Chapter 351: An Unpolished Piece of Jade!

The sedan rolled over the bluestone path in front of the Xiao Family Old Residence and slowly came to a stop.

Du Chengfeng had not yet stepped out of the sedan.

Xiao Fang had already hurried up in her high heels, her eyes and brows filled with smiles.

"Old Du, long time no see."

"Big Sister, long time no see."

Du Chengfeng greeted Xiao Fang warmly.

"Huh, why didn't Xi Xi come back this time?" Xiao Fang looked past Du Chengfeng's shoulder, peering around.

"She went back to her in-laws'." Xiao Qin lowered her eyes to adjust her silk scarf, her tone cold.

Xiao Fang was accustomed to her younger sister's indifferent attitude and turned to beckon behind her.

A tall, upright young man walked over, his sword-like brows and star-like eyes revealing an air of nobility.

"Mingcheng, hurry and help your aunt and uncle take the gifts inside." Shen Mingcheng stepped forward to shake Du Chengfeng's hand, his well-defined palm exerting just the right amount of pressure.

He nimbly picked up the gift bags and said gently, "Leave these to me."

Xiao Qin quietly sized the other man up; he was half a head taller than Tang Ye, his frame slightly thin, and while his features were heroic, they lacked a certain warmth. However, he possessed an innate air of nobility, and combined with his substantial family background and bright future, it was no wonder Xiao Fang talked about him all day, praising him to the skies.

Stepping into the Xiao Family Old Residence, Du Chengfeng clearly sensed a change in the atmosphere.

The once slightly cold gazes had now transformed into fawning smiles and flattering pleasantries.

The status of a Deputy Department-level Official combined with being a member of the Municipal Party Committee was enough to make the members of the Xiao Family re-evaluate this former "phoenix man."

Now that the Xiao Family's talent pool was dwindling, Du Chengfeng had suddenly risen, becoming a force the family was eager to win over.

At the banquet, Xiao Guangyi raised his glass, his face glowing with health, and said, "Next year, Xiao Qin must bring Du Xi and her husband back so we can all get closer."

"There will be plenty of opportunities." Xiao Qin took a small sip of wine.

Everyone clinked their glasses, the crisp sound echoing through the banquet.

After three rounds of drinks, Xiao Guangyi took Du Chengfeng's hand and said earnestly, "Mingcheng is currently working hard in Hanzhou and specifically went to Tianling County just for you. Chengfeng, you must look after this child; he is the pillar of the next generation of our Xiao Family."

"Rest assured, as long as Mingcheng needs it, I will do my best." Du Chengfeng maintained a proper smile.

Shen Mingcheng immediately stood up and respectfully raised his glass in thanks: "Thank you, Uncle!"

Amidst the clinking of glasses, the smile on Du Chengfeng's face did not fade, but a trace of chill rose in his heart.

The lively atmosphere of drinking and toasting was a hypocritical warmth built upon power and influence.

After the meal, Xiao Guangyi took Du Chengfeng into the study to drink tea.

Amidst the swirling tea fragrance, the topic turned to the Hanzhou officialdom.

"Xiao Jingyu being transferred to the Provincial Development and Reform Commission looks like a step forward, but in reality, he has lost real power. Now that there are twelve Standing Committee Members in Hanzhou, if you want to move to a higher position, just speak up. As long as I can help, I won't hesitate."

Du Chengfeng looked at the tea leaves floating and sinking in his cup, his tone respectful yet resolute: "I appreciate Big Brother's kindness. Secretary Zhou has his own arrangements for work; I listen to the organization."

Xiao Guangyi's hand holding the teacup paused in mid-air, and he suddenly realized that the knot in Du Chengfeng's heart might never be untied in this lifetime.

In the past, the Xiao Family ignored him, but now that they wanted to reach out and pull him in, he couldn't even be bothered to extend his hand.

After Du Chengfeng and Xiao Qin left, Xiao Fang rushed to find Xiao Guangyi in a panic.

She pushed the door open and entered, her expression anxious: "Brother, did you mention Little Shen's situation in Tianling County to Du Chengfeng? That group of people opposes him at every turn. Now he is a Party Secretary in name only, especially the County Magistrate, Guo Zhengting, who sings a different tune every other day!"

Xiao Guangyi's brows knitted into a frown, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction: "Little Shen must find a way to solve work-related difficulties himself. Do you think that if I say a few words to Du Chengfeng, the people below will obediently listen? To be convincing, one must produce results. The grassroots level is not like other places; everyone only recognizes ability and looks at whether you can bring political achievements to the region."

These words were like a bucket of cold water; Xiao Fang's eyes instantly turned red, filled with grievance: "Among the next generation of our Xiao Family, Little Shen is the most promising. You must help him out!"

Xiao Guangyi glanced at his sister, his tone softening slightly: "Alright, I have it in mind."

After Xiao Fang left, he turned and pulled open a drawer; a resume lay quietly inside.

The young man in the photo had a steady gaze; it was Tang Ye.

Although a Section Chief rank was not eye-catching in the officialdom, Xiao Guangyi's gaze lingered on the file for a long time.

At twenty-nine years old, having graduated from a prestigious university two years ago, he had been promoted twice in one year; the details of this resume were enough to make people take notice.

More importantly, Tang Ye had no powerful family backing him.

Thinking of this, Xiao Guangyi tapped his fingertips lightly on the desk.

Shen Mingcheng had the full support of the Shen Family, and he had long been branded with the mark of the Shen Family;

while Tang Ye was like an unpolished piece of jade; if cultivated carefully, he might become a true confidant force for the Xiao Family.

To use a fantasy novel analogy: on one side is a rogue cultivator with extraordinary talent but no sect protection, and on the other is a disciple with decent strength who already belongs to another sect.

As a sect leader, how one should choose is self-evident.

Moreover, Tang Ye's current rank was still very low; if resources were funneled to him now, it would be more effective.

It is like taming a wild beast: the younger it is when raised, the easier it is to tame.

Xiao Guangyi sighed inwardly; the scenes of Du Chengfeng being despised, excluded, slandered, and neglected by the Xiao Family back then were still vivid in his mind.

For so many years, Du Chengfeng had been working silently, yet he himself had never once cast his gaze upon him.

Thinking of this, a wave of melancholy welled up from the depths of Xiao Guangyi's heart.

The atmosphere inside the car was slightly dull; Xiao Qin suddenly complained in a low voice: "My sister was really strange today. She used to look at people with her nose in the air, but now she keeps trying to cozy up to you."

Her tone carried a hint of mockery, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the seat armrest.

Du Chengfeng turned to the side, gently took her hand, and a faint, indifferent smile curled the corners of his mouth: "Whether it's an act or sincerity, if she can keep performing, it's not necessarily a bad thing."

Xiao Qin pouted, her eyes full of disdain: "Then you intend to help her?"

"I should help where I can." Du Chengfeng's voice was steady and powerful, his gaze revealing the clarity of one who has experienced the world, "After all, we are connected by blood; even if you break the bone, the tendons remain. At my age, even if things have been smooth sailing these past two years, I wasted a lot of time in my early years. But Tang Ye is different; he has a bright future and plenty of opportunities. Besides..."

He paused, his gaze meaningful, "Your big brother is particularly attentive to him."

Xiao Qin turned her head abruptly, her eyes full of surprise: "How did I not notice that at all?"

Du Chengfeng chuckled and reached out to pat the back of her hand lightly.

"You, your understanding of him is still too shallow. Those who have been struggling in the officialdom for so many years, which one of them isn't deep-thinking, like a thousand-year-old fox? How could they be easily seen through..."