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Chapter 372: 144 Chen Ju Gao Guangliang Field_1
Chapter 372: 144 Chen Ju Gao Guangliang Field_1
Chapter 372: 144 Chen Ju Gao Guangliang Field_1
“Your visit amidst your busy schedule brightens our wedding banquet for Mu Lan and me. District Chief Shen, please come in,” Xu En, who had weathered many events, regained his composure in just a second.
He stepped aside and personally escorted Shen Min inside.
“I’ve always wanted to come and see, and today I finally found the opportunity, also to have a drink with the old man,” Shen Min was also discreetly sizing up Xu En as he spoke.
Xu En was a major taxpayer in Mingfeng District and knew how to handle situations. Shen Min recognized him naturally; a few months back, during the municipal bidding, he had let slip that Mr. Chen would be visiting Xiangcheng.
At the time, several individual entrepreneurs from Mingfeng District were present.
Later, Shen Min didn’t follow up, as he was busy with governmental affairs, and the affairs of Xiangcheng didn’t concern him. It was not until Xu En returned to Jiangjing and had someone send a generous gift to him that he knew Xu En had been to Xiangcheng.
However, Shen Min just laughed it off and didn’t inquire further. Today he saw—
This Xu En was truly a talent; a trip to Xiangcheng, and he could win over Mr. Chen.
Thinking this, the smile on his face grew even warmer as he struck up a brotherly conversation with Xu En, “During the public holiday, calling me district chief is too formal. I’m a few years older than you, so you can take advantage by calling me ‘big brother’ if you like.”
As the two exchanged words, Xu En understood why District Chief Shen had come here; the word “drink” made his heart tighten—it was…
The appearance of Shen Min at this event was top-priority news for the Xu Family, and someone immediately reported it to Old Madam Xu.
In the banquet hall, Old Madam Xu sat at the main table with her eyes closed, her fingers moving over her rosewood Buddha Beads bead by bead. The butler, looking tense, bent down and whispered in her ear.
“District Chief Shen has arrived?” Old Madam Xu’s eyes snapped open, and the movement of her Buddha Beads halted.
By her side, Uncle Xu, upon hearing the name, had yet to react. “District Chief Shen? Which District Chief Shen?”
Madam Xu extended her right hand, and the butler quickly placed her walking stick in her grip. Supporting herself with the cane, she stood up and walked out to greet the guest, saying, “It’s Shen Min, District Chief Shen.”
She was also quite shocked; since Shen Min took office, he had had little to do with the Xu Family. Although the Xu Family had sent gifts a few times, out of ten attempts, only one was accepted.
The rest were all returned. What stroke of fortune today had brought Shen Min here?
She maintained her dignified demeanor but moved briskly, clearly in a very good mood.
Halfway there.
She saw Xu En leading Shen Min in.
Madam Xu was wearing a black wool coat that day, with no buttons, and had a trim of fox fur sewn by hand all around, from collar to hem. Her eyes were deeply sunken, and they shone with a cold glint.
District Chief Shen’s face appeared on the local news from time to time. Those who didn’t pay attention to such things might not recognize him, but nearly every upper-level member of the Xu Family had reviewed some lists to prevent offending anyone.
“District Chief Shen,” upon seeing him, both Madam Xu and Uncle Xu were taken aback, yet their manners were impeccable, “An honored guest’s arrival is indeed an honor.”
Shen Min, not knowing Madam Xu, gave her a polite nod.
Without much conversation.
Xu En led Shen Min to take a seat, “Let’s sit inside for a while first.”
Madam Xu took the opportunity to fall one step behind and looked towards Xu Shujie who had followed. She brought her hands together, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest, “Your brother managed to invite Shen Min over?”
She naturally did not think it had anything to do with the Ji Family.
Xu Shujie felt a momentary blank in her mind, finally catching on. She looked at Madam Xu with some hesitation, “It’s not brother. District Chief Shen, he seems to be… a guest of the Ji Family.”
The old lady thought she had misheard and tapped her walking stick, “What, what?”
A guest of the Ji Family?
How could the Ji Family know Shen Min?
At that moment, the focus wasn’t on that. The butler, supporting Madam Xu’s other arm, looked alarmed, “Old Madam, the seating!!”
“Quick, follow them…” Madam Xu’s gaze lifted to see Xu En leading Shen Min to the first table, and she hurried forward.
Xu Shujie also followed, frowning. Seating, what about the seating?
**
The banquet hall of Yunxiao Hotel spanned three middle floors, 36 to 38, with all three levels open and a dedicated banquet elevator leading up.
A white crystal aisle for the ceremony stretched down the center.
About 50 meters long, with 16 tables on either side, the second and third floors almost mirrored this setup.
On the left side, close to the aisle, there were eight tables. Xu En led Shen Min forward, coming to the two front tables. The seating had been arranged by the Xu side and also been reviewed by Xu En.
The main table was being occupied by Ji Heng and a few others from Old Madam Xu’s group.
He had intentionally placed Bai Lian and Ji Shaojun at the adjacent second table.
Now, approaching, he found both the main and next table occupied, turned into a table for the groom’s party and a table for the bride’s party?