Chapter 236: Riverside Evening

Jinfeng Business Tower.

Xu Chen sat on the sofa in the reception room, hugging a massive wolf dog plushie, lost in his own thoughts.

His mind kept drifting back to the various moments he’d shared with Xie Bingran over the past few days.

His phone suddenly rang; glancing at it, he saw it was his father, Xu Zhiquan, calling.

Answering, he realized his father was urging him to come for a late-night snack.

Today, Xu Zhiquan was clearly in high spirits.

Thanks to the celebration banquet, he’d resolved several hidden future issues.

When Xu Zhiquan was happy, he always wanted a drink, but the afternoon event hadn’t been the right place for alcohol, leading to this smaller, more private gathering.

…

Half an hour later, Xu Chen drove to a riverside barbecue spot along the Pan River.

Wu Yue had picked the place, and it was definitely a step up from what Xu Zhiquan would have chosen.

Xu Zhiquan kept it real, preferring authentic street-side stalls for occasions like this.

Of course, with Town Chief Feng and his daughter Wu Feifei there, they had to consider their guests’ tastes.

Xu Chen wandered over to the table by the river and saw the scene was already getting a bit out of hand.

Xu Zhiquan and Feng Wenjiang, the two middle-aged men, had their arms around each other, clearly drunk, yet still pushing drinks and mumbling incoherently.

Fang Jun held a glass of liquor, his usually expressionless fair face now flushed red, as he clung to Wu Yue’s arm, muttering away.

Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian sat next to Fang Jun, each holding a can of beer, clinking them together with smiles.

Over the past couple of days, Xu Chen had noticed that Wu Feifei and Fang Jun got along well privately, often whispering about who knows what.

Li Rui stayed quiet by Xu Zhiquan’s side, eating while holding a lit cigarette.

“Xu Chen, you’re here!”

Wu Feifei was outgoing and greeted him with a smile as soon as he arrived.

Xu Chen: “I can’t believe you two actually came.”

Wu Feifei laughed and said, “We don’t get many chances to drink, and we’ve already checked with my dad.”

Huang Qianqian pulled out an empty chair next to her, and Xu Chen sat down without hesitation.

Li Rui said nothing but had already set out a fresh set of utensils in front of Xu Chen.

Xu Zhiquan and Feng Wenjiang kept chatting, and in a moment of relative sobriety, they spotted Xu Chen.

Xu Chen put on a well-behaved face and quickly greeted ‘Uncle Feng’.

Feng Wenjiang smiled warmly and suddenly grabbed Xu Chen’s hand, full of emotion:

“Xu Chen, I’ve been telling your dad how much I regret not becoming family through marriage…”

Xu Chen: “…”

Wu Feifei: “??”

Huang Qianqian: “!!”

…

After a few bites, Xu Chen saw Wu Feifei sneakily grab the white liquor bottle and pour herself a half-glass.

Xu Chen frowned: “Miss Wu, watch out—you might get drunk.”

Wu Feifei smiled: “My dad’s out of town tonight, so no one’s keeping an eye on me.”

She took a sip of the liquor, the spice making her stick out her tongue.

Then she looked at Xu Chen and said:

“Xu Chen, don’t drink tonight. You have to drive me and Huang Qianqian home later!”

“??”

Xu Chen glanced around, thinking the leaders must be pretty relaxed—no drivers or bodyguards in sight.

But he quickly realized this might mean they trusted Xu Zhiquan completely.

Xu Zhiquan seemed to snap out of his drunken haze and said clearly to Xu Chen:

“Son, make sure you drive Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian home afterward!”

Wu Feifei took another sip, a smug look on her face.

Huang Qianqian held her beer can, smiling with a touch of embarrassment.

Xu Chen thought about it and figured he was the best choice for the job.

Li Rui had to escort Xu Zhiquan and Feng Wenjiang.

Wu Yue was looking after the drunk Fang Jun.

So, Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian were left to him…

He picked up a can of cola from the table, popped it open with a click, and heard the fizzy hiss.

He’d been hoping to loosen up with a drink tonight, but that clearly wasn’t happening.

…

…

After a few more rounds, Li Rui helped Feng Wenjiang to the restroom.

Xu Zhiquan was flushed but showed no signs of being truly drunk.

He reached out and grabbed his son’s arm:

“Come with me to the riverbank for some fresh air!”

The Pan River wasn’t wide, winding through the city and eventually merging with the Yellow River after some twists.

What lay before them was just a small river channel, lined with bustling night markets.

Xu Zhiquan put his arm around his son’s shoulders as they reached the riverbank and sat on a small bamboo chair.

Xu Zhiquan lit a cigarette, and Xu Chen handed him a lighter to spark it up.

“Director Yang has gone to Beijing; the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Physics Institute has some new motor technology…”

He went to check it out and see if it’s worth introducing.

Xu Chen recalled this matter; it was originally a resource connected through Wu Yongming.

“Dad, why didn’t you go? It sounds important.”

Xu Zhiquan took a drag:

“Timing isn’t right.

The Seedling Company has a few projects needing inspection these days, and I have to handle them personally.”

In the night, Xu Chen paused for a moment:

“Dad, don’t work yourself too hard. Delegate what you can.

You’re the chairman now; there are plenty of people you can rely on!

Fourth Uncle should be able to handle a lot of external matters, right?”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled and squeezed his son’s shoulder:

“I know what I’m doing; health is the real capital. I won’t wear myself out.

But key resources and connections need to stay in my hands—even with Fourth Uncle, I won’t let him touch them easily.”

Xu Chen didn’t say more but nodded.

He understood what his father meant.

Back when his father started the factory with Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle, trusting Third Uncle too much with important resources led to the family split…

It seemed his father had learned from that.

Even though he trusted Fourth Uncle, he was still thinking about the company’s long-term stability.

In a way, it was also for Fourth Uncle’s benefit.

Of course, Xu Zhiquan only shared this with his own son.

…

Xu Zhiquan chatted casually while smoking, updating Xu Chen on key developments at Chenfeng Technology.

Next week, the production line from Jiangsu Province would start arriving, and the ‘technical experts’ from there would be on-site for a while.

Over the past few days, the factory renovations in the park were complete, and the workers were buzzing with activity…

The design for the first electric vehicle was expected next week from several companies and design institutes.

Yang Congxin was heading to Beijing and would visit the design institutes there in person…

Plus, the company’s funds had increased by a few million.

Mainly, assets Jin Guiyuan had transferred out were recovered, and under Wu Yongming’s insistence, they returned to the old Bright Factory accounts.

This eased a big chunk of Chenfeng Technology’s recent financial pressure.

There were also fees from selling off old Bright Factory equipment coming in gradually…

Xu Chen had heard Fang Jun and Wu Yue mention these earlier in the day.

What he hadn’t known was that the assets recovered from Jin Guiyuan were returned to Chenfeng Technology with Wu Yongming’s help.

Xu Zhiquan exhaled smoke, a bit emotional:

“The city really wants us to get things going.

Though there are still some opposing voices, Wu Yongming and a few key figures are backing us.

I’ve been in business for years, seen smooth sails and rough seas…

Now, we’ve got the timing, location, and people all in our favor!”

He smiled and squeezed his son’s shoulder again:

“Of course, my good luck, Old Xu’s, mostly comes from my wonderful son!”

Xu Zhiquan pulled his son closer and whispered:

“The leader letting his daughter be friends with you privately is sending a message.

It’s telling outsiders that he’s supporting the Xu family!”

Xu Chen thought for a moment: “Won’t that be too straightforward and high-profile?”

Xu Zhiquan took a drag: “We don’t need to worry about the leader’s wisdom.

Since he’s chosen to openly and boldly support us, it’s after careful consideration.

The city and province have different paths on economic development with varying opinions.

His high-profile stance is to suppress doubts and let us push forward without hesitation.”

Xu Chen pondered:

“So, Chenfeng Technology’s first product has to succeed—no room for failure.”

Xu Zhiquan stared at the river and said gravely:

“That’s right…

It has to succeed, no failure allowed.”

Xu Chen glanced back at Wu Feifei, who was still sipping her drink, and whispered:

“About me and Wu Feifei being friends…”

Xu Zhiquan, though looking straightforward, was perceptive and had long seen Xie Bingran’s place in his son’s heart.

He smiled and said:

“Don’t feel any pressure—just have normal interactions with Wu’s daughter.

It won’t affect your relationship with Bingran at all; you can be upfront about things.

The leader is smart, and his daughter isn’t naive—they both know the score.

Wu Feifei has clear instructions from her dad; she understands the boundaries, so you don’t need to worry.”

Xu Chen laughed:

“Then I’m relieved!”

Xu Zhiquan remembered something else:

“About moving East Morning Star Advertising to Shanghai, I’ve discussed it with Fang Jun; she can help with finances and operations initially.

Don’t worry about the factory side; there are still people in the financial room, and Fang Jun can manage remotely.

Also, Fang Jun volunteered to join you on projects.”

Xu Chen smiled: “That’s perfect; I hate dealing with finances anyway, and I don’t trust just anyone with money matters…”

Xu Zhiquan thought of another thing:

“When I talked with Director Li today, you mentioned ‘Ran Bing Sports’—you’re planning to start that within a year?”

Xu Chen:

“Yeah, I’ve been considering it.”

Xu Zhiquan thought for a moment:

“East Morning Star Advertising’s accounts—I borrowed over two million earlier; I can pay that back by month’s end.

If ‘Ran Bing Sports’ needs support from me, just say so; I’ll figure it out.

Financially, even though the company is in debt, I can free up some cash flow to back you.”

“Thanks, Dad; I’ll keep that in mind.”