Chapter 125: The Storm in the Ballroom

  After dinner, Xu Shaojie took Chen Mubiao to his home. Chen Mubiao had been sitting in the car for a whole morning and had also drunk some wine, so he was already showing signs of fatigue. Xu Shaojie's home had two beds, one in the bedroom and one in the study. Chen Mubiao naturally rested in the bedroom.

  Chen Tuo fell asleep quickly. When he went to work, Xu Shaojie arrived at the office. At this moment, Secretary Ding Yuan was already in the office. Xu Shaojie didn't delay and directly entered Secretary Ding Yuan's office, giving a detailed report of what happened during lunch.

  "Alright, Shaojie, I really didn't expect that you and Chen Mubiao had such a relationship. Fine, arrange it then. This afternoon, I'll meet Chen Mubiao at the place where you guys have lunch. You and Chen Mubiao go first, I'll arrive later, I still have some other things to attend to."

  "Alright, I'll arrange it, Secretary Ding. I was really worried you wouldn't meet Chen's target."

  "Alright, you little rascal, don't go to work this afternoon, go back and accompany Xiao Chen, make arrangements and call me."

  Chen Mubiao woke up after 4 o'clock, he went to the living room, Xu Shaojie was watching TV. Seeing Chen Mubiao got up, Xu Shaojie smiled and threw a pack of cigarettes to Chen Mubiao. The communication between men is not so complicated, no need to show special care. Chen Mubiao also sat down, the two watched TV and chatted casually.

  It was already past 5 o'clock, Chen Mubiao had a good sleep and was in high spirits. The two of them went to the restaurant again, Xu Shaojie didn't invite anyone else, this was purely a private gathering between the two of them, no need to find others to make it lively. Chen Mubiao could still drink, by the afternoon, Chen Mubiao seemed much more energetic, he even started talking about his drinking experiences.

  "Alas, in today's situation, not drinking is not an option. Every moment is about socializing and entertaining, my capacity for liquor was actually trained through practice. At first, I couldn't drink either, but by practicing alone at home, my tolerance gradually increased. Especially when working in the office, if you can't drink, don't even think about getting promoted. Alas, that's just how things are now."

  Xu Shaojie gave a thumbs up in agreement with Chen's goal. The two drank and chatted amicably, not pressuring each other to drink.

  Just as Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao were raising their glasses, the waiter led Ding Yuan in.

  Ding Yuan's identity was different now, so he wouldn't accompany Chen Mubao for dinner, there was no need for that. As long as Ding Yuan could appear for a bit and have a drink with Chen Mubao, everything would be clear.

  Chen Mubiao saw Secretary Ding Yuan come in and hastily stood up, respectfully shaking hands with Ding Yuan.

  "Haha, Xiao Chen, I've heard that you've been doing well in Salone County lately. Keep up the good work."

  "Secretary Ding, I didn't expect you to come over. Director Xu didn't tell me. Originally, I was thinking of visiting you specially, but I was afraid that you would be busy with work and disturb you. My father has always been nostalgic for the time he worked in Huaiyang City, and asked me about the situation in Huaiyang City. This time, after talking to Director Xu, I learned a lot about it. Next time I go back, I will definitely report back to my father."

  "Alright, alright, Secretary Chen is a leader from Huaiyang City, and it's great that he cares so much about the place where he used to work. Thank you very much! When I have time, I'll go to the provincial capital to visit you, Little Chen, come on, let me toast you with a cup of wine."

  "No, Secretary Ding, it should be me treating you to a drink, I'm your junior."

  Xu Shaojie had already placed the chairs, Chen Mubiao picked up the wine bottle and carefully poured a cup of wine for Ding Yuan. The wine was poured to 80% full, this is the rule for pouring wine for leaders, it must not be a full cup. A full cup is for brothers or people with an extraordinary relationship. Drinking in official circles has many subtleties, it's not like ordinary drinking. Chen Mubiao quickly poured himself a full cup of wine.

  "Little Chen, you used to work in Xilin City, this time you were transferred to Huaiyang City, from a big place to a small place to work, I really appreciate it, pour the wine full, let's have a real drink."

  Chen Muo was somewhat excited, and once again picked up the wine bottle, carefully filling Secretary Ding Yuan's cup.

  "Director Ding, I'd like to offer you a toast. I've just started working in Huaiyang City and if there's anything I've done wrong, please criticize and correct me. I'll definitely make improvements. Under your leadership, I'll work hard and do whatever you tell me to do."

  Ding Yuan threw his head back and laughed loudly, raising his wine cup. Chen Mubao watched as Secretary Ding Yuan downed it in one gulp, then hastily followed suit, finishing the wine in his own cup in one breath.

  "Little Chen, fill up the wine glass. This cup of wine is for your father, you can drink it on his behalf. I worked with your father for a year before Old Chen was transferred to work in Xilin City. It's been many years since we last met. When I returned to the provincial city, your father was busy with work and didn't want to disturb him. Next time I go back, I will definitely visit."

  "Secretary Ding, thank you on behalf of my father."

  After drinking two cups of wine, Ding Yuan patted Chen Mubiao's shoulder and reminded him to work hard. Then he got up and left the private room. Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao both stood up to see him off. Master Ma was waiting outside.

  Ding Yuan's face was filled with a smile, unexpectedly solving a headache problem so easily. Huang Haitao probably couldn't have imagined in his dreams that the talent he had painstakingly introduced would fall into his own hands so effortlessly. Chen Mubiao's statement was already very clear and even quite explicit. What he meant by "criticism and correction" was that since he had just arrived, he didn't know the situation, and might have been too close to Huang Haitao and others, but would be more careful in the future. The latter part of his speech was a display of loyalty. Ding Yuan was overjoyed, thinking that Xu Shaojie was a lucky general, as the unfavorable situation that had just arisen dissipated in an instant amidst their conversation.

  "Lao Xue, you're penalized for wine. This must be your arrangement, and you didn't tell me in advance. I won't penalize you much more. Just now, I had two cups of wine with Secretary Ding. You make up for the two cups."

  "Brother Chen, this isn't fair! Secretary Ding drinking with you has nothing to do with me. Besides, you should be thanking me for getting recognized by Secretary Ding, your future prospects are boundless!"

  "Don't try to fool me, no matter what, you can't compare to me. You have to make up for this wine, we're on the same level, neither of us can fall behind."

  Xu Shaojie had no choice but to add two more cups of wine.

  After dinner, it was getting late, and both of them seemed a bit excited. Xu Shaojie thought for a moment and suggested going to the Xuan Guang Karaoke Hall, which wasn't bad, to sing some songs and vent off the wine. He wouldn't take Chen Mubiao to those so-called health clubs, most of which had erotic services, and their relationship was ordinary, something Xu Shaojie could ignore, but his relationship with Chen Mubiao was different now. After Xu Shaojie made the suggestion, Chen Mubiao was very happy and agreed enthusiastically.

  Xu Shaojie suddenly arrived at the song and dance hall, Luo Xuan was somewhat unprepared. Xu Shaojie smiled and introduced Chen Mubiao to Luo Xuan, who naturally understood. Chen Mubiao looked very young, the deputy secretary of the county party committee of Salong County, with a boundless future. The two distinguished guests arrived at the song and dance hall, Luo Xuan treated them with all his might, repeatedly saying that he had come to invite them today and must not lose face. Then, he gave some instructions to the waiter and personally led Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao into the best private room.

  Soon, four beautiful girls entered the private room and sat down beside Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao. The waiter started serving snacks, red wine, beer, etc. Luo Xuan asked Xu Shaojie if he needed white wine, but Xu Shaojie shook his head repeatedly. Luo Xuan wouldn't leave the private room; he wanted to personally accompany Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao. After the music started, Chen Mubiao wasn't polite either, taking the microphone and starting to sing. This singing made everyone applaud loudly, as it turned out that Chen Mubiao's songs were also good. Xu Shaojie had left a deep impression on Luo Xuan last time when he sang at the song and dance hall. The beautiful girls laughed and accompanied them in drinking and singing, rarely relaxing, while Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao were very casual, making bland jokes with the girls.

  The private room door was suddenly opened, and two young people who were drunk came in. The light inside the private room was a bit dim, and neither Xu Shaojie nor Chen Mubiao noticed. In entertainment venues, such situations often occur, sometimes someone comes in to find someone, and sometimes it's acquaintances coming to join in the fun. Last time Huang Meng had a birthday party, people were going in and out of the hall, Xu Shaojie was aware of these situations. Because Luo Xuan was inside the private room, the two thought they were Luo Xuan's acquaintances, so they didn't react much.

  Luoxuan took a closer look at the two men's faces and his expression became somewhat unnatural. He immediately stood up, walked over to them, and pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket. Xu Shaojie noticed Luoxuan's expression and found it strange, so he also stood up. Chen Mubiao was still singing. The two young men who came in obviously didn't take Luoxuan seriously, pushing away the cigarette he offered them. One of them loudly yelled to turn off the music, while another one spoke to Luoxuan.

  "Boss Luo, what's going on? Believe it or not, I'll smash your Bird Song and Dance Hall. Huang Lao Da came to the dance hall to sing, but the best private room was somehow taken away from him. I came in and didn't see you either. Hurry up, get the people out of the private room, we're waiting for Huang Lao Da outside."

  The music stopped, and the girls in the private room were at a loss, hearing the young man's words, they looked a bit scared, and collectively stood beside Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao. At this time, they naturally regarded the two as their protectors. Xu Shaojie was very angry and also very puzzled, what kind of person would do such a thing? Chen Mubiao was even angrier.

  "Sorry about that, I didn't know Huang Lao Da was coming. How about this, I'll arrange the private room next door, with conditions just like here, and I'll treat you to a meal."

  "Hey, Old Luo, have you taken the wrong medicine? Is the one singing your nephew? When did Huang Lao Da ever sing in another private room? Don't want to open a dance hall anymore?"

  Xu Shaojie finally couldn't bear it anymore.

  "You're being too polite, there's a order of things."

  Xu Shaojie hadn't finished speaking when two young men came up at the same time, ready to cover Xu Shaojie's mouth, and started scolding him.

  "Damn it, in Huaiyang City, I've never heard of first come first served, dare to argue with me."

  The young man's hand had not yet reached Xu Shaojie's collar when Xu Shaojie moved, grabbing the young man's hand and pulling it back in the opposite direction. The young man let out a loud cry like a pig being slaughtered, and the young men behind him prepared to come forward to help, but Chen Mubiao had also moved, twisting his arm around.

  "Damn it, dare to move me? Lao Luo's song and dance hall doesn't need to open anymore. Boss, come quick, someone wants to fight... Boss..."

  The white fluorescent light in the room lit up, and a young man rushed in with several people surrounding him. They probably didn't think that someone in Huaiyang City would dare to fight them. The people who came in looked like they had been drinking, their faces were red all over.

  Xu Shaojie didn't know the young man who was leading, but Chen Mubiao's face changed color when he saw him. The young man's face also changed color when he saw Chen Mubiao, and before he could greet Chen Mubiao, he hastily spoke up.

  "Are you all blind? You even dare to touch Brother Chen! Get out of here!"

  Everyone did not expect that the two young men who came in earlier immediately knew they had met a tough opponent. They died quickly and lived quickly, and their faces changed immediately. They were clear that if the boss got angry, they would have no good days to live.

  "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, we were blind, didn't know, offended you, offended you."

  The young man immediately picked up the conversation.

  "Brother Chen, sorry about that, didn't know you were here. You're also here to have fun at the song and dance hall, why didn't you give your little brother a heads up? These brothers don't understand, Brother Chen must forgive."

  Chen Mubiao's face was uncertain, and Xu Shaojie didn't speak. A group of young people quickly exited the private room, but one young man remained inside. He sat down carelessly, looking at Xu Shaojie, who he didn't recognize either.

  "Lao Xue, this is Huang Sijun, a police officer from the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Patrol Brigade, and he is also Mayor Huang's youngest son."

  "Chen Ge, introduce your buddies."

  "Xiao Huang, this is Xu Shaojie, Deputy Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office and Secretary of Ding Yuan."

  Huang Sijun's butt was like it had springs on it, and he quickly stood up, stretching out his hand.

  "Ah, so it's Director Xu. I've long heard of your great name, but we've never met until today. Old Luo, you're really something! Why didn't you introduce us earlier? We almost had a misunderstanding. I'll have to fine you with a drink, fine you with a drink."

  Xu Shaojie smiled and shook hands with Huang Sijun, whose attitude was somewhat exaggerated. There was no need to show off like that. Xu Shaojie wasn't stupid; the more exaggerated he acted, the less concerned he seemed. As the son of the mayor, Huang Sijun wouldn't bother with ordinary people. However, Xu Shaojie had already felt a sense of discomfort inside. A dignified public security officer, a police officer from the Public Security Bureau's patrol team, was originally supposed to maintain social order, yet he was entangled with people from society. The young people who came in were clearly not good eggs.

  Huang Sijun took over the beer poured by the girl and drank two cups in one breath, indicating to apologize to Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao. After Huang Sijun's disturbance, Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao both lost their mood.

  "Xu Ge, Chen Ge, today I'm treating you guys, have fun!"