Zhang Chao cleared his throat. "On behalf of everyone, I wish our Matron happiness as boundless as the Eastern Sea and a life as long as the Southern Mountains!"
CLAP! CLAP!
Mao Fang clapped enthusiastically, and a few people at the table trying to curry favor with the couple followed suit. However, most of the guests paid them no mind. He's just a pipsqueak of an official, yet he loves putting on airs. It's exasperating.
Zhang Chao continued, "I've witnessed the care you've all shown our Matron over the years. And I'll say it again: I have so influence in this county. If any of you need my help, don't hesitate to ask!"
Everyone was rendered speechless. Is this guy for real? Help? He's said that plenty of tis over the years but hasn't lifted a finger to do a single thing.
"Zhang Chao, since you brought it up, I actually do have sothing I need your help with!" Zhang Xiaohua didn't mince her words. "The school in our village has been in disrepair for years. I've asked you for help getting the county to allocate funds for renovations no less than three tis. Have you helped?"
She was now the principal of the village's elentary school, so she naturally cared about such matters.
"Ah, it's not that I don't want to help you, it's just proven a bit difficult. But rest assured, I'll keep trying my best," Zhang Chao said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Xiaohua, if you need sothing, just co to . Renovating a school is a good cause. I'll pay for it!" Yang Qi interjected.
"So what if you have money?" Zhang Chao frowned. Yang Qi's words felt like a slap in the face. "That's a public school! Even donations must co from legitimate sources. And you... everyone knows your situation. You went bankrupt. But a person must have integrity. You have to have principles. We can't do unconscionable things just for money! Did you throw away all your sha just to make a coback? I have to call you out on this. Our public school doesn't want your dirty money!"
BANG!
Yang Qi finally snapped. He had been willing to ignore everything said before, but what was this?
He slamd his hand on the table and shot to his feet. "Zhang Chao, you and your wife have been relentlessly belittling , and I couldn't be bothered to stoop to your level. But what the hell is that supposed to an? How is my money illegitimate? How is it dirty? I kept my mouth shut, and you decided to walk all over , is that it? Believe it or not, I can have you dismissed with a single word. You're a petty, sesa-seed official, and you dare act so arrogantly in front of !"
"What do you an, Yang Qi? How dare you speak to my husband like that? He's a leader!" Mao Fang fud.
"A leader? In my eyes, he's just a piece of scum who can't stand to see others do well! And you're no different!" Yang Qi said coldly. "You were happy when I went bankrupt, weren't you? And now you're unhappy because I'm doing well again? Well, damn right I have money.
"And let
tell you, I don't just have money, I have connections. Zhao Xiong, the City Lord of Kang City, has to show
deference. Lei Qingtian, the Prefecture Master of Jingnan Prefecture, has to treat
with respect. Even the War God King calls
a friend. Who the hell do you think you are? I show you a little kindness, and you really think you can push
around?"
Yang Qi didn't like to argue, but that didn't an he would let people spout baseless nonsense.
"Yang Qi, I believe you! Don't be angry. It's not worth getting upset over people like that!" Zhang Xiaohua urged hastily.
Everyone felt that Mao Fang and Zhang Chao had gone too far. They really can't stand to see others succeed, can they? Although the others felt a pang of jealousy, they would never say sothing so nasty. No wonder Yang Qi was furious.
"That's right, Yang Qi, I believe you too!" the Matron chid in. "You've been a good boy since you were little. You would never do anything so improper."
Zhang Chao's face turned ugly, and Mao Fang's expression wasn't much better.
Just then, more people arrived. They weren't from the old orphanage, but several current minor officials.
"Team Leader Zhang, you really are here! We had quite a ti looking for you. We heard your forr Matron was celebrating her birthday, so we ca to pay our respects. Our best wishes on your birthday, ma'am!"
Seeing them, Zhang Chao's face lit up. These were his colleagues, and all of them were his subordinates. He had specifically texted them to co and sing his praises. So what if Yang Qi had money? He had connections!
"Ma'am, we wish you a long and prosperous life! We are all Team Leader Zhang's colleagues. It's just a small token of our esteem, please accept it! Don't think our gift is too modest!" The n were smooth talkers, clearly old hands at this.
"Oh my, you should have just co. Why bring gifts? Besides, I didn't tell you, so how did you know?" That Zhang Chao. He had obviously told them, but now he was pretending he hadn't. He was quite an actor.
"Hehe, how could we forget about sothing important to Team Leader Zhang!" the n chuckled sheepishly.
Zhang Chao shot a triumphant look at Yang Qi. Even if Yang Qi was rich again, in this small county, he was the man with status.
"Didn't you say you were going to get
fired? A little dirty money has really gone to your head!" Zhang Chao sneered.
Yang Qi snorted coldly and was about to reply when more people arrived outside. Several cars pulled up, and from their brands, they were clearly not ordinary.
"Honey, just how many officials did you invite? It's not good to trouble so many people with our affairs," Mao Fang said, her words a pretense of complaint that couldn't hide the smug look on her face.
"I really didn't invite these ones. Perhaps my reputation is just that good, and everyone is willing to do
a favor!" Zhang Chao sneered at Yang Qi. "Even with your coback, you'll still have to go through us to do business. You've provoked , so your business dealings are going to be difficult from now on! Hmph, I'm done talking to you. I have to go welco the leaders!"
However, after taking just two steps, Zhang Chao froze. Aside from the County Chief and a few others he recognized, he had never t the rest in person, only seen them on television.
The man in the lead… wasn't that Lei Qingtian, the Prefecture Master of Jingnan Prefecture? And the one next to him, wasn't that Zhao Xiong, the City Lord of Kang City? Why were they all here?
He was completely dumbfounded. He couldn't even manage to invite the County Chief, let alone these two heavyweights. The officials from the County Governnt had likely only rushed over after hearing that Lei Qingtian and Zhao Xiong were here.
"Husband, give us a proper introduction! Who are all these important people!" Mao Fang was still showing off proudly.
"Shut up!" Zhang Chao, terrified, imdiately slapped a hand over her mouth.
Mao Fang froze in bewildernt.
By then, the group had arrived.
"Ah, Mr. Yang! Your Matron is celebrating her birthday, why didn't you let us know? I only heard from Director Ye and rushed over imdiately!" Lei Qingtian walked up, shook Yang Qi's hand, and spoke with sincere apology in his voice.
"Indeed, Mr. Yang, that wasn't very kind of you," Zhao Xiong added. "The Matron nurtured such an outstanding talent like you for our Kang City. It's only right that we co to express our gratitude!"
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