Chapter Thirty-Six: Vying for the Wind and Stabbing with a Thorn

  The whole family was eating with a somewhat gloomy atmosphere. At the dinner table of Zhuxuanju, Da Shu Zeng Quanming gently lifted his wine glass and handed it to Su Fu Su Licheng, while Xiao Shu Zeng Zhaoding passed it on, saying "Come, let's have a drink first."

  After everyone took a sip and put down their cups, Zeng Quanming finally smiled, looked at Su Can, and said, "This matter of yours, I will definitely handle it properly. A head teacher, so arrogant, he thinks he's superior just because he's from No. 1 Middle School!"

  Everyone smiled wryly, and Second Uncle's words were self-contradictory. On the one hand, he said that No. 1 Middle School was nothing special, but on the other hand, wasn't his own son, Su Can, eager to get in even if it killed him?

  Actually, the elder uncle has also started to think about it in his heart. If he doesn't come forward, he can naturally entrust some relationships. It's because of this entrusted relationship that makes him slightly unable to put down his airs, and besides, after waiting for a while when the relationship is in place, there might still be a reconciliatory outcome in the end, which would make him appear somewhat embarrassed.

  A burst of laughter and chatter came from the next table beside the elegant seat, causing everyone to frown.

  This is a large room, because of the original construction reasons, it's not easy to separate, so screens are used to block the middle, which adds a unique flavor. The tables next door seem to be seated in order, and the banquet has begun.

  "Haha, Director Xiao's daughter is getting prettier and prettier. How about it, does she have a boyfriend?" A gentle voice came over.

  "No." The girl's face turned slightly red as she spoke.

  "Hey, Yu Shi, they're all just kids, what's there to talk about as friends? But it's true that nowadays kids are getting more and more mature at a younger age!"

  Su Can's side of the table was full of surprised faces, and it really was a narrow road for sworn enemies. Xiao Fei's family gathering happened to be next door as well. Listening to Xiao Fei mention that "Yu Shi", Xiao Ding had already started calculating which "Yu Shi" it could be. Could it be Yu Qiu, the former vice mayor of Xia Hai City?

  "It's my great honor to invite Mayor Yu and others to attend our little girl's celebration banquet, oh, of course, the main character today is still reporter Zhang from Xinhua News Agency! Being able to come to Xia Hai for an interview on flood control and rescue work shows the concern of the higher-level news department towards us!"

  A thick and ordinary male Mandarin voice sounded, "Where, I'm just conducting a special investigation, for some light disaster areas, even strategic rear areas to conduct public opinion interviews, it's just a small part of the project, my colleagues and I are bothering everyone."

  "However, Zhang journalist, although doing small things, has a big relationship. Only with your hard work can we truthfully and realistically present a series of reports to the masses and superiors!" Deputy Mayor Yu was somewhat elated, as the arrival of central journalists could be used for a big propaganda push. As part of the national flood control and disaster relief strategy, Xia Hai City had also started to rectify and clear up various engineering projects and water conservancy branch canals. In the process, some major problems were discovered, including dereliction of duty by the head of the Municipal Construction Bureau, who has now been dealt with by the municipal party committee. Although this matter involves the prestige of Xia Hai's leadership team, there is a world of difference between how it was handled before and after the arrival of central journalists.

  If central journalists came afterwards and exposed these series of problems, undoubtedly the entire Xihaishi would be smeared with mud and lose its luster. However, before that, it can only prove that Xihaishi's rectification was timely, eliminated major safety hazards, dug out derelict officials, and established a style of impartial law enforcement without leniency for the entire Xihaishi government team. This would be extremely beneficial to Xihaishi's propaganda.

  It turns out that the Municipal Construction Bureau is currently in a state of internal chaos, and it's clear that the bureau chief has problems. Xiao Fei is like a floating weed, trying to curry favor with powerful people by relying on his connections. Now, even the Planning Department Director's title is not effective, and the reputation of the Municipal Construction Bureau has taken a hit in public opinion. Colleagues from other departments look down on the Construction Bureau, which is why even the Teaching Director of City No. 1 Middle School dares to confront Da Shu's brother-in-law, Zeng Quanming.

  This kind of relationship where one department's honor is everyone's honor and one department's shame is everyone's shame, the eldest maternal uncle deeply understands now.

  "We're eating ours!" Big Uncle didn't even think about joining the big circle next door, let alone their side being worried about Su Can entering No. 1 Middle School, while Xiao Fei started celebrating his daughter's admission to No. 1 Middle School with a banquet, which was quite eye-catching.

  A group of people were in a gloomy mood, but unexpectedly, Xiao Fei got up to go to the bathroom and on his way back, he subconsciously glanced inside through the doorway. He caught sight of Su Can's family and was taken aback for a moment before bursting into loud laughter as he walked in.

  "Oh, Director Zeng, oh my, I didn't expect this! You're also here, right next to us. Hey, why didn't you say anything? This is quite a coincidence, everyone's together now. Mayor Yu and some other comrades from the city are all here. What a coincidence! Come on, waiter, take away this screen!"

  Duan walked away with the screen, and Su Can's family immediately felt themselves becoming duller, exposed under the strong light of Xiao Fei and others.

  Xiao Yunyun was wearing a brand new cotton pleated skirt, with a black hoodie over it, and a pair of shiny black leather shoes on her feet. She looked comfortable and full of youthful vitality. When she saw Su Can, she first froze for a moment, then smiled brightly at him, revealing her charming demeanor, which was very moving.

  She used to secretly love Su Can, and now she naturally wants to face him with a high attitude, and even more so, let him see her beautiful and lovely side. She wants to use the most beautiful side of herself to face those who have missed her in the past. Xiao Yunyun is not because she was rejected by Su Can's pursuit, but because she thinks that at that time, Su Can did not take the initiative to pursue her, which should be his lifelong regret.

  Of course, Xiao Yunyun is now a minor celebrity in school and can be considered the class beauty. There are many people pursuing her, and she naturally has someone she fancies. However, it's impossible for her to have feelings for someone who was once her junior in both status and position and is still studying at Third Middle School. On the contrary, she plans to give Su Can an unforgettable impression.

  As soon as the screen was removed, both sides immediately began introducing themselves and exchanging pleasantries.

  Xiao Yunyun got into First Middle School, and Xiao Fei said with a seemingly polite tone, "Ah, as parents, we are really relieved. Isn't this what we've been working towards our whole lives?" But in reality, he was beaming with pride on the inside. He glanced at Su Can, and the underlying meaning of his words was clear: our Xiao Yunyun is an excellent student at First Middle School, but how about your Su Can? Did he even get into Third Middle School? Of course, Xiao Fei didn't plan to give Zeng Quanming a hard time from the start. Instead, he felt that he had never enjoyed a meal so much in his life, and he wanted to savor this feeling, slowly humiliating Zeng Quanming bit by bit.

  "Come on, let me introduce you, this is a reporter from Xinhua News Agency's Central Station, Zhang Chaoyang, from the superior news department, he's very capable!"

  Zhang Chaoyang is around thirty years old, looking like a typical northern Han Chinese man, with a square and round face, having an air of being neither arrogant nor humble. He shook hands with his elder brother-in-law, being neither too close nor too distant, also very sincere, without the bureaucratic habit of superficial courtesy.

  Then, introducing the past, apart from Vice Mayor Yu Qiu, there were some leaders of cultural departments and supervisory departments. Su Can took a look and immediately understood the main and secondary positions at the table. Although it was said to be a celebration for Xiao Yunyun's success, this newcomer from Xinhua News Agency, Zhang Chaoyang, seemed to be the main guest. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy for Xiao Fei to invite Vice Mayor Yu Qiu. Judging from the situation, it was likely that when Xiao Fei invited guests, he coincidentally met Zhang Chaoyang on the other side of the vice mayor's office, and with a deliberate plan, enthusiastically pulled Zhang over, which led to the arrival of some prominent figures from the city.

  His elder uncle, Quan Ming, was very disgusted with Xiao Fei's behavior, but he had to hold back his anger in front of so many leaders, while Su Can and his family became the supporting actors.

  Everyone started walking in circles, Yu Qiu drank three rounds of wine and looked at Xiao Fei with increasing favor. Central reporter Zhang Chaoyang came down, the mayor and municipal party secretary had instructed not to be slow, he was thinking about how to get close to Zhang Chaoyang, but Zhang Chaoyang obviously had discipline, did not easily participate in local leaders' banquets. Xiao Fei successfully pulled Zhang Chaoyang onto the wine table on the grounds of celebrating his daughter's birthday, which made him feel great.

  Looking at Xiao Fei's daughter, Xiao Yunyun, her face was rosy like a peach blossom, with a gentle and delicate complexion. At the dinner table, she was elegant and refined in every move, speaking in a sweet tone. This was indeed a well-bred young lady. He had no idea that this was all an act put on by Xiao Yunyun for Su Can's benefit. In his heart, he couldn't help but think that although Xiao Fei and his wife didn't look very impressive, their daughter turned out to be clever and charming. Feeling relieved, he asked warmly, "Yunyun, how did you do in the middle school entrance exam? How many points did you score?"

  "Hmm... 612 points, not very good." Xiao Yunyun's face turned red, and the admission score line for Zhongyi was actually 610. In fact, she only scored 600 points, which was 10 points short, but thanks to Xiao Fei's connections, she was able to get into Zhongyi smoothly. However, in front of everyone, she couldn't possibly tell the truth and could only exaggerate a bit. Still, this score was already very high. She glanced at Su Can and felt a small sense of pride inside.

  This score should be enough to surprise this boy.

  "Oh, not bad, not bad." Yu Qiu nodded slightly, "Beautiful and talented, virtuous and gentle. Old Xiao, I think your daughter will make those young men suffer in the future!"

  "Haha, no way, at such a young age, talking about romance? Studying is the most important thing... I see those kids in school writing love letters every other day, and their mothers tear them up!"

  "Dad!" Xiao Yunyun gave her old dad a sideways glance, with a hint of spring in her eyebrows.

  "Haha!" Xiao Fei laughed heartily, his daughter was the one who made him feel most at ease. With a proud smile, he glanced at Su Can, earlier his words were also a warning and a show of strength to Su Can. The implication being that even those people from No. 1 Middle School weren't qualified, let alone Su Can who was far inferior.

  Yu Qiu nodded twice, looking at Zeng Quanming's table. Although he was more inclined towards Xiao Fei, Zeng Quanming's side couldn't be openly ignored, lest someone accused him of being biased. So, he also glanced at Su Can and said, "Ah, Director Zeng, is this your precious nephew? Is he taking the high school entrance exam this time too? How did he do? Which school did he get into?"

  Xiao Fei smiled, he was going to wait a while before throwing this question at Zeng Quanming, letting him make a fool of himself. But unexpectedly, Mayor Yu helped him out instead.