Chapter 386 - 386: The Opportunity to Treat Guests
Chen Jun and Hou San knew Wang Yuanbo because they often dealt with the police. However, the municipal headquarters was too far removed for them, so they didn't understand it at all. Even if Director Huang Feiming stood in front of them, they would not recognize him.
Lin Guoqiang was different, as he often watched the news and was extremely familiar with provincial and city leaders, especially those from powerful departments like the police. So, he recognized Huang Feiming at first glance. At the same time, he was even more shocked.
The reason for his previous attitude towards Ye Qing was mainly because he had learned about Wu Anping and wanted to show Wu Anping some respect. But now that Huang Feiming was here, the situation was completely different. After all, the military is generally not allowed to interfere in local affairs, while the police department is an absolute power holder. Huang Feiming's position in the city was no less significant than that of a deputy mayor!
Now that Huang Feiming had personally come to visit the small-time thugs Chen Jun Hou San, Lin Guoqiang connected the dots to Ye Qing without needing any explanation. Could it be that Huang Feiming came to visit these thugs because of Ye Qing? But what is Ye Qing's relationship with Huang Feiming? Even if they were good friends, there was no need for someone of Huang Feiming's status to visit these minor thugs.
Lin Guoqiang was very adept at reading people's expressions, and from Wang Yuanbo's attitude towards Ye Qing, it was clear he held some fear toward Ye Qing. This made Lin Guoqiang even more puzzled. Ye Qing could make the Jiuchuan County police chief apprehensive and even get the Municipal Police Chief to visit a few thugs they didn't even know. How powerful must Ye Qing's backing be to accomplish this?
With these thoughts, Lin Guoqiang's attitude towards Ye Qing changed immediately. Previously, he had merely put on a show to establish a relationship with Wu Anping. But now, like Wang Yuanbo, he felt some apprehension as well. Moreover, Lin Guoqiang was very good at currying favor; he had been the director of the county hospital for many years and had long wanted to climb higher but lamented his lack of strong connections higher up. The sudden appearance of Ye Qing sparked hope in him.
If he could establish a relationship with Ye Qing, wouldn't his promotion be as easy as turning his hand over?
Huang Feiming didn't know Lin Guoqiang, but fortunately, Wang Yuanbo quietly introduced him. Huang Feiming nodded, shook hands with Lin Guoqiang in a polite manner, and said, "Director Lin, hello."
Lin Guoqiang was pleasantly startled and trembled slightly as he spoke, "I had no idea that Director Huang would come to inspect our hospital's work. Your presence is truly a great honor for us. Director Huang, I didn't know you were coming, so if there's any lack of hospitality, please forgive me!"
Huang Feiming smiled faintly and said, "I am just accompanying Mr. Ye to visit his friends, nothing more. However, I've seen the conditions of the hospital just now and they seem quite good. Director Lin, under your management, the hospital is doing well!"
Lin Guoqiang hurriedly replied with a smile, "Director Huang is too kind. I'm only managing a small hospital; I wouldn't dare to embarrass myself in front of Director Huang. Under your leadership in Dengyang City, order is maintained and society is stable. Any criminal who hears Director Huang's name shivers with fear. You truly are a role model for us civil servants!"
If Lin Guoqiang had offered such flattery before, Huang Feiming would certainly have been happy. But the situation today was different. With Xu Changzhi here, Huang Feiming had almost been taken by the Carjack Gang upon his arrival in Dengyang City. Then, Jiuchuan County had experienced a case of mass murder. Two cases had happened in succession—where was the stability in Dengyang City then? Lin Guoqiang's flattery now was akin to slapping Huang Feiming's face; the flattery had completely missed the mark.
Huang Feiming snorted coldly and turned his head away, ignoring Lin Guoqiang. Lin Guoqiang was taken aback and quickly realized where he had gone wrong. He greatly regretted speaking out of turn. Looking at Huang Feiming's stern face, Lin Guoqiang wished he could slap himself; he had indeed proved the old saying, "The more you say, the more you err!"
Chen Jun and Hou San, listening to Huang Feiming's conversation with Lin Guoqiang, basically guessed Huang Feiming's identity and were greatly shocked. They were already overwhelmed by the fact that the county police chief had come to visit them, and now they were accompanied by the Municipal Police Chief. They began to wonder if they were dreaming.
Of course, they held even greater admiration for Ye Qing now. It was truly not easy to have the Municipal Police Chief accompany him to visit two strangers!
Chen Jun glanced at Ye Qing and, amidst his shock, felt a bit of excitement. After yesterday's events, he had witnessed Ye Qing's strength and tactics, and had already planned to follow Ye Qing. Now, seeing Ye Qing's background, he was even more delighted. He finally had a chance to rise!
Hou San thought differently than Chen Jun; he was glad he had fallen out with He Biao at a critical moment. Otherwise, he would have still been at odds with Ye Qing. In that case, whether it was Huang Feiming or Wang Yuanbo, a casual word from either could have ensured he'd spend a good amount of time locked up!
The group stayed there for half an hour when Old Fifth Yang brought some of his followers, carrying lunchboxes and the like. Since the morning, he had arranged the meals for those in the hospital, aiming to build a closer relationship with Ye Qing.
He had just received the news that Ye Qing had been released and breathed a sigh of relief. So, he personally came to the hospital with food, planning to greet Ye Qing. Little did he know that as soon as he arrived, he witnessed a scene that shocked him: Municipal Police Chief Huang Feiming was also here!
Old Fifth Yang had seen Huang Feiming on television and, just like Lin Guoqiang, he recognized Huang Feiming instantly. Seeing Huang Feiming chatting at Chen Junhou's bedside with Ye Qing and the others almost made him faint.
What on earth was going on? Hadn't Ye Qing been arrested by the police? How had he been released? And what was his relationship with Huang Feiming? Why was Huang Feiming here? Moreover, it seemed like Huang Feiming was also here to visit Chen Junhou, what... what exactly had happened?
Old Fifth Yang only felt his mind couldn't quite catch up; the shock brought by Huang Feiming was just too great. Because, to him, a person like Huang Feiming was like stars in the sky, admired from afar but never reached. Let alone Huang Feiming, even securing Wang Yuanbo's support needed scheming. Now, Huang Feiming had unexpectedly appeared here; what exactly was going on? Could it also be related to Ye Qing?
Old Fifth Yang took a few deep breaths but still couldn't figure out the situation. However, he was not stupid and knew an opportunity when he saw one. Encounters with Huang Feiming were rare, so if he could use this chance to connect with him, it would be an enormous stroke of luck!
Clearing his throat softly, Old Fifth Yang gave a sign to several of his underlings nearby, whispering, "Be sharp when you make your move, and be polite when we go over, got it?"
The underlings nodded repeatedly and followed Old Fifth Yang as they walked over.
Ye Qing was chatting with Xu Changzhi when Old Fifth Yang approached the bed and gave a soft cough.
Ye Zi looked up, saw Old Fifth Yang, and couldn't help but smile, saying, "Fifth Brother, you're here."
"It's already noon, just here to bring some food for Uncle Ye, Teacher Gu, and Chen Jun. Oh, have guests arrived?" Old Fifth Yang said with a light smile, his gaze sweeping over the few people nearby. He greeted Wang Yuanbo first, and then turned to look at Huang Feiming. After a brief pause, he pretended to be surprised and said, "This... this... this gentleman looks so familiar. Ye Zi, who is your friend...?"
Ye Qing, seeing that Old Fifth Yang was playing a part and knowing what he was thinking, couldn't help but smile and said, "Dengyang City's Director Huang."
"Ah, so it's Director Huang, no wonder he looked so familiar!" Old Fifth Yang said with a face full of surprise, hastily extending his hand, "Director Huang, hello. My name is Old Fifth Yang, a friend of Ye Zi. I am really fortunate to have met Director Huang here!"
Huang Feiming shook hands with Old Fifth Yang casually but didn't say anything. The way Lin Guoqiang had incorrectly flattered someone earlier had annoyed him, so he didn't even bother speaking to Old Fifth Yang.
Old Fifth Yang felt somewhat awkward and wasn't sure how to continue the conversation. At this moment, Ye Qing stood up and said directly, "Fifth Brother, it is already noon and my friends here haven't eaten yet. Could you arrange a table? Do you have a private room available at your restaurant?"
Ye Qing knew Old Fifth Yang wanted to befriend Huang Feiming, so he spoke like this intentionally to create an opportunity for him. After all, Old Fifth Yang was willing to sponsor students in poverty, and this made Ye Qing respect him. Moreover, Ye Qing's family was in Jiuchuan County and still relied on his help; by all means, Ye Qing felt obligated to lend him a hand.
Hearing this, Old Fifth Yang was so excited he almost fainted. They say it's easy to set a table but hard to invite guests. With someone like Huang Feiming visiting the county town, those who wished to invite him to a meal could form a hundred-meter-long queue, and it wouldn't be Old Fifth Yang's turn. But now, Ye Qing was offering him this chance, and he was ecstatic, promptly saying, "Yes, yes, yes, of course, there is room. I'll go arrange it right now."
Hearing this, Lin Guoqiang became anxious and hurriedly said, "No need to trouble Boss Yang, we also have a nice place outside the hospital. Today, Director Huang and Director Wang have personally come to inspect the hospital, so the hospital should arrange this meal!"
"If you ask me, neither of you needs to go to any trouble," Wang Yuanbo also spoke up. "Director Huang has come down personally to inspect our work, and Young Master Xu is also here, so it is certainly the police system's responsibility to arrange these matters. Director Huang, I have already ordered someone to prepare a place at the guesthouse, shall we go there now?"
Listening to Wang Yuanbo's words, Old Fifth Yang felt somewhat disheartened. He didn't have the confidence to compete with Wang Yuanbo!