Chapter 473

Su Xinghui had a senior fellow student from Jiangcheng who remembered seeing several reports about Su Xinghui in the *Hudong Daily*. He asked, "Have you been in the *Hudong Daily*?"

Su Xinghui nodded, "I have indeed been in it a few times."

That senior fellow student said, "It really is you. You’re truly capable; no wonder you became a town mayor at such a young age."

He recounted the content of those reports about Su Xinghui, which made the other senior fellow students marvel. Those who were in officialdom knew what it meant to be a town mayor at such a young age; this was a young man with a limitless future.

These senior fellow students exchanged contact information with Su Xinghui and enthusiastically told him that if he ever went to the cities where they worked, he must call them so they could get together. Su Xinghui naturally exchanged contact information with them one by one and promised to call them when the time came.

These people, having become leaders in their respective fields, naturally understood the benefits of networking. Su Xinghui could become a town mayor at such a young age, so he would likely have a limitless future. Exchanging contact information with him was a low-cost, high-reward thing to do; why not?

If Su Xinghui really became successful in the future, it would naturally deepen their network. If Su Xinghui didn't amount to much, then when he came knocking, they could just brush him off.

These people came to celebrate Professor Qin’s birthday, of course, out of respect for their teacher, but they also had the intention of networking. Professor Qin was a titan in the Jiangcheng academic circle, with students everywhere and deep connections. Those attending this birthday banquet were all big shots; how could they not come?

Just as everyone was chatting, the birthday banquet was about to begin. The waiters started serving the dishes. Professor Qin sat happily at the head table, accompanied by relevant leaders from the Provincial Education Department and Jiangcheng University. Given Professor Qin’s status, receiving such treatment was a matter of course.

Before the banquet started, leaders from the Education Department and Jiangcheng University gave speeches, highly evaluating Professor Qin’s academic achievements and contributions to the cause of education.

After the leaders’ speeches, the banquet began. This lively birthday banquet made Professor Qin incredibly happy. After experiencing such hardships, how could he have imagined he would have such glory today?

After attending Professor Qin’s birthday banquet, Su Xinghui said goodbye to Professor Qin and his children, greeted the senior fellow students and classmates one by one, and left the hotel.

Min Tong chased after him and said, "Xinghui, are you going back to Pengjiawan this afternoon?"

Su Xinghui nodded, "Yes, what about you?"

Min Tong said, "I’m going back to Menghuling this afternoon too. Why don't you ride in my car later?"

Su Xinghui glanced at Chen Xiaomeng behind him and laughed, "Are you willing to leave Xiaomeng?"

Min Tong said, "How could I be willing? But there’s work at the factory; they called to urge me this morning."

Su Xinghui said, "Alright, that’s an attitude of putting work first. When you’re successful in your career, you can transfer her to be with you, and then you two can be together."

Min Tong shook his head, "Don't even mention it. I told her she could quit that job and go to Menghuling with me, but she just won't; she insists on working."

Su Xinghui said, "You must never do that. You need a career, but Xiaomeng needs a career too. If you let her follow you to Menghuling, what can she do? Be with you all day? Play mahjong all day? Watch TV all day? Let me tell you, women who have nothing to do will cause trouble. You should let her work, and you should just work harder and run to Jiangcheng more often."

Min Tong thought about it and nodded, "What you say makes sense. It seems I’m the one who has to run more."

Su Xinghui said, "Then you should take Xiaomeng home first. I’ll walk around near her house with Xiaoya, and at five o'clock sharp, we’ll meet at the gate of the Provincial Party Committee compound. If I don't see you, I’ll call you."

Min Tong nodded. He turned to Chen Xiaomeng, who was talking to Lu Xiaoya, and said, "Xiaomeng, let me take you home first."

Chen Xiaomeng nodded, said a few more words to Lu Xiaoya, and got into Min Tong’s car and left.

Su Xinghui took Lu Xiaoya’s hand and said, "Xiaoya, I’m riding in Min Tong’s car back today. I agreed to meet him at the gate of the Provincial Party Committee compound at five o'clock sharp. We can walk around near your house now."

Lu Xiaoya checked the time; it was only twelve-thirty. She nodded happily, "That’s great, we can spend the whole afternoon together."

The two took a taxi back to the street next to the Provincial Party Committee compound that they often visited. This street was close to Lu Xiaoya’s house, so they could spend the afternoon there, and by five o'clock, Su Xinghui could take Lu Xiaoya home.

In this day and age, entertainment options weren't rich. When lovers dated, besides going to the park, they just walked the streets. The two could only walk on the street.

Lu Xiaoya said, "Xinghui, that painting of yours today really shocked everyone. You’re truly amazing!"

Su Xinghui smiled faintly, "A painting for a teacher’s birthday, of course, I had to paint it with care. It’s nothing."

Lu Xiaoya said, "No wonder your paintings can sell for ten or twenty thousand each."

As they were talking, a dark cloud drifted by, the sunlight dimmed, and a cool breeze blew. Lu Xiaoya couldn't help but shiver. It had rained a few times in the past few days, and every autumn rain brought more cold; the temperature was getting lower day by day.

It was sunny this morning, so Lu Xiaoya wore a dress to look pretty. It was fine at noon, but now that it was cloudy, she felt a bit cold dressed like that.

Su Xinghui said, "Xiaoya, are you cold? Let’s go, there’s a clothing store ahead, I’ll go buy you an outfit."

Lu Xiaoya shook her head, "Forget it, no need, it’s not very cold. It’ll warm up when the sun comes out in a bit. I have plenty of clothes; buying more is a waste if I can't wear them."

Su Xinghui said, "How can that be? Don't catch a cold."

Lu Xiaoya said, "There’s a coffee shop ahead, let’s go in and sit for a while, won't we be warm then?"

Su Xinghui took Lu Xiaoya into the coffee shop named "Time Memory." Come to think of it, they hadn't had coffee together before. Su Xinghui didn't really like coffee, thinking it wasn't as good as tea, but since Lu Xiaoya wanted to drink coffee, he naturally wouldn't refuse her request.

Entering the coffee shop, a waiter bowed to them, led them to a couple’s booth, let them sit down, and asked what coffee they wanted to drink.

In this day and age, not many people in the country liked drinking coffee. Those who entered coffee shops were generally couples, so couple’s booths were a must-have in coffee shops; without them, there wouldn't be any business.

The lighting in the coffee shop was deliberately set to be quite dim, as if that created a hazy feeling. As he followed the waiter toward the booth, Su Xinghui had a feeling that someone was staring at him. However, when he looked back, he didn't see anyone. He thought his feeling was wrong, shook his head self-deprecatingly, and sat down opposite Lu Xiaoya.

Su Xinghui asked, "Xiaoya, what coffee do you want to drink?"

Lu Xiaoya said, "You order for me."

Su Xinghui realized that Lu Xiaoya probably hadn't had much coffee either. Come to think of it, how many people had had coffee back then? She was probably just wanting to experience the romantic atmosphere here.