Vоlumе 1 Сhарtеr 3: The Меаl
Ву the time Shu Miао and the оthers rushed dоwnstаirs, Меng Yuсhuаn and his grоuр hаd аlreadу left by car.
А dеputу dirесtоr hаd beеn lеft wаiting in the cаr fоr them, sо the two quicklу joggеd over and gоt in.
Althоugh Liu Kаngming hаdn’t initially еxpeсtеd Меng Yuchuan tо stау fоr the meаl, he hаd still bookеd a restаurant in advаnce.
As а lеаder аt this lеvel, he was аdeрt аt preрaring for аll evеntuаlitiеs.
All nеcessаry arrаngеmеnts would be made, regardless of whеthеr they would ultimatеlу be used.
Thе rеservation was at a restaurant in the eastern part of the city, the most upscale one in the county, with excellent dishes.
It wasn’t far from their unit, both in the same direction, about a twenty-minute drive.
When the three of them entered the private room, the others were already seated.
Meng Yuchuan sat in the center, flanked by two other county leaders.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, the waitstaff began serving the dishes.
Shu Miao and Jiang Qing sat together, and the table was fully occupied.
Shu Miao happened to be seated directly opposite Meng Yuchuan, and whenever she looked up, their eyes would inadvertently meet.
However, Shu Miao intentionally or unintentionally avoided this, keeping her head lowered the entire time.
After all the dishes were served, the waitstaff brought in red date juice.
Since everyone had to work in the afternoon, drinking alcohol was naturally out of the question.
Liu Kangming was the first to stand up, holding his glass respectfully as he toasted Meng Yuchuan, saying many polite words.
Meng Yuchuan picked up his glass and took a small sip, then spoke up, telling everyone not to be too formal and to relax.
Although Meng Yuchuan had spoken, proper etiquette still had to be observed.
When others toasted him afterward, they would still stand up, being particularly courteous.
Everyone took turns toasting one another, exchanging polite words typical of such gatherings, and the atmosphere at the table remained lively.
Shu Miao kept her head down, eating quietly, taking a little of whatever dish rotated in front of her.
Seeing that both the director and deputy director had finished their toasts, Jiang Qing stood up, holding her glass, and politely toasted Meng Yuchuan before toasting the other two county leaders.
Her words and demeanor were relaxed and natural, very poised and appropriate.
Seeing that she was the only one left who hadn’t toasted, Shu Miao suppressed her nervousness and reluctantly stood up.
Holding her glass with both hands toward Meng Yuchuan, she spoke respectfully, “County Magistrate Meng, I’d like to toast you.”
Meng Yuchuan looked at her, a smile curling at the corners of his lips, his eyes particularly captivating. He raised his glass toward her and said, “Comrade Xiao Shu, you’re too polite.”
After saying this, he took a large sip, and Shu Miao also took a sip.
Meng Yuchuan then motioned for her to sit down.
Shu Miao put down her glass and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that this hurdle was finally over.
“Comrade Xiao Shu just graduated this year?”
Meng Yuchuan’s deep, magnetic voice came from across the table.
Shu Miao looked up and met Meng Yuchuan’s dark eyes.
She was somewhat surprised and immediately replied, “Yes, County Magistrate Meng, I just graduated this year.”
She hadn’t expected Meng Yuchuan to ask her a question and silently hoped he wouldn’t ask any more.
Meng Yuchuan nodded understandingly and didn’t continue.
He turned to Liu Kangming and said, “Director Liu, your unit is full of talented individuals, each one capable.”
Although he had only asked Shu Miao, his words also complimented Jiang Qing.
Liu Kangming’s face lit up with a smile, his cheeks nearly squeezing together as he replied, “You flatter me, County Magistrate.”
“Xiao Jiang has been with our unit for over ten years and has always performed excellently in her work.”
“Xiao Shu just graduated this year and passed the exam to join us. Although she hasn’t been here long, she has adapted quickly to the work and performed exceptionally well.”Liu Kangming spoke with great pride, after all, having his subordinate praised also reflected well on him.
After a while, Shu Miao stood up again to toast the other two leaders.
They didn’t say much, just raised their glasses and took a symbolic sip of juice.
The meal ended in such a polite and formal atmosphere.
After the meal, Meng Yuchuan and the two county leaders left directly in an official vehicle, while Liu Kangming stood at the door watching them leave.
Shu Miao and Jiang Qing returned to the office with the deputy director who had brought them earlier.
Back in the office, Jiang Qing leaned back in her chair, relieved: “Ah, it’s finally over. My face was almost stiff from smiling all afternoon.”
Shu Miao also sighed: “Yeah, that meal had me so nervous.”
Jiang Qing suddenly sat up straight, raised an eyebrow, and grinned mischievously: “Xiao Shu, the county magistrate even specifically spoke to you today. Seems like he was quite satisfied with your performance.”
Shu Miao was startled: “What’s there to be satisfied about? It was just a casual question.”
“Besides, he praised both of us together.”
“Maybe he was just saying a few words casually. Leaders sometimes like to comment on their subordinates.”
Jiang Qing thought that made sense and didn’t continue the topic.
Shu Miao worked for a while, and when there was nothing left to do, she chatted with Pei Ran for a bit.
The two made plans to have dinner together that evening.
At 5:30 sharp, Shu Miao got off work and rode her electric scooter to the mall in the western part of the city.
Neither of them was very hungry, so they decided to do some shopping first.
Pei Ran tugged at her eagerly, full of curiosity: “So, how did it go? How was the new county magistrate’s inspection today?”
Shu Miao replied calmly: “It should have gone well. He even stayed to have a meal with us.”
Pei Ran’s eyes widened in shock.
Shu Miao looked at her, puzzled: “Why are you so surprised?”
Pei Ran nudged her: “One of my colleagues has a husband who works at the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau. The county magistrate inspected there before.”
“Although he was quite satisfied, he didn’t stay for a meal.”
“It seems like he didn’t stay for meals at any of the units he inspected.”
“But he actually stayed for a meal at your unit—that’s unprecedented. It seems he was very satisfied with your work.”
After saying this, she nudged Shu Miao’s arm again, grinning mischievously and winking: “Looks like your rise to success is just around the corner.”
Shu Miao rolled her eyes: “It was just a normal meal, nothing so exaggerated.”
“Besides, even if there’s a rise to success, it wouldn’t be for a junior employee like me with no background.”
Pei Ran glared at her in frustration: “You’re already so pessimistic at the start. You still need to have dreams—what if they come true?”
Shu Miao shook her head, disagreeing.
After a while, Shu Miao thought of something: “But the new county magistrate is quite approachable and considerate of those below him. When he saw my colleague and me busy, he invited us to join the meal.”
Pei Ran’s mouth dropped open in an “O” shape: “You mean the county magistrate invited you to eat with him?”
Shu Miao nodded calmly: “Yes.”
“It was nothing. He just saw my colleague and me standing there pouring water, so he casually invited us.”
Pei Ran raised her chin, crossed her arms, and gave a meaningful look.
She teased: “Student Shu, you’ve already shared a table with the county magistrate right after starting work. Looks like you’ll have plenty of good fortune in the future.”Shu Miao rolled her eyes at her, utterly speechless. “The county head was just being polite. How could he possibly remember us lowly employees?”
“With a schedule packed to the brim, after a meal, he’d probably turn around and forget who we even are.”
Pei Ran raised an eyebrow. “Not necessarily. After all, you’re so good-looking. Anyone who’s seen you wouldn’t forget.”
Seeing her keep teasing, Shu Miao reached out and pinched her waist hard. “That’ll teach you to keep making fun of me.”
Pei Ran clutched her waist with a pained gasp. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop.”
Only then did Shu Miao let her go, and the two continued their stroll.