Chapter 593

Tan Mingcheng shook his head; this matter was indeed somewhat absurd, but that was just how things were in officialdom. He had worked so conscientiously in the past, yet their bureau chief had never looked at him properly. However, once Su Xinghui's name spread throughout the official circles of Shangjun County, their bureau chief suddenly became enthusiastic toward him. Up until now, he had promoted Tan Mingcheng to the position of deputy director of the office and even promised that as long as he worked hard, he would be promoted again next year.

Having rolled around in officialdom for several years, Tan Mingcheng saw many things in the official world as clearly as a mirror; currying favor and fawning over the powerful was nothing more than that.

Su Xinghui laughed in spite of himself. He was quite sought after in Shangjun County right now, and many people wanted to invite him to dinner. He said to Tan Mingcheng, "Brother-in-law, you don't need to overthink it. Based on your work attitude and achievements, it is only right and proper that you were promoted."

Tan Mingcheng said, "Xinghui, you don't need to worry about me having any thoughts. I understand the ins and outs of this. In any case, I've been promoted now, and that's a good thing."

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Brother-in-law, it's best if you can think that way. Come, let's play a couple of games of chess."

Tan Mingcheng nodded and said, "Alright, it's been a long time since we played chess."

The two brothers-in-law brought over the chessboard and pieces and began to play. After a few games, Su Wenjun returned. Seeing his son and son-in-law playing, he brought over a chair, sat down beside the board, and began to watch. Su Xinghui vacated his seat and said, "Dad, you come play with brother-in-law."

Su Wenjun had a great addiction to chess. Since his son had given up his seat, he sat down without standing on ceremony. He didn't reset the board and just continued the game the two had been playing halfway through.

Su Xinghui said, "Dad, congratulations!"

Su Wenjun said, "Congratulations for what? I haven't even won this game yet."

Su Xinghui said, "Congratulations on becoming the deputy director of the hospital!"

Su Wenjun waved his hand with a calm expression and said, "What is there to congratulate about that? No matter what position I hold, my identity is first and foremost a doctor. As long as I do my own job well, that is enough. Whether I am a deputy director or not makes no difference to me."

Su Xinghui couldn't help but admire Su Wenjun, giving him a thumbs up and saying, "Dad, you are truly indifferent to fame and wealth!"

Su Wenjun said, "What indifference to fame and wealth? It's just what your mother often says—that I lack ambition. From that perspective, my becoming deputy director this time is a good thing; at least my salary can go up by a few dozen yuan."

Su Wenjun's words made both Su Xinghui and Tan Mingcheng laugh.

Although Su Wenjun himself didn't care about becoming deputy director, Guo Suhua was very happy that both her husband and son-in-law had been promoted. She and Su Xingyun prepared a table full of dishes, served them, and called the whole family to eat.

The family sat around the dining table and ate in a lively manner. Guo Suhua, who rarely drank, poured herself a glass of wine, raised it, and said, "Come, Old Su, Mingcheng, I'll toast you both. Congratulations on your promotions!"

Although Su Wenjun's state of mind was calm, he didn't want to rebuff his wife's good intentions. Both he and Tan Mingcheng raised their glasses, thanked Guo Suhua, and had a drink with her.

After eating a few bites of food, Su Xinghui also raised his glass to toast Su Wenjun and Tan Mingcheng. After all, being promoted was a good thing; at least their salaries were a cut higher.

The family was eating happily when suddenly, the phone rang. Su Xinghui didn't think much of it and went to answer it. Picking up the receiver, he said, "Hello, who is this?"

A man's voice came from the phone, and he laughed, "Township Head Su, you're back. This is Sun Sinian."

Su Xinghui couldn't help but frown. This Sun Sinian was truly pervasive. He wished he hadn't answered this call, but that wasn't realistic. Even if someone else in the family had answered and said it was for him, wouldn't he still have to take it? He couldn't tell his family to say he wasn't there if the call was for him, could he? What if it was someone else's call?

Su Xinghui said, "Oh, it's Director Sun. Is there something you need?"

Sun Sinian said, "It's about what I mentioned to you last time. I'd like to invite you to my home for a meal so I can ask for your advice on some work matters in person. I feel there are still some questions regarding the last research report that I need to ask you."

Su Xinghui said, "Director Sun, if you have anything to ask me, you can just ask over the phone. There's no need for a meal."

Sun Sinian said, "No, no, no, Township Head Su, it is very necessary. Haven't we become like old friends at first sight? It's only natural for me to treat you to a meal after your hospitality in Meng Hu Ling last time. I've already prepared two bottles of Moutai at home. When you come, we two brothers can have a few drinks."

Su Xinghui felt extremely annoyed. He said to Sun Sinian, "Director Sun, forget it. I'd better not come for dinner. Thank you for your kind intentions."

Sun Sinian laughed, "Township Head Su, are you forcing me to come to your door to invite you? If you don't agree, I'll be at your door this afternoon."

Su Xinghui hurriedly said, "Don't, don't, don't. Alright, I'll come this afternoon, is that okay?"

Sun Sinian was overjoyed and said, "That's great, Township Head Su. Then I will await your arrival at home this afternoon."

Sun Sinian gave his home address, but Su Xinghui didn't bother to remember it. He hummed a few times and hung up the phone. How could he not know where the Sun family lived? In his previous life, he didn't know how many times he had been there.

Su Xinghui had no choice. He couldn't really let Sun Sinian come to his door. He didn't want such a person to disturb his family's peace. He knew Sun Sinian's character; if he didn't go to the Sun residence, Sun Sinian really might run to his house.

Guo Suhua asked, "Xinghui, who was that? You look unhappy."

Su Xinghui said, "Mom, it's nothing. A deputy director from the Planning Commission insists on inviting me to his house for dinner this afternoon."

Guo Suhua said, "Isn't it a good thing that someone invites you to dinner?"

Su Xinghui shook his head, said nothing, and sat back at the table.

Tan Mingcheng knew Su Xinghui's annoyance. He laughed, "Mom, Xinghui is a popular figure in the county now. There are too many people who want to invite him to dinner. He only has one mouth; how can he eat with everyone?"

Guo Suhua had read the newspapers and seen that day's *Hudong News*, so she knew about Su Xinghui being valued by the Provincial Party Secretary. Hearing her son-in-law's words, she nodded in relief.

Su Wenjun said, "Xinghui, if you don't want to go, then don't go."

How could Su Xinghui tell his family about the distress in his heart? He said vaguely, "There's no way around it. We have some work interactions, and it wouldn't be good to refuse too bluntly."

Su Wenjun didn't say anything more, just nodded.

After the meal, Su Xinghui took his nephew Tan Weisheng downstairs to play basketball for the afternoon. He rarely came back and didn't have many opportunities to play with his nephew, so this afternoon, he considered it making it up to Tan Weisheng.

Su Xinghui had loved sports when he was in school, and his basketball skills were quite good. He taught Tan Weisheng how to dribble. Tan Weisheng learned quite quickly, but he was only four years old, small and weak, and short, so he still couldn't manage to shoot the ball.

Tan Weisheng liked this uncle very much, and he also liked basketball. When Su Xinghui lifted him high up to let him put the ball into the hoop, he was so happy that he clapped his little hands desperately until they turned red.

Seeing Tan Weisheng so happy, Su Xinghui felt very happy too.