At nearly six o'clock, Zhou Mingfang came out of the tearoom, and Zhang Zonglin, director of the Department of Economic Construction of the Ministry of Finance, whom Dong Chuanying said, also appeared, and the two smiled and greeted each other at the door of the teahouse.

"Brother Ming Fang, I really envy you, you can go to Old Man Zhang's 80th birthday, you can go and touch Old Man Zhang's extravagance, I don't have a chance to go if I want to."

"Brother Zonglin, you can come with me."

"No, no, I'm still not going to join in the fun, not qualified enough, not qualified enough." Zhang Zonglin shook his head with a smile, very emotional, Zhou Mingfang just said politely, how could he dare to agree casually, the Zhang family is not an ordinary family, Mr. Zhang used to be one of the core leaders, and now Mr. Zhang is eighty-five years old, what kind of characters are invited, he is not qualified to receive the invitation of the Zhang family, Zhou Mingfang is fortunate to be appreciated by Mr. Zhang, and he knows Zhang Guohua, the third elder of the Zhang family, so that he can participate in Mr. Zhang's 80th birthday, Zhang Zonglin is envious in his heart, He didn't dare to take the liberty to follow, he was in the ministry, maybe he could be regarded as a character, in this huge city of Beijing, he was really nothing, the Zhang family has a deep heritage, he can only look up to now.

The two smiled and said a few words, Zhang Zonglin shook hands with Zhou Mingfang and said goodbye, and then got into the car and left.

Turning around and following Zhou Mingfang into the car, listening to the address where Zhou Mingfang told Dong Chuanying to drive there, Chen Xing was not sure whether Dong Chuanying's guess was correct, after all, he didn't know where the old man of the Zhang family lived.

The car drove for more than ten minutes, and then drove into an alley, both sides of the alley are some antique courtyards, in the first half of the alley, Chen Xing can still see a lot of cars passing by, the deeper the alley, the fewer people are, there is a guard box in front, the car was stopped here, Chen Xing has seen a lot of cars parked in this section, take a closer look at those license plates, Chen Xing's heart is really frightened.

"Chuanying, you drive the car outside and wait for me, Chen Xing, you come in with me." Zhou Mingfang got out of the car and instructed Dong Chuanying in the driver's seat.

Taking advantage of Zhou Mingfang's gaze in front of him, Dong Chuanying winked at Chen Xing, with indescribable envy on his face.

Zhou Mingfang was stopped outside by the guards, but he was not in a hurry at all, he reported his name with a smile, Zhou Mingfang waited patiently for the guard at the door to report, and he didn't show any anger, and then a staff member walked out of it and walked in the direction of Zhou Mingfang and Chen Xing, "You are Secretary Zhou, Governor Zhang asked me to pick you up." ”

Zhou Mingfang smiled and nodded, and walked in behind the staff, the guard saw that Chen Xing was also going in, and seemed to be about to stop someone, the staff member who came out of it whispered something, and the guard stared at the front again.

Chen Xing was secretly speechless in his heart, this way, it was really five steps, one post, ten steps and one sentry, the expressions of the guards were cold and abnormal, staring intently around, Chen Xing once again saw the demeanor of the guards around the leaders of these countries.

What Chen Xing didn't know was that there would be a lot of retired former leaders coming tonight, and even some current dignitaries would come to celebrate his birthday, and this small courtyard house was completely arranged according to the specifications of the current first-class guards.

Zhou Mingfang arrived, no one from the Zhang family came to greet him in person, only one staff member came out, not because the Zhang family was entrusted to him, but he was really inseparable, like Zhou Mingfang, a deputy ministerial-level leader from the local government, was really insignificant among the people who came to congratulate him on his birthday tonight, if it wasn't for the old man Zhang who personally named him this time, even if it was Zhang Guohua, he would not invite Zhou Mingfang to come over without authorization.

"Secretary Zhou, you are resting here now, Governor Zhang can't leave now, he will come over in person later, please forgive me." The staff introduced Zhou Mingfang into a side hall next to him and said apologetically.

"It's okay, you tell Comrade Guohua and let him get busy first, don't worry about me." Zhou Mingfang smiled and nodded.

The staff turned around and walked out, and Zhou Mingfang turned his head to Chen Xing and smiled, "Chen Xing, you also sit." ”

Chen Xing sat down on a chair next to Zhou Mingfang, in order not to look like he was sitting side by side with Zhou Mingfang, Chen Xing specially moved the chair back half a step, although it looked a little abrupt, but it made Chen Xing feel at ease sitting down.

Zhou Mingfang saw Chen Xing's actions, smiled, and didn't say anything.

There were also staff members in the side hall who received the guests who came in, and Chen Xingneng saw that Zhou Mingfang was also sitting a little precariously.

Chen Xing secretly looked at the people who were invited in by the staff, he didn't know any of them, Rao was so, and he didn't dare to despise it at all, looking at the status of Old Man Zhang, Chen Xing knew that it was not easy for anyone to come tonight, a local official like Zhou Mingfang was already extremely prominent in the place, and when he came here, he could only live in the side hall, and the specifications of the guests who came tonight can be seen, and these people in front of him were also invited into the side hall, if they were all people in the system, I am afraid that at least they are the same as Zhou Mingfang, Not to mention that they are all deputy ministerial-level cadres, from Zhou Mingfang's solemn expression at the moment, Chen Xing guessed in his heart.

Among the people who came, there were not only people like Zhou Mingfang who were dressed in formal clothes, but also military people in military uniforms, although they had not seen the kind of person who carried two stars and three stars on his shoulders appeared, Chen Xing estimated that it was not that there was no such character, but that the character of that level should be in another hall, received by the main figure of the Zhang family.

But just looking at the few major generals who appeared in this side hall, the bright general star on his shoulders also made Chen Xing a little dizzy, these people may not be worth mentioning here, but when they go outside, they are all party characters.

The door of the side hall opened from the inside, and a delicate figure appeared, Zhang Ningning's light body appeared at the door, and the people here basically recognized Zhang Ningning, the most precious granddaughter of the old man of the Zhang family, and they were not too surprised, and they all smiled kindly.

Chen Xing and Zhou Mingfang happened to be sitting with their backs to the inner door, and they didn't see Zhang Ningning coming to this side hall, until they felt a pair of gentle hands on their shoulders, and Chen Xing turned his head in shock.

"Is that you?" Chen Xing looked at each other in surprise.

"Ah, Ning Ning is here." Zhou Mingfang also turned his head when he heard the voice, and when he saw Zhang Ningning, a smile suddenly appeared on his face, "Everyone is busy tonight, isn't it you the most leisurely." ”

"No, my grandfather is also very idle, he drinks tea in the backyard, and he doesn't have to work." Zhang Ningning smiled and blinked, his eyes as beautiful as a crescent moon were unusually bright.

Zhou Mingfang was amused by Zhang Ningning's words, Old Man Zhang is famous for his strict governance of the family, and Zhang Ningning dares to say this among the people of the Zhang family, and when the other children of the Zhang family see Old Man Zhang, they are all like mice seeing cats, and they are both respectful and afraid of Old Man Zhang, but Zhang Ningning dares to disobey Old Man Zhang's will.

"My dad is busy in the main hall, I'll come over later." Zhang Ningning then smiled and said, it's not that she doesn't understand the world, it's just that her identity and status make her not have to think too much.

"Chen Xing, it's so boring here, I'll take you for a walk elsewhere, it's not interesting to stay in this one place." Zhang Ningning suddenly turned his head and smiled at Chen Xing.

Chen Xing hesitated a little and looked at Zhou Mingfang.

"Chen Xing, it's okay for you to go for a walk with Ning Ning." Zhou Mingfang smiled and nodded, "But pay attention to the rules." ”

Chen Xing followed Zhang Ningning out of the side hall from the inner door, the outside was an open-air courtyard, and there was a house inside, Chen Xing sighed, he originally thought that the courtyard rented by the Haicheng Beijing Office was big, and when he looked at it here tonight, he knew that it could not be compared at all.

In the courtyard, there are a lot of people coming in and out, all of them are busy staff, and there is a man in a suit wearing a call headset in the corner of each side looking around vigilantly, Chen Xing is already familiar with these people now, they are all the same characters as the guards he saw last time next to Mr. Zhang.

"There are people everywhere tonight, and there really isn't a quiet place." Zhang Ningning pursed her lips slightly, a little disliked such a noisy atmosphere.

"Tonight is Boss Zhang's birthday, and there are naturally many people who come to celebrate his birthday." Chen Xing said with a smile.

"My grandfather didn't really like so many people coming." Zhang Ningning shook his head with a smile, "But some people want to come, and he can't help it, he can't stop people from coming to celebrate his birthday, and others are also kind." ”

Chen Xing nodded, a character like Mr. Zhang, there must be a lot of protégés, these people are coming, Mr. Zhang is bound to not be able to pull his face to refuse, even if he has retired, Mr. Zhang is still a leader, there are some things, he can't just do it by his own temperament.

"Ning Ning, you're here." Outside the door, an old man in his fifties walked in, and when he saw Zhang Ningning, a smile instantly bloomed on his face, and he beckoned to Zhang Ningning cordially.

"Auntie, why are you here now?" Zhang Ningning turned his head when he heard the voice, and then ran over happily.

Chen Xing's eyes also followed and looked at the door, and his heart was shocked!

The three golden stars pierced Chen Xing's heartstrings, which was a shock from the heart! It was the first time that Chen Xing had close contact with such a high-level general, and what shocked him the most was the one in front of him, Xiao Dingping.

can often see each other on the TV news, and Chen Xing recognized it at a glance.

"Auntie, you're here too." Zhang Ningning affectionately held the old man's arm, then turned his head and smiled and greeted Xiao Dingping next to him.

"Ning Ning, I haven't been to my uncle's house to play for a while, have you forgotten about my uncle?" Xiao Dingping's originally stern face showed a kind smile.

"It's not, I've been there, but I haven't seen your aunt, you are too busy to get out, and you said that I didn't go, this is the wicked person suing first, auntie, do you say yes." Zhang Ningning smiled and didn't follow the way, making the two old men laugh.

"Alright, alright, let's go in, otherwise your grandfather will think we are deliberately late." The aunt in Zhang Ningning's mouth said with a smile.

"You guys go in first, I'll accompany my friends."

"Oh, what friend makes us Zhang Ningning so worried." Zhang Ningning's aunt didn't see Chen Xing just now, but she didn't deliberately pay attention to it, until Zhang Ningning said it at this moment, and then she glanced in the direction of Chen Xing again.

"Chen Xing, come, let me introduce you to my aunt and aunt."

Chen Xing didn't dare to slack off, his heartstrings tightened, Xiao Dingping turned out to be in-laws with the Zhang family, the aunt in Zhang Ningning's mouth should be the eldest daughter of the old man Zhang, in the past, I always heard that the big families often marry each other and form a more intimate relationship, Chen Xing saw it with his own eyes today.

"This is Chen Xing, a friend I met in Haicheng." Zhang Ningning introduced the two old men.

Zhang Ningning's aunt looked at Chen Xing with a smile, Xiao Dingping on the side stared at Chen Xing for a while, and then moved his gaze away, Chen Xing only felt that the other party's eyes only stayed on him for a while, as if he wanted to see himself through.

"Ning Ning, then you can accompany your friend for a walk first, and remember to come to the back hall later." Zhang Ningning's aunt smiled and patted Zhang Ningning's hand, and walked to the back with her husband Xiao Dingping.

Looking at Xiao Dingping's back, until the other party had disappeared behind the door, Chen Xing's thoughts still couldn't calm down for a long time!

"What are you thinking?" Zhang Ningning stared at Chen Xing with a smile.

"Didn't think about anything."

"My eldest aunt is usually like this, it seems to give people a very strict feeling, but in fact, others are very good." Zhang Ningning said with a smile, recalling some childhood memories.

Chen Xing smiled and nodded, in Zhang Ningning's eyes, Xiao Dingping is a kind aunt and a kind elder, but this is only for Zhang Ningning, in the eyes of others, Xiao Dingping is a general who is feared by himself!

The banquet began at half past six, Chen Xing and Zhang Ningning shook around the entire courtyard, Zhang Ningning wanted to go back to the back hall, and Chen Xing returned to the side hall in the front yard.

Zhou Mingfang was talking to a middle-aged man with a smile on his face at this time, Chen Xing didn't recognize who the other party was, and stood silently behind Zhou Mingfang, looking at the side hall again, Chen Xing would see that Zhang Ningning's father Zhang Guohua had now arrived in the side hall, talking with some people, and there was a person who looked a little similar to Zhang Guohua, but was a little older than Zhang Guohua, and greeted the people in the hall with a smile one by one.

There were nearly 20 people in the side hall, and there were exactly two tables, and Zhang Guohua stayed here to entertain the guests.

"Comrade Xiao Chen, you are also on the table." Zhang Guohua walked over and patted Chen Xing's shoulder cordially, since the last time Chen Xing was hospitalized, Zhang Guohua's attitude towards Chen Xing has changed a lot.

"Chen Xing, you sit next to me." As soon as Zhang Guohua's voice fell, Zhou Mingfang had already answered in time, if Zhang Guohua had not spoken, Zhou Mingfang would not have dared to let Chen Xing sit on the table without authorization.

"Comrade Xiao Chen, don't be polite to excuse yourself, I don't like that." Zhang Guohua glanced at Chen Xing with a smile, and had already turned around to greet the others.

What Chen Xing originally wanted to say was also blocked back by Zhang Guohua's words, people must be self-aware, and appropriate modesty is necessary, but if this will be resigned, it will be ignorant of elevation.

Sitting next to Zhou Mingfang with a calm face, Chen Xing was actually very worried in his heart, the people here, to say the least, were all deputy ministerial-level cadres like Zhou Mingfang, but he was the only small cadre at the section level, and he was sitting at the same table with these people.

Chen Xing walked around with Zhang Ningning just now, and saw that many people in this hall brought staff over, but the staff around them were all left in the car outside, and only they walked in, and he was the only one who followed the people to the table, among the nearly twenty people, the young man in his twenties was also the only one, looking at the others, at least they were all about fifty years old like Zhou Mingfang, and some of them were even past this age.

Chen Xing, a person who is relatively out of tune with the whole atmosphere, has also attracted a lot of people's attention.

"Governor Zhang, after the banquet, Elder Zhang said that he wanted to meet a comrade named Chen Xing." A staff member walked out of it and walked to Zhang Guohua, who was arranging a seat, and said in his ear.

"Okay, I got it." Zhang Guohua nodded and glanced in the direction of Chen Xing.

Nearly twenty people, sitting at two tables, in this spacious side hall is not crowded at all, Zhang Guohua stayed in this side hall, Chen Xing saw the man who was slightly older than Zhang Guohua, but looked quite similar to Zhang Guohua, after swaying around in the side hall, he left the door of the side hall and disappeared into the side hall.

Sitting stiffly, Chen Xing actually ate quite a lot, the people at the table were all extraordinary, Chen Xing thought that his identity was ordinary, and he didn't dare to interject, which dish was served, Chen Xing only took a small bite of it, and didn't move the chopsticks again, for fear that others would laugh at it, because he found that the rest of the people basically didn't move the chopsticks.

Chen Xing This is the first time to participate in such a high-level birthday banquet, I don't know that these people are all coming over after eating, the people of the Zhang family set up a banquet, which is a polite expression, but these people who come here are not here at all to eat this meal, the people who can really come here, in addition to being a display of their own identity, can also communicate with other people of the same level on such an occasion, expand the circle of people, Chen Xing stupidly came hungry, and ate a meal, but the more he ate, the more hungry he became.

"Secretary Zhou didn't eat either, seeing that he had been participating in the communication at the table, I was afraid that he would be hungry." Chen Xing secretly glanced at Zhou Mingfang, he was with Zhou Mingfang in the afternoon, but he remembered that Zhou Mingfang didn't eat.

The two tables of people, twenty or so people, everyone is communicating with each other, but the sound in the side hall is not loud, no one speaks loudly, and no one laughs as if no one is around, even if they are chatting and talking, it seems that everyone is like a humble gentleman, deliberately holding his throat, for fear that if he accidentally makes a loud voice, it will disturb anyone.

Chen Xing didn't know that there were only four tables in the courtyard of the entire Zhang family, and there were only two tables in the main hall at the back, but there were only five people at each table, and there were not just five people in each table. It is a matter of course to sit inside, but it can also be seen that Old Man Zhang's face is big.

"Comrade Xiao Chen, you stay first." After the banquet, when Zhang Guohua sent the others away, he got up and stopped Chen Xing first, then turned his head to Zhou Mingfang and smiled, "Brother Mingfang, don't be in a hurry to leave." ”

After sending the guests away one by one, Zhang Guohua walked back to the side hall, "Let's sit and have a cup of tea first, and then go to the back later." ”

Zhang Guohua turned his head and smiled at the two, and had already smiled and beckoned Zhou Mingfang to sit down.

Chen Xing didn't know that it was Old Man Zhang who wanted to see him, but he only saw the guests in the side hall leaving just now, and it seemed that all the guests in the main hall had not left except for one or two people who came out.

Chen Xing sat on the side and only listened to Zhang Guohua say, "This tea, after drinking bitter first and then sweet, is the only way to be bitter and sweet." ”

"That's the case, but you also have to pay attention to the method, if you swallow it in one gulp, then you won't be able to taste the three flavors of tea, Brother Guohua, don't you say?" Zhou Mingfang smiled and nodded his head.

"Yes, good tea, you should taste it carefully, but if you want to drink a sip of good tea, just the tea is good, it is not enough, it must be matched with good tea art, and even water, tea utensils, which can really make a pot of fine tea." Zhang Guohua glanced at Zhou Mingfang intentionally or unintentionally, and said with a smile.

Zhang Guohua's words obviously made Zhou Mingfang pause, and he glanced at Zhang Guohua thoughtfully, but he didn't answer for a while.

Chen Xing looked at Zhang Guohua and Zhou Mingfang's expressions and voices on the side, and his heart moved slightly, the two of them had something to say, hiding a sharp edge, and when they were contacted, they both worked in Jianghai Province, Chen Xing guessed that it must be related to the affairs of Jianghai Province, but he couldn't figure out what the two were talking about for a while.

Zhang Guohua and Zhou Mingfang talked until people went out one after another in the inner hall, and a staff member came out of it and whispered something to Zhang Guohua, Zhang Guohua stood up with a smile, "Let's go, let's go to the back." ”

Chen Xing and Zhou Mingfang followed Zhang Guohua and walked inside, Chen Xing's heart was surging, this was to see Old Man Zhang, even Zhou Mingfang, who was walking in front, Chen Xing could see that the other party's love had some ups and downs.

In the main hall behind, Chen Xing finally saw Mr. Zhang again, there was more than one old man Zhang present, Chen Xing and Zhang Ningning saw Xiao Dingping at the front door at the beginning, that is, Zhang Ningning's eldest aunt, also present, Mr. Zhang sat in the middle of the main seat, Xiao Dingping sat on the right side of the head, and there was a man who was older than Zhang Guohua and looked quite similar to Zhang Guohua that Chen Xing just saw in the side hall sat opposite Xiao Dingping, Chen Xing didn't know that it was Zhang Guohua's brother Zhang Guozhong, Zhang Guohua was prosperous in his career, but Zhang Guozhong did not devote himself to his career.

"Brother Ming Fang, Comrade Xiao Chen, you all sit down." Zhang Guohua turned his head and greeted Zhou Mingfang and Chen Xing, and the person had already walked to Zhang Guozhong and sat down.

"Director Wang and Director Xiang are also gone?" Zhang Guohua asked.

"They only came to show their hearts on behalf of those two, and they naturally left after the task was completed." Zhang Guohua said.

"Comrade Xiao Chen, let's meet again." Old Man Zhang's eyes fell on Chen Xing, and a slight smile appeared on his face. With Old Man Zhang's gaze, Zhang Guozhong, who was at the head of the next, also looked at Chen Xing with interest.

"Hello Mr. Zhang, I didn't expect to see you again." Chen Xing stood up stiffly and responded.

"You sit, you sit." Old Man Zhang smiled and waved his hand, "You have helped our family Zhang Ningning twice in a row, and the second time you were injured, I haven't thanked you yet, when you get to our house, don't be so angry." ”

"Elder Zhang, you're polite, that's what I should do, a man and a woman are together, so naturally they should take on the responsibility of a man, and if they are replaced by another person, they will come forward in that situation."

"The little comrade is very honest and sincere, not bad." Old Man Zhang nodded with satisfaction and glanced at Chen Xing, "Little comrade, do you remember the sentence I gave you when we first met?" ”

"Remember, I dare not forget your teachings, Mr. Zhang." Chen Xing still stood humbly, "Mr. Zhang, you said at the time, 'Only with a righteous body can you have a successful career'." ”

"Well, I said that, it's rare that you can still remember it." The smile on Old Man Zhang's face was a little more, "Little comrade, the word 'righteousness' is not just a literal meaning. Old Man Zhang glanced at Chen Xing as he spoke, and didn't seem to want to say more.

After a while, Old Man Zhang said seemingly casually, "If you have been honing in officialdom for a few more years, you will be able to deeply understand it in the future, you are still young, and the road ahead is still long, little comrade, work hard, old man, I have a lifetime, but I also hope to see you have a good future." ”

As soon as Old Man Zhang's words came out, the atmosphere at the scene changed faintly, and Zhou Mingfang, who was sitting quietly on the side, was shocked, and quietly glanced at Old Man Zhang, thoughtful.

Xiao Dingping, who was sitting on the other side, looked at Chen Xing seriously for the first time.