Chapter 286

Wang Rong took out a big pile of snacks, pulled little Mingyu who loved them, and exclaimed: "Look at this kid, how cute! Hongtao is two or three years older than Xiao Xu, the kid is already in elementary school!"

Wang Hongtao was just about to speak when the phone suddenly rang. He looked at the number; it was Lu Fan calling, so he hung up, after all Chen Deming was high-ranking and powerful, it wouldn't be proper to take the call in his presence.

Chen Deming saw this and said: "Hongtao, treat this place as your own home; don't delay the business!"

Wang Hongtao laughed: "Minister, it's fine, it's a student I taught who called, named Lu Fan; do you still remember him?"

Unexpectedly, as soon as his words fell, the Chen Deming family's eyes all lit up; Chen Xu eagerly asked: "Brother Wang, is that Lu Fan from Ningyang Xian? He's your student? Isn't his sister called Lu Yao?"

Wang Hongtao didn't understand, saying: "Yes, Lu Yao apparently studied at Tsinghua. They're a pair of suffering children, but the brother is excellent and the sister is also promising!"

Looking at his son full of expectation, Chen Deming sighed: "Hongtao, this useless guy has been one-sidedly pining for someone for years; he'd hit a south wall and not turn back, a good-for-nothing!"

Wang Rong also said, frustrated: "There are so many good girls in Jingcheng, he won't even look, just stubborn! Hongtao, our family has no status; I've looked into Lu Yao too, she's indeed a good girl, but this melon won't twist together; if we keep delaying, I and Old Chen won't even hope to hold a grandchild!"

Wang Hongtao was quite smart, immediately figured out the situation, and comforted: "Marriage is predestined by heaven, not up to us! Fate is like that—if it wants to come, you can't block it; if it doesn't come, making people anxious does no good! Minister, sister-in-law, children and grandchildren have their own blessings; don't rush, Xiao Xu is so outstanding, could he still end up a bachelor?"

Unexpectedly, Chen Xu muttered: "Brother Wang, I really am useless, I can't catch up to her!"

Wang Rong snapped: "Hongtao, listen, see if he still has any manly spirit? I just wonder, is she the only girl in the world? Can't a person hang himself from a tree?"

Chen Deming understood his son even better, and with Wang Hongtao being no stranger, asked: "Hongtao, what's your relationship with the Lu Fan siblings?"

Wang Hongtao laughed: "Minister, you mean have me act as a matchmaker again? No problem, they siblings respect me quite a bit; I'll take care of this! Following our Qin Bei saying, a person only needs to be a matchmaker once in a lifetime, and I'll take charge of Xiao Xu's marriage!"

Wang Rong put on a tough front but was soft-hearted, hurriedly saying: "I know that girl Lu Yao; she's a fine kid! Hongtao, if it really works out, I and Old Chen will certainly not let her suffer!"

Chen Deming also said: "Hongtao, give it a try, but don't force things, just as you said, marriage is predestined, a twisted melon isn't sweet! However, there's a situation you should know: Lu Yao got into the Discipline Inspection Committee; I've pulled some strings, it was this kid who asked me!"

Wang Hongtao nodded, saying nothing.

Chen Xu, feeling a bit embarrassed, said: "Brother Wang, then I'll trouble you; I really am not good at this, I don't know how to get along with girls."

Wang Hongtao laughed: "Time reveals one's heart; sincerity is the ultimate skill! I'll try to arrange a meeting for you two, making the relationship clear. As a boy, you should take the initiative, invite her out more, give her thoughtful little gifts. There's a saying: 'Even a fierce woman fears a persistent man; with enough effort, an iron pestle can be ground into a needle.' Keep it up, I'm optimistic about you!"

After leaving Chen Deming's house, Wang Hongtao called Lu Fan, laughing: "Lu Fan, sorry, I was just paying New Year's respects at a leader's home, not convenient to take the call!"

Lu Fan hurriedly said: "Secretary Wang, it's my impertinence to disturb you, really sorry!"

Wang Hongtao asked: "Is it okay to call?"

"Secretary Wang, I'm in Jingcheng, I want to pay you a New Year's visit; I don't know if it's convenient?"

"Lu Fan, with me don't bother with those empty formalities! All year round it's just social niceties, wearing people out; let's keep it relaxed, don't waste mental energy!"

Lu Fan sincerely said: "Secretary, you've repeatedly spoken up for me at critical moments, always caring and helping me grow; to say your kindness weighs as much as a mountain is no exaggeration—I just want to pay you a New Year's visit to express my feelings!"

"Lu Fan, I've received your feelings; no need for empty formalities! However, I really have something to discuss with you."

Lu Fan straightforwardly said: "Secretary, just give orders; I'll follow!"

Wang Hongtao laughed and said: "Has your sister Lu Yao graduated?"

"Secretary, she got into the Central Discipline Inspection Committee, just started work not long ago!"

Wang Hongtao sighed: "Truly promising, you two siblings have finally turned suffering into sweetness! Oh, right, I almost forgot the main point—does your sister currently have a boyfriend? I've picked out a very suitable match for her!"

Lu Fan almost couldn't keep up, feeling a bit puzzled: "When did the teacher start enjoying matchmaking? And he's so concerned about my sister?"

Based on the belief that the teacher's vision is surely stronger than my own, to let the teacher indulge in being a matchmaker, Lu Fan said: "Thank you, Secretary, for your concern for Lu Yao; when a man grows up he should marry, when a woman grows up she should wed—she's working, so it's time to find a boyfriend; your introduction will surely be reliable, you handle this, I'll inform my sister!"

Wang Hongtao laughed: "It's just a meeting, don't put pressure on Lu Yao! Marriage isn't something to joke about; if Lu Yao disagrees, you're not allowed to act in an authoritarian parental way!"

"Secretary, rest assured, I definitely won't!"

"Alright, let's set it for the fifth day of the first lunar month; I'll send you the specific place and time tomorrow. I have a lot on my plate, so when the time comes, Wang Honghai will bring people."

Lu Fangu excitedly said: "Great, long time no see, Wang Honghai!"

After hanging up, Lu Fan called his sister out of the bedroom, happily saying: "Yao Yao, dress up nicely for the fifth day of the first lunar month and go out on a date!"

"Sister-in-law, you don't manage my brother!" Lu Yao snapped: "It's the New Year, making people go on a date—how could you think of that!"

Lu Fan wouldn't allow argument: "What's the fuss? Do you know who's setting you up? Secretary Wang Hongtao! Could he harm you? I've decided this; we must give Secretary Wang face, you definitely have to go!"

Lu Yao pouted: "Fine, I'll go! Why is Secretary Wang setting me up with someone?"

Li Zimeng comforted: "Yao Yao, just treat it as a normal date; whether it works out is up to you. If you feel something, pursue it; if not, just let it fade."

"What Zimeng said is right, Brother just set you up on a date, not forcing marriage? Mengmeng, you forgot how Secretary Wang has treated us well?"

"Brother, I haven't forgotten, I can go, right? But let me be clear upfront: I'll go and come right back!"

Lu Fan indifferently said: "As long as you go, the rest is up to you!"

On the day of the fifth of the first lunar month, Lu Fan, following the address Wang Hongtao gave, personally escorted his sister to the coffee shop's door, then wandered nearby.

Soon after, Wang Honghai's call came: "Lu Fan, I've dropped the person off; where are you, kid?"

Lu Fan revealed a heartfelt smile, saying: "Just come into the park across the way, you'll find the most handsome one!"

Soon after, Wang Honghai strode over, seeing Lu Fan and immediately threw a punch, laughing: "You little devil, you're awesome! I heard from my brother you're about to become the county Party secretary! How come I never noticed you had this ability before? Lu Fan, congratulations!"

The two shared a big hug, and Lu Fan said: "How's business going?"

Wang Honghai proudly said: "Beyond your imagination!"

Lu Fan retorted: "Then why haven't I seen any news about you at all? Honghai, if the outside world is tough, come back; at least I'll make sure you have something to eat."

"Get lost, I make millions in minutes; I'm too lazy to bother with your little broken county!"

"Yo, you're getting cocky! If you're really that awesome, invest ten or eight billion in me, then I'll admit you're awesome!"

"Haha, you're trying to rope me in! You haven't even taken office and you're already seeking investment? I'll tell you, once you butter me up, it's trivial!"

"Honghai, if you can really invest 1 billion in me, I wouldn't even need to butter you up—I'd even lead a horse for you!"

Wang Honghai turned serious: "Looks like you don't intend to just idle away; since you have lofty ambitions, as a brother I'll definitely help out! My second older brother is investing this year in a silicon carbide project, around 6 billion; what do you think, interested?"

Lu Fan exclaimed delightedly: "So interested! Honghai, help out; as long as the project lands in Ganshui, you can have me do anything!"

"Haha, then first let me have a laugh!" After laughing, Wang Honghai said: "No joke—if you want the project, I'll go talk to my second brother, but first let's be clear: your county must provide construction land for free, twenty mu for phase one, and reserve land for later phases as well."

Lu Fan asked: "What's the projected annual output value?"

"Phase one mainly produces silicon carbide single-crystal material, with a planned capacity of 20,000 pieces per year, output value at least 3 billion!"

After hearing, Lu Fan firmly said: "Honghai, if you can really reach that output value, even if it means vacating the county Party committee and county government for you, it's fine! Rest assured, I'll personally handle the project's guarantees and services, and personally oversee the business environment; I'll make sure enterprises can build and start production in the shortest time!"

Look at how determined you are; I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Oh, right, I almost forgot the main point—today's blind date you should take seriously; the other party's background is not small!

Lu Fan said indifferently, "Secretary Wang told me to come, so I came—that's all! If Yao Yao likes it, anything goes; if Yao Yao doesn't like it, not even the Heavenly King and his old master could make it happen."

Honghai slapped Lu Fan on the shoulder and laughed, "I just love your stubborn temper, poor and arrogant! Then I won't say anything else—let things take their course!"

"Honghai, you've been talking half the day, and I still don't know what keeps you busy all day!"

"Hey, flying around the world—just knowing you're pretty impressive is enough! Being on the news doesn't necessarily mean you're truly impressive."

Since the friend didn't want to say, Lu Fan didn't ask further; everyone has their own privacy.