The Reason for His Friendliness

Wanping Province has extremely underdeveloped infrastructure.

The fact that Zhang Xuezhou used the word "extreme" clearly comes from comparison.

Fengdu City, the capital city of Wanping Province, is not even as developed as Sudong City, which can only be considered a second-tier city in Sudong City Jidu Province.

Zhang Xuezhou's evaluation of development does not involve comparing the number of skyscrapers, but rather considers the width of roads, road conditions, vehicles, streetlights, and other basic infrastructure.

In Fengdu City, there are not only cars and people on the streets, but also livestock such as horses. The entire city has no traffic lights, and people move around freely.

Even though the car carrying Zhang Xuezhou and others was following behind Zhao Tianhua, it still encountered traffic jams and was stopped for more than ten minutes along the way.

"His enthusiasm is abnormal!"

"Many people have given you tips at the Twilight Years Mansion!"

Zhang Xuezhou Zhang Xuezhou some doubts about Zhao Tianhua's amiable demeanor, but he only realized what was going on after Wang Haoran explained the situation.

With the rapid, crushing blows and the support of many people at the Twilight Years Mansion, Zhao Tianhua's attitude underwent a complete 360-degree change.

"You seem to have a good relationship with people like the former Chairman of the Changkong?" Wang Haoran asked with interest.

"There is a slight connection!"

Zhang Xuezhou stroked his chin.

He had previously thought that Changkong Luo and the others weren't in a hurry at all, but after seeing the list of donations, he realized that these people had gone through a period of discussion and research, and had most likely reached a consensus on the longevity drug.

"These people are entering their twilight years, and their behavior is unpredictable. You must be careful of their fickle attitudes when you interact with them," Wang Haoran advised.

"That's right!"

Zhang Xuezhou nodded.

If his connection with Changkong Luo and others does not involve Mental Strengthening and life-extending drugs, but is instead tied together by other interests, then it is undoubtedly a high-risk matter.

However, the situation was exactly what Changkong Luo and others had a strong need for, and Zhang Xuezhou was able to meet some of their conditions.

None of these people wanted Zhang Xuezhou to run into trouble, so it's not surprising that they came out to support him given the situation in Wanping Province.

Zhao Tianhua's change of attitude is also related to this.

Zhao Tianhua wouldn't care about Wang Haoran. Even if Wang Haoran Wang Haoran were in the Fifth Sequence, or even the Sixth Sequence, Zhao Tianhua wouldn't consider him an opponent of the same level. Only the aging former rank committee members in Western Capital City could keep Zhao Tianhua in check.

The two exchanged a few words in the car, and when the vehicle stopped, a five-story golden building appeared in front of Zhang Xuezhou and the others.

Someone quickly ran forward to open the car door, while another person laid out a carpet and quickly paved the way forward.

"Xuezhou, come here!"

Zhao Tianhua, who got off the bus ahead, waved and greeted Zhang Xuezhou very warmly.

Not to mention Wang Haoran's somewhat amused gaze, Qin Wenhan and Zhong Zhenzhen's eyes also flickered, while many Wanping people were exceptionally enthusiastic.

Amidst the continuous cheers and celebrations, those unaware of the inside story might have thought that someone from Wanping had won the youth challenge championship.

The transformation of Wanping Province from forceful autocracy to warm hospitality caught Wang Haoran somewhat off guard.

Wang Haoran considered the best-case scenario, but he hadn't imagined it would be this good.

Zhao Tianhua's actions were almost like treating Zhang Xuezhou as the most honored guest.

"Committee members Wang, Qin, and Zhong, come here! Where's Committee member Song? Everyone, let's celebrate our Xuezhou's victory today!"

"Celebrate!"

Wang Haoran made a congratulatory gesture, then gestured to indicate that he was unaware of Song Bu'er's situation.

After making the gesture, he had no choice but to follow.

After the Youth Challenge, Zhao Tianhua invited many people who organized the event, especially Zhang Xuezhou, who was involved in key events, and insisted on holding a celebratory banquet.

Even though Wang Haoran declined, mentioning that there was another event to be held in two days, Zhao Tianhua did not agree. Instead, he asked Wang Haoran about the location of the next venue and then made a call to scold the organizers of the next province for a long time.

"I cursed Wang Yingbo from Cangbei, and that old bastard won't dare to act recklessly here. Letting him wait a day won't make a difference," Zhao Tianhua shouted. "Don't worry about the delay; there are some promising talents from Western Capital City who haven't returned yet. Every day of delay has its advantages!"

You're right!

Wang Haoran thought about Ren Anran and the others in the Thousand Islands Alliance and finally agreed to the invitation, abandoning his plan to just make a token appearance and leave.

As the largest landlord in Wanping Province, Zhao Tianhua could offer the best hospitality with just a word, no matter how backward the infrastructure was.

Upon entering the magnificent building, one is greeted by countless twinkling ceiling lights, like those in the night sky. The soft glow illuminates the surrounding orange-yellow walls, making one feel as if bathed in the golden light of a sunset.

Going up the stairs at the building's entrance, you enter directly into the spacious area on the second floor.

Nearly a thousand long, silver-plated tables are arranged throughout the space, with a large, golden round table at the very center.

"This is where we Wanping people discuss matters, and also where we have meals and gatherings," Zhao Tianhua explained. "The first floor is the kitchen, the second floor is the dining room, and the third, fourth, and fifth floors are all bedrooms. You can eat and sleep here all the time!"

"Great place!"

Zhang Xuezhou gave a half-hearted compliment.

He glanced around the welcoming area and saw hundreds of young women dressed in colorful fur coats walking briskly up the stairs to serve drinks.

Jars of sealed wine, each holding more than ten liters, were continuously brought upstairs and placed around the table.

"We'll serve you fine wine and meat when you arrive," Zhao Tianhua said. "It's rare to find such a talented young person in this era; this Golden Palace is worthy of being opened to you!"

"Golden Palace is a good name!"

Zhang Xuezhou echoed in agreement.

He remembered the warnings from Ren Yisheng and the others, and his tone remained indifferent. Even when talking to Zhao Tianhua, he kept a certain distance and was not flattered by the fact that the other party had draped a coat over his shoulders and invited him to a meal.

The more Zhang Xuezhou acted this way, the worse Zhao Tianhua felt, imagining Wanping Province smiling apologetically decades later.

He recalled Qin Wenhan's words, "There are hundreds or even thousands of people whose strength is similar to or even surpasses yours," and he became even more wary of the old acquaintances at the Twilight Years Mansion standing up for him.

If Western Capital City's gene technology becomes too advanced, one day he too might be shot dead like the younger generation—a consequence Zhao Tianhua dared not even imagine.

He wanted to understand Zhang Xuezhou's genetic development very well, and even more so, he wanted to understand what kind of interests those old acquaintances at the Twilight Years Mansion had with the other party that made them so supportive of him.

In short, he needs to have what others have.

The thought of the people of Western Capital City living a life of luxury while he and a bunch of rough men were left to eat dirt in the Northwest was something Zhao Tianhua was unwilling to do.

This requires the members of the Wanping Province's sequence committee to quickly go to Western Capital City, and to continuously engage in closer interactions with Western Capital City, even integrating into Western Capital City, rather than thinking about seizing businesses, land, and profits in Western Capital City.

Only with sufficient openness and acceptance can Western Capital's top leadership truly accommodate other provinces and lead many other provinces and cities to stride forward together.