let out a cry of pain."Heh heh, now you know how powerful Master Dao is!"The old Taoist saw that his Evil-Dispelling Talismans could only make the Nine-Son Ghost Mother cry out in pain without causin...Chapter 148: Changing Expressions

Xiao Yu naturally saw the prices of the dishes Zhang Shaohua had ordered. After Zhang Shaohua finished ordering and no one else made any further requests, Xiao Yu smiled at the boss lady and said, "Boss Lady, add a few signature dishes from your restaurant! And bring a case of Maotai!"

"Little Brother Xiao doesn’t need to do that. There’s still plenty of alcohol in my car!" Zhang Shaohua knew that the specialty dishes here were expensive, and since Xiao Yu had directly ordered an entire case of Maotai, he hurriedly said.

“Haha, Big Brother Zhang, the alcohol in your car is yours. If I’m treating guests today and drinking your alcohol, whose treat would it be—yours or mine” Since Xiao Yu was treating them, he didn’t want to do petty things. Besides, he wasn’t short of a bit of money.

“Alright, Little Brother Xiao is straightforward! It’s me who’s being too picky!” Zhang Shaohua slammed the table and said. Although he didn’t know what others thought, based on Xiao Yu’s influence, doing this clearly gave him face.

"Miss Jin, do as Little Brother Xiao says!" Zhang Shaohua turned around to tell the boss lady.

“Alright, please wait a moment. The dishes will be ready soon!” the boss lady responded and left the private room, glancing curiously at Xiao Yu before leaving—what kind of person was this man who could make Zhang Shaohua act like that

The boss lady left the room full of questions; she didn’t know what kind of person Xiao Yu was, but he must be someone important to have such an effect on Zhang Shaohua. Moreover, it seemed unlikely that he was a local playboy, because those spoiled sons were usually not so pure.

As she walked, she tried to figure it out but couldn’t find the answer. Whatever; later she would ask that old man if he knew anything about this.

"Little Brother Zhang, who is your friend" Inside the private room, no one had spoken until now except for Xiao Yu and Zhang Shaohua. A middle-aged man sitting beside Zhang Shaohua couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer and asked.

Upon hearing this person’s question, the other three people also looked curiously at Zhang Shaohua, waiting for an answer.

"Haha, can’t hold back" Upon hearing this, Zhang Shaohua burst out laughing and said,

Come on, let me introduce you. This is Little Brother Xiao Yu from the antique market who’s opening a clinic soon!

"Xiao, my younger brother, let me introduce you. This is Director Wang Manjiang from the Health Bureau!" Zhang Shaohua pointed to a man in his forties or fifties wearing glasses and said.

He then pointed to the fifty-something-year-old man who had joked with Zhang Shaohua when he entered, saying, "This is Director Li Zhanjun from the Administration for Industry and Commerce."

Pointing at the forty-something-year-old man who had spoken earlier, he said, "This is Executive Deputy Director Wu Shouye from the Public Security Bureau."

"And this is District Chief Sun Wu of Dongcheng District!" Zhang Shaohua pointed to the last person, a bald fifty-something-year-old man and introduced.

The initial curious and enthusiastic looks on their faces turned into professional smiles when they heard that Xiao Yu was merely a doctor from a clinic. Although they still maintained friendly expressions towards Xiao Yu, their conversation became formal and courteous.

Although they didn't know why Zhang Shaohua treated Xiao Yu with such respect and even some degree of reverence, no matter the reason, he was just a doctor running a clinic. They were being this accommodating only out of respect for Zhang Shaohua's sake.

In their minds, Zhang Shaohua elevating Xiao Yu so highly might be because Xiao Yu had saved someone in his family; it couldn't have been anything else, as evidenced by the way Zhang Shaohua ordered dishes earlier.

Moreover, since Xiao Yu's clinic hadn't even opened yet and they were all connected to this clinic in some way or another, coupled with the fact that it was Xiao Yu inviting them to dinner, they naturally assumed that Xiao Yu must be seeking their help for something. Thus, they instinctively put on airs.

Zhang Shaohua took note of these people's behavior and thought to himself: It’s not me who doesn't give you opportunities; it's because you fail to seize them.

Every time Xiao Yu invited these officials for a drink, they would always dodge with official jargon. Gradually, Xiao Yu noticed something was amiss and stopped offering drinks in favor of calmly enjoying his wine and seafood while occasionally raising a glass to Zhang Shaohua.

Zhang Shaohua was speechless toward them; he had never realized how foolish these individuals were until now. If Xiao Yu were just an ordinary person, would I need to go through all this trouble

When Zhang Shaohua entered the room and pulled out the main seat for Xiao Yu, it was to prevent these officials from undervaluing him. He never expected that upon hearing Xiao Yu was a doctor running a clinic, their faces instantly turned professional.

Zhang Shaohua originally had no intention of having Xiao Yu深交 with these people; he just wanted them not to offend Xiao Yu since his clinic fell under their jurisdiction. If they weren't going to be accommodating at the start, Zhang Shaohua would have clearly explained Xiao Yu's situation from the beginning.

Zhang Shaohua used the excuse that they could no longer drink alcohol to refuse Xiao Yu's offer of drinks and shook his head, unsure of what to say. He couldn’t understand why these seasoned officials were acting so strangely today.

"Xiao little brother, wait for me a moment; I’m going over there to toast with them!" Zhang Shaohua pointed towards the eastern part of the room and left with his glass of wine.

"Doctor Xiao, you and Brother Zhang are..." Li Zhanjun, the head of the Administration for Industry and Commerce, said to Xiao Yu upon seeing Zhang Shaohua leave with a cup of wine.

"Haha, Big Brother Zhang helped me get my medical license, so I’m here to express my gratitude. I didn’t expect to meet all these leaders; it’s truly an honor for me!" Xiao Yu chuckled and replied.

The other people present showed expressions of enlightenment, thinking to themselves that this was indeed the case.

Only Wang Manjiang, the director of the Health Bureau, sat there with a thoughtful look on his face. Zhang Shaohua had approached him when applying for his medical license and vaguely remembered Zhang Shaohua calling Secretary Chu to report about it at the time.

Thinking of this made Wang Manjiang startle himself, breaking out in a cold sweat. He thought to himself, How could I be so stupid Why didn’t I think of this earlier

He had merely assumed that Xiao Yu had treated Zhang Shaohua's family’s illness. But hadn’t he considered how, given Zhang Shaohua's status, if it were just any doctor, would they treat him with such respect and deference

"Come on, Xiao little brother! There’s no need to say anything more; having a skilled doctor like you is like adding an extra layer of protection to our lives. I’ll toast to your health—I'll drink this cup dry!"

Wang Manjiang picked up a bottle and poured a full glass, holding it up towards Xiao Yu as he spoke. He then downed the entire glass without pausing; his actions also carried an implicit apology for his earlier attitude.

Though Wang Manjiang wasn’t sure of Xiao Yu’s medical skills, flattery was something everyone could manage.

The other people present all looked at each other in confusion when they saw Wang Manjiang's sudden change in demeanor. They exchanged glances but found no answers in one another's eyes.

Everyone turned their attention to Wang Manjiang; it had been him who, as the most direct superior of Xiao Yu’s department, was the first to change his attitude towards Xiao Yu. Now he was also the first to make a sudden shift, leaving everyone else puzzled and unable to understand his reasoning.

Xiao Yu didn't know why Wang Manjiang's attitude had changed, but regardless of the reason, he would now be Xiao Yu’s superior department. Since Wang Manjiang had already taken a drink, there was no reason for Xiao Yu to refuse and he also downed his cup.

"Haha, great! Dr. Xiao, you're so straightforward! I've made up my mind to consider you a friend!"

Wang Manjiang saw that Xiao Yu didn't feel offended by him earlier but instead had taken a drink himself, feeling that Xiao Yu had given him face. He laughed loudly and said.

No wonder officials have such strange minds; earlier they all refused to drink with Xiao Yu as if drinking with him would make them lose face, yet now they were initiating drinks with him and after he drank, it seemed like he was giving them face.

Xiao Yu could definitely say that this time he had experienced how officials could quickly change their attitudes.

The other three people saw Wang Manjiang’s attitude shift and muttered to themselves. What is going on If only Zhang Shaohua treated him like this, it might make sense, but Wang Manjiang was known for being arrogant and not putting anyone else above himself. Now that he had changed his attitude, they couldn't help but take a serious look at the situation.

Li Zhanjun, sitting next to Wang Manjiang, kicked him under the table and gave him a pointed stare. Wang Manjiang glanced over at Xiao Yu, who was eating, then whispered to Li Zhunjn:

"Sss..." Upon hearing Wang Manjiang’s words, Li Zhanjun sucked in his breath. He never would have thought that Xiao Yu actually had connections with Secretary Chu; they all trembled before Secretary Chu even if they followed him closely.

"Xiao…"

Li Zhanjun was about to speak when the door of the private room opened, and Zhang Shaohua walked in with a smile. "I just went over to Chairman Wang’s place and offered Secretary Chu a toast; he said that he would come here later to return our drinks!"

"Boom" As soon as Zhang Shaohua finished speaking, the private room buzzed with excitement. This chairman of the People's Congress was also a legendary figure; in previous sessions, the chairmen were all concurrently held by the city party secretaries, but this changed during Secretary Chu’s term when the former city secretary, Wang Mingfu, continued to serve as chairman.

It was said that Wang Mingfu had been with Secretary Chu's father since his military days and later, during a counter-offensive battle, he sustained injuries which were treated by Secretary Chu's father who risked his life carrying him back. After recovering from his injuries, he was arranged to be transferred into local government work.

Wang Mingfu could have served another year as city secretary but stepped down voluntarily in order to make way for Secretary Chu; despite Wang Mingfu’s insistence that the position should go to him, Secretary Chu refused. Therefore, although Wang Mingfu was no longer the city party secretary, his words still carried significant weight throughout Shenhai.y stared at Xiao Yu. They were some of Xiao Yu's classmates from his year; however, apart from the first year, they rarely spoke to him afterwards because of how poor Xiao Yu’s grades were, which made...