309: Be open-minded

The next afternoon, The two sisters, Chen Yuxi and her sister, brought several sets of custom-made clothes and kept having Lin Zifeng try them on.

Finally, they chose a set of casual wear that made him look even more handsome. The two women nodded in satisfaction, telling him to wear this outfit to the gathering tonight.

After Lin Zifeng finished getting ready, Chen Yuxi spoke up, "Husband, let me drive you there in a bit!"

"No need, honey. There are no female family members at today's gathering, so it wouldn't be convenient for you to attend. There's no need for the extra trip.

It'll be more convenient for me to take a taxi."

Lin Zifeng directly declined Chen Yuxi's suggestion, and she nodded without insisting further.

Lin Zifeng bid farewell to The two sisters and walked out of the house alone.

Coming outside the Residential Community, he hailed a taxi and sat in the back seat.

After he gave the location of the hotel, the talkative taxi driver began to chat with him.

"Young man, the Shenghua Hotel is a five-star hotel! The consumption inside isn't something ordinary people can afford.

Looking at your attire, you seem like someone from a wealthy or noble background. Why are you taking a taxi? Shouldn't you be traveling in a luxury car with a beautiful woman?

Strange things happen every year, but there are especially many this year!"

The taxi driver said while driving, sounding very puzzled.

"Driver, I'm not some rich second-generation heir. These clothes I'm wearing are just knock-offs. I'm not going to Shenghua Hotel to spend money; I just have some business and am looking for a waiter there."

Lin Zifeng didn't want to waste his breath explaining to a stranger, so he casually made up a reason.

Hearing his answer, the driver showed a look of relief and spoke again in a relaxed manner, "Then I'm not surprised anymore.

However, with your outstanding looks, if you didn't want to work hard and wanted to take a shortcut in life, there would be a huge market for you.

If I were as handsome as you, I wouldn't be driving a taxi. I'd find a rich woman and live a carefree life forever, walking a different path in life.

Little brother, you have to be open-minded about these things!"

Hearing the driver's skewed values, Lin Zifeng lost interest in continuing the conversation. He gave a perfunctory nod and stopped talking.

Taxi drivers encounter all sorts of people every day, and their ability to read people far exceeds that of ordinary individuals.

Knowing that his words just now had displeased Lin Zifeng, he also stopped talking.

However, he couldn't help but think to himself that this young man had not yet experienced the harsh beatings of society!

In a few years, he would realize that while you treasure young girls when you're young, you only treasure rich women when you're older!

Lin Zifeng didn't know what the taxi driver was thinking, and even if he did, he wouldn't care.

As the saying goes, one cannot talk of ice to a summer insect, of the sea to a frog in a well, of the Way to a commoner, or of the bright moon to a mayfly.

The taxi driver pulled the car over smoothly near the Shenghua Hotel and said, "Young man, we've arrived."

Lin Zifeng nodded, paid the fare, and quickly got out of the car.

He walked toward the entrance of the Shenghua Hotel lobby and saw a very familiar figure, who also spotted him at the same time.

The two quickly approached each other, their large hands gripping together tightly.

"Zimo, Yuhang called me yesterday and told me that you and Chusheng would both be coming to the provincial capital today. I was planning to call you myself.

But knowing we would all gather today, I held back.

I didn't expect our minds to be so in sync that we happened to arrive here at the same time without an appointment."

"Zifeng, we brothers haven't seen each other for several months. You're looking more and more imposing; you truly live up to being a Municipal Party Secretary!"

"I say, Brother Zimo, my position as Municipal Party Secretary is a bit inflated; I'm still just a Division Level Cadre."

Lin Zifeng nodded and said.

"You're as low-key and humble as ever! Although you're currently a Division-Head Level Cadre, you already enjoy deputy department level treatment.

Is your promotion to the deputy department level really that far off?"

Zhang Zimo said with a face full of envy.

"Let's not just stand here chatting. Yuhang already sent me a message on the way; he, Yuan Shulin, and Jiang Lincheng have already arrived. Let's go in!"

Lin Zifeng made a gesture of invitation and said with a smile.

"Wait a moment, Zifeng. I contacted Chusheng while I was in the car just now, and he said he'd be here in a few minutes. Let's wait for Chusheng to arrive and go in together!"

Just as Zhang Zimo finished speaking, Wang Chusheng got out of a car and walked quickly toward the two of them.

The two also went to meet him. After the three shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, Wang Chusheng said with a smile, "Zifeng, Zimo and I received Yuhang's call yesterday and learned that you had also come to the provincial capital. When he invited us for a small gathering, we didn't even think twice before agreeing.

It's been over a year since we last saw each other. We must drink to our heart's content today."

"Brother Chusheng, you were promoted to Vice Mayor and reached the deputy department level last year. I haven't had the chance to congratulate you in person yet!

Congratulations on taking another step forward; may you have a steady rise in the future."

Lin Zifeng said with total sincerity.

"Thank you, Younger Brother Zifeng. But I'm already in my forties; I can't compare to a political rising star like you!

I heard from Yuhang that you'll be promoted to the deputy department level this year.

With your current momentum, it won't be long before you leave me far behind.

I should also congratulate you on leading the Cadres and masses of Yushu to a successful County-to-city conversion!"

Wang Chusheng said cheerfully.

"Zifeng, Chusheng, let's not stand here talking. Yuhang and the others are already here; let's head in quickly. Don't make them wait too long."

Zhang Zimo reminded them with a smile.

The two agreed, and the three of them walked into the hotel together.

Led by a waiter, the three arrived in front of a Private Room.

The waiter knocked on the door, and the door to the Private Room opened from the inside. Li Yuhang and the other two appeared at the doorway.

The group greeted each other with happy handshakes. "Zifeng, I didn't expect you all to come together. Now everyone is here. Waiter, bring the food. Let's go inside and talk."

They were all classmates from the Party School. Although their levels of closeness varied, they were all very familiar with one another, without a hint of awkwardness.

After chatting for a few minutes, the waiter finished serving all the food and wine.

Li Yuhang raised his glass and said with a smile, "Classmates, let's have a drink together. I wish us all the best in the new year—may everything go our way, may our work be smooth, and may we all be promoted.

May our friendship last forever!"

Everyone raised their glasses in response, offering their own well-wishes before draining their glasses in one gulp.

The atmosphere at the table was very lively. Everyone was a good conversationalist, and there was no end to the topics they had to discuss.

After several rounds of drinks and food, Jiang Lincheng spoke up, "Classmates, I heard some news recently.

Within this year, the Central Party School will hold a three-month advanced training class for outstanding young Cadres.

If any of us here is lucky enough to enter this training class, it will be like adding a layer of gold to ourselves; our official career will be much smoother and go much further in the future."