Chapter 309: Treating You as One of Our Own!

The table of people was complete, and the waiter began to serve the dishes.

Tang Ye scanned the seating arrangement and immediately grasped the situation.

Feng Kun sat steadily in the guest-of-honor seat, with Station Head Ma of the television station personally keeping him company;

Tang Ye sat next to him in the second-guest seat, with Ding Xiang sitting by his side.

It was eighty percent likely that Station Head Ma wanted to ask Feng Kun for a favor and had Ding Xiang bring him along to bolster the scene.

This situation was much like a sect inviting a big shot to clear a dungeon in a fantasy novel, then bringing along an expert to hold the line.

Although Tang Ye was only a Section-level Cadre, he represented Jiang Jing, so both Feng Kun and Ma Rundong spoke to him very politely.

Ma Rundong raised his wine glass and leaned in toward Tang Ye: "Section Chief Tang, we are old friends. We must interact more in the future; feel free to come to the television station to give us some pointers when you have time!"

Tang Ye hurriedly waved his hand: "Station Head Ma is too polite; I will certainly learn from you when I have the chance!"

The two clinked glasses and drank them in one gulp.

Station Head Ma suddenly smiled until his eyes narrowed into slits: "Right! I read an article in *Qiushi* a while ago, and upon asking around, good heavens, it turned out to be the masterpiece of Section Chief Tang! I heard that Secretary Li Chaoyang even singled it out for praise; the entire municipal propaganda system will have to earnestly study the spirit of the article next, and it will have to be relayed down to the grassroots level layer by layer!"

Tang Ye felt a bit embarrassed and cupped his hands: "It was a thesis I wrote while graduating from the municipal Party School a while ago; I didn't expect a blind cat to run into a dead mouse and have it selected by the magazine."

Station Head Ma shook his head repeatedly: "To be published in *Qiushi*, one must have real, solid ability; don't be modest!"

Feng Kun, sitting to the side, had a different look in his eyes now, staring at Tang Ye thoughtfully.

Those within the system all understood that being able to publish an article in a core Central Committee publication was no ordinary resume.

Moreover, Tang Ye was so young and currently held such a critical position; barring any accidents, there must certainly be a big shot behind him.

Feng Kun directly picked up his wine glass and walked over: "Little Tang, I toast you! I will have to rely on your help in the future!"

Tang Ye did not hesitate and drank it in one gulp.

After drinking the wine, he pondered to himself: It seems I really must find time to engage in theoretical research; no wonder cadres who handle Party affairs get promoted quickly.

He had achieved so many political accomplishments in Pinghu, yet no one knew.

Now, a single thesis made people look at him with high regard!

Ding Xiang had learned from Wen Rong that Tang Ye's article had been published in *Qiushi*.

Her admiration for Tang Ye grew by a few more degrees.

Ding Xiang had liked writing articles since she was a child, and she had tried submitting manuscripts during her university years, but they all came to nothing.

Ding Xiang had recently opened a secondary account on Weibo to write some essays, which had gained the liking of many people.

However, she knew in her heart that essays published on Weibo were not on the same level as articles published in official media, especially theses published in a Central Committee Party journal.

After three rounds of drinks and the meal was nearly finished, Ma Rundong finally began to show his cards to Tang Ye.

He leaned in toward Tang Ye, his tone sincere: "Section Chief Tang, I invited you here today because there really is something I would like to entrust to you!"

Tang Ye had long expected this, and he smiled while patting his chest: "Station Head Ma, we are old friends! As long as it doesn't cross the red line, I certainly won't hesitate to help where I can!"

Ma Rundong hurriedly took out a document: "This is the plan for the television station to build the Broadcasting and Television Building. The Development and Reform Commission, Urban Construction, and State-owned Assets departments have all nodded, but the finance side has been holding up the budget."

Tang Ye took the materials and flipped through them, speaking bluntly: "Fine, I will find an opportunity to let Mayor Jiang take a look. But I'll say the ugly things first: the budget is tight right now, and next year's investment in medical care is a major expense; Director Feng knows the policy better than I do."

Feng Kun put down his chopsticks and took over the conversation: "I have already explained this to Station Head Ma. However, one can also understand Station Head Ma's feelings; who doesn't want to achieve some real results?"

Tang Ye gave a thumbs up: "Station Head Ma's sentiment is worthy of admiration! I will certainly report this to Mayor Jiang when I find an opportunity!"

Ma Rundong thanked him repeatedly on the surface, while secretly letting out a sigh of relief.

Regardless of how much sincerity was in Tang Ye's words, the fact that he was willing to agree in front of so many people had already given him enough face.

Ma Rundong could not help but feel moved in his heart.

Half a year ago, when Zhu Junting organized the gathering, Tang Ye was still just a township Town Mayor. Although he felt he was a talent at the time, he hadn't taken it too seriously.

Even the promise to help promote Pinghu had later come to nothing because of a disturbance in the local area.

Who could have imagined that after just half a year, when dealing with Tang Ye again, although their ranks hadn't changed and Tang Ye still spoke very politely, the confidence displayed in his every gesture was completely different.

"Director Feng, Section Chief Tang, my friends in Yunnan mail me Pu'er tea every year. This Pu'er tea is not the tea found on the general market; those who aren't insiders simply can't get it. As for the price, in short, it is quite precious. You should take some back to taste!"

Feng Kun smiled faintly: "I like drinking tea, especially Pu'er. We are eating and taking gifts; Station Head Ma is too thoughtful."

Although Tang Ye only had a superficial knowledge of tea, he knew that the tea gifted by Station Head Ma must be of great value.

He had originally intended to refuse, but Feng Kun had already agreed; if he refused, it would seem like he was not part of the group.

"Then I will respectfully decline your modesty. Station Head Ma is too polite." Tang Ye acted very naturally.

After the banquet broke up, Feng Kun and Ma Rundong were going to a hot spring club to relax.

Tang Ye used the excuse of having an important meeting the next morning and needing to go back to stay up late preparing materials, politely declining the invitation.

Ding Xiang did not follow them to join in the fun either.

After leaving the private room, Tang Ye handed the bag containing the tea to Ding Xiang.

Ding Xiang stared at the tea, looking puzzled: "What is the meaning of this?"

Tang Ye smiled casually: "Borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha. Take it back for your father to taste."

As soon as these words left his mouth, Ding Xiang's eyes turned red in a flash, and she raised her hand to wipe away tears.

Tang Ye was startled: "What's wrong?"

Ding Xiang sniffled, her voice trembling: "My dad... passed away a while ago."

Tang Ye was immediately flustered and apologized repeatedly: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I really didn't know..."

Ding Xiang wiped away her tears, shook her head, and sighed: "I don't blame you; you didn't know."

Only then did Tang Ye realize; no wonder he felt she had changed quite a bit when he saw her at the gathering organized by Zhu Junting last time; it turned out such a big thing had happened in her family.

Ding Xiang looked into the distance with red eyes: "When my dad was here, everything I did went smoothly. After he left, I realized that he had considered many things for me, which is why I was able to be carefree."

Her father had been a Vice Station Chief before he passed away; without this big tree to support her, life certainly couldn't be as good as before.

Otherwise, with Ding Xiang's personality, how would she come to handle this kind of social engagement?

Tang Ye comforted her: "People only grow up after they've stumbled; you have matured a lot."

Ding Xiang sniffled, forcing a smile as she said, "I'm sorry, I lost my composure in front of you. You really gave me face today. Station Master Ma asked me to invite you, and I had already prepared myself to be rejected by you."

"What are you saying! What kind of relationship do we have? I've long since considered you one of my own!"

Ding Xiang's eyes turned red again, and she shook her head with a bitter smile: "But I... actually came to find you with an ulterior motive; when you get down to it, I used you."

Tang Ye waved his hand: "You're overthinking it! Don't let your imagination run wild, we both have to look forward!"