Family connections: From special recruitment by the county committee to the pinnacle of power

Xu He smiled and looked at Du Xinyang, saying, "Perfect timing, I haven't eaten either. How about we eat together? I'll pay..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Hansheng glanced at his phone and said, "Oh, I'm sorry, something urgent has come up at home, so I probably can't make it today. Why don't you and Brother Du go ahead? I'll go home and check things out..."

After saying that, Xu Hansheng quickly ran to the other side of the road and got into the car.

Watching Xu Hansheng's car drive away, Du Xinyang felt quite annoyed.

He was just being polite to Xu He, who would have thought that Xu He would actually agree!

Although she was very unhappy with Xu He, Du Xinyang still smiled and said, "Oh, right, I have some things to take care of at home. How about we get together again tomorrow?"

After saying that, Du Xinyang hailed a taxi and drove off.

Watching Xu Hansheng and Du Xinyang walk away, Xu He's mood grew even heavier.

……

On the other side, Xu Hansheng had just gotten out of the car when Du Xinyang caught up from behind, panting as he said to Xu Hansheng, "Brother, I'm so sorry, I was just being polite to him, who knew he would..."

"Brother Xu, please come in!"

As they were talking, Du Xinyang quickly stepped forward and opened the hotel room door for Xu Hansheng.

Xu Hansheng waved his hand and said, "No need to be so polite, this is my home."

"That's right, that's right."

How could Du Xinyang not know that Hongyunlai was owned by Xu Hansheng's family?

That's why he reluctantly chose Hongyunlai as the venue for his dinner party.

On the one hand, it's because Xu Hansheng's family restaurant is the best in the county. Inviting Xu Hansheng to eat at someone else's restaurant would be too low-class, and even if it cost money, Xu Hansheng might not be satisfied.

Furthermore, inviting Xu Hansheng to dinner at his home is the only way to express sincerity.

He paid for it, and the money came from Xu Hansheng's family; everything was perfectly reasonable.

Du Xinyang carefully selected a private room, ordered a signature dish from Hongyunlai, several meat dishes, and then two cold dishes.

After the beer was brought out, Du Xinyang poured a drink for Xu Hansheng while smiling broadly and said, "Brother Xu, actually, I'm here today to apologize to you. I've done many things that I'm sorry for in the past, but I really had no choice. Li Qiang is a section chief, and my family isn't well-off; they all depend on my salary to support them!"

"If anything goes wrong at work, I..."

At this point, Du Xinyang sighed heavily, not continuing, and then changed the subject, saying, "But no matter what, I'm still sorry, brother. Although I made mistakes in the past month, life is long, and Brother Xu can see how I perform!"

"Enough of that, I'll punish myself with three drinks first, and apologize to Brother Xu!"

After saying that, Du Xinyang picked up his wine glass and downed three glasses in a row.

Xu Hansheng smiled and nodded, saying, "No one is perfect, how can we be without fault? To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue!"

Hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Du Xinyang's face. He poured himself another glass of wine, raised it, and said, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Brother Xu. I'd like to toast you!"

Xu Hansheng picked up his wine glass, clinked glasses with Du Xinyang, and then drank it all in one gulp.

After setting down his wine glass, Xu Hansheng turned to Du Xinyang and asked, "By the way, how's the matter I asked you to handle this morning? Has Director Tan approved it?"

After putting down his wine glass, Du Xinyang said thoughtfully, "Director Tan said he needs to go back and look into it. Is the number of staff too high? Or is the requested amount a bit excessive?"

Xu Hansheng frowned slightly and asked, "What did Director Tan say?"

"Director Tan said he needs to report this matter to Director Fu and also discuss it with Director Xu, but he didn't say anything else," Du Xinyang said with some concern. "However, the budget I submitted was a compromise figure, taking into account the expenses from the previous two expenditures—1,500. Perhaps this amount..."

Xu Hansheng shook his head slightly and smiled, "That's not the issue. Those who joined the working group are all office directors from various bureaus. Director Tan also needs to inform the leaders of each bureau; otherwise, wouldn't he be taking his office directors to do 'private work' without the bureau chief's approval?"

"Of course, this 'side job' should be put in quotes. But since I'm not in a position of authority, I shouldn't meddle in its affairs. I still need to give them a heads-up, after all, we see each other all the time."

Oh!

Hearing Xu Hansheng say this, Du Xinyang was finally relieved. Then, he chatted with Xu Hansheng about Lao Shen and Li Qiang.

Xu Hansheng remained silent and smiled throughout. Even when Du Xinyang asked, he only said that he didn't know anything and that everything was arranged by the leaders.

The meal lasted until 7:30 p.m., when Du Xinyang took the initiative to say goodbye, "Brother Xu, I won't disturb your rest any longer. I'll go downstairs to pay the bill now. You can go upstairs and rest. There's no need to see me off."

As they were talking, Du Xinyang escorted Xu Hansheng to the top of the stairs before turning around and walking down the stairs.

……

The following afternoon, Tan Zhifei summoned Xu Hansheng, Du Xinyang, and Director Feng of the Environmental Protection Bureau.

"Xiao Du's suggestion yesterday was excellent. Comrade Xu Hansheng, could you contact Assistant General Manager Liu to see if it would be convenient for us to meet with Vice General Manager Li again?"

As Tan Zhifei spoke, he turned to look at Xu Hansheng.

Xu Hansheng smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay, I'll call Assistant Liu right away."

After saying that, Xu Hansheng took out his phone and made a call to Liu Zhiqiang in front of the three of them.

Because Vice President Li was very satisfied last time, Liu Zhiqiang agreed on the spot this time, and even said that his company would host the event.

Xu Hansheng did not object. Instead, he arranged a meeting place with Liu Zhiqiang and then hung up the phone.

"Director Tan, Assistant Liu has agreed and asked us to meet at the Tianyi Hotel. He also said that his company will treat us this time."

Hearing this, Tan Zhifei smiled and said, "Alright, let's hurry to Qingshan City then, so we don't miss our date."

After saying that, the group quickly walked out of the office.

Before long, Lao Chen drove to the entrance of the county committee compound. After Xu Hansheng and the others got in the car, they drove towards Qingshan City. Xu Hansheng handed over the hospitality money to Du Xinyang.

"Take this money. When the banquet is about to end, find an excuse to pay the bill."

Du Xinyang took the money from Xu Hansheng and smiled, "Okay, Brother Xu, I'll do whatever you say."

Xu Hansheng had been to Tianyi Hotel. A meal there cost about 800 or 900 yuan, and with a bath afterwards, it would cost at most 1,300 yuan.

There was still some money left over from the hospitality funds that Du Xinyang applied for.

Sitting in the car, Director Feng looked nervous. This was his first time going to Qingshan City to welcome and send off guests, and he was extremely excited.

No matter how good the restaurants in Yutong County are, they can't compare to the big restaurants in Qingshan City.

This time, we really benefited from Xu Hansheng's influence.

"Director Feng, in a little while, it will be your turn to speak. Whether we can achieve results today depends entirely on you."

Just then, Xu Hansheng turned to look at Director Feng and said with a smile.

"I will definitely do my best, I will definitely do my best!"

Director Feng said with a hint of excitement on his face.