an and Liu Lan for a casual meal. Then the entire inspection group returned to the province.Liu Lan was originally promoted step by step within the county government, and people who have been doing gr...Chapter 146: Suggestion

Right before Li was about to enter February and schools were set to reopen, Wang Weiwei's group had disbanded. Wang returned alone to Chengdu and called Su Chen to say that they had dispersed after arriving in Beijing for the New Year. They visited their relatives separately but ran into each other a few times during these visits.

Wang Weiwei said Lin Zouwu dressed like a dandy, wearing shirts, suits, and vests similar to those worn by middle schoolers, which was apparently quite popular. His father, the eldest son of the Lin family, had advanced in rank within the military department, while his younger brother's fame had increased even more. On the other hand, Lin Luoran seemed completely different; she no longer acted mischievously and instead behaved like a princess, surrounded by noblemen who fawned over her.

Wang Weiwei’s trip to Chengdu before school started was not as lively as during the mid-winter break. Most people had left for their respective destinations. Since Nan University's reopening was later than most universities in China, Su Chen left relatively late and happened to coincide with Wang Weiwei.

Wang Weiwei suggested over the phone that Su Chen could have a simple meal at his house. Of course, if Wang Weiwei invited him, they could chat casually at any small restaurant or café. However, eating at Wang Weiwei's home was something his father, Wang Bo, wanted.

Su Chen thought this old fox finally showed its true colors; the events that occurred in Chengdu during winter break must have made him think less of Su Chen.

After Su Chen smashed Tao Chuohong’s car on County Jinfeng Road Nineteen, triggering a series of controversial incidents in Chengdu, Wang Weiwei, as an accomplice to Su Chen, didn't receive any blame from his father. Instead, it seemed like nothing had happened at all. Naturally, Wang Weiwei was relieved and secretly thankful.

However, Su Chen felt that Wang He was increasingly embodying the demeanor of a high-ranking politician, becoming more profound and possessing the air of an expert who could hold their own in political debates.

Su Chen had been to the villa in Chengdu's Garden multiple times before, so he didn't need Wang Weiwei to welcome or guide him. He pressed the doorbell, and it was Wang Weiwei who opened the door; during winter break, this house was mostly empty because Wang Bo usually didn't stay here, and with the three of them gone, the place was vacant. The nanny responsible for their home, Aunt Zhang, naturally wouldn’t come.

Surprisingly, it was Wang Bo himself who was preparing food in the kitchen. He told Su Chen calmly, "Wash your hands, we're about to eat."

The sound was so natural and familiar that it momentarily transported Su Chen back to his days in Xiahai. Even as a city party secretary, Wang Bo still had this affability; personally cooking for Su Chen showed how much he didn't treat him like an outsider.

In the study, Wang Weiwei was online, chatting with friends and pointing at the screen said, "They all want to see what you look like. Why don't we take a photo and upload it"

Coming back to his senses, Su Chen remembered that this era didn’t have video chat; uploading a single photo would be quite primitive. He waved his hand and declined.

Wang Weiwei nodded after thinking about it for a moment. "True, the only girl among them isn't a beauty, no wonder you don't feel comfortable. Should I introduce some of Lin Luoran's friends to you She has plenty of beautiful girls in her network. Or perhaps I can connect you with some of my Beijing friends from Beiwai or Beiying"

Su Cen teased, "You should introduce her to Lin Zhouwu. When did you and Lin Genran start chatting like this"

Wang Weiwei awkwardly smiled and added, "This time in Beijing, I met Ye Huichang. She mentioned you." He then paused and self-mockingly said, "Now, it seems that the only way to find common ground with her is through you."

Su Cen didn't think much about whether Wang Weiwei had any romantic entanglements during his holiday. Instead, when Wang Bo invited him again, Su Cen went out and helped bring dishes from the kitchen.

Wang Bo was a good cook; there were Mapo Tofu, Sichuan-style Hot Fish, West Lake vegetable soup, among other home-cooked dishes on the table. Previously, Su Cen often had free meals at Wang Weiwei's house and remembered Wang Bo’s cooking vividly. He remarked, "Uncle Wang’s dishes taste very good; it brings back fond memories."

Wang Bo chuckled and said, "If you miss them that much, then eat more. Just the two of us here, so I thought a bit lighter today and invited you over. You haven't been to our place for quite some time now."

"Dad, saying it like this is unfair," Wang Weiwei interjected, "You aren’t often around. I’ve frequently invited Su Cen."

Su Cen nodded; compared to his own family's harmonious atmosphere where they ate together daily as a trio, the father and son of the Wangs were quite different, despite their high status and numerous social engagements, life was relatively solitary.

The TV broadcasted the regular evening news. The weather was cool but the dining table was warm and steamy, with fog rising from the dishes until it covered the old hanging lamp above them.

"Su Cen," Wang Bo said, "is Zeng Quanming your maternal uncle Is he alright"

Su Cen knew that Wang Bo referred to the case of illegal land occupation by Nanning Group during the holiday. The prosecution had quietly handled it in court and reached a conclusion where Chengdu Development Planning Commission won the lawsuit. Naturally, this displeased the Tao family faction, disrupting their layout in southwestern China.

Su Cen replied, "Uncle Wang, I caused you trouble over this holiday."

Wang Weiwei knew roughly what happened and said, "From my perspective, that Tao Chu Hong is a typical spoilt brat. He was raised poorly at home; he’s already an adult but still acts recklessly. It doesn’t matter if he messes with others, but the moment he crosses us, we'll make him leave Chengdu in disgrace."

"Nonsense," Wang Bo sternly rebuked. Wang Weiwei immediately lowered his tone, "If you were half as sensible as Su Cen, I would be much more at ease."

Wang Weiwei's mouth dropped when he heard this. He laughed and said, "Dad, it wasn’t me who tricked that kid into smashing the Ferrari."

The implication was that he had only been an accomplice and not the mastermind.

Su Can’s face turned red. He thought to himself that these two men—one praised him while the other criticized him—and it made him feel quite uncomfortable.

"You didn’t do anything wrong," Wang Bo turned around and said to Su Can, "The Naning Group is well-known for its reputation; I’ve heard about several local governments being blackmailed by them. They first use increased investment as bait to get land resources from the government, then sell these resources at high prices to other real estate companies. If a local government isn’t agreeable or unwilling, they threaten to reduce their investment. For political achievements, many counties and cities have no choice but to comply with their demands. In reality, they are using local governments’ land revenues to build houses, commercial buildings, and factories for themselves. Tao Qian believes that he understands the methods of local government recruitment and is trying to repeat his tricks in Rongcheng. It’s good that you’ve managed to hit him back."

When Wang Weiwei heard that what he did with Su Can had received such affirmation from Wang Bo, he naturally felt very excited.

For Su Can, being able to talk so candidly and sincerely with Wang Bo was a positive signal. Even though Wang Bo was gradually becoming an astute official, he still trusted him—Su Can—unwaveringly. The foundation of their trust was already quite solid.

However, Su Can did not want to inquire further about the deeper aspects of how Wang Bo would handle the relationship with Tao Changping, who was Tao Qian’s relative and a vice-mayor in Rongcheng.

"Actually, I didn’t think that much. Tao Chu Hong is rather impetuous, and what he did was indeed excessive. I only taught him a small lesson, but I don't know what consequences this will bring."

Wang Bo naturally ignored Su Can's pretense; back then, if not for his carefulness with Lin Guozhou, they would never have exposed the young man’s true intentions. Despite his young age, he was no longer just talking about national affairs frivolously.

After dinner, Wang Bo didn’t make the two children wash dishes or clean up. After finishing their chores, the mayor and family man sat on the sofa with a cigarette in hand; he hadn't smoked for quite some time but now did so out of pressure from his position.

The TV switched to Rongcheng Television’s news channel, focusing on the development of the Rongcheng Development Zone. It was footage from Wang Bo's inspection last week, where he was surrounded by a crowd of people—nobody would have known that at home, Wang Bo had such a warm and amiable side.

"Su Can, you’re studying economics, right What do you think" Wang Bo pointed to the TV, which was reporting on Rongcheng Municipal Government’s growth policy for the year. He looked at Su Can with a smile; he knew of his capabilities and this was largely an examination.

Wang Weiwei subconsciously perked up to listen as well. As he grew older, Wang Weiwei had become more mature and began to pay attention to things that interested him. His relationship with Su Can wasn’t just friendship but also admiration.

"Have the two major policies this year for Rongcheng’s GDP growth already been introduced Watching the TV report on Rongcheng Municipal Government's economic policy, Su Can quietly observed and then said, "Develop infrastructure to drive GDP growth and increase foreign investment." Wang Bo nodded. "With the country launching its Western Development Strategy, more basic investments will be made in infrastructure construction across central and western China. In this regard, your father’s unit, as the leading player in provincial construction, should set an example."

"Uncle Wang, I once heard a saying that China's GDP is driven by steel and concrete. Building bridges and roads indeed boosts GDP growth, but it also means that industries such as steel and cement dominate the market, taking up half of annual GDP growth while domestic consumption accounts for only about one-third. This means that China has become a country with severely insufficient consumer spending compared to other countries where consumption constitutes at least three-quarters of GDP growth. A severe lack of internal demand leads to infrastructure construction absorbing excess capacity in steel and cement production. But what happens when these constructions are completed, and the rapid increase in demand for steel and cement diminishes This will likely cause these industries to revert to their original state because there isn’t a need for so much infrastructure, highways, and bridges, making them surplus capacities that could harm economic growth."

"In terms of attracting investment, some local governments have been reckless and unregulated. Take rare earth minerals as an example. This industrial gold can indeed boost a local government's fiscal growth in the short term due to its cheap supply and excessive mining. However, it also brings severe environmental pollution and resource depletion, which will become a crisis that harms future generations. Overly aggressive investment attraction leads to massive capacity expansion, but domestic consumption is insufficient. The surplus capacity can only be exported abroad, but this carries risks. If foreign countries, such as the US, experience financial crises or bubble consumption, it severely impacts China's export industry, causing serious overcapacity and threatening the national economy. At that point, a large number of manufacturing industries will collapse, which are the foundation of the country. In comparison to virtual economies, these are the cells that can withstand financial storms and form the basis of the national economy."

Wang Bo was lost in thought.

Su Cen's remarks were naturally based on a combination of past knowledge and recent studies he had acquired. It wasn't difficult for him to make such an analysis with what he had learned in this life.

Many people predicted as early as 2002 that these things would happen, some even shouting about it. Wang Bo was aware of this but didn't think much of them since who could claim to predict the future However, when Su Cen mentioned it, he couldn't help but pay close attention.

"Then in your opinion, how should Chengdu's policies be adjusted"

Su Cen thought that finally doing something substantial was within reach. He didn’t believe he could lead a region or become an influential figure like ‘raising one arm and responding from all sides,’ but guiding the current misguided thoughts through Wang Bo would still be beneficial.

"Uncle Wang mentioned developing industrial parks in the news, which I think is a good approach. Nowadays, few people are involved in real industries like manufacturing, and it will only become more difficult in the future. With stock markets and real estate making so much money, who would want to engage with the real economy Without a solid foundation of a real economy, virtual economies turn into bubbles, problems arise from overcapacity, easily targeted by global financial predators causing us to lose our hard-earned wealth overnight. Thus, encouraging real economic development, regulating housing prices, and increasing domestic demand are key steps towards solving these issues."

"Otherwise, severe overcapacity makes the country overly dependent on exports. If other countries become envious—like America—they can simply clamor for a renminbi appreciation to halt or worsen our economy."

Wang Bo listened quietly and nodded, his eyes full of vigor. "What you say isn't without basis; it's worth pondering over. However, implementing comprehensive reforms is not easy. For instance, limiting real estate development—would your dad agree with that"

"Dawu Construction has a policy principle: don’t pursue profits beyond a certain margin. Establish a healthy and orderly market, oppose the excessive profits in the real estate industry. This valuable experience was summarized by Dawu Construction's former chairman; I believe this is also what my father advocates." If Wang Bo were to adopt Su Cen’s suggestions, it would likely affect some interest groups in Chengdu, but he believed that many people would understand and support him on a broader level.

Wang Bo only remembered to flick ash from his cigarette and looked up. "You have clear thinking. After graduation, why not come work as my secretary"

This was more of a joke than anything else; Su Cen didn't take it seriously either. He also didn’t speculate about what kind of different path it would be if this actually happened.

Su Cen just thought about how people's lives and habits in the city might change if Wang Bo really adopted his suggestions. Implementing these changes might face resistance, but those were challenges for Wang Bo to overcome. As for whether his actions would make his official career more glorious or bring him setbacks, that wasn’t something he needed to consider.

He just wanted to do something.strange and sad. If things continued like this, what would happen when their relationship became as distant as waterThinking back to the time she turned around and walked away from Su Can at Xiao Yuny...