Chapter 253: Xia Donghe Overwhelmed with Favor
Xue Changgui is not in a hurry to go back now. After seeing off Huang Qianyi, he returned and spoke kindly to Xia Donghe and his companions.
"Director Xue?"
Xue Changgui heard a familiar voice calling him and quickly turned his head, "Vice Factory Director Zheng?"
Zheng Hongqiang, the vice director of the textile factory, is responsible for textile quality. Although Xue Changgui is the director, he never shows any airs in front of Zheng Hongqiang. After all, the predecessor of the Jing City textile factory was a Zheng family-owned factory. The Zheng Family donated the factory to the country and provided textile techniques, earning national recognition and praise.
Even though the Zheng Family no longer manages the factory, the position of vice director has always been reserved for a Zheng family member, as they truly have craftsmanship skills.
Xue Changgui did invite Zheng Hongqiang to the social gathering today, but he declined. The Zheng Family is devoted to craftsmanship, technology, and quality, and never participates in social gatherings, which is something Xue Changgui is very satisfied with. However, he always invites them to give face, even if they don’t come. He didn’t expect to meet a Zheng family member now.
"Director Huang has already gone back." Xue Changgui explained.
"I’m just here for lunch." Zheng Hongqiang said with a smile. At first, he could not clearly see who was standing opposite Xue Changgui until he walked closer.
Zheng Hongqiang incredulously adjusted his glasses.
"Big cousin." Ding Ancheng smiled and greeted Zheng Hongqiang first.
"Ancheng!" Zheng Hongqiang hurriedly walked a few steps towards Ding Ancheng, "It’s really you, I thought I saw it wrong."
Zheng Hongqiang had already heard from his father, Zheng Mushao, about Ding Ancheng’s wife and foster parents coming to Jing City. When he saw the young people around Ding Ancheng, each looking extremely well, he asked, "Ancheng, have your wife and everyone come?"
Ding Ancheng introduced Yi Roujing and the others to Zheng Hongqiang.
"Big cousin." Yi Roujing smiled and greeted him as well.
"Oh, oh, good, good." Zheng Hongqiang said happily, "I didn’t expect to run into you all on the street today. I haven’t prepared any gifts, but big cousin will make it up to you tomorrow."
"Thank you, big cousin." Ding Ancheng and the others thanked him with a smile.
"Have you had lunch?" Zheng Hongqiang continued to ask with concern.
"Just finished eating."
"Vice Factory Director Zheng, are these your relatives?" Xue Changgui was shocked. A little section chief under him was related to Vice Factory Director Zheng’s family; how come he never knew? It didn’t make sense. Since he took office, he had investigated all the nepotism within the unit, but he hadn’t heard of any relatives.
"Yes." Zheng Hongqiang nodded happily.
The Zheng Family has always had a good relationship with the Xu Family. While there was less interaction after the elders passed, they still attended important events. The Zheng Family is very pleased that Xu Zongyin has descendants, especially such capable ones. Even if they were raised in a rural area, they still excel as soon as they enter Jing City.
With Xu Zongyin’s support, the Xu Family will only get better. The Zheng Family, as relatives of the Xu Family, will also benefit.
"The Xu Family’s child." Zheng Hongqiang explained a bit more to Xue Changgui. Xue Changgui, being opportunistic, quickly realized that the Xu Family referred to in Jing City could only be one household.
Xue Changgui’s eyes nearly popped out as he looked at Ding Ancheng, instantly becoming more servile, "I didn’t realize, and didn’t expect you to be Minister Xu’s son."
"Director Xue, you flatter me." Ding Ancheng shook hands with him in return.
"Big cousin, we have finished eating and will head back first. Let’s talk more tomorrow." Ding Ancheng said to Zheng Hongqiang with a smile.
"Sure, sure, go on." Zheng Hongqiang smiled kindly, being nearly twenty years older than Ding Ancheng.
Although Xia Donghe was present all along, he felt as if he wasn’t there. The people speaking weren’t ones he could casually interact with, and most importantly, he didn’t understand. What Xu Family, what big cousin—he had no context. However, it didn’t prevent him from realizing that his daughter knew a very influential family, far beyond his previous expectations.
"Xingchen, where are you going?" Gu Yiyi, being more knowledgeable than Xia Donghe, inquired. After all, the Gu Family carried a bit of fame in Jing City. She called out when she saw Xia Xingchen leaving with others.
"Dad, my luggage is at Baiqian Village, and I have things to do tomorrow. I’ll go to the house in a few days." Xia Xingchen explained to Xia Donghe.
"Oh, sure, sure, go as you please. You can come home anytime. The day after tomorrow, I’ll have Mrs. Gu prepare your favorite dishes, and you can invite your friends for a meal." Xia Donghe said with a smile; even if he didn’t recognize them, he wasn’t a fool. His words were very sensible.
As Ding Ancheng and his group walked away, Zheng Hongqiang was grabbed by Xue Changgui, "Vice Factory Director Zheng, haven’t you eaten yet? Director Xia, you guys should digest after eating. I know a good place, not only with good food but also excellent tea. Let’s go sit for a while."
Zheng Hongqiang wanted to refuse, but Xue Changgui and his secretary had already surrounded him from both sides. Seeing their eager faces, he could only follow along.
Xia Donghe was more than delighted to join. Of course, he went along, as did Gu Yiyi, Xia Qingwen, and others. Joking aside, being treated to tea by the director of the textile factory meant promotions and confirmations were just a matter of time.
After parting, Xia Xingchen felt a bit down, and Ding Anmin walked over to pat her shoulder in comfort, "You didn’t expect much in the first place, so why the long face now?"
"I’m not sad." Xia Xingchen pouted, a bit perplexed, "I feel like Xia Donghe and the others are going to leverage my relationship with you to climb higher and have a better life than before. Why should they, it’s just too easy for them."
Yi Roujing raised an eyebrow. She’s truly unaffected, even calling her dad by name behind his back.
"Are you calling your dad that behind his back now?" Ding Anmin was also surprised.
"Did you see his expression just then?" Xia Xingchen rolled her eyes, then mimicked in a coarse voice, "Oh, sure, sure, go as you please. Anytime, you can come home anytime. The day after tomorrow, I’ll have Mrs. Gu prepare your favorite dishes, and you can invite your friends for a meal."
Xia Xingchen’s imitation was quite accurate, making Ding Anmin and Yi Roujing laugh out loud.
"Earlier, when I called Mrs. Gu ’Aunt Gu,’ he said I was being disrespectful. Now he’s changed himself. This is called opportunism. I realized it; Xia Donghe loves himself the most. I used to think too highly of him." Xia Xingchen said in disappointment.
"So, what are your plans? Anyway, I can go with you the day after tomorrow and have your back." Yi Roujing said with a smile.
Xia Xingchen was touched, her eyes slightly reddening, "Sister-in-law, thank you."
"We’ll trouble you, sister-in-law, to accompany Xingchen then." Gu Shizhao said sincerely, "I am quite tied up recently and am also worried that it might inconvenience Xingchen."
"You focus on dealing with the Gu Family’s matters." Ding Ancheng patted Gu Shizhao, "If you need any help, just say the word."
"Alright." Gu Shizhao said with a smile, patting Ding Ancheng back, feeling warm inside.