Chapter 35

Chapter 36: Rivalry and barbs

The whole family was somewhat downcast over dinner. At their table in the Bamboo Pavilion, Su Can's eldest uncle, Zeng Qu anming, raised his wineglass slightly toward Su Can's father, Su Licheng, and his younger uncle, Zeng Zhaoding. "Come on, let's have a drink first."

Only after everyone had taken a sip and put down their glasses did Zeng Qu anming smack his lips and glance at Su Can. "I'm definitely going to get this business with your Su Can sorted out. A mere dean of studies, acting so arrogant! What's so great about his No. 1 High School?"

Everyone gave a wry smile. His eldest uncle was contradicting himself: he was asking what was so great about City First Middle School, yet wasn't Su Can prepared to batter his head bloody trying to get in?

His eldest uncle was actually turning things over in his mind too. If it was inconvenient for him to intervene personally, he could naturally call on some connections. But having to pull strings was precisely what made it hard for him to swallow his pride. Besides, once those connections were brought into play, it might still end in a reconciliation, which would make him look rather spineless.

A burst of laughter and noisy merriment came from the neighboring table beside their alcove. Everyone frowned.

This was a large private dining room. Because of the way it had originally been built, it was difficult to partition, so screens had been placed down the middle, giving it a distinctive charm. The hosts and guests at the neighboring table had evidently taken their seats one after another, and their dinner was underway.

"Haha, Director Xiao's daughter is getting prettier by the day. So, Yunyun, do you have a boyfriend?" came an affable-sounding voice.

"Not yet." The girl who spoke blushed slightly.

"Oh, Deputy Mayor Yu, they're only children. What would they be doing dating? Still, children these days really are maturing earlier and earlier!"

Everyone at Su Can's table exchanged looks. Enemies really did meet on narrow roads: Xiao Fei had actually chosen the adjoining space for his family gathering. Hearing Xiao Fei address someone as "Deputy Mayor Yu," his younger uncle, Zeng Zhaoding, began wondering which Deputy Mayor Yu this was. Could it be Yu Qiushou, the deputy mayor of Xiahai City?

"It's truly an immense honor for me, Xiao Fei, to have Deputy Mayor Yu and everyone else attend my daughter's celebration dinner today. Oh, of course, our most important guest today is Reporter Zhang from the Xinhua News Agency! His coming to Xiahai to report on flood control and disaster relief shows the concern the higher-level news organizations have for us!"

Then a rich male voice spoke in standard Mandarin. "Not at all. I'm only conducting a special investigation. Interviewing people in some of the lightly affected areas, and even in the strategic rear, is only a small part of the assignment. My colleagues and I are the ones imposing on everyone."

"Not at all. Reporter Zhang's work may involve small matters, but they have great significance. Only through your hard work can a series of truthful, factual reports be presented to the public and the higher authorities!" Deputy Mayor Yu was feeling rather pleased with himself. The arrival of a central-level reporter offered an excellent publicity opportunity. As part of the nationwide strategy for flood control and disaster relief, Xiahai City had also begun inspecting and clearing its various projects, reservoirs, and main and branch waterways. Several major problems had been discovered in the process. The director of the City Construction Bureau was suspected of dereliction of duty, and the Municipal Party Committee was already overseeing the handling of his case. Although this investigation involved the reputation of Xiahai's leadership, there was a world of difference between discovering the matter before the central-level reporter arrived and discovering it afterward.

If this whole series of problems only came to light after the central-level reporter arrived, the whole of Xiahai City would undoubtedly be smeared with mud and lose face. Discovered beforehand, however, they could only demonstrate that Xiahai City had acted promptly, eliminated major safety hazards, and rooted out public servants guilty of dereliction. It could further establish the entire city administration's image of enforcing the law impartially and without leniency. That would be tremendously beneficial to Xiahai's publicity.

For the moment, though, things inside the City Construction Bureau were rather chaotic. With his own bureau chief in trouble, Xiao Fei was evidently like a piece of duckweed, seeking out powerful patrons and connections everywhere. His eldest uncle's title as director of the Planning Office carried little weight now either. The City Construction Bureau's reputation had abruptly fallen in public opinion, and colleagues in other government offices looked down on everyone from the bureau. It was no wonder that even the dean of studies at City First Middle School dared challenge his eldest uncle, Zeng Qu anming.

His eldest uncle now understood all too well how everyone in a department shared its glory and its disgrace.

"Let's just eat our own dinner!" His eldest uncle had no intention of joining the large gathering next door. Besides, while they were still worrying over Su Can's admission to City First Middle School, Xiao Fei had already begun celebrating his daughter's acceptance into No. 1 High School. Placed side by side, the contrast was particularly glaring.

Everyone remained downcast. What they had not expected was that, during dinner, Xiao Fei would go out to use the restroom and instinctively glance through their doorway on his way back, spotting Su Can and his family at once. Xiao Fei paused in surprise, then walked in with a hearty laugh.

"Oh, Director Zeng! My, my, what a surprise! You're here too, right next door to us! Why didn't you say something? What a coincidence. Let's all join together! Deputy Mayor Yu and several colleagues from the city are here too. What a coincidence, what a coincidence! Here, waiter, take this screen away!"

Once the screen was carried away, Su Can's family immediately felt themselves fade into the shadows, exposed to the dazzling light surrounding Xiao Fei and his companions.

Today, Xiao Yunyun wore a newly bought cotton pleated skirt with a black hooded jacket over it and a pair of gleaming black leather shoes. She looked comfortable and full of youthful vitality. When she saw Su Can, she froze briefly before giving him a radiant smile, displaying all her girlish charm. She was very appealing.

She had once had a secret crush on Su Can, so naturally she now had to face him from a position of superiority and let him see her pretty, lovable side. She wanted to show her most beautiful self to those who had once missed their chance with her. Of course, it was not that Xiao Yunyun had pursued Su Can and been rejected. Rather, she felt that his failure to take the initiative and pursue her back then ought to become a lifelong regret for him.

Of course, Xiao Yunyun now had something of a reputation at school and was considered one of her class's beauties. She had no shortage of admirers and naturally had someone she liked too. There was no way she would be attracted to her childhood crush now, when he lagged behind her in both standing and status and still attended Third Middle School. On the contrary, she intended to leave an unforgettable impression on Su Can.

As soon as the screen was removed, the two sides began introducing themselves, inevitably exchanging another round of pleasantries.

"Xiao Yunyun got into No. 1 High School. Ah, we're so pleased as her parents. What else have we lived our whole lives for, if not this child?" Xiao Fei spoke to Zeng Qu anming with apparent politeness, but inwardly he was indescribably smug. He glanced at Su Can. The implication of his words was perfectly clear: our Xiao Yunyun was an outstanding student at No. 1 High School, but how were your Su Can's grades? Had he made it into No. 3 Middle School? Of course, Xiao Fei had no intention of putting Zeng Qu anming in his place right away. He felt he had never enjoyed a meal this much before. He wanted to savor the feeling slowly and humiliate Zeng Qu anming bit by bit.

"Here, let me introduce you. This is Zhang Chaoyang, a Central Television reporter here from the Xinhua News Agency. He's from a higher-level news organization, a very capable man!"

Zhang Chaoyang was in his thirties and looked like a typical northerner, with a broad, square face and a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing. He shook hands with Su Can's eldest uncle, neither warmly nor coldly, but with genuine sincerity, without the superficial courtesy habitual to bureaucrats.

The introductions continued. Apart from Deputy Mayor Yu Qiushou, there were leaders from cultural and supervisory departments. One look made the hierarchy at the table clear to Su Can. Though the stated purpose was to celebrate Xiao Yunyun's admission to No. 1 High School, Zhang Chaoyang from the Xinhua News Agency was plainly the guest of honor. Otherwise, how could Xiao Fei have invited Deputy Mayor Yu so easily? From the look of things, Xiao Fei had probably happened to encounter Zhang Chaoyang with the deputy mayor while arranging his dinner. He must have formed a plan and enthusiastically drawn Zhang Chaoyang into the gathering, thereby bringing along a whole group of prominent city figures.

Although his eldest uncle, Zeng Qu anming, deeply disliked Xiao Fei's tactics and wanted no part of them, with so many leaders present, he could only swallow his anger. Su Can's family, meanwhile, seemed to have become mere background decoration.

Naturally, everyone began making the rounds. After several rounds of drinks, Yu Qiushou found Xiao Fei increasingly agreeable. Both the mayor and the Municipal Party Committee secretary had instructed him not to neglect the visiting central-level reporter, Zhang Chaoyang. He had been wondering how to get closer to Zhang Chaoyang, who evidently had rules to follow and did not readily attend banquets hosted by local leaders. By using his daughter's celebration as a reason, Xiao Fei had successfully brought Zhang Chaoyang to the table, putting Yu Qiushou in an excellent mood.

Looking again at Xiao Fei's daughter, Xiao Yunyun, he saw rosy cheeks like pink peach blossoms, lovely features, and a graceful, appropriate manner at the table. Even the way she spoke and addressed people was sweet. She was every bit a well-bred young lady. Of course, he did not know that this was a performance Xiao Yunyun was deliberately putting on for Su Can. He had not expected Xiao Fei and his wife, neither of whom was much to look at, to have such a sweet, pleasant daughter. Feeling cheerful, he asked Xiao Yunyun kindly, "Yunyun, how did your high school entrance exam go? How many points did you score?"

"Um, 612. Not very good." Xiao Yunyun blushed. No. 1 High School's admission cutoff was 610. She had actually scored only 600, ten points short, and it was only through Xiao Fei's connections that she had secured admission. In front of everyone, however, she naturally could not tell the truth and could only inflate her score a little. Even so, this was already a very high score. She glanced at Su Can, feeling a small stir of vanity.

My score ought to surprise this boy.

"Oh. Very good, very good." Yu Qiushou nodded. "Beautiful, charming, talented, and virtuous. Xiao, I think this daughter of yours is going to have the young men fighting bloody battles over her someday!"

"Haha, not at all. What would a child her age be doing dating? Studying is what matters most. Those little brats at school keep writing her letters every few days. Her mother tears them all up!"

"Dad!" Xiao Yunyun shot her father a reproachful look, her brows alive with romantic feeling.

"Haha!" Xiao Fei laughed heartily. Nothing pleased him more than this daughter of his. He cast a smug glance at Su Can. His words just now had also been a warning to Su Can, a way to put him in his place. The implication was that even the boys at No. 1 High School were unqualified, so Su Can naturally fell far, far short.

Yu Qiushou clicked his tongue twice and looked toward Zeng Qu anming's table. Although he favored Xiao Fei, he could not openly neglect Zeng Qu anming's side and have people criticize him behind his back for showing partiality. He looked at Su Can as well. "Ah, Director Zeng, this must be that precious nephew of yours. Did he take the high school entrance exam this year too? How were his results? Which school did he get into?"

Xiao Fei smiled. He had intended to throw that question at Zeng Qu anming a little later and thoroughly embarrass him. He had not expected Deputy Mayor Yu to plant that thorn on his behalf.