Chapter 1060: Chapter 1016: No Banquet Ends Well Chapter 1060: Chapter 1016: No Banquet Ends Well “`
Unwarranted kindness from soone usually ans they’re up to no good or they’re a thief.
Nie Zhenbang couldn’t fathom any connections between himself and Yan Cangsheng. Without rhy or reason, Yan’s invitation to dinner was odd in itself. It had only been less than three hours since the whispers about real estate regulation and curbing housing prices had started from his end. Now, this was happening, and Nie Zhenbang could only muster a wry smile. It seed he had underestimated the degree of resistance.
Clearly, Yan Cangsheng intended to play the lobbyist, but for whom Nie Zhenbang wasn’t sure, nor did he want to be. It was better to remain sowhat in the dark. Understanding things clearly would only cause him to walk on eggshells.
However, Nie Zhenbang had to handle the current situation with caution. No matter what, Yan Cangsheng was still an old comrade in Hongjiang Province and held considerable prestige in Hongjiang. Last year at the 21st National Congress, the old gentleman was a party delegate. He even attended this year’s two sessions as a delegate of the Hongjiang Provincial People’s Congress.
What did this signify? It ant that although Yan had retired almost a decade ago, he was still a respected and influential figure in Hongjiang. Rejecting Yan Cangsheng’s invitation was out of the question. Otherwise, it could easily be misinterpreted as a lack of respect for an old comrade.
Taking this into consideration, Nie Zhenbang replied with a smile, “Old Yan, that’s very kind of you. I don’t deserve such a gesture. Rest assured, I will be there on ti tonight.”
In the afternoon, nearing the end of the workday, Nie Zhenbang made a phone call to Dong Wan. He wouldn’t be ho for dinner tonight.
Dong Wan and Li Lixue never imposed any pressure on Nie Zhenbang. With their three children studying in Hongjiang and living together as a family, Dong Wan and Li Lixue both felt very happy and content.
As Nie Zhenbang walked out of the provincial committee building, he headed straight for the bike shed. Along the way, many staff mbers stopped to greet Secretary Nie.
The distance from the provincial committee to the veteran cadre bureau wasn’t far—a ten-minute walk at most. Riding a bike during the peak of rush hour was much faster than driving. In just five minutes, Nie Zhenbang arrived at Yan Cangsheng’s doorstep.
Yan Cangsheng’s house was a two-story villa, newly built by the veteran cadre bureau in a European style. It was approved and constructed during Liu Yong’s tenure, mainly for retired deputy provincial-level officials of the provincial committee and governnt. In total, fifty units were built—an impressive project.
The scenery here was quite pleasant. Lying against Hongjiang Park with a man-made lake, the air was fresh, leisure facilities nurous, offering a tranquil respite in the midst of the bustle—an exceptional place for retirees.
When Nie Zhenbang arrived, Yan Cangsheng was already waiting at the door. Beside him stood a woman in her forties, looking efficient and dressed in lavish attire, which caught Nie Zhenbang off guard. According to information he received, Yan Cangsheng’s wife had passed away several years earlier. Could this person be…?
Seeing Nie Zhenbang, Yan Cangsheng greeted him with a smile, “Secretary Nie, welco, welco. This old man is truly anxious; I hope I haven’t disrupted your work.”
Nie Zhenbang answered with a light smile and a wave of his hand, “Old Yan, you’re being too serious. Work and rest should be balanced. There’s nothing disruptive about it at this ti of day. Such words from you an we’re strangers. You’re an elder and a leader from Hongjiang; I should have visited you long ago. Old Yan, may I inquire who this is?”
Nie Zhenbang feigned ignorance, probing with his question.
Yan Cangsheng replied with a smile, “Secretary Nie, let introduce you. This is my daughter, Yan Aimin.”
Yan Aimin? Hearing her na, Nie Zhenbang felt a tinge of familiarity. Looking at Yan Aimin, he knew, the Chairwoman of the Red River Group and a delegate of the Hongjiang Provincial People’s Congress, the acclaid March 8th Red Banner Bearer and prominent businesswoman of Hongjiang Province—wasn’t this her?
To outsiders, Yan Aimin was an untouchable boss, dazzling with achievents, but in Nie Zhenbang’s presence, she didn’t count for much.
Understanding this, Yan Aimin didn’t wait for Nie Zhenbang to speak but stepped forward and extended her hand, smiling, “Secretary Nie, hello, I’m Yan Aimin from the Riverdale Group.”
Indeed, that was the case. Hearing Yan Aimin’s self-introduction, Nie Zhenbang suddenly realized, and he also understood Yan Cangsheng’s intention. Although the Riverdale Group was a diversified business conglorate, its core business was still real estate developnt.
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Patting his head, Nie Zhenbang feigned a sudden realization and said with a chuckle, “Old Yan, you’ve kept a tight lid on this secret. Had we not t here, I wouldn’t have known that Chairman Yan is your daughter. Truly, like father, like daughter. Riverdale Group, now there’s a shining star in our Hongjiang, a pillar enterprise, a major taxpayer.”
Yan Cangsheng laughed heartily. It’s human nature to feel happy when soone praises one’s children, and Yan Cangsheng was no saint—he wasn’t to the point where he could remain unaffected by joy or sorrow. At this mont, he was naturally very pleased.
Nevertheless, he replied modestly, “Hehe, we still have to thank the Provincial Party Committee for their concern and support, and the leaders for their attention and help. Secretary Nie, please, co inside.”
Stepping into the villa and beyond the vestibule was a tall living room. The dining room was about one and a half ters higher than the living room, connected by an exquisitely crafted wooden staircase. The dining table was already laid with a full spread of dishes.
After having Nie Zhenbang seated, Yan Cangsheng took out a bottle of Moutai from the liquor cabinet nearby. Nie Zhenbang was very familiar with this liquor and had enjoyed it often—a special supply, aged thirty years.
Seeing such a setup, Nie Zhenbang was well aware that this al wouldn’t be so easily enjoyed. He stood up, presented his gift, and placed it on the table with a smile, “Old Yan, this is my first visit, and I wasn’t sure what to bring, so I also brought a bottle of liquor. Consider it a small token of my regard.”
Yan Aimin naturally took the bag and glanced at it casually, but his expression suddenly changed as he said with a laugh, “Dad, I think we should drink the good liquor Secretary Nie has brought.”
Yan Cangsheng paused for a mont and then ca forward with a smile, “Oh? Secretary Nie’s fine liquor? That’s worth a taste.”
The bottle taken out was also Moutai, also a special supply, also aged thirty years. Nie Zhenbang could afford such a gesture. It wasn’t that he wanted to show off anything to Yan Cangsheng. His purpose was simple: to subtly inform Yan Cangsheng that his own background was not simple.
His status was well known amongst a good number of ministerial-level officials in the country, but not necessarily to older comrades like Yan Cangsheng. Many of these people would step back from affairs after retiring and only show up when there was a need to flaunt their status.
His gesture was a reminder to Yan Cangsheng that the prized liquor he cherished ant little to him.
…
After inviting Nie Zhenbang to start the al and having a round of toasts for reunion, Yan Cangsheng put down his chopsticks and said with a chuckle, “Secretary Nie, I hope you won’t laugh at . An old man like has spent most of his life on work, and one thing led to another, I ended up wasting my youth. I married and had children late in life. I had this daughter when I was about thirty-three. I’m exactly seventy-three this year, and Aimin is exactly forty. My entire life’s treasure is this one beloved daughter.”
As he spoke, Yan Cangsheng turned the conversation, looking at Nie Zhenbang, “Secretary Nie, I’ve heard that the province has already begun planning housing price control?”
Before Nie Zhenbang could speak, Yan Cangsheng continued with a smile, “Hehe, an old man like from a different era, I don’t understand these matters. Back in our day, houses were allocated, there weren’t so many troubles. As for this regulation, I don’t understand it. But back then, we felt that the more houses that were built, the better. Why is it that now there’s a need to regulate?”
As these words were spoken, Nie Zhenbang’s face imdiately darkened. Yan Cangsheng seed to be playing the old man’s card at this mont.
If it was just about the Riverdale Group, asking for so accommodation wouldn’t be a big deal. Property was to be regulated, but Nie Zhenbang also lacked a helping hand right now, accommodating Riverdale Group as this aid was feasible. However, Yan Cangsheng’s words were an outright dismissal of the property regulation policy, which was rather excessive.
Yan Aimin, who had been closely observing Nie Zhenbang, understood the provincial party secretary of his age pretty well. When his father spoke, Yan Aimin knew things were about to go badly. The old man’s thods might work with other provincial officials, but not with Nie Zhenbang.
Imdiately, Yan Aimin chided, “Dad, what are you talking about? Housing price control is a directive from higher up, a central policy. The provinces naturally have to implent it. Your way is outdated. The reason for control now is that more and more houses are being built, yet fewer and fewer ordinary people can afford them. Hence, the central governnt is considering various aspects, and that’s why there’s a need to control both housing prices and the real estate market.”
Yan Cangsheng, who was he? Bluntly put, the saying ‘old but not dead is a crafty one’ fit him; he understood the implication of his daughter’s words and suddenly acted as if realizing, “Ah, that’s how it is? Seems I’ve gotten a bit muddled. Secretary Nie, please don’t mind . I was talking nonsense.”
No sooner had these words finished than Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Old Yan, there’s so truth to your words. If you think it through carefully, it’s not nonsense at all.” (
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