Chapter 126: Shopping Card

  Huang Sijun apparently understood that Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao did not want to be disturbed, so after saying a few words, he left the private room, followed by Luo Xuan to make arrangements.

  "Huang Sijun used to be very quiet, I don't know how he became like this."

  "Hehe, nothing strange, Brother Chen. What we're doing together, Mayor Huang might find out soon, you'd better be mentally prepared."

  "I've been prepared for a long time, Mayor Huang would have known sooner or later, it's nothing special, just because of Huang Sijun's moral character, I understand what to do. However, I'm not familiar with the local situation, Old Xu, you must take care of me."

  "Haha, you're really good at talking."

  The girls in the private room, who were obviously worldly-wise, saw Huang Si-jun and said nothing, already knowing that the two young people in front of them were not ordinary. Especially when they found out that Xu Shaojie, the youngest one, was actually the secretary of the municipal party committee and deputy director of the municipal party committee office, they immediately surrounded him, holding wine glasses and constantly asking to toast. Coming to the dance hall was originally for entertainment, so Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao could only follow local customs and started joking with several beautiful girls. Soon, Luo Xuan came in and continued to accompany Xu Shaojie and Chen Mubiao. Neither of them asked Luo Xuan about his situation, they were not interested in what Huang Si-jun did.

  Two days later, Chen Mubao called.

  "Old Xu, the aftermath has arrived. Dad knows about what happened at the dance hall and he called me to ask about it. I told him everything truthfully. He didn't say anything, but he wants to see you. How about giving him a chance?"

  "Alright, Uncle Chen has summoned me, I will definitely follow the arrangement. This is a great opportunity. Next time you come back, look for me directly."

  "No problem, Old Xu, you need to be careful, I've noticed that now you're being watched by them, I don't know what the reason is, but it's nothing serious, with Secretary Ding backing you up, no one can touch you."

  "I know, County Magistrate Li, you're familiar with him, he's Secretary Ding's former secretary."

  "I know, I have a good relationship with County Head Li, we both mentioned you, haha, County Head Li admires you very much."

  "You can have more contact with each other, Brother Chen. You should also be worried. Mayor Huang knows about this matter and must be uncomfortable in his heart. I don't know what method he will come up with."

  "I currently don't have any issues, earlier Mayor Huang mentioned to be careful of you, I guess it's about our interactions, but I'm not sure what they're thinking. I understand that for now, they won't turn against me, but they must hate you, haha. I managed to slip through the middle, it's like picking peaches, working hard and busy, but in the end getting nothing. Think about it, if it were you, what would your attitude be?"

  On the other end of the phone, Chen Mubao burst out laughing, while Xu Shaojie on this end forced a smile. How could he not have thought of that? Huang Haitao must be gritting his teeth in anger, but had nowhere to vent it.

  During the holidays, especially around New Year's Day and Spring Festival, it is a season for giving gifts and paying tribute. Subordinates give gifts to superiors, local governments give gifts to the central government, enterprises give gifts to government departments with real power, and state-owned enterprise bosses give gifts to organizational personnel departments and superior leaders. This has become an unwritten rule, only some places and times are more severe, while others are more hidden. The whole country is like this, and Huaiyang City cannot be an exception. The Labor Day is coming soon, although it's not a major holiday, but now people who give gifts can always find excuses.

  Since this year, Huaiyang City has been popular in sending shopping cards. An IC shopping card is light and convenient, with an unknown amount of money stored inside. For some powerful departments such as public security, industry and commerce, land management, planning, etc., as well as party and government officials who hold real power, all they need to do is loosen their grip, and a stack of shopping cards will be stuffed into their hands. Some people's annual consumption has been settled, and they can swipe their cards freely in supermarkets and shopping malls without worrying about the balance on the card. When one card is used up, there is another one.

  Nowadays, this trend is spreading, and some units also issue shopping cards to their employees. It's the same reason as finding gold, and it's easier to keep accounts. Swiping cards when entering or leaving shopping malls and supermarkets has become a fashion. As long as you hold the card, everyone knows that this person must be from an administrative unit.

  However, some unpleasant situations have also emerged. In shopping malls and supermarkets, it is common to see wealthy ladies dressed in gold and silver jewelry, holding a stack of credit cards, pushing shopping carts while making purchases with great generosity and strong purchasing power, causing envy and resentment among salaried workers. This is because these wealthy ladies are likely to be the family members of municipal government leaders, or even the family members of certain city leaders. The leaders themselves do not dare to use their cards for consumption, so they let their wives do it instead.

  No one can say that such a situation is corrupt, but this situation still has some impact on Huaiyang City. However, with the popularization of shopping cards, the voices of discussion have slowly subsided, and everyone does it this way, so there's no point in saying anything.

  Xu Shaojie's hands now hold a stack of shopping cards, with an unknown amount of money inside. Of course, many of these shopping cards belong to Secretary Ding Yuan, which is also a helpless situation. A large part of the so-called gray income of leaders at all levels comes from gifts, cash, and shopping cards received during holidays and festivals. As for illnesses, hospitalizations, weddings, and funerals, not to mention the countless people who come to visit and give gifts, one thicker than the other. Of course, leaders can't have serious illnesses that threaten their political careers. If they do, only a few people will come to offer condolences and money. Most of the money given is from public funds of various units and departments, with very few individuals reaching into their own pockets. This phenomenon has long been taken for granted. If someone doesn't follow this unwritten rule, such as not allowing visitors when hospitalized or not telling their unit and others about family events, they will be viewed as an outcast, subject to criticism, exclusion, or isolation.

  It was in such an environment that Secretary Ding Yuan could not avoid such a situation. However, when everyone sent shopping cards, they would not directly find Secretary Ding Yuan, and such things could be handled by the secretary. So Xu Shaojie was heartbroken. Secretary Ding Yuan did not speak, and Xu Shaojie dared not refuse. Many heads of municipal units who came to report on their work brought shopping cards, saying that all employees in the unit had been issued them. The leaders worked hard, and they all took out two shopping cards and handed them over to Xu Shaojie. Many unit heads repeatedly explained that it was just a token of kindness, not much money, but they looked very nervous. Xu Shaojie couldn't help but cry and laugh.

  Secretary Ding Yuan is generally not concerned with family matters and has no concept of shopping, Xu Shaojie

  It's the same with the money in the shopping cards, mostly ranging from 500 to 1000 yuan. With many shopping cards accumulated, it's not a small amount either. Every time Xu Shaojie reports, Secretary Ding Yuan says that Xu Shaojie should take them and use them himself. Xu Shaojie often stares at the shopping cards in a daze, unable to think of what to buy with them, let alone hand them over. It's worth noting that all municipal leaders receive shopping cards, which everyone considers a kind of welfare. Xu Shaojie doesn't dare mention this to Zhang Shaocai, Yan Yuhuan, and Zhang Xiaoyu - it's a principle that must be kept confidential.

  Tang Wanrou finally arrived in Huaiyang City.

  Ding Yuan already knew that Xu Shaojie had talked about his girlfriend, and Ding Yuan had asked before, planning to introduce Xiao Xinglan to Xu Shaojie as a friend. Such an outstanding young man, who is also his own secretary, introducing friends is also a kind of skill. Xu Shaojie could only tell the truth, and after knowing the situation, Ding Yuan was happy for Xu Shaojie.

  Tang Wanrou took a bus to Huaiyang City, and after getting off the bus, she surprisingly saw Ding Yuan, the secretary of the municipal party committee. Tang Wanrou was so excited that her face turned bright red. The secretary of the municipal party committee came to greet her, what a concept! This shows that Xu Shaojie's work is very good and has won the appreciation of Secretary Ding. In front of Ding Yuan, Tang Wanrou looked very shy and respectful.

  At noon, Ding Yuan joined in. His attitude was very casual, and Tang Wanrou slowly became less tense. After lunch, Tang Wanrou was already holding onto Xu Shaojie's arm. Now it was Xu Shaojie's turn to feel uneasy. He had just been thinking of teasing Tang Wanrou, but he also knew how to fear his superior. Tang Wanrou openly holding onto Xu Shaojie's arm made him feel a bit guilty, and he secretly glanced at Secretary Ding Yuan. Ma Yaping was behind them, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh.

  "Alright, Shao Jie, this afternoon you'll be accompanying Tang Wan Rou around, she rarely comes here, so make sure to treat her well and don't slack off."

  "Uncle Ding, no way, Shaojie is very good to me."

  "Haha, Xiaorou, you guys haven't gotten married yet, and you're already so protective of Shaojie. Tsk tsk, it's not easy, I'm actually envious of you guys. When the time comes to drink at your wedding, I'll definitely drink till I'm drunk."

  Xu Shaojie and Tang Wanyu both blushed at the same time. Ma Yaping couldn't help but sneak a laugh from behind.

  Tang Wanru saw a large stack of shopping cards in Xu Shaojie's briefcase.

  "Wow, husband, you know I'm coming, so many shopping cards, how much stuff are you planning to buy?"

  "They were all sent by the company, I won't buy anything, so nothing has moved, they are all here."

  "Hehe, I have something to do this afternoon. I want to go shopping and buy some clothes, cosmetics, and shoes. Let me think about it, we can decide when we get to the mall. I'll buy you a few sets of clothes too. Oh right, let's call up sister-in-law and cousin, they're good at picking things out."

  Xu Shaojie felt a bit dizzy, the woman's shopping skills, he often heard his colleagues talk about, can drive men crazy, however, Tang Wanyu came to Huaiyang City, and he could only accompany her. Watching Tang Wanyu call Yan Yuhuan on her phone, Xu Shaojie knew that the afternoon would be very tiring.

  Tang Wanrou was very satisfied with Xu Shaojie's place, turning around here and there, looking around. Xu Shaojie was nervous behind her back, this house had never been visited by a woman, including Yan Yuhuan and Zhang Xiaoyu, none of them had come before. Women are extremely sensitive, if there is any clue, Tang Wanrou will definitely find it. After looking for a while, Tang Wanrou was very satisfied, she kissed Xu Shaojie's face several times, Yan Yuhuan and Zhang Xiaoyu were about to arrive, Xu Shaojie tried his best to restrain himself.

  The shopping cards were from the two largest malls and supermarkets in Huaiyang City, with a wide range of items inside. Tang Wanruo came, accompanied not only by Yan Yuhuan and Zhang Xiaoyu, but also by Zhang Shaocai. As a result, a scene often appeared: Tang Wanruo, Yan Yuhuan, and Zhang Xiaoyu chatted and laughed in the front, looking around here and there, while Xu Shaojie and Zhang Shaocai followed behind with their heads down, sometimes carrying bags in their hands. Fortunately, Zhang Shaocai drove a car, so whenever they bought something, he quickly put it into the trunk.

  Tang Wanrou's shopping ability left Xu Shaojie stunned. She bought four sets of cosmetics worth over a thousand yuan, saying one set was for herself and the others were for Yan Yuhuan, Zhang Xiaoyu, and Liu Xiaomei. Next, they went to buy clothes, and Xu Shaojie couldn't bear to look anymore. He had never thought of spending money like this before. However, during this shopping trip, everyone looked at Tang Wanrou with new eyes. When choosing clothes, Tang Wanrou first thought of Xu Shaojie's mother, Han Qing'e, then his other relatives. It wasn't until Xu Shaojie reminded her to consider Tang Wenjun and Xu Yunyun that Yan Yuhuan and Zhang Xiaoyu strongly supported her in making purchases at the mall.

  There were two largest shopping cards, each with 5,000 yuan inside. Xu Shaojie remembered very clearly that the two cards were sent by the Finance Bureau. Tang Wanrou did not expect it either, and handed over two cards to the cashier, who knew that one card was enough.

  Xu Shaojie didn't know how many things Tang Wanrou had bought, but he knew that Tang Wanrou, Yan Yuhuan and Zhang Xiaoyu were all very excited. He couldn't help but think that perhaps women are born to love shopping.

  In the afternoon, Zhang Shao Cai had already arranged for lunch at Huaiyang Hotel. Xu Shao Jie was originally unwilling to go, as he thought it was unnecessary to have both lunch and dinner at the hotel when there were cheaper and more delicious options outside. However, since Zhang Shao Cai had already made the arrangements, Xu Shao Jie had no choice but to go along with it.

  At dinner time, as it was a family gathering, the atmosphere was very harmonious. Zhang Xiaoyu's daughter had long been familiar with everything and was not restrained at all during dinner. Xu Shaojie and Zhang Shaocai did not drink wine. What struck Xu Shaojie as strange was that neither Zhang Shaocai nor Yan Yuhuan mentioned anything about Tang Wanrou's accommodation, and Xu Shaojie had originally intended to arrange for Tang Wanrou to stay in a hotel, but never had the chance to bring it up.

  After dinner, Xu Shaojie originally thought that everyone would go to the dance hall for some entertainment. However, he soon realized that this was a foolish suggestion. If Tang Wanru knew that she often went in and out of entertainment venues, even if it was just once or twice, she might have opinions about it, and who knows how she would scold him.

  The goods purchased are still in the trunk of the car, except for Yan Yuhuan and Zhang Xiaoyu's things, all the other things need to be taken back to the provincial city, Zhang Shaocai is preparing to send Tang Wan back to the provincial city.

  After returning home, Zhang Shaocai and others sat for a while before taking their leave, leaving only Xu Shaojie and Tang Wanrou. Xu Shaojie was in a dilemma, thinking that it would be better if Tang Wanrou stayed at home, but since they were not yet married, it wouldn't be proper. So he decided to send Tang Wanrou back to the hotel or find another place to sleep. However, as the night wore on, the two had already hugged and kissed, but Tang Wanrou still refused to mention leaving.