Chapter 14: Tender Event (Part 1)

basis. Today, however, he’s the most impatient!" The aunt chuckled to explain it away, in her eyes, Su Cen was completely different now.Everyone laughed at what the aunt said, but the eldest uncle did...Chapter 14: Tender Event (Part 1)

Cary Hotel迎來了又一個榮耀加身的日子，再一次作為市宴飯店，進行市政府內的招標舉辦場所。

自從Cary Hotel在前任市委書記的引導下開業以來，儼然已經成為了市裡進行經貿商談交流的市宴場所，擁有無限的榮耀，亦是Cary Hotel輝煌的時代。

門口的服務生統一穿著紫色絲綢旗袍，模樣俏麗，內部的服務生都帶著自信的笑容，對每一個進入的賓客報以歡迎的微笑。

賓館外掛著“預祝夏海市經貿招標答疑會圓滿成功！”的紅色橫幅，雖然大堂華麗、光彩奪目，然而卻不由自主地增添了幾分緊張的氣氛。

各經濟行政部門的一把手都在現場，籌備工作有條不紊地進行著。

市長紅小天望著這表麵看似良好的局麵，心中也有些感慨。自從繼任市委書記將經濟攤子丟給他之後，他就顯得有些力不從心，並大刀闊斧地進行了幾次改革，但效果卻微乎其微。

首先夏海市地處中西部內陸地區，曆來就是一個多民族聚居、民風彪悍的區域，在古蜀時代，這裡屬於蠻夷虎蟲盛行之地，不服中央管轄，十萬大軍投入都可能無濟於事。雖說現在早已邁向了現代化發展的進程，但民風民俗卻是千年都難以磨滅的烙印。

夏海市民眾普遍存在著地區抱團、封閉保護的趨勢，這讓他這個新任市長很難入手，一些陽奉陰違的釘子也難以拔除，在市常委中，市委書記一言堂主持，自己的影響力甚微。這次的招投標會也是他為了打壓地方保護政策的一個手段，有時候蟄伏久了不動一動，很多人都會把他遺忘。

If the real situation could be as it is now, integrating a team and operating efficiently, he would certainly have more confidence to showcase his political ideals of "an old horse trusts its ambition even in old age."

The tender clarification meeting consists of an expert review panel, supervisory group, and bidding committee. After a morning of busy work, most of the tender documents have been qualitatively reviewed. The remaining task is to hold unified clarifications before finalizing.

Underneath the hotel activities, Hong Xiaotian felt somewhat unpleasant. At present, the hotel gathered entrepreneurs from Xiahai City and even its neighboring regions, among whom there were flatterers as well as some shrewd businessmen who appeared unscrupulous, frequently seeking opportunities to gain exposure before him, hinting or boasting to plant seeds of discord.

Some were arrogant too. Some old cadres from state-owned enterprises with a stubborn nature were determined to win and relied on their extensive connections in Xiahai City to put pressure on him as an outsider mayor who had relatively light weight among the Standing Committee members.

Hong Xiaotian, of course, could not let everyone know his true thoughts. He generally responded appropriately to flatterers and weather-vane types while showing favoritism towards chief cadres from state-owned enterprises with administrative staffing. This made these people even more assertive; among the most arrogant were several chief officers at the level of Deputy Section Chief from state-owned enterprises who openly expressed their dissatisfaction with Hong Xiaotian for organizing such a tendering and bidding session. However, Hong Xiaotian ignored all this, which made people think that the rumor about him being an easy-to-handle mayor following the Standing Committee's lead was not exaggerated.

A group of influential businessmen and officials gathered to discuss not the bottom lines and requirements for tendering but rather to inquire into someone’s background and provide channels for mutual connections. To them, this gathering, ostensibly a tendering session, was no different from usual; they had already set their own rules, with more being an exchange platform in a society based on personal relationships.

Zeng Quanming, who had just been officially promoted to Director of the Construction Bureau, seemed somewhat reserved before Jiang Chaoyang, the CEO of Xiahai Department Store. As one of the key state-owned enterprise cadres targeted by Hong Xiaotian’s eyes, it was said that if he weren’t destined for business, there would certainly be his spot as Vice Mayor of Xiahai City, so naturally he was arrogant.

However, he had a strong personal charm around him, gathering many CEOs of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as chief cadres from administrative offices. When discussing this circle, everyone evaluated the outstanding people present today one by one; those dressed neatly in dark blue Zhongshan suits with prominent backgrounds naturally became focal points.

Ultimately, most of the people who could attend such a meeting had some basis and depth to them. In such banquets, they were certainly the most anticipated highlights because generally outstanding, where first impressions and status are key factors in this society based on personal relationships. These focal figures would proactively greet Jiang Chaoyang, clearly showing his extensive network, which naturally elevated his status.

In Red Little Tian's eyes, all of this looked like there was even greater resistance, making the situation very troublesome.

The city construction bureau chief, Ceng Quanming, seemed somewhat absent-minded during his conversations with everyone. He had specially gone to the hall earlier and also visited some small meeting rooms; now that he's in the hotel lobby, he still hasn't seen Su Licheng and Ceng Ke around. His original intention was for them to come and witness such a scene, broaden their horizons, but it turns out they didn’t even have the courage to show up.

Never mind then, a thread of anger flashed across Ceng Quanming's heart; truly an incapable person who can't be helped.

The sudden quietness in the city hall interrupted his displeasure.

A wave of whispers soon followed among the crowd, "Oh Who is this Do you know them"

"This man looks very familiar; he seems to be Secretary Cui of the Provincial Committee. What's he doing here today"

"That woman must be his partner,嘖嘖聲，很有韻味啊，怎麼像是省電視台某個節目的主持人？好像自己開了一家公司吧..."

While the crowd was buzzing with discussions,

Ceng Quanming's companions also stopped talking and looked towards the entrance, their eyes lighting up.

Note: The phrase "嘖嘖聲" is an onomatopoeic expression of admiration or disbelief, which I've rendered as "tsk-tsking" in the previous translation. However, since it appears to be a direct sound effect and not part of the text for translation here, I'll leave it untranslated.

Soon, someone asked Jiang Zhaoyang, "General Manager Jiang, who is this person Can you introduce us to him/her Could he/she be one of the provincial committee secretaries that Mayor Hong invited"

Jiang Zhaoyang frowned and pondered. Among the officials he knew in Xiahai, there was no such person. Of course, this didn't include high-level figures from the Provincial Committee.

Zeng Quanming, who wore glasses, stood with his hands behind his back, wondering who could be arriving next. He looked towards the hotel entrance.

It was now late afternoon, and the sunlight was blinding. The hotel's front wall was made of glass panels, allowing light to flood in and cast a scorching white glow on the ground. There were two adults and a young boy about their height standing there. Zeng Quanming couldn't make them out clearly until they walked into the lobby, away from the blinding sunlight. He nodded approvingly; indeed, they had great manners.

The man was dressed in an impeccable suit that didn’t show any creases. The style and fabric were much more elegant than most of the Zhongshan suits and dark blue business suits worn by those present. Just from looking at it, one could tell its quality was top-notch. His shoes shone brightly, his face had a square shape with neat features, and although he appeared middle-aged, there was an aura of sharpness and vitality about him.

His wife wore a black long dress that was both generous and dignified. Her hair was neatly styled, giving her an air of sophistication and nobility. She carried a dark-colored handbag that matched her outfit perfectly. From this attire alone, one could tell she was from the provincial capital, and compared to middle-aged women in Xiahai at present, she had a much higher taste.

Hmm... Why does this woman look so similar to my sister

Zeng Quanming took off his glasses, wiped them clean, then put them back on. This time he was determined to take a good look.

Su Cun wore a vest over a gray shirt and休閒西褲，典型的帥氣公子打扮，牽著父母的手，麵容淡定，並捏了捏他們的手膀，讓他們保持之前他吩咐的自然微笑。 he rejected her but rather because she felt that his not taking the initiative to pursue her back then should have been a lifelong regret for him.Nowadays, Xiao Yunyun was somewhat famous in school a...