In officialdom: After she left, I rose rapidly through the ranks!

Chen Jingcheng was well aware that Guo Hu was only thinking of himself.

"Okay, Tiger, I know you're doing this for my own good."

"How about tonight? It's Friday, and the ban hasn't been issued yet. We should be free tomorrow and the day after. How about we go to Liu Fei's for a drink?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Hu shook his head and laughed, "Liu Fei called before, but he's busy these days, so we'll skip the drinking."

"I have something to do, so I won't be able to keep you company tonight. You should tell your aunt and uncle about the good news you have today, and let them share in your joy."

Chen Jingcheng nodded. Indeed, the good news was something to tell his parents. After all these years, there was finally something that could make them proud and hold their heads high. How could he not tell them the details?

"Okay, Tiger, let's get together again sometime."

"I'm taking my parents out for hot pot tonight to have some fun."

"By the way, what did you say you wanted to talk about with the inspection office? Is it urgent? If not, let's talk about it on Monday."

Guo Hu was in no hurry. Whether he spoke about it sooner or later made no difference.

Afterwards, Guo Hu and Chen Jingcheng left the office.

At this moment, because it is already winter, it is already very dark even though it is not yet six o'clock in the evening.

On the way, Chen Jingcheng called his parents and made a reservation at a hot pot restaurant that wasn't far from home, about a ten-minute drive away.

When Chen Jingcheng arrived at the hot pot restaurant, it was already packed with people.

The entire floor, excluding the private rooms, has more than thirty tables, all of which are now fully occupied.

In those days, there weren't many hot pot restaurants in Linchuan County. Coupled with the cold weather and the fact that it was Friday, even more people came out to eat.

This authentic lamb hot pot restaurant has only been open for less than two months, but it's already incredibly popular.

When Chen Jingcheng arrived, his parents were standing at the door.

It was freezing cold, and Chen Jingcheng felt a pang of sympathy.

"Dad, Mom, why don't you go inside and wait?"

"I think there are too many people. How about we go somewhere else?"

"If all else fails, we can skip the hot pot and have some casserole or stir-fried dishes instead."

However, Chen Dachuan smiled and shook his head, saying, "Let's have hot pot. Your mother has heard a lot of people mention it, but I rarely bring her here to eat. In fact, I've almost never eaten hot pot at a restaurant outside."

"After all, it's not cheap."

"But we can afford it, so today we'll have hot pot."

Hearing this, Chen Jingcheng nodded directly. Indeed, no matter how poor his family was, they were not so poor that they couldn't afford a hot pot meal. It wasn't that his parents didn't want to eat it, but rather that they couldn't bear to.

Today, we finally have this opportunity. My parents are here, so what's wrong with waiting a little longer?

However, Chen Dachuan and Chen Jingcheng had a good idea. Upon hearing this, Li Sumei quickly shook her head and said, "No, no, let's eat at home."

"It's just hot pot. We can go to a lamb shop, buy some fresh lamb, and make some soup at home. It'll be cheaper and better than this."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jingcheng and Chen Dachuan both laughed. In the end, Li Sumei was still reluctant to spend money.

That's true. Although the family can afford to eat, they are not wealthy. Chen Jingcheng had to borrow money everywhere to get married but couldn't, and he had to be subservient to others. In addition, he has a younger brother and sister to go to school and take care of. Every penny saved is precious.

But today, Chen Jingcheng didn't want his parents to be so frugal.

"Mom, let's eat this today, I want to eat it."

Hearing this, Li Sumei didn't say anything more. Although Chen Jingcheng wasn't their biological child, they actually treated him even better than their own children.

From childhood to adulthood, Chen Jingcheng always got the best food, drinks, and new clothes first.

The adoptive parents have done so much; they truly have a clear conscience.

"Okay, if Jingcheng wants to eat, then let's eat."

Li Sumei spoke up, and Chen Dachuan and Chen Jingcheng both laughed.

At this moment, Chen Jingcheng noticed the loose-packed liquor that Chen Dachuan was holding, which cost ten yuan per jin (500g). After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Dad, would you like to drink this?"

"How about we have something nice to drink today?"

"I just got paid a few days ago, let me buy you a bottle of good wine, let's have a nice drink together."

How good can bulk liquor cost ten yuan per kilogram?

In fact, many places that sell bulk liquor are actually homemade grain liquor, which is very cheap and many people buy it. However, ten yuan per kilogram is indeed too cheap, and it can cause heartburn when you drink it.

But it's cheap.

For many people, the low price is enough to cover up all the drawbacks.

Chen Dachuan shook his head and said, "No, let's just drink this. It's not that we don't have good wine at home, nor is it that I don't want you to buy any. It's just that you've just started working. In the future, when we get better wine, you can use it when you drink with your colleagues and superiors. I'll just drink this."

Just after saying that, Chen Dachuan seemed to remember something, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I forgot, son, you are now working in the government office. If people see you drinking this kind of alcohol outside, they will laugh at you."

"Okay, you wait here, Dad will go buy you a better bottle. You can drink it yourself, Dad will just drink this one."

After saying that, Chen Dachuan prepared to go to the tobacco and liquor store next door to buy other better quality liquor.

Seeing this scene, Chen Jingcheng felt warm inside, even though the weather was cold and he felt a little cold.

The love his parents had for him, the warmth of home, made Chen Jingcheng want to cry.

"No, Dad, I'll drink this with you."

"I won't buy any other alcohol. I'm not used to it, and there's no need for us to do so."

"But Dad, don't worry, from now on, your son will make sure you drink good wine every day."

This is Chen Jingcheng's promise to his parents, and also his heartfelt words at this moment.

Mr. and Mrs. Chen laughed when they heard this.

"Okay, I'll drink my son's good wine from now on."

Just then, someone that Chen Jingcheng's family didn't really want to see appeared.

The person who arrived was none other than Chen Jinghan, Chen Jingcheng's cousin and the son of his uncle.

The last time I saw Chen Jinghan was a few days ago, when Chen Jingcheng had just returned home. At that time, his uncle Chen Dashan brought Chen Jinghan to our home, wanting Chen Jingcheng to help him find a job as the secretary and mayor of the township where he was located, so that he could undertake a construction project.

Chen Jingcheng didn't have the ability at the time, so he naturally refused.

This also led Chen Dashan and Chen Jinghan to treat their family with utter disrespect.

Along with that, Chen Dashan deliberately took out 100,000 yuan, but in the end, he didn't lend a single penny.

The family ties had faded to such an extent that Chen Jingcheng and his family were somewhat disheartened.

"Isn't this my uncle, my aunt, and my good brother?"

"What are you doing here? Eating hot pot?"

"That's strange. I don't remember your aunt and uncle being very frugal with eating out. Is it because Jingcheng isn't getting married? So he doesn't need to borrow money or save money anymore?"

Chen Jinghan led five or six people to Chen Jingcheng and his group, addressing them as uncle and aunt, and brothers, but his words were full of contempt and even mockery.

Anyone could see that he had a problem with Chen Jingcheng and his family!