"That's how it is."

As soon as Chen Fei began to speak, Secretary Zheng dropped the pretense of chitchat and lowered his voice. "You should be aware of the identities of Mr. Tucci and his group. They're representing the Saint Laurent Group from Italy, here in our Jiangnan Province on an investment inspection tour. Initially, they had already chosen a fashion brand in the provincial capital, Tongzhou City, for a partnership—the Li Family, the very people hosting this banquet."

"However, I can see that Mr. Tucci holds you in very high regard. So, could you please put in a few good words for us? Consider it a favor to the people of your hometown, Northern Mountain City. Please, make an effort to win this for us and contribute to our city's development and construction."

Hearing this, Chen Fei understood everything perfectly. So, Secretary Zheng saw how much Mr. Tucci valued me and got some crooked ideas. He wants me to pull some strings and get the Saint Laurent Group to partner with an enterprise from Northern Mountain City.

If that happened, the credit and political achievements would naturally fall to him, Zheng Shuhan, and his backer, Vice Mayor Zhou Zhuo. A very clever calculation indeed.

At that thought, Chen Fei's impression of the man plummeted. He replied flatly, "Secretary Zheng, you're overestimating me. How could a common citizen like me have that kind of influence? I think you'd better find someone else."

"Hold it right there!"

Secretary Zheng's expression changed in an instant. He spoke in a cold, severe tone, "Young man, you'd better think this through. You are being asked to do a service for the government, to contribute to the Party and the nation. This is a matter of national interest."

"Oh, is that so? I wasn't aware that a mere deputy mayor's secretary could represent the government, the Party, and the nation!"

However, Chen Fei only gave him a cold glance, the corner of his mouth twitching with derision as he walked away, leaving Secretary Zheng with an extremely ugly expression.

...

"Oh, my dear Huaxia Chen, you've finally returned! I was afraid you were going to leave without saying goodbye again," Mr. Tucci exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he saw Chen Fei emerge from the restroom and immediately went to greet him.

"Mr. Tucci, you're overthinking things. We don't have any grudges, so why would I avoid you?" Chen Fei said with a wry smile, also finding the chubby foreigner quite amusing.

"Oh, no grudges, of course not! You are my lifesaver! It's impossible for us to have any grievances, don't you all agree?" Tucci suddenly became very serious, addressing the people around him in a loud voice.

"Absolutely, absolutely! You're right, Boss."

"Doctor Chen is incredible! Truly worthy of being called a master of Huaxia's traditional medicine. He's amazing!" the bodyguards echoed, giving Chen Fei a thumbs-up.

In their eyes, Chen Fei wasn't just a Chinese medicine practitioner with superb medical skills; he was also a man of immense physical power. He had effortlessly dragged Jemio, who weighed nearly two hundred pounds, across the floor with just one hand. That was something even they would find impossible. It was truly incredible.

"Doctor Chen, you are a man of great talent for your age! You have my deepest admiration!" Li Hao, the fawning middle-aged man, chimed in. "May I ask where you're currently employed? As it happens, I have several friends working at the provincial hospital and hold some influence in that circle. Would you like me to make some introductions for you?" Although his intention was likely to curry favor with Chen Fei, the words came out with a boastful, uncomfortable air. Chen Fei simply ignored him.

"My apologies, Mr. Tucci. I was feeling a bit unwell, so I returned late. Please don't take offense."

Just then, Secretary Zheng arrived, fashionably late. He shot Chen Fei a veiled, threatening glare, the meaning clear: if Chen Fei didn't do as he was told, there would be consequences.

Seeing this, Chen Fei sneered inwardly before speaking with a smile, "Mr. Tucci, I heard your Saint Laurent Group is looking to inspect and invest in Jiangnan Province. I was wondering if you've found a partner yet? Would you mind sharing?"

At these words, Li Yumin, who had been struggling to maintain a smile, felt her body tremble as a pale shade washed over her face.

What... what is this damn guy trying to do?

Secretary Zheng was instantly relieved. Excellent, it seems this young man knows what's good for him, he thought, pleased that Chen Fei wasn't going against his wishes.

If he could really keep the Saint Laurent Group in Northern Mountain City, it would be a major accomplishment. Vice Mayor Zhou would surely reward him handsomely and help him secure a steady promotion.

"Oh, Huaxia Chen, you're interested in this matter? That's simple. As long as you say the word, our Saint Laurent Group can partner with anyone," Tucci replied, immediately understanding the situation. Without asking for any specifics, he casually tossed the Li Family aside and agreed.

To him, this was a trivial matter. In fact, his entire "investment inspection" trip to Huaxia was really a cover for handling other business. An investment of a few tens of millions, or even a hundred million, was nothing to the Saint Laurent Group. It didn't matter who they partnered with; they would make money either way. Such was the grandeur of a top luxury brand!

As for the others, Fatty, Little Fatty, and Murong Shan's other classmates were all stunned. They never expected Mr. Tucci to value Chen Fei to such a degree.

An investment on such a massive scale—tens of millions, up to a hundred million—was his to decide. He could choose to partner with whomever he pleased.

This is... this is simply incredible!

Almost instantly, the gazes of nearly everyone present turned toward a bewildered Murong Shan. Her pale, delicate hands were clenched tightly at the corners of her clothes, her body trembling slightly. Everyone knew Chen Fei was Murong Shan's boyfriend, and her fashion company happened to be a perfect candidate for partnership. Wasn't it obvious?

Doctor Chen must be saying all this for his girlfriend!

"Respected Mr. Tucci..." Only Li Hao and Li Yumin's faces changed drastically. They never dreamed the situation would evolve to this point. Struck as if by lightning, they both froze in shock.

To secure this partnership and latch onto the Saint Laurent Group, their family's company had paid an unimaginably high price; it was a desperate, all-or-nothing gamble. But now, the other party was on the verge of pulling out. While their family wouldn't go bankrupt immediately, they would certainly be plunged into a massive financial crisis.

"You—shut your mouth right now! I'm warning you, don't say another word, or I'll have security throw you out immediately!" Li Yumin must have lost her mind, rushing forward to berate Chen Fei as if he were her most hated enemy.

Mr. Tucci's expression changed in a flash, becoming incredibly grim. The other classmates looked at her with pity.

Even now, she still couldn't grasp the situation, putting on the airs of a banquet hostess to scold Chen Fei. She really was brainless. No wonder she could never compare to the great campus beauty, Murong Shan. She brought this on herself.

"Mr. Tucci, it seems we should be leaving," Chen Fei said with a pleasant smile, taking in the scene.

"Alright, let's go then."

Completely unbothered, Tucci nodded with a smile. He then turned to Li Hao, who was standing nearby, and said indifferently, "Mr. Li, it seems we won't be able to collaborate this time. Then let's leave it at that. Goodbye."

As he spoke, he was already walking with Chen Fei and the others toward the elevator, preparing to depart.

Li Yumin's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground.

"Respected Mr. Tucci, our Northern Mountain City also has many excellent fashion brands," Secretary Zheng said, seizing the opportunity as they walked. "They have great reputations both within the province and beyond, high-quality products, and guaranteed after-sales service. They are in no way inferior to the companies in Tongzhou City. Besides, Mr. Chen is also one of our own from Northern Mountain..."

It was obvious he understood that Chen Fei held significant sway with Tucci. By roping him in, he might just be able to keep the Saint Laurent Group's investment delegation in Northern Mountain City.

"If you're interested, Mr. Tucci, I can introduce you to our city's outstanding fashion companies. I'm sure you will be satisfied, Mr. Tucci," Secretary Zheng urged, speaking emphatically.

However, Tucci barely glanced at him, instead turning to Chen Fei with a smile. "Dear Huaxia Chen, where do you think I should invest?"

"Mr. Tucci, please just call me by my name, Chen Fei. 'Huaxia Chen' sounds a little odd to me."

Chen Fei said this first, then a playful smile touched his lips. He glanced at Secretary Zheng with amusement, and then, as if it were a casual, offhand remark, he said, "As someone from Northern Mountain City, I of course hope you invest here. If you're interested, Mr. Tucci, I can introduce you to Deputy Mayor Huang. I'm quite familiar with him."

"What? Deputy Mayor Huang!"

The color drained from Secretary Zheng's face. A cold sweat broke out as his limbs began to tremble.

So, Chen Fei is one of Deputy Mayor Huang's people. Doesn't that mean we have to just hand over all the credit and political achievement from today's events?!

He knew that his backer, Vice Mayor Zhou, was currently competing with that very same Deputy Mayor Huang for a promotion. If his rival received this 'grand gift', it would shift the balance. Wouldn't that put Vice Mayor Zhou's chances for advancement in jeopardy?

Damn it! How could this have happened...?

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