Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 148 Xia Xiaolan

Director Wang turned to look at Xia Xiaolan and realized that she really didn't recognize him. He quickly raised his hand to introduce her: "Come, let me introduce you. This is Mayor Xia of Chuanzhou. Today is the opening of her nephew's restaurant. She came to join in the fun. Mayor Xia, this is Director Chen of Longcheng Power Bureau, Director Liu, this is Director Li of Longcheng Power Supply, and this is Director Wen of Longcheng Power."

Xia Xiaolan smiled warmly and extended her hand to shake hands with several bureau chiefs and directors. Director Wang asked from the side, "Old Chen, what's going on here?"

Director Chen turned his head, put his five fingers together with his palm facing up, pointed to Old Chen in the middle, and introduced him: "Director Wang, this is Director Chen from our provincial bureau. Director Chen, this is Director Wang from the Longcheng Labor Bureau."

Old Chen demurely extended his hand and shook hands with Director Wang. The two were of slightly different ranks, so he didn't need to be overly enthusiastic; politeness was sufficient.

Without any introductions, Old Chen turned to Xia Xiaolan, extended his hand, and said, "Hello Mayor Xia, I am Chen Xiangnan from the Provincial Power Bureau. I apologize for coming so abruptly today. You have a wonderful nephew; I am quite envious."

Xia Xiaolan extended both hands to shake hands with Old Chen, and said with a smile, "Hello Director Chen, I was just talking about you with Maosheng, Xiaohui and the others, and you've arrived. Come in, please come in. I'm practically a host today, so please forgive me if I'm not attentive enough."

Old Chen waved his hand and said, "If the kids can play together, there's no need for us adults to be polite. It's fate. I hope my son can learn more from Maosheng and Xiaowei. He's too playful and never grows up. Sigh."

Chen Hui curled his lip and rolled his eyes.

Xia Xiaolan is practically the hostess today, and everyone is here to support her out of respect. But that's how it is in the system; a higher rank can crush you. As soon as Old Chen arrived, he started to overshadow everyone else. He's a department head, and no one here can influence the hierarchy; everyone is a level below him.

Fortunately, the systems were different, so everyone just showed the necessary respect and there was no awkward silence. Xia Xiaolan said, "Let's go upstairs, it's warmer up there."

Old Chen waved his hand and said, "Mayor Xia, don't rush, wait a moment. Old Liu said he's coming over, it wouldn't be good for us to go upstairs first. Director Wang, let's wait together for a bit. Maosheng, tell someone to pour water for the uncles. Don't make your tea anymore, the smell of jasmine is overwhelming as soon as you walk in." As he spoke, Old Chen opened his briefcase, took out a leather bag, and handed it to Xia Maosheng: "Make this."

Chen Hui reached out and took the tea, saying, "Let me do it, I've brewed this before." Old Chen handed the tea leaves to Chen Hui and said to Xia Xiaolan, "Look, this is my good-for-nothing son. Look at his scoundrel-like appearance, he's so unreliable." He sat down on the stool by the table. The benches in the lobby on the first floor were solid wood benches without cushions, simple chairs with backs. Fortunately, the heating was good, so it wasn't too cold to sit on.

Old Chen frowned as soon as he sat down, glanced at Xia Xiaolan, then turned and waved to Xiao Wei. Xiao Wei quickly came over: "What's up, Uncle?"

Old Chen said in a low voice, "Didn't you prepare any cushions? Won't this stool get cold if you sit on it like this?"

Xiao Wei said in a low voice, "That's how it is on the first floor. The upstairs and the private rooms are all covered with foam padding."

Old Chen nodded, relieved, and turned to speak to Xia Xiaolan: "Mayor Xia,..." Xiao Wei stepped aside. At this moment, the three of them were just background figures. They greeted each other. Today was Xia Xiaolan's turn, and now with Old Chen joining in, the two of them talked without neglecting anyone present, managing to chime in from time to time. You should know that although these people are considered important figures in Longcheng, they are only a group of section-level officials, considered the bottom of the officialdom. They rarely have the opportunity to interact with bureau-level officials. At this moment, they were all extremely "well-behaved."

After sitting for a while, people kept coming over. Director Wang and Xia Xiaolan had invited five tables. In Northeast China at this time, there were eight people per table, so forty people in total. They had invited almost all the departments and committees. And they had to invite them all. If someone didn't come, that was their business. But if you missed inviting someone, that was your business, and it was a big deal.

Chen Hui brewed the tea himself, while Xiao Wei and Xia Maosheng served it. No wonder Chen Hui insisted on brewing it; with Xiao Wei's rustic manner, the tea would be wasted. Only three or five tea leaves floated in the water, making the water pale yellow and fragrant. If it were Xiao Wei, he would definitely brew a whole cup, and that amount of tea leaves might not even be enough.

Old Chen gestured for everyone to have some tea, saying, "This is some pre-Qingming Longjing tea that a senior leader from the central bureau gave me for the provincial power meeting. I don't usually drink tea, but I'm sharing it with you all today."

The three guys were standing at the top of the stairs. Xiao Wei quietly asked Chen Hui, "This tea is pretty expensive, isn't it? I see you're reluctant to part with it. People are probably thinking we're stingy, aren't they?"

Chen Hui, without even looking up, cursed, "You're such a hillbilly! This is how you brew tea. I even put in too much. My dad always puts in two or three leaves for one cup at home. Don't be fooled by this small packet; it would cost at least ten thousand yuan if you bought it. My dad is practically bleeding money for your shop. He wouldn't even let me drink it normally."

Xiao Wei and Xia Maosheng exchanged a glance, both shocked.

After drinking half a cup of tea, another car stopped outside. The three of them got out, stamped their feet, looked up at the sign, and then walked in together.

Although Old Chen was talking to Xia Xiaolan and the others, he had been keeping an eye on the door. As soon as the car stopped, Old Chen stood up and said to Xia Xiaolan, "Come on, let's greet them." He strode towards the door and opened it just before the people outside could push it open, smiling as he walked out: "Old Liu, a warm welcome! I don't need to introduce Xia Xiaolan, do I? She's one of your capable men. Come, come in, have some tea to warm up, and we'll have a good drink together later. It's been quite a while since we've had a drink together."

Old Liu reached out and shook hands with Xia Xiaolan, asking, "What are you doing here?"

Xia Xiaolan pointed to the three young men and said, "This was arranged by my nephew and Director Chen's children. My brother had something to do at home, so he asked me to come and take a look. What can I do? I'm his aunt. Please welcome the mayor inside. I'm the host today, so please don't hold it against me if I'm not a good host. This is my first time, and I don't have any experience."

Mayor Liu laughed heartily, shook his head, and walked inside side by side with Old Chen. Xia Xiaolan slowed down slightly and greeted the person following Mayor Liu, "Director Li, you've come too. Secretary Li." Director Li smiled and nodded, shook hands with Xia Xiaolan, and followed Mayor Liu and Old Chen inside. Another younger person was Mayor Liu's secretary, Li Zhonghe, who smiled and nodded to Xia Xiaolan.

Mayor Liu turned around as he walked and introduced Old Chen: "Old Chen, this is Director Li of Longcheng Public Security Bureau. Old Li, this is Director Chen of the Provincial Power Industry. Director Chen is a hero among drinkers. You'll have to help me deal with him later. I'm afraid I can't handle him alone." Director Li shook hands with Old Chen, and the three of them walked into the house chatting and laughing.

Xia Xiaolan said, "Let's go upstairs. It's warmer upstairs than downstairs, and it'll be easier to talk there."