Chapter 119: The Importance of Strength

“Huzi!” Yang Dong’s face grew stern as he barked sharply at Jiang Hu, shooting him a glare.

Huzi huffed in anger, sat back down, and turned his head away, refusing to look at Song Sifeng anymore.

After all, he was just a secretary to a county party committee secretary, a mere liaison officer—being called a secretary was already flattering him.

If this were before, he wouldn’t even have given him a second glance.

“Director Song, this brother of mine is like that—he’s different from others. Though he’s hot-tempered, he’s a man of principle. Don’t take it personally,” Yang Dong explained to Song Sifeng on Jiang Hu’s behalf.

Song Sifeng immediately waved off the concern. “No problem, everyone’s young, a little temper is normal.”

“But this also served as a reminder to me. If I can’t get things done, I feel guilty just eating your meal.”

“Leader Yang, Leader Lü, how about this—we eat first, and if there’s anything to discuss, we can talk after the meal.”

Several waiters brought out the dishes, which were quite sumptuous and impressive.

None of them drank alcohol; heads bowed, they focused on eating, and the atmosphere was far from warm.

At that moment, Yu Baijiang, standing at the top of the stairs, stopped several waiters who were coming out of the private room.

“What’s the atmosphere inside?”

Yu Baijiang was cautious and didn’t rush in blindly; he asked first.

A female waiter replied, “No one is talking inside, everyone’s just quietly eating.”

“Alright, thank you,” Yu Baijiang nodded in gratitude, his expression growing complicated.

It was clear that Yang Dong had asked Secretary Song for help but failed, and there must have been some unpleasantness.

Otherwise, the atmosphere wouldn’t be like this.

But Secretary Song refusing to help was perfectly normal.

All cadres in Kaiyang County knew that since Song had served as Secretary Tan’s secretary for two years, he accepted no invitations, no private meetings, and never helped anyone—even his own family, he never intervened.

So Yang Dong managing to invite Song Sifeng for a meal was already difficult; expecting Song to help with business was even harder.

Song’s refusal meant Secretary Tan must have given instructions.

Regardless of what their superiors thought, Yu Baijiang knew he couldn’t join this meal, nor could he enter.

He picked up his phone, dialed Yang Dong’s number, and hurried outside the restaurant.

“Brother Yang, I’m really sorry. There’s an urgent case in my team; I have to go back and handle it.”

“Really sorry, Brother Yang. I’m just no good at this.”

“Please tell Secretary Song and Huzi I apologize, alright? Okay, okay.”

After hanging up, Yu Baijiang finally breathed a sigh of relief and left.

Some dinners just aren’t easy to join—better not to get yourself entangled.

Yang Dong put down the phone and said to Jiang Hu, “Captain Yu isn’t coming. He has an urgent case and left in a hurry.”

“Better that way,” Jiang Hu nodded, glanced at Song Sifeng, and then looked away.

They ate until full, though the mood was heavy and silent, only the sounds of plates clinking and chopsticks tapping breaking the quiet.

After finishing, Song Sifeng wiped his mouth with a napkin and rinsed his mouth with water.

Then he spoke, “Captain Yang, I really can’t drink. My family keeps a tight rein on me, so I have to obey.”

“My family only wants what’s best for me. After all, my health isn’t great; I have to recuperate before I can better serve the people.”

“I’m sorry for wasting the kindness of both Captains.”

“As for this meal, let me pay. This time, I’ll be the host.”

Since he hadn’t helped Yang Dong with business, he felt bad just eating for free—so he insisted on footing the bill.

“Director Song, we already agreed—you’re not paying for this meal.”

“The ancients said: ‘Even if business fails, friendship remains.’ I can’t be less decent than that.”

“I understand your family’s concerns.”

“Alright then, that’s settled. I’ll go pay. Captain Lü, please accompany Director Song downstairs.”

Yang Dong showed no resentment toward Song Sifeng, though inwardly he felt a bit uncomfortable—inviting someone out with great effort only to have business go unaddressed.

Still, even if Song didn’t help him, basic courtesy demanded he treat him well.

“Captain, I’ll go with you,” Jiang Hu stood up immediately and followed Yang Dong out of the private room.

“Director Song, let’s go!” Lü Yanqing forced down her disappointment and smiled brightly as she accompanied Song Sifeng downstairs.

Outside the restaurant, Song Sifeng and Lü Yanqing waited for Yang Dong.

Two minutes later, Yang Dong and Jiang Hu came out.

The meal didn’t cost much—no alcohol or other expenses—just over 800 yuan.

But in 2008, more than 800 yuan was quite a sum.

“Director Song, where do you live? We can take you home,” Yang Dong gestured toward a nearby Jetta and said.

Song Sifeng quickly declined, “No, no. I still have to go back to the county party committee building. The secretary has an urgent speech tomorrow, and I need to supervise the secretaries to finish the draft overnight.”

At that, Song Sifeng stepped forward and extended his hand with a smile.

“You’re a good man, Brother Yang. I consider you a friend now!”

Yang Dong smiled back and shook his hand.

“Business or not, friendship remains. Brother Song, take care on your way.”

“No, I have to hurry back, or the leaders will be gone for the day.”

Song Sifeng looked at Yang Dong with deep meaning, then turned and headed toward the county party committee and government building.

Yang Dong looked up and saw the imposing building across the street—over twenty stories tall.

This reflected Kaiyang County’s decent finances, as well as the fact that the county’s four main governing bodies all worked there.

The building was too small to accommodate all their activities.

Watching Song Sifeng’s retreating figure, Yang Dong turned to Jiang Hu and Lü Yanqing, waved, and got into the Jetta.

“Captain, don’t be discouraged. Just because Kaiyang County isn’t helping doesn’t mean others won’t.”

“Leave this matter to me. I’ll handle it,” Jiang Hu reassured Yang Dong, mainly worried he felt embarrassed.

After all, inviting someone to dinner and getting no help is a blow to one’s face.

“Kaiyang County won’t help? Maybe not!” Yang Dong laughed at Jiang Hu’s words.

Truth and falsehood intertwine; no one knows the outcome until the end.

But one thing is certain: strength matters.

Only with corresponding strength can one be taken seriously.

“What do you mean?” Jiang Hu asked, puzzled.

Would Kaiyang County really help?

But from beginning to end, Song Sifeng had been evasive, never indicating willingness to assist.

Those last few words were clear even to Jiang Hu.

“Family keeps him tightly controlled”—this ‘family’ certainly didn’t mean Song’s own relatives but his immediate superior.

Without a directive from above, he dared not agree to help casually.

So, in essence, Kaiyang County was not helping.

Could there be a twist?