131: Chapter 131 Secret Banquet

Li Dakang turned around, his gaze piercing: "Do this, go notify Township Head Mao and tell him I'm inviting him to dinner tonight. Find a quiet place and make the arrangements."

"Understood, Secretary. I'll go handle it right away."

Director Su Zhiguo replied immediately, his steps feeling a bit lighter as he turned.

The moment he pushed the door open, he let out a long sigh of relief, only then realizing his palms were already soaked with sweat.

The setting sun tilted westward, its golden afterglow spilling over the sycamore trees in the Township Government courtyard, casting dappled light and shadows.

Director Su Zhiguo gently knocked on the door of the Secretary's office, and after receiving permission, walked in quickly.

"Secretary, everything has been arranged properly."

Director Su Zhiguo bowed slightly, his voice kept at just the right level: "Shall we set off now?"

Li Dakang looked up from a pile of documents, spinning his pen between his fingers: "Has Township Head Mao been notified?"

"Township Head Mao has gone to the village to inspect the work."

Director Su Zhiguo glanced at his watch: "He is already on his way back and should arrive a little late."

Li Dakang closed the folder and stood up briskly: "Alright, then let's go over and wait."

Immediately, the two walked out of the Township Government gate, one after the other.

The pedestrians on the street were gradually thinning, and Director Su Zhiguo lagged half a step behind, turning to lead the way from time to time.

They walked toward the center of the township, their destination being the "Lichunlai" restaurant. This place, which had only been open for two months, had become the most bustling dining spot in Guantian Township thanks to its authentic farm-style dishes and the graceful landlady.

The landlady was in her early thirties; every gesture she made held both the liveliness of a young girl and the unique charm of a mature woman. Even a simple floral qipao looked swaying and graceful on her, and a mere glance from her eyes was enough to make male customers willingly order more dishes.

Just as Li Dakang and Director Su Zhiguo stepped over the restaurant threshold, the landlady, who was calculating accounts at the counter, looked up keenly.

Her phoenix eyes lit up instantly, and she swayed her waist as she hurried over: "Oh my, if it isn't our Director Su!"

The landlady deliberately drew out her tone, her red lips slightly pouting: "You really are a busy man who forgets things easily; how long has it been since you came to support my little shop? Could it be that you think I've lost my looks?"

This ambiguous joke made Director Su Zhiguo's face turn red instantly.

He naturally remembered the times he had come here to eat before, flirting with the landlady under the influence of alcohol, sometimes pretending to accidentally touch her hand, and other times using the excuse of praising her cooking to squeeze her shoulder.

But now that Li Dakang was by his side, how could Director Su Zhiguo dare to act out of line?

He swept a quick glance over the landlady's curvaceous figure, then forced himself to calmly look away, saying with a straight face: "Is the private room I had someone book ready? Hurry and take us there."

The landlady keenly sensed Director Su Zhiguo's unusual behavior today; the Director Su who was usually glib and always liked to take small advantages was now putting on a sanctimonious act.

Her eyes darted, suppressing her confusion, and she turned to look at Li Dakang with a blooming smile: "Oh my, this leader looks very familiar; surely this is your first time visiting my little shop?"

She deliberately enunciated the word "leader" very lightly, which instead added a touch of playfulness.

"This young gentleman is truly handsome!"

Upon hearing this, Director Su Zhiguo's heart trembled violently, and he inwardly cried out that it was bad; only then did he realize he had made a big mistake.

With so many restaurants in Guantian Township, why did he have to choose this one?

Wasn't it because he had been bewitched by the landlady's alluring gaze!

At this moment, Director Su Zhiguo wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into, fearing that Li Dakang would get angry.

He stole a glance at Li Dakang and, seeing that the other party's expression was normal, Director Su Zhiguo finally breathed a sigh of relief, though his back was already soaked with a layer of cold sweat.

Li Dakang's mouth curled slightly, revealing a calm smile: "Landlady, you have a good eye; it is indeed my first time here."

"Judging by your demeanor, young gentleman, you must have just been transferred to the township recently, right?"

The landlady's eyes darted, and she added pointedly: "Following a leader like Director Su, you will surely rise step by step in the future!"

This flattery praised Li Dakang while secretly elevating Director Su Zhiguo.

In the past, Director Su Zhiguo would have been self-satisfied with such compliments.

But at this moment, he only felt that the shirt on his back was soaked with cold sweat.

Just as he was about to solemnly introduce Li Dakang's identity, a shout came from afar: "Landlady, the guests at table three are looking for you!"

"Coming, coming!"

The landlady responded impatiently, then immediately put on a smiling face again and said to Director Su Zhiguo: "Director Su, look at this..."

"Go attend to your business!"

Director Su Zhiguo, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly waved his hand: "We'll just help ourselves!"

His tone revealed a sense of impatience, wishing he could immediately send away this loose-lipped landlady.

The landlady then shouted to a waiter nearby: "Xiaohua! Take Director Su and the others to private room number six!"

The waiter led the two through the noisy lobby and arrived at private room number six at the end of the hallway.

After the waiter closed the door and left, Director Su Zhiguo stood up immediately, fine beads of sweat still hanging on his forehead: "Secretary, that landlady was loose-lipped just now, please don't take it to heart!"

His voice was full of undisguised panic.

Watching Director Su Zhiguo's flustered appearance, Li Dakang couldn't help but smile, gently patting his shoulder, his tone light and tinged with teasing: "She is a bit unreliable."