Chapter 472: Li Dakang's Overtures

"Hmm, but Fangfang is still in school right now, so she should focus on her studies. Anything else will have to wait until after Fangfang graduates."

"Uncle is right. I also just graduated and need to work hard for a couple of years."

"Hmm, the young man is not bad."

Gao Yuliang was very satisfied with Zhang Weihe's attitude, and Wu Huifen had also learned of Zhang Weihe's family background from Gao Fangfang.

"What? You're saying he is the biological nephew of Tongwei's godfather?"

"That's right, I only found out today too."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner, child? You go talk to your father first, Mom is going to cook."

"..."

"Oh my, is it Weihe? Sit down first, Auntie is going to cook right now."

"???"

Gao Yuliang was completely confused, not understanding why Wu Huifen's attitude had changed so drastically.

"Auntie, you've worked hard. Let me help you out."

"No need, no need. How could I let you do the work? Just sit and chat with your uncle over tea."

Zhang Weihe was also baffled by Wu Huifen's attitude. Just a moment ago she was acting like she was guarding against a Wolf, so why did her eyes look so... affectionate now?

"Dad, Weihe is the biological nephew of Brother Tongwei's godfather," Gao Fangfang whispered in Gao Yuliang's ear.

"No wonder. I was wondering why his features looked somewhat familiar."

Zhang Ping'an and Zhang Xile looked sixty or seventy percent alike; it was perfectly normal for a child to have some features of the older generation.

Gao Yuliang's gaze toward Zhang Weihe also shifted from appreciation to affection; counting from Qi Tongwei's side, he wasn't really an outsider.

"Weihe, is your uncle Zhang Ping'an?"

"Yes." Zhang Weihe suddenly realized; Gao Fangfang must have told them.

"Hmm, I know your uncle too. He is a remarkable man."

"Yes, Uncle is..."

Mentioning his uncle Zhang Ping'an, Zhang Weihe was full of pride, and he didn't stop praising Zhang Ping'an.

Gao Yuliang also smiled and chimed in from the side. He didn't know much about Zhang Ping'an, so this was a chance to learn a thing or two from Zhang Weihe.

"Alright, stop chatting. Go wash your hands and eat."

Wu Huifen was now looking at her son-in-law like a mother-in-law; the more she looked, the more satisfied she was. Zhang Weihe was tall and big, his appearance was upright, and his family background was good—as a son-in-law, he was simply impeccable.

"Weihe, eat more."

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Hmm, don't be a stranger, just treat it like your own home."

"Okay, Auntie."

This meal effectively confirmed the relationship between the two, and the father-in-law and son-in-law became familiar with each other.

"This Weihe is too generous. Old Gao, look at these things. We can't make a mistake by accepting them, right?"

It was already evening, and Zhang Weihe had already flown back to Sijiucheng. Wu Huifen opened the bags Zhang Weihe had brought.

"It's fine. This is a junior showing respect to his elders, not giving a bribe."

Gao Yuliang glanced at them and stopped paying attention; they were all snacks for the child and bottles and jars for a woman to use.

"Heavens, there's even Medicinal Wine and tea leaves."

Gao Yuliang suddenly perked up, put down the History of Ming in his hand, and examined the Medicinal Wine.

"It seems different from what Tongwei sent."

What Qi Tongwei gave was always Tiger Bone Wine; what Zhang Weihe brought this time was for nourishment and strengthening the body, just right for someone in their forties or fifties to drink.

"Hmm, it's all the child's kind intentions."

Gao Yuliang silently took the Medicinal Wine and tea leaves to the study, feeling increasingly satisfied with this future son-in-law; he had considered everyone in the family.

Evening, Nanluoguxiang, Sijiucheng.

"Son, how did things go?"

"Very smoothly. And Fangfang's dad is actually the teacher of Uncle's godson."

"Oh? Tell me in detail."

"Alright, it's like this..." Zhang Weihe briefly explained the situation.

"Good heavens, this world really is small."

"It really is."

Gao Yuliang stayed at home for two days before returning to Luzhou. Qi Tongwei was curious about Gao Fangfang's situation and couldn't help but come over to ask.

"Teacher Gao, how is the future son-in-law?"

"Heh heh, you know this person too."

"I know him too?"

Qi Tongwei quickly ran through the eligible young men he knew in his mind and found that none of them had any connection to Gao Fangfang.

"Teacher Gao, who is it? I really can't think of anyone."

"Zhang Weihe."

"Weihe? Isn't that the youngest son of Second Uncle Zhang's family?"

"That's right, it's him."

"Oh, right, how did I forget? Weihe is also at university in Qingbei."

Qi Tongwei wasn't very familiar with Zhang Xile's family, only knowing the basic information. As for Zhang Ping'an's family, Qi Tongwei only visited during holidays and would avoid bothering them if he could, let alone the others.

"Hmm."

"That really is a coincidence, Teacher Gao; from now on, we can be considered relatives by marriage."

"Hahaha, that is true."

In the afternoon, Li Dakang took some time to sit in Qi Tongwei's office; he knew that Qi Tongwei's godfather had an extraordinary background, as even his own former leader called him brother.

"Mayor Li, please sit. Xiao Wang, brew two cups of tea."

"Mayor Tongwei, it has been quite a while since we last saw each other a few years ago."

"Indeed, I never expected that we would have a day where we work together."

Qi Tongwei also never expected that Li Dakang, who was merely a Secretary to the Leader at the Deputy Division Level back then, had now reached the same Deputy Bureau level position as him.

The two were only three or five years apart in age; he had the advantage of being a pioneer in Sijiucheng, while Li Dakang had climbed up from the bottom step by step, though of course, Zhao Lichun's help was certainly indispensable.

The two chatted about the political affairs of Lvzhou, but both were inwardly lamenting the formidable power behind the other.

"I won't take up any more of Mayor Tongwei's time. We are old acquaintances, so we should visit each other more often in the future."

"Easily said, easily said. Besides Secretary Gao Yuliang, you are the one I am most familiar with, Mayor Li."

Li Dakang's heart stirred upon hearing this; the teacher-student relationship between Gao Yuliang and Qi Tongwei was no secret, and if he wanted to advance further, Gao Yuliang, who was ranked third, was also a person worth befriending.

"Secretary Gao Yuliang also once worked in Jingzhou, and we have had dealings before. I am afraid I will need Secretary Gao Yuliang's guidance in my future work."

"Mayor Li, you are being too modest."

Qi Tongwei smiled slightly and laughed it off; he could not easily speak on Gao Yuliang's behalf.

However, he had a good impression of Li Dakang, and perhaps they really could work together in the future.

In the evening, Qi Tongwei met with Gao Yuliang and chatted about Li Dakang.

"Hmm, based on Chen Lao's evaluation of him, he is at least someone who gets things done. The possibility of me working with him in the future is truly not small."

The current Mayor and Municipal Party Secretary of Lvzhou City were both sixty; they were definitely going to retire in the next term, and Gao Yuliang, as the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, had the best hope of becoming the Municipal Party Secretary.

Although Li Dakang was not the Executive Deputy, it would not be strange for him to become Mayor with Zhao Lichun as his backer.

"Handong is currently under the leadership of Secretary Zhao, so having a good relationship with Li Dakang will do no harm."

"Teacher Gao, that is exactly what I was thinking."

Qi Tongwei was not particularly worried about himself; he estimated that he would be transferred to Jingzhou or Lincheng for his next term, or perhaps he might succeed Gao Yuliang as the Political and Legal Affairs Committee Secretary, though the probability was not high.

"Leader..."

Upon returning, Li Dakang also reported his recent work content to Zhao Lichun and mentioned Qi Tongwei in passing.

"Hmm, Comrade Tongwei came down from Sijiucheng; you can take the time to communicate and learn more from him."

"You must also boldly develop the economy in Lvzhou and increase the speed of Lvzhou's economic development to the greatest extent. With me covering for you, do not be afraid of making mistakes."

"Understood, Leader, I have remembered it all."