Xu Chunliang's social skills immediately made him stand out; he moved through the crowd, toasting the elders one after another, never letting any elder's words fall on deaf ears. In contrast, a few of his peers just didn't have the same ability, fully proving that social skills have nothing to do with academic qualifications.

Xu Changshan and Gao Hong Hall, the two old friends, hadn't drunk together for a long time. After having two cups of wine, Xu Changshan asked if he was back for good this time.

Gao Hong Hall shook his head; his daughter needed him to help pick up his grandson from school, so he definitely had to return to the Capital City.

At that moment, Gao Xiaobai came over to toast Xu Changshan, who beamed, "Xiaobai has grown into a fine young woman, a top student at Shuimu, good job!"

Gao Xiaobai is the pride of the Gao Family, Gao Hong Hall said, "She's already secured her graduate studies."

Xu Changshan said, "Impressive, this child has been outstanding since she was little."

Gao Xinhua said, "Chunliang is also excellent, he's now the Deputy Director of our Weishan Island Branch."

"Really?" Xu Changshan wasn't aware of this.

Gao Hong Hall said, "Young and promising!"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Uncle Gao, don't put me on a pedestal, that Deputy Director title is just nominal. Right now I'm just an officer, not even qualified for corruption."

The crowd laughed again, finding this kid quite humorous.

Gao Xinhua said, "I'm serious, Chunliang hasn't worked long, but his achievements are outstanding; our director just awarded him a fifty-thousand-yuan bonus."

Xu Changshan hadn't heard of this either: "There's such a thing?"

Xu Chunliang said, "It's not a bonus, it's the commission I deserve."

Cousin Liang Linan said, "Not bad, is that a monthly commission? It's almost catching up to my salary." He had a million-a-year salary, clearly boasting.

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Cousin, how much is your salary?"

Liang Linan was waiting for this question: "Not much, just over a million a year."

He knew about Xu Chunliang's salary, which annually didn't compare to his monthly earnings.

Xu Chunliang said, "That's not much, house prices and living costs are high in Shen City, a million a year is just barely enough for subsistence."

Liang Linan could hardly respond, utterly stumped by his cousin.

Xu Chunliang said, "If I wanted to make money, I'd just inherit Huichun Hall, and year after year, it would earn at least eight to ten million."

The whole table was flabbergasted, when did this kid get so full of hot air? His grandpa was right there!

Elder Gao couldn't take it anymore, asking Xu Changshan, "Old Xu, can you really make that much?"

Xu Changshan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, pondering how to respond.

Xu Chunliang said, "Grandpa, you don't have to be modest; we're all family. Our Old Xu Family has so many ancestral secret recipes, any one of them must be worth millions. You're just too conscientious, practicing virtue and kindness, not wanting to make money. I happened to inherit this trait from you, or Huichun Hall would have gone public already."

Gao Xiaobai heard him bragging sky-high, couldn't hold back her laughter.

Xu Chunliang said, "Xiaobai, you better believe it; Tongrentang and Pien Tze Huang went public with secret recipes and made a fortune. Our Huichun Hall has no fewer secret recipes, and they're just as effective. If my grandpa weren't so indifferent to fame and fortune, Huichun Hall would have a market value of billions now."

Hearing this, Xu Changshan even started to believe it himself, nodding: "That's true."

Zhen Chun was intrigued, "Grandpa, you're so biased; all these goodies go to my little cousin, not us?"

Xu Changshan smiled and said, "Aren't you a girl?"

Liang Lixin chimed in, "My grandpa favors boys over girls; my brother is a boy, huh."

Xu Changshan glanced at Liang Linan, "Old Xu Family rules established by ancestors, always passed down to sons, not daughters. Your uncle didn't live up to expectations, so now I can only rely on Chunliang."

Gao Hong Hall gave Xu Changshan a thumbs up, "Old Xu, I admire you; you're the only one who can speak up for favoring boys over girls so confidently."

Gao Xinhua said, "Dad, you should learn from Uncle Xu; he favors boys over girls, you favor girls over boys."

Gao Hong Hall said, "I happen to like daughters, so what? If I favored boys over girls, you two would need to have a second child."

Gao Xiaobai said, "I agree!"

Xiao Chuhong snapped, "What's it to you?" Actually, she knew very well that her father-in-law favored boys over girls too. When she'd given birth to Gao Xiaobai, he'd hinted that the couple should have another child. Xiao Chuhong resolutely refused, partly due to policies at the time.

Since then, there's been a rift between them. Now Xiao Chuhong regrets it a bit; though her daughter is excellent, she went out of town, and isn't around anymore. It looks like she's unlikely to return to develop in Dongzhou, but it's too late for a second child now as she had already gone through menopause.

This lunch had a generally good atmosphere, Liang Linan tried his trick again, suggesting the creation of a group chat, pulling everyone in for easy contact in the future. Actually, he wanted to use this method to get Gao Xiaobai's contact.

He didn't expect Zhen Chun to jump up and oppose, arguing she didn't have WeChat, so what's the point in doing superficial stuff.

Liang Linan didn't persist; anyway, his sister already had Gao Xiaobai's contact, he'd just ask her for it later.

After the luncheon concluded, everyone left the restaurant. While saying goodbye at the door, they happened upon Mei Ru Xue dragging a suitcase. Upon seeing Xu Changshan, she greeted him actively.

"Hello, Grandpa Xu!"

Xu Changshan saw her and grinned broadly, "Xiaoxue, you're staying here?"

Mei Ru Xue nodded.

Xu Chunliang is chatting with Gao Hong Hall and cannot break away right now.

Liang Linan found an opportunity and proactively stepped forward, saying, "Miss Mei, let me help you."

Mei Ru Xue ignored him, Xu Changshan called out Chunliang, asking Xu Chunliang to help Mei Ru Xue carry her suitcase to the car.

Liang Linan was really speechless. The person is the family's grandson, and he is the grandson-in-law, and the grandpa doesn't even hide his favoritism, but this time he genuinely wanted to help.

Xu Chunliang lifted Mei Ru Xue's suitcase and walked towards her NIO car.

Zhen Chun nudged Liang Linan with her shoulder, Liang Linan glanced at her, and Zhen Chun reminded him, "Can you beat Little Cousin Brother?"

Liang Linan remembered Xu Chunliang's performance at the bar that night and couldn't help but gasp.

Although Mei Ru Xue is very beautiful, the risk of provoking her is great. This little cousin is not of good temper; if he really gets upset, there wouldn't be any place to argue even if he beats him up. He smiled awkwardly, "I just wanted to help, no other intentions."

Zhen Chun said, "Little Cousin Brother is really handsome, don't you think he's particularly manly?"

Liang Linan said sourly, "Don't need you to tell about the gender aspect."

Zhen Chun said, "Surely a lot of girls like him."

Liang Linan said, "They don't seem to be in a romantic relationship."

"What are you seeing? It's only a matter of time."

Gao Xinhua looked at the distant back of Mei Ru Xue somewhat bewildered, pretending to casually inquire with Xu Changshan. He originally thought to use this meal to help his daughter make a connection; unexpectedly, Xu Chunliang already had someone in his heart?

Actually, in their family, only he had this idea; his daughter Gao Xiaobai didn't think about it at all.

No one knows a husband better than his wife, and Xiao Chuhong had long guessed what her husband was up to, but she didn't think it was a good idea.

Though she admitted Xu Chunliang was handsome and articulate, he was just a high school graduate, whereas her daughter was a top student at Shuimu University. The gap between them was too big, and her ideal son-in-law should at least be a young talent like Liang Linan.

Gao Xiaobai and Liang Lixin had quite a bond and chatted happily, exchanging contact information.

Xu Chunliang loaded Mei Ru Xue's luggage into the trunk, "What? Leaving already?"

Mei Ru Xue nodded, "Tomorrow there's a delegation coming, and the city is about to make an official announcement; work is just too busy."

Xu Chunliang said, "Thank you!"

Mei Ru Xue knew what he meant but pretended to be confused, "Thank me for what? It's your own good luck."

Xu Chunliang said, "Doing good will surely bring blessings." He closed the trunk.

Mei Ru Xue said, "You didn't go to SEVEN STAR last night, did you?"

"I went!"

Mei Ru Xue said, "Hope it wasn't related to you."

Xu Chunliang said, "I don't have such great ability."

Mei Ru Xue said meaningfully, "What can't you do? Don't forget, you owe me a SEVEN STAR."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Anytime." Then he remembered the bar had been temporarily closed for reorganization; it's uncertain when it will reopen.

Mei Ru Xue said, "I won't go to say goodbye to everyone individually, goodbye!"

Xu Chunliang waved at her, watching Mei Ru Xue drive away, suddenly feeling it wouldn't be bad to go to Weishan Island as a dean.

Xu Changshan drank quite a bit at noon. Xu Chunliang sent Grandpa home and helped him to bed to rest.

Zheng Peian called again, expressing a desire to arrange something for the evening. Xu Chunliang told him not to; at this rate, the old man's health wouldn't hold up. His aunt would be leaving tomorrow, so their family should have a good gathering.

Zheng Peian indirectly asked if Xu Jiawen would be leaving too. Xu Chunliang knew his intentions from the start and told him that his aunt would be leaving after the holidays.

Zheng Peian became happy and suggested taking them out to play nearby these days; Xu Chunliang wasn't interested in helping him and told Zheng Peian to work harder himself.

After hanging up, just as he was about to check next door, a Toyota Alphard stopped at the entrance.

A classy woman in a black trench coat and wearing sunglasses stepped out of the car. She walked slowly to stand in front of Huichun Hall, looking at its sign, saying, "Huichun Hall!"

Xu Chunliang said, "Miss, do you have business here?"

"I'm feeling a bit unwell and heard Huichun Hall is very famous, so I came to seek medical help specially."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sorry, we are on a break these two days, no consultations."

"Shouldn't a doctor put patients first? Why not provide a consultation? Are you worried I can't afford it?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "That's not what I meant. My grandpa is old and can't be on call year-round."

"Is there no one else at Huichun Hall? You must be Mr. Xu's successor, help me with a consultation."

She spoke as she walked into Huichun Hall.

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