"Xinran, look, it''s rare for us old ssmates to gather like this after so many years. It wouldn''t be right for you to just leave,"


    Chu Jian seized the moment to speak, his sole purpose was to make Xu Xinran stay.


    "Yeah, Xinran, we really miss you. Why don''t you stay a little longer?"


    "Xinran, I also said some things earlier that I shouldn''t have, I''ll punish myself with three drinkster."


    "Xinran, we are old ssmates after all, let''s just stay and have a meal together!"


    Hearing Chu Jian speak like this, the others also chimed in one after another.


    "Well, fine."


    After all, they were old ssmates, and with so many people speaking up, if Xu Xinran still insisted on leaving, it would seem rather inappropriate.


    Su Chen didn''t really care, he wasn''t interested in dealing with these people.


    "Good, let''s not just stand here talking, everyone sit down, the dishes will be served soon."


    Shao Bo also said with a smile at this moment.


    "Chu Jian, howe you were outside for so long just now?"


    When everyone had sat down, a male ssmate asked.


    "Oh, I just happened to meet Mayor Tang, so we chatted for a bit."


    Chu Jian casually mentioned, while his gaze involuntarily nced towards Xu Xinran sitting next to Su Chen.


    He wanted to show her how outstanding he, Chu Jian, was and that missing out on him would be a great loss for her!


    Chu Jian had figured it out, they had just gotten together and were still in the throes of romance, it was naturally difficult for him to split them apart.


    But as time passed, he believed, Xu Xinran would definitely see the difference between him and her driver boyfriend, and she would realize who the better choice was!


    If a direct assault wouldn''t work, then he would switch to a war of attrition. Ultimately, Xu Xinran would definitely be his!


    "Oh, is Mayor Tang here too? Chu Jian, are you very close with Mayor Tang?"


    "Well, kind of. We''ve met a few times at some events, had a couple of meals, and Mayor Tang is very optimistic about ourpany."


    Chu Jian stated rather nonchntly, but his expression couldn''t quite hide his pride.


    When he saw a hint of surprise in Su Chen''s eyes, he felt even morecent!


    You bumpkin, my heights are not something you can reach!


    In time, you wille to realize this fact! Some women are not meant for you to possess!


    Little did he know, Su Chen''s surprise was because he hadn''t expected Tang Mingji to be here, and he was considering whether to go over and greet him!


    After all, the Tang family had always been very courteous and warm towards him!


    However, as soon as Chu Jian spoke, the others started discussing it.


    "Chu Jian, getting Mayor Tang''s recognition could mean limitless prospects for you!"


    "Yes, with the support of the government, Chu''spany is sure to soar high!"


    "Definitely, and Mayor Tang being so young and already the mayor of a major economic city like Jianghai, his future is unimaginable!"


    "I heard from a friend that Mayor Tang will definitely enter the provincialmittee in the next two or three years!"


    "Really?"


    "It should be right, my friend is also in the system, and his words are quite reliable."


    The crowd couldn''t help but suck in a breath of cold air, a member of the provincialmittee—that''s a real high-ranking official!


    And from Jiangnan, one of the most economically developed regions in the country, just unimaginable!


    Moreover, Tang Mingji is still so young!


    As they thought of this, everyone couldn''t help but turn their gaze towards Chu Jian, showing expressions of envy!


    Su Chen hadn''t expected that Tang Mingji would still be a rising star in the political scene.


    However, he didn''t feel much about it; to him, being a provincialmittee leader was no big deal!


    Xu Xinran, sitting next to Su Chen, felt simrly indifferent, not caring about such matters at all.


    During their casual chat, the waiter had already served quite a few dishes.


    "Come on, stop talking; let''s eat,"


    Chu Jian warmly called out, acting very much like a host.


    Throughout the meal, there wasughter and clinking of sses, somewhat resembling the demeanor of schrs and literati.


    Su Chen just wasn''t interested in joining them, focusing solely on eating his meal.


    For him, nothing was more important than a meal!


    Just then, a refined middle-aged man briskly walked in.


    When everyone saw the person arriving, they were all visibly shocked and quickly stood up.


    "Mayor Tang, what brings you here?"


    Chu Jian quickly came forward, his face glowing with excitement.


    "Oh, I was just having dinner next door with some citymittee leaders and a distinguished expert from America in the tech field. I just passed by here on my way to the restroom, so I thought toe over and say hello,"


    Tang Mingji said warmly, his tone friendly yet carrying the inherent authority of someone in a high position.


    "How could I let youe here by yourself? I should have been the one to greet you,"


    Chu Jian, visibly ttered, replied. He hadn''t expected Tang Mingji to personallye over and greet him.


    Whether it was a mere coincidence or not, for him, it was an honor!


    Especially in front of his old ssmates and the woman he loved, it significantly boosted his prestige.


    Indeed, seeing how close Chu Jian and Tang Mingji seemed, his ssmates couldn''t hide their envy.


    "Why bother with formalities? Whether youe to me or Ie to you, doesn''t it all amount to the same thing?" Tang Mingji patted Chu Jian''s shoulder casually, "Besides, yourpany has also made significant contributions to Jianghai''s development. It''s no big deal for me toe and say hello."


    When Tang Mingji patted him like that, Chu Jian immediately felt his whole body rx.


    "Mayor Tang, let me toast to you."


    Chu Jian quickly took a clean wine ss from the cab in the private room and poured wine for both himself and Tang Mingji.


    Tang Mingji took the wine ss and smiled:


    "Let''s do this; I''ll toast to everyone."


    Raising his wine ss, Tang Mingji gestured to everyone.


    The others also excitedly raised their sses and then downed their drinks in one go.


    Having important matters to discuss, Tang Mingji naturally couldn''t drink much, just taking a sip, which nobody could object to.


    That Tang Mingji would initiate a toast was already a pleasant surprise; they hadn''t expected him to be so approachable.


    After finishing his drink, Tang Mingji casually nced at everyone. When he noticed that there was still one person who hadn''t stood up at all, he frowned slightly.


    However, as soon as he recognized who it was, a gleam of delight immediately shone in his eyes.


    Everyone naturally noticed the change in Tang Mingji''s demeanor and instinctively followed his gaze.


    Ignoring the others, Tang Mingji walked straight towards the young man seated and said with surprise:


    "Little Su, what are you doing here?"