"Brother Shao, this is Director Zhang Xingdong from our Party and Government Office," Li Xiuyuan introduced. Zhang Xingdong and Shao Zhixing genuinely had no contact whatsoever.
Zhang Xingdong quickly stepped forward and shook hands: "Hello, Director Shao."
"Director Zhang Xingdong, right? Good, that's just one character different from your Party Secretary. You'll have to be the Party Secretary someday too," Shao Zhixing said with a smile, having also figured something out.
The banquet was huge, but only four people were arranged for today. The head seat in the middle was empty, which was reserved for me. To my left was Hou Peng, the town mayor, and to my right was Li Xiuyuan. There was absolutely no problem with the seating arrangement.
But Zhang Xingdong's seat is a bit interesting. Logically speaking, as the director of the Party and Government Office, he should be sitting next to Hou Peng to greet the leaders. How could he be sitting next to someone else?
But Zhang Xingdong sat down next to Li Xiuyuan.
And the fact that he sat next to the deputy mayor in front of the mayor is quite interesting.
"Director Shao, you flatter me. I wouldn't dare to think of that," Zhang Xingdong said, shaking his head repeatedly.
"Haha, what's there to be afraid of? Look at your Mayor Li, he's so young and he's already the deputy mayor. He's progressed so quickly. Keep up the good work, and his future is limitless." Shao Zhixing spoke tactfully.
But Hou Peng, who was standing to the side, realized that this was actually Li Xiuyuan trying to win people over. He said, "Your Mayor Li is making rapid progress. If you follow him and work hard, your future will be limitless."
Hou Peng now had a clearer understanding of the relationship between Shao Zhixing and Li Xiuyuan. No wonder Lei Yi knelt down so quickly when facing Li Xiuyuan. The two of them really had a good relationship.
If the relationship had been even slightly less close, Shao Zhixing wouldn't have ended up like this.
Being a secretary is great! You can work alongside your boss for a couple of days and build connections everywhere.
After everyone was seated, Li Xiuyuan suggested that Shao Zhixing order a couple more dishes, but Shao Zhixing shook his head: "No need, Xiuyuan, I'll eat whatever you order. You can do the math. Besides, I've had too many social engagements lately, and honestly, nothing tastes good..."
Hou Peng understood. The implication was that Li Xiuyuan's status was being elevated. Hou Peng was there to ask for money, so naturally he had to flatter him.
"Director Shao, you are in charge of the county's finances. You have a heavy responsibility and are naturally very busy. This involves the county's finances, and every single matter, big or small, requires your approval."
"Haha, Mayor Hou, you've gone too far. How could I make the decision? I just follow the leader's instructions. But it's true that there are many things that require my attention. Tonight, it was only because Xiu Yuan called and I turned down a few social engagements that I really couldn't find the time..."
Hou Peng's face stiffened. "That's enough. Don't flatter me like that. I understand. Tonight, it's Li Xiuyuan's face that's being given to me. I have no face at all. Is that alright?"
Just as the dinner party in the county was starting, in the central town, Zhang Xingguo was also having dinner and drinks with Kang Yong and Ma Tao, mainly discussing the town party committee meeting that afternoon.
From the start of the dinner, Zhang Xingguo's brows were tightly furrowed, and he drank one glass of wine after another. The defeat at today's town party committee meeting was nothing compared to the fact that things had gotten out of control.
The first surprise was that Li Xiuyuan and Hou Peng joined forces, and the second was that Li Xiuyuan even persuaded Lu Zhenhai.
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