Chapter 1000: Drank Too Much

Chapter 1000: Chapter 965: Drank Too Much

Wang Jinwu didn’t expect Xu Chunliang’s prediction to come true and grinned, “Miss Xue, why are you back again?”

Xu Chunliang was speechless. This elder brother really has a natural shortcoming when it comes to dealing with women. Even though that’s the issue at hand, you shouldn’t say it out loud. Doesn’t Xue Anning care about her face? Can’t you be a bit more tactful?

Xue Anning said, “What’s the meaning of sending me those random photos?”

Xu Chunliang looked at Wang Jinwu innocently, “Brother Jinwu, what did you send? We’re all friends, it’s not right to do that.”

Wang Jinwu thought to himself, wasn’t it you who told me to send them? They’re just photos of holes and dirt pits; I didn’t send anything inappropriate for minors. His tone made it sound like I was harassing Xue Anning.

Wang Jinwu said, “I… I…” He glanced at Xu Chunliang again.

Even Xue Anning’s gaze fell on Xu Chunliang now. This guy is sneaky and comes up with all the mischievous ideas.

Xu Chunliang said, “Sister Xue, I’m sorry about earlier.”

Xue Anning said, “It’s okay, nothing to be sorry about. I’m not really angry. You’re testing me, so of course, I can mess with you a bit. You two wouldn’t think I was truly angry, would you?”

The three hundred yuan on the table was still there; Xue Anning reached out and took it back.

Xu Chunliang pondered, this woman has figured it out, planning to eat and take without paying. Her only reason for coming back is her interest in the holes.

The images Xu Chunliang transferred to Wang Jinwu were not just the holes, but also a few photos of sacrificial objects.

Wang Jinwu asked the waiter to pour drinks, which showed his bluntness; he should at least consult Xue Anning’s opinion, as he didn’t even know if she drank liquor.

However, Xue Anning did not refuse.

Wang Jinwu raised his glass and said, “Welcome, Miss Xue. Let’s drink this cup together.”

Xue Anning finished it in one gulp, showing quite a bold drinking style.

Xu Chunliang had a few drinks accompanying them, and Wang Jinwu kicked him under the table; clearly, he found him bothersome. Xu Chunliang chuckled inwardly, it seems Wang Jinwu truly has fallen for her and fears competition from him, though he has no interest in Xue Anning.

Just then a call came, Xu Chunliang pretended to go outside to answer it, then returned to use the excuse of needing to handle an urgent matter, letting them drink together first and promising he’d be back in at most an hour.

Xue Anning detected his intent but didn’t expose it.

After Xu Chunliang left, Wang Jinwu picked up the bottle to pour some for Xue Anning.

Xue Anning said, “President Wang, are you planning to get me drunk?”

Wang Jinwu shook his head, “No, I’d never think that way.”

Xue Anning said, “You better not. I should remind you that I don’t get drunk no matter how much I drink.”

Wang Jinwu laughed and said, “From the first sight of you, I felt you were a heroine among women.”

Xue Anning said, “I don’t deserve that. What’s the point of tonight’s gathering?”

Wang Jinwu said, “No other reason; just to sit together, chat a bit, and deepen feelings.”

Xue Anning said, “Where were the photos you sent me taken?”

“Weishan Island.”

Xue Anning said, “Is it convenient to visit?”

“Convenient. If it’s not convenient for others, it is for us.”

Xue Anning toasted Wang Jinwu, “Then I’ll trouble you, Brother Wang, with this matter.”

Upon hearing her voluntarily call him Brother Wang, Wang Jinwu was so delighted his eyes squinted. “No problem. Not to boast, but there’s nothing I can’t arrange on Weishan Island…”

Xu Chunliang didn’t go far, instead walked near the lake, enjoying the breeze, and recalled today’s encounter with Jizhou Culture and Tourism Bureau investigating the Underwater City. He should inform Dongzhou’s relevant departments about it.

Xu Chunliang contacted Fan Lidada, whom he was most familiar with at the Culture and Tourism Bureau, and who was currently overseeing the national-level tourism resort construction command.

However, speaking of this command, it was now basically defunct, with only Liu Deshun and a few temporary workers left to guard, and having little actual authority.

Ultimately, this is because Dongzhou Culture and Tourism’s development direction has changed. Since Wang Jianming came to Dongzhou, the focus shifted to building Dongzhou’s historical and cultural heritage. The city’s investment in culture and tourism is limited, so policy changes naturally shifted the focus of investment as well.

Wang Jianming did not deny the long-term strategic significance of the Weishan Lake Resort, but it’s too vast, requiring a huge investment. The same money could develop the historical lineage at Dongzhou City Center. If it were invested in Weishan Lake, perhaps only a small ripple would arise.

Moreover, the prior leadership initiated the Weishan Lake national-level resort project, and no one would continue a venture to benefit others.

Fan Lidada informed Xu Chunliang that the Culture and Tourism Bureau had a major incident; Deputy Director Xiao Dong was invited for tea, supposedly because someone tipped him off during the Jianjie Square construction, yet Xiao Dong did not pay attention.

This time, Mrs. Zhang publicly cried out for injustice, bringing up an old matter buried for over a decade. Back then, the Bureau of Cultural Relics was still an independent entity, and they would definitely need to identify the responsible person. Unfortunately, Xiao Dong got implicated.

Fan Lidada is feeling very uneasy now. He used to think that the culture and tourism department was an easy job, but never expected that since the establishment of the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau from the merger of the three former bureaus, incidents would happen one after another. Previously, Fu Guomin had to take the blame for the Dongzhou Barbecue incident, eventually resigning.

This time, the nature of the destruction of historical sites and theft of relics at Jianjie Square is more severe. Li Yushan, who had just become official not long ago, is probably also inescapable from disaster. He’s already gone through the hospital admission procedures today. Although it’s unclear whether his illness is real or not, there’s no doubt Li Yushan is under enormous pressure, and he’s chosen to evade it.

Under the current circumstances, Fan Lidada isn’t in the mood to care about the Underwater City issue. He sighed and said, “Brother, that water area was ambiguous in the first place. Neither Dongzhou nor Jizhou can say for sure. As long as the investigation is formal, we can’t say much. We don’t care about it, but can we expect others not to take it seriously?”

Even over the phone, Xu Chunliang could hear his low spirits and advised, “Brother Fan, don’t worry too much about the culture and tourism bureau matters. You had always been in the tourism bureau, so even if they backtrack to hold someone accountable, it won’t fall on you.”

Fan Lidada said, “Let’s hope so.”

Xu Chunliang hung up the phone, pondering the affairs of the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau. With each new leadership comes new governance. It seems Wang Jianming wants to seize this opportunity to adjust the leadership structure of the culture and tourism bureau. According to Fan Lidada, Xiao Dong will certainly be taken down. As for Li Yushan, he’s about the right age, and moreover, he wasn’t originally appointed by Secretary Wang, so he’s probably in for a rough ride this time.

Raising his wrist to check the time, over an hour had passed, and Wang Jinwu hadn’t called him, indicating the banquet wasn’t over yet. He and Xue Anning were still having drinks and seemed to be enjoying themselves.

As Xu Chunliang prepared to go back to the yacht to rest, his phone rang. It was Xue Anning calling to tell him that Wang Jinwu was quite drunk.

Xu Chunliang was somewhat amused. That Wang Jinwu is such a character; he invited Xue Anning for drinks, not to drink her under the table. But look at this, Xue Anning is fine, yet Wang Jinwu has knocked himself out.

When Xu Chunliang arrived at the place, Xue Anning had already left, leaving Wang Jinwu alone slumped on the table.

Xu Chunliang walked over and patted his shoulder. “Wake up, the hotel is closing.”

Wang Jinwu opened his bleary eyes wide: “Xue… Xue Anning, where is she?”

Xu Chunliang laughed: “Do you even have the nerve to ask? You drank until she floated away.”

Wang Jinwu said, “She has a great tolerance… I like her…”

Xu Chunliang nodded, helped him up: “Alright, I know you like her.”

Wang Jinwu hugged his shoulder and said: “Do you think she likes me?”

Xu Chunliang said: “That’s up to her, my opinion doesn’t count.”

Wang Jinwu said: “Let’s go find her and ask.”

Xu Chunliang laughed: “It’s too late, don’t disturb her rest.”

Wang Jinwu nodded forcefully: “Yes… don’t disturb…”

Xu Chunliang was outside ready to call for a car when he saw a car stop beside them. Xue Anning came out from the hotel; she had helped call the car.

Seeing Xue Anning, Wang Jinwu squinted his eyes: “Miss… Miss Xue… impressive capacity.”

Xue Anning said: “I drank a lot too. You guys hurry and go back.”

Xu Chunliang stuffed Wang Jinwu into the car and then came out to say goodbye to Xue Anning: “Sister Xue, thanks for your help. My Brother Wang didn’t ramble nonsense with you, did he?”

Xue Anning laughed: “No, he’s pretty down-to-earth.”

From inside the car, Wang Jinwu’s voice came: “Miss Xue, I’m… twenty-nine… I’m really twenty-nine… look at my… ID…” This guy told Xue Anning he’s forty-something still young.

Both Xu Chunliang and Xue Anning couldn’t help but laugh.

In the morning, Ye Qingya woke up, saw her mother had already risen, sitting by the bed watching her. Ye Qingya rubbed her eyes: “Mom, you’re up so early?”

Lin Sijin nodded, her daughter worried about her last night, and didn’t sleep well, constantly checking on her condition.

“How’s the wound?”

Lin Sijin said: “Almost recovered, Xu Chunliang’s snake medicine is quite effective.”

Ye Qingya got up to help her mother change the dressing, while checking the wound, ensuring the swelling subsided before relaxing.

The mother and daughter hadn’t been alone together for too long. If it weren’t for Xu Chunliang’s carefully arranged risky plan, who knows when they would reconcile.

Before going to freshen up, Ye Qingya made a call to have the hotel deliver breakfast to the room, mainly considering her mother’s leg injury.

Lin Sijin drew open the curtains, looking at Taibaiwa shrouded in morning light. Today is a brand new start; henceforth, she must find more time to accompany her daughter.

Ye Qingya’s phone rang, she came out of the bathroom, picked up the phone, it was Xu Chunliang calling.

Only then did Ye Qingya know he hadn’t left last night, stayed on the yacht. Xu Chunliang called mainly to ask if she wanted to go back with the boat. Ye Qingya told Xu Chunliang to wait a bit, she wanted to consult her mother’s opinion first.