Chapter 3137

Lu Zhenghong had just entered the door and spent a while affectionately with his grandson when the doorbell rang again. This time, it was He Yulong who had come. Naturally, he had also chosen this day to pay a New Year's visit. They were all Lu Zhenghong's most trusted subordinates, so they all knew Su Xinghui would be coming to Xidu on this day, and they were taking this opportunity to meet with him.

Within a few minutes, the Lu family was ready to eat. Everyone waited for Lu Zhenghong to take his seat first before they dared to sit down.

Lu Zhenghong, however, did not take his seat first. He led his little grandson over, let him sit down, and then sat down beside him. Only then did the guests take their seats in order. Du Zhiqian poured wine for everyone, and Lu Zhenghong raised his glass and said, "Come, today is the New Year festival. I propose a toast to everyone. I wish you all smooth work and good health in the new year!"

Everyone responded with a roar and raised their glasses together to drink this toast with Lu Zhenghong.

After Lu Zhenghong drank the first glass, he only took small sips for the subsequent ones. He was now the Provincial Party Secretary and his daily affairs were incredibly busy, so for the sake of his health, Song Qiao would not let him drink too much. He himself was also very disciplined, drinking at most one liang of alcohol per meal; if he drank too much, it would be a significant drain on his energy.

Although Lu Zhenghong did not drink much, Su Xinghui fulfilled his duties as a son-in-law very well. He accompanied the guests in drinking, downing a glass in one gulp without any hesitation. This immediately heated up the atmosphere at the table. Coupled with Lu Zhenghong occasionally raising his glass to drink with someone, there was absolutely no risk of this family banquet for the Provincial Party Secretary being dull.

Lu Zhenghong usually ate very quickly, but he knew that if he finished eating first, everyone else would surely put down their chopsticks too. Today, in order not to dampen everyone's spirits, he patiently ate and drank slowly. This meal lasted for a full hour before it was finished.

After eating, Lu Zhenghong sat and rested for a while, then tested Niu Niu on his schoolwork before he had to leave again. He still had several events to attend and would not be able to return until the evening.

Zhang Kaishan also took his leave. He did not have much free time in his current position, as he also had events to attend in the district.

Feng Shulun, He Yulong, and Zhang Cheng accompanied Su Xinghui and his family out for a stroll for a while. Su Xinghui was quite interested in some of the folk activities in Xidu City. During this Spring Festival, it was rare for him to have such a leisure opportunity, so naturally, he wanted to go out and have a good look around.

After strolling for the whole afternoon, Su Xinghui's family returned to Lu Zhenghong's house, and the others all took their leave to go home. They knew that Secretary Lu could only reunite with his daughter, son-in-law, and their family once a year, and the evening time was very precious. Naturally, they would not be so tactless as to go and disturb them again.

Lu Zhenghong ate dinner at home. He would not go out to attend any more events in the evening. Their family could only reunite like this once a year, so no matter what, he had to set aside time to accompany his grandson.

That evening, Lu Zhenghong displayed a rare childlike spirit. He accompanied Niu Niu to play with Transformers and building blocks for the whole night, making Niu Niu incredibly happy. The grandfather and grandson played until nine o'clock. When Niu Niu needed to sleep, Song Qiao and Lu Xiaoya took him to wash up. Lu Zhenghong and Su Xinghui went into the study; they always had things to talk about whenever they met.

Once inside the study, Lu Zhenghong said with a smile, "Su Xinghui, congratulations. You have now entered the Standing Committee; this is a very important step. The power in your hands is growing, but I hope you can use it wisely and do more good deeds for the common people."

Su Xinghui said, "You can rest assured about that; I will certainly do more good deeds for the common people."

Lu Zhenghong nodded slightly. He was, of course, completely at ease with this son-in-law. This son-in-law's steadiness in doing things surpassed even veteran officials who had spent decades in the political arena. And in the years he had been in politics, he had indeed done many good deeds for the common people under his jurisdiction.

Lu Zhenghong said, "Tell me about what you did last year."

Su Xinghui then reported the most important things he had done last year to Lu Zhenghong. Lu Zhenghong nodded repeatedly as he listened to Su Xinghui's report, especially regarding Su Xinghui's restoration of environmental pollution in Baozhou City and the free treatment of heavy metal poisoning patients by the Oasis Charity Hospital. Lu Zhenghong felt that this was done very well; this was truly putting the affairs of the common people to heart.

Lu Zhenghong said, "Su Xinghui, you have done well. You have been an official for so many years, yet you have not cast the interests of the common people to the back of your mind. Whatever happens, the common people are the first thing you think of. I am very pleased."

Su Xinghui said, "This is also because of your teachings!"

Lu Zhenghong said, "I dare not claim credit for this. If it weren't for your decades of self-cultivation, you could not have reached this point. You must know that many officials and cadres also had the same ideals as you when they first entered politics, wanting to do some real work. But after a few years, not many can stick to their original intentions. After they have drifted in the political sea for decades, those who can still stick to their original intentions are one in a hundred. That you can be like this is truly rare!"

Su Xinghui said, "Then can you still stick to your original intentions?"