Chapter 1618

Seeing Su Xinghui and Fang Qing walk in together, Zhao Yangang, Bureau Chief Wu, and Bureau Chief Shi all stood up. Zhao Yangang said, "Little Su, you're here. It seems County Magistrate Fang's face is the most influential; as soon as she invited you, you arrived."

Su Xinghui laughed, "County Magistrate Zhao, what are you saying? I didn't know you were all inviting me to dinner. Can this really be called not giving you face?"

Zhao Yangang laughed heartily and gestured for Su Xinghui to take the seat of honor. Su Xinghui refused, insisting that Zhao Yangang take the seat of honor while he sat beside him.

Bureau Chief Wu said, "County Magistrate Fang, why don't you sit next to County Magistrate Su?"

Fang Qing smiled, "An old woman like me shouldn't sit next to a young man like County Magistrate Su. Let our beauty sit by County Magistrate Su and keep him company."

Su Xinghui had already noticed a bright and charming beauty at the table, aged between twenty and thirty. When he and Fang Qing entered, she stood up, smiling in a somewhat reserved manner. He felt she looked familiar, and after a moment, he realized it was Wang Liu, an announcer from the Changshan Television Station.

Although Wang Liu was an announcer, she was different from Shu Rong, the former announcer at the Shangjun Television Station. She had graduated from the Yulin Normal University with a major in Chinese Language and Literature, possessed genuine substance, and had very standard Mandarin. Combined with her beautiful face, she could be called both talented and virtuous—a competent, or even outstanding, announcer for a county-level station.

Wang Liu was also from the Wang Family Compound in Changshan. Come to think of it, the Wang Family Compound had produced quite a lot of talent. In Changshan County's political circles, many people surnamed Wang were active, and among the intellectual class represented by teachers, there were also many Wangs. Wang Liu could be considered the representative figure of the Wang family in Changshan's "entertainment circle."

Although Wang Liu was a prominent figure at the Changshan Television Station, her status was not quite enough in front of these county leaders. Therefore, seeing Su Xinghui and Fang Qing enter, she could only smile reservedly from the side.

She had also dressed carefully today. Her long, jet-black hair draped behind her head, and she wore a bright red dress with small red leather shoes. Her face was lightly powdered, with rosy cheeks and vermilion lips, making her look radiant. Her pair of watery, large eyes seemed as if they could speak.

Fang Qing pulled Wang Liu toward Su Xinghui's side. Wang Liu hurriedly said, "Sister Fang, how can you call yourself an old woman? You look younger and prettier than me today."

Zhao Yangang laughed, "You two are both very beautiful today; you could be considered a pair of sister flowers."

Bureau Chief Wu and Bureau Chief Shi echoed this repeatedly. Fang Qing was very pleased, but she still said, "I'm old, I'm old, I'm not a match for County Magistrate Su. Wang Liu, you are a better match for County Magistrate Su. You sit next to County Magistrate Su and be sure to take good care of him."

Fang Qing firmly pressed Wang Liu into the seat next to Su Xinghui, then sat down beside Wang Liu. Only then did Bureau Chief Wu and Bureau Chief Shi dare to sit down.

Zhao Yangang called the waiter in to order. He asked Su Xinghui to pick a few dishes he liked. Su Xinghui ordered stir-fried eggs with wild garlic. Wild garlic was a mountain vegetable with a special fragrance, and Su Xinghui quite enjoyed eating it.

Zhao Yangang took the menu from Su Xinghui and ordered several hearty dishes, such as mutton hotpot, roasted lamb chops, and twice-cooked beef. After he ordered a few, Su Xinghui said, "County Magistrate Zhao, don't order too much; it's a waste if we can't finish it."

Zhao Yangang laughed, "County Magistrate Su, don't worry. This meal is definitely not on the public tab; we are paying for it ourselves. We definitely won't be serving any game meat today. These few dishes aren't too many, and they don't cost much. County Magistrate Fang, Wang Liu, you two order the rest; see what you ladies would like to eat."

Fang Qing took the menu and whispered with Wang Liu for a while, occasionally letting out bell-like laughter. Although one woman was beautiful and the other ordinary, they shared a common trait: they were both full of feminine charm, which caused the men at the table to lose focus for a moment. Even Su Xinghui couldn't help but look at Wang Liu a few more times.

After consulting for a while, Fang Qing and Wang Liu ordered two more dishes, and Zhao Yangang told the waiter to serve them quickly.

After the waiter left, Fang Qing said, "Wang Liu, you must drink a few more cups with County Magistrate Su today. If you don't keep him company until he is satisfied, your task won't be complete."

Su Xinghui said, "Wang Liu is a lady, so let's not have her drink."

Fang Qing said, "Little Su, you are underestimating Wang Liu. Her alcohol tolerance might not be worse than yours. You'll see when we start drinking in a moment."

Zhao Yangang also laughed, "That's right, County Magistrate Su. You shouldn't underestimate the ladies. Both County Magistrate Fang and Wang Liu have massive capacities. Don't let them drink you under the table; that wouldn't look good."

Su Xinghui smiled faintly, "It's better to drink less. Otherwise, when they go home tonight, it won't be easy to explain to their husbands."

Wang Liu was also married; she had been married for six or seven years. Her husband was a cadre at the Radio and Television Bureau, and they had a daughter who was already in elementary school.

Fang Qing laughed, "It's fine, Little Su. Your Sister Fang has asked for leave from home today. Your brother-in-law approved my leave. I can keep you company all night tonight, no problem. What about you, Wang Liu?"

Wang Liu said, "I asked for leave too."

Fang Qing said, "I didn't ask you that. I asked if you could keep County Magistrate Su company all night tonight?"

Fang Qing's vulgar joke made Zhao Yangang, Bureau Chief Wu, and Bureau Chief Shi laugh ambiguously. Su Xinghui didn't speak; since he had come here today, he was mentally prepared to endure such vulgar jokes. He just smiled faintly, looking at Wang Liu.

Wang Liu was just about to speak when she suddenly felt Su Xinghui looking at her. She turned her head to glance at him. Under Su Xinghui's gentle gaze and faint smile, she suddenly felt a bit flustered and couldn't get her words out for a moment.

Fang Qing laughed, "It seems our little sister Wang is more than willing. But then again, our little County Magistrate Su is a man of talent and appearance, and so young and promising—which woman wouldn't be moved?"

Amidst the laughter, the waiter began serving the dishes. Soon, the dishes were all on the table, along with a case of liquor—twenty-year-aged Pengwan Daqu. This liquor was quite valuable; Zhao Yangang had really spent some money today.

Zhao Yangang prepared to open the case, but Bureau Chief Shi hurriedly opened it, and he and Bureau Chief Wu each took out a bottle.

Zhao Yangang said, "County Magistrate Su, this Pengwan Daqu is a new product you promoted when you were the town mayor in Pengjiawan Town, so I specifically asked everyone to drink this today."

Su Xinghui shook his head, "This isn't a liquor I promoted when I was mayor. This liquor has a history of over a hundred years; I just helped them redesign the packaging."

Fang Qing said in surprise, "So you designed this packaging? No wonder the bottle looks so good, just like a piece of art. Little County Magistrate Su, you are amazing. Don't you think so, little sister Wang?"

Wang Liu had regained her composure by now. She nodded, "Yes, County Magistrate Su's talent is truly astonishing."

Fang Qing said, "Sister Wang, you also studied Chinese language and literature; County Magistrate Su's major seems to be about the same as yours, right? Since you are both so talented, you must have a lot in common to talk about."

Wang Liu said, "What kind of talent do I have? County Magistrate Su is the one who is truly talented."

While they were talking, Bureau Chief Shi and Bureau Chief Wu poured drinks for everyone. Zhao Yangang raised his glass first and said, "County Magistrate Su, last time the Environmental Protection Bureau and the Labor Bureau caused you a lot of trouble. Although we have already disciplined the relevant responsible persons, I have always wanted to invite you to dinner. I've been busy and only had time to invite you today. Please don't take offense!"

Su Xinghui said, "County Magistrate Zhao, what are you saying? How could I dare to take offense at you?"

Zhao Yangang laughed heartily, "As long as County Magistrate Su doesn't take offense, let's drink this cup."

The two of them tilted their heads and drank the liquor in their cups. Zhao Yangang said, "County Magistrate Su, eat something. Drinking on an empty stomach is bad for the stomach."

Su Xinghui picked up his chopsticks and ate some of the stir-fried eggs with wild garlic. After finishing, he nodded, "The chef here is quite skilled."

Bureau Chief Shi raised his glass and said, "County Magistrate Su, last time it was my fault for not managing my subordinates well, causing you trouble. I'll toast you a cup. I'll finish mine; you drink as you please." ===== CHAPTER 1620 =====