"Old man, how did you get here?"

Chen Fang quickly rushed to his side and asked.

The elderly man still wore a shy expression.

Chuckling, he patted his belly and said, "I'm hungry, you treat me to noodles."

"I will treat you to noodles, I will treat you, but there are leaders present now, please wait for me over there first."

Chen Fang patiently explained.

The old man nodded like a child.

He said, "Okay, then I'll wait for you over there."

Having said that,

he happily ran to the corner and waited obediently, leaving Li Yuting, Dou Qingquan, and the others completely dumbfounded.

All eyes were on Chen Fang, their faces filled with surprise and disbelief.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

Chen Fang asked.

"Ah Fang, how do you know Old Fang?"

Pei Shanglian came over and asked incredulously.

"What Old Fang?"

Chen Fang scratched his head and asked.

Pei Shanglian's gaze shifted to the corner and he said, "I mean the old man who was just talking to you."

"Oh, him, what about him? Do you know him?"

"You don't know who he is?"

"Don't know, isn't he just an old man?"

Chen Fang asked.

Pei Shanglian opened his mouth wide in disbelief and looked at Chen Fang. Realizing Chen Fang had been transferred from another province, he suddenly lightened his tone and said softly, "Have you ever heard the name Fang Zhongshu?"

"Fang Zhongshu…"

Chen Fang muttered to himself.

Suddenly, he tensed and asked, "You mean the 'Black-faced Secretary' Fang Zhongshu? The former Jiangdong Province Party Secretary who first proposed the development of private economy in Jiangdong Province?"

"That's him."

Pei Shanglian said.

This time, it was Chen Fang's turn to be so shocked that his mouth hung open.

Fang Zhongshu was not only famous in Jiangdong Province, he was one of the most famous provincial Party secretaries nationwide.

In the early eighties,

the nation began implementing the reform and opening-up policy.

At that time, as the top leader, Fang Zhongshu was the first to propose a bold exploration into the development of private economy in Jiangdong Province.

In today's terms,

that may not seem like much.

But back then, it was incredibly progressive and daring.

After all, the private economy was considered a precarious species, a slight misstep could have branded him as a capitalist, but it was precisely Fang Zhongshu's boldness that helped Jiangdong Province's economy achieve a leading role in the national myth.

Besides.

He also had the nickname "Black-faced Secretary."

Not because his face was dark.

But because of his iron-fisted approach.

Still in the early eighties,

when organized crime was rampant in Jiangdong Province, Fang Zhongshu adopted a hardline suppressive policy against forces jeopardizing social stability, which is why the public order in Jiangdong Province ranks among the top nationwide even today.

Though some criminal forces have resurfaced now, they are still few and far between compared to other places.

Throughout his life, Fang Zhongshu faced many threats to his life and was even gunned down by criminals, leaving a bullet lodged in his shoulder that could not be removed, reflecting the resentment he incurred during his tenure.

Before he retired more than a decade ago,

the higher-ups had repeatedly tried to transfer him to the central government to enjoy a peaceful retirement, but he had always declined.

Therefore, he was given a nominal senior position to retire as the Party Secretary of Jiangdong Province.

You might see him now as a shabby old man.

But his rank, is legitimately that of a vice-national level official.

And such an old man, dressed so shabbily, even had to pay for his own noodles.

"Chen... Comrade Chen Fang, that... do you know Old Fang?"

Leaving behind his prior arrogance,

Li Yuting approached proactively, stuttered and asked.

"Hmm... I wouldn't say we know each other well, just... shared a meal or two and dealt with some trivial matters."

Chen Fang didn't brag either.

But such a statement made Li Yuting break into a cold sweat.

Thinking about the recent assignment order Chen Fang had received.

He seemed to have understood something.

Swallowing his saliva, he grabbed Chen Fang's hand and said, "Comrade Chen Fang, about your accomplishments in Guyang City, they are truly commendable. When I go back, I will make sure to report the spirit and demeanor I observed in Guyang City to the provincial committee..."

"Governor Li, you just said..."

Chen Fang hadn't finished speaking.

Li Yuting hurriedly interrupted him, saying, "That... all those were misunderstandings, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning..."

Watching this scene.

Chen Fang felt both amused and annoyed.

Ever since his arrival in Guyang City, he had always been suppressed, but the appearance of an indistinguishable old man from the crowd made him suddenly seem esteemed.

Wasn't this the sorrow within the system?

He said, "Governor Li, it's getting late, shall I go and have dinner with Old Fang?"

"I'll join you."

Li Yuting quickly said.

Chen Fang waved his hand, saying, "Never mind, we're just going to have noodles. I'm afraid they might not suit your taste, Governor Li."

After speaking,

he turned and left.

At that moment, Li Yuting was furious inside.

He almost wanted to flay Chen Fang alive.

He had just missed a chance to get close to Old Fang, all because of Chen Fang's interference.

Yet outwardly, he still put on a grin, as if he was afraid of provoking Chen Fang.

Everyone watched as Chen Fang and Fang Zhongshu left, talking and laughing.

Dou Qingquan moved closer to Li Yuting.

He sycophantically said, "Governor Li, it's getting late, shall we go to eat?"

"Eat, eat, eat, that's all you think about. I'm going back. You all can take your time with the food."

Li Yuting stamped his foot and left with his entourage.

He definitely wouldn't go hungry in Guyang City today, since he was filled with anger.

Such a high-ranking deputy governor,

being flattered and followed everywhere, but in Guyang City, not only did he lose face, he also harbored unspeakable frustrations.

Checking the time,

it was already half past one in the afternoon.

Busy all morning, he hadn't even had a sip of water.

He had thought he would take this opportunity to press down on Chen Fang.

But all morning long,

Chen Fang was promoted.

What's worse, Chen Fang seemed to be intimately connected with Fang Zhongshu.

From this time onward, Dou Qingquan had completely seen Chen Fang's capability.

And from then on, Dou Qingquan's desire to make life difficult for Chen Fang never ignited again.

"Old man, are two bowls enough, or should I add some side dishes?"

In the noodle shop,

Chen Fang asked Fang Zhongshu.

Fang Zhongshu, looking sheepish, nodded continuously, laughing, "Enough, enough, I can eat my fill today."

He stuffed his mouth with two chopsticks-full.

Seeing that Chen Fang wasn't eating,

he asked, "Why aren't you eating?"

"You go ahead, I'm not hungry,"

Chen Fang said with a smile.

Fang Zhongshu chuckled, didn't mind Chen Fang, and started gobbling down his food like a whirlwind sweeping leaves, finishing the two large bowls of noodles within minutes.

After burping,

he wiped his greasy mouth and contentedly said, "The noodles today were really energizing."

"I suspect Old Fang didn't come just for the noodles today?"

Chen Fang asked with a smile.

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