59: Chapter 59 I Don't Like This Trend

At 4:00 PM, the door to Xu Weidong's office was knocked on again.

Two people entered this time. The one in front was in his early forties, broad-shouldered and sturdy, with a square face and thick eyebrows, bringing a gust of wind with him as he entered.

The one behind him was of a similar age, thin and tall, with small eyes but a steady gaze.

"Director Xu, I am Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun from the Public Security Brigade."

The man with the thick eyebrows spoke first, his voice booming.

"This is Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo from the Criminal Investigation Brigade. We have come to report our work to you."

Xu Weidong stood up, reached out his hand, and said, "Deputy Captain Wang, Deputy Captain Liu, please sit."

The two sat on the sofa. Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun sat straight as a pine tree.

Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo sat more casually, but his gaze never left Xu Weidong's face.

"Director Xu, Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo and I have come to get acquainted."

"Since you will be in charge of our two brigades, please feel free to give any instructions. We will resolutely execute them."

Xu Weidong smiled and said, "Deputy Captain Wang, you are too kind."

"I have just arrived and am not yet familiar with the situation in the bureau; I will have to rely on your support."

"Support is our duty."

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun waved his hand and then said, "However, Director Xu, I have one more thing to attend to today."

"Please, go ahead."

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun glanced at Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo, who nodded slightly.

"Director Xu, this evening, several clubhouse owners in the county have set up a banquet and would like to invite you to attend."

Xu Weidong was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Someone is inviting me to dinner just after I've arrived?"

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun also smiled and said, "Director Xu, you are the Executive Deputy Director in charge of public security. Which of these entertainment venue owners wouldn't hope to have a good relationship with you?"

"It's the old custom; whenever a Deputy Director in charge of public security takes office, they always host a meal."

"If you don't give them face, they will actually feel uneasy."

Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo added from the side, "Director Xu, these people are all well-versed in social conventions and mean no harm."

"They just want to get to know you so it's easier to communicate in the future."

"If you go, drink a cup of tea, and sit for a while, they will feel at ease."

Xu Weidong pondered for a moment. At the grassroots level, some rules can be broken, but others cannot.

Being too aloof would only arouse suspicion.

Being a bit more easygoing would make it easier to carry out work.

"Did the previous Executive Deputy Directors attend?"

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun nodded and said, "They all went. Even the Political Commissar went when he first took office."

Xu Weidong smiled and said, "Well, I shouldn't be too much of an outlier then."

"Alright, what time? Where?"

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun's eyes lit up and he said, "6:00 PM, at the Cuihu Clubhouse."

"Director Xu, shall I come to pick you up?"

"No need, I'll go there myself."

Xu Weidong stood up and said, "It's settled then."

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun and Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo also stood up.

Walking to the door, Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun turned back and said, "Director Xu, if those people have any excessive requests, you don't need to pay them any mind."

"We are just going to show our faces; we'll handle the rest."

Xu Weidong nodded and said, "Alright, I understand."

6:00 PM, Cuihu Clubhouse.

This was one of the most high-end clubhouses in Changyuan County, located by Cuihu Lake in the eastern part of the city. It was a three-story building, lavishly decorated.

A line of luxury cars was parked at the entrance; the worst was an Audi, and the best was a Porsche Cayenne.

Xu Weidong parked his car, and just as he reached the entrance, Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun came out to greet him.

"Director Xu, please come in."

The private room was on the second floor, named Juxian Pavilion.

Pushing the door open, seven or eight people were already seated inside.

Seeing Xu Weidong enter, they all stood up in unison, their faces full of smiles.

"Hello, Director Xu!"

"Director Xu is here!"

"Director Xu, I've long admired you!"

Xu Weidong shook hands with each of them, a polite smile on his face.

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun introduced them from the side: "This is President Zhang, who runs a KTV... This is President Li, who runs a bath center... This is President Zhao, who runs a nightclub..."

When introducing a man in his early forties wearing a dark blue shirt, Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun specifically added, "Director Xu, this is President Zhou, the owner of the Cuihu Clubhouse, and he is the one who organized tonight's gathering."

President Zhou was all smiles, holding Xu Weidong's hand with both of his, and said, "Director Xu, your presence truly makes this humble place shine!"

"Please, sit down, please sit down!"

After three rounds of drinks and the meal was well underway.

President Zhou raised his glass, stood up, and with a flattering smile said, "Director Xu, I'd like to propose a toast to you!"

"You are young and promising. In the future, in Changyuan County, we will have to rely on your guidance and care!"

Xu Weidong waved his hand and apologized, "President Zhou, you are too kind."

"It's just that I cannot handle my liquor well. I appreciate the sentiment, but I won't be drinking."

The smile on President Zhou's face stiffened for a moment, then he laughed and said, "Director Xu, are you not giving me face?"

"Just drink a small cup, just as a gesture?"

Xu Weidong shook his head and said, "I really can't. I get drunk as soon as I touch alcohol. I appreciate your kind intentions."

President Zhou was somewhat embarrassed, holding his glass, not knowing what to do.

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun quickly smiled and smoothed things over, "President Zhou, that's not fair of you."

"Director Xu isn't drinking, yet you insist on toasting him. Since I, an old acquaintance, am sitting here, why don't you have a drink with me?"

President Zhou took the opportunity to back down and smiled, "Deputy Captain Wang, are you jealous? Alright, alright, I'll toast you first!"

The two clinked glasses, and the atmosphere eased a bit.

But Deputy Director Chen Ling, who was sitting in the corner, spoke up at this moment.

He had just arrived temporarily, saying he happened to be in the area on business and heard that Director Xu was here, so he came over to say hello.

Xu Weidong knew he was here to watch the spectacle, but didn't expose him.

"Director Xu, if I may be so bold, you've just taken office and you're already refusing to drink. Is that not... a bit too aloof?"

Deputy Director Chen Ling paused, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

"Our grassroots work is all about social conventions."

"If you don't drink this toast, can President Zhou feel at ease? Won't he think that Director Xu looks down on them for doing business?"

Once these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the private room changed instantly.

President Zhou's expression turned unpleasant, Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun's brow furrowed, and Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo's gaze also turned cold.

Isn't this just pure provocation?

How many people did he just put on the spot?

You wouldn't even dare to say that if you were looking for trouble...

Did Deputy Director Chen Ling leave his brain at home when he went out today?

Xu Weidong looked at Deputy Director Chen Ling, the smile on his face gradually fading.

"Deputy Director Chen, did you come here today to toast, or to pick a fight?"

Deputy Director Chen Ling was stunned, not expecting Xu Weidong to be so direct.

"Director Xu, I..."

"My alcohol tolerance is poor; that is a fact."

"I'm not drinking, not because I look down on anyone, but because I truly cannot drink much."

"If you insist on twisting this into me looking down on people, then I'd like to ask, who are you representing when you say that?"

Deputy Director Chen Ling's expression changed, and he opened his mouth, unable to speak.

Xu Weidong stood up and said to President Zhou, "President Zhou, I appreciate the meal today."

"But I have some other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."

President Zhou was anxious and quickly tried to stop him, "Director Xu, Director Xu, please don't go!"

"Deputy Director Chen is just joking, please don't take it to heart!"

Xu Weidong looked at him, his gaze calm, and said, "President Zhou, my not drinking has nothing to do with you."

"But I don't like certain atmospheres."

He bypassed President Zhou and walked towards the door.

President Zhou gritted his teeth, chased after him, and said, "Director Xu, wait!"

"Vice County Magistrate Wei is also eating here today, in the next room."

"How about... I go and invite him over to have a drink with you? For his sake, could you at least sit for a while?"

Xu Weidong stopped and looked back at him.

Vice County Magistrate Wei? The one in charge of agriculture, forestry, and water?

Before he could speak, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.

A middle-aged man in his fifties walked in; it was none other than Vice County Magistrate Wei Changhe, who was in charge of agriculture, forestry, and water.

He had clearly come out to use the restroom, and the moment he saw Xu Weidong, he froze.

Then, a scene that left everyone present dumbfounded occurred.

Wei Changhe walked up quickly, with an almost humble smile on his face, and took the initiative to reach out his hand, saying, "Comrade Weidong! Why are you here? Oh my, if I had known you were coming, I should have come over earlier to offer a toast!"

Xu Weidong shook his hand and said indifferently, "Vice County Magistrate Wei, you are too kind."

"I just came to sit for a bit and was planning to leave."

Wei Changhe waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Don't go, don't go!"

"Comrade Weidong, if you leave like this, you are slapping me in the face!"

"Come, come, let me propose a toast to you. You can drink as much as you like, I'll finish mine!"

As he said this, he turned and shouted to President Zhou, "Quick, bring the liquor!"

President Zhou was completely dumbfounded, then he blankly handed over a glass of liquor, watching as Wei Changhe held it with both hands and respectfully offered it to Xu Weidong.

"Comrade Weidong, I toast you! Please, drink as you wish!"

Xu Weidong took the glass and touched it lightly to his lips.

Wei Changhe tilted his head back and finished his drink.

After finishing, he continued with a smile, "Comrade Weidong, if you need anything in the future, just call me."

"I, Wei Changhe, will be there whenever you call."

The room was deathly silent; Deputy Director Chen Ling's face was as pale as paper.

He suddenly realized that the mine he stepped on today was no ordinary one.

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun and Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo exchanged glances, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

They knew Xu Weidong had a significant background, but they didn't expect even a Vice County Magistrate to have to offer a toast so humbly.

President Zhou stood there, his legs trembling.

He remembered that he had just tried to use Vice County Magistrate Wei to win over Xu Weidong, which was simply humiliating himself.

Xu Weidong put down the glass and nodded to Wei Changhe, "Vice County Magistrate Wei, you are too kind."

"I'll be leaving first, please enjoy your meal."

Xu Weidong turned around, pushed the door open, and left.

The room was deathly silent.

After a long while, Wei Changhe sighed and said to President Zhou, "President Zhou, do you know who that was just now?"

President Zhou shook his head, his voice trembling as he said, "Vice County Magistrate Wei, he... he is..."

Wei Changhe waved his hand and said, "Don't ask."

"It won't do you any good to ask too much."

"I'll just tell you one thing: no leader in the entire Lüjiang City or even Fengtian would want to offend him."

Having said that, he also turned and left.

In the private room, the remaining people looked at each other.

Deputy Director Chen Ling sat in the corner, his face ashen, as if his strength had been drained.

He remembered the things he had said at the Party Committee meeting, remembered his earlier comment about whether he looked down on them, and felt like a clown.

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun stood up and said to Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo, "Jianguo, let's go too."

The two walked out of the private room, went to the lobby on the first floor, and saw Xu Weidong standing at the entrance, looking at the night scene outside.

"Director Xu."

Xu Weidong turned around, looked at them, smiled, and said, "Deputy Captain Wang, Deputy Captain Liu, thank you for your hard work today."

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun shook his head and said, "Director Xu, it was our failure to arrange things properly."

"It's better to attend such occasions less in the future."

Xu Weidong nodded and said, "The atmosphere is indeed not good; we'll talk about it later."

Then he got into his car, started the engine, and slowly drove away.

Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun stood at the entrance, watching the receding car, and suddenly said to Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo, "Jianguo, this Director Xu is no simple man."

Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo nodded and said, "Anyone who can make someone like the Vice County Magistrate act that way is certainly no simple man."