Chapter 778: Grand Secretary No.1 Sends a Gift to Su Yang

Su Yang felt a small stirring in his heart; the last time he came here to eat, it was Governor Zhou's secretary who took him.

That meal was just like home cooking, but Director Bai invited him to eat, and it was certainly not in a private capacity.

"Thank you, Director Bai, to be honest, the canteen down here really doesn't have this kind of treatment."

"Don't talk about the canteen; even the street restaurants can't produce such good dishes."

"Especially this braised lion's head, which is the signature dish here; I heard that those who come late never get it."

"Of course, we are the early arrivals."

Director Bai took the lead: "I remember Ruo Han really likes this braised lion's head here."

"In the past Governor Zhou often brought it to her home, and sometimes she would come over to eat."

"Unfortunately, she's now in Jingcheng; otherwise, you could have taken a portion home today."

Being a leader's secretary, he remembers clearly the family members of related persons, even their food preferences.

That's truly the basic quality of a top‑notch secretary.

Su Yang didn't find it strange; if he were the secretary, he would also note these things, and if he couldn't remember, he'd jot them down in a little notebook.

Of course, he wouldn't record every big shot's family members in every province.

But for someone like Zhou Liguo, who was a potential stock in the province back then and now is the second‑in‑command of Jiangnan Province.

Even if Secretary Sha didn't mention it, Director Bai would remember it clearly.

The two ate and chatted, and it was indeed a delightful meal.

Especially Su Yang, who, since arriving in Lieshan Xian, hadn't had a proper meal, let alone such tasty dishes.

After finishing, Su Yang joked: "Director Bai, there's so much leftover; I think it's a waste. Let me take it back."

"We can have it as a midnight snack."

A flash of surprise passed through Director Bai's eyes; ordinary officials in places like this would never get to eat such dishes.

If county officials could eat at the provincial committee canteen, they'd be bragging for months.

But Su Yang had no need; he had been here before, and now he could come in at will.

Moreover, given Su Yang's circumstances, there's no need to bring these dishes back.

He doesn't need to brag back home, nor does he need to actually eat these leftovers.

Yet a secretary's sharpness is remarkable; he said, "I didn't expect you to be so frugal."

"Alright, take all these with you, and this braised lion's head was made especially for them."

"Take it when you leave."

As they were about to leave after the meal, Director Bai somehow produced several packs of cigarettes.

"Take these cigarettes with you; they were given to me before. I don't smoke much, and honestly, my job doesn't give me many chances to smoke."

"If you have free time, even smoking isn't something you need to buy yourself; and this alcohol, I have no chance to drink it here."

"In our line of work, some cigarettes and alcohol are hard to refuse."

"If you really don't take them, you'll offend people, and sometimes it puts us in a difficult spot."

"Of course, among our own, we just say this casually; don't take it seriously or tell anyone."

"Next time you come back, I'll prepare more. Last time when you and Ruo Han went back to your hometown, it was Ruo Han who paid for the cigarettes and alcohol."

Director Bai's brilliance lies in that he always chats about everyday life with Su Yang, making Su Yang feel no constraint.

On the contrary, it creates an eager desire to keep interacting.

"Then thank you, Director Bai. I really came empty‑handed this time, with nothing to give you as a thank‑you gift."

"Next time I come to the provincial capital, I'll definitely treat Director Bai to a meal."

Director Bai said, "Between us, don't be so formal. I'm a few years older than you; if you don't mind, we can call each other brothers."

Su Yang naturally went along; he had already crawled at Secretary Sha's place earlier, let alone now.

Anyway, for someone like Director Bai, managing relationships only brings benefits, no drawbacks.

The relationship with Lai Juncheng is just that relationship; although many things can be arranged, what Director Bai can handle, Lai Juncheng may not.

A larger circle is better.

He opened his mouth and said, "Thanks, Brother Bai, I'll definitely treat you to a meal next time I come."

Director Bai saw Su Yang off to the parking lot, personally placed the wine and cigarettes into the trunk, then waved goodbye.

Su Yang's car drove out of the Provincial Party Committee compound, and Shi Haoyun asked, "County Magistrate Su, that was Chief Secretary Bai just now, right?"

"He actually came himself to see you off; that's quite a face you have!"

"With this connection, even back in the county we can be fully gilded."

Su Yang said, "Alright, stop being so startled; in officialdom, staged performances are commonplace."

"Of course, they're giving us face, and I have to accept it."

"These dishes are the ones I just took from the canteen; we'll find a place later, you eat them first, then the two of us will go back."

While eating earlier, Su Yang originally wanted to call his little secretary over, but felt it wasn't appropriate.

After all, places like this aren't open to just anyone.

After Director Bai returned, he first refilled Secretary Sha's tea.

Then he asked, "Leader, did Su Yang really say those good words to Lu Zhi Xin just now?"

"I think he couldn't have said that; forget him, in front of you, no provincial official would dare speak like that."

Secretary Sha laughed, "There are two kinds of people in this world: one kind is Su Yang, the other kind is everyone else."

"This kid sometimes is quite mischievous; I also think he wouldn't dare speak like that, even if it was arranged beforehand."

"In the end he couldn't hold it in and blurted it out."

"Of course, the reason I agreed is mainly because the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department had already prepared the list."

Lu Zhi Xin's qualifications are all fine, so I'll treat it as a favor.

But if you can get closer to him in the future, try to get closer to him; people like him are few, truly willing to do real deeds for the Common People.

He's just too conspicuous, so he'll inevitably encounter tricky situations; if there's any insurmountable obstacle, you can step in to help him.

Sooner or later it will benefit you.

Bai Zhantang felt a sudden alarm; the leader usually wouldn't speak so much to him, but today was an exception.

It seems that when this kid Su Yang arrived, the leader's mood improved a lot.

Of course, he also silently resolved to cultivate a good relationship with Su Yang.

As for those people Su Yang offended below, in his view they got what they deserved.

If anything really comes up, for him it's just a matter of a single sentence.

Of course, that also depends on the leader's attitude.