novelraw Chapter 662 : Mayor Tong
Chapter 662 : Mayor Tong
Chapter 662: Mayor Tong
With Chairman Gao's proactive friendliness, several other entrepreneurs from Yunhai came over to greet Chen Fan afterwards.
Among them, some were even long-time diamond members of Chen Fan's club, the Bamboo Grove Clubhouse.
It's just that Chen Fan had always kept to himself before, so people rarely had the chance to meet him.
This time, Chen Fan was welcoming to everyone, smiling and dealing with each person.
After all, this wasn't a place for chatting, so most people just came over to say hello, exchanged a few pleasant words, and shared contact information, establishing an initial impression.
Half an hour later, as several city staff members walked in, the conference hall immediately quieted down.
Chen Fan let out a long breath, finally no one else was coming over.
A few minutes later, accompanied by his secretary, Yunhai's mayor Tong Haoran walked in.
In a flurry, everyone in the conference room stood up.
"Haha, please sit down, no need to be formal, everyone sit."
Tong Haoran had no airs about him and casually waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to be seated.
Chen Fan sat in the corner, quietly observing this mayor who was only in his early 40s.
In his previous life, Chen Fan's company headquarters had stayed in Yunhai for over 10 years, so he could say he had watched Tong Haoran serve two full terms.
Originally, with his age and abilities, he could have been directly promoted or even tried for a provincial position.
Unfortunately, Tong Haoran's governance policies were too rigid, his principles too strong, and he wasn't easy to talk to.
Especially on the shantytown renovation project, Tong Haoran had offended quite a few people. There were businessmen and also rivals in his official career.
Although in the end he managed to push through the shantytown project, benefiting ordinary people for generations to come.
But it was also this project that became one of the reasons for his opponents to attack him.
Autocratic, disregarding people's livelihood, stubborn, causing widespread discontent...
In the end, Tong Haoran didn't time his promotion well and was instead transferred laterally to a neighboring province to oversee environmental protection, a nominal promotion but actual demotion, basically ending his career prospects.
While Chen Fan was secretly observing Tong Haoran, Tong Haoran in front was currently giving a speech.
Today's event was basically because the Zhao family case from a while back had caused too much commotion, making Yunhai famous nationwide and greatly affecting Yunhai's business environment.
Today the city was here to boost everyone's morale.
Tong Haoran didn't give any long-winded speeches or use any script, but spoke entirely off the cuff, talking about very practical matters.
After Tong Haoran finished, a deputy mayor in charge of economics spoke next.
Chen Fan had originally planned to sneak out quietly when no one was paying attention.
But just then, Tong Haoran, who had just finished speaking on stage, reached out to take a thermos handed over by his secretary.
The secretary leaned in and whispered something in Tong Haoran's ear, and Tong Haoran's gaze discreetly glanced in a certain direction.
Many people in the audience noticed this.
Everyone was curious.
Who was Mayor Tong looking at just now?
That direction seemed to be where Chen Fan was sitting?
Could it be that Mayor Tong knows Chen Fan?
Some people turned their heads to look behind them in confusion, and were suddenly startled.
"Where's Chen Fan?"
"He was just here."
"This kid couldn't have snuck out, could he?"
"Heh, these young people..."
Chen Fan had indeed taken the opportunity to use the restroom as an excuse to try to sneak away.
Because he felt this kind of meeting was meaningless to him, a complete waste of time.
He had come today just to sign in, and basically had nothing else to do.
Unfortunately, before he could get into the elevator, someone called out to stop him.
"Mr. Chen, Mr. Chen, please wait."
A young man in a suit quickly caught up.
Chen Fan recognized this guy, he seemed to have entered with Mayor Tong earlier, probably his secretary.
"Is something the matter?"
"Mr. Chen, are you leaving?"
Chen Fan smiled, "There's an urgent matter at the company, I need to go back for a bit."
"I can't leave?"
The secretary smiled wryly, "I'm afraid you can't leave for now, Mayor Tong said he wants to meet with you later."
"Meet me?"
Chen Fan was stunned, "A private meeting?"
"Yes, Mr. Chen, please come with me. After the meeting ends, Mayor Tong will come to see you."
Chen Fan was bewildered, his current self had no connection with Tong Haoran.
Why did he want to see him?
Could it be because of Tong Yao?
Had Tong Yao told her father about him?
That big mouth wouldn't, would she?
In any case, Chen Fan knew he couldn't leave for now.
He followed the secretary to a reception room upstairs.
The secretary poured Chen Fan a cup of tea, then said Mayor Tong would be here shortly, and left the office.
Chen Fan sat on the sofa without moving around casually, after all this wasn't an ordinary place, if anything went missing, it would be hard to explain.
When he finished his second cup of tea, the door opened.
The secretary accompanied Tong Haoran in.
Chen Fan quickly stood up.
"Mayor Tong, this is Mr. Chen Fan."
"Oh, sit, make yourself comfortable."
Tong Haoran waved his hand, indicating Chen Fan shouldn't stand on ceremony.
He walked over and sat on the sofa opposite Chen Fan, his expression visibly tired.
It seems the situation in Yunhai lately has left him somewhat exhausted.
"Xiao Li, you can go out first. Move that meeting to the afternoon."
"Yes."
After the secretary left, Tong Haoran finally looked up at Chen Fan.
"I've long heard that Yunhai has produced an extraordinary young business genius, and seeing you today, Mr. Chen, you're even younger than I imagined."
Chen Fan leaned forward slightly, about to say some pleasantries, when Tong Haoran suddenly added:
"No wonder my Yaoyao would hang out with you."
Chen Fan's expression froze, and for a moment he didn't know how to respond.
He couldn't quite figure out Tong Haoran's angle.
What did he mean?
Was he meeting me specially because his daughter knows me, to see what kind of person I am?
Or is it because of his daughter that he wants to learn more about me?
Seeing Chen Fan not speaking, Tong Haoran suddenly smiled and said:
"You don't need to be nervous. The reason I wanted to meet with you privately today is just to chat casually, after all you are now quite a famous entrepreneur in all of Yunhai."
"Also, my daughter has very high standards, she rarely admires her peers, but she's been lavish with praise for you."
"I also wanted to see what kind of young man could impress my daughter."
Chen Fan understood, so today was just an ordinary meeting.
That's good then.
Chen Fan relaxed a little.
After hesitating for a moment, he smiled and said: "Miss Tong... has a lot of personality, and is very interesting."
Tong Haoran nodded, picked up the teapot and poured tea for Chen Fan first.
Chen Fan was startled, and hurriedly raised his teacup, putting on an expression of being flattered.
"Yaoyao, this child, her mother and I have rarely had time to accompany her since she was young, so it's led to this girl's personality being... not very easy to get along with."
"The fact that you can become friends with her shows that you truly have some real ability."
"That band performance you put on a while back was quite interesting."
Chen Fan was startled and hurriedly explained: "That... that was just kids messing around, I was also forced into it by them..."
This matter needed to be explained clearly, it was your daughter who forced me to participate, don't make it seem like I'm leading your daughter astray.
Tong Haoran stared at Chen Fan, his expression somewhat playful.
"I heard that you acquired most of the Zhao family group's assets?"
They had just been making small talk, and suddenly the topic took a sharp turn, dropping a bombshell.
Chen Fan hadn't even reacted yet, and his expression froze in place.
This was truly the art of leadership speech.
A sudden thunderclap in silence.
Leaving you completely unable to predict what he's really trying to do.