500: Chapter 500 Huang Lize also came to Wanshun County

Secretary Xie Lizhi originally had no intention of going over to clink glasses.

However, since Qin Chuan and the others were in the Plum Blossom Room next door, it wouldn't do to pretend he didn't know; some superficial gestures still had to be made.

Otherwise, if word got out, people would say he didn't respect his superiors.

The other Standing Committee members, who were basically in cahoots with Secretary Xie Lizhi and birds of a feather, naturally followed right behind him with their wine glasses, ready to head to the Plum Blossom Room next door together.

As for Qin Chuan?

He hadn't even considered whether Secretary Xie Lizhi would come over or not, even though Director Hu Bing had already told him that Secretary Xie Lizhi and his group were in the Orchid Room next door.

Qin Chuan's gaze rested on Xia Hai and the Driver.

Xia Hai had been his secretary back in the day, but it looked like he wasn't doing very well; after so many years, he was still just a section-level official.

The Driver was faring even worse.

Back when he first arrived in Wanshun County to take office and had to deal with the illegal gold mining by Shangguan Bao and his gang, which led to a conflict, the Driver was the first one to rush forward.

When he left Wanshun County, he had secured a deputy section-level position for him as a deputy bureau chief at some bureau. He was still a deputy bureau chief now, specifically the lowest-ranked one, only in charge of sanitation, nothing more.

In front of everyone, Qin Chuan said slowly, "Comrade Driver, would you be willing to come work at Jiangnan University?"

The Driver said gratefully, "Thank you, Secretary Qin, but I've gotten used to living in Wanshun County. It's quite nice here. I'm a person without many aspirations; as long as I have a wife, children, and a warm bed, that's enough for me."

Qin Chuan nodded slightly and was just about to say something when the door to the large private room was pushed open, without even a knock.

At first, he thought it was just some waiter who didn't know the rules, but surprisingly, the person pushing the door open was Secretary Xie Lizhi, carrying a wine glass, followed by several others—all members of the Wanshun County Standing Committee.

Seeing this, Qin Chuan smiled faintly and sat there imposingly, with no intention of getting up at all.

Secretary Xie Lizhi walked in with his wine glass, leading the others. Seeing that Qin Chuan did not stand up, he couldn't help but smile awkwardly, feeling a flash of anger in his heart: 'Damn it, he really has a big ego. I've taken the initiative to come over and toast you, and you won't even give me a shred of face?'

With an awkward smile to mask the anger in his heart, Secretary Xie Lizhi walked up to Qin Chuan with his wine glass, feigning great politeness.

"Secretary Qin, welcome back to Wanshun County. If I had known you were coming back, I should have brought the team members to welcome you. On behalf of the team, I would like to offer you a toast."

Qin Chuan smiled faintly. This man was a very good actor; he could clearly feel the anger inside him, yet on the surface, he remained perfectly polite. No wonder Director Hu Bing couldn't outmaneuver him.

Clinking his glass casually against his, Qin Chuan said, "Secretary Xie Lizhi is very busy, so I won't add to your troubles. Being accompanied by Director Hu Bing and the other comrades for a walk around is quite enough."

This was a jab at Secretary Xie Lizhi.

When asked to come over to report on his work, he had made excuses about not having time, claiming he wouldn't be free until tomorrow morning.

Secretary Xie Lizhi smiled awkwardly again, and to cover his embarrassment, he quickly picked up his glass and downed the moutai inside in one gulp.

Qin Chuan merely lifted his glass and took a small sip.

There was nothing wrong with this; he was a deputy ministerial-level leader. Leaders taking a small sip while subordinates down the whole glass was the rule.

But Secretary Xie Lizhi felt uncomfortable again, feeling like he had lost face. He had come personally to offer a toast and had downed his drink, while Qin Chuan just raised his glass as a gesture, with the liquor inside barely touched.

When the others came to offer their toasts, Qin Chuan did the same, just raising his glass as a gesture.

Seeing this scene, Director Hu Bing and the others felt a secret thrill.

Secretary Qin Chuan was truly awesome. Secretary Xie Lizhi and his group had been humbled, ha ha.

After offering their toasts and exchanging a few pleasantries, Secretary Xie Lizhi and his group quickly left; it was too embarrassing and too stifling.

Even though they were furious inside, they didn't dare show it because Qin Chuan's rank was too high. They had to endure it and bottle it up—a feeling that was as unpleasant as it could possibly be.

Their meal ended hastily because they had no appetite for it anymore.

As for Qin Chuan and his group, they ate and drank for over two hours before breaking up. That night, Qin Chuan stayed at the Wanshun Hotel.

The next day.

Qin Chuan slept until past nine in the morning without being disturbed. Not having to go to work and being able to sleep until he woke up naturally was a truly wonderful life.

Although working in a university meant having a smaller scope of power compared to government departments, it was relaxing, especially with winter and summer breaks.

Checking the time and looking at the system update notifications, Qin Chuan thought to himself, 'Vice Governor Huang Lize should be on his way here by now.'

Vice Governor Huang Lize was a Standing Committee member and Vice Governor of Jiangnan Province, currently at a critical juncture. His goal was to become the Governor of Jiangnan Province. He wasn't very confident about securing the governor's seat and needed greater support.

He had heard that Qin Chuan had arrived in Wanshun County yesterday afternoon.

He had immediately called Qin Chuan, and the two had even chatted for a while on the phone, where he revealed his desire to have a couple of drinks with him.

Qin Chuan had jokingly said that if he wanted to drink, he could come to Wanshun County, and Vice Governor Huang Lize had agreed immediately.

If he could have a couple of drinks with Qin Chuan and strengthen their relationship, it would likely be helpful for his bid to sit on the governor's throne.

Therefore, he had set off early this morning, heading for Wanshun County.

As for going to welcome him, that was impossible; everyone was at the deputy ministerial level, so why should he go to welcome him? Qin Chuan slept until he woke up naturally.

Vice Governor Huang coming to Wanshun County made Secretary Xie Lizhi and the others extremely happy.

Especially Secretary Xie Lizhi, who was so excited that he barely slept all night. Because he was one of Vice Governor Huang Lize's people, his ability to sit in the position of Wanshun County Party Secretary was entirely the result of Vice Governor Huang Lize's maneuvering back then.

Now it was great; with his superior coming to stand with him and back him up, he felt emboldened, and he was as energized as if he had been injected with chicken blood.

Originally, Vice Governor Huang Lize and his group wouldn't be getting off the highway until around 10:30 in the morning, but Secretary Xie Lizhi had brought the entire team and lined up to welcome them at the highway exit a full hour early.

It was now July, and even in the morning, it was extremely hot.

Before long, many people were drenched in sweat, especially the few who were overweight, who were crying out that they couldn't take it.

Director Hu Bing suggested, "Secretary Xie, it will still be a while before Vice Governor Huang arrives. How about we stand under the shade of the trees?"

For the first time ever, Director Hu Bing's suggestion received support from most of the Standing Committee members. Usually, in a Standing Committee meeting, getting three or five people to support him would be quite an achievement.

"Right, right, County Head Hu is right. Let's go to the shade."

"Secretary Xie, it's too hot; I really can't take it anymore."

Secretary Xie Lizhi also had a big belly and a figure like a fat pig. After struggling with the decision for a long time, he waved his hand and said, "Then let's go wait in the shade for now."

The shade was dozens of meters away, which was the reason he hadn't wanted to go. If Vice Governor Huang arrived and everyone was in the shade instead of at the exit, it wouldn't look good.

He really wanted to insist on standing here, even if he was dripping with sweat—it didn't matter. Wouldn't that demonstrate sufficient respect for his superior? If Vice Governor Huang saw it, it would definitely be a plus.