Super Soldier in the City
Chapter 151: Even the Leaders Come to Curry Favor

Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Even the Leaders Come to Curry Favor

At that moment, Su Mengxin stood up to shake hands with the four individuals. Each of them only shook her hand briefly, as if they were afraid of being impolite.

This left both Li Xinyue and Song Lianyao both stunned and scornful. Among them, Jin Shenglu, the first deputy secretary, was the one in charge of their television station. Usually, when he saw them, he always looked at them with lustful eyes. When he shook their hands, he would always hold on and not let go. But now, he didn’t even dare to take the slightest advantage.

"Let me introduce you to everyone. This is my cousin Li Yifei, who will be my representative in Mile City and serve as the company’s general manager," she said.

Having been introduced by Su Mengxin, Li Yifei had no choice but to step up to the plate. He shook hands with the four leaders and smiled, "Leaders, I’m not good at managing a company, I’m just here because my cousin forcefully dragged me along. If there’s anything in the future, you should still talk to General Manager Xu Yingying." He directly pushed Xu Yingying to the forefront.

Everyone was already familiar with Xu Yingying. Her company was quite significant in Mile City, and because Xu Yingying was young and beautiful, she was even more memorable. These four individuals had once harbored some thoughts about Xu Yingying. But now that Xu Yingying suddenly became the general manager of Su Mengxin’s company, they wouldn’t dare to harbor any sort of intentions towards her.

"I suppose I don’t need to introduce these two. They will be the spokespeople for our company, the ambassadors of our company’s image. From now on, our company’s image will depend on them. I hope the leaders will take good care of these two for the sake of our company’s image."

With that remark, Li Xinyue and Song Lianyao felt immensely grateful. This way, not only would Jin Shenglu no longer have any designs on them, but even if people beneath him wanted to harass them, these four leaders would have to intervene.

People are not without self-respect, and Li Xinyue and Song Lianyao were no exception. They did not enjoy trading their dignity for the sake of their careers, but often reality demanded submission. Now they knew that they would no longer need to do so in the future, now they had the capital to defend their self-esteem.

After everyone finished introducing themselves, they all took their seats. Su Mengxin unapologetically took the main seat, with the mayor, Qin Yuanjiang, and the Municipal Party Secretary, Song Zhentao, at her sides, followed by Jin Shenglu and Ning Changzheng. Li Yifei and Xu Yingying sat next to each other, with Li Xinyue and Song Lianyao at the very end.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was somewhat subdued. Su Mengxin did not engage in much laughing or talking with the others, and her toasts were merely perfunctory gestures. Xu Yingying was prepared to toast on her behalf, but a look from Su Mengxin made it clear to her that doing so would make the company seem pitiful. Su Mengxin wanted her company to stand tall and proud here, and even for those who worked for her, they must not appear weak.

Initially, Li Xinyue and Song Lianyao were somewhat constrained, but as time passed, they realized that the high-ranking officials were quite approachable today. Gradually, they let down their guard. As presenters, their oratory skills were undeniable. Before long, their witty conversation had lightened the mood somewhat.

Even so, the meal did not last long. In less than an hour in total, preparations were made to pay the bill and disperse.

"Miss Su, rest assured, as long as your company is based in Mile City, we will definitely provide full support," declared the leaders several times.

With a slight smile, Su Mengxin responded, "I hope so. I can see that all of you are leaders of action. Mile City is bound to develop better under your guidance, and in the future, you will surely take on greater responsibilities."

Hearing Su Mengxin’s words, the faces of the leaders showed varying reactions. Municipal Party Secretary Song Zhentao was overjoyed. Su Mengxin’s remark was undoubtedly a promise; as long as he helped the company develop well in Mile City, she would assist in his career advancement. Su Mengxin’s help could be much more influential than any provincial leader.

Qin Yuanjiang felt regret in his heart. Due to his age, he no longer had hopes for promotion. If he had encountered Su Mengxin earlier, perhaps he wouldn’t have just ended as a mayor. However, by forming good ties with Su Mengxin now, his son, who was working as a section chief in the city, could have the opportunity to climb the ranks quickly.

Jin Shenglu and Ning Changzheng harbored similar thoughts, hence they were even more eager to become Su Mengxin’s trusted allies.

Li Yifei watched as the four leaders curried favor with Su Mengxin, and he couldn’t help but shake his head inwardly. The hypocrisy of officialdom was what he disliked the most. Otherwise, if he had chosen to stay in the service, he could have easily secured an official position.

The dinner finally ended. Though it was hosted by Su Mengxin, the leaders insisted on paying the bill. Su Mengxin did not argue with them. By inviting them to dine, she had already granted them enough face. Even if she hadn’t invited them, they wouldn’t dare to take any action against her company.

However, that was how Su Mengxin conducted herself, and that was where her personal charm lay. She always managed to get people to willingly work for her. If she came across an official she liked, she would not hesitate to lend a hand.

After leaving the restaurant, Su Mengxin straightforwardly asked Li Yifei to drive her to the airport. Her flight was at two in the afternoon. Xu Yingying, Li Xinyue, and Song Lianyao also went to see her off, and Su Mengxin did not refuse them.

"Keep this car to drive for yourself," Su Mengxin said with a smile to Li Yifei when just the two of them were in the vehicle.

"No need. I can’t afford to drive such an expensive car."

Miss Su gave Li Yifei a rolling of her eyes, an action most girls probably enjoyed doing, but when Miss Su did it—even just a rolling of her eyes—it was charming beyond measure, alluring and indefinable, though Li Yifei, focused on driving, didn’t see it.

"You’re a CEO now, aren’t you? If you don’t have a decent car, it doesn’t really reflect the strength of our company, does it?"

"Please, show me a CEO who has to drive themselves around. They all have personal drivers. What’s more, a CEO driving a red sports car just screams frivolity. If I need to use a car, it has to be something like a Mercedes or Audi."

"Hehe, the car is for you to enjoy when you’re off duty. Of course, we’ll provide some official vehicles for company use."

"Driving for fun... Look, me earning a salary and driving around in a sports car worth millions for fun, that’s just asking to be looked down upon. Besides, for someone like me, no matter how nice the car, I’m just the driver."

"Suit yourself. But I might not be back for a while, so it’s just sitting there. You at least have to find somewhere to put it."

"Alright, I’ll drive it back and dump it in the underground parking garage."

After finishing their talk about the car, Li Yifei turned to Su Mengxin and said, "What’s the big idea with all this anyway?"

Feigning ignorance, Su Mengxin said, "What ’big idea’?"

"About making someone a CEO. We’re all adults here; no need to beat around the bush. Don’t tell me there’s no ulterior motive to tying me down to this."

Su Mengxin chuckled lightly and said, "I really don’t have any ulterior motives. It’s just that here, you’re the person I trust the most. If I don’t ask for your help, then who should I ask?"

"Most trustworthy, huh? I don’t really feel it," said Li Yifei with a grin.

Turning to stare at the side of Li Yifei’s face, Su Mengxin said solemnly, "In the midst of bullets flying, you said you’d take me back no matter what, and you did, even though it was so dangerous. If I can’t trust you, who can I trust?"

Li Yifei turned and looked at Su Mengxin, smiling, "You’re not here just to thank me for that time I brought you back, are you?"

"Of course not. Though I did genuinely want to see you. After all, that was the most dangerous experience of my life. If I didn’t come to see my savior, wouldn’t that show a complete lack of conscience?"

Li Yifei replied frankly, "Then you shouldn’t have. I was on a mission. Even if it had been a rabbit or a dog, I would’ve been obliged to bring it back, and besides, the state pays my salary—I wasn’t set on saving you personally."

Su Mengxin knew Li Yifei would react this way, which was precisely why she hadn’t revealed her true purpose for coming. She didn’t want to pressure Li Yifei or act blindly. In the few interactions she’d had with him, she found more and more reasons to like him, and she knew that if she pursued too eagerly, it would only make him run.

Su Mengxin was undoubtedly a wise person who could let go of trifles and look at the big picture. Unlike most girls, she didn’t try to monopolize a man upon developing feelings for him. She understood that a man needed to mature emotionally before he could be entrusted with a life together. Thus, she wouldn’t mind any girls around him or worry about what might happen. She was confident that she could win Li Yifei over in the end.

"Actually, I didn’t really come to repay my debt to you. Can’t you just treat me like a friend?"

"Friends? Sure, aren’t you always freeloading meals at my place? If we weren’t friends, would I let you come over?"

"Exactly. Since we’re friends, it’s normal for you to help me out a bit in my company, isn’t it?"

"But why do I always feel like this friend is only helping you and you’re not helping me?" Li Yifei asked with a smile.

"Hehe, you don’t have anything for me to help with right now, do you? Just say the word when you do. As long as I, Su Mengxin, can do it, I definitely won’t hesitate."