142: Chapter 142 Private Night Banquet

The turning point in Director Lu Guoqiang's political career occurred when Vice Governor Cao Jianhui was promoted to County Party Committee Secretary.

At the time, Vice Governor Cao Jianhui had sent his long-time secretary down to the grassroots level for training and was in urgent need of a new one, and the image of that sharp young man, Director Lu Guoqiang, came to his mind.

With a single transfer order, Director Lu Guoqiang was moved from the County Transportation Bureau to the County Party Committee Office, beginning a political following of Vice Governor Cao Jianhui that would last over twenty years.

Under the careful cultivation of Vice Governor Cao Jianhui, Director Lu Guoqiang's career took off like a political express train.

From Deputy Director to Director of the County Party Committee Office, from Deputy County Magistrate to Standing Committee member, and then to County Magistrate and County Party Committee Secretary in charge of a region...

In just ten short years, Director Lu Guoqiang had climbed steps that ordinary cadres could not traverse in a lifetime.

When Vice Governor Cao Jianhui was promoted to Vice Provincial Governor, he immediately transferred Director Lu Guoqiang, who was already a Deputy Mayor, to the Provincial Department of Transportation to serve as Executive Deputy Director.

And after the previous Director of Transportation reached retirement age, Director Lu Guoqiang naturally succeeded to the position of Director.

Who could have imagined that the callow youth who loved running to the department store back then would now become a powerful Director of the Provincial Department of Transportation, and that this connection, which began in a small county, would continue to exert influence in the provincial capital.

This debt of gratitude for the mentorship that spanned two political cycles made Director Lu Guoqiang maintain a loyalty to Vice Governor Cao Jianhui that mirrored the sentiment, "A scholar dies for one who truly understands him."

Therefore, after hanging up the phone, Director Lu Guoqiang immediately instructed his secretary: "Notify the Transportation Hotel to arrange a dinner banquet, and it must be of the highest standard."

This arrangement was both a sign of respect for his old leader and a cherishing of this political bond.

As a direct subordinate unit of the Provincial Department of Transportation, the Transportation Hotel, supported by the substantial financial resources of its governing department, boasted hardware facilities that could be considered first-class in Mingzhou City.

Hidden among the trees, this modern building complex had become a famous high-end reception venue in the area, thanks to its elegant and grand decor and meticulous, thoughtful service.

Deep within the hotel lay a little-known, private space: an internal restaurant designed exclusively for the leaders of the Provincial Department of Transportation.

This dining area was exquisitely decorated, featuring the most advanced soundproofing design. French imported crystal chandeliers cast a soft light, and Italian leather chairs were arranged around a mahogany dining table, exuding low-key luxury at every turn.

Not only did it offer delicacies prepared by specially hired chefs, but due to its absolute privacy, it had become the preferred place for the leaders of the Provincial Department of Transportation to discuss important matters and relax.

Upon receiving the urgent notice from Director Lu Guoqiang's secretary, the Transportation Hotel immediately activated its highest-standard reception contingency plan.

Manager Xiao Jia oversaw it personally, ensuring every detail, from selecting ingredients to assigning service staff, was perfect.

She specifically instructed the kitchen to bring out their treasured top-tier ingredients: Japanese Wagyu beef, French Gillardeau oysters, and Lafite red wine that had been cellar-aged for many years.

...

The twilight deepened, and the lights came on.

At seven o'clock sharp, a black Audi slowly drove into the hotel courtyard, its headlights piercing the night as it pulled up steadily to the entrance, which was paved with a red carpet.

Xiao Jia, who had been waiting there for some time, immediately stepped forward and elegantly and respectfully opened the car door for Director Lu Guoqiang.

At thirty-eight, Xiao Jia was a role model for professional women.

She wore a well-tailored Chanel suit that perfectly outlined her graceful figure.

Time seemed to have been exceptionally kind to her; it hadn't taken away her beauty but instead added the unique charm of a mature woman.

The confidence and composure in her every gesture seemed to quietly tell the story of a successful woman.

Five years ago, when Director Lu Guoqiang was the Executive Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Transportation conducting grassroots research, he met Xiao Jia, who was then the Director of the County Transportation Bureau Office.

At that time, Xiao Jia was in her early thirties, the age when a woman is at her most charming.

Her outstanding eloquence and appropriate demeanor were eye-catching among the reception staff, and she was immediately noticed by Director Lu Guoqiang.

After the research concluded, Director Lu Guoqiang "inadvertently" left behind his private contact information.

Their relationship developed faster than anyone could have imagined.

Director Lu Guoqiang was captivated by Xiao Jia's beauty and tenderness, while Xiao Jia was drawn to Director Lu Guoqiang's power and status; the two hit it off immediately, and their feelings heated up rapidly.

To maintain this relationship, Director Lu Guoqiang used the power in his hands to transfer Xiao Jia to the Transportation Hotel through several personnel shifts, eventually promoting her to hotel manager, reaching the deputy division level.

Xiao Jia also made a major decision, ending her previous marriage and devoting herself entirely to this relationship.

When Director Lu Guoqiang got out of the car, he grasped Xiao Jia's slender wrist, a flash of hard-to-detect fervor flickering in his eyes.

Although the two had long been intimate, Xiao Jia always gave him a sense of freshness every time they met.

He gently stroked the back of Xiao Jia's hand and asked in a low voice: "Is everything ready?"

Xiao Jia's eyes shimmered as she parted her red lips slightly: "Please rest assured, Director; everything has been arranged according to the highest standards. Shall we go in now?"

Director Lu Guoqiang nodded slightly, his eyes filled with approval: "Wait a moment, Governor Cao will be here soon."

As a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and Vice Governor in charge of transportation, Vice Governor Cao Jianhui was a regular here.

Xiao Jia knew the preferences of this heavyweight leader like the back of her hand.

Especially since Vice Governor Cao Jianhui had recently been promoted to the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, his political status had ascended to a new level.

Xiao Jia knew clearly in her heart that the scale of tonight's reception would directly show how much Director Lu Guoqiang valued this patron.

She calmly adjusted her lapels, a perfectly measured smile remaining on her face, while her mind was rapidly calculating every detail of the reception.