Chapter 504: Never Be a Clown Again!

After the meeting ended, Han Guangyao dialed Tang Ye's phone number and said in a relaxed tone, "I just received news that Guohao Group is going to invest in Suiyuan. Why didn't you give me a heads-up so I could be prepared? Mayor Zhao Yang brought this up, which caught me off guard and put me in a passive position."

Han Guangyao seemed to be complaining, but his tone was filled with joy.

Tang Ye told the truth: "Secretary Han, I only finalized this with the person in charge from Guohao Group at the meeting venue. It is currently just an intention and hasn't been put on paper yet, but Guohao Group will arrange for an inspection team to come to Suiyuan tomorrow to discuss subsequent details."

Han Guangyao nodded slightly: "I will communicate with County Magistrate Gao later to provide support and ensure the success of this project."

Tang Ye quickly said: "Thank you for your support, Secretary Han."

Han Guangyao paused for a few seconds and sighed: "I had some hesitations regarding the Old City renovation and the West City Development previously, which caused some misunderstandings. Please don't take it to heart."

Tang Ye said softly: "I can understand your position. You are planning from the perspective of the entire county and have many issues to consider."

Han Guangyao said with a smile: "Later on, we will gradually shift our focus to the West City, which requires a process. I am very confident that the West City will surely be the key to Suiyuan's takeoff."

Having gained Han Guangyao's support, Tang Ye felt his fighting spirit ignite and said confidently: "Secretary Han, I believe that with your support, the West City will definitely undergo a brand-new transformation within three to five years."

Sure enough, if one wants to gain the support and trust of higher-level leaders, one must still speak with political achievements.

Although Han Guangyao was a broad-minded County Party Secretary, one should not view him as a puppet.

Han Guangyao had his own independent ideas and would not be led by the nose by anyone.

Consequently, Han Guangyao's influence in the Standing Committee grew stronger and stronger; for instance, he continuously displayed his assertive side in personnel and financial matters.

Han Guangyao had always built his governing persona with a firm hand.

It was just that previously, Han Guangyao needed to use Tang Ye to form a triangular balance with Nie Kai and Gao Hong within the County Government team, so he had always adopted a soft policy toward Tang Ye.

This led to Tang Ye overlooking Han Guangyao's governing style.

When getting along with Han Guangyao, one must still maintain the right mindset.

He is the County Party Secretary.

He possesses absolute power in Suiyuan.

One should build one's work around his strategy, rather than centering it on one's own ideas.

Previously, when Tang Ye suddenly proposed the West City Development, it was indeed a bit too individualistic.

Therefore, it caused Han Guangyao discomfort.

However, any conflict quietly vanished under the halo of success in investment attraction.

Han Guangyao suddenly remembered something: "My father is having a birthday this week. I don't plan to host a banquet, but Haoyang needs to come back. You happen to be in Qiongjin for a meeting; could you do me a favor and pick him up on your way back?"

Tang Ye readily agreed: "I will go pick him up as soon as the meeting ends."

Han Guangyao said with emotion: "I'm troubling you."

Tang Ye chuckled: "Secretary, it's just a small favor; you are being too polite."

Not long after hanging up, Tang Ye received a text message from Han Guangyao saying that he had already communicated with Han Haoyang.

Tang Ye replied that he would go to the school to pick him up in an hour.

After Tang Ye finished the meeting, he had his driver take him to the University Town, where he met Han Haoyang downstairs at the student dormitory.

Compared to last time, Han Haoyang had changed significantly; his style of dress and his temperament were different.

After getting into the car, Han Haoyang greeted Tang Ye with a smile: "Uncle, you don't need to pick me up next time; it's too much trouble."

Tang Ye looked Han Haoyang up and down, smiling enigmatically: "What trouble is there in this? Hey, this watch on your wrist is quite nice. How much did it cost?"

Han Haoyang subconsciously pulled back his wrist and laughed awkwardly: "It's just a few dozen yuan, not worth much."

The watch was a gift from Xiao Zi'an.

Han Haoyang had looked up the price—it was tens of thousands, equal to his father's annual income!

As for the watch on Xiao Zi'an's wrist, its price was over ten times that of this one.

Was Tang Ye hinting that he should pay back the money he borrowed?

In fact, Han Haoyang had been prepared for this for a long time.

Although Xiao Zi'an was wealthier than Tang Ye, Han Haoyang knew that Xiao Zi'an was using him.

As for Tang Ye, he had no other complicated thoughts and simply wanted to help him.

He opened his backpack, took out several stacks of cash, and placed them by Tang Ye's side: "Uncle, this is the money I borrowed from you before. I'm returning it to you now."

Tang Ye looked at Han Haoyang calmly: "There's no need to rush to return the money. Is your girlfriend's mother's illness cured?"

A flash of disappointment crossed Han Haoyang's eyes: "She is not my girlfriend, and she didn't take my money. I don't have a use for this money for the time being."

Tang Ye smiled and took the money, surprised: "You were rejected? That girl has poor taste."

Han Haoyang laughed out loud: "Yeah, Uncle, she will regret it sooner or later. Please take this money. You helped me once, and I will keep it in my heart."

Tang Ye put the money into his bag and promised with a smile: "If you need anything in the future, just ask me anytime."

Han Haoyang nodded vigorously: "If you have any use for me in the future, just give the order."

The "street-smart" air about Han Haoyang had grown much stronger.

Tang Ye knew why Han Haoyang had changed so much, but he did not point it out.

Right now, Han Haoyang and Xiao Zi'an were in a "honeymoon period"; if he mentioned this, it would make Han Haoyang resentful and even make him feel that Tang Ye was meddling.

As for Xiao Zi'an, he would definitely use Han Haoyang to set a trap for Han Guangyao.

Only when the trap's mechanism was triggered would Han Haoyang realize his own problem.

However, Tang Ye still had to remind Han Haoyang: "Haoyang, you are a very simple child. Secretary Han has high hopes for you; don't let him down. I was also rejected by someone I liked at your age, and it was very painful at the time, but time can heal everything. Some people become more courageous after setbacks, but others embark on the wrong path. I hope you won't be discouraged, face the future bravely, and don't be led astray."

Han Haoyang said with a smile: "I have already walked out of the shadow. In the future, I will focus on improving myself and making myself more outstanding. I won't be a clown ever again."

Han Haoyang had not actually walked out of this relationship.

After dropping Han Haoyang off at his residence, Tang Ye took a car back to Suiyuan County because he had to receive the Guohao Group inspection team the next day.

Upon arriving in Suiyuan County, Tang Ye received a call from Wan Ming.

Wan Ming said in a deep voice, "Er Zi just called. Han Haoyang's crush has withdrawn from school; it seems she has been controlled."

Tang Ye frowned and said, "Is Xiao Zi'an trying to force a good woman into prostitution?"

Wan Ming sighed, "Xiao Zi'an has done no shortage of things like forcing good women into prostitution. Xiao Zi'an's influence in the Provincial Capital is very powerful, and I don't have many ways to deal with him either."

Tang Ye secretly broke into a cold sweat for Han Haoyang.

Getting too close to a person like Xiao Zi'an is no different from seeking a tiger's skin!