27: Chapter 27 Building a Network of Connections

Secretary Chen Bin drove his own car. Upon learning that Li Dakang had not yet arranged accommodation, he took the initiative to offer to take him to the Xinying Hotel, which was the designated reception hotel for the Xinying Municipal Government and boasted top-tier facilities in the city.

On the way to the hotel, Secretary Chen Bin said while driving, "Township Head Li, the Mayor specifically instructed just now that we should strengthen our contact in the future. If you need any help on your end, don't hesitate to come to me."

His tone was sincere and enthusiastic, which was heartwarming to hear.

As the Mayor's secretary, Secretary Chen Bin was very shrewd.

Although he wasn't clear about the exact relationship between Li Dakang and Municipal Party Secretary Guo Zhenhua, judging by the latter's attitude toward him, it was clearly more than just a typical uncle-nephew bond.

Thinking back to how Municipal Party Secretary Guo Zhenhua had specifically instructed him to build a good relationship with Li Dakang, coupled with the fact that Li Dakang had become a Township Head at such a young age, Secretary Chen Bin secretly guessed that the other party must have a significant background, perhaps the son of some high-ranking leader sent down to gain experience.

Therefore, Secretary Chen Bin did not look down on Li Dakang in the slightest just because he was the Mayor's secretary; instead, he adopted an equal, or even more respectful, stance to befriend him.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Li Dakang responded with a smile, "That goes without saying, Section Chief Chen! Let's keep in touch. To be honest, I might really end up needing your help in the future, so don't find me too troublesome when that time comes."

"Township Head Li, I'm a few years older than you, so please forgive my presumption if I call you 'little brother'."

"Then I won't call you Section Chief Chen anymore; calling you 'Brother Chen' feels more intimate."

After saying this, the two looked at each other and smiled, sharing a sense of tacit understanding.

Under the veil of night, the Xinying Hotel was brightly lit, with the marble floor reflecting the dazzling radiance of the crystal chandeliers.

Secretary Chen Bin's Santana slowly pulled up to the main entrance, and a bellhop trotted over to open the car door.

"We're here, little brother."

Secretary Chen Bin walked to the front desk and gave a few instructions, and the hotel quickly arranged a high-end suite for Li Dakang.

"Get some rest early, little brother. I'll head back now."

Secretary Chen Bin left his business card: "Call me anytime if you need anything."

Li Dakang nodded and said, "Alright, Brother Chen, see you later!"

...

The following afternoon, Li Dakang's pager suddenly vibrated.

The screen displayed a string of unfamiliar numbers, followed by the character "Cao".

He picked up the hotel phone to call back, and Cao Yong's signature loud voice immediately came through the receiver: "Third Young Master! I've arrived at the Xinying Hotel; I'm waiting for you downstairs!"

In front of the hotel, a black Toyota Crown was particularly eye-catching.

Cao Yong, the son of Vice Governor Cao Jianhui, was rarely seen wearing a proper shirt today.

Seeing Li Dakang come out, he hurriedly got out of the car and opened the back door: "Third Young Master, everything is arranged."

The car drove toward the outskirts of the city, and the trees on both sides of the road gradually became denser.

Cao Yong stole a glance at Li Dakang through the rearview mirror, seeing him with his eyes closed to rest, his fingers tapping lightly on his knees as if he were pondering something important.

"Third Young Master," Cao Yong couldn't help but speak up.

"Although that kid Feng Shuhua loves to play, he's actually quite reliable..."

"Hmm," Li Dakang responded softly.

Meanwhile, in a quiet villa on the outskirts of Xinying City, Feng Shuhua was sitting alone in a private room.

When he received Cao Yong's call in the afternoon, he was truly taken aback; the other party said he wanted to introduce a "big shot" to him and told him to find a quiet place.

"A big shot?" Feng Shuhua muttered to himself.

"Who could it be that Cao Yong would call a big shot?"

You have to know, although Cao Yong's father, Vice Governor Cao Jianhui, was not a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, he was still a Vice Governor, and he was in charge of a lucrative department like the Department of Transportation, making him a figure with real power in Jiang Province.

Cao Yong's status as the son of a high-ranking official held much more weight than his own status as the son of the Deputy Secretary of the Xinying Municipal Party Committee.

Since even Cao Yong called him a "big shot," surely only someone from the capital could deserve such a title, right?

But why would such a person come to a small place like Xinying?

Even if he did come, why would he want to see him?

You have to know, his status as the son of the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee might count for something in Xinying City, but it would be insignificant in the provincial capital of Mingzhou, let alone the capital.

The more Feng Shuhua thought about it, the more puzzled he became.

Just then, footsteps were heard outside.

The door was pushed open, and Cao Yong walked in first, his face plastered with a fawning smile, as he turned to respectfully invite the person behind him to enter.

Feng Shuhua looked up and saw that the young man who entered had an imposing and dignified air, with deep and steady eyes.

"Young Master Li, this is Feng Shuhua; his father is the Deputy Secretary of the Xinying Municipal Party Committee, Feng Zhixue," Cao Yong introduced.

On the way, Li Dakang had specifically instructed that his true identity must not be revealed, so Cao Yong referred to him as Young Master Li.

"Shuhua, this is Young Master Li, who has come from the capital," Cao Yong said to Feng Shuhua.

Feng Shuhua hurriedly stood up, reached out his hand, and said with a smile, "Hello, Young Master Li, welcome to Xinying."

"Hello, Shuhua, let's sit down and talk."

After the three of them were seated, the waiter began to serve the dishes.

Feng Shuhua secretly observed Li Dakang, wanting to find some clues from his words and actions, but Li Dakang simply responded with indifference, occasionally talking about the local customs of Xinying, his words revealing extensive knowledge.

During the meal, Cao Yong kept finding topics to liven up the atmosphere.

Gradually, a ripple appeared on Feng Shuhua's originally composed face; he was clearly unable to suppress the curiosity in his heart.

He slowly raised the wine glass in front of him, squinted slightly at Li Dakang opposite him, and said softly, "Young Master Li, since you've come all the way from out of town to our Xinying, you must have some important business to attend to, right? If there is anything you need my help with, please don't hesitate to say so."