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Chapter 642 Influence

In the conference room of the administration building, all eyes were on Zhang Qingguo.

Principal Liu Zengyin eagerly pressed, "Qingguo, how is he? Do you know him?"

Zhang Qingguo's lips trembled, and it took him a long time to finally manage to say, "I know him. I just met him yesterday... yesterday."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zengyin and the others immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good! That's good!" Liu Zengyin breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had grasped a lifeline. "Now that you know him, things will be much easier!"

"Just who is this student? Why would our mayor personally make a trip here?"

"I don't know. The message from the county committee was very simple and contained no other information."

Liu Zengyin patted Zhang Qingguo on the shoulder and said solemnly:

"Qingguo! Tell me in detail about this student. You should have his contact information, right? No matter what, we must get this done today! Whether the school can seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave a good impression on the city leaders depends on you!"

The fact that an important alumnus whom the mayor specifically requested to meet was not on the list of invited guests is an undeniable and major oversight on the part of the university.

We must remedy this immediately!

Zhang Qingguo suddenly shuddered and came to his senses.

Sticky cold sweat instantly rolled down the back of his shirt.

An incomprehensible sense of absurdity, coupled with the fear of committing a colossal disaster, instantly overwhelmed him.

He opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Just last night, he personally took the initiative to remove Liu Qingning and Tang Song from the guest seats and move them to the regular viewing area.

He even used this as a reason to cancel Liu Qingning's speech as an alumni representative.

He did this simply to make room for Li Yunfan, who had suddenly decided to come.

But now... that insignificant Tang Song, whom he had casually dismissed, has become the "true god" whom the mayor specifically requested to see.

As long as the other party casually mentions him in front of the mayor tomorrow.

Then his career as vice principal is pretty much over.

Seeing that Zhang Qingguo remained silent for a long time, and looked as if he had lost his soul and the sky had fallen.

Everyone realized that something was wrong.

Principal Liu Zengyin's face instantly turned extremely solemn: "Qingguo, what exactly happened?!"

Zhang Qingguo took a deep breath and painstakingly recounted the scene that had unfolded in the banquet hall of the Zhende Hotel the previous night, along with his "impression" of Tang Song and the subsequent decision to disqualify Liu Qingning from giving a speech.

As a cadre who had worked his way up in the system for many years, he was very clear about this.

When a variable of the mayor's caliber gets involved, the matter is completely beyond his control.

As he spoke, the atmosphere in the entire office instantly plummeted to freezing point.

The school leaders looked at each other, all seeing undisguised shock in each other's eyes.

Liu Zengyin felt dizzy and slammed his right hand on the table, trembling with anger: "You...you...what can I say to you!"

Just now on the phone, Director Chen of the Education Bureau repeatedly emphasized that it should be done with "the highest standards and the greatest sincerity".

But things turned out differently; they ended up offending the person in question!
If this matter is not handled properly, not only will they not leave a good impression, but their career prospects will also be greatly affected.

Zhang Qingguo was sweating profusely. "I...this was indeed my...lack of consideration."

“Principal, now is not the time to assign blame,” another vice principal quickly stepped forward to advise. “The most urgent thing is to find a way to remedy the situation as soon as possible.”

"Yes, yes, yes! Let's make amends!" Zhang Qingguo said immediately, as if grasping at a lifeline. "I'll call Liu Qingning and Tang Song right now! I'll apologize to them in person!"

As he spoke, he hurriedly picked up the roster from the table, found Liu Qingning's number, and immediately dialed it.

Since Tang Song was only "brought" by Liu Qingning, the school did not keep any of his contact information, nor did it record his professional information.

Therefore, the only breakthrough now is through Liu Qingning.

"Dududu-"

The phone rang for a long time before being automatically disconnected; it was never answered.

Zhang Qingguo's face turned deathly pale instantly.

Seeing his bewildered state, Principal Liu Zengyin's face grew even more gloomy.

He slapped his thigh suddenly, pointed at Zhang Qingguo, and said in a hurried and forceful tone, "Immediately contact their former homeroom teacher, Ms. Li Gaisu, and have her make the contact!"

Zhang Qingguo suddenly realized what was happening and quickly picked up his phone again.

"Old Wang!" Liu Zengyin said to another vice principal, "Go to the reception area right now and rearrange the guest seating on the stage for tomorrow. Make sure to reserve the two best seats for me, no matter what!"

"Okay principal!"

Liu Zengyin grabbed his briefcase and cell phone and said in a deep voice, "I'm going to the county committee right now to report the situation to the leaders in person. This matter is too big; it's beyond what our school can handle on its own."

As he walked, he dialed the phone number of Director Chen of the County Education Bureau.

"Hello, Director Chen. There's an emergency I must report to you immediately..."

As these phone calls were made...

Information begins to travel rapidly up and down the chain of power.

The entire administrative system of Jingxian County began to operate at high speed on this ordinary weekend.

……

Mining community.

The bathroom was filled with steam, which misted over the frosted glass door.

Liu Qingning leaned weakly against the warm tiled wall, letting Tang Song hold her and wash the sticky sweat off her body with the showerhead.

This morning, she really had her eyes opened.

I never imagined there could be so much romance between men and women.

Moreover, Tang Song was clearly well-trained by Wen Ruan, and she was bullied by all sorts of tricks until she had no strength to resist.

Finally, he dragged her directly into the bathroom.

This was their first time...to bathe together.

And it happened in her own bathroom.

This experience was both shameful and incredibly stimulating for her.

The blue and white school uniform that had been a part of their entire youth was already soaking wet and had been thrown into the washing machine in the corner, where it was spinning quietly.

"Okay, Qingning." Tang Song turned off the water, picked up a bath towel, and carefully wrapped her curvaceous, water-drenched body. "Come to my house for lunch. My parents have already made arrangements. They'll have your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs."

His voice sounded exceptionally gentle.

"I don't have the energy to eat! It's all your fault!" Liu Qingning patted his chest lightly.

With a flushed face and her head down, she was helped back to the bedroom by Tang Song.

Then, like a startled little rabbit, she pushed him out the door and slammed it shut.

Liu Qingning finally breathed a long sigh of relief. Looking at herself in the mirror, her whole body flushed pink and her eyes misty with tears, her cheeks burned again.

After calming herself down, getting dressed, and drying her hair, she picked up her phone to call her parents.

Ask them about their driving experience.

As soon as I unlocked the phone, I saw five missed calls on the screen.

There were unfamiliar numbers, and there were also numbers from the homeroom teacher, Li Gaisu.

Liu Qingning raised her eyes almost imperceptibly.

With her exceptional intelligence, she guessed what it was almost instantly.

I left the bedroom and went into the living room.

She waved her phone at Tang Song, "The school probably already knows about Mayor Li's situation, and they're calling me like crazy. What do you think I should say?"

"Whatever you like," Tang Song smiled.

Having received the "authorization," Liu Qingning paused for a moment, then found Li Gaisu's phone number and dialed it.

The call was connected almost immediately.

"Hello? Qingning! You finally called back!" On the other end of the phone, Teacher Li's voice came through, clearly relieved and anxious.

"Teacher Li, is something urgent?"

"The school leaders just called me, saying there was a major mistake in the previous arrangements, but everything has been readjusted now. Two seats have been reserved for you and Tang Song on the stage. The previous speeches have also been resumed..."

Liu Qingning listened quietly, only occasionally humming in agreement, without interrupting.

Only after Teacher Li finished speaking did she smile and say, "Thank you, Teacher Li. However, I'd rather not give a speech. I think it's better to sit quietly below as an ordinary alumnus and offer my blessings to my alma mater, rather than going on stage to steal the limelight from the leaders and distinguished alumni."

Both she and Tang Song have deep feelings for their alma mater and would never actually cause trouble on an occasion like the school anniversary.

But being targeted is being targeted, and a little bit of harmless "retaliation" can make them feel good.

“This…this won’t do…” Li Gaisu wanted to persuade her again, her voice full of anxiety.

Liu Qingning smiled and interrupted directly, "Teacher Li, it's really nothing. You don't need to worry. Just tell the school."

"Sigh, alright then." Knowing she couldn't persuade him otherwise, Li Gaisu cautiously added, "By the way, Qingning, our Principal Liu wants to call Tang Song personally to apologize in person and also to discuss the specific arrangements for tomorrow's reception. Do you think... it would be convenient for you to send me Tang Song's phone number?"

Liu Qingning glanced at Tang Song, "Okay, then please wait a moment."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Qingning informed Tang Song and then sent him her phone number.

Soon, the phone rang.

Tang Song answered the phone and said calmly, "Hello."

"Hello, Principal Liu."

"It's alright, Principal Liu. I came back this time to celebrate my alma mater's anniversary. As alumni, we should just respect all the arrangements made by the school."

"Um, um, okay... goodbye."

After hanging up the phone, Tang Song shrugged and laughed, "It seems our school leaders are quite frightened."

Principal Liu Zengyin has been in office for many years; he was the principal when Tang Song was in high school.

In my memory, this principal was always serious and stern, and his voice was full of authority and dignity.

But now, on the phone, his voice sounds almost humble, and he chooses every word carefully, as if afraid of saying the wrong thing.

This stark contrast evoked strange feelings in him.

Liu Qingning smiled and said, "It's time to eat, right? Don't keep your parents waiting."

"Weren't you out of energy?"

"You bad guy!" Liu Qingning gently kicked Tang Song's shin and pouted, "Go, help me pack my bag, I'm going to touch up my makeup."

The two tidied up with laughter and jokes. After sending a message to her parents, Liu Qingning took Tang Song's hand and walked out of the house.

……

Ten minutes later, the Rolls-Royce Phantom came to a stop in the underground parking garage of Yunjingtai.

Take the elevator directly to the 5th floor.

As soon as I opened the door, a rich aroma of food wafted out.

Xu Feng and Tang Jianying, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately beamed with joy when they saw the two of them enter.

"Hey, Lime's here!"

"Uncle and Aunt, I'm sorry to bother you."

"Don't be so polite! Come in, come in! The food is freshly prepared and we've been waiting for you!"

The dining table was laden with a sumptuous spread of home-style dishes: sweet and sour pork ribs, steamed sea bass, braised prawns…

These are all foods that Liu Qingning loves to eat.

The four sat together in a warm and lively atmosphere.

Xu Feng kept serving food to Liu Qingning, showering her with concern and affection; her delight and satisfaction were almost overflowing.

The meal was very enjoyable.

After the meal, Tang Jianying took the initiative to wash the dishes, while Xu Feng pulled Liu Qingning and Tang Song along.

Sitting on the sofa in the living room, we watched TV and chatted about everyday things.

at this time.

"Jingle Bell--"

The video doorbell on the wall suddenly lit up.

Xu Feng got up and walked over, glanced at the screen, pressed the unlock button, and called out to Tang Jianying in the kitchen, "Old Tang, Maolin and his wife are here."

"Oh, okay, I'll go down to the elevator to meet you then." Tang Jianying quickly wiped the water off her hands and hurried outside.

Xu Feng smiled and sat back down next to Tang Song, explaining to him, "Your Uncle Maolin has been visiting our house a lot lately. Hearing that you're back, he probably came to see you again. Speaking of which, back in our hometown, your Uncle Maolin helped a lot in renovating your grandparents' house so quickly and resolving the conflict in your fourth uncle's family."

Tang Song smiled slightly, a sudden realization dawning on her mind.

Last time, he helped his parents get this house through Xie Yue of Handing Group, which can be considered as demonstrating his strength.

For this uncle, who had been immersed in the system for many years, he naturally knew what to do.

Moreover, with his help, the parents' status in the family did indeed rise considerably.

After waiting for two or three minutes, the door opened.

Amidst a flurry of warm greetings, Tang Maolin and his wife Li Qiaoling entered, carrying a box of milk and fruit, striking a very stylish pose.

"Uncle Maolin, Aunt Qiaoling," Tang Song politely stood up from the sofa and greeted them.

Tang Maolin immediately smiled and quickly stepped forward: "Hey, it's been a few months, and Xiao Song looks much more energetic!"

"Of course." Li Qiaoling's face was filled with an extremely warm expression. Her gaze then shifted to Liu Qingning, who was standing next to Tang Song. "Oh, Xiao Song, who is this...?"

Xu Feng immediately introduced proudly, "This is Xiao Song's girlfriend, Liu Qingning."

"Oh my! When did you get a girlfriend? You kept it a secret so well!" Li Qiaoling immediately adopted the warm tone of an elder, stepped forward and took Liu Qingning's hand. Her shrewd eyes looked Liu Qingning up and down, and she clicked her tongue in admiration: "This girl is really beautiful! Her skin, her figure, she's just like a movie star on TV!"

Xu Feng added calmly, "Jianying and I just found out too. The two kids were high school classmates, and Qingning was even the top scorer in our county's college entrance exam that year!"

"Top scorer in the college entrance examination?! Wow! I knew it! That explains why she's so outstanding!" Li Qiaoling's voice instantly rose a few decibels.

Liu Qingning blushed slightly and felt a little shy from the enthusiastic praise.

However, she was someone who had seen a lot in life, and she quickly adjusted and chatted with her two "future relatives" in a very natural and open manner.

The living room was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

Li Qiaoling fully utilized her talent for being a "straight man" and created an incredibly lively atmosphere.

Tang Maolin, on the other hand, mostly just sat to the side with a smile, occasionally interjecting a few words, but his gaze would always fall on Tang Song from time to time.

After three rounds of tea, the atmosphere had been quite set.

Tang Maolin seemed to have finally made up his mind.

He personally picked up the teapot and refilled the teacup in front of Tang Song, adopting an extremely humble posture.

He cleared his throat and said in a seemingly casual tone, "Um... Xiao Song, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

The laughter in the living room gradually subsided.

Tang Song put down the orange in his hand and said gently, "Uncle Maolin, you can just say what you need to say."

Encouraged, Tang Maolin rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat embarrassed.

She spoke cautiously, "It's like this. I've been working at this unit for almost twenty years, and recently, there's been an opportunity in the bureau. One of our deputy directors is about to retire, and the position has become vacant. I'd like to try my luck."

After he finished speaking, the entire living room fell silent.

Xu Feng and Tang Jianying looked at each other in bewilderment.

I never imagined that such a big problem would be brought to my son's side.

They originally thought that Tang Maolin and his wife would come over to take on some projects or borrow some money at most.

Tang Song raised an eyebrow and quickly realized what was going on.

If we don't count him, Tang Maolin is the most successful member of their family.

I currently work at the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau of Jing County. My father told me that my rank is deputy section chief, and I am the head of a certain department.

The deputy director of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau is also at the deputy section chief level, although it is considered a lateral transfer in terms of rank.

However, the change in status from "middle-level cadre" to "member of the bureau leadership team" was also a qualitative leap.

I guess this opportunity was so rare that Uncle Maolin had the audacity to ask me for help.

Seeing Tang Song remain silent, Tang Maolin, fearing an awkward silence, quickly added:
"Of course, I don't mean to put you in a difficult position. I just know you've become successful now, the most successful one in our family, and I wanted to see if you know any connections. If not, that's fine too. I'm just asking out of curiosity."

As you know, in the system, it's not enough to just rely on seniority or hard work to get ahead.

I have a fairly solid network of connections in the county, but there's also a lot of competition; everyone's eyeing me.

In crucial moments, it might just be a matter of one wrong step.

After he finished speaking, he looked at Tang Song with anticipation and trepidation, even subconsciously holding his breath.

The business areas and resources under the jurisdiction of a "deputy director" are far greater than those of a section chief.

He's endured so many years, and finally he has a chance.

He had been hesitant to call Tang Song in the next couple of days to sound him out.

After all, he was a "big shot" who knew the heir of the Handing Group, and also a true "dragon" that had flown out of the Tang family.

If someone has connections in this area, even a casual remark could change the course of the competition.

The atmosphere in the living room became somewhat quiet for a moment.

Tang Song looked at his uncle and pondered for a moment before saying, "Alright. Here's what we'll do, Uncle Maolin, I'll remember this. Don't worry, we're all family, I'll definitely help if I can."

After all, his parents would still be living in Jingxian County, and the family would need someone like Tang Maolin who could speak up within the system to help them.

"Oh! Good! Good!" Tang Maolin excitedly picked up his teacup. "Little Song, let me toast you!"

In any case, Tang Song's agreement to help meant there was an opportunity.

"Clink~" The porcelain cups clinked together.

Tang Song had just put down his teacup.

"Jingle Bell--"

The cell phone on the coffee table suddenly rang.

Principal Liu Zengyin

Tang Song picked up his phone and answered the call, "Hello, Principal Liu."

On the other end of the phone came Liu Zengyin's extremely polite voice: "Tang Song, I'm sorry to bother you again. It's like this, the county leaders are taking the reception arrangements for Mayor Li's visit tomorrow very seriously, but they're also a bit worried. They'd like to discuss the specific procedures with you in person before the school anniversary celebration begins, and also... visit your parents. Is now... a convenient time for you?"

Tang Song raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly and subconsciously glanced at Tang Maolin, who was sitting upright beside him.

What a coincidence!

"Okay, then I'll trouble you leaders to make the trip."

"No trouble at all! Okay, we've already set off from the county committee and will be at Yun Jingtai soon."

"Um, okay, bye."

hang up the phone.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Qingning leaned over and whispered, "Is Principal Liu coming over?"

Tang Song blinked and whispered, "Yeah, I guess they're worried I'll mess up tomorrow, so they have to come over in person for a 'rehearsal'."

Liu Qingning covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

She understood, of course, that this was just a pretext for the county leaders to make early contact and show goodwill.

Upon hearing their conversation, Tang Maolin was taken aback at first, then asked in astonishment, "Principal Liu? Is that Principal Liu Zengyin from your No. 1 Middle School? Is he coming over?"

"Yes." Tang Song nodded. "Tomorrow is the school anniversary, and Principal Liu may have something to discuss with us."

"Hehe, that's true." Tang Maolin immediately resumed his demeanor as a senior figure within the system, a knowing smile appearing on his face. "Tang Song, you're now an outstanding alumnus, so it's only right that the principal personally comes to communicate with you. Coincidentally, I've met Principal Liu a few times before, so I'll accompany him to receive you later."

Tang Song smiled but didn't say anything more.

Upon hearing that "the principal is coming to our house," Xu Feng and Tang Jianying, who were standing nearby, immediately sprang into action, tidying up the coffee table and preparing new fruit.

Liu Qingning also stood up with a smile and offered to help.

Not long after, Tang Song's phone rang again.

It was Principal Liu calling, saying they would be entering the residential area soon.

Tang Jianying and Xu Feng immediately started getting dressed. "I have to go down and meet them. This is your principal; it's a big deal."

"Yes, yes, let's go together." Tang Maolin also stood up.

In Jingxian County, a small place that places great emphasis on education and the system, the principal of No. 1 Middle School is not just a simple educator.

With access to the county's best educational resources, his social status and implicit influence are in no way inferior to that of the head of a powerful department.

Seeing this, Tang Song had no choice but to take Liu Qingning's hand and follow her downstairs.

But that's true.

After all, it was the principal of my alma mater who came in person, and he was accompanied by leaders from the county.

It would be unreasonable, both morally and logically, not to go down and greet them.

...

On a warm winter afternoon, the sun shone brightly.

The group had just stepped out of the building and hadn't even had time to stand properly.

Several black executive sedans drove up and parked one after another in front of Building 8.

Xu Feng and Tang Jianying's hearts skipped a beat; it seemed quite a few people had arrived.

Tang Maolin's smile froze instantly. He blinked hard, thinking he had misread it.

This...this is the county government's official car?!
Having worked within the system for many years, he was already intimately familiar with these sensitive license plate numbers.

In the instant he was stunned, the car door opened.

His heart skipped a beat.

The first person to come down was not Principal Liu Zengyin, whom he had imagined, but Wang Liwei, the director of the county party committee office.

Subsequently, Liu Ziqian, the head of the county's publicity department, and Chen Weiming, the director of the county's education bureau…

They were all "famous" leaders.

Tang Maolin's expression became particularly interesting.

Immediately afterwards, another figure got out of the car.

A loud "buzz" went through Tang Maolin's mind, as if he had been struck by a thunderbolt.

He stood there blankly, his mouth unconsciously agape.

County Party Committee Secretary Zhang Chengming?!
What... what's going on here? Are they holding a standing committee meeting?

(End of this chapter)