88: Chapter 88 Welcome and Cleansing Ceremony

Hearing the old man's clichés, Sun Ning covered his forehead with his hand, looking extremely awkward.

For no other reason!

At this moment, his waist had been pinched until it was almost black and blue.

Sun Ning also inwardly complained about the old man; although this single door wasn't wide, it couldn't completely hide the tall and sturdy Zhao Xue.

The old man's mind was clearly not on what was outside.

Could it be that the old man hadn't received the news that Gao Feng was fine?

This wasn't impossible; Gao Feng had just returned to the Municipal Government, busy with clarifying matters and reporting work, so he hadn't reported his safety to his family.

And since Huang Mei's position was low-profile, it was normal that she hadn't received the news yet.

Sun Ning shifted his body to the side, revealing Zhao Xue's figure.

"Old man, I'm not the protagonist today."

"Haha... where did this pretty young lady come from? Hurry, come in! Sun Ning, it's not that I want to lecture you, but your girlfriend is here, and you're still here shooting the breeze with me at the door!"

Old Man Gao was familiar with Sun Ning, so he spoke as an elder.

After speaking, he pulled Sun Ning into the house and invited Zhao Xue inside.

"Young lady, what is your name? Where is your home? What do you do for work? How long have you been dating this brat?"

"This brat is good; not only is he handsome, but he's also filial, cares for the elderly, and has quite good abilities!"

"But when I look at you, I feel like a flower has been stuck into cow dung."

When people get old, the instinct to be a matchmaker naturally kicks in.

Before Sun Ning could introduce her, the old man couldn't help but start 'interrogating the prisoner'.

"Old man, we are here today to welcome my senior brother and wash away his bad luck!"

"Has Gao Feng come out?"

"Look at what you're saying; when has senior brother ever been inside?"

It was clear that after the old man knew his son was safe and sound, he visibly breathed a sigh of relief!

He grabbed Sun Ning's hand and thanked him, saying: "Thanks to your running around these past few days! Truly, a friend in need is a friend indeed! Having a junior brother like you is also Gao Feng's good fortune."

Sun Ning knew why the old man had such feelings.

It was obvious that although it had only been a few days, the number of people knocking on this door must have decreased significantly during this time.

But Sun Ning had his own selfish motives.

Then again, who doesn't have selfish motives?

From the perspective that human nature is inherently evil, there are selfish motives even between parents and children.

But from the perspective that human nature is inherently good, these are the lowest bottom lines of a person's moral outlook, values, and outlook on life.

"Old man, what are you saying? Senior brother has taken good care of me; I'm just running some errands. You are too polite."

After some pleasantries, Sun Ning played Chinese chess with the old man, while Zhao Xue served them on the side.

She kept feeding them fruits and drinks.

Not long after, Huang Mei returned. It was clear that she had been crying, her eyes were red.

These must have been tears of happiness from crying tears of joy.

Sun Ning guessed that after Gao Feng finished his work, he had found time to call Huang Mei and let her come back to prepare a meal.

He clearly saw the braised meat in the bag.

They were all the flavors he liked.

And when Zhao Xue saw Huang Mei like this, she fully utilized her skills as a big girl from the capital.

Before long, she was chatting away with Huang Mei.

After six in the evening, Gao Feng arrived at the Municipal Government residential compound, accompanied by his secretary.

After putting down his briefcase, Director Liu Weimin prepared to leave.

"Little Liu, stay for dinner today and have a few drinks with Sun Ning."

Sun Ning looked at Director Liu Weimin in surprise, realizing that this head secretary had probably performed well over the past few days and had truly been accepted by Gao Feng.

In the past when Sun Ning came over, Director Liu Weimin would always put down the briefcase and leave.

Only Huang Mei would make polite remarks; Gao Feng had never asked him to stay.

This time, Gao Feng's invitation clearly made the head secretary beam with joy.

However, he quickly expressed his thanks and declined.

Gao Feng invited him again, and only then did Director Liu Weimin take the opportunity to stay.

Watching Director Liu Weimin bustling about, Sun Ning smiled at Gao Feng and said: "Senior brother, I'm afraid Head Secretary Liu is going to be promoted to Deputy Director this time!"

Sun Ning's words made Director Liu Weimin, who was pouring water, shake his hand.

It wasn't that the secretary of the Executive Deputy Mayor wasn't qualified to be a Deputy Director of the Government Office.

It was that Director Liu Weimin's qualifications were too shallow, and he hadn't been with Gao Feng for long, so he was the Chief of the Second Comprehensive Section concurrently serving as Gao Feng's liaison.

And Sun Ning's mention of a promotion to Deputy Director clearly implied that Gao Feng would ascend to the position of Mayor.

If Gao Feng was promoted by one rank, and he, the head secretary, was still just the Chief of the Second Comprehensive Section, that would be too unreasonable.

Without Gao Feng even needing to say anything, the Secretary-General of the Municipal Government would take the initiative to propose the transfer procedures.

The Organization Department wouldn't block this transfer over a Deputy Director position in the Government Office.

Unless Gao Feng's relationship with the Party Secretary was too poor.

Gao Feng, who was on the side, also looked at Sun Ning in surprise.

"Did you hear some news?"

Gao Feng knew that through this incident of being falsely accused, his ascent to the position of Mayor was a done deal.

But he hadn't heard any hints.

Now, hearing what Sun Ning meant, it seemed there was progress regarding him becoming Mayor.

Although this was Heyang, he never doubted that Sun Ning had connections in the higher levels.

Who knew which senior brother of his had introduced him to big shots.

At this moment, Zhao Xue happened to come out of the kitchen carrying a tray.

Sun Ning pointed at Zhao Xue, "She is the one who got the news."

"Senior brother, let me introduce you. This is Zhao Xue, senior sister's best friend."

"Sister Xue's father is President Zhao Donglai of the Daily Newspaper Office."

"Sister Xue, this is my senior brother, Gao Feng."

When Gao Feng heard that she was the daughter of President Zhao, and also Shang Rou's best friend, he looked at Sun Ning in disbelief.

The key was Zhao Xue's appearance right now: wearing an apron, with a high ponytail, dressed like a cook.

No matter how you looked at it, she didn't look like a daughter from a prestigious family; she clearly looked like a young wife.

He came from a ministry background, so he knew the power of children from prestigious families.

Those circles upon circles—asking them to help with promotions or getting rich might be impossible.

But if it came to getting an approval document or securing a project, their power was immense.

If it were about them going after someone, it would also be very easy.

Of course, Gao Feng wouldn't ask about gossip.

There were too many new things in this circle.

One shouldn't ask about anything.

Knowing too much was no good for anyone.

Before long, everyone sat down.

Fortunately, Gao Feng's dining room was large enough to seat so many people.

"Senior brother, what are the arrangements regarding Zhao Bo?"

"Secretary Zhan Zhong's intention is to investigate vigorously, to investigate fairly, justly, and openly, and to hold anyone involved accountable."

Pfft!

Zhao Xue couldn't help it and laughed out loud.

Sun Ning gave her a glare; this girl had let herself go after leaving the capital.

She had even abandoned her last bit of caution in speech and behavior.

She had completely returned to her true self.

However, Zhao Xue like this was still a bit cute.

Sun Ning couldn't help but give Zhao Xue a flick on the forehead and said to Gao Feng: "Secretary Zhan Zhong is also thinking about the big picture."

"Senior brother thinks so too, right? Everything is for the smooth transition of the Zhongzhou Municipal Government. Secretary Zhan Zhong should be representing the will of the Provincial Party Committee."

"Zhao Bo won't be able to escape the crime of false accusation; it's estimated that his other crimes will also be dug up."

"Three years or more and under ten years is certain. Deputy Secretary Zhao Weicai won't dare to make a move, and his father, Zhao Weihua, won't dare to engage in petty tricks either."