Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1020 - Chapter 1020 Chapter 976 No Peace During New Years

Chapter 1020: Chapter 976 No Peace During New Year’s Chapter 1020: Chapter 976 No Peace During New Year’s The man’s expression changed instantly, and the way he looked at Song Hongmei was different now. If it hadn’t been for this woman’s incitement, how could he have offended Director Hong. Although Director Hong didn’t say anything on the surface, who could know what he was really thinking?

Song Hongmei’s face also changed, still in disbelief, she looked at Zhou Zhenyu and said, “Brother Zhou, that can’t be possible, right? Hong Feng’s parents and my aunt are colleagues at the same factory. Everyone at Hongcheng Machinery Factory knows that Hong Feng is just a secretary at the Provincial Party Office, plus, wasn’t he following Zhang Tianyue before? How did he end up with Nie Zhenbang? Besides, look at him, riding a broken bicycle, he doesn’t look like a major secretary of the Provincial Committee at all.”

Such a question was incredibly foolish. In fact, Zhou Zhenyu didn’t even need to answer, as the man beside him sharply scolded, “Shut up, you don’t know anything.”

Zhou Zhenyu was starting to understand, these two must have inadvertently offended Director Hong. With this thought, Zhou Zhenyu’s enthusiasm also faded a bit, he said indifferently, “Everyone in the municipal departments of Hongjiang Province knows that Director Hong is Secretary Nie’s handpicked secretary, there’s no mistake about that. Moreover, after Secretary Nie took office, he set new standards and new policies, he leads by example by riding a bicycle to and from work. This is absolutely true and there’s no mistake about it. As Secretary Nie’s confidant, Director Hong naturally follows Secretary Nie’s pace closely.”

Although Zhou Zhenyu did not spell it out, the meaning revealed between the lines was laden with a tone of contempt. Outsiders who don’t know that Director Hong is Secretary Nie’s secretary can only be said to be low-key. It shows that Director Hong is deeply trusted by Secretary Nie. If you are unaware, it only means that your rank and status are not high enough.

Having said that, Zhou Zhenyu then smiled and added, “Jiang Jun, my younger brother, I have some matters to attend to, and there are still some New Year goods that my wife hasn’t bought yet. I have to excuse myself.”

The words were polite, but the underlying meaning conveyed a sense of distance.

The car made a U-turn, and Zhou Zhenyu departed without looking back, his heart stirred, and he turned towards Hongcheng Machinery Factory. Now, within the entire Hongjiang Province, it was clear to any leading cadre that Secretary Nie’s authority was absolute. Although Zhou Zhenyu wasn’t high ranking enough to curry favor with Secretary Nie, it was necessary for him to maintain a good relationship with Director Hong.

As soon as Hong Feng returned home, his mother, Mother Hong, eagerly came forward, expectantly asking, “Feng, how did it go? Did you get on well? Are there any thoughts of continuing?”

Before the echo of her words faded, Hong Feng replied with a bitter smile, “Mom, what are you talking about? She already has a boyfriend, you see, you’re just playing matchmaker without a cause. Mom, rest assured, don’t worry about your son not being able to find a girlfriend.”

Hearing Hong Feng’s words, Mother Hong’s brow furrowed, and she expressed some dissatisfaction, “How could Aunt Liu do this? Without making things clear, she introduces a girl who already has a boyfriend to Feng. Isn’t this making our Feng a third party? That won’t do at all, I need to make a call and talk to her about this. Isn’t this destroying our Feng’s prospects?”

Seeing his mother’s reaction, Hong Feng felt a headache but couldn’t really say anything. Just as he was about to speak, there came a knock on the door. Father Hong had already gone to the door and upon opening it, a voice rang out, “Are you Uncle Hong? Is Director Hong at home?”

Upon hearing this voice, Hong Feng’s brow immediately furrowed. Normally, Hong Feng lived in the dormitories near the Provincial Party Committee, and those in the province seldom knew about his parents’ home.

Greeting the visitor, Hong Feng let out a sigh of relief upon seeing who it was, thinking that there really wasn’t a moment of peace even over the New Year. However, to the visitor he put on a smile and greeted, “Vice Secretary Zhou, hello.”

At this moment, in front of Hong Feng, Zhou Zhenyu appeared extremely humble, the tobacco and liquor gifts he was carrying naturally found their place beside the front door.

If there was anyone in the world who knew how to give gifts, it had to be the leading cadres of the system. On one hand, they had to give gifts to their superiors, and on the other, they could accept gifts from those below them. In this way, the skill was naturally honed to perfection.

Smiling, Zhou Zhenyu entered the room, first greeting Father Hong and Mother Hong and wishing them a happy New Year before turning to Hong Feng and saying, “Director Hong, you’re too polite. Since you are a leader of the Provincial Committee, just calling me Xiao Zhou would be fine.”

Zhou Zhenyu, about in his early forties, was unquestionably a senior to Hong Feng in front of him. Although both held the rank of deputy director, Zhou Zhenyu’s humble demeanor gave Hong Feng the chills.

However, as a visitor had arrived, Hong Feng naturally couldn’t turn Zhou Zhenyu away and could only politely respond, “Vice Secretary Zhou, you’re too polite, please take a seat.”

Zhou Zhenyu had just sat down for a short while when there came another knock on the door. Father Hong opened the door to see several leaders from Hongcheng Machinery Factory entering.

Hongcheng Machinery Factory, located within the jurisdiction of the South Red District, though a city-managed enterprise, was only equivalent to a deputy director-level unit. Moreover, it was rumored that this year it might be handed over to South Red District for management. With this in mind, Zhou Zhenyu in front of the leaders of Hongcheng Machinery Factory was considered a real leader.

Upon entering, the factory director of Hongcheng Machinery Factory greeted Zhou Zhenyu with a warm smile, “Secretary Zhou, you are such a rare guest that we could hardly ever invite.”

The chief of Hongcheng Machinery Factory was a big fat man, surnamed Fu. Because of his surname, it had led to some chuckles around the factory, since the honorific made him sound like the deputy chief instead. Thus, subsequently, everyone simply called him the chief, except, of course, the higher-ups.

Zhou Zhenyu said with a smile, “Director Fu, you all are really quick with the news. My visit this time is purely personal, so there’s no need for you all to accompany me. I’m here specifically to celebrate the New Year with Director Hong.”

This was where Zhou Zhenyu’s smarts came into play–if no one knew, Zhou Zhenyu certainly wouldn’t broadcast it. Some things, it was enough for him alone to know.

However, now that he had already been seen, Zhou Zhenyu wouldn’t hide or hoard; he spoke directly and openly, which, in turn, made him seem more straightforward and avoided any trouble for Hong Feng.

Zhou Zhenyu’s words left Director Fu and the others stunned for a moment, but they were all sharp individuals. Smiling, they said, “Little Feng, I just knew our Hongcheng Machinery Factory raised a promising son.”

With that, Director Fu turned to look at the several deputy positions beside him and said, “Old Huang, have you brought the year-end rewards to the Hongs? As a model worker of our Hongcheng Machinery Factory, Old Hong has been diligent and dedicated. Not only has he done his own job well, but he has also raised such an outstanding son. The Hong couple deserve to be learned from by the entire leadership and staff of the factory.”

As for such remarks, Hong Feng had always taken them in stride. As someone who had experienced life’s ups and downs, Hong Feng knew very well what he needed and his status and identity. Once he had his mindset straight, Hong Feng could maintain his composure.

Moreover, Hong Feng was well aware of where such flattery stemmed from–it wasn’t because they valued him but because they were eyeing the Secretary Nie standing behind him.

But, after all, three steps out the door, one is a guest, especially since it was New Year’s Eve. In dealing with people, it was also inappropriate not to play the host. Mother Hong had placed melon seeds, peanuts, and other New Year’s snacks on the coffee table, and naturally, Hong Feng, being the protagonist, stayed by their side.

…

The scene at Hong Feng’s place was just a small gathering; meanwhile, Nie Zhenbang had a more troublesome situation. He had been planning to take a good rest and spend time with his family and play with the kids. However, on New Year’s Eve, from morning to now, Nie Zhenbang’s phone hadn’t stopped ringing. Just when a call from a former subordinate in Leizhou had ended, calls from Yi Jun and others in Liangxi came, followed by a bunch of former subordinates from WangHai City, and then from Lin Mohan in Liaodong, Li Taishi in Yu Province, and some subordinates in Bashu Province.

Nie Zhenbang couldn’t afford to neglect these subordinates and colleagues. Over the years, they had become his faction and would be part of his networking circle in the future.

This election cycle, Lin Mohan and Li Taishi had both moved up a step, with Lin Mohan becoming the Governor of Liaodong and Li Taishi taking over as the top leader of Bashu Province. These would be potential assistances for the future.

After hanging up the phone, An Na, Li Lixue, and Dong Wan exchanged glances. An Na, quick to speak, teased with a smile, “It’s true, the big Secretary can’t even enjoy the New Year quietly.”

Li Lixue smiled. This was just her nature, to support everything related to Nie Zhenbang.

Dong Wan also laughed and said, “An Na, just keep joking.”

An Na didn’t get the support she expected and gave the two women a glance, saying with a smile, “You two, just indulge him then.”

Nie Zhenbang, however, approached with a smile, very apologetic, and started to help the three ladies make dumplings. He said with a smile, “Ladies, dinner is on me tonight.”

As he spoke, Nie Zhenbang exaggeratedly rolled up his sleeves, pretending to be on the verge of getting things done. But just then, his phone rang yet again.

Dong Wan, looking on, said with a chuckle, “Alright, alright, big Secretary, An Na wasn’t wrong. You really can’t have a peaceful New Year. Go and take your call. If we wait for you to cook, we wouldn’t know when this New Year’s Eve dinner would be ready.”

Nie Zhenbang smiled awkwardly but picked up the phone. The incoming caller ID showed the number of the Provincial Party Committee Secretary-General Xu Hongzhuan. As soon as the call connected, Nie Zhenbang said, “Secretary-General Xu Hongzhuan, hello.” (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (NovelFire.net) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)