Chapter 329: A Tragic Victory of Self-Inflicted Losses!

"Bet on what?"

Provincial Governor Fu had a faint, ambiguous smile on his lips.

Jiang Jing had used a goading tactic on purpose, also intending to adjust the atmosphere at the table.

"You don't seem to have much confidence."

Provincial Governor Fu shot him a sharp look, his tone carrying a touch of boldness: "Fine! If little Tang wins this round, I will take the Hanxing Group proposal to report to the Secretary on Monday!"

Jiang Jing turned to look at Tang Ye, her tone gentle: "Little Tang, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Given Provincial Governor Fu's character, since his word is given, he will certainly help with this matter regardless of the result."

Tang Ye understood clearly that the core of this wager was precisely the restructuring plan for Hanxing Group.

Jiang Jing was single-mindedly trying to facilitate a joint venture between Hanxing and the German Dazong Automobile Company to introduce a top-tier international production line.

This not only required funding support from the province but also could not be done without policy bias.

For Jiang Jing, this was a heavyweight political achievement that could absolutely be written into her resume;

Moreover, resolving the mess at Hanxing Group, settling thousands of workers, and revitalizing billions in assets was also a major task entrusted by the Municipal Party Committee.

Tang Ye knew well that the drinking game was merely an element to adjust the atmosphere of the dinner.

He smiled faintly: "For the development of Hanzhou, I must keep Brother Liu good company tonight!"

Following that.

He appeared to become more disheveled the more he drank, but in reality, he was becoming more clear-headed;

Conversely, look at Liu Yang.

Two bottles of white liquor down and his expression remained unchanged, but halfway through the third bottle, his steps began to falter and his speech became slurred.

Tang Ye consistently feigned a "low health" state, accepting every toast that came his way.

Fu Yagang soon saw through the trick.

Tang Ye's alcohol tolerance was clearly superior to Liu Yang's, and he was deliberately creating the illusion of being evenly matched.

In the end, Liu Yang was completely drunk, slumped in his chair, and unconscious.

Tang Ye looked "tottering," but he simply would not fall down...

When the dinner ended, Jiang Jing personally saw Provincial Governor Fu off, but upon returning, she saw Tang Ye chatting and laughing with Ding Xiang, where was there any sign of drunkenness left?

Jiang Jing knew Tang Ye had a remarkable capacity for alcohol, but she still marveled inwardly.

In officialdom, the dinner table is like a battlefield; many collaborations and deals are reached between clinking glasses.

Tang Ye had undoubtedly pushed this "skill" to the extreme.

"Mayor Jiang, let me drive you home!" Tang Ye suggested softly.

Jiang Jing waved her hand: "I didn't drink much, just let the driver take me. Take care of the ladies; they worked hard today. You should go back and rest early too!"

Once the sedan disappeared into the night, Tang Ye's tense nerves suddenly relaxed.

A churning, burning sensation surged from his stomach, and he rushed toward a flower bed, vomiting all the alcohol and food from his stomach.

Seeing this, Ding Xiang immediately stepped forward to pat his back gently and handed him a tissue: "Are you okay?"

Tang Ye forced a smile: "I feel much better after throwing it up."

Looking at his pale complexion, Ding Xiang felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.

In the eyes of outsiders, Tang Ye was infinitely glorious, but who knew how many unknown hardships and forbearance were hidden behind this seemingly smooth official career.

After arranging vehicles to send everyone back to the hotel, Tang Ye handed two envelopes to Ding Xiang: "This is the travel allowance for you and the two teachers."

Ding Xiang pushed them away with a serious expression: "Brother, if I accept this, let's not see each other again."

Tang Ye was slightly stunned and silently took back the envelopes, though warmth welled up in his heart.

"Fine, I won't force it. I will definitely find a way to make up for the favor I owe you."

Ding Xiang sighed softly: "I heard the last dinner caused you a lot of trouble."

Tang Ye guessed that Wen Rong had leaked the matter of the stolen photos to her.

He smiled nonchalantly: "Think of it from another angle; that time was just a fuse. Without the photo incident, there would have been something else sooner or later."

Only then did Ding Xiang feel relieved, joking: "I'll have to keep my distance from you in the future, so I don't implicate you."

Tang Ye comforted her: "Don't overthink it, go back and rest first."

Ding Xiang turned and walked a few steps, then looked back and smiled: "I'm really happy today, because you're still the same old you, protecting me."

After Ding Xiang left, Tang Ye felt another bout of cramping in his stomach and rushed to the flower bed again.

After vomiting for a while longer, he finally felt much more comfortable.

This drinking bout!

Was actually a tragic victory of "killing one thousand enemies while suffering eight hundred losses."

After returning to his residence and showering, Tang Ye dialed Du Xi's phone: "Wife, I'm staying at Xiyue Garden tonight, I won't be returning to Yunhu Courtyard."

"Are you feeling unwell from drinking too much?" Du Xi's voice was full of worry.

"I didn't drink much, I just smell like alcohol."

"I'll come over right away."

"Don't go through the trouble, it's getting late. You should get some good rest."

"No, I'm worried."

Half an hour later, Du Xi pushed the door open and entered.

The room reeked of alcohol, and Tang Ye was already passed out on the bed.

She gently poured a glass of warm water and placed it on the bedside table, then quietly lay down beside him.

In the middle of the night, Tang Ye was startled awake by a dry heat; looking at the sleeping Du Xi beside him, waves of tenderness welled up in his heart.

Why must a man risk his life at the dinner table?

What he swallows is not just spicy liquor, but the heavy responsibility he bears for his family.

In the past, it was for my parents; now, there is one more person, her, whom I must protect.

……

The next afternoon, Secretary Liu called.

"How much did we actually drink last night? I've been navigating the drinking scene for so many years, and this is the first time I've had a blackout! I've vomited several times since I woke up!"

Of course, Tang Ye could not tell the truth—that when he woke up this morning, he was completely fine.

Playing along with his words, Tang Ye mocked himself: "If Brother Liu couldn't handle it, how could I be any better? I had a blackout too!"

Secretary Liu's tone instantly brightened.

"When drinking with a soulmate, a thousand cups are too few! We can organize more gatherings in the future!"

Tang Ye laughed loudly: "Next time, we can join forces, stand united against outsiders, and we're guaranteed to be invincible!"

The two laughed at each other; this "contest" at the dinner table became the catalyst for forging their friendship.

As the chief Secretary by Fu Yagang's side, Secretary Liu currently holds a Section Level position.

With the network resources he relies on and the administrative experience accumulated over the years, his path to future promotion is certainly bright.

In the evening, the phone rang; seeing it was Jiang Jing calling, Tang Ye hurriedly answered.

Jiang Jing's concerned voice came through: "Little Tang, how is your recovery? Yesterday was a tough battle; you drank quite a lot. Thank you for your hard work."

"Rest assured, Mayor Jiang, I am already fine."

"Ding Xiang performed very well yesterday. Provincial Governor Fu gave a very high evaluation of the song 'Oh, Sea, My Hometown' that she sang a cappella."

"After the dinner ended, I followed your instructions and prepared a gratuity for the ladies, but Ding Xiang firmly declined and refused to accept it no matter what."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.

A moment later, Jiang Jing said sincerely: "Such an artistic and free-spirited female comrade is indeed rare. If there is a suitable opportunity in the future, take good care of her."

At the dinner party last night, Ding Xiang's female classmate who works at the Provincial Television Station took the opportunity to tell Jiang Jing and Provincial Governor Fu about Ding Xiang failing to be selected for the Provincial Spring Festival Gala.

Jiang Jing had kept it in mind at the time.

Ding Xiang had helped Jiang Jing make appearances a few times.

With this connection, there was naturally an opportunity to give her a hand.

Otherwise, who would be willing to help in the future?

"Actually, Ding Xiang has been worrying about this recently. The City Television Station was selecting a host for the Spring Festival Gala; she originally had a high chance of being selected, but who knew she would be replaced by someone else in the end."

"Put some heart into this matter and think of a way to see if there is any room for maneuver."