Chapter 382: Li Fuzhen’s Bad Idea

It was five-thirty in the afternoon when they disembarked from the boat, right at dinnertime.

The tour guide informed Wang Chenning their service was concluded for the day, but they would be with him again tomorrow.

She added Wang Chenning on WeChat and asked him to send over the next day's itinerary before eight in the morning so she could make the necessary arrangements.

Wang Chenning gave her the next day's itinerary right then and there.

He planned to visit Jingci Temple in the morning. Afterward, he would stroll along the Su Causeway to truly appreciate the beauty of "Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring."

In the afternoon, he planned to go to Yue's Tomb, Solitary Hill, then Bai Causeway and the Broken Bridge.

If the weather was nice, he was thinking of a trip up Gem Mountain after dinner to admire the night view of West Lake from its peak.

This itinerary, practically identical to that of any ordinary tourist, made the guide breathe a sigh of relief. At the same time, she silently praised his character.

'There can't be many celebrities as easy-going and agreeable as Wang Chenning, can there?'

The guide could tell that the women with Wang Chenning were not the easiest people to get along with.

During the tour today, they had been unfriendly to her several times, and it was Wang Chenning who smoothed things over for her each time.

"Sure enough, anyone who meets him can't help but like him!" After she got back, she posted this on her Moments, accompanied by a photo of Wang Chenning's back.

All her friends on Moments commented, asking who "he" was.

In the comments, the guide replied to everyone: "I'll reveal the mystery in a couple of days!"

When Wang Chenning and his companions walked into Lou Wai Lou, the restaurant manager personally escorted them to a private room on the second floor.

To their surprise, Wang Jiangxing was already in the private room; he was treating Wang Chenning and his companions to dinner tonight as a private gesture.

"Young brother Chenning, though we've only just met, I feel an instant connection. That's why I wanted to have another drink with you today!" As Wang Chenning entered with his three female companions, Wang Jiangxing, who had been sitting and reading documents, stood up and greeted them with a broad smile. "If you think I'm intruding, I'll leave after just one drink!"

"Not at all!" Wang Chenning laughed and shook Wang Jiangxing's hand. "I'm truly honored to receive such a grand welcome from you, Mr. Wang, during my trip to Qiantang!"

Li Fuzhen also thanked Wang Jiangxing.

After a few pleasantries, the host and guests took their seats.

Wang Jiangxing asked about Wang Chenning's group's tour that day, and Wang Chenning gave him a brief summary.

"Thank you all for helping to promote Qiantang." After expressing his thanks, Wang Jiangxing then asked Wang Chenning, "Chenning, we would like to invite you to be our tourism and culture ambassador for Qiantang. I wonder if you would be willing?"

Wang Jiangxing explained that many netizens had proposed making Wang Chenning the ambassador for West Lake. They said his temperament was a lot like the lake itself—beautiful, with a unique aura, and a character all its own.

West Lake is one of the few 5A-rated scenic areas that does not charge an admission fee, while Wang Chenning is the only young person among the titans of traditional medicine.

"I'm deeply honored!" Wang Chenning did not refuse, accepting readily. "I am willing to become the ambassador for West Lake and represent Qiantang!"

Seeing Wang Chenning accept so readily, Wang Jiangxing was immediately delighted.

He then asked curiously, "Has Chang'an asked you to be their ambassador?"

"Not yet!" Wang Chenning shook his head. "I've been in Yandu this whole time, and I changed my number after I got there. They might not have been able to contact me!"

"Right, right!" Wang Jiangxing chuckled.

He knew this was Wang Chenning's self-deprecating humor.

'In this day and age, for people in high positions, wasn't getting a person's contact information as simple as saying the word?'

But he didn't press the matter. Instead, he acted decisively, signing the ambassador agreement with Wang Chenning right then and there.

The heads of the Culture and Tourism departments were actually on standby in the next room. If Wang Jiangxing made the offer and Wang Chenning didn't refuse, they would come in immediately to finalize the matter, lest delays bring complications.

Wang Jiangxing felt that for someone as famous, righteous, and with such a good image as Wang Chenning, there must be many places fighting over him to be their local ambassador. He never expected that neither Yandu, where Wang Chenning was currently staying, nor his hometown of Chang'an had made a move to snatch him up.

Since that was the case, he decided not to stand on ceremony and would use his "personal connection" with them to seal the deal.

Wang Jiangxing was well aware of Wang Chenning's online influence and recognized his marketing appeal.

What surprised Wang Jiangxing, however, was that Wang Chenning refused to accept any payment, saying he was willing to serve as Qiantang's culture and tourism ambassador for free.

After a few more pleasantries, seeing that Wang Chenning insisted on doing it for free, Wang Jiangxing said no more. He grasped Wang Chenning's hand, shook it firmly a few times, and laughed. "In that case, I'll just say thank you!"

After letting go, he poured a glass of Maotai, clinked it against Wang Chenning's, and downed it in one go.

Subsequently, Wang Chenning posted a message on his Weibo, announcing that from this day forward, he would be the promotional ambassador for West Lake's culture and the brand ambassador for Qiantang, this city in Jiangnan.

The moment he posted, his message immediately started trending on Weibo.

Most netizens commented that Wang Chenning becoming the ambassador for West Lake was truly "well-deserved."

One netizen wrote: "This is an honor for Qiantang, an honor for West Lake, and even more so, an honor for Wang Chenning!"

Wang Chenning had originally thought that after he accepted Wang Jiangxing's invitation to become West Lake's ambassador, Zhao Xiao'an would express a similar interest in becoming the female ambassador. To his surprise, she showed no reaction at all.

'After thinking it over, he understood. Zhao Xiao'an didn't want to be in the spotlight; after all, her background was extraordinary.' 'This was true for both her family background and her current profession!' 'Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian would certainly have no such interest, and besides, their statuses weren't appropriate.'

The dinner didn't end until eight-thirty.

Wang Jiangxing was in high spirits for conversation, and Wang Chenning was a man of great learning. Whether it was astronomy or geography, politics or culture, philosophies of governance or the global situation, he had his own unique insights. Many of his views greatly surprised Wang Jiangxing.

'He was naturally reminded of the saying: "A golden carp is no mere creature of the pond; with wind and rain, it will transform into a dragon."'

After the banquet ended, Wang Chenning, citing fatigue from a busy day, made to go back and rest.

So Wang Jiangxing took his leave as well.

After shaking hands and saying their goodbyes, Wang Chenning returned to the hotel with his three female companions.

On the way back, Wang Chenning saw a message from Yang Xiaofei on his phone and opened it.

"How about I join you as an ambassador for West Lake?"

Wang Chenning replied: "For the great President Yang to condescend to be an ambassador might not reflect well on your Lingyang Group. You could be your own group's spokesperson, you know. That would save a huge amount in advertising fees!"

Yang Xiaofei replied with an eye-roll emoji, but Wang Chenning didn't mind.

As they were getting out of the car, Zhao Xiao'an took a call and Li Yanxian happened to be replying to a message. While those two were distracted, Li Fuzhen whispered to Wang Chenning, "How about I help you land Li Yanxian tonight?"

Wang Chenning asked with a wide grin, "And how does Sister Li plan to do that?"

"We walked all day, so she must be exhausted. You could help her… recuperate," Li Fuzhen said with a sly expression. "I'll go keep Zhao Xiao'an company with a chat. Who knows, we might get to talking and just doze off. I'm sure you, O Great Divine Physician Wang, have ways to make us fall asleep mid-conversation, just as you have ways to make Li Yanxian surrender willingly!"