Chapter 328: How About We Make a Bet?

The next day, Tang Ye followed his usual routine, picking up Jiang Jing for work in the car.

Sitting in the back row, Jiang Jing confirmed the day's itinerary and gave instructions on the review opinions for several documents, requiring Tang Ye to pay close attention to their implementation.

Once the routine tasks were sorted out one by one.

Jiang Jing asked in a gentle voice: "How is the preparation for receiving Provincial Governor Fu this Saturday?"

Tang Ye reported with clear organization:

"The dinner is set at Jinyage in Hongqiaofang; Ding Xiang from the City Television Station helped arrange it. I was thinking, could we have her accompany us and invite two friends from the arts and culture scene? This would liven up the atmosphere without seeming too deliberate."

Jiang Jing pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Follow your plan. How are the gifts coming along?"

"I entrusted a time-honored jade shop in Hanzhou with it yesterday, and the finished product will be delivered this afternoon."

Jiang Jing raised an eyebrow, showing surprise: "So fast, will there be any problems?"

According to common sense, slow work produces fine results.

Tang Ye hurriedly explained: "The old gentleman in charge of the carving is an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage with exquisite skills; for him, a jade piece of standard size is not very difficult and doesn't take too long."

Jiang Jing instructed: "Once the gift arrives, bring it to me to take a look."

"Certainly! I will follow up on the whole process to ensure nothing goes wrong."

Although Provincial Governor Fu is over ten years older than Jiang Jing, he is a young and promising standout among provincial-level cadres, with a bright future in his official career.

If this opportunity could be used to draw closer, it could lay the groundwork for Jiang Jing's path to promotion.

And as Jiang Jing's trusted Secretary, Tang Ye's fate had long been tightly bound to hers; they would prosper together and suffer together.

Of course, this banquet was not just as simple as cultivating a relationship; there were other considerations.

……

In the afternoon.

A knock sounded at the office door.

Chen Shenghai walked in carrying a brocade box.

Tang Ye carefully opened the lid; inside lay the carved jade piece.

The warm, moist luster of the jade caught his eye.

He was no expert in jade, but the intricate patterns and lifelike shape were striking.

"Manager Chen, thank you for your hard work!"

Chen Shenghai took an envelope from his pocket and said sincerely: "Section Chief Tang, the material cost was 3,580 yuan; this 1,500 should be returned."

Tang Ye took the envelope and pulled out a hundred-yuan note to hand back.

"The craftsmanship of Chen Laoyezi is a priceless treasure that cannot be measured by money; in the future, it will have to be repaid with favors. The material cost must be accounted for clearly; this is a matter of principle and also a sign of respect for the old gentleman."

Chen Shenghai secretly admired Tang Ye's principled way of handling things and, without declining, accepted it.

Tang Ye patted Chen Shenghai on the shoulder, his gaze sincere: "Boss Chen, you do things straightforwardly; if you have any difficulties in the future, just speak up."

Now was not the time to bring up the demolition of Jade Street, so Chen Shenghai smiled and replied: "I will surely trouble you in the future."

After seeing Chen Shenghai off, Tang Ye walked into the office and placed the brocade box on the table, "Mayor Jiang, the gift is ready."

Jiang Jing took the jade piece into her palm.

From Jiang Jing's expression, it was clear she was very satisfied with the gift.

Tang Ye introduced it softly, "The theme of the carving is loyalty and righteousness."

Jiang Jing praised, "The old gentleman's skills are exquisite; Guan Erye is carved so lifelike. The work fits Provincial Governor Fu's personal charisma very well; the idea is excellent."

……

In the blink of an eye, Saturday arrived.

Tang Ye arrived at Jinyage ahead of time.

He repeatedly confirmed every detail of the reception.

From the angle of the tableware placement to the order in which the dishes were served, he did not let any detail slip.

He dialed Ding Xiang's phone several times, and the busy signal coming from the receiver made him feel slightly uneasy.

It was not until Provincial Governor Fu's motorcade was about to arrive that Ding Xiang hurried over.

Ding Xiang's makeup was different from usual.

A white suit set off her tall, upright posture, and her waterfall-like long hair was draped casually over her shoulders, revealing her delicate earlobes intermittently.

She looked apologetic and explained: "I am truly sorry; the makeup artist for one of my girlfriends had a bit of a mishap, which delayed us for half an hour."

The sweet-looking girl beside her, who had cute canine teeth, stuck out her tongue and helped explain: "Please don't blame Sister Ding Xiang, it's all my fault!"

In workplace socializing, being late is a major taboo.

Although Tang Ye was somewhat displeased, he still maintained a proper smile on his face: "It's fine, the guest hasn't arrived yet."

Ding Xiang keenly sensed the displeasure in the depths of Tang Ye's eyes and couldn't help but secretly speculate just what kind of distinguished guest it was that made the usually calm Tang Ye so cautious.

The two beauties who followed Ding Xiang were both television hosts; one worked for a secondary channel of the Provincial Television Station, and the other was at the Runzhou City Television Station. To invite the two of them to help out, Ding Xiang had said many good things.

Tang Ye waited for the leader outside the door, while the three beauties rested for a moment in the private room.

"Ding Xiang, is this your brother? He doesn't look much like one," one of them teased.

The other joined in the fun: "He's definitely not just some ordinary brother; I bet he's a 'special' brother!"

Ding Xiang was teased until her face turned red.

Just as she was about to retort!

The wooden door of the private room was pushed open with a "creak," and Tang Ye led the guest inside.

Tang Ye introduced Ding Xiang and her classmates to Fu Yagang.

The host who worked at the Provincial Television Station recognized that the person before her was Provincial Governor Fu and instantly became reserved, her eyes filled with a bit more awe.

The atmosphere at the dinner table gradually became lively.

Ding Xiang changed from her usual icy, frosty demeanor, taking the initiative to raise her glass for a toast and chatting and laughing with ease, as if she were a completely different person from usual.

Tang Ye felt a thousand emotions stirring in his heart.

The passing of Ding Xiang's father had been a massive blow to her.

In the past, she had detested being treated as a "flower vase" at social engagements.

Halfway through the drinking session, Provincial Governor Fu and Jiang Jing had reached their limits, so the "battlefield" of drinking shifted to Tang Ye and Secretary Liu Yang.

Jiang Jing smiled and gave Tang Ye a wink.

"Little Tang, you must make sure Secretary Liu feels the hospitality of us people from Hanzhou!"

Secretary Liu, however, waved his hands repeatedly, turned his glass upside down on the table, and complained half-jokingly and half-seriously: "Mayor Jiang, these beauties are targeting me specifically for toasts; they clearly want to get me drunk! Using a beauty trap—I won't accept that!"

Tang Ye knew well that Liu Yang was Fu Yagang's trusted aide; Jiang Jing could speak to him casually, but he himself had to maintain respect.

"Brother Liu, the ladies only feel such enthusiasm because they find you dashing. If there has been any offense, I apologize on their behalf!"

Who would have thought Liu Yang would not buy it: "Forget the apologies! A person's character is seen in their drinking; if you have the ability, let's have a one-on-one contest. Relying on others for help—I don't think much of that!"

Tang Ye said with shame: "Brother Liu has a vast capacity for liquor; I am naturally no match for you. But even if I have to risk my life today, I will accompany you until you are satisfied!"

He turned his head and instructed the waiter: "Bring two large glasses; drinking from these small ones isn't satisfying!"

Liu Yang did not expect Tang Ye to be so bold and could not help but reveal a look of admiration: "Brother Tang is truly upright! It was I who was narrow-minded! Provincial Governor Fu, Mayor Jiang, please bear witness for us; today I must determine who is better between him and me!"

Jiang Jing clapped her hands while feigning persuasion: "Secretary Liu is truly a straightforward person! Little Tang, you are no match for him, don't push yourself too hard."

Although she said this, the corners of her mouth curled into a meaningful smile.

Provincial Governor Fu laughed and exposed her: "Don't try to fool me, Little Tang has a great capacity for liquor! However, Xiao Liu is also a 'master of the wine jar' and has yet to taste defeat!"

Jiang Jing took the opportunity to propose, "Provincial Governor Fu, how about we make a bet on the outcome of their drinking contest?"