Xiao Weiguo was taken aback at first.
This old man really doesn't give me any face.
However, he quickly returned to normal.
Straightening up, Xiao Weiguo gave Bai Zhenxuan a slight smile.
"Mr. Bai, this small gift is for my and Sister Wanlin's elders. If it had any other meaning, it would be too little to give."
Xiao Weiguo's words were neither humble nor arrogant, and the meaning behind them was quite clear.
It's only natural for me to bring something when I'm visiting my elders. If you're going to give a gift because of your status, then this little thing is not only inadequate, but I, Xiao Weiguo, might not even bother to give it.
Xiao Weiguo could tell that the old man was an upright and forthright person who was very disgusted by those petty and despicable things.
Therefore, he spoke his mind directly. Because if you try to hide things from someone like that, it will only displease him.
Bai Zhenxuan glanced at Xiao Weiguo but didn't say anything more.
Feng Wanlin took the opportunity to help him sit down on the sofa.
"Grandpa Bai, it's just two packets of ordinary tea and some fruit. It's nothing more than a small token of our respect. Please don't make a big deal out of it."
As she spoke, she personally found a teapot, unpacked the tea leaves that Xiao Weiguo had brought, brewed a pot of tea, and placed it on the table.
Immediately, a faint aroma of tea wafted out.
When Xiao Weiguo first visited, the tea he bought wasn't of the highest quality, but it couldn't be too cheap either. It was just a little better than average.
Thanks to Feng Wanlin's mediation, the atmosphere finally eased.
Xiao Weiguo also picked up his teacup and quietly drank his tea without saying much.
Only then did Bai Zhenxuan finally ask Xiao Weiguo a question in a calm and collected manner.
"Young man, what brings you here?"
Xiao Weiguo didn't say anything, but that piqued the old man's interest, so he couldn't help but ask a question.
Xiao Weiguo put down his teacup, smiled, and shook his head.
"Mr. Bai, I have no particular reason for coming here. I have just come to pay my respects to your reputation for integrity, honesty, and love for the people."
Bai Zhenxuan shook his head, his expression unreadable.
"Xiao Weiguo, right? Should I call you Chairman Xiao or Boss Xiao?"
"Mr. Bai, Wanlin and I are friends, and we are both your juniors. You can just call me Weiguo."
How could Xiao Weiguo dare to be presumptuous in his presence?
"Hehe, then I'll take advantage of my seniority and call you Weiguo. Since you're a businessman, coming to a place like mine makes me think a bit. Don't take offense."
Seeing that the old man was no longer so resistant to him, Xiao Weiguo secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mr. Bai, it is true that I am a businessman, but businessmen are also human beings, and they also have their own idols. Although I, Xiao Weiguo, am not very talented, there are not many people who I can truly respect, and you are one of them."
His words were a bit presumptuous, but they also subtly flattered Bai Zhenxuan, and to his ears, they didn't seem out of place.
"Hehe, I am an old man who has retired and has no power or influence. I am not worthy of your respect."
"Old Bai, you're wrong. As an ordinary citizen, what I respect is your character and your lifelong dedication to the people."
Flattery never fails. Xiao Weiguo's flattery was subtle yet perfectly timed, and most importantly, everything he said was true.
A man like Mr. Bai may not care about power or money, but he certainly cares about his reputation.
Xiao Weiguo's words resonated deeply with him.
The old man smiled contentedly, stretched his body, and said.
"I've been an official all my life, and although I haven't achieved anything great, I can say with my hand on my chest that I've lived a life that I can live with a clear conscience."
"Old Bai is right. In this world, the word 'conscience' is the most precious. Some people may have a conscience at first, but among the people I know, you are the only one who can stay true to his original intention and uphold his conscience throughout his life."
Although Xiao Weiguo's words were meant to flatter Bai Zhenxuan, they were also his honest opinion.
How many people start out full of ambition, wholeheartedly dedicated to the country and its people, but once they reach a certain position, they cannot withstand the tests and ultimately go astray?
Are there few such examples?
As someone who lived through the ages, Xiao Weiguo could easily find a whole host of examples.
Therefore, he genuinely respected someone like Bai Zhenxuan.
Seeing that they were getting along better and better, Feng Wanlin finally felt relieved.
Old Bai may seem kind, but he is actually very proud. He can chat and laugh with people, but he cannot tolerate even the slightest imperfection.
Feng Wanlin's father, Feng Yukun, was able to successfully enter the cabinet before the age of sixty, and his deputy deserves much of the credit for this.
Otherwise, it would have been difficult for Feng Yukun to achieve such remarkable results on his own.
So, she was initially worried that Old Bai would look down on Xiao Weiguo, but now it seems that she had worried too much.
"Grandpa Bai, Weiguo, you two chat, I'm going out to buy some groceries. We'll have dinner here tonight."
As her father's long-time partner, Feng Wanlin clearly didn't consider herself an outsider here.
She stood up, slung her handbag over her shoulder, found a vegetable basket in the kitchen, and went out the door.
After Feng Wanyi left, Bai Zhenxuan's expression turned serious. He looked directly at Xiao Weiguo and said...
"Young man, there were some things I couldn't say when Wanlin was here. Now that it's just the two of us, I have a few questions for you. I hope you'll tell me the truth, otherwise, don't ever come through my door again."
Seeing the seriousness in his voice, Xiao Weiguo calmed himself down and sat up straight.
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