Chapter 391

Zhang Bin nodded and said, "Yes, this is Su Xinghui, my college roommate and good brother."

"Su Xinghui?" Jiang Chaoyang raised his eyebrows, "Is this the classmate you often mention to me who became a deputy township head?"

Zhang Bin said, "That's him."

Su Xinghui also walked toward Jiang Chaoyang. He was sizing up this famous Jiangcheng reporter. Jiang Chaoyang wasn't as tall as him and was under thirty, but he had a lean build and a face full of heroic spirit. A single glance made him feel favorable toward him.

Although judging people by their appearance is sometimes inadvisable, there is another saying: appearance stems from the heart. Jiang Chaoyang's heroic face easily made people feel favorable toward him.

Su Xinghui walked up to Jiang Chaoyang, smiled, extended his hand, and said, "Senior Brother Jiang, hello, I am Su Xinghui!"

Jiang Chaoyang shook Su Xinghui's hand and smiled, "Your name has already reached my ears like thunder. Zhang Bin often mentions you in front of me, and I have already seen your reports in the 'Hudong Daily' several times. The younger generation is to be regarded with respect, truly to be regarded with respect!"

Su Xinghui smiled and said, "Senior Brother Jiang is too kind. Let's go, let's find a restaurant to sit down."

Jiang Chaoyang shook his head and said, "What restaurant? Come, follow me, I'll take you to a good place."

The two followed Jiang Chaoyang, passed through several small alleys, and found a small shop in an alley. This small shop didn't even have a sign. It seemed they had sold breakfast in the morning, and there were still a few strands of hot dry noodles left in a winnowing basket. A middle-aged man and woman in their forties were cleaning up.

Su Xinghui said, "Why did we come here? This is too rude, isn't it? Should we go to the main street and find a better place?"

Jiang Chaoyang smiled and said, "You don't know this, do you? This small place makes authentic Hudong cuisine; it's much better than the chefs in those big hotels."

Zhang Bin also said, "Xinghui, don't worry. Teacher Jiang is a famous gourmet in our agency. He knows every delicious place in Jiangcheng. The places he recommends will absolutely not be wrong."

Jiang Chaoyang said, "What gourmet? You'll become a gourmet after being a reporter for a few more years. Walking the streets and alleys of Jiangcheng every day, I've eaten everywhere. Naturally, I won't go back to places that don't taste good, so the ones that remain are certainly not bad."

Jiang Chaoyang's words were interesting, and Su Xinghui and Zhang Bin both laughed.

Su Xinghui said, "I'm afraid we're neglecting Senior Brother Jiang."

Jiang Chaoyang said, "It's fine, we're all alumni, why be so polite?"

While speaking, the three had already entered the small shop and found a table to sit down. The middle-aged man looked up, saw Jiang Chaoyang, smiled, and greeted, "Little Jiang, why did you come to my place today?"

Jiang Chaoyang said, "It's because of the protest at the television factory next door to you; I came to interview."

The middle-aged man shook his head and said, "What's the use of protesting? The factory is about to collapse, and even if they protest, there's no money to pay them. The money was all embezzled by those officials."

Jiang Chaoyang shook his head and smiled, "Master Wu, let's not discuss state affairs, let's not discuss state affairs!"

Master Wu also shook his head and then asked, "What would you like to eat?"

Jiang Chaoyang said, "Just serve a few of your signature dishes."

Master Wu nodded and said, "Fine, please wait a moment."

Master Wu went to arrange the dishes, and his wife poured a cup of tea for each of them and then went to help.

Su Xinghui smiled and said, "Senior Brother Jiang, you are quite familiar with this boss."

Jiang Chaoyang said, "Old Wu is a worker at the rubber factory next door to the television factory. The rubber factory's efficiency wasn't good the year before last, so it stopped production, and he was laid off at home. He couldn't get his wages, so he couldn't just wait to die, right? Fortunately, he had the skill of stir-frying, so he opened this shop. There are many factories in this area, and I often eat here when I come to interview, so we became familiar."

Su Xinghui originally wanted to chat with him about the plight of these state-owned enterprises, but after thinking about it, he didn't bring it up. Chatting about this now was meaningless; it wasn't something they could solve at the moment. Chatting about it would just make people annoyed, and it would be no different from those empty-talking angry youths. It would be better to do more practical things.

The three chatted about things at school. Since they all graduated from Jiangcheng University, they had quite a lot in common, and the atmosphere was very enthusiastic.

Before long, Master Wu's dishes were served on the table: a plate of braised bream, a plate of stir-fried pork kidneys, a plate of stir-fried broad bean kernels, and a bowl of three-fresh soup. These were all common home-cooked dishes in Hudong Province and didn't look special, but the portions were generous, all served on large plates.

Su Xinghui asked, "Senior Brother Jiang, do you drink alcohol?"

Jiang Chaoyang nodded and said, "Alumni are here, so we have to drink a little, but we can't drink too much; I still have to interview in the afternoon."

Su Xinghui had the shop owner serve a bottle of Jiangcheng Chun. He opened the bottle, poured a glass for each of them, poured one for himself, raised his glass, and said, "Senior Brother Jiang, I toast you!"

The three drank a glass. Su Xinghui refilled them, then raised his chopsticks to pick up food. He first tasted a piece of braised bream. Upon tasting it, he nodded, "Mm, it's truly delicious."

This fish meat had no fishy smell at all; it was extremely fresh and tender, melting in the mouth. It was truly a top-grade dish.

Jiang Chaoyang smiled and said, "Delicious, right? I didn't bring you here wrong, did I?"

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Not wrong at all, Senior Brother Jiang is truly a gourmet!"

After eating a few bites and drinking a few glasses of wine, Jiang Chaoyang asked, "By the way, you said you had something to find me for? What is it? You didn't just find me to drink, did you?"

Su Xinghui told Jiang Chaoyang his purpose and said, "I ask Senior Brother Jiang to please help me with this favor. Our place is too poor, and not many investors are willing to go there to invest. We urgently need promotion!"

Jiang Chaoyang smiled and said, "You are truly a very conscientious deputy township head."

Su Xinghui said, "Although deputy township head is only a small official, one should seek governance in one's position. Besides, the common people there are truly too poor. I want to attract more investors, but Shangjun County's reputation is too small; not many people know about it, and even fewer are willing to invest."

Jiang Chaoyang said, "There are too many poor people now, and it's not just your place. However, it's always a good thing that Shangjun County has an official like you who is willing to work. Fine, I'll help with this favor. Isn't it just a matter of writing a few more sentences and taking a few more photos? A small matter."

Su Xinghui smiled and said, "Please report more on our Shangjun County in the future, and of course, report more positive news!"

Jiang Chaoyang said, "Fine. If I go to your Shangjun County next time, you'll have to host me. No problem, right?"

Su Xinghui smiled and said, "That's absolutely no problem. If Senior Brother goes, how could I, as a junior brother, not host you well?"