Du Feiyang found it a bit strange. What was his cousin's mentality? Her own life was a mess, yet she was offering advice on someone else's marriage. It was almost as if she deserved it.
Was it that she was doing poorly and didn't want anyone else to do well?
Hu Pan's aunt, with her face flushed with anger, exclaimed, "What kind of people are these in this family? Isn't Pan'er a girl? She's doing just fine!"
Hu Pan: "..."
Why was she being dragged into this again?
Du Feiyang picked up his wine glass and said, "Let's drink. It's a holiday, no need to talk about unhappy things. Uncle Hu, I'll toast you."
The Maotai was from Xie Sui. He knew it would appreciate greatly in value in the future, so he had stocked up a lot. He could drink it himself or give it away, but it was a bargain for Du Feiyang.
Mayor Hu had drunk good wine before. While the mayor's salary wasn't high, the benefits were plentiful. There was no need to spend money on many things, and food and drink were all specially supplied, something ordinary people couldn't buy even with money. This was also an advantage.
Mayor Hu took a sip, then put down his glass and said, "I might be transferred after the New Year."
"Where to? Will you be leaving home?"
"To Shenzhen, to serve as the Executive Vice Mayor, in charge of economic affairs. It's partly thanks to Pan'er. Settling laid-off workers is a political achievement. Although it's the same position, Shenzhen is a special economic zone with a brighter future. I'll be taking up the post in March."
Du Feiyang was overjoyed. "That's great! It will be closer to Hong Kong City from now on. I will definitely support your work, Uncle. My family may not have much else, but we have many friends and plenty of money. I'll bring those friends to invest in your projects. Your political achievements will be my responsibility."
"What are you saying? We can't break the law. Uncle is doing things according to regulations and won't bend the rules for you."
"That's not necessary. Brother Xie already had plans to develop in Shenzhen. He'll sort out the county's projects this year, and he won't be able to go until the latter half of the year."
Mayor Hu said, "I'll look for you when there's an opportunity. Let's not talk about this, let's drink."
"Okay, I wish you a limitless future and smooth sailing in your career, Uncle."
"Don't say that. What career? It's all about serving the people."
Du Feiyang's mouth twitched. He thought these officials were a bit hypocritical. Still, he chimed in. His smooth and clever demeanor made Mayor Hu smile broadly, and he was quite satisfied with this son-in-law.
Meanwhile, Chen Ying, Du Pan's cousin, felt an even deeper jealousy. Why did Du Pan find a rich and powerful husband, and her father also got promoted? It was truly unfair. All the good things seemed to happen to them.
Mayor Hu, having drunk a bit too much, went to rest. Du Feiyang was surrounded by several cousins, who asked about Hong Kong City. Du Feiyang answered each one patiently. This time, he didn't exaggerate or brag, but spoke truthfully, which already amazed them.
"You're welcome to visit anytime. Just mention my name when you get to Hong Kong City, and no one, from either side of the law, will dare to make things difficult for you."
"Cough... cough..."
Hu Pan coughed, and Du Feiyang immediately shut up, turning into a well-behaved child.
Aunt Hu Pan said, "Feiyang truly dotes on you. You're not even married yet, and he indulges your every whim. But Pan'er, you shouldn't control him too much. Men need face, you know."
"I know."
In the afternoon, they played mahjong again. Hu Pan wasn't skilled, but Du Feiyang was an expert. However, he didn't win money; instead, he deliberately lost. He lost over ten thousand yuan that afternoon, making these relatives grin from ear to ear, seeing him as a god of wealth.
They stayed for dinner again in the evening. Xu Wanning was still thinking about how to accommodate Du Feiyang when he stood up to leave. "I've booked a guesthouse in the city. I'll pick Pan'er up early tomorrow and head back to the county. I won't disturb you any further. Uncle and Aunt, please rest early."
"Alright, Pan'er, go see him off."
Hu Pan was quite happy. Du Feiyang had made her proud this time. No girl wouldn't be vain, hoping for a husband who loved her.
Xu Wanning watched their retreating figures with great satisfaction. Indeed, for a son-in-law to win over his mother-in-law, using money as a path was always effective.
Mayor Hu, however, expressed some concern. "Hearing about the Du family's situation, they are a large family. Our Pan'er is innocent. Can she adapt to such a family? I heard the internal struggles are fierce, with people fighting to the death over family property. It's too dangerous."
Xu Wanning replied, "Didn't Little Du say he wouldn't compete for family property and would start his own business? I think this child is very good. He's rich but not ostentatious, handsome, and generous. Most importantly, he's good to Pan'er."
Mayor Hu said calmly, "Is he not ostentatious enough? I don't see him as a gentle person. He seems to be putting on a mild act. I'll inquire about the Du family later. Let's not rush to accept him as a son-in-law."
Xu Wanning shot him a glare. "If Pan'er likes him, you can't refuse. Don't you want your son-in-law to help you achieve political success?"
Mayor Hu blushed. "Can't I be a mayor without this son-in-law? Who are you looking down on?"
"Can you do a good job? If it weren't for your daughter helping you, would you have been promoted?"
Xu Wanning didn't spare him any face and went to the kitchen to help clean up with the housekeeper. Every year, these family gatherings took all day and ended with her in a bad mood. Next year, she decided, they would find a restaurant; she was too lazy to serve them.
...
Du Feiyang had drunk a lot and fell asleep as soon as he hit the pillow. The next day, he had his bodyguard wake him up early to pick up Hu Pan from her home and head back to the county.
Upon arriving at Hu's house, Xu Wanning had just brought out breakfast and warmly invited him, "Have you eaten? Have some with us. Please don't mind the simple fare."
"Not at all. Then I won't be polite. I love millet porridge and steamed buns, and they're even better with some pickles."
"That's perfect. Eat more. Aunt's pickled vegetables are delicious."
The pickled radish, mixed with sesame oil and vinegar, was crisp and indeed very appetizing.
There was no talk of whether pickles were nutritious or not. In an era of being full was a luxury, no one discussed such things. Being able to eat was enough.
Hu Pan still felt a bit awkward, not used to having someone else in the house, especially the person closest to her.
Du Feiyang ate breakfast generously, even overeating. The mother-in-law was too enthusiastic, and he ate three buns and two tea eggs, feeling like the food had reached his throat.
Finally bidding farewell to the enthusiastic mother-in-law, Du Feiyang burped, a strong smell of buns. Fortunately, they weren't leek-filled.
Hu Pan found it amusing. "You ate so much, aren't you stuffed?"
"Of course, I'm stuffed. But with the mother-in-law's enthusiasm, I had to eat it all. This shows her satisfaction. I had to finish even if I was stuffed."
"Satisfied with what? I'm the one who needs to be satisfied."
Du Feiyang panicked. "Was I not performing well enough? What are you dissatisfied with?"
"It's alright, but there's room for improvement."
Du Feiyang chuckled. Was this what Brother Xie meant by saying one thing and meaning another?
Du Feiyang made small talk, discussing the future plans for the factory. Hu Pan became interested, and they chatted unconsciously for the entire journey, their bond growing stronger.
In the afternoon, they returned to the county. Xie Sui saw the guy grinning foolishly and knew that a beautiful flower was about to be plucked by him.
"Mother-in-law is won over. Get back to work quickly. You're a married man now. Settle down. If you wrong Hu Pan, I'll be the first to not let you off."
"You don't need to tell me. I won't mess around. By the way, my father-in-law is coming to Shenzhen to be the mayor. We need to prepare quickly. Let's collude with officials and make a fortune."
Xie Sui was surprised. "That's good news! No need to collude, just give us some inside information. We can't hold him back. You shouldn't be the one to appear. It's not a good look. In the future, your company should find reliable people to be the legal representatives, so as not to make things difficult for Mayor Hu."