Zhang Hongyang's face broke into a smile the moment he got through on the phone, oozing brotherly charm.
"Zhizhong, it's Brother Hongyang, where are you… yeah, hurry back, dinner's about to start. Auntie and uncle have gone back to their parents' place tonight… mm-hmm… Uncle cares a lot about you, we can only start dinner once you're here… hurry up, don't dilly-dally. Uncle's a busy man, dealing with loads… take care…" Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝘯𝘦𝘵
After ending the call, he even said, "Uncle, Auntie, Brother Zhizhong is on his way from the town to home, he'll be here soon. He has to give you face!"
Lu Yuqing, well aware of the manipulation, felt slightly nauseous.
Doesn't Auntie know how Zhang Hongyang usually treats her precious Liu Big Baby?
Yet, she merely gave a faint smile and nodded.
Ma Xudong, on the other hand, seemed quite pleased and shot him an approving glance.
"Right," Ma Xudong said, "a family should show some harmony! Let's go sit in the dining room and wait…"
At that moment, the premium dishes from the restaurant had also arrived. Zhang Hongyang brought out a few bottles of 20-year-old Old Maotai reserved for special occasions, a real show of prestige.
Ma Xudong kept saying it was too lavish and unnecessary. For a family dinner, a simple meal and a bit of drink would do!
Yet his vanity was immensely satisfied.
Flawless hostmanship from the in-laws, not bad at all… The alcohol's good, and so is the aunt.
Meanwhile, Liu Zhizhong just sneered to himself after hanging up.
Dumbass Zhang Hongyang, with your hypocritical face, trying to act clever?
Mother-in-law wants me out the door, yet you have to personally invite me back for dinner?
He wasn't in a hurry, driving his car, and entered the villa compound about ten minutes later.
As soon as he entered, there was Zhang Hongyang, face cold, smoking a cigarette, and waiting by the parking spot.
Liu Zhizhong smirked internally, thinking what a fool, probably wants to give me a piece of his mind, huh?
Sure enough, as Liu Zhizhong parked his car and got out, Zhang Hongyang coldly said, "Mayor Liu, got a big face, haven't you?"
The sarcasm was clear to anyone.
But Liu Zhizhong, feigning ignorance, offered a smile and a cigarette, "What are you saying, Brother Hongyang? With my humble stature, what face do I have?"
"Uncle Secretary Ma personally mentioned you, waiting for your return to start the meal. The whole family's waiting; don't you have a big face?" Zhang Hongyang pushed away his cigarette and didn't accept it, his tone chilly, "Enough, put that crappy cigarette away! What is this, still smoking this sixteen-yuan Liqun? How inappropriate! Take these!"
Saying this, he pulled out two packs of Zhonghua from his pocket and handed them to Liu Zhizhong, "Don't embarrass us, okay? Uncle likes these, be quick with lighting them later. But…"
As he spoke, he squeezed the cigarette packs in his hand and flicked them upward, "I'm warning you, remember your place before Uncle, and don't get carried away after a few drinks. Be respectful, measure your words, and don't spout nonsense at everyone. We're family; unity and harmony are key, got it?"
Liu Zhizhong's eyes dimmed, a trace of melancholy similar to Liang Chaowei crossed his handsome face, and a subtle brilliance shone in his eyes.
"Leader Zhang, are you teaching me how to live and work?"
His voice was cold and piercing.
Zhang Hongyang was clearly annoyed by his attitude, his voice frosty, "With someone like you, how can I not preach? Being taught by me is your good fortune!"
"Cut the crap, don't forget how arrogant you were on the phone when Zhang Xueyao tried to mess with me. I'll remember that for life!"
"So what? What can you do to me? Stop the nonsense, take the cigarettes and go inside."
Liu Zhizhong raised his hand, knocking Zhang Hongyang's cigarettes to the ground, and strode into the villa carrying his briefcase.
Zhang Hongyang's face turned livid, he gritted his teeth, wanting to curse, but he held back.
He had to pick up the cigarettes, muttering curses under his breath: You dare to defy me, I'll make you regret it!
Honestly, Zhang Hongyang is now the Vice Leader of the Southern District, and Liu Zhizhong is just a deputy mayor of a remote town under the district's jurisdiction. Zhang Hongyang could easily deal with Liu Zhizhong in many ways.
But Liu Zhizhong had the backing of his powerful aunt, unafraid of him. He even planned to sleep with Zhang Xueyao and infuriate Zhang Hongyang to death!
Performing excellently, Zhang Hongyang quickly caught up with Liu Zhizhong, and even managed to open the dining room door first, revealing a brotherly smile, "There you are, Brother Zhizhong! Come in, haha..."
Look at that, the speed and skill of his face-changing, truly impressive!
Liu Zhizhong knew his true colors; one set of behaviors in his heart, another to your face, and yet another in action. But Liu Zhizhong didn't mind, after all, Auntie and Uncle were here!
Then, scanning the room, Liu Zhizhong smiled charmingly, "Auntie, Secretary Ma, Mom… and all friends and relatives, sorry for being late, the work at the town kept me. Can I punish myself with three drinks?"
Just as he finished speaking, Lu Yumei really couldn't hold back anymore and slammed the table, "You scoundrel, late is one thing, but talking about drinking the moment you arrive? Why don't you just drown in your drink? Look at this cup; can you still speak properly after three drinks?"
Indeed, his mother-in-law was truly genuine, no thought of giving her son-in-law any face…