Chapter 310 305: One Good Turn Deserves Another

The first thing Wu Yun did upon his return was visit the Nirvana Investment office. He only left after he was updated on the charity fund's progress, his mind at ease.

While he was out, Wu Yun also checked in on the nearby Phoenix Film and Television Investment and Pinduoduo offices before having Wei Wu drive him to dinner.

Wu Yun was quite surprised by this evening's dinner invitation.

He had received a call on his personal phone from an unknown local number. The man on the other end introduced himself as Liu Song, the head of the Patrol Office, and said he wanted to invite Wu Yun for a casual meal.

The two of them added each other on WeChat right then, and Liu Song sent Wu Yun the location of the restaurant.

Wu Yun was a bit skeptical at first, but then he considered that anyone who could accurately track down his personal phone number must have some real ability.

Unlike in later years when personal information would become virtually transparent, making it easy for scammers to obtain people's details, it wasn't so simple in this era.

Wu Yun had barely used this phone number to register for anything other than WeChat and his own company's apps.

Liu Song had also mentioned on the phone that, as a token of gratitude for Wu Yun's help, he was bringing along a friend who he hoped could be useful to Wu Yun.

It was this particular statement that made Wu Yun look forward to the evening's banquet.

The location was a secluded, old-fashioned villa. The building had no sign whatsoever.

The courtyard's iron gate was open, and a young man in a Chinese tunic suit stood outside the main entrance.

When he saw the car pull up and Wu Yun step out, the young man in the tunic suit approached. He seemed taken aback for a second before smiling. "Hello, Mr. Wu. Please, follow me. Mr. Liu and his guests are waiting for you on the second floor."

Wu Yun nodded to the young man. After signaling to Wei Wu and his companion that they could leave, he turned and followed the attendant into the small, somewhat dated-looking building.

The moment he stepped inside, Wu Yun discovered a world of difference.

The interior had clearly been completely renovated. The decor was luxurious, with a classical flair.

"Mr. Wu, please come this way. Mr. Liu and his guests are in a private room on the second floor."

As he climbed the wooden staircase, it emitted a distinctive creak. For a moment, Wu Yun felt as if the sound had transported him back in time.

If it weren't for the blinking red light of a security camera he spotted when he looked up, Wu Yun might have actually believed he'd traveled through time.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

The young man knocked on the door. After a two-second pause, he pushed it open and held it for him. "Mr. Wu, after you."

Wu Yun stepped into the private room. Beneath an old-fashioned chandelier, three middle-aged men were already seated around a small, round table.

One of them, his hair speckled with gray, was Liu Song. Wu Yun recognized him from photos he'd seen online.

The three men stood up with warm smiles.

Liu Song said, "Mr. Wu! I've heard so much about you. It's clear from meeting you today that you're as young and accomplished as they say!"

Perhaps influenced by the surroundings, Liu Song's speech carried a rather formal, almost literary, tone.

The other two men looked at Wu Yun, who was about the same age as their own children, and felt a wave of complex emotions.

Wu Yun stepped forward to shake his hand. "Mr. Liu, you're too kind."

Liu Song introduced the middle-aged man beside him. "This is Mr. Li Bin from the Urban Management Department, whom I mentioned."

"And next to him is my deputy from the Patrol Office, Tang Min. The three of us are good friends. We get together for a chat whenever we have the time."

Wu Yun shook hands with each of them before taking his seat.

"Mr. Wu," Liu Song said, broaching the subject, "I was impressed to see you received praise from the leadership. If you were in the civil service, you'd have a boundless future ahead of you!"

"Mr. Liu, you flatter me," Wu Yun replied humbly. "I just rode on Tencent's coattails and benefited from their momentum."

Li Bin chimed in, "Mr. Wu, the leadership's praise wasn't about you investing in WeBank. It was based on your contributions to society and your efforts to give back."

Originally, Li Bin had held a deep grudge against shared-bike companies, particularly Little Red Car. The haphazardly parked bikes were having a serious, negative impact on the city's appearance.

After internal meetings, they had been preparing to make Little Red Car and Mobike primary targets for regulation and rectification.

However, after receiving Liu Song's invitation, he had made a point to look up information on Wu Yun and his accomplishments. His impression of the young man had changed drastically. Then, after seeing the story on the news that evening, Li Bin scrapped his previous plans entirely.

Otherwise, given Li Bin's temperament, he would have likely just finished his meal and left, with no intention of discussing any work-related matters.

Just then, the dishes began to arrive at the table.

Liu Song explained with a smile, "Mr. Wu, this is a spot we frequent, run by a friend of mine. The food is excellent! If you ever need to host a business dinner, feel free to bring them here. Hope you don't mind me drumming up a little business for my friend!"

Wu Yun smiled and said he didn't mind at all.

Once all the dishes had been served, a tall, heavyset man in a traditional-style robe entered the room. "Please, everyone, enjoy," he said with a smile. "Let me know if you have any suggestions!"

"Mr. Wu, this is my friend, Zhang Tao," Liu Song said, getting to his feet. "This private kitchen is his pride and joy. He only serves five tables a day, so you have to make a reservation well in advance!"

"Old Zhang! Let me introduce you to a major client. You'd better add President Wu's contact info!" As if on cue, Zhang Tao had already whipped out his phone from seemingly nowhere.

After the door closed, Liu Song, playing the part of the host, gestured to the food. "Let's eat, everyone! We can talk as we go."

After a few bites, Wu Yun couldn't help but nod in approval. The food was genuinely superb, on par with what you'd expect from a chef at a high-end restaurant.

"Mr. Wu, I'd like to propose a toast," Liu Song said, standing up. Li Bin and Tang Min rose with him. "Thank you for your help in the recent matter. Our department would have been in a very passive position otherwise."

After a glass of baijiu, the atmosphere grew warmer.

It was then that Liu Song brought up the real reason for the dinner—the matter he'd mentioned that could help Wu Yun.

"Mr. Wu, Li Bin's department is preparing to regulate the shared-bike market. The parking issue has become a major headache."

Hearing this, a jolt went through Wu Yun. He instantly recalled that in his previous life, this very city had been the one to crack down the hardest on the chaos caused by shared bikes.

Li Bin, who was sitting nearby, nodded in agreement. "That's right. Our committee has already approved a plan to rectify the chaotic parking situation, though the specific details are still being finalized. If we have the participation and assistance of bike-share companies like yours, I believe we can get the situation on the streets under control much more quickly."

Wu Yun understood immediately. Liu Song was returning the favor, directly connecting him with the head of the urban management department.

Wu Yun nodded. "Of course, Mr. Li. Little Red Car will cooperate fully with your department's efforts. I'll bring some of my people to visit your office in person tomorrow."

With the objective achieved, Liu Song smiled. "Alright, that's enough shop talk for one night! Let's have another round! From now on, if anything comes up, just give us a heads-up."

"Cheers! Bottoms up!"

"Old Tang, you can really drink!"