172: Chapter 172 Attending the Banquet

Xiao Chuyi was very puzzled; the back of the person who just entered the elevator gave her a sense of familiarity.

"It must be someone I know."

Suddenly, a figure appeared in her mind!

It seemed to be Qin Chuan just now!

Had he returned to Wanshun County? Didn't he follow his girlfriend to Handong Province after graduating from university? It seemed to be a place called Jinzhu Township...

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but shake her head bitterly, feeling a faint ache in her heart. Even now, she still hadn't figured out where she had lost.

Qin Chuan did not know that he had been seen by the high school campus belle. He dragged his suitcase, took Zhu Qingxi through the elevator, and arrived at the room he would be staying in tonight.

After checking into the room, Qin Chuan took Zhu Qingxi for a walk in the nearby streets, not returning until after nine o'clock in the evening.

The next morning.

After waking up, Qin Chuan habitually checked the system's update messages. There were two in total.

1. Governor Zhou Yuan of Jiangnan Province knows you have arrived in Wanshun County and will specifically call to invite you over for a sit-down and a meal at his home.

2. At Teacher Zhang's birthday banquet today, Jin Rifei will see your girlfriend and find her beautiful; he is already coveting her and only wants to get your girlfriend into bed.

After reading these two messages, Qin Chuan knew what to expect.

He knew Governor Zhou Yuan of Jiangnan Province; he was a subordinate of Elder Qin. During holidays, he often went to the capital to visit Elder Qin.

Elder Qin had students and former subordinates all over the country. There were quite a few officials at Governor Zhou Yuan's level, which was one of the reasons why the Qin Family had such huge influence within the system.

During the New Year last year, Governor Zhou Yuan specifically visited Elder Qin, and Qin Chuan met him once more, even chatting briefly.

As for Jin Rifei, he hoped he wouldn't court death; otherwise, he would settle old and new scores together.

After the two finished washing up, Zhu Qingxi applied light makeup. Being naturally beautiful was an inherent advantage. With just a simple touch of light makeup, her whole being exuded a special attraction. She was beautiful, very beautiful!

Qin Chuan said, "Qingxi, let's go out for breakfast. I remember the beef noodles in a small alley are delicious."

Wanshun Hotel naturally had breakfast, but the hotel breakfast couldn't compare to the taste of certain hole-in-the-wall eateries.

Zhu Qingxi readily agreed, "Alright, since we've come to Jiangnan Province, we must slurp a bowl of beef rice noodles."

Some say that the people of Jiangnan Province start their day with a bowl of beef noodles. This is no exaggeration. Seventy or eighty percent of people have a bowl of rice noodles for breakfast; only a small minority have things like steamed buns or mantou.

Although it had been several years since he left Wanshun County, there hadn't been much change. That small alley was still the same, and that beef rice noodle shop was still there.

The owners were a couple in their fifties or sixties, and business was quite good. Qin Chuan barely managed to find two seats, sat down with Zhu Qingxi, and ordered two bowls of braised beef rice noodles.

It was clear that Zhu Qingxi was enjoying it immensely, praising the top-tier taste while eating.

After eating more than half, she realized, "Brother Chuan, was I completely lacking in composure just now? Not ladylike at all."

Qin Chuan smiled, "It's fine. It just shows that I brought you to the right place. As long as you like it."

After finishing breakfast, Qin Chuan received a call from Governor Zhou Yuan.

"Little Qin, I heard you arrived in Wanshun County."

"Uncle Zhou, your information is really well-informed. My foster parents are from Wanshun County, so I came back to pay my respects."

"Paying respects is the right thing to do," Governor Zhou Yuan said. "When are you leaving Wanshun County? Do you have time to come over and sit with me?"

Since a governor had personally invited him, Qin Chuan naturally wouldn't refuse. He readily agreed, "Uncle Zhou, how about tomorrow? I should be able to come over tomorrow morning."

"Good, come directly to the Provincial Committee Residential Area. I will send someone to pick you up at the main gate."

After chatting for a few words and hanging up, Qin Chuan took Zhu Qingxi for a stroll around Wanshun County, buying quite a few local specialties.

Around eleven o'clock, the two returned to Wanshun Hotel.

Just as they reached the main entrance, they saw acquaintances. It was Xiao Chuyi and several other classmates. They were helping out, acting as ushers for Teacher Zhang to receive guests attending the banquet.

Seeing Qin Chuan, Xiao Chuyi's eyes lit up noticeably.

But after seeing Zhu Qingxi holding hands with Qin Chuan and chatting happily, her gaze dimmed significantly, hiding that warmth deep in her heart.

"Qin Chuan, it really is you. When did you come back?"

"Hello, Classmate Xiao. I returned to Wanshun County yesterday."

"This is your girlfriend, right? She's so beautiful."

Xiao Chuyi considered herself a one-in-a-thousand beauty, but compared to Zhu Qingxi, whether it was temperament, figure, or appearance, she was still a little bit behind.

Knowing that there was likely no chance in this lifetime, she felt a faint sadness in her heart, but she didn't show it. The smile on her face was very bright, looking very happy.

After chatting briefly, Xiao Chuyi took the initiative to say, "Qin Chuan, Teacher Zhang's banquet is in the Lotus Hall. Shall I take you up there?"

"Then I'll trouble you, Classmate Xiao."

The Lotus Hall was a large banquet hall that could seat thirty or forty large tables. At this time, about half of the seats were taken.

At the entrance of the banquet hall, Qin Chuan paid the gift money. Seeing that most people were giving two or three hundred, Qin Chuan took out five hundred yuan. Since others were giving two or three hundred, giving one or two thousand himself seemed a bit inappropriate.

Besides the gift money, Qin Chuan was also carrying a bag, which contained two bottles of moutai and a carton of Zhonghua cigarettes. This was worth several thousand yuan.

Having not seen him for several years, Teacher Zhang had clearly aged a bit.

Seeing Qin Chuan, Teacher Zhang was very happy. Seeing that Qin Chuan had also brought moutai and Zhonghua, he tried to decline, refusing to accept them.

In the end, Qin Chuan insisted on shoving the items into his hands because he knew Teacher Zhang had no other hobbies; he usually liked to drink a little, so he shouldn't have much resistance to these two bottles of moutai. He also smoked, and was quite a heavy smoker, two packs a day, but they were always cigarettes that cost five or six yuan a pack.

After happily chatting with Teacher Zhang for a few words, Qin Chuan took Zhu Qingxi to find a seat. This table was full of high school classmates, including Lin Jiang, who was also sitting there.

"Qin Chuan, looks like you're doing well."

"Qin Chuan, I'm so envious of you for finding such a beautiful girlfriend!"

Back in the day, Qin Chuan was an academic star and the campus heartthrob. Combined with bringing such a beautiful girlfriend, once he sat down, he immediately became the center of this table.

Even some classmates sitting at the next table came over to greet them. Back in high school, Qin Chuan's popularity was quite good.

Everyone started chatting about some interesting things from high school, and some asked about Qin Chuan's recent situation, and so on. About ten minutes passed.

A fat man arrived outside the main door. He was about one meter sixty-something tall, his face was pockmarked, and his weight was estimated to be around one hundred sixty or seventy jin.

He was sticking out a big belly, tucking a briefcase under his arm, wearing a big gold chain, and walked in with a waddling gait.

A few, two or three classmates, immediately went up to meet him, looking fawning and obsequious.

"President Jin, you came in person!"

"President Jin, haven't seen you for a while, you're becoming more and more imposing."

This was Jin Rifei, who had now become an upstart. He was somewhat famous in Wanshun County, and could be considered a figure of some standing.

Suddenly, Jin Rifei's gaze was attracted.

He marveled in his heart that there was actually such a beautiful girl, even one or two points more beautiful than his goddess, Xiao Chuyi.

Instantly, his heart burned!!!