The dinner gathering was still ongoing.
“I’m about full. What kind of tea do you all want?”
“Anything’s fine, let Miss Fang decide.”
“Let’s have Biluochun then, I’ll go call the server.”
“Oh no, no, let me do it. You stay seated.”
Usually, each private dining room had at least one server present to pour drinks and serve tea. But since they were discussing matters, they hadn’t let a server stay. So when Fang Shuiling asked for tea, Li Xiao and Zhang Dongfang scrambled to be the one to help. Now that they knew this “Xiao Ling’s” true identity, Zhang Dongfang and the others wouldn’t dare let her go personally. In the end, it was a staff member from the county government office who went out and asked the waiting server for a pot of Biluochun tea, then brought it in.
Each person got a cup, and they stopped eating.
Seeing this, Li Xiao said, “Miss Fang, I won’t disturb everyone’s meal any further. I’ll head back first. Hope you all enjoy.”
Fang Shuiling said, “Why not sit a while longer?”
Her tone wasn’t too forceful, and Li Xiao understood. “No, no, I should head back and supervise the matters in Jiaolin County. I’ll push them to get the approvals done quickly and improve efficiency.”
If it were anyone else asking Li Xiao for a favor, he would’ve stayed until the end of the meal, maybe even gone to some follow-up entertainment. After all, they needed him. But this time was different. The background of the other party was way too significant, so much so that Li Xiao didn’t even feel comfortable eating freely. And if they wanted something done, one phone call would do. The fact that they invited him at all was already a huge gesture, and Li Xiao felt flattered. Having eaten, he wisely excused himself. It would be shameless to linger.
Fang Shuiling responded with an “Oh,” then said, “Alright then. Thank you, Director Li. I’ll walk you out.”
“You mustn’t!” Li Xiao stood up quickly, declining the offer. “Please stay seated. You’ll make me feel unworthy.”
Fang Shuiling exchanged some polite words with him. Zhang Dongfang, Xu Zhuang, and the others stood up to see him out of the room. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to walk him out further, but first, Li Xiao insisted they not come, and second, they couldn’t leave Fang Shuiling alone in the private room. She was the host and the main guest today. That would be impolite. So after a brief farewell outside the room, they returned and closed the door.
“Miss Fang, we’d like to toast you.” Zhang Dongfang and the others raised their teacups.
Fang Shuiling smiled. “No need to toast or anything, just drink casually. I get annoyed with too much politeness. If you keep doing that, I’ll leave.”
The group clinked their cups and drank tea.
Fang Shuiling asked, “How is my Brother Dong doing?”
Zhang Dongfang immediately said, “He’s doing great! Under Secretary Dong’s leadership, our county has seen earth-shaking changes in the past few months. He’s so young yet already a county party secretary, and so outstanding in his work. I truly admire him. When I was his age, I didn’t know a thing—not even one percent as capable as Secretary Dong.”
Knowing that Fang Shuiling was connected to Dong Xuebing, Zhang Dongfang naturally praised him.
Fang Shuiling giggled. “My Brother Dong is indeed impressive.”
Sun Lihan probed, “Did you know Secretary Dong from childhood?”
“No.” Fang Shuiling replied, “I only met Brother Dong in the past two years. I’m kind of like his little sister. He’s always helped me out.”
Since she wasn’t engaged or married to Xie Ran yet, she couldn’t claim to be Dong Xuebing’s relative—“little sister” was a more fitting term.
Dong Secretary’s little sister.
Always helped by Dong Xuebing.
Zhang Dongfang and Xu Zhuang were both confused. You’re the granddaughter of the Premier—what could you possibly need Dong Xuebing’s help with? At most, Dong had served in a supervisory role at the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which was a big deal to others, but to Fang Shuiling, that was nothing. Her family likely had minister-level officials everywhere. For her, most things could be settled with a single word. What help could she possibly need?
Unless Dong Xuebing has an even bigger background?
But that doesn’t make sense. They’d have heard something by now.
Everyone knew Dong had some backing—how else could someone his age land such high posts? But there’s a big difference between “having a background” and that kind of background. City-level, provincial-level, and central-level connections were vastly different in terms of their tiers.
So what was Dong Xuebing’s true identity?
How did he get to know the Premier’s granddaughter?
And why were they so close?
No one could figure it out, but it wasn’t appropriate to ask more.
Sun Lihan was the most eager to engage with Fang Shuiling. After the initial shock wore off, she became excited. She knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. People like Fang Shuiling weren’t someone you could meet just because you wanted to. So Sun Lihan kept chatting with her, hoping to build rapport.
Zhang Dongfang and Xu Zhuang, though also interested, held back. They had enough self-awareness to know their level was too low ever to form a lasting connection with someone of Fang Shuiling’s background. Her helping them today was already a huge favor, thanks to Dong Xuebing. Expecting more help beyond this was unrealistic.
Meanwhile, Xu Zhuang was feeling a bit dizzy. He had drunk a bit earlier when toasting Li Xiao and Fang Shuiling. He was known for having a weak tolerance and usually didn’t drink at all. Even though he hadn’t had much, it was still too much for him. He wobbled out to use the restroom.
Xu Zhuang still hadn’t returned.
Fang Shuiling had also finished her tea—almost an entire pot had been consumed. She said, “Alright, let’s wrap up. Hmm? Where’s the other guy?”
Zhang Dongfang said, “County Head Xu went to the restroom.”
Fang Shuiling nodded. “There’s a hot spring here. Let’s soak for a bit afterward.”
Just then, the door suddenly opened. A middle-aged woman walked in—the same person who had greeted them upon their arrival.
“Miss Fang, your friend got into a conflict.”
Fang Shuiling frowned. “Huh?”
The woman said anxiously, “The one who came with you.”
“Old Xu?” Zhang Dongfang stood up. “What happened?”
The woman explained, “He seemed a bit drunk and bumped into someone, spilling tea on them. The other person wouldn’t let it go and grabbed your friend.”
Fang Shuiling frowned deeper. “It was just an accident. Can’t they talk it out?”
The woman glanced at her and whispered, “Miss Fang, it’s someone you know—Chen family’s sixth son.”
“Xiao Liu’er? He’s here too?” Fang Shuiling stood up. “Let’s go check.”
Zhang Dongfang noticed the serious look on her face and felt a jolt of panic. He didn’t know who “Chen family’s sixth son” was, but anyone acquainted with Fang Shuiling must be important. This leisure club catered to the very wealthy. Xu Zhuang picked the worst possible person to bump into. But with Fang Shuiling there, Zhang Dongfang wasn’t too worried. After all, she was the Premier’s granddaughter—who wouldn’t give her face?
In the hallway near the main hall, a crowd had already gathered.
“‘Sorry’ isn’t good enough!”
“I drank too much today, wasn’t steady on my feet, I—”
“Cut the crap, you’re coming with us. This isn’t over!”
A few youths, probably no older than twenty-one or twenty-two, were yelling at Xu Zhuang. Despite his repeated apologies, they wouldn’t back off. One even tried to drag him away.
The club’s owner had also come out, trying to calm things down. “Young Master Chen, please, for my sake—”
Chen Sixth Son snapped, “And who’s giving me face? Look at me! How am I supposed to meet people ?” He pointed at his shirt, now stained with yellow tea.
The owner said, “I’ll have someone bring you a new outfit right away. This gentleman is a friend of Miss Fang—he came with her.”
The other youths all twitched at the mention.
Chen Sixth blinked. “You mean Fang Wenping? Aunt Fang?”
“Uh, no.” The owner wiped his brow. “Fang Shuiling—Miss Fang.”
The boys visibly relaxed. They all knew Fang Wenping’s fearsome reputation. Hearing it was just Fang Shuiling, they eased up.
“She’s got friends this uncultured? You kidding me?”
The owner forced a laugh. “They did come with Miss Fang.”
Just then, Fang Shuiling arrived with Zhang Dongfang and Sun Lihan, visibly unhappy.
“What now, Xiao Liu’er? Are you causing trouble for me?”