156: To fulfill the hospitality of the host

In less than ten minutes, Wan Guoliang walked out of Chen Yuanhua's room.

Chen Yuanhua saw Wan Guoliang to the door. Lin Zifeng stood up. After Chen Yuanhua bid farewell to Wan Guoliang, he said with a smile, "County Magistrate Zifeng, please come in!"

Lin Zifeng gave an affirmative response and followed Chen Yuanhua into the room.

The two sat down inside. Chen Yuanhua recounted his impressions of the inspection tour, highly praising Yushu County and his work.

His evaluation of him was very high. After Lin Zifeng humbly expressed his gratitude, Chen Yuanhua added, "County Magistrate Zifeng, I have never encountered a Cadre as young and excellent as you.

Do you have any interest in coming to the Provincial Capital to work by my side?"

After what happened yesterday afternoon, although Chen Yuanhua hadn't said anything, he was already somewhat dissatisfied with Zhao Yulin.

He planned to reassign Zhao Yulin and transfer him away from his side after returning to the Provincial Capital. Lin Zifeng was the new candidate he had scouted for the position of Secretary.

That was why he said those words, seeking Lin Zifeng's opinion.

Lin Zifeng was momentarily stunned. He knew that being Chen Yuanhua's Secretary would not only end the long-distance relationship with Chen Yuxi but also lead to faster promotions.

Once he was reassigned to a local position in the future, he could be promoted to the deputy department level.

However, he had been a Secretary before, and the work of a Secretary was mostly administrative and theoretical, unlike his current role as County Magistrate, where he could truly do some practical work.

He wanted to stay in his current position for a few more years, at least serving as the County Party Secretary before leaving the grassroots level.

So, he suppressed the temptation in his heart and said thoughtfully, "Thank you for your high regard and appreciation, Secretary Chen. Having the opportunity to work and learn by your side would be a very rare opportunity for me.

But I am still young and want to stay in my current position for a few more years to gain more work experience and further ground myself.

I hope Secretary Chen can support my decision."

Lin Zifeng declined Chen Yuanhua's proposal in the most tactful way possible.

Chen Yuanhua couldn't help but think that this young man had his own ideas, and such a choice was not surprising.

He had only suddenly thought of making him his Secretary because he appreciated his talent.

Since he was unwilling, he wouldn't force it. Otherwise, if he took away such an excellent magistrate after just one inspection tour, wouldn't the people of Yushu County curse him behind his back?

Although Cao Mingxiu and Jiang Shiyu wouldn't say anything on the surface, they would also have opinions about him in their hearts.

Thinking of this, Chen Yuanhua smiled and said, "Alright, I respect your choice. Grassroots work is indeed more tempering and can better showcase your advantages.

You are still so young; it is a good thing to gain experience and hone yourself at the grassroots level."

"Thank you, Secretary Chen."

After Lin Zifeng thanked him, Chen Yuanhua took the initiative to change the subject and chatted with Lin Zifeng about other work matters.

Nearly an hour passed before Lin Zifeng left Chen Yuanhua's room. After giving a brief greeting to Zhao Yulin, he headed straight downstairs.

Watching Lin Zifeng's departing back, Zhao Yulin couldn't help but think that this Lin Zifeng was truly favored by his leader!

The meeting with the Secretary of Yushu County had only lasted about ten minutes.

But the meeting with this Lin Zifeng had lasted nearly an hour. The contrast between the two showed just how much his leader valued Lin Zifeng.

He had no past grievances or recent grudges with this Lin Zifeng, so why did he dislike him so much?

Was it simply a matter of jealousy?

Thinking of this, Zhao Yulin shook his head and whispered to himself, "My intuition has always been very accurate. At some point in the future, he will become a potential rival.

However, since he has such a good impression in my leader's heart right now, there's no way for me to speak ill of him to the leader.

Otherwise, it would only backfire and make my leader have a bad opinion of me. I can only back down for now. It would be best if I don't end up in the same unit as him in the future."

After leaving Chen Yuanhua's room, Lin Zifeng went to the door of the room where Zhang Zimo and Wang Chusheng were staying and knocked.

Zhang Zimo opened the door, saw Lin Zifeng standing outside, and happily invited him in.

"Zifeng, is your talk with Secretary Chen over?"

Seeing Lin Zifeng walk in, Wang Chusheng asked with a smile.

"Yeah, I came to find you and Brother Zhang as soon as it ended.

Now that it's still early, let's go out for a few drinks and let me play the host!

There's a Food Stall not far from the County Party Committee Guesthouse. With my savings, I can only afford to treat everyone to a Food Stall."

Although Lin Zifeng could have used public funds to entertain his classmates, he still wanted to treat them with his own money. He felt that only in this way could he truly fulfill his duty as a host.

"Zifeng, what are you saying? Drinking is about who you're with. What you eat or drink isn't important; what matters is the company.

We are all classmates, not some public relations event. You're being too formal by saying that.

A Food Stall is much more relaxed and free."

Zhang Zimo said with a smile.

"Zimo is right. This is what shows your sincerity. Let's go! Let's go call the others. I doubt many of the female classmates will go, but it'll be more fun for us guys to drink together."

Wang Chusheng stood up and said.

And so, the three of them left the room to call the others.

Ten minutes later, nearly forty people, led by Lin Zifeng, walked out of the County Party Committee Guesthouse and headed toward the nearby Food Stall.

Yu Mingying, a few other female classmates, and some who said they were tired or didn't like such activities did not participate.

When so many people entered the Food Stall, the owner and the waiters greeted them enthusiastically.

Soon, Lin Zifeng and the others were seated around several long tables. Before long, various cold dishes and grilled skewers were brought to the tables in batches by several waiters.

Under the atmosphere created by Lin Zifeng's passionate words, everyone began to drink heartily.

"Brother Zifeng, I didn't expect drinking at a Food Stall to be so enjoyable!

I've never felt this comfortable and relaxed at previous drinking sessions. I used to be a bit jealous of you and felt a bit unconvinced when I saw you in the spotlight.

After these two days of inspection and seeing the brilliant achievements you've made, I admire you immensely.

I sincerely apologize for my previous behavior. I hope you won't take it personally. I'll finish this bottle of beer. Let's put the past behind us, shall we?"

Li Yuhang held a freshly opened bottle of beer, came to Lin Zifeng's side, and whispered in his ear.

Lin Zifeng had already heard from Zhang Zimo about Li Yuhang's change in attitude over the past two days.

So, he also opened a bottle of beer and whispered back, "Yuhang, you're a good guy. Although you were a bit arrogant before, you're a very sincere person.

I've always thought highly of you. Those little things from before were nothing; I didn't take them to heart at all.

Let's stay in touch. I hope our friendship lasts. I'll drink a bottle with you. Let's Chug one together."

Li Yuhang and Lin Zifeng clinked their bottles and tilted their heads back to gulp them down.

Seeing the two of them finish a bottle of beer in one go, everyone cheered and clapped.