Chapter 129: Town Mayor Tang Has So Much Face!

Tang Ye knew that Xu Qiao had a driver's license!

It must be said, Guo Liang, as a brother-in-law, had foresight.

In 2006, a civil servant having a driver's license was a plus.

After Xu Qiao graduated, he immediately signed her up for driving school. Xu Qiao successfully passed the test and got her license. Although her driving skills were nothing to write home about, after practicing for this period, Xu Qiao could serve as a driver, occasionally being drafted to act as a chauffeur for the town's leading cadres.

After getting off work, Tang Ye drove to the hotel.

On the way, Xu Qiao, sitting in the passenger seat, held a fountain pen and carefully recorded the route.

Tang Ye couldn't help but chuckle, "The lighting isn't good at night; even if you draw a map, it won't be of much use."

Xu Qiao's expression was solemn, "I've never driven at night, and I'm worried about taking the wrong road."

Tang Ye comforted Xu Qiao, "I will be drinking tonight, but I definitely won't drink too much. I can help you with directions from the side, so don't be too nervous. Even if we get lost, don't worry. All roads lead to Rome; are you afraid we won't be able to get back?"

Xu Qiao was still muttering to herself while drawing the map.

Tang Ye stopped trying to persuade her; Xu Qiao's greatest trait was her conscientiousness.

Arriving at the underground parking lot, just as he finished backing into the space, the car window was knocked on by a woman wearing sunglasses and a small white hat.

"Could you please do me a favor? My car scraped against a pillar, and I need to contact the insurance company, but my phone is out of credit!"

Huh, a female driver?

Tang Ye took out his phone and handed it to the woman.

The woman took the phone, held her own, dialed the number while checking it, and then walked a short distance away to communicate with the insurance company staff.

After a moment, the woman returned and handed back the phone, "Thank you."

Tang Ye smiled and waved his hand, "You're welcome."

Entering the elevator, Xu Qiao said softly, "That person just now looked very familiar; she seems to be a host from the television station."

Tang Ye nodded, "If I hadn't recognized her identity, how would I have lent her my phone so easily?"

Arriving at the floor where the restaurant was located, they entered the private room under the guidance of a waiter.

After entering the room, Xu Xiangchun and Zhu Junting were the first to stand up and walk toward Tang Ye.

"Town Mayor Tang, welcome. Let me introduce you: this is Ma Rundong, Station Head of the City Radio and Television Station, and this is Chen Jinping, Editor-in-Chief of the Hanzhou Evening News."

The two people Xu Xiangchun had organized the gathering to introduce were key figures in Hanzhou's local propaganda sector.

Tang Ye had prior knowledge of both of them.

Ma Rundong was a Vice Station Chief, in charge of advertising operations, and was a Party Group Member.

Chen Jinping was the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, the number two figure in the agency, and the head of operations.

Both were Deputy Division Level officials and were figures with real power in their respective units.

Subsequently, he smiled and introduced everyone, "This is Comrade Tang Ye, Town Mayor of Pinghu Town. He is a benefactor to both me and President Zhu. If it weren't for his mediation, it would have been impossible for me and President Zhu to secure the Pinghu Five-Star Hotel Project."

Seeing Xu Xiangchun hold Tang Ye in such high regard, everyone couldn't help but look at Tang Ye with new eyes.

Xu Xiangchun and Zhu Junting—the former was the Vice Chairman of the Northeast Chamber of Commerce, holding a vast amount of connections and resources in his hands.

The latter was a core figure of the Haihua Group.

Both were the "gold-daddy" sponsors for the media, especially the Northeast Chamber of Commerce, whose annual advertising expenditure reached over 30 million yuan.

As for the Haihua Group, their annual advertising investment also exceeded 10 million yuan.

Tang Ye shook hands with the guests one by one, and suddenly discovered that Zou Zhen was actually among those invited.

Ever since Zou Zhen saw Tang Ye appear, his heart had been in a state of turmoil.

Who could have imagined that Tang Ye would be the protagonist of the day!

"Town Mayor Tang, we meet again; what a coincidence!"

"Director Zou, hello!"

Tang Ye knew that Zou Zhen had already used yesterday's promotional video as a bargaining chip to persuade Gu Wenqin to place advertisements. Although he knew this was their standard operating procedure, he still felt very uncomfortable about it, so he had no intention of appearing too close to Zou Zhen.

Zou Zhen was panicking inside; who could have imagined that a town mayor would have such great influence.

The private room was set with two tables.

Tang Ye not only sat at the main table, but even sat in the middle position between Zhu Junting and Xu Xiangchun.

Seeing this seating arrangement, Zou Zhen felt an even deeper chill down his back. Would Tang Ye spill the beans about him going to Pinghu to fish for benefits yesterday?

Ma Rundong and Chen Jinping had also done their homework on Tang Ye. They knew Tang Ye was a Seconded Official from the Municipal Party Committee and had a very good relationship with Municipal Party Secretary Zhou Chengwu. Therefore, even though their rank was half a level higher than Tang Ye's, they knew that given Tang Ye's age and foundation, surpassing them was only a matter of time, so they addressed Tang Ye as a brother during their conversation.

Of course, the main reason was that the two sponsors, Zhu Junting and Xu Xiangchun, gave Tang Ye too much face!

The door to the private room opened, and Tang Ye looked over subconsciously.

A pretty and fashionable woman arrived late, and Ma Rundong greeted her to sit by his side.

This woman was the one who had borrowed the phone from Tang Ye earlier; she was a well-known host from the City Television Station named Ding Xiang.

Upon seeing Tang Ye, Ding Xiang was slightly startled, then immediately revealed a grateful smile.

She was attending this dinner party because she wanted to ask the Haihua Group to title-sponsor her new program.

The topic drifted unconsciously to the program currently in planning.

"Ding Xiang, why don't you introduce this program to everyone!" Seeing the timing was just right, Ma Rundong gave Ding Xiang a wink.

Using that crisp, oriole-like hosting tone, Ding Xiang introduced with a smile, "There are many older single men and women now, and it has become a social issue. Provincial satellite TV dating variety shows, such as *Happiness Knocking at the Door* and *Boys and Girls*, have excellent ratings, so our Hanzhou Television also plans to produce a similar program."

Xu Xiangchun glanced at Tang Ye and said with a smile, "Our Town Mayor Tang is young and promising, and he doesn't have a partner yet. Teacher Ding, could you introduce a girlfriend to him?"

Ding Xiang smiled faintly, "Town Mayor Tang is so outstanding, there must be many girls pursuing him; how would he need me to introduce one?"

Chen Jinping chimed in, "Ding Xiang, you don't have a boyfriend yet, right? I think you and Town Mayor Tang are of similar age; you'd be a perfect match!"

Ding Xiang's fair cheeks instantly turned burning hot. If not for the thick layer of powder she was wearing, it surely would have been noticed.

Tang Ye didn't take the banter seriously; he stood up to make his rounds and toast everyone.

He toasted Ding Xiang third.

"Has the insurance company person handled it?"

"I have already arranged for a mechanic to come and change the tire. Thank you for lending me your phone just now."

"This is the second time you've thanked me. People of the pugilistic world should not be bound by trifles; there is no need to mention it again."

Zhu Junting did not know that the two had had a small episode before.

Seeing Tang Ye and Ding Xiang chatting happily upon their first meeting, she mistakenly thought that Tang Ye had taken a liking to Ding Xiang.

She thought to herself, why not take this opportunity to try and play matchmaker for the two.

Ding Xiang then raised her glass and came before Zhu Junting.

"Sister, I toast you, hoping that the new column can receive your support!"

Zhu Junting looked at Tang Ye with great interest and said in a joking tone, "Teacher Ding and Town Mayor Tang are a very good match. If you can persuade Town Mayor Tang to drink a cup of intertwined-arm wine with you, I will agree to the cooperation?"

If it were any other man, Ding Xiang would certainly hesitate.

But, the other party was Tang Ye...

Ding Xiang's gaze flickered uncertainly.

Immediately, her words caused quite a few people to be shocked!

"I don't mind, it's just that I don't know if Town Mayor Tang is willing!"

The attention inside the private room instantly focused on Tang Ye.