Chapter 917: Don't Treat Yourself as a Guest

Three minutes later, Su Yang finished washing up, came out of the room, and then greeted the elders in the family.

"Grandma, good morning; Grandpa, good morning."

The old man said: "You young man, at this age of vigorous blood and energy, sleeping a bit longer is nothing. Ruo Han insisted on waking you up; when you can sleep in, try to sleep a little more. When you reach our age, you won't be able to sleep even if you want to."

"Oh, by the way, I just heard you're going to Comrade Fang Runan's place to pay a New Year visit today, right? Just bringing two boxes of snacks isn't proper etiquette. I heard Comrade Fang Runan might take the position of Executive Vice Minister next year."

"Although you two had some prior connection and he has been extra kind to you, the past is past and the present is present; you can't treat an ordinary visit gift as a New Year present. I still have two bottles of aged Maotai here; take them along as well."

"In this circle of Jingcheng, unlike in the localities, saying you want to pursue integrity, thrift, or even ban drinking on workdays in government units is normal, but here this set of rules cannot be implemented. Not to mention you, even your father's generation at that level must stick to the old ways."

Su Yang said: "Ah, thank you, Grandpa. If it weren't for your advice, I might really have just taken the snacks over; then, when everyone else is bringing valuable gifts, you'd say how embarrassing I'd be."

Grandma laughed and said: "Hehe, that's not necessarily the case. Someone like Comrade Fang Runan, who came from the localities as a new rich, still feels old affection for comrades from the localities—of course only for a year or two, and gradually he'll also melt into this big dye vat of Jingcheng, and some things will change accordingly. Your relationship with her is good, so you need to handle it well; for you it's all benefit and no harm."

Su Yang took the two bottles of aged Maotai from Grandma's hands: "Thanks for the guidance, Grandma and Grandpa; I'm off now."

"Well, let Zhou Tong drive you over; when the time comes, if Comrade Runan drinks, you'll have a drink with him, and at the same time bring us good favor and invite him to our home as a guest."

Su Yang responded with an affirmation: "Okay, I've got it, I'm going."

Just as Su Yang stepped out of the courtyard, he saw a Red Flag car parked at the gate, driven by Zhou Tong.

"Brother-in-law, get in the car, quick!"

After Su Yang got in the car, he said: "How come you're driving this car?"

Zhou Tong said: "Brother-in-law, you don't understand; this is to visit Minister Fang. Although it's just you going, in a sense you also represent our family, so Grandpa's car is fine."

Su Yang said: "There's so much to it; if it were me, I might have just taken a taxi straight over."

Zhou Tong said: "What are you thinking? If you took a taxi, you couldn't even get into their staff compound; do you think the ministry's big compound is something anyone can just walk into?"

Su Yang then realized: "Yeah, I've been down in the county town, got used to it, forgot this is Jingcheng. Not to mention a compound like the ministry's, even ordinary units you can't get into."

Sure enough, upon arriving at the compound gate, we saw two armed police standing guard; seeing the car approach, they stretched out a hand and directly stopped it: "May I ask who you're looking for? Do you have an appointment?"

Su Yang was just about to stick his head out to respond when he saw another armed police point at the license plate and say two sentences to the officer who had stopped the car, and then they were let through directly.

The younger armed police didn't react at first and asked: "What's going on? Isn't it said you need a pass or an appointment with the leaders inside to get in?"

The older armed police said: "What are you thinking? You don't even look at what kind of car this is, or the license plate. Their car—let alone coming to our compound, even to the sea, if necessary, they can also get in."

The young armed police still dazed: "Isn't it also not a license plate starting with AG?"

The armed police who had just spoken said: "What are you thinking? Vehicles with this configuration are all senior party, government, and military leaders of the older generation. Such people nationwide won't exceed thirty; this car is the one once dubbed the 'God of War' Lin Lao Yezi's."

"He has commanded countless large-unit battles in his life, rarely suffering defeat; although he's been retired for several years, the leaders still hold him in great respect, his status is quite special, not quite like the other old leaders."

The young armed police then opened his mouth wide: "Good heavens, it's actually Lin Lao Yezi's dedicated car; then why was a young person sitting in the car just now?"

The older armed police said: "This isn't something we need to worry about; Lin Lao won't appear here, nor could he participate in any substantive work. Alright, let's stand our posts, do our jobs, and continue serving the leaders."

After Zhou Tong found a spot and parked the car, he said: "I won't go up; I have to pay New Year calls to several leaders of the military region. You go up, eat what you should, drink what you should; if you drink too much, call me and I'll come pick you up."

After Zhou Tong left, Su Yang was about to go upstairs when he suddenly realized he didn't know which building they lived in, so he called Fang Jingwen. The phone had just rung twice when Fang Jingwen answered: "Have you arrived?"

Su Yang said: "Mm, I'm already downstairs, but I don't know which building you live in."

Fang Jingwen didn't rush to reply with the building number; instead she asked: "Who did you come with? Is it your fiancée?"

Su Yang said: "I'm alone; aren't you welcoming me?"

"Oh, then stand still downstairs; I see you, I'll come down to get you." This obviously betrayed a sense of excitement.

A moment later, Fang Jingwen in home clothes appeared before his eyes: "You're still bringing gifts? My dad doesn't accept presents, and you know that; later don't make things awkward."

Su Yang said: "I originally just brought a snack; when I was leaving, Grandpa said to bring two bottles of aged Maotai, so I'm just following orders."

Fang Jingwen pursed her lips and said: "Since it's Lin Lao Yezi who told you to bring it, then go ahead and take it."

Then she led the way while asking: "Why didn't Zhou Ruohan come? Is she unwilling, reluctant, or feels it's inconvenient? She's being sensible."

Su Yang didn't want to continue on this topic, so he asked: "When is Minister Xia coming over?"

Fang Jingwen stopped walking, turned to look at Su Yang: "Are you just here to handle your own business? Besides work, is there anything else on your mind? Could it be that you never intended to come pay a New Year visit to my father, but just came to handle your affairs?"

Su Yang immediately denied: "How could that be? I was just asking casually. If Minister Xia has already arrived, I need to be mentally prepared, lest I walk in and stand there embarrassed, unable to speak for a while—then anyone can tell I'm here to ask for favors."

Fang Jingwen gave Su Yang a sideways glance and said: "Your tongue is still as sharp as ever."

"It's said he'll come around 3 p. m., possibly earlier. When he arrives, you shouldn't be too formal; don't treat yourself as a guest, treat yourself as a member of the household."