Solving Middle Age Crisis by Intelligence System-Chapter 568 - 381: Next Time at the Table, Can I Start Eating First? (Part 2)

Chapter 568: Chapter 381: Next Time at the Table, Can I Start Eating First? (Part 2)

Asking him to help mediate isn’t a problem, but... will Qi Yun give him this face? He’s uncertain about it...

After all, the last time they met, he was thinking of using money to influence the kid and make him leave his daughter...

As they were chatting, Dong Anyun led Qi Yun through the door.

"Leaders, Qi Yun has arrived."

Everyone at the table stood up, eyes turning towards Qi Yun at the door.

Qi Yun glanced around the room, raised his hands in a gesture of apology: "Sorry for keeping you waiting, leaders."

Zhao Weilin waved at him, pretending to be very familiar: "Come, Qi Yun."

"Let me introduce you, this is Director Huang from the governance department."

Director Huang wore a gentle smile, his gaze at Qi Yun full of appreciation, and he extended his hand proactively: "Comrade Qi Yun, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you."

"I’m Huang Zhiqiang, I’ve heard Old Zhao mention you, and it’s true you’re young and promising!"

Qi Yun quickly stepped forward and extended his hand, smiling as he spoke: "Director Huang, you’re too kind. I’ve been wanting to find an opportunity to visit you, and finally, I get to meet you today."

Having met many big shots before, he appeared very composed, neither humble nor overbearing, without any of the awkwardness that young people might feel in front of their superiors.

Huang Zhiqiang laughed heartily and gently patted the back of Qi Yun’s hand: "Haha, two days ago, when I was chatting with Director Xiao, he mentioned you, saying you’re an exceptional talent. Seeing you today, it’s indeed true."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun showed a hint of surprise. It seems that this Director Huang deliberately mentioning Xiao Hanguang means they are on the same side.

He had heard Fu Wentao mention once that the Xiao family’s momentum was strong, and now it seems it’s true, as Director Huang in front of him is on the same level as Old Hou.

"Haha, you’re flattering me, Director."

Next to him, Zhao Weilin continued to introduce the others: "Qi Yun, this is Director Sun from the Development and Reform Commission."

Qi Yun politely shook hands with him: "Hello, Director Sun."

Director Sun, not daring to be negligent, quickly extended both of his hands: "Oh, President Qi, hello, hello."

The last person in the private room was Director Huang’s secretary.

After all the introductions, everyone took their seats.

Huang Zhiqiang personally filled Qi Yun’s glass, his actions composed and natural, without any airs of a superior, rather like an elder entertaining a junior at home.

"Comrade Qi Yun, welcome to Shanghai."

Qi Yun quickly leaned forward to express gratitude: "Thank you, Director, you’re too kind."

"Haha, I’m old friends with your father-in-law. He has made quite a contribution to the development of Shanghai. As his son-in-law, you could be considered half a citizen of Shanghai, so feel free to visit more often."

Director Sun chimed in: "Yes, yes, if you have time tomorrow, President Qi, I can show you around."

Qi Yun smiled and nodded in response. Before coming, he already knew these two wanted to meet him. Being so polite, and with his future father-in-law Zhao Weilin present, naturally he wouldn’t refuse directly.

The atmosphere at the table was pleasant, and the topics discussed were light-hearted, making everyone feel more familiar with each other.

After several rounds of drinks, Huang Zhiqiang stood up and patted Qi Yun on the shoulder: "Come on, Qi, join me for a smoke outside."

Qi Yun immediately stood up, nodded at Zhao Weilin and Director Sun, and followed Huang Zhiqiang out of the room.

On the opposite side of the corridor was a lush garden landscape, the air was very fresh. Qi Yun pulled out a cigarette pack from his pocket, handed a cigarette to Huang Zhiqiang, and put one in his mouth to light.

The two sat down at a pavilion in the garden. Huang Zhiqiang puffed out a ring of smoke and slowly said: "Qi, what do you think of Shanghai?"

Qi Yun didn’t understand the purpose of the question, so he replied truthfully: "It has a deep foundation, develops very well, and the planning is reasonable. You can feel that every inch of land is advancing."

"Hmm, you’re right."

"Shanghai is like a well-built car that’s been running for decades, with a solid chassis. As long as there aren’t any major issues, it will keep moving forward slowly."

Huang Zhiqiang paused, looked more contemplative, "But, because this car’s foundation is too solid, whoever drives it will continue moving forward. If you want to make it overtake others and run at unprecedented speeds while in your hands, it’s very challenging..."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Qi Yun nodded, understanding what the other wanted to convey, which was about achieving achievements unprecedented by predecessors.

"Director wants to leverage the photovoltaic project to add new momentum to Shanghai?"

Huang Zhiqiang smiled, openly responding: "That’s right, this 10-billion USD project is not just about boosting GDP by a few points."

"The orders from the Oil Country contain opportunities for international cooperation in the new energy field. If your project can link up the industrial chain, Shanghai can gain an early advantage in international photovoltaic energy storage."

At this point, he turned and looked directly at Qi Yun, seriously asking: "So, will you help me?"

Qi Yun flicked the ash from his cigarette, meeting Huang Zhiqiang’s gaze, where there was no pressure from a superior, but rather a genuine sincerity.

This was completely different from Old Hou using "the bigger picture" to coerce him.

After pondering for a long time, he nodded: "From a personal standpoint, I’m willing to help you, but I can’t give you an immediate answer."

"Please give me two days, and I’ll get back to you with an answer then."

Huang Zhiqiang didn’t show any displeasure; on the contrary, he laughed heartily and gently patted Qi Yun’s shoulder: "Alright, thank you."

This dinner didn’t last very long. After returning to the room, they chatted for a while before parting ways.

At the entrance of the restaurant, after seeing off Huang Zhiqiang and Director Sun, Zhao Weilin looked at Qi Yun, momentarily unsure of what to say.

Qi Yun detected his father-in-law’s awkwardness and, with some mischievous curiosity, thought of teasingly saying, "Next time, can I start eating first?"

But what he actually said was: "Uncle, I heard from Zhao Qing about last time’s incident, thank you."

Zhao Weilin knew exactly what Qi Yun was referring to and waved his hand: "No need to thank me, as long as you’re alright."

He paused, continuing, "As for the project, you don’t need to consider me, just do as you think best."

Qi Yun nodded; unexpectedly, these two sentences made his father-in-law seem less disagreeable.

"Alright, I understand."

"You’re welcome to visit our home anytime."

Zhao Weilin suddenly brightened up. He had been looking for an opportunity to ease the tension with Zhao Qing. With Qi Yun’s invitation, he could officially visit his daughter.

"Good!"

"Alright, I’m heading back."

Qi Yun waved and got into the car to leave.

Back at the hotel, he washed his face, and seeing it was not too late, he dialed Xiao Hanguang’s number, informing him of tonight’s events.

"Huang Zhiqiang..." Xiao Hanguang pondered for a while, finally saying, "Currently, he’s kind of on our side; if possible, I’d like you to assist him."

"Alright, I understand."

After hanging up, Qi Yun narrowed his eyes, lit a cigarette. From Xiao Hanguang’s attitude, he could tell he placed significant importance on Director Huang.

...

The next morning, Qi Yun had just gotten up when he received a message from Hatoyama Yuchi, simply saying "Check the news."

Qi Yun immediately opened his phone to check the news from Japan. The front-page headline was a report titled "Congressman Hatoyama Kiichi Unfortunatley Dies in Car Accident."

The accompanying photo showed a black sedan slammed into a highway guardrail, its rear completely deformed, with debris scattered all over the road.

The report stated that the accident occurred at six in the morning, with police preliminarily concluding it was caused by slippery roads from the rain...

"Haha, truly ruthless."

Qi Yun sneered and sent a message to Da Pao, who was still in Japan, asking him to verify the information. If Hatoyama Kiichi was indeed dead, he could return the phone to Hatoyama Yuchi.

He did have recordings backed up, but as long as that guy didn’t provoke him again, Qi Yun had no intention of messing with him further...

After breakfast, Qi Yun didn’t stay in Shanghai much longer and headed to the airport, departing for Beijing.

As for Harris, he was preoccupied with finding a buyer for the Eight-footed Jade Hook and didn’t accompany Qi Yun to Beijing; instead, he flew directly to the United States.

Just before boarding the plane, Qi Yun received a call from De Gaulle, who claimed to have obtained key clues about St. Peter’s Cathedral and wanted to meet with him. Qi Yun thought about it and told him to meet in Bird City...