Chapter 396: Shen Mingcheng

As the affairs of Suiyuan County gradually got on the right track, Tang Ye's work rhythm slowed down accordingly.

In the eyes of others, he was always a tireless workaholic.

This stemmed from his deep understanding that everything he possessed today came from struggle; if he were to slack off even slightly, all his previous efforts might be wasted.

It happened to be Du Chengfeng's birthday, so after getting off work, Tang Ye drove for two hours to rush back to Yunhu Courtyard.

Besides Du Xiaofeng's family, Shen Mingcheng and Chen Lan were also present at the banquet.

Knowing that the Xiao Family held a cold attitude toward Tang Ye, Du Xiaofeng deliberately kept a straight face.

Shen Mingcheng and his wife, sensing the subtle hostility at the table, feigned haughtiness and rarely spoke to the Du family members.

After three rounds of drinks, Du Xiaofeng suddenly raised her glass and looked at Tang Ye with a smile: "I heard you are going to become a Standing Committee Member of the County Party Committee? Congratulations in advance!"

Tang Ye was slightly stunned: "This matter hasn't been finalized yet; there are still variables."

"The county has already nominated you; it's just a matter of going through the motions," Du Xiaofeng said with certainty. "Besides, my brother is keeping an eye on it for you from above."

Hearing this, Du Chengfeng frowned and glared at his sister: "Tang Ye's promotion to the Standing Committee is a decision made by Suiyuan County and the Municipal Organization Department; it has nothing to do with me. Stop talking nonsense all day long."

In Du Xiaofeng's view, her brother's status as the Municipal Secretary-General was the key to Tang Ye's rapid rise.

If not for that, how could he have received consecutive exceptional promotions?

Shen Mingcheng caught the sense of showing off in her words and sneered inwardly.

Although Du Chengfeng was a figure of some standing in Hanzhou, he was far too mediocre when placed in the context of the entire Huainan.

In his eyes, the only ones in Hanzhou who could be called powerful and promising were Zhou Chengwu and Jiang Jing.

Despite his disdain, he still raised his glass to offer congratulations.

"I didn't expect you to be promoted to the Standing Committee after only two months in Suiyuan; your progress is rapid. I heard Mayor Jiang has approved quite a few projects for you recently; the old leader really looks after you."

These words implied that Tang Ye's promotion was due to Jiang Jing's support and had little to do with Du Chengfeng.

Tang Ye caught the subtext and smiled calmly: "Brother Mingcheng, it is still too early to talk about the Standing Committee. However, I truly must thank you and Dad; if it weren't for your guidance, it would have been difficult for me to adapt to the complex situation in Suiyuan."

With this short sentence, he dissolved the underlying tension, and Du Chengfeng secretly admired his emotional intelligence.

During the banquet, Shen Mingcheng was in high spirits and raised his glass frequently; by the time he left the table, his gait was unsteady.

In contrast, although Tang Ye had consumed far more alcohol than Shen Mingcheng, his expression remained unchanged.

Inside the car, Chen Lan looked at her husband, who was clearly drunk, and complained: "Why did you drink so much today?"

Although Shen Mingcheng's body was beyond his control, his mind was clear: "I wanted to compare my drinking capacity with Tang Ye's. I had long heard he could hold his liquor, and it turns out the rumors are true."

"What's the use of being a good drinker?" Chen Lan said irritably.

"It's very useful!" Shen Mingcheng hiccuped. "Networking resources are often negotiated at the dinner table. My biggest weakness is my average tolerance. In the future, if there are drinking sessions, I can call Tang Ye to help me block the drinks."

So he intended to use Tang Ye as a tool!

Seeing his wife's expression soften, he added: "Chen Lan, among the peers in your mother-in-law's branch, only Tang Ye has the potential to amount to something. You can look down on him, but don't push him away. We don't have to be brothers as close as hand and palm, but don't become enemies either."

Only then did Chen Lan restrain her sharpness: "I know. You're just afraid of upsetting your uncle-in-law and having him trip you up in Tianling County, right? I just can't stand the look on the Du family's faces. They're just candidates for the Standing Committee, yet they act like petty people who have gained power."

Shen Mingcheng was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: "Tang Ye's promotion speed is indeed astonishing. From a Staff Member to a Deputy Division Chief with real power, it hasn't even been two years."

Chen Lan curled her lips: "What's the use of rushing ahead early? Sooner or later, he'll run out of steam."

Shen Mingcheng closed his eyes and leaned against the seat, no longer responding to Chen Lan.

Although his wife's words were sharp, they hit the reality of the situation.

With the level of Du Chengfeng's connections, he could at most push Tang Ye to the Division Level; anything further would require a deeper background.

At this time, Du Xiaofeng's family had already driven away from the Du Residence.

In the car, Du Xiaofeng gripped the steering wheel and kept complaining: "Chen Lan is just like her mother, always looking down on people."

Xie Miao gave a helpless, bitter smile: "Your targeting was too obvious today; you should have at least considered your eldest uncle's face."

"In a few years, when Tang Ye becomes the County Party Secretary," Du Xiaofeng snorted coldly, "let's see what they have left to be arrogant about."

Xie Miao was speechless: "How could being a County Party Secretary be that easy? Even though our brother-in-law is rising fast, most people struggle for over a decade without necessarily being able to move up."

"Don't worry," Du Xiaofeng said with a touch of emotion. "Your eldest uncle has already paved the way for Tang Ye. He is just lucky to have met a noble person like your eldest uncle. If someone had given your eldest uncle a hand when he was young, he would probably be a Municipal Party Secretary by now."

After the meal, Tang Ye and Du Xi drove away from the Du Residence toward Xiyue Garden.

On the way, Du Xi secretly glanced at her husband and sighed softly: "The atmosphere at today's dinner was really strange; it made one feel completely uncomfortable."

Tang Ye laughed heartily: "I actually think it was fine. Regardless of whether others were sincere or not, at least they offered their congratulations on the surface."

Du Xi was silent for a moment, her tone gentle: "Husband, you are truly excellent; I am proud of you."

Hearing this, Tang Ye laughed: "I've been working so hard just waiting to hear you say that!"

The two had just stepped out of the car when they were spotted by Xiao Hui and Shao Jinbo not far away.

Shao Jinbo subconsciously wanted to turn and avoid them, but Xiao Hui took the initiative to walk up: "What a coincidence! Do you live in Xiyue Garden now?"

Du Xi responded with a smile: "Tang Ye works in Suiyuan and occasionally comes here to stay on weekends. I heard you both passed the open selection?"

"Yes," Xiao Hui nodded, "I'm at the Education Bureau of Chengzhong District, and Shao Jinbo is at the District Court."

Shao Jinbo, however, gave Tang Ye a cold glance, his tone tinged with jealousy: "We both like a stable life, unlike Tang Ye, who is so ambitious and specifically chooses hard places to 'gild' himself."

Fearing he would ruin the atmosphere, Xiao Hui quickly tugged at his sleeve: "We have things to do; let's make an appointment to eat and chat in detail another day."

After walking away, Shao Jinbo clenched his fist and sneered at Xiao Hui.

"Eat with Tang Ye? I'm afraid I'd vomit from disgust halfway through."

Xiao Hui glared at him irritably: "Shao Jinbo, whether you accept it or not, Tang Ye is doing better than you right now. He is already a Deputy County Magistrate and is about to enter the Standing Committee."

Although he had long been numb to the news of Tang Ye's steady rise, Shao Jinbo's pupils still shook violently!

He looked at his wife in surprise: "How do you know so clearly?"

Xiao Hui had been paying attention to Tang Ye's every move, but she quickly made up a lie and explained: "I have a friend who works in Suiyuan. Among all our classmates, he is the one doing the best. We might need his help in the future, so don't always be so narrow-minded."

Shao Jinbo's eyes turned cold, his tone resolute: "Even if I am driven to a dead end, I will never beg at his door!"