Chapter 185: This Friend is Worth Deepening the Friendship With!

In 2006, the monthly salary for a civil servant was generally around three to four thousand, while a normal person's monthly income was only one or two thousand.

Tang Ye lending An Xin several hundred yuan was by no means a small sum.

If An Xin didn't pay the money back, Tang Ye would just consider it stolen;

now that An Xin was taking the initiative to return the money, he had no need to act generous and refuse.

Money didn't just blow in on the wind.

Furthermore, Tang Ye also had his own objectives; more friends meant more paths.

As Xu Xiangchun's Secretary, An Xin was often kept by Xu Xiangchun's side, and she surely held many business connections and resources in her hands; perhaps they would come in handy one day.

The next day.

Tang Ye followed Jiang Jing to the provincial capital to attend an economic work conference.

The meeting lasted for an entire day.

Jiang Jing was well-acquainted with the provincial leaders.

During the discussions, the Vice Provincial Governor presiding over the meeting frequently called on Jiang Jing to speak.

Among the officials from the thirteen prefectures and cities, Jiang Jing appeared exceptionally prominent, and Tang Ye felt his strength.

While eating a working lunch at noon, Vice Provincial Governor Fu Yagang carried his tray and sat down beside Jiang Jing.

"Vice Provincial Governor Fu, this is my Secretary, Tang Ye. He is a student of Dean Jiang Jinpeng."

Fu Yagang gave Tang Ye an intriguing smile, "Your teacher and I were classmates."

Tang Ye actually knew of this connection, "Vice Provincial Governor Fu, Teacher Jiang often mentions you."

Fu Yagang shook his head, "He hasn't said many bad things about me, has he? Every time we meet, he always has to get red-faced with me."

Tang Ye quickly said, "He has always respected you. He knows you are broad-minded, so he isn't afraid to argue a few points with you."

Fu Yagang laughed, "Is that so? That finally clears up my confusion. No wonder every time he sees me, he brings up complaints; so it turns out he was just bullying me for having a good temper."

After finishing the working lunch, Jiang Jing had Tang Ye run an errand to deliver clothes to his daughter, Jiang Rou.

Tang Ye first went to Jiang Jing's home, got the clothes from the nanny, Auntie Hu, bought some snacks at a supermarket, and then hurried without pause to the private boarding high school.

After Tang Ye made the phone call, he waited for a full half-hour before Jiang Rou finally walked out at a leisurely pace.

The young woman was very delicate, with a standard oval face, a pair of large, spirited eyes, and a face brimming with youthful collagen.

She was chewing gum, blowing a large bubble every now and then that would "pop" and smear across her mouth, before she used her tongue to roll the bubble skin back into her mouth.

She looked somewhat playful and carried a hint of rebelliousness.

"Hey, what's your name?" Jiang Rou was thin and tall, and the school uniform she wore was a size too big, hanging loosely on her and appearing somewhat casual.

Tang Ye smiled without smiling, "You can just call me 'Hey' from now on."

He then earnestly urged, "Mayor Jiang might not return to Qiongjin often lately; if you have any needs, you can contact me or Auntie Hu."

Jiang Rou gave Tang Ye a huffy glare and muttered: "Whether he returns to Qiongjin or not has nothing to do with me. Hey, did you bring money?"

Tang Ye was slightly stunned; he took his wallet out of his pocket, pulled out all the money inside, and handed it over.

Jiang Rou took the money without any courtesy and said with disdain: "Just this little bit? You really are poor and stingy!"

Although it was the first time Tang Ye and Jiang Rou had met, he understood in his heart that this young girl was currently in her adolescence.

Mayor Jiang was fully devoted to his work and might be a good cadre, but a person's energy was ultimately limited, and his care for his daughter was inevitably insufficient, which was why Jiang Rou's personality was somewhat rebellious.

Facing Jiang Rou's contempt, Tang Ye didn't mind; he just smiled faintly and reminded her: "The money is lent to you; it will be deducted from your living expenses next month. I advise you to spend carefully."

Jiang Rou glared at Tang Ye again and muttered under her breath: "Not only poor, but also stingy."

After saying this, she took the bag and walked back into the campus without even greeting Tang Ye, never once looking back.

Tang Ye returned to the conference site, walked to Jiang Jing's side, and reported in a low voice: "Mayor Jiang, the seasonal clothes have been delivered to Jiang Rou."

Jiang Jing sighed slightly, his expression revealing a touch of helplessness, and he suddenly asked: "Did Xiao Rou ask you for money?"

Tang Ye was slightly startled, "Did she tell you?"

Jiang Jing shook his head lightly and explained with a bitter smile: "I guessed. This child is too rebellious; she was spoiled by her mother since she was young, and she spends money lavishly without any sense of restraint. If she asks you for money again in the future, don't pay her any mind."

Jiang Jing was in a state of divorce.

The changes in the family had more or less affected Jiang Rou.

Tang Ye couldn't help but sigh; truly, every family had its own difficult scriptures to recite.

Thus, Tang Ye comforted him softly: "Jiang Rou is still young and is currently in her adolescence, so she is quite sensitive. In a few years, when her mind matures, she will naturally be better."

Jiang Jing shook his head silently and sighed heavily again.

Tang Ye pondered to himself: Mayor Jiang was very powerful, but his daughter seemed to be his heartache.

On the way back to Hanzhou in the afternoon, Jiang Jing took the initiative to mention a matter to Tang Ye.

"A relative of Vice Provincial Governor Fu is a Reporter at the Provincial Television Station. A few days ago, they received a tip-off hotline and secretly went to Hanzhou for an undercover investigation. The news that was originally going to be broadcast was blocked, but it made it into the internal publication. After the Secretary learned of this, he attached great importance to it and handed the matter to Vice Provincial Governor Fu for supervision. You should coordinate with the Provincial Government Supervision Office later, understand the situation in detail, and be sure to handle it properly as soon as possible."

Tang Ye immediately responded: "Mayor Jiang, rest assured, I will definitely handle it properly."

After Jiang Jing finished speaking, he closed his eyes.

Tang Ye sat to the side, pondering silently.

With the province issuing the task, why notify Jiang Jing to handle it?

Xiao Jingyu had served as the Mayor of Hanzhou for many years, had a good grassroots foundation in the locality, and also had deep roots in the province.

But just from this seemingly insignificant matter, one could perceive that the province did not entirely trust Xiao Jingyu.

Whether it was Zhou Chengwu being parachuted in to serve as the Municipal Party Secretary, or Jiang Jing being parachuted into the position of Executive Vice Mayor, both contained different signals.

The Hanzhou officialdom had always been known for being exclusionary; although many outside leaders had come over the years, most only stayed for a short time, like passing travelers.

It was precisely because of this that Hanzhou's development had always remained in a lukewarm state, making it difficult to achieve major breakthroughs.

After Jiang Jing returned to his residence, Tang Ye went to keep an appointment at a Western restaurant.

As soon as Tang Ye stepped into the restaurant, his gaze fell upon An Xin.

At this moment, An Xin was dressed in a server's uniform, carrying a tray and skillfully serving food to customers.

Tang Ye raised his hand and waved at An Xin from afar to signal that he had arrived, then found a relatively secluded corner where he would be less disturbed and slowly sat down.

An Xin caught sight of Tang Ye. Before long, she changed out of her work uniform and sat opposite Tang Ye.

Having not seen her for a long time, Tang Ye clearly felt that An Xin had become much thinner.

Her skin was still as fair as snow, and her eyes revealed a sense of liveliness and clarity.

"Secretary An, I really didn't expect you to be working so hard, even taking on two jobs."

An Xin immediately understood that Tang Ye had misunderstood, and a smile appeared on her face.

"This restaurant is run by a friend of mine. The new shop just opened and they are really short-handed, so I came over to help out."

Tang Ye, however, thought that An Xin was worried about her pride and was embarrassed to admit she was financially strapped, so he hurriedly comforted her in a low voice: "Don't worry, I won't mention to anyone that you're working a side job."

An Xin was slightly taken aback.

In Tang Ye's eyes, she was quite short on money...

Since the misunderstanding was deep, she decided not to be in a hurry to clear it up...

An Xin began to order.

Seeing her order caviar and foie gras, Tang Ye felt heartache for her!

She was already working so hard at two jobs, yet she was still so generous when treating him to a meal.

This friend was worth keeping close!