Official Career Storm

Chapter 1526 1526

"Mayor Xu."

Mayor Qiu stepped forward, hand already extended before he even approached.

As Xu Guofeng shook his hand, Governor Li also stood up and walked over.

Faced with a Vice Mayor from Beijing, as the Governor, he couldn't put on airs and felt somewhat overshadowed.

"This is Governor Li," Mayor Qiu introduced.

"Hello, Governor Li."

The two sides shook hands, exchanged friendly words, and then sat down under Mayor Qiu's guidance.

Xu Chengcheng remained seated on the sofa the entire time, not getting up, with no intention of greeting.

He found it very strange and couldn't understand why Xu Guofeng had come over?

Something that could have been resolved with a phone call, why bother coming in person?

Besides, the matter was already settled.

Mayor Qiu kept hovering around Xu Guofeng, while Governor Li, being a bit more observant, noted Xu Chengcheng's expression and felt intrigued.

Xu Chengcheng and Xu Guofeng were not far apart in age, so he guessed they might be cousins or something.

However, Xu Chengcheng showed no warmth towards him.

Was there a conflict between them?

The flame of gossip ignited in Governor Li's heart.

Knock, knock.

Another knock on the door sounded.

Xu Chengcheng looked up, wondering how there could be more guests?

When he saw Hall Director Qi, Qu Xiangru, and Jiang Wangshan, Xu Chengcheng couldn't help but glance at Xu Guofeng.

Was he the one who called these people over?

Did he want to finalize the matter at the dinner meeting thoroughly?

Xu Chengcheng squinted his eyes slightly, not easily noticeable.

He didn't feel much gratitude for Xu Guofeng's actions; instead, he thought he was being a bit redundant.

"Hall Director Qi, Governor Qu..."

The few exchanged greetings, shook hands perfunctorily, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Mayor Qiu said, "Everyone, shall we take our seats?"

Governor Li, smiling, walked towards the host's seat.

This was Xu City, his territory, so the host's seat rightfully belonged to him.

"Wait a moment," Xu Guofeng suddenly spoke.

Everyone looked at him.

Xu Guofeng said, "There is one more guest."

There is?

Mayor Qiu quickly glanced over the faces in the room; the people Xu Guofeng mentioned in the morning were all here.

But Xu Guofeng wouldn't speak frivolously. If he said there was one more, there must be one more.

As everyone was about to return to the lounge area to sit down and have tea.

Knock, knock.

Everyone knew the final guest had arrived.

Among those present, apart from Jiang Wangshan and Xu Guofeng, no one else knew who the final guest was.

When the door of the private room opened, and two policemen brought Song Guanchao in, everyone was stunned.

Is this... Song Guanchao?

Did Xu Guofeng invite him?

Mayor Qiu and Director Chen exchanged uneasy glances.

They worried that Xu Guofeng wouldn't humiliate Song Guanchao in front of everyone, would he?

They thought it was a bit excessive.

No matter what, Song Guanchao had Lu Zhizhong backing him.

And Lu Zhizhong had strong connections in Beijing.

To humiliate him in front of so many people, to be honest, seemed inappropriate.

It was quite humiliating.

The others thought the same.

Qu Xiangru pursed her lips, a frosty layer forming on her cold face.

Xu Guofeng's actions were too much!

She surveyed Xu Guofeng coldly, then swept her gaze over the others one by one.

Mayor Qiu and the others felt a bit guilty, not daring to meet her gaze.

"Sit down," Xu Guofeng said.

As he spoke, Song Guanchao walked over, as if no one else was there, pulled out a chair, and sat down nonchalantly.

The two policemen who escorted him stood behind him.

Director Chen waved his hand, "You two can leave now."

Only then did the two policemen leave.

The others also took their seats one by one.

Jiang Wangshan and Lin Wanqiu sat on either side of him.

He wanted to say something to Song Guanchao but didn't know how to start.

The cold dishes arrived, and the baijiu arranged by Mayor Qiu was also opened, with the waiter pouring a glass for everyone.

Xu Guofeng raised his glass and faced Governor Li, saying, "Governor Li, I toast this glass to you."

Governor Li nodded with a smile, clinking glasses, and drank it all in one go.

Then, Xu Guofeng toasted Mayor Qiu, Director Chen, and even took the initiative to toast Director Feng from the sub-bureau.

This made a few people quite flattered, hurriedly holding their glasses with both hands.

Everyone knew that after toasting, the main event was about to begin.

To be honest, they weren't very eager.

Because there were quite a few people backing Song Guanchao too.

While they wanted to maintain relations with the Xu Family, they also didn't want to offend Jiang Wangshan and the others because of it.

In their hearts, they secretly hoped that Xu Guofeng could resolve it peacefully.

Jiang Wangshan and a few others clenched their fists discretely.

They, too, didn't want things to become too strained.

Just then, Xu Guofeng suddenly picked up a bottle of baijiu and poured it into the glass in front of him.

Everyone watched as the glass gradually filled with baijiu, and their breaths became lighter.

Xu Guofeng put down the baijiu and placed the filled glass on the turntable.

He gently spun the turntable, everyone's gaze followed the glass, slowly shifting.

When the glass of baijiu reached in front of Song Guanchao, they were suddenly alert.

However, Xu Guofeng didn't stop.

The glass passed him and continued to rotate forward.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

What is going on?

This glass wasn't for Song Guanchao?

Sitting next to Song Guanchao, Lin Wanqiu quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Song Guanchao had told her, she still worried.

What if Song Guanchao guessed wrong?

What if Xu Guofeng came all this way just to find trouble with him?

Now, her worries were laid to rest.

At the same time, she was curious about who Xu Guofeng actually poured this glass of baijiu for?

Just as the doubt formed, the turntable stopped.

The answer was revealed.

Everyone looked at the stopped baijiu, their gaze slowly lifting until they saw Xu Chengcheng behind it.

The expressions of those present were bewildered.

Instinctively, they looked towards Xu Guofeng.

Wanting to know if he made a mistake?

How did this baijiu stop in front of Xu Chengcheng?

Xu Chengcheng looked at the baijiu in front of him, equally puzzled.

"Drink it."

Xu Guofeng's tone was calm.

But in a setting like this, it was like a thunderclap, causing ripples of unease to spread.

Mayor Qiu and others doubted whether they heard it wrong.

Governor Li was also somewhat puzzled.

The expressions on Jiang Wangshan and a few others were much more colorful.

Before attending the dinner, they subconsciously thought that Xu Guofeng's visit was aimed at dealing with Song Guanchao, to put him down for good.

But the reality seemed to be exactly the opposite?

"Drink it?" Xu Chengcheng asked confusedly, looking at Xu Guofeng with perplexed eyes.

Xu Guofeng's expression had remained unchanged since entering the private room.

It seemed that Xu Chengcheng had a realization as his eyes gradually changed from confusion to disbelief.

His initial composure disappeared, with all his inner emotions showing on his face, on the verge of an outburst.

The others gradually sensed that something was amiss.

Mayor Xu came to Xu City not to stand up for Xu Chengcheng.

Rather, it seemed... like a compromise?

Mayor Xu compromised with Song Guanchao?

This sudden turn of events left the local officials, including Governor Li, feeling dizzy and utterly surreal.