Chapter 921: with translation of chapter title

Fang Runan said: "Regarding business matters, I don't really understand, but from the perspective of major economic affairs, to raise the country's overall economic volume, relying on the current commodity transactions in the market is far from enough."

"The real estate market can indeed stimulate economic growth; when it can be launched is hard to say. In short, what Su Yang said makes sense; whether you want to do it or not is up to you."

Then he continued to ask Su Yang: "I heard that last time when you and Weiguo received the notification, did you see a senior leader? Did you ask related questions then?"

As an old comrade, he immediately guessed what it was.

Su Yang said: "The leader indeed asked such a question, and I answered that way."

Fang Runan then asked: "In your view, what major policy adjustments and people-benefiting policies will there be at the national level next?"

Su Yang smiled foolishly and said: "Uncle Fang, you really overestimate me; if I could think of these things, why would I be crying and laughing in a small county town?"

Fang Jingwen also said: "Dad, you really are—do you treat them as ministerial-level leaders, or as senior officials below who want to move up from vice-ministerial to ministerial positions? Even in organizational talks, they probably wouldn't involve these issues."

"Alright, the dishes are ready; otherwise, if I wait a bit, I'll see you all get drunk and not even get a bite of the hot food."

Fang Runan laughed and said: "Never mind, let's not discuss these issues; let's go eat."

During the meal, the remaining half jin of alcohol was also finished, but this old comrade Fang still wasn't satisfied; however, Guo Huai Xiu stopped him: "Enough, you've already drunk quite a bit today, and Minister Xia will be coming later. What would you look like if you got drunk?"

Old comrade Fang then laughed and said: "Right, right, right, drinking really delays things; I almost forgot about this."

At that moment, Fang Jingwen was taking down liquor from the cabinet; hearing this, she said: "It's the New Year, having a drink is normal, isn't it? Besides, Minister Xia's visit is a good chance to have a drink together; after all, we're not discussing major work, it's just normal visiting relatives and friends."

But Su Yang said: "Uncle Fang, my alcohol tolerance is really poor; I'm afraid if I drink too much, I'll make a fool of myself when Minister Xia arrives."

Fang Runan said: "How about this: open another bottle, we all drink together; this can count as celebrating the New Year."

When the family sat together, Su Yang always felt something was off; he had come just to pay New Year's respects, yet they were eating at the host's table, and they didn't treat him as a guest, making the atmosphere feel like one family.

Fang Runan raised his wine cup and said: "This year, whether in work or life, all of us have made considerable progress."

"But there are also shortcomings: nobody has focused on physical exercise, especially you young people—don't put all your thoughts into work, don't rely on being young to neglect daily exercise."

"Work is part of life, and health is an even more important component of life, so you should exercise; previously, aside from the office, it was all social engagements, and aside from those, just sleep—this is an unhealthy lifestyle."

"Another thing: we will settle in Jingcheng from now on, so you can come back home whenever you have something to do or just for a visit. Normally it's just the two of us living here; I actually feel it's a waste of space, and only when there are more people does it feel lively, like a real home. Come, let's cheers."

After saying that, he raised his cup and drank it all in one go; the others followed suit and each had a cup.

Afterwards, each person raised a cup of wine and said a few words of blessing.

Su Yang thought, this is just me mooching a meal at your house, so I shouldn't have to say anything; but after everyone took a turn, Old Fang looked at Su Yang and said: "You also say a couple of sentences."

Su Yang's head was buzzing; what should I say? I'm just here to mooch a meal—no, more accurately, I'm here to run a project—but he thought that, yet couldn't say it out loud. He could only grit his teeth and raise a cup: "Then I wish Uncle Fang, Aunt Guo, and your uncle good health and all the best, and then I wish Comrade Jingwen eternal youth and beauty, forever 18."

Fang Jingwen kicked Su Yang hard on the foot: "What's going on? Just because I'm here you call me comrade, making things so awkward?"

Immediately, everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere became even more lively.

After finishing the meal, Su Yang's head felt a bit dizzy; he thought about having mooched a meal and about doing some work. Just then Guo Huai Chun started clearing the bowls and chopsticks, and she said: "Let me clear up; we can't just eat for free."

He had originally thought it was just polite talk, as long as the courtesy was observed; he didn't expect Guo Huai Xiu to actually agree: "Sure, since that's the case, I'll leave it to you."

Su Yang really wanted to slap himself, but after thinking, being able to wash dishes at Minister Fang's house is something many cadres dream of; if he ever went out to brag, he'd have plenty to boast about. Thinking that, he simply got up and began clearing the bowls and chopsticks.

Guo Huai Chun said: "Jingwen, you can't just watch and let little Su do all the cleaning, making him seem like a hired maid for us."

Fang Jingwen said: "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute; honestly, I was just about to clear up." Saying that, she got up and together with Su Yang cleared the bowls and chopsticks.

Watching the two busy figures in the kitchen, Fang Runan's eyes flashed with a complex expression.

Guo Huai Xiu sighed: "When a daughter grows up, you can't control her; besides, this is all your indulgence, but as long as she's happy, that's fine."

Fang Runan strongly disagreed with that view: "This isn't my indulgence, nor is it this kind of life attitude cultivated since childhood; but it's also quite good, frankly, if we really have to be like others and engage in political marriages? That's what I dislike."

"In short, as long as he's happy, I approve; the rest doesn't matter, and I don't care about those superficial things either."

Su Yang's head was fuzzy, and while he was busy in the kitchen, Fang Jingwen said: "As we agreed last night, I'll talk to you alone today about what I want."

Su Yang said: "Ah, right, but don't go too far; don't bring up things I can't do—I'm an honest and kind person; if you ask me to do something against my conscience, I can't."

Fang Jingwen said: "You don't have to go against your conscience; if you can't decide yourself, I can go directly to Zhou Ruohan—I'm sure she'll agree. Your wedding is supposed to be high-profile, with big leaders attending, so I also want to see the world."

Su Yang slapped his thigh and said: "What's the big deal? Just come, then."

Fang Jingwen said: "Is that what you said? Anyway, attending your wedding would also fulfill my own wish."

Su Yang said: "How so? Can I fulfill your wish for you, or will all those people present at the scene do it for you?"

Fang Jingwen said: "Can't you speak with some sense? I'm using your grand wedding to marry myself—can't I do that? I said yesterday I won't marry anyone else."

Su Yang was a bit dazed: "Wouldn't that be wasting a fine cabbage with no one to push it?"

Fang Jingwen said: "A dog's mouth can't spit out ivory—what fine cabbage with no one to push it? When you get married, I'll be your bridesmaid."

Su Yang hehehe laughed and said: "That's great; I was planning to let Sun Chengjun be my groomsman, and Liu Zixuan originally said he wanted to be a bridesmaid—so he can be a bridesmaid. But two bridesmaids and one groomsman—is that okay?"

Fang Jingwen said: "That's your matter; if it really doesn't work, you can find another groomsman—Zhou Ruohan's brother Zhou Tong is quite handsome, actually not much worse than you in appearance."

Su Yang's eyes flashed with a gleam: "Could it be that you've taken a liking to Zhou Tong? Let me tell you, you'd better drop that idea—this kid is unresponsive to advances; I've recently introduced him to several people, and he refuses all of them. He likes the sister of his old class monitor, and over that he almost fell out with his family."

Fang Jingwen put down what she was holding, stared at Su Yang: "Are you making excuses, or are you really afraid I'll take a liking to someone else?"

Su Yang was about to answer when the doorbell rang, and he looked toward the door.

Indeed, Old Comrade Fang personally opened the door, and a refined man wearing glasses entered.

"Old Fang, it's really rude of me to disturb your family gathering during the New Year; I specially brought two bottles of wine as an apology."

Fang Runan said: "Old Xia, look at what you're saying—what's our relationship? We're bona fide classmates; you coming to my house at this time is a happy thing for me."

"Hurry in, please; frankly, you need more people for a lively New Year." Saying that, he shouted toward the kitchen: "You two, stop busywork and come out to greet Uncle Xia."

Fang Jingwen pinched Su Yang: "What are you standing there for? Isn't your main purpose today to report your project to Minister Xia? Now that he's here, why don't you hurry out?"

Saying that, she pulled Su Yang before Minister Xia, smiling and said: "Uncle Xia, happy New Year."

Su Yang couldn't break free either, so he said: "Minister Xia, happy New Year."

Minister Xia said: "Young man, you're also quite handsome; looking at my niece's taste, it's still not bad—but you should call me Uncle Xia, not Minister Xia. Oh, right, I didn't expect that Old Fang's prospective son-in-law would come calling this year; I haven't made other preparations, so I'll just give each of the kids a red envelope."

Saying that, he pulled out two red envelopes from his pocket; judging by thickness, they're probably about 1000 yuan each. At their level, this is merely a formality—how much money doesn't matter, what matters is the gesture.

Of course, he said he wasn't prepared, yet he pulled out two red envelopes from his pocket—obviously contradictory; it's clear he had prepared them in advance, specifically for the younger generation in Fang Runan's family. At their level, all factors are taken into account.

Fang Jingwen accepted the red envelope gracefully: "Thank you, Uncle Xia; wishing you a happy New Year."

Su Yang just stood there, this red envelope was neither taken nor left.