Chen Huaiqian sat in his seat, pondering who could fill Su Ning's position. The more he thought about it, the heavier his heart became. Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and the Secretary-General, who had just left, returned.
The gloom on his face had completely vanished, replaced entirely by jubilant excitement.
Seeing this, Chen Huaiqian's heart skipped a beat.
"News from Miss Su's side—she will still meet with you."
"Miss Su hasn't changed her mind?"
Both men spoke at the same time. After finishing, they looked at each other and began to laugh.
The Secretary-General then told him that not only had Su Ning decided to proceed with the meeting, but she had also set the location at the City Hall. At this point, he excitedly slapped the desk.
"Hahahaha, no matter what tricks that guy surnamed He plays, he never expected that Miss Su is no ordinary woman. He tried to steal a chicken only to end up losing his rice. It's so funny it could kill a man!"
"It's just a meeting; nothing is set in stone yet."
Chen Huaiqian was also happy, but he maintained his rationality. He sighed while smiling.
"Moreover, with Miss Su's generous support, we must offer corresponding returns. During the meeting later, we will inevitably have to concede a lot of profits... but no matter how much, it will be worth it."
"That's only right."
The Secretary-General nodded in agreement and smiled again.
"That guy He and his people don't even have the chance to compromise and offer concessions to Miss Su. Honestly, if I weren't afraid of running out of time, I'd want to go to the teahouse myself to see the looks on their faces."
"It must be quite a sight!"
...
Meanwhile, inside the teahouse.
The teahouse, which used to be elegantly and quietly decorated, was now completely different. Even during the day, the doors and windows were tightly shut, relying entirely on dozens of arm-thick candles for light.
In the center, men and women were holding each other.
They danced to the Western music playing from the gramophone, with endless sounds of laughter and flirting filling the air.
"Mayor He sure knows how to have fun. Who would have thought that a daytime banquet would have a more unique flavor than a nighttime one, and a teahouse is even more interesting than a dance hall."
"Hahahahaha."
In the left corner, several card tables were set up.
Someone threw down a card, turned his head to take a pleasant drag from a water pipe served by a beauty in a qipao, and with hazy eyes, began to flatter the man in the seat of honor.
"It's not really that I know how to have fun."
The middle-aged man with a square face and regular features, dressed in a long gown, also smiled. His eyes scanned the room with satisfaction, and looking utterly relaxed, he waved his hand.
"You should thank that Miss Su. Without her, I wouldn't have thought of hosting a banquet here."
The people around exchanged glances.
And smiled with tacit understanding.
"It's fine, there will be plenty of opportunities to thank her in the future. This time, Chen's side lost a lot of face. As the saying goes, a wise man submits to circumstances. Although Su Ning is a woman, she should be able to see the situation clearly."
Someone carefully chimed in on Vice Mayor He's words. Seeing the smile on his face deepen, the person became even more enthusiastic.
"However, she failed to recognize a great man earlier and actually wanted to bet on that losing dog Chen. Even if she realizes her mistake later, Mayor He should still teach her a lesson."
"Consider it a punishment!"
"You, oh you, you're still not magnanimous enough."
Although he offered a rebuke, Vice Mayor He's tone clearly held no blame and was instead full of smiles. Sure enough, he added another sentence right after.
"Women, after all, have long hair but short sight. It's normal for them to take a wrong step now and then. With some proper teaching, her temper can still be molded."
When listening to words, one must hear the underlying tone.
Everyone present was shrewd. They felt that Vice Mayor He's words held deep meaning. Why would he say he would give Su Ning "proper teaching" when his surname wasn't even Su?
"Does Mayor He intend to form a marriage alliance with the Su family?"
Someone asked boldly.
Hearing this, many people cast their eyes toward the most conspicuous figure in the dance floor, who was hugging women left and right, acting wildly and without restraint. They all shook their heads secretly.
This Young Master He was no good match.
A regular in the pleasure quarters, he was open to both men and women. He visited the Eight Great Hutongs so often it was almost his home, and he was enthusiastic about patronizing opera singers—patronizing them right into his bed.
Rumor had it that he also smoked opium!
If a person like this weren't the only son of the He family, he would have long rotted into a corpse on the side of the street.
There was nothing to be done.
Who told him to be so good at reincarnation? He had a good father, and his father only had this one son.
"There is such a plan."
Vice Mayor He nodded reservedly.
"Great, this is a wonderful thing! I've heard that Miss Su Zhenzhu is pure and beautiful, a great beauty, and also gentle. She's a match made in heaven for Young Master He..."
"Wait a moment."
The more he listened, the more wrong it sounded. Vice Mayor He frowned and spoke with great dissatisfaction.
"Who said anything about Su Zhenzhu?"
If not her, then who? Su Ning only had this one younger sister. She did have a younger brother who was also good-looking, and Young Master He wasn't picky about gender, but a proper marriage alliance still required a woman, right?
Many people hadn't wrapped their heads around it yet.
But someone reacted quickly: "Exactly, what kind of person is Su Zhenzhu? A secondhand good who had her engagement broken off, how could she be worthy of Young Master He!"
This statement was very contrary to one's conscience.
Unfortunately, people tend to think their own shit smells better than others', and Vice Mayor He viewed his only son in much the same way. Hearing this, he cast an appreciative glance at the speaker and said unhurriedly.
"The one my son is going to marry is Su Ning."
The Su family was immensely wealthy, but this wealth was solely in the hands of Su Ning. The rest of the Su family members were nothing. Thinking of that immeasurable wealth, Vice Mayor He's breathing grew heavy.
Therefore, he didn't notice the expressions of disbelief on the faces of the people around him.
Ah, Su Ning?
"The reputation of the Su family as descendants of eunuchs isn't nice to hear. I can't let my grandson have such maternal relatives. We still need to have someone change their genealogy and return to the main branch..."
Vice Mayor He was still being picky.
Everyone: ...???
Some people were even already regretting coming on this trip. It wasn't because Vice Mayor He couldn't hide his scheming for Su Ning's wealth—the arrival of benefits is mostly dirty, and they themselves weren't much better.
But what this exposed was his shortsightedness, greed, and baseless arrogance and overconfidence.
Anyone with eyes could see it.
Su Ning was not some weak character. Young Master He's moral character could be easily found out with a casual inquiry. How could she ever allow herself to be manipulated by Vice Mayor He?
The greatest possibility.
She would be forcefully pushed over to Mayor Chen's side, and might even fight with all her might against Vice Mayor He.
Playing a good hand so poorly... would following this kind of boss bring them any good results?
The next second, as if it were a reminder from God.
Someone rushed in, looking awkwardly at the surrounding crowd. Vice Mayor He waved his hand carelessly: "If you have something to say, just say it directly. We are all our own people here."
Seeing the messenger still hesitating.
He felt he was losing face.
"I told you to speak!"
Frightened by this, the messenger closed his eyes and blurted out the news he had just received all at once. After finishing, he lowered his head, waiting in despair for punishment.
Who knew that there would be no movement for a long time.
He quietly looked up, only to see that this corner had become incredibly quiet. There was only the occasional music floating over from the gramophone. Vice Mayor He was staring with wide eyes, completely in disbelief.
"You didn't deliver the wrong message?"
The messenger shook his head with difficulty.
On this side, the others had already reacted. Some were uncertain and alarmed, some admired her courage, and some were puzzled, but they unanimously agreed that Su Ning was truly ruthless in character.
Going all in—if she didn't succeed, she would die trying.
...
At this time, Su Ning had already arrived at the City Hall. Surrounded by an entourage as usual, her grand entrance attracted the attention of many passing government officials.
"Who... is this?"
"Who else could it be? Aside from Miss Su, what other young woman in the city travels with such extravagance?"
"Oh, it is her. But what is she doing at City Hall?"
Though their voices were hushed, the collective murmurs were impossible to ignore. At the very least, Su Ning and her entourage heard every word.
Amidst the prying eyes and whispers, Su Ning remained completely composed. She even found the leisure to muse that these people knew absolutely nothing of the inside story. It seemed Mayor Chen had a rather tight grip on his subordinates.
Then why did the news leak?
A glint flashed in her eyes.
There was probably another amusing story hidden behind it all...
Soon, the Secretary-General, having received word of her arrival, came to greet Su Ning in person. His attitude was deeply attentive, a wide smile on his face. After a few pleasantries, he bowed his head apologetically and said to her:
"Please forgive us, Miss Su. The Mayor has been waiting for you in his office for quite some time."
No matter the circumstances, official decorum had to be maintained.
Su Ning understood this. She gave a slight nod to show she did not mind and followed the Secretary-General through the lobby, down the corridors, and up the stairs to the innermost office on the third floor.
Knock, knock, knock—
The door opened after three knocks.
There was only one person in the office, meaning Chen Huaiqian had opened the door himself. Being treated with such earnest respect would make it hard for anyone not to be moved.
"Mayor, Miss Su has arrived."
The Secretary-General stated the obvious, then turned to introduce him to Su Ning:
"Miss Su, this is Mayor Chen."
Their eyes met. Su Ning took the initiative to extend her right hand, nodding with a demeanor that was neither humble nor arrogant:
"I have heard so much about you. I am Su Ning."
