Facts are facts. So even though Huang Tao was now the mayor, he still didn't dare act presumptuously in front of the city's number one leader, especially one from Capital City. How could a place like that be anything but complicated?

"You know, Old Huang, you're not being very proper here. Even though we've only known each other for a short time, we're supposed to be comrades fighting side by side in the years to come, aren't we? Your forty-fifth birthday is such a significant event, and you didn't even tell me. Old Huang, tell me, don't I have the right to criticize you for that?"

This voice came from the other end of the phone, leaving Huang Tao stunned.

Honestly, he never expected the man to become so warm all of a sudden. If not for his gut feeling that the new leader was difficult to approach and looked down on local officials like him, he would have extended a courtesy invitation. Of course, whether he attended or not would have been his own choice. He hadn't said anything because he felt it would be pointless, and he might even embarrass himself. He never expected such a dramatic reversal.

What did this mean? A major figure parachuted in from Capital City was personally calling him, Huang Tao, to "criticize" him and ask about his birthday?

It meant that, for some unknown reason, the man's attitude toward him had completely changed. People in their positions had to be extremely sensitive, with sharp perception and judgment. The fact that the city's number one leader's attitude toward him, Huang Tao, was shifting toward a friendlier one was both a shock and a delight.

At this thought, he immediately replied with some embarrassment, "Secretary Zhuo, you're right. I deserve to be criticized. I just didn't want my personal affairs to interfere with your work. But I was wrong, and I apologize."

Zhuo Qun laughed. "None of that, Old Huang. Tonight, you're the Elder Shouxing. How can the birthday star say such things? Where are you now? You don't mind if I, Zhuo Qun, come uninvited to offer my congratulations, do you?"

"What? Secretary Zhuo, you're coming in person?" Huang Tao was taken aback. He couldn't believe it. A phone call wasn't enough; the man wanted to come in person?

"What! Secretary Zhuo is coming personally to celebrate Mayor Huang's birthday?" The news sent a wave of excitement through the room.

The vast majority of the people present were in politics, so they naturally interpreted this information from the unique perspective of officialdom. Secretary Zhuo and Mayor Huang were the city's number one and number two leaders. While it wasn't quite a case of "two tigers on one mountain," getting along amicably was notoriously difficult.

But now, the number one leader was willing to come personally to celebrate Mayor Huang's birthday. What did this signify? At the very least, it was a positive development, and the beneficiaries would naturally be those in Mayor Huang's Direct Lineage.

"What's wrong, Old Huang? You don't want me to come?" Zhuo Qun's voice asked from the phone.

"Of course, of course I do! Secretary Zhuo, for you to come personally is a great honor for me, Huang Tao. I'm deeply grateful," Huang Tao replied, unable to stop himself from taking a deep breath, his voice tinged with excitement.

As a representative of those who had worked their way up from the grassroots, receiving such attention from Zhuo Qun of Capital City was a great honor for Huang Tao. It was only natural for him to be so thrilled.

"Alright then, it's settled. I'll head over now..." Zhuo Qun said with a smile. After a few more pleasantries and getting the exact address, he hung up and instructed his secretary to drive over.

"Old Huang, Secretary Zhuo is coming?" Zhu Qianye asked in a hushed tone as Huang Tao hung up the phone.

"Yes, he said he's nearby and will be here soon," Huang Tao nodded, still looking slightly dazed.

Zhu Qianye was stunned. He clapped his old friend's shoulder and said, "Not bad, Old Huang. For Secretary Zhuo to call and come over himself... this is a signal. It seems this new number one leader isn't as unapproachable as we thought."

Gao Zhinan was also pleased to hear this, but not being in politics, he knew it wasn't his place to comment. As for the others from the Direct Lineage at the table, their status was too low to interject.

Even so, they were all beaming with excitement and pride. This was especially true for Huang Tao's older subordinates who were hoping for a promotion. If Secretary Zhuo intended to foster a good relationship with Mayor Huang, he surely wouldn't be stingy about making certain personnel choices. What reason would he have to deny them this small favor?

Mayor Huang gave Director Zhu a pointed look. "Alright, alright, don't get carried away. Secretary Zhuo is just coming to celebrate a birthday, that's all." Such matters were best not discussed openly until they were confirmed, otherwise, if their subordinates misinterpreted the situation, it could easily lead to trouble.

Seeing the look, Zhu Qianye realized his mistake and slapped his own head in embarrassment. "My fault, my fault. Once I have a drink, I start spouting nonsense. I really need to kick this bad habit. I must."

"Brother Fei, did you hear? It seems our Northern Mountain's new Secretary Zhuo is coming. But my dad doesn't seem to have much of a connection with him. Why would he suddenly show up?" At a table off to the side, Huang Feng's eyes darted around as he heard the "gossip" from the main table, a sly grin on his face.

SMACK!

Chen Fei smacked him on the forehead with his chopsticks, saying irritably, "Just say what you mean. I don't move in the same circles as you government officials' sons. Speak plainly; all this beating around the bush is getting on my nerves."

Huang Feng rubbed his forehead where he'd been hit for no reason. Fortunately, Chen Fei hadn't used much force, but he didn't dare beat around the bush any longer. He smiled awkwardly. "I just think it's strange that Secretary Zhuo would suddenly change his attitude and make the trip himself. It seems like tonight, you're the only one who could possibly influence..."

Upon hearing this, Yang Cailing froze. "Ah, Huang Feng... are you saying Secretary Zhuo is here because of Brother Fei?" If that's true, just how terrifying is his background?

As for the other sons of officials at the table, witnessing such a "terrifying" scene—the mayor's son being hit with a chopstick and not showing the slightest complaint, instead uttering such shocking words—their reverence for Chen Fei grew even deeper.

Just how powerful is this guy? Can't he let us catch our breath?

"Stop trying to give me all the credit," Chen Fei denied. "This has nothing to do with me. I've never even met the new leader, let alone spoken to him." He was telling the truth; he really didn't know the man and hadn't even seen his face.

Just as he spoke, a knock came from the private room door.

"Could that be Secretary Zhuo?"

As a familiar face strode into the room, a stir went through the crowd and everyone rose to their feet. Huang Tao and his close associates had already rushed forward to greet the newcomer.

"Secretary Zhuo, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to come. Please forgive me for not greeting you at the door," Huang Tao said enthusiastically, shaking the man's hand.

"Not at all, not at all. Tonight is your forty-fifth birthday, Mayor Huang. If I didn't come to congratulate you in person, it would be far too insincere, wouldn't it?" But it wasn't just Mayor Huang Tao being courteous; Secretary Zhuo Qun was equally polite, giving him a great deal of respect. This filled Huang Tao's Direct Lineage with pride and joy.

Although the Municipal Party Secretary and the Mayor were often of equal rank, for him to address Huang Tao so formally as "Mayor" at a birthday celebration clearly conveyed a sense of warmth and respect. Everyone qualified to be in this room tonight was shrewd; they could all see that the new Secretary Zhuo was deliberately trying to curry favor with Mayor Huang.

"Secretary Zhuo, you're far too kind. Please, come, take the seat of honor," Huang Tao said, both surprised and delighted, as he gestured toward the head of the table.

The dining table in their private room was spacious. Although it was set for eight or nine, it could easily accommodate eleven or twelve. As soon as he knew Secretary Zhuo was coming, he had them rearrange the seats and add another chair.

As the city's number one leader, he naturally deserved the head seat. Chen Fei, of course, was an exception. He didn't want to sit there, and luckily so, otherwise things would have become awkward. After all, with Secretary Zhuo personally present, how could he let Chen Fei take the seat of honor? Even if I was willing, it would still offend our guest... Thank goodness.

But just then, Secretary Zhuo waved his hand and said, "No rush. Old Huang, is there a young man with the surname Chen here today? May I ask, which one of you is Mr. Chen?"

A young man with the surname Chen? Which one is Mr. Chen?

CLANG!

Someone, lost in shock, accidentally knocked over a glass or a piece of silverware.

In that instant, almost every eye in the room turned in unison toward a table at the edge of the hall. Huang Feng couldn't help but nudge the feasting Chen Fei with his elbow and whisper, "Hey, Brother Fei... I think he's really here for you."

Is he really here for me? Chen Fei looked up, his expression a mixture of confusion and suspicion. To be honest, I don't even know who he is. Is he here to cause trouble?

Seeing everyone's unanimous reaction, Zhuo Qun, no matter how slow, instantly understood who he was looking for. He took a deep breath, a smile spreading across his face, and without a second thought, strode toward Chen Fei.

As he reached Chen Fei, he bowed without hesitation and introduced himself respectfully. "Mr. Chen, hello. My name is Zhuo Qun, from Capital City. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Witnessing this "familiar" scene, everyone present couldn't help but shudder, even though they had tried to mentally prepare themselves. This time, it was Secretary Zhuo Qun himself, the major figure parachuted in from Capital City, treating the young man with such immense respect.

Wait a minute... Don't tell me Secretary Zhuo came tonight specifically for him?!

Everyone swallowed hard, the sound almost audible.

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