Chapter 402: Transforming into a PR Expert!

"County Magistrate Tang, I never expected your tolerance for alcohol to be so high." Qiao Wansen patted Tang Ye on the shoulder. Tipsy and flushed, he laughed, "It's been a long time since I've met a drinking companion who could truly match me."

Tang Ye raised his glass in response: "I usually wouldn't dare drink this heavily. It's only because I met you today, President Qiao, that I'm in such great form—you could say I'm performing beyond my usual limits."

His gaze fell upon Qiao Wansen's upright frame, and he offered a timely compliment: "Seeing how well you maintain your physique, you must exercise consistently year-round, right?"

Qiao Wansen let out a long sigh: "Sigh, my health isn't what it used to be these past few years. Back in the day, I served in the military. When I was young, I participated in army competitions and even took first place in the entire force."

Tang Ye could hear the hint of boasting in these words, but he didn't call it out. Instead, he cupped his hands and said: "No wonder I thought you carried the air of a military champion in every gesture, President Qiao. Such boldness truly reaches the clouds! Come, let me toast you again!"

Qiao Wansen laughed heartily and patted his back, teasing: "You kid, you definitely came here with a mission today, didn't you? You won't rest until you've drunk me under the table?"

"President Qiao, that's being a bit of a stranger." Tang Ye feigned sincerity and shook his head. "A thousand cups are too few when drinking with a soulmate. I truly feel a connection with you, which is why I'm willing to 'risk my life to keep you company.' To be honest, I even snuck off to the restroom earlier, otherwise I wouldn't be able to stand right now."

These half-true, half-false words made Qiao Wansen's eyes light up. He stopped hesitating and waved his hand: "Good! I'll finish this glass!"

Jiang Jing watched from the side as Tang Ye and Qiao Wansen exchanged toasts and chatted with measured ease. She couldn't help but feel moved: when this kid was in the Secretary office, he was low-key and reserved; only now did she realize there was an outgoing side to his personality.

Back when he was a Secretary, his role was to attend to the leaders at all times; even if he could drink, he had to be discreet.

Now that his status had changed, he was handling himself with ease, transforming into a master of public relations.

As they spoke, the rosewood door was pushed open, and a group of people walked in, surrounding someone.

The middle-aged man in the lead wore gold-rimmed glasses, and Tang Ye recognized him at a glance.

It was none other than Song Weiping, the Full-time Deputy Party Secretary of Hanzhou City, the third-ranking figure among the Municipal Party Committee leaders.

Following closely behind him was Shen Mingcheng, the County Party Secretary of Tianling County.

Song Weiping walked straight toward Qiao Wansen with a brilliant smile: "President Qiao, I heard Mayor Jiang was hosting a banquet here, so I specifically came over to toast you. I am truly sorry; I have to host leaders from the Provincial Development and Reform Commission today and couldn't accompany you the whole time. I hope you can forgive me. However, I believe that with Mayor Jiang here to keep you company, you will certainly have a good time."

Although Qiao Wansen had already drunk quite a bit, his demeanor remained composed: "Secretary Song is too kind. Thank you for the warm hospitality of Hanzhou City."

Song Weiping turned to the others at the table and nodded: "I'll toast everyone."

Tang Ye hurriedly picked up his glass and took a small sip.

When Shen Mingcheng's gaze swept over to Tang Ye, he reached out and pressed on his shoulder, acknowledging him.

Tang Ye understood: the banquet in the next room was for the Provincial Development and Reform Commission inspection team, and it likely had to do with the Hanxing Group project.

Shen Mingcheng clearly hadn't expected Tang Ye to be present at a dinner of this level, and he began to wonder.

He had also wanted to find an opportunity to approach Qiao Wansen.

Yet Tang Ye had gained the upper hand by virtue of his past connection as Jiang Jing's Secretary.

But then he thought, this didn't necessarily mean Qiao Wansen would choose to invest in Suiyuan County.

After the guests from the next room finished their toast, Jiang Jing also needed to return the gesture, so she smiled at Qiao Wansen: "President Qiao, I'm going to greet the people next door. I'll be back shortly."

Qiao Wansen nodded in understanding.

Jiang Jing gave Tang Ye a look, and he followed Jiang Jing and Shi Hao to the next room.

Jiang Jing stepped forward quickly to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the Team Leader of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission inspection team, using the same rhetoric Song Weiping had used in their room just moments ago.

After walking out of the room, Jiang Jing looked at Tang Ye and reminded him with a cryptic smile, "Tianling County is pursuing the Hanxing project very aggressively."

"Shen Mingcheng certainly has his methods." Tang Ye nodded in agreement.

Jiang Jing patted his shoulder: "Don't sell yourself short. Suiyuan is not without a chance. You must host President Qiao well tonight."

Tang Ye's heart stirred.

He knew well that Jiang Jing was in the habit of laying groundwork when she spoke.

Could it be that the Hanxing Group project really had a chance of landing in Suiyuan?

Suppressing his surging thoughts, he pushed the door open and returned to the table, walking straight toward Qiao Wansen, who was whispering to the beautiful host.

"President Qiao, why are you only chatting with the beauty and neglecting us? Come, let me toast you again!"

Qiao Wansen laughed loudly and drank the toast.

Qiao Wansen, who had seemed to be at his limit, appeared to have "fully recovered."

Only then did Tang Ye realize he had underestimated the other man's tolerance.

The banquet finally came to an end. Jiang Jing cupped her hands with a smile: "President Qiao, you truly showed your immense capacity for drink today!"

Qiao Wansen cast a glance at Tang Ye, his tone carrying a sense of mutual appreciation: "Little Tang's tolerance is not to be underestimated either. We were evenly matched today. Let's find another opportunity to compete again another day."

Tang Ye suppressed the rising urge to vomit and cupped his hands in response: "If you have time to visit Suiyuan County, President Qiao, I will certainly host a banquet for you and ensure you have a memorable experience."

Qiao Wansen smiled and waved his hand, sitting in the back seat of his car.

As soon as the door closed, he urged his Secretary: "Drive! I can't hold it much longer!"

The Secretary was shocked to realize that his boss's composure had been a facade.

As soon as the car drove out of the hotel gate, Qiao Wansen leaned over the car window and emptied the contents of his stomach.

Tang Ye was no better off; he stumbled toward a flower bed and only managed to stand up slowly after a long while, leaning against a stone railing.

Jiang Jing looked at his back and sighed: "Little Tang met his match today. I didn't expect Qiao Wansen's tolerance to be so astonishing."

Shi Hao smiled with a complex expression: "President Qiao was just holding on. He had already vomited once in the restroom earlier."

Jiang Jing was stunned upon hearing this, then realized: "In that case, Little Tang didn't actually lose." She then instructed Wen Rong, "County Magistrate Tang has had quite a lot to drink. Go book a room at the hotel and make sure to take good care of him."

"Don't worry, Mayor Jiang, I will settle County Magistrate Tang in." Wen Rong hurried toward Tang Ye, but she saw the filth by the flower bed, which had attracted flies due to the summer heat, and the sour, putrid smell hit her nostrils.

She already had a weak stomach, and a wave of nausea surged into her throat; she barely managed to hold it back.

Gritting her teeth, she draped Tang Ye's arm over her shoulder and said softly: "County Magistrate Tang, Mayor Jiang wants you to stay at the hotel tonight. I'll help you to your room."

Tang Ye's mind was still clear, but his limbs felt weak.

Thinking that going home this late would worry Du Xi, he let Wen Rong support him as he walked into the hotel's revolving door.

Tang Ye was helped into the room by Wen Rong, and he collapsed onto the bed as if he were falling apart.

Wen Rong unscrewed a bottle of mineral water, gently lifted his upper body, and brought the bottle to his lips to feed him a sip.

Unexpectedly, Tang Ye's stomach suddenly spasmed violently, and a hot stream sprayed directly onto Wen Rong's chest.

Her expression changed drastically, and she rushed into the bathroom, frantically scrubbing the filth from her clothes with a towel.

After a simple cleaning, a yellow stain still remained on the pristine white shirt.

She came to the bedroom.

Tang Ye had fallen into a deep sleep, his brows still slightly furrowed from the drunkenness.

Wen Rong, who had a slight obsession with cleanliness, looked at his disheveled appearance at this moment, yet felt not a shred of disgust in her heart, and instead, a sense of pity and admiration welled up within her...