Picking up the phone, Hailong found it was a call from Qiao Zhenyuan. He heard Qiao Zhenyuan say on the other end, "Brother Hailong, the matter has been completely resolved. Are you free tonight? Come to my place, let your sister cook a couple of good dishes for you, and we can have a good drink with my good-for-nothing brother."
Hailong didn't expect the matter to be resolved so quickly. After all, Qiao Zhenyuan was the most influential person in Donghai City, and he handled things with great efficiency. Hailong replied with a smile, "Sure, you tell me the time, and I'll be there on time." After they agreed on the time, Hailong hung up the phone.
Turning around, Hailong looked at Hu Jing and said somewhat apologetically, "Sis, I have something to do later, so I can't stay with you."
Hu Jing, who hadn't seen Hailong for two months, was very reluctant. Including today, they had only been together for two days. Compared to the two months of separation, how could this ease her longing? Although Hu Jing was a bit sad, she couldn't force Hailong to stay if he had something to do. She just said "Oh" and turned around, silently walking back to her room. Seeing Hu Jing walk away with a pitiful look, Hailong felt quite uncomfortable. He picked up the phone again and said to Qiao Zhenyuan, "Brother Qiao, can I bring a friend?"
Hearing this, Qiao Zhenyuan was a bit unsure of Hailong's intentions. Normally, a banquet hosted by the Party Secretary of Donghai City would be for his closest guests or friends. But this friend wanted to bring someone else, which left Qiao Zhenyuan at a loss for words.
Hailong also noticed this and said with a smile, "Brother Qiao, this person is no one else. Li Wanhao should have told you, it's my girlfriend, Hu Jing. We haven't seen each other for two months, and the little girl is clinging to me, so I want to bring her along."
Hearing this, Qiao Zhenyuan understood. It was Hailong's girlfriend. When Qiao Zhenyuan had inquired about Hailong from Li Wanhao, he had heard about Hu Jing and knew that Hailong cared a lot about her. He said, "Sure, let me meet my sister-in-law."
Hailong smiled and said, "Great, but I need to tell you something. When we meet, don't reveal your identity. The little girl is from the countryside, and we can't let her know who you are, or she might get scared."
Qiao Zhenyuan had encountered such situations many times. When he visited the countryside without revealing his identity, anyone could speak loudly to him. But when his subordinates found him and revealed his identity, everyone would be so frightened that they couldn't speak freely anymore, even with his reassurances.
Qiao Zhenyuan nodded and said to Hailong, "Don't worry, I know what to do. Today, I and my sister were just chatting with you, nothing related to work, so I won't reveal my identity." Hailong expressed his gratitude.
In the evening, Hailong took a taxi and brought Hu Jing to a neighborhood in Donghai City, arriving at Qiao Zhenyuan's home.
At that moment, Su Xiaomei was cooking in the kitchen, and Qiao Yu was standing with Qiao Zhenyuan in the cold wind downstairs, waiting for Hailong. Hailong, with his sharp eyes, saw Qiao Zhenyuan standing in the cold from a distance and quickly asked the driver to speed up. When he got closer, Hailong got out of the car with Hu Jing and hurriedly walked up to Qiao Zhenyuan, saying, "Oh, Brother Qiao, what are you doing? It's so cold, you could have waited for me inside."
Hailong really didn't expect Qiao Zhenyuan to receive him with such high regard, which truly moved him. Judging by the snow on their clothes, they had been standing there for about half an hour.
Qiao Zhenyuan smiled and said, "It's only right. This time, thanks to you, my good-for-nothing brother escaped this crisis."
Then, Qiao Zhenyuan pulled Qiao Yu to his side and introduced him to Hailong, "This is my brother, Qiao Yu."
Qiao Yu had long wanted to meet his savior. Qiao Yu had already prepared to go to prison, and without Hailong's help, he knew his life would be ruined. So, Qiao Yu was very grateful to Hailong. Today, he had suggested coming down early to wait for Hailong.
Seeing Hailong, Qiao Yu expressed his gratitude profusely but didn't mention anything specific because Qiao Zhenyuan had told him that Hailong's girlfriend knew nothing about the matter, and Hailong didn't want Hu Jing to know their identities.
Hailong also introduced Hu Jing to everyone with a smile. When they went upstairs, Su Xiaomei was waiting at the door. Seeing Hailong with Hu Jing, she happily pulled Hu Jing into the house, saying, "Oh, our little brother is so lucky to have found such a beautiful girlfriend."
Su Xiaomei was discerning. Seeing the brand of Hu Jing's clothes, she knew Hu Jing must be from a wealthy family. However, this time she was wrong. Just as Su Xiaomei was about to comment on the clothes, Hailong quickly said, "Sis, isn't Hu Jing's outfit beautiful? Today, Burberry was on sale, this coat only cost 200 yuan, and the sweater inside was only 100 yuan."
Hearing this, Su Xiaomei was almost angry. Burberry was her favorite brand, a symbol of nobility and luxury. When did it ever have a sale, and when did its clothes ever cost only 300 yuan for two pieces?
Seeing Hailong giving her hints, Su Xiaomei recalled what Qiao Zhenyuan had said earlier. Hailong didn't want his girlfriend to know their identities, so she realized that Hu Jing must come from a humble background, and Hailong had bought her these clothes, making up a low price to ensure she would wear them.
At the dinner, Qiao Zhenyuan took a bottle of red wine from his wine cabinet. When Hu Jing wasn't paying attention, he quietly said to Hailong, "This is the only bottle of 1982 Château Lafite that Old Qiao has. Let's taste it today. I've always heard that 1982 Château Lafite is good, but I've never tasted it."
Hailong, who had never tasted Château Lafite, especially the legendary 1982 vintage, was eager to try it. He said, "I won't be shy. Let's taste it today."
Qiao Yu also said, "Brother, you're not being fair. I've asked you so many times, and you never gave me any, but today you're treating guests with it."
Qiao Zhenyuan laughed and said, "Go away. If you can afford to buy a bottle of 1982 Château Lafite, then you can have it. You just like to freeload from your brother. Don't mind him, Hailong, he doesn't know his limits."
Hailong noticed that Qiao Yu was like a child, scratching his head and laughing when scolded by his brother. Hailong initially thought Qiao Yu was really upset, but it turned out he was just joking.
Su Xiaomei also poured a glass of wine for Hu Jing and said, "Girls shouldn't drink strong liquor. This red wine is just right. Try this glass; it's quite rare."
Hu Jing still didn't understand who Qiao Zhenyuan was. Hailong hadn't specifically introduced him, only telling her that one was his sister, one was his brother-in-law, and the other was his brother-in-law's younger brother. Hu Jing was still confused.
Although she didn't know what was going on, Hu Jing felt a special fondness for Su Xiaomei. Seeing her graceful and elegant demeanor, Hu Jing was captivated.
Hearing Su Xiaomei speak to her, Hu Jing blushed and nodded.
Hailong didn't expect the dinner to last so long. In the end, Qiao Yu and Qiao Zhenyuan both got quite drunk. Su Xiaomei saw Hailong and Hu Jing off, and Hailong waved goodbye to her with a smile, then took Hu Jing home.
Hu Jing didn't mind the dinner. As long as she could be with Hailong, she felt very happy. At this moment, her heart was filled with thoughts of Hailong.