135: You must take good care of your younger brother.

"Secretary Zhong, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Wu Fan spoke sincerely and calmly.

He had never interacted with the political sphere, so his heart was calm as still water, naturally making him as steady as an old dog.

As the saying goes, only those without desires can be fearless.

Secretary Zhong sized him up. "Young and promising, eh? Come, please sit inside."

He led the way. After reaching the living room, he politely gestured towards the Grand Tutor's chair, inviting him to sit.

Wu Fan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you."

A very young and beautiful girl offered fragrant tea. Wu Fan quickly stood up and received it with both hands, showing respect.

He really couldn't tell if this girl was Secretary Zhong's Nanny, wife, or daughter.

There were too many old husbands and young wives nowadays; it was truly hard to distinguish.

Given Secretary Zhong's status, finding a particularly fresh-faced young woman was only human nature.

Secretary Zhong signaled the man in the black suit, who hurried toward the adjacent bedroom.

"Wu Fan, where are you currently working?" Secretary Zhong asked gently.

Wu Fan smiled faintly. "Just running a small business and getting by."

Secretary Zhong hummed in acknowledgment. "If you have any difficulties in life, you can tell me. In Island City, I still have some influence."

Wu Fan's lips curled up. "Secretary Zhong, you are too humble. You are the official who governs Island City; doesn't Island City follow your word?"

Islands had their advantages; all port entry and exit required real-name registration, making it clear who came in and who left.

Whatever he wanted to do on the island, he felt completely at ease, without constraints.

Secretary Zhong merely smiled faintly.

The beautiful girl brought over a fruit platter and pastries, placing them in front of Wu Fan.

"Wu Fan, please eat whatever you like. I should have invited you for a meal, but I am truly busy with official duties, so I could only invite you to my home tonight for a casual chat."

Secretary Zhong spoke with genuine sincerity.

"Secretary Zhong, you are too kind."

Wu Fan reached out, picked up a small pastry from the plate, put it in his mouth, and smiled slightly at Secretary Zhong, accepting the gesture.

The man in the black suit slowly walked out, supporting Old Man Zhong.

Old Man Zhong coughed. "Wu Fan, if it weren't for you, this old life of mine probably would have gone to meet Marx already."

After he finished speaking, he laughed heartily.

Wu Fan quickly stood up and went to help support him. "Uncle, how is your health?"

Old Man Zhong sat down on the sofa and shook his head. "I'm old now, useless."

Secretary Zhong interjected, "The Old Man's diabetes has been around for some years. Last time he went to the hospital to get medicine, I don't know what happened, but he suddenly fainted. Fortunately, you saved him."

He sighed again.

Wu Fan paused. "My Old Man also has diabetes. You must be careful with this disease. Although it's said to be high blood sugar, when he is hungry, he might suffer from hypoglycemia and easily faint. It's still necessary to be cautious. He should avoid going out alone if possible; having someone accompany him is better."

"When necessary, keeping a few pieces of chocolate in his pocket can save his life."

Secretary Zhong's eyes lit up.

"Wu Fan, you seem quite knowledgeable? Have you studied medicine?"

Wu Fan admitted frankly, "I am indeed very knowledgeable about medicine. I am currently researching a Chinese herbal remedy that can completely cure diabetes. The day I successfully develop it, I guarantee I will prepare a dose for Uncle as well."

Secretary Zhong was very surprised. "Diabetes is a worldwide problem. If you manage to conquer it, you will achieve everlasting fame."

Old Man Zhong was silent for a moment. "This disease is incurable. It won't be easy to completely conquer it; one can only rely on medication to maintain it."

Wu Fan nodded and didn't say anything more.

After all, achieving a complete cure that allowed patients to stop taking medication still required some effort, although the pill he developed was only awaiting clinical trials.

"Secretary Zhong, Uncle Zhong, if there's nothing else, I should be heading back."

Wu Fan stood up to take his leave. Sitting and chatting idly for too long felt a bit awkward.

They were from a high-ranking official family, and they didn't have much in common to talk about. If the conversation lasted too long, it would easily stall.

Old Man Zhong quickly spoke up. "Zhong Zhengguo, add Wu Fan on wechat. You need to keep in touch regularly. He is your younger brother from now on, understand?"

"I called him here for one purpose: you must take good care of Wu Fan, this younger brother, in the future. You must remember, without him, you wouldn't have your father."

Old Man Zhong's voice was loud, using a commanding and unquestionable tone.

Secretary Zhong was obedient. He smiled, stood up, and immediately pulled Wu Fan over to exchange wechat details.

"Wu Fan, if you encounter any trouble in the future, just send me a wechat message. Don't be a stranger; we are brothers now."

"Also, you must visit during the holidays, understand?"

Wu Fan was quite moved.

These sincere words were truly touching. He hadn't expected the Zhong family to be so approachable, without any bureaucratic airs.

They had gone to great lengths to specifically invite him over for tea and exchange wechat details face-to-face.

After all, this was Secretary Zhong's private wechat account, which wasn't easily obtained.

Old Man Zhong spoke loudly, "Wu Fan, you don't need to treat him like a Secretary; treat him like an older brother, understand? If you encounter anything, big or small, just speak up. He has many subordinates, which makes things easier."

Old Man Zhong instructed him once more.

It was clear that he must be an old cadre who had retired from a high position.

Wu Fan nodded, expressing his thanks repeatedly.

Secretary Zhong had also prepared a gift package, but Wu Fan absolutely refused to accept it.

He walked out of Haiyuan City, got into his car, lit a cigarette, and zoned out for a moment.

Mao Jiajia hadn't yet sent the message about when Bai Yan's evening study session would end. Assuming it was still early, he drove to the One Foot Sea Bar.

Fei Wei put his arm around Wu Fan's shoulder and whispered a question.

"Brother, what did you do to Tang Xiaorou? She seems distracted lately. If she's not missing a beat, she's singing the wrong lyrics. Her whole demeanor is off."

Wu Fan looked up at Tang Xiaorou on the stage, who was still so voluptuous and innocently seductive.

Thinking of his past obsession with her body, he felt a little remorseful.

"It's nothing. Maybe she has something on her mind. I'll comfort her later, and she'll be fine."

Fei Wei laughed heartily. "You, kid, are the best in the world at handling women."

Dai Mao squinted his beady eyes and patted Wu Fan on the shoulder.

"Master Fan, how is Liu Tingting? When is she coming?"

Wu Fan raised his hand to hit a chestnut on his forehead. "I told you to stop thinking about Liu Tingting, why don't you listen?"

Dai Mao quickly raised his hand to dodge. "Master Fan, I just like her. No other woman catches my eye. Did you ask her? Is she coming or not?"

Wu Fan pulled out a chair and sat down. "Wait until next summer. She will come with her Best Female Friend. The clothes they wear then will be revealing, so you just wait and see."

Dai Mao's beady eyes darted around, and he gave a lewd smile.

"Master Fan, now that you've mentioned it, I won't be able to sleep tonight. When they arrive, you absolutely must invite her swimming at the beach, and let me tag along, okay?"

Wu Fan and Fei Wei exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

"You despicable fellow."

Wu Fan raised his hand and, with lightning speed, struck a big chestnut on his forehead.

Dai Mao cried out in pain, clutching his forehead. "Master Fan, please go easy on me."

Wu Fan raised his drink cup and clinked it against his. "If you want to see Liu Tingting in a swimsuit, you'll need about thirty more big chestnuts."

Dai Mao showed his yellow teeth and offered his forehead.

"Master Fan, hit me, keep hitting. If I cry out in pain once, I'm not a man."

"..."