99: Chapter 99 Who is the Real Dragon?!

Director Qi Tongwei walked over to Shen Wang and came to a halt.

He took the initiative to speak. His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried clearly throughout the silent private room.

"Mr. Shen, I didn't expect such a coincidence. I heard you were having a meal here with your family, so I took the liberty of coming over to say hello. I hope I'm not intruding on your family gathering..."

Only then did Shen Wang unhurriedly set down his chopsticks and stand up from his seat.

"Director Qi, General Manager Gao, you're too kind. It's just a casual family get-together."

Gao Xiaoqin took over the conversation at the right moment, her smile bright. "Mr. Shen, you're the one being too kind! Previously, my subordinates were ignorant and caused some unpleasantness. I've been looking for an opportunity to apologize to you in person."

"Today is perfect. Thanks to your family banquet, Director Qi and I would like to propose a toast to you. We also wish your elders, brothers, and sisters an enjoyable meal."

As she spoke, she signaled the waiter following behind to open a bottle of red wine that looked incredibly expensive. She personally poured a small glass for Shen Wang, then filled glasses for Director Qi Tongwei and herself.

Director Qi Tongwei raised his glass toward Shen Wang, also giving a slight nod to the other relatives at the table who were still in a state of petrification.

"Mr. Shen, it was just a small misunderstanding; let's let bygones be bygones. This toast is first to welcome you to visit Shanshui Manor often, and second to wish you and your family happiness! I'll finish my glass; please drink as you please."

With that, Director Qi Tongwei actually drained his glass in one go.

Gao Xiaoqin followed suit, elegantly finishing her own wine.

Shen Wang gave a small smile. Although he was surprised by why Director Qi Tongwei and Gao Xiaoqin had appeared here, he could roughly guess the reasoning behind it.

It was likely because he had appeared at the Provincial Party Committee's No. 1 Courtyard last night.

Otherwise, if they wanted to apologize, why didn't Gao Xiaoqin do so the last time she appeared?

Last time, Gao Xiaoqin had only expressed a certain level of goodwill, but she hadn't said a word about apologizing.

However, Shen Wang didn't want to hold a grudge. His family hadn't suffered any losses anyway, so there was no need to go head-to-head with the top figure of Handong.

Shen Wang raised his glass and took a sip. "Director Qi, General Manager Gao, you're overstating things! What's past is past!"

Upon hearing Shen Wang's words, the expressions on Director Qi Tongwei and Gao Xiaoqin's faces finally turned completely pleasant.

No matter what, as long as the matter was settled, it was fine!

Director Qi Tongwei didn't want to offend Sha Ruijin over a trivial matter, and Shen Wang didn't want to have any conflict with Director Qi Tongwei over something small either.

With the matter resolved satisfactorily, Director Qi Tongwei didn't plan on staying much longer.

Gao Xiaoqin gently placed the remaining half-bottle of famous wine on the table next to Shen Wang's hand and smiled.

"This bottle is for Mr. Shen and your family to enjoy. It's just a small token of our regard. We won't disturb you further. Everyone, please enjoy your meal."

Director Qi Tongwei also nodded to Shen Wang, gave the others at the table an impeccable but clearly polite smile, and then turned to leave the room with Gao Xiaoqin.

From beginning to end, their focus was entirely on Shen Wang alone.

As for Zhou Ming, who was still holding his wine glass with a face shifting between blue and red, and the other dumbfounded relatives, they were like irrelevant background props.

The waiter gently pulled the door of the private room shut.

Inside the Tingtao Pavilion, there was a deathly silence.

All the relatives, including Maternal Uncle, Maternal Oldest Aunt, and Maternal Second Aunt, sat there foolishly as if they had been struck by lightning.

Just now... what happened?

The Director of the Handong Provincial Public Security Department and the boss of Shanshui Group personally came over...

Just to... toast Shen Wang?

Did they even apologize?

And they even left behind a bottle of wine that clearly looked frighteningly expensive?

Was this some kind of joke?

What about Zhou Ming?

What about Zhou Ming, whom they had just been fawning over, considering him the pride of the family and a core member of the Han University Gang?

In the eyes of those two true big shots, it seemed like... he didn't even have the right to be looked at directly?

Zhou Ming was still standing there, his face alternating between blue and white.

He felt like a complete and utter clown.

He turned to look at Shen Wang and roared loudly,

"Shen Wang! What's the meaning of this? Are you trying to make me look like a fool on purpose?"

This shout was exhausted and desperate!

Immediately after, he slammed the door and left!

He didn't have the face to stay any longer!

Shen Wang shook his head. To be honest, he really hadn't expected Director Qi Tongwei to show up here.

It seemed his older cousin had been quite severely triggered!

Zhou Ming's shout also brought the relatives back to their senses.

As the host, Maternal Uncle was the first to react.

"Xiao... Xiao Wang, this... what exactly is going on?"

The other relatives also finally recovered from their shock, their gazes all focusing on Shen Wang in unison.

Shen Wang sighed, knowing that if he didn't explain clearly, there would be no peace for this dinner tonight.

"Actually, it's nothing much. It's just that a while ago when I went back to the old house to pack things, I found a letter in an old book..."

Shen Wang briefly repeated that set of nonsense again.

That apprenticeship letter was going to be donated to a museum anyway, so there was no need to keep it hidden.

However, while Shen Wang spoke nonchalantly, it sounded like a clap of thunder in the relatives' ears!

The Shen family's old house actually hid such an important item?

They had a connection with Secretary Sha's uncle?

And it even involved that legendary 'Brigade Commander'?

My God!

This wasn't just 'having a bit of a connection'; this was essentially grabbing onto a golden thigh—no, it was like having a pillar that could steady the sea!

"My goodness..." Maternal Uncle sucked in a breath of cold air and slapped his thigh.

"Xiao Wang! You... your ancestors must have accumulated great merit! Old Mr. Shen actually had a friendship with such a figure back then!"

"Yes, yes! Secretary Sha's uncle! He must be an old revolutionary, right? Xiao Wang, you're far too low-key! You kept us in the dark so well!"

Maternal Second Aunt immediately chimed in, the smile on her face so warm it almost overflowed. The way she looked at Shen Wang's mother had also completely changed.

"Oh, I knew it! Xiao Wang has looked steady and promising since he was a child! One could tell he wasn't someone meant to stay in a small pond!"

Maternal Oldest Aunt also hurried to follow up, as if she hadn't been the one complaining earlier about Shen Wang being foolish for resigning.

The relatives spoke one after another, instantly praising Shen Wang to the skies.

As for who exactly resolved the issue with Maternal Uncle's family, Shen Wang didn't say, and the relatives didn't ask.

Why bother? It was obvious!

Although they had misunderstood Zhou Ming, clearly, Shen Wang was even more impressive than Zhou Ming!

He was someone who could speak directly with the Provincial Party Secretary!

At least one thing the relatives said wasn't wrong: their family had indeed produced a real dragon!

And it was a five-clawed golden dragon at that!

That was enough!

Shen Wang's mother sat there with a complex expression on her face.

There was pride and relief, but more than that, a sense of being unburdened and finally being able to hold her head high.

Over the years, raising the child alone, she had heard plenty of gossip, especially harsh words about her being 'bad luck to her husband' or 'marrying poorly.'

Even if the relatives didn't necessarily mean much harm, it was still unpleasant to hear.

At this moment, seeing her son being the center of attention, her heart was filled with mixed emotions, and her eyes turned slightly red.

"Third Sister, you're truly lucky! To have raised such a good son!"

"Xiao Wang has been smart and righteous since he was little! Just like his father, both are people who value loyalty and sentiment!"

The focus of the dinner party instantly shifted from Zhou Ming's family to Shen Wang and his mother.

However, among all the eager and excited relatives, there were two people who remained silent throughout, their faces looking exceptionally terrible.

Naturally, it was Zhou Ming's parents!

Zhou Ming's father smoked with his head down, his face dark amidst the swirling smoke.

Zhou Ming's mother, who was Shen Wang's Maternal Oldest Aunt, had a face that kept changing between blue and white.

She had actually wanted to have him work as a security guard just now?

What a joke!

But as they say, parents always have their children's interests at heart.

Ultimately, Shen Wang's Maternal Oldest Aunt still spoke up.

"Third Sister, Xiao Wang..."

"Your cousin was in the wrong just now. He... he has a quick temper and values face too much. He couldn't wrap his head around things for a moment. I apologize to you on his behalf."

She paused and looked at Shen Wang.

"Xiao Wang, your aunt knows... knows you're successful now. Could you give your cousin a hand?"

"Your cousin... he really wants to make progress."