After Secretary Song returned with the ordered food, the team packed their things and headed out for dinner.
Deputy Director Zhang had also planned to invite Deputy Mayor Qiu, but Deputy Mayor Qiu was busy discussing matters with Secretary Hao and couldn't make it. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Dining with superiors is never comfortable.
As soon as Su Yu stepped outside, she saw Su Dazhi waiting at the door. Because the incident happened so suddenly, she didn't have time to tell him not to come and pick her up.
She greeted everyone and then came over to talk to Su Dazhi.
Seeing so many people with Su Yu, Su Dazhi was quite nervous. "Sis, are we going back?"
Su Yu said, "We're going to eat. I'll take the bus back by myself later. You can go back first."
With so many people eating together, who knows how long it will take?
Secretary Song smiled and said, "Dazhi, you should go back first. There are so many of us here, don't worry."
Su Dazhi became even more nervous, nodded repeatedly, turned the car around, and drove off.
Secretary Song: "...Comrade Su, I am still very friendly to your brother."
Su Yu glanced at him, then turned and walked towards the group.
Deputy Director Zhang said with a smile, "Su, your younger brother is really good to you. I've seen him waiting at the door several times. He's never been picked up or dropped off."
Su Yu smiled and said, "They all grew up relying on each other, so they are all quite dependent on me."
Zhu Ping said, "Your siblings' relationship is truly enviable. When Consultant Su finds a partner, your brother and sister should be very selective."
Secretary Song, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. "What's the relationship between her boyfriend and her brother?"
Another older man laughed and said, "Secretary Song, you don't understand even though you haven't found a partner yet. Whether you can get a wife depends on getting past the difficulties of your future in-laws. The better the relationship between brothers and sisters, the more picky the brothers-in-law will be about the man. They're afraid of picking a bad one, which will make things difficult for the sisters in the family later."
"..." Secretary Song thought calmly about her relationship with the Su brothers, Su Dazhi and Su Zhi.
It seems pretty good, after all, I'm always very enthusiastic every time we meet.
Because the restaurant was far away, we all took the bus together. It took us twenty minutes to get there.
Secretary Zhu had already made all the arrangements; the food had been ordered in advance, and the cost and receipts would be settled after the meal.
Su Yu looked at the table full of food: braised pork, braised fish, stir-fried chicken, stir-fried vegetables, and stir-fried vermicelli.
Although there aren't many varieties, the portions are generous, so it's enough for everyone. There are also various complementary foods available.
These days, it's not easy to gather a table full of people like this.
"Please don't be shy, everyone. It's my treat today," Secretary Song said with great enthusiasm.
Deputy Director Zhang was not happy about it. "What's this? It's my treat."
Secretary Song hooked her arm around his neck. "Old Zhang, you just like competing with me, don't you? Well then, let's not compete with each other anymore, how about we treat everyone together? You have to give me a chance to shine. You're all from the same department, it'll be easy for you to have meals together in the future. It's rare for me to get together with everyone, so can you let me have my way?"
Hearing Secretary Song's words, Deputy Director Zhang felt secretly pleased. To be honest, he was still a little reluctant to spend so much on this large table of food, but not treating would make him seem angry. Now that Secretary Song had done this, he had both face and substance. "Alright, you've put it this way, if I don't treat you, it'll make me seem angry. Let's all treat each other, everyone eat as much as you want."
Once the leader spoke, everyone stopped being polite and started eating.
It's been so long since we've had a big meal. The supply is less this year than in previous years, and they're issued fewer ration coupons. Even with coupons, they're hard to buy; you have to go to the black market. It's been ages since we've had meat at home.
Secretary Song kept glancing around the table, secretly noting down which dishes Su Yu ate.
Then, smiling, he invited everyone, "Eat more, and we'll order more if you're not full. Director Zhang is treating us today."
After everyone had eaten a few bites, Su Yu held up a glass of water and said, "Working with everyone these past few days has taught me a lot and helped me grow a lot. I hope you will continue to guide me in the future so we can all improve together."
Everyone clinked their glasses.
Deputy Director Zhang smiled and said, "Su is just being polite. Come visit our bureau often when you have free time. These are all your old colleagues."
"I take your words seriously," Su Yu said with a smile.
Secretary Song also took a sip of water. "Advisor Su, we'll be colleagues from now on. Let's help each other out."
"Definitely, definitely," Su Yu replied with a polite smile.
After a lively meal, Secretary Song generously pulled Director Zhang to pay the bill, and then they all went home.
Since none of them had come by bicycle, some people were now planning to walk back, while others were planning to take the bus.
The bus stop where Su Yu needed to catch her ride wasn't this way; she had to walk a bit further to get there. After saying goodbye to everyone, she left.
Deputy Director Zhang said, "Secretary Song, are you going home? Let's go together."
Secretary Song said, "I'm not in a hurry to go back. I need to go see my classmate. We have an event planned for tomorrow, so I'll go talk to him tonight. You guys go back first."
Deputy Director Zhang and several others traveling the same way got into the car.
Seeing that Su Yu had left, Secretary Song immediately chased after her in the direction she had gone.
As Su Yu walked, she heard footsteps behind her. She smiled slightly, then turned around to look at the person who had come. "Secretary Song, what brings you here?"
"It looks a bit dark, I'm worried about you going back alone," Secretary Song said, her face slightly flushed.
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