money.Su Cen recalled saving pocket money starting from the second semester of sixth grade in elementary school, accumulating a total of 19.5 yuan by graduation.The situation improved slightly after e...Chapter 85: Depend on Your Performance
Chairman Wang Bo's departure left everyone at the table speechless with shock. The people sitting around the table were still unable to calm down for a long time.
The parents of Chen Guangwei were extremely astonished and even temporarily put aside their main business. Seeing the composed demeanor of the Su family, they felt both puzzled and alarmed. Wang Bo was the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee in Xiha City, the top leader of the city who usually worked behind closed doors to guide the development of the entire city. People only saw his image on TV reports from the municipal government, but now he had appeared before them and even toasted a whole glass of wine for their table. This was beyond heart-stirring.
Although the matter involving Secretary Wang Bo had caused quite a stir earlier, with rumors that an investigation team from the provincial level came down to investigate, it had not affected him at all. How great must his background and influence be
It was known that some people struggled their entire lives yet could never attend such banquets where they shared a table with a Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee. Previously, when Chen Guangwei's trading company was thriving, it only got close to one vice mayor at most. Sadly, after that vice mayor stepped down from his post, the trading company gradually declined.
Anyone who could see clearly could tell that Wang Bo and Su Cai were not just casual acquaintances but had a deeper relationship. No one would simply think that an ordinary high school student could make such an impact on Wang Bo. The only thing one could imagine was the deep connection between the Su family and Wang Bo, which must be quite complicated. However, today's scene left even these officials who have been in politics for years baffled.
Wang Bo treated Su Cai as a friend regardless of age differences. His perception of others is based on three aspects: appearance, behavior, and inner qualities. In Wang Bo's eyes, Su Cai had long transcended the realm of ordinary high school students to become someone whose vision and wisdom were comparable to or even surpassing that of adults. He felt it unimportant what kind of impact his actions would have on these officials present.
The parents of Chen Guangwei sat there observing Zeng A and Su Licheng, especially the mother who carefully examined the clothes and bag Zeng A was carrying, finding their quality no less than those of her favored brands. The confidence and aura she now exuded were completely different from when they used to live in a company dormitory.
During this time, Chen Guangwei's parents felt complex emotions. His mother regretted the obvious dismissive attitude shown towards Zeng He earlier, feeling upset about it all day long, and was remorseful for coming at all.
The director sitting next to them broke out in a cold sweat, extremely unhappy with this silent construction committee secretary. It reminded him of how one of his relatives who had always been at odds with him recently fell from grace due to the ever-changing nature of politics. And now it was happening to himself.
The director then filled up his glass and looked calmly at Su Licheng, "Director Su, hasn't your project entered its middle and late construction phases This will be a major event in Xiha City once completed. The Xinghai factory is expected to attract 150 million yuan of external investment. You are one of our city's key figures for urban development and attracting investment; I should toast to you!"
Of course, he couldn't immediately make a complete about-face but using the big banner of city construction as a cover was reasonable enough.
Su Licheng humbly drank one glass with him. The director refilled his cup and toasted again towards Zeng A in an indirect manner, "Sis, sometimes I act foolishly; don't take it to heart. Consider this my apology! No no no. You drink your beverage while I finish mine!"
Saying no more to wait for Zeng He's reply, he gulped down the drink and noticed that Zeng He had also finished his. Only then did he招呼大家開始說笑和吃喝，表情冇有任何變化。過了一會，他纔看向陳父，“陳經理，你們的那個項目是不是在河東區的那塊用地？”
Mr. Chen was somewhat taken aback and flattered; he had just been distracted by thoughts about the Su family's matter, so he was momentarily at a loss when this Director Zhao addressed him directly, "Yes, yes."
Mrs. Chen reacted quickly, staring in delight at the Planning Office director.
Zhao Qingshan smiled and seemed quite fair-minded. “It’s like this: I’ve reviewed your project report, and you provided sufficient documentation. There are some minor issues but nothing that will affect execution. Let me review it again carefully once more tonight; if everything is fine, I’ll approve it for you tomorrow!”
“What!” Mr. Chen was far from expecting such a turn of events. He had only intended to mention the matter and hoped to establish some connections with Zhao Qingshan to facilitate things, but even he wasn't sure how much would be necessary or if it could actually happen. In an instant, however, Zhao Qingshan declared that he would approve it! This was a surprise that left him at a loss.
Mrs. Chen immediately filled a glass and raised it to Zhao Qingshan, “Director Zhao, here’s to you!”
"That'll do, that'll do," chuckled Zhao Qingshan, showing no hint of arrogance whatsoever. He then glanced at Zeng Ah (曾阿) and thought that with these three moves, he should still be able to salvage the situation.
From this point on, the atmosphere became warm; everyone turned a blind eye to what had just transpired. Mr. Chen and Mrs. Chen stood up repeatedly to toast many present guests, their faces beaming with joy. As men circulated among each other pouring drinks, the mood grew more lively. Mrs. Chen chatted amicably with Zeng He, even sitting close together; she held one of his hands while talking about shopping, beauty treatments, and mahjong strategies.
This left Su Can and Chen Lingshan to sit awkwardly on the sidelines, as if everyone had deliberately made space for them, creating an extremely uncomfortable situation. "How did your final exams go" asked Chen Lingshan through a straw, sucking orange juice into her mouth in small sips, legs drawn close together, and tapping lightly with black leather shoes under her dress, exquisitely ladylike.
"It was okay, no big changes," replied Su Can with a smile. "How about you"
"Me Still around the 20th in class, so what's new. If one day I can improve by five spots, then it'll be time to go up the mountain to worship Buddha." Chen Lingshan smiled, but her smile held a hint of bitterness. Improving further at this stage would indeed be extremely challenging; she couldn't expect to rocket ahead like Su Can did straight into the top five.
Su Can chuckled and said, "Take it easy, there's still plenty of time. Rushing won’t help, but things will sort themselves out in due course."
Chen Lingshan stared at Su Can with her eyes twinkling, a sly glint flashing through her black-onyx pupils as she mumbled to herself, "There's still plenty of time..."
"Hm" Su Cen was momentarily stunned.
"Nothing," Chen Lingshan smiled. During the holiday, Su Cen hadn't kept in touch with many of his schoolmates; however, Chen Lingshan had attended numerous gatherings among different circles of her classmates.
Most of these gatherings had mentioned amusing incidents from the previous semester, and Su Cen's speech was naturally a topic of discussion. Some joking individuals even said that because of his speech, they hadn't felt any psychological pressure or burden for their final exams, so they had performed exceptionally well and scored higher.
Moreover, someone also mentioned that Su Cen had once confessed to Chen Lingshan in the past. Although later on, Su Cen got close to Tang Wu, fortunately, their relationship hadn't progressed when she transferred schools. In the entire first-year class, most people recognized that without a strong competitor, Chen Lingshan and Su Cen were the best match.
This mentality was rather peculiar: if Tang Wu had dated with Su Cen, many students would feel envious or even resentful; but once the situation changed and it became about Su Cen dating Chen Lingshan instead, everyone's jealousy vanished, and there was a sense of anticipation. Summarizing this mindset, it could be said that since Chen Lingshan had left countless admirers heartbroken in the past, many people were wary and unwilling to compete with her; so for male peers, Su Cen succeeding was a form of retribution, an extreme idea within gender bias. On the other hand, Tang Wu's aloofness and arrogance made it difficult for anyone to muster the courage to pursue her because nobody had been rejected by her before taking that first step; thus, seeing someone like Su Cen succeed instantly could elicit feelings of resentment.
But all this was in the past. After Tang Wu transferred out, as Su Cen's popularity rose, he and Chen Lingshan became the most-discussed and anticipated couple among the senior first-year students.
Upon learning these things, although Chen Lingshan pretended not to know or disdainfully dismissed them with a scoff saying "there’s no such thing," she felt rather content internally. Well, at least it wasn't unpleasant.
Now when looking at Su Cen, Chen Lingshan's face turned slightly red. She repeatedly reminded herself that others might think they were about to reach an understanding, but she knew they were still in a cold war phase. Their last argument was related to self-esteem and principles; now both sides had lingering shadows of the past, making it difficult for them to revert to their previous state.
"Are you still upset about what happened last time" Su Cen's voice rang out.
Chen Lingshan felt a sudden jolt in her heart, beating quickly. Su Cen lowering his guard was indeed unusual; she shot him a glance and said sarcastically, "What do you think"
"Although I know girls are petty, but being this petty is unprecedented," Su Cen chuckled.
He could foresee the passage of time from autumn to winter and spring, and his stay in this city wouldn't last long. Therefore, he shouldn't leave any regrets behind; if possible, try not to.
"Where am I being petty! You don't even have any sincerity!" Chen Lingshan snorted coldly, clearly not taking kindly to Su Can's assessment of her.
"Alright then" Su Can raised his hand. "I apologize again. Is that sincere enough"
Chen Lingshan turned her head to the side and pouted, saying, "No need." It sounded quite reluctant. She didn't have any sincerity at all. Most importantly, when she recalled what happened that day, wasn’t she still feeling angry in her heart
"Fine, fine" Su Can pursed his lips. He felt somewhat resentful about groveling so lowly, but it was better not to argue with this little girl for the sake of leaving no regrets behind when he left…
“So what would you accept my apology”
Chen Lingshan looked at Su Can with her big eyes and smiled slightly. "I'll wait and see how you behave in the next academic year."
This was what Su Can said to her back then, severely wounding her pride. The memory was very vivid, and now she felt rather pleased retaliating against him.
Seeing Su Can's stunned expression, Chen Lingshan tilted her head, blinked with her beautiful eyes, and teased, "How about it"
"Miss Chen Lingshan," Su Can pointed to the window of this restaurant.
"Hm"
“All of a sudden I feel like throwing you out there.”
The next moment, Chen Lingshan playfully pounded her soft fist on his body.
It seemed that many things had returned無形中地，很多東西就這樣回來了。
(Note: The last sentence appears to be cut-off. Here is a translation of the complete thought based on the context provided: "It seemed that many things had returned imperceptibly.")
It seemed that many things had returned imperceptibly.hem before rushing to serve wine to Wang Weiwei's relatives. Zhang Xi, experienced in such situations, knew who the real focus was and understood that Wang Weiwei came from a military-political backgr...
