376: Two old foxes

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the day finally arrived for Lin Zifeng and the many other students to graduate from the advanced training class.

At the graduation ceremony, everyone once again saw the President of the Central Party School, a rare and pivotal figure.

At the meeting, Hua Jianguo congratulated them on their successful graduation. He encouraged them to return to their respective positions and combine the knowledge learned at the Party School with their practical work to better serve the people.

After a comprehensive evaluation, five outstanding students were selected from the 121 participants, and Lin Zifeng was among them.

Yang Zhongqiang and Yu Jiasheng also received this honor. The three of them, along with two other students, took to the stage and received their honorary certificates amidst warm applause.

As Lin Zifeng received the honorary certificate personally presented by Hua Jianguo and shook his hand, he said excitedly, "Thank you, Chief."

Hua Jianguo patted Lin Zifeng on the shoulder and said gently, "Comrade Lin Zifeng, I have heard of your Yushu City. Continue to work hard after you return! I look forward to you creating even more brilliance."

"Thank you for your encouragement and expectations, Chief. I will definitely continue to work hard in the future and live up to the expectations of you and the organization."

Lin Zifeng said very excitedly.

When Lin Zifeng walked down from the Rostrum, he felt as light as air.

After the graduation ceremony ended, Li Jiaqiang organized the final class meeting. Everyone said their goodbyes and headed back to their dorms to pack their things.

Just as Lin Zifeng finished packing his belongings into his suitcase, there was a knock on the door.

Lin Zifeng called out for them to enter, and Zhang Chinglei pushed open the door and walked in.

"Brother Zhang is here. Have you finished packing?" Lin Zifeng asked with a smile.

"I don't have many things, so I finished packing early this morning."

After answering Lin Zifeng, Zhang Chinglei spoke again, "Zifeng, when are you heading back to Huanan Province?

My secretary and driver have already come to pick me up, and I'm preparing to leave in a bit.

If you're planning to go back today, why don't you take my car and we can head back together?"

"Thank you for the kind offer, Brother Zhang, but I still have some private matters to handle in the capital. I won't be leaving until tomorrow. Let's get together back in Huanan Province later."

Zhang Chinglei nodded and said, "Alright then, Zifeng. I'll be off first. Let's stay in touch and meet up later."

The two shook hands and said goodbye. Only after watching Zhang Chinglei disappear down the stairwell did Lin Zifeng turn back into the room.

When Lin Zifeng dragged his suitcase out of the Party School's main gate, Li Yanran was already waiting outside in her car.

Lin Zifeng put his suitcase in the trunk and quickly got into the car. Li Yanran then drove away from the Party School gate.

"Zifeng, Xiao Liang originally wanted to come pick you up too, but I sent him off to the club.

Sister Ruling and Brother Qiang will head straight to the club in a bit. My parents, aunt, and uncle will also head over at noon, so let's go to the club first!

After we've had lunch with them, we'll find an excuse to go back to the courtyard house together."

Li Yanran said while driving.

Lin Zifeng nodded and said, "I'll follow your arrangements. I have to go back to Huanan Province tomorrow. This meal has been delayed until now, so it's about time I met your family."

"The company staff I sent to Yushu City have returned. I've looked at the investment evaluation report they prepared. Although the investment cycle for the Film and Television City is a bit long and it will take at least two years to start turning a profit—

and that's even with increased construction efforts—the one-time investment will yield permanent returns. It still has very good investment prospects."

Hearing Li Yanran's words, Lin Zifeng asked, "Have they estimated how much capital needs to be invested?"

"The preliminary estimate is six billion, not including land costs and other miscellaneous expenses.

However, the total investment can be controlled within seven billion.

As for how much of a stake your government wants, that will need to be negotiated in detail with your local government. I don't need you to give me any back-door favors that might affect your official career."

Li Yanran said with a serious expression.

"Fine, I'll listen to you. I'm only responsible for bringing you in to invest; I won't participate in the contract negotiations. Our mayor will be responsible for that work when the time comes."

Lin Zifeng didn't stand on ceremony and readily agreed.

"Well, look at you, Lin Zifeng! You agreed so quickly. Are you really that protective of your reputation? You won't even be polite for a second?"

Li Yanran teased with a charming laugh.

"Is there any need for politeness between us?" Lin Zifeng asked back with a smile.

Li Yanran nodded with a smile and changed the subject. "Zifeng, I'll be going to your Yushu City in a week. My company staff not only bought an office building for the branch office in advance, but they also settled some real estate for me.

Once I'm in Yushu City, we can continue to be together.

Don't worry, I won't disrupt your family or put you in a difficult position.

I already have all the information on your wife, and I will try my best to avoid meeting her."

"The hardest thing to bear is the kindness of a beautiful woman! I have failed you all."

Lin Zifeng spoke from the bottom of his heart.

"You don't have to be like this; this is all of my own free will. Being with you in secret already makes me very happy and fortunate.

If you feel guilty toward me, that's not what I want to see.

Let's not talk about these things. Once we get to the club, we must cooperate well so they don't see any clues.

My father and my uncle are both old foxes with sharp eyes. If we show even a tiny flaw, they'll spot it."

"Is that how you refer to them behind their backs? 'Old fox' isn't a very nice term!"

Lin Zifeng said with a mischievous grin.

"It's just an adjective! I didn't mean it as a slight against My father and uncle. Don't go misinterpreting things here, or watch out—I'll deal with you tonight."

Li Yanran said with a playful pout.

Lin Zifeng deliberately raised his hands in mock surrender, making Li Yanran giggle.

The two talked all the way until Li Yanran drove the car into the club's parking lot.

After getting out of the car, they maintained a proper distance of several dozen centimeters as they walked into the club together.

When the two walked into the club's most luxurious Private Room, only Li Dongliang was sitting inside. Seeing them enter, he immediately stood up.

"Brother Lin, you're here? I originally wanted to go with my sister to pick you up, but she made me wait here at the club first, fearing that Brother Qiang and the others would arrive and have no one to keep them company.

We're all family; is there any need to be so formal?"

Hearing Li Dongliang's complaint, Lin Zifeng patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Xiao Liang, aren't we seeing each other now anyway? Your sister was just afraid of making you run around for nothing; she did it for your own good!"