jinliang gave a light cough, sounding rather impatient.

Seeing this, Wang Kaixuan immediately smiled, bowed, and withdrew. "Sorry for taking up your valuable time, Commander Chu. I'll leave you to it. Please enjoy your meal."

As soon as Wang Kaixuan left, Chu Jinliang shook his head and slid the Supreme VIP Card in front of Chen Hao.

Chen Hao blinked. Although he still did not know exactly what the Supreme VIP Card was for, Mayor Jia's words had given him some sense of its value. "Grandpa Chu, what are you doing?"

Given Chu Jinliang's standing, he naturally attached little importance to such things. "I have no use for this sort of card. Keep it. It might come in handy when you treat someone to a meal."

Although Mayor Jia's eyes burned with desire, as though he wanted to claim it for himself, he would never show it openly. He hurriedly echoed Chu Jinliang. "Yes, Chen, just accept it. Don't let Elder Chu's kindness go to waste."

Just then, Chu Mengling leaned close to Chen Hao's ear and whispered, "Keep it. You could sell this Supreme VIP Card for at least ten million."

No way!

Chen Hao was utterly stunned. Ten million for a card? I'm not well educated, so don't fool me!

He picked it up for a closer look. The entire card gleamed gold and felt rather heavy in his hand. Could it actually be covered in gold?

If not for the setting, Chen Hao probably would have bitten it a couple of times to test it.

Outside, when Director Yu arrived at private room VV888 with his two followers, they saw several men in military uniforms guarding the entrance.

At the sight, all three silently marveled at the impressive entourage Mayor Jia had brought.

Stepping forward, Director Yu politely asked one of the soldiers at the door, "Excuse me, is Mayor Jia dining inside?"

The soldier replied solemnly, "Yes. What do you need?"

"Oh, hello. I'm Director Yu from Songjiang District. I happened to hear that Mayor Jia was here today, so I came specifically to offer him a toast."

Setting aside his usual arrogance, Director Yu spoke with great respect. He had assumed the soldier would at least show him some consideration, but instead—

"Sorry. No one can enter without Mayor Jia's personal permission. Please leave."

Director Yu froze, clearly embarrassed. "Listen, comrade, if I don't go inside, how do you know Mayor Jia won't agree?"

"Then you can call Mayor Jia and ask him to come out and receive you himself."

The soldier's reply infuriated Director Yu. Was this some kind of joke?

Even if he had Mayor Jia's number, he certainly did not have the standing to ask the mayor to come out and welcome him personally. This was clearly making things difficult for him.

While Director Yu argued incessantly with the soldier at the entrance, the door suddenly opened.

Wang Kaixuan and his companion happened to be coming out.

Seizing the opening, Director Yu immediately shouted through the gap in the doorway, "Mayor Jia! Mayor Jia, it's me!"

The soldier promptly stopped Director Yu as he tried to rush inside.

The little commotion outside immediately drew everyone's attention. Chu Jinliang frowned and told Qiao Shan beside him, "Go see what's happening. What's all that noise?"

"Yes, sir." Qiao Shan immediately rose and went over.

Chen Hao glanced outside, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, then said to Mayor Jia, "Mayor Jia, that man outside seems to be looking for you."

Jia Zhengyi immediately looked embarrassed. Inwardly, he cursed whichever oblivious fool was making him lose face on such an occasion. All he could do was pretend nothing was wrong as he stood to head over. "Excuse me. I'll go see who it is."

But before Jia Zhengyi had taken two steps, Chen Hao said with a smile, "Anyone who comes is a guest. Since he's here to see Mayor Jia, why not invite him in?"

It was not that Chen Hao had any interest in Jia Zhengyi's friends. Rather, he had spotted Zhang Liang and Liu Neng standing behind Director Yu.

Since they had all come to see Jia Zhengyi, and the two were his colleagues, he might as well give them a chance to come in, toast Mayor Jia, and meet the others while they were at it.

With Chen Hao having spoken, Chu Jinliang naturally would not refuse. He casually said, "Chen has a point. Invite them in."

"All right!"

Somewhat puzzled, Jia Zhengyi nodded and headed for the door.

Seeing that Mayor Jia really was coming over, Director Yu immediately told the soldier blocking him, "See that? Mayor Jia has come out personally. Hurry up and get out of my way."

Yet the soldier remained motionless, firmly keeping Director Yu and the others outside.

Only after Qiao Shan gave the order did the soldier let them through.

Jia Zhengyi reached the doorway and studied Director Yu and his two companions for a moment. Unable to recall who they were, he could only ask in confusion, "Who are you?"

Director Yu immediately beamed. "Mayor Jia, I'm Director Yu from the Songjiang District Administrative Committee. You saw me at the midyear general assembly. Important people do have so much to remember!"

Jia Zhengyi rarely dealt with minor figures like him, so naturally he had little impression of the man. To spare him embarrassment, he could only pretend to remember for now. "Oh, it's you. Did you need something?"

Director Yu lifted the wineglass in his hand. "I heard you happened to be dining here too, so I came specifically to offer you a toast."

Under normal circumstances, Jia Zhengyi would certainly have declined politely. He hardly had the time to entertain this man. But recalling Chu Jinliang's words, he could only invite them in reluctantly. "All right, come in, then."

His words delighted Director Yu and his companions, and they hurried into the private room.

As he passed the soldier who had stopped them, Director Yu deliberately gave a disdainful snort, looking every bit the petty man reveling in his moment of triumph.