Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 579: Chapter 535: The Joy of Family (Fourth Update, Asking for Monthly Ticket)_1
 

As the proverb goes, women are born with a third of the alcohol capacity. In society, there has always been a stunning legend about women’s ability to drink. Regardless of whether it’s within or outside the system, women who can drink are usually quite feared. Well, not fear, per se, but more like a recognized understanding. That is, women who drink, especially women who actively drink, usually have an unfathomable capacity for alcohol. It should be said that it’s often better than the majority of men’s.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also raised his glass, smiled and said, “Director Xiong, don’t be so polite.” Saying that, Nie Zhenbang took a delicate sip. After one gulp, he casually put down his wine glass.

This act surprised Xiong Feng a little. In the system, this move of hers has always been very effective. Every time she proposed a toast, whether it was a department leader or a Wanghai leader, they always finished their drink. This time, however, Nie Zhenbang was very restrained and just took a sip, which made Xiong Feng feel a bit awkward.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “Director Xiong, you are the leader of our Wanghai City Office in Beijing. You’re the liaison and bridge connecting our Wanghai City with various central ministries. This time, whether our departmental visit can yield fruitful results depends on Director Xiong.”

Next to them, An Guoyu also chimed in with a smile, “The Mayor is right. Director Xiong has proven that women can be as capable as men. She is a legendary figure in our Wanghai City. Many of Wanghai City’s policies are credited to Director Xiong.”

As the secretary general, An Guoyu naturally understood Nie Zhenbang’s intentions. Xiong Feng, was promoted by Shi Yiwu during his term, causing rumors to circulate in Wanghai City about some abnormal relationship between her and Shi Yiwu.

Earlier, Mayor Nie didn’t show much respect, and then he said these words. He probably intended to discipline Xiong Feng.

Although the Beijing Office isn’t exactly a key department, it does play a significant role by being a bridge between the ministries and the local areas. Additionally, it also serves as a venue for disseminating Beijing’s various information. The director of the Beijing Office is a somewhat mysterious position.

Nie Zhenbang and An Guoyu’s back-and-forth made Xiong Feng’s expression rather uneasy. She understood well enough the underlying meaning. During Shi Yiwu’s term, Wanghai City was constantly being given preferential policies and support. Now, Wanghai City feels like an abandoned child. Of course, some of the central leadership’s attitudes and ideas were factored in, but Xiong Feng also understood that she had not done her best.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Originally, Xiong Feng thought that Nie Zhenbang was simply seizing the opportunity and reaping all the benefits in the recent changes in Wanghai City. However, it seems that this young mayor is not as simple as first thought. Quickly adjusting her attitude, Xiong Feng said, “Mr. Mayor, we in the Beijing Office have always wanted to be in contact with the top executives at the National Development and Reform Commission, but unfortunately, their threshold is too high for us to penetrate. As for the Ministry of Transportation, I might be able to help introduce you to Guo Zhengping, the current member of the Party Group of Ministry of Transportation and Director of the Bureau of Laws and Regulations.”

Xiong Feng’s words have already clarified that her attitude has become much more serious. However, a member of a Party group and the Director of the Bureau of Laws and Regulations have somewhat lower statuses. For matters like these, a vice minister must get involved. After some contemplation, Nie Zhenbang slowly said, “Director Xiong, the rank of this Director Guo is a bit low. We’ve travelled to Beijing this time in conjunction with the layout planning of the national highway network. At the very least, we need to be able to invite a vice minister. Director Xiong, are there any issues?”

As his words fell, Xiong Feng’s face showed some difficulty. However, after some silence, she still gritted her teeth and said, “Mr. Mayor, since you’ve made a request, it can also be considered a form of urging our Beijing Office to work. I’ll try my best to arrange it.”

Subsequently, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “This matter will surely trouble you, Director Xiong. I toast to you, Director Xiong. May you achieve success swiftly.”

He did this, not purposely to make difficulties for Xiong Feng. Although Xiong Feng had some petty thoughts and seemed to be putting in the minimal effort, her overall style left Nie Zhenbang somewhat dissatisfied. This woman seemed slippery. He seized this opportunity to discipline her a bit. If she could become more serious, she would be a very good choice for the position of the director in the Beijing Office. This is how you manage subordinates. People aren’t perfect and everyone has their own small weaknesses. As long as these don’t cause major issues, a little discipline to get them on the right track is all it takes. There would be no fish in overly clear water.

By the end of the meal, it was already past eight o’clock. The sky had darkened, and everyone left the dining hall. Xiong Feng came over and smiled, saying, “Mr. Mayor, the leaders, your rooms are already prepared. You have all had a long journey, why not rest in your rooms first?”

Nie Zhenbang then smiled and said, “Old Liu, Old An, you guys go rest first. I’ll go see my family. My child is almost half a year old now and I’ve only seen him once. I’m really failing as a father.”

Watching Nie Zhenbang leave, Xiong Feng looked dumbfounded, wasn’t Mayor Nie originally from Yanbei Tang City? Then, she smiled at An Guoyu beside her, “Secretary General, does Mayor Nie’s family live in Beijing?”

At this moment, An Guoyu gave Xiong Feng a look. Xiong Feng was quite capable, but at this moment, she seemed a bit ignorant of the situation. Well, considering she’s been a colleague for many years, he gave her a small hint. Whether she could understand or not was up to her.

Subsequently, An Guoyu nodded and said, “Director Xiong, didn’t you know? Mayor Nie’s first job was with the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League. After that, he worked with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Mayor Nie’s wife is a native Beijing citizen. So, naturally, they have a house in Beijing.”

Watching as An Guoyu and his team were led into the elevator by the staff of the Wanghai City Office in Beijing, Xiong Feng’s face revealed a contemplative expression. Indeed, Mayor Nie’s background was extraordinary – a realization which subtly transformed Xiong Feng’s attitude.

…

The journey from Wanghai Hotel to the Nie family’s ancestral home wasn’t long. Nie Zhenbang’s sudden arrival was, naturally, a delightful surprise for his three wives.

Buying a massive house in Jingcheng was easy for Nie Zhenbang. Still, considering how lonely and desolate the old lady might feel living there alone, Yang Anna and his two other wives decided to live with their children in the old house.

“Why did you come back so suddenly? You should have at least called us so we could have picked you up from the airport,” Dong Wan, who was holding her child, commented with a smile.

Nie Zhiping, who was now almost half a year old, was gazing curiously around with his big black eyes, fascinated by the man before him.

Anna also came out at this moment. Seeing Nie Zhenbang, her face displayed a fleeting joy, and she greeted him, “Honey, you’re back.”

Nie Zhenbang responded by kissing each of them on the forehead. Then, as he walked into the living room, he remarked cheerfully, “Yes. I heard the State Council is preparing a high-speed highway layout plan. WangHai City has excellent water and air transportation as well as railways, but we lag behind in road transportation. So, I thought of coming back to Jingcheng to see if there are any opportunities.”

The elderly grandmother she made her way out from her room. She was nearly ninety years old, but appeared quite spirited. Seeing Nie Zhenbang, the grandmother both smiled and scolded, “You are just like your grandfather, always talking about work. Is there that much work that even at home you can’t rest?”

Hearing his grandmother’s words, Nie Zhenbang wore a helpless expression and replied with a smile, “Grandmother, you are right. I made a mistake, and I regret it. I shouldn’t mention work at home.”

After chatting with his grandmother for half an hour, she returned to her bedroom with the assistance of her health care provider. After all, at her advanced age, keeping up her energy was becoming a challenge.

The eastern wing was where Nie Zhenbang’s family lived. The house was remodeled into a suite that included a reception hall and eight rooms on either side – each side possessing a study and three bedrooms.

The children were put to bed by their nannies. It had been a year, nearly two since the three wives became pregnant, and the four of them hadn’t had the chance to peacefully sit together. It was a comforting feeling for Nie Zhenbang, bringing forth a sense of contentment.

Thinking of his grandmother’s health, Nie Zhenbang soon asked Dong Wan and Anna, “Wan, Anna, how is grandpa’s health?”

At this mention, both women looked gloomy. Wan finally said, “The health of both our grandparents isn’t good. They have been staying for a while at Northriver Sanatorium recently. All their bodily functions are declining because of aging. It’s the natural order of things – unstoppable.”

Hearing these words, Nie Zhenbang sighed. In his memory, both Old Dong and Elder Yang died in the second half of this year. This had some impact on both families, but more so on the Dong family. The Yang family was somewhat better off considering that, given the current political scenario in Jingcheng, it seemed like Father-in-law Yang Shengli might enter the core of the Nine Tripods. The death Elder Yang at this point didn’t really impact the Yang family much.

Afterward, the four of them discussed some Jingcheng and Dynasty Club affairs. The following events didn’t need a detailed articulation – as the saying goes, “absence makes the heart grow fonder”. After being separated for so long, the three women were passionate, their love as intense as fire. The whole night was full of happiness and pain for Nie Zhenbang, the latter due, of course, to physical exhaustion.

PS: Enough said, I need your support for monthly tickets. Brothers and sisters, we’re about to drop out of the top 10 in the category. (