This time, the person appearing in Gu Deyuan's line of sight was Director Liu Yuan from the City Bureau of Industry and Commerce.

During holidays, Gu Deyuan never missed a chance to send gifts to Liu Yuan. Moreover, she had a cousin serving as Liu Yuan's secretary, which naturally brought her closer to this head of the Bureau of Industry and Commerce.

"Brother Liu, you're here. How's work going recently?"

Facing Liu Yuan's gaze, Gu Deyuan cheerfully approached with a familiar and hearty smile and greeted him.

Usually, Gu Deyuan would call Liu Yuan "Brother Liu" only in private and always referred to him as "Director Liu" in public.

This time, the reason Gu Deyuan addressed him like this was to show off in front of Qin Ruojing and Chu Ge, letting them know that although they were favored by Director Hong Zude from the city's Broadcasting Bureau, she was the favored one in the eyes of the Director of the Industry and Commerce Bureau. It was also a way to gamble her status against Hong Zude.

In Gu Deyuan's mind, even if calling him "Brother Liu" was slightly inappropriate, considering their relationship, Liu Yuan shouldn't mind too much and would probably at least indulge her with a polite response, right?

As long as Liu Yuan nodded, she would reclaim some face in front of Qin Ruojing.

Liu Yuan was discreetly observing Chu Ge by Qin Ruojing's side, pondering over what his son Liu Weijiang had mentioned about Chu Ge, preparing an opening line. Suddenly, he noticed Gu Deyuan's chubby smiling face, and upon hearing her call him "Brother Liu," he felt a surge of annoyance.

"Damn, what was this fat woman thinking, calling me Brother Liu in this kind of setting? Does she really think we are so close? Isn't she just trying to complicate things for me?"

Cursing inwardly, Liu Yuan's smile vanished instantly. He slightly frowned, cast an unhappy glance at Gu Deyuan, and then ignored her awkwardness, treating her as transparent as he moved past her towards Qin Ruojing, regaining his smile.

"Hehehe, Chairman Qin, when I saw your silhouette from afar, I thought some big star had arrived. Only when I got closer did I realize it was you, Chairman Qin. You're truly radiant today, so dazzling!"

Having the same mindset as Hong Zude, Liu Yuan's target was also Chu Ge, yet he didn't address Chu Ge directly, using Qin Ruojing as an intermediary, half-jokingly and half-seriously complimenting her.

Seeing the smile plastered on Liu Yuan's face, Qin Ruojing was even more bewildered, feeling more than flattered.

This... what's going on?

If it was understandable for Hong Zude to exchange a cordial word with her considering past events, she found it truly puzzling when Liu Yuan adopted the same attitude.

It seemed she didn't have any particularly good private relations with the head of this Bureau of Industry and Commerce.

Moreover, with so many prominent figures here, why did he greet her first upon entering, even with Hong Zude right next to her, and still chose to speak to her first?

While Qin Ruojing was feeling flattered, Gu Deyuan, being left out once more, felt her heart racing, eyes twitching violently, her chubby face revealing an unbecoming expression like she'd seen a ghost.

Faced with this scene, not only was Qin Ruojing puzzled about what was happening, but Gu Deyuan was even more confused. Liu Yuan's attitude seemed to be a blatant slap to her face!

It felt as if after her left cheek just got a slap from Hong Zude, Liu Yuan's big hand swung onto her right cheek!

Truly leaving her no dignity!

While Qin Ruojing was utterly amazed, attempting to maintain composure with a humble smile, Gu Deyuan felt like she'd been cursed, only for Liu Yuan to finally pretend to have just noticed Hong Zude and warmly express greetings.

"Director Hong, you're here too. I was just captivated by Chairman Qin's enchanting beauty, my apologies for neglecting you," he said with a chuckle.

"Director Liu, not at all. The appreciation of beauty is a universal sentiment. Truth be told, even as an old chap like myself, I too was immediately drawn to Chairman Qin and Mr. Chu together the moment I entered," Hong Zude replied with hearty laughter, their knowing smiles exchanged like two old foxes.

Hearing such a conversation, both Qin Ruojing and Gu Deyuan were stunned, instinctively shifting their gaze to Chu Ge's face. Although they heard every word clearly, they still doubted their ears, questioning whether they heard wrong?

Being described as outstanding individuals like "dragons among people"? What kind of high praise was this?

Plus, did Hong Zude just address him as "Mr. Chu" rather than "young man" or "young Chu"?

While Qin Ruojing and Gu Deyuan were increasingly astonished, Liu Yuan noticed Hong Zude mentioning Chu Ge and naturally glanced over at him. Hong Zude then took the role of introducing Chu Ge to Liu Yuan on behalf of Qin Ruojing.

"Oh, right, Director Liu, let me introduce you to this gentleman. This is Chu Ge, the driver and secretary of our Chairman Qin. He's no ordinary young man; he's actually my lifesaver. Once, when I had an asthma attack combined with a heart problem, if he hadn't rushed to get medicine for me, you'd probably be visiting my grave now."

Qin Ruojing felt relieved. It seemed she must have misheard earlier. After all, Hong Zude is the director of the city's Broadcasting Bureau. How could he possibly address Chu Ge as "Mr. Chu"?

At the same time, she became a bit puzzled. The incident of Hong Zude falling ill wasn't something good, and it had been so long. Why did he bring it up now in front of Director Liu of the Industry and Commerce Bureau?

In any case, it at least showed that Hong Zude was someone who remembered favors. By proactively introducing Chu Ge to Liu Yuan, he was paving a bright path for Chu Ge, leaving Liu Yuan with a good impression of him. This was a good thing for both her and Chu Ge.

Little did Qin Ruojing know that the reality was quite different from what she imagined.

Hong Zude brought up the incident partly to do Chu Ge a favor by introducing him to Liu Yuan and partly to subtly show off in front of Liu Yuan about his relationship with Chu Ge.

Liu Yuan was slightly taken aback, but soon naturally extended his hand to Chu Ge with a friendly smile.

"Comrade Chu Ge is truly young and promising. Director Hong and I have been old friends for many years. It looks like I need to thank you properly. Let me introduce myself. I'm Liu Yuan, and if you don't mind me being forward, you can call me Brother Liu in the future."

Chu Ge shook hands with Liu Yuan, smiling as he said, "Hello, Director Liu. I'm merely a humble driver for our chairman. I dare not call you Brother Liu."

Saying this, Chu Ge internally rolled his eyes, finding the situation both hypocritical and amusing. If he guessed correctly, this Liu Weijiang's father must have heard something from his son.

Otherwise, how would Director Liu of the Industry and Commerce Bureau have the leisure to waste so many words with him?

Witnessing this unfold before her, Gu Deyuan silently cursed the ancestors of everyone involved here, feeling a burning sensation on her face, as if they all slapped her repeatedly.

She felt increasingly bewildered. Despite all the effort she put into getting close to Liu Yuan, even greeting him warmly as "Brother Liu" only to be ignored, why did Chu Ge, just a small figure beside Qin Ruojing, receive such favorable treatment from Liu Yuan?

Not only did he greet Chu Ge just like Hong Zude, but he also invited Chu Ge to call him "Brother Liu" willingly? Damn it! Is there no justice left in this world?

Yet, even with her confusion, Gu Deyuan no longer had the face to stay there.

Suppressing her pent-up frustration and anger, Gu Deyuan awkwardly bid farewell to the two directors in front of her, hooked Sui Liang's arm, and stormed off with an annoyed expression.

After Gu Deyuan and Sui Liang left, Hong Zude and Liu Yuan continued their lively conversation with Qin Ruojing, occasionally including Chu Ge, making the scene seem harmonious, as if they were all long-time friends.

Despite not being top-tier bigwigs, Hong Zude and Liu Yuan weren't insignificant figures, either. As more observant people noticed they stayed in one place, their curiosity piqued, suspecting something fishy was going on.

With this in mind, personalities from within the system, some company leaders from Lidu City, and social elites gradually gathered around.

In just a few minutes, Qin Ruojing found herself surrounded by a dense crowd.

Having been in Lidu City for so many years, Qin Ruojing had attended similar events before, but this was the first time she experienced this kind of attention. While exchanging pleasantries, her heart brimmed with a mix of confusion and delight.

In these circumstances, Qin Ruojing's capabilities truly shone. Despite feeling overwhelmed, she maintained her composure, exhibiting elegant and graceful behavior.

Almost anyone would cherish becoming the center of attention at such a high-profile gathering. However, Chu Ge was an exception.

As more and more people joined, Chu Ge found himself growing increasingly speechless, wondering if these people had nothing better to do than engage in meaningless and ostentatious pleasantries, an absurdly dull display.

Rather than mingling with these so-called upper-class individuals, Chu Ge preferred drinking with Wang Tiezhu and the security guards at a street food stall.

Seeing that there should be no immediate troublemakers bothering Qin Ruojing, Chu Ge took a bathroom break to get some fresh air outside the venue.

Meanwhile, just as Chu Ge entered the restroom and lit a cigarette, an immensely graceful and exquisitely beautiful woman stepped into the venue, surrounded by the mayor, the municipal party secretary, and the Chairman of Liger Group, like the moon encircled by stars.

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