When Luo Ziling and Wuyue walked into the hotel lobby together, they saw Wu Jiandong sitting in the lounge drinking tea.
Luo Ziling quickly walked over and greeted him before Wu Jiandong noticed him: "Mr. Wu, I didn't know you were in Hengdian. Sorry to keep you waiting!"
Seeing Luo Ziling approach, Wu Jiandong imdiately stood up and extended his hand with a smile: "Mr. Luo, you're being too polite. I was just passing through Hengdian on a business trip, heading back to Yuezhou. I heard you were in Hengdian, so I ca by to visit. Sorry for the unannounced visit. Don't mind . I just arrived, heard you went for a late-night snack, wanted to join but feared my age would kill the fun, so I stayed here for tea."
"It's entirely my fault!" Luo Ziling was even more apologetic, "How about we go up to the room for so tea?"
"Sure!" Wu Jiandong imdiately agreed, "I'm curious if Mr. Luo brought good tea!"
"I brought so tea leaves, I hope Mr. Wu won't disdain them!"
"Haha, Mr. Luo's tea surely won't be bad!" Wu Jiandong patted Luo Ziling's shoulder as they walked out of the lounge together, "Let taste and see what flavor Mr. Luo's good tea is like."
Seeing how casual Wu Jiandong was being today, Luo Ziling was a bit surprised but could guess why, so he didn't mind.
When the two went upstairs and entered Luo Ziling's room, Wu Jiandong asked with a smile: "How long is Mr. Luo planning to stay in Hengdian?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow, heading to Yuezhou!" Luo Ziling replied honestly, "Going to check on the old house. My grandpa asked to bring so loquats and peaches from the yard to him. He hasn't tasted fruits from the family yard in years. I was planning to visit Mr. Wu in Yuezhou, but I didn't expect to et here!"
"Haha, so that's it!" Wu Jiandong laughed heartily again, "It's rare to co back, you must visit the old house. During the plum rain season, many fruits ripen. Even if the rain affects their taste, they aren't too bad. I'll have soone prepare so quality fruits for you to take back to Yanjing for Old Mr. Luo and your mother!"
"Mr. Wu, you're too kind, you forget I have a huge fruit orchard in Yuezhou?"
"Haha, I didn't think of that." Wu Jiandong patted his head, "But it's different. The fruits I gift represent my goodwill. Your own fruits are your goodwill. Different goodwill, different tastes."
"Alright, I won't be polite then!" Luo Ziling didn't refuse Wu Jiandong's offer of fruits.
After so pleasantries, the distance between them quickly narrowed.
Luo Ziling was indeed impressed by people in officialdom; to get close to soone takes just a little effort.
After drinking tea, Luo Ziling took the initiative to bring up serious matters.
"I heard Mayor Ding took up a position in the provincial capital last month. I only learned about it after a few days." Luo Ziling first brought up Ding Zhongming, "This ti if I go to Qiantang, I must have him treat us. If you get promoted and make no gesture, that's too stingy!"
"Old Ding is truly lucky," Wu Jiandong said with a laugh, "Not long after arriving in Yuezhou, he was transferred to an important provincial position. Many are envious of him!"
"When Mayor Ding was in Yuezhou, his performance was notable; otherwise, the higher-ups wouldn't favor him. However, I've heard that the higher-ups also highly regard Mr. Wu's capabilities!" At this, Luo Ziling deliberately paused, sipping his tea.
Wu Jiandong silently cursed "little sly fox," then quickly responded to Luo Ziling: "I'm not as capable as Old Ding, and I've not been in Yuezhou long. The achievents in Yuezhou over the years are largely Old Ding's doing, I've just been taking so credit."
Despite being clever, Luo Ziling skillfully steered the conversation toward his interests and maintained control of the conversation, surprising Wu Jiandong.
Having spent many years in officialdom, Wu Jiandong was used to such situations, but according to what he knew, Luo Ziling had left a small Northwest village less than a year ago.
A young person who had only been in a big city for less than a year could handle matters so adeptly and comfortably dominate discussions with an old hand like him, shifting topics at will. This interpersonal prowess was indeed admirable.
It can only be said, like father like son—so innate qualities truly determine a person's success or failure. Such as identity and talent.
Luo Ziling knew Wu Jiandong would be polite, but he didn't dwell on it and instead said more directly: "In a few days, at most before or after sumr break, Mr. Wu will also take a provincial position. Should I congratulate you in advance?"
Wu Jiandong had heard a little about this but was uncertain.
He had purposely detoured to Hengdian to find Luo Ziling and had waited in the hotel lobby for over half an hour, precisely to inquire about this. Unexpectedly, before he could ask indirectly, Luo Ziling brought it up directly.
The outco was as he hoped, greatly pleasing Wu Jiandong.
However, his expression of joy quickly faded. After a sheepish smile, he continued humbly: "If the province does decide that way, I will surely be flattered. I feel I've not made any notable achievents, and truly don't dare to think much about it."
"Perhaps in a few years, we can et in Yanjing for tea, just that by then I wouldn't know how to address you!" Luo Ziling looked at Wu Jiandong with a smile, his expression playful.
"Mr. Luo, stop with Mr. Wu left and right, hearing it makes nervous. How about this, I'm a few years older, just call Brother Jiandong, it'll seem more intimate!" Wu Jiandong said sincerely: "Wherever I work in the future, I hope Mr. Luo doesn't call by my official title, it feels too distant!"
"That's not proper!" Luo Ziling shook his head quickly, "You're about my dad's age, if I call you brother, you would have to call my dad and mom uncle and aunt? How about I call you uncle, so the seniority isn't mixed up!"
Wu Jiandong hurriedly refused, hoping they could call each other brothers, but Luo Ziling wouldn't agree.
In the end, he had to agree to Luo Ziling addressing him as "uncle."
After this whole playful exchange, the relationship between them grew closer, at least in Wu Jiandong's perception.
After so pleasantries, Luo Ziling added: "However, I have a piece of advice for Uncle Wu: never lose direction for wealth. If you always maintain integrity and don't seek personal gain, I can assure you, your future will surpass your expectations."
Luo Ziling's words alard Wu Jiandong, and he quickly promised to keep Luo Ziling's advice in mind, never daring to forget.
In making such a promise, he ca to regard Luo Ziling even more highly.
"Truly a phoenix among n!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers