ell. Accepting payment felt inappropriate, but without money, his brother urgently needed funds for medical treatment. Moreover, he could tell that Xiao Yu wasn’t joking; if he insisted on refusing pa...Chapter 243: Zhang Shaohua Recognizes Meng Xiaowei as His Sister

Hearing Xiao Yu's words, Zhang Shaohua was also taken aback for a moment. However, he quickly recovered and understood that Xiao Yu was trying to save face for Meng Xiaowei so she wouldn't be mistreated in the Lao Liu family.

Zhang Shaohua didn't care whether Meng Xiaowei was truly Xiao Yu's sister or not; it was irrelevant to him. What mattered was his perception of Xiao Yu as a person, and he wanted to show respect to Xiao Yu, so he would agree with whatever Xiao Yu said.

"Thank you... for your kindness, Director Zhang!"

Meng Xiaowei knew that Zhang Shaohua was the secretary to the city party chief. Upon hearing his words, she immediately expressed her gratitude.

"No need to call me Director Zhang; you should call me Brother Zhang!"

Upon hearing Meng Xiaowei's words, Zhang Shaohua sternly corrected her, as he intended to give full respect to Xiao Yu if he was going to show him any.

"Yes, Brother Zhang!" Meng Xiaowei quickly changed her address.

Xiao Yu watched the exchange without speaking, effectively approving of this arrangement. This was the best way he could think of to help Meng Xiaowei.

Zhang Shaohua noticed that Xiao Yu didn't say anything and immediately thought of Lao Liu's wife, who was a petty person. If it weren't for her selfishness, Lao Liu might have done better in his career than just being an office deputy director. Hence, Zhang Shaohua understood the meaning behind Xiao Yu’s silence.

"Hehe...... Old Wang, now that the daughter-in-law of the Lao Liu family is my sister, you can't come empty-handed when she gets married!"

Zhang Shaohua, after hearing Meng Xiaowei's correction, turned to the director of the Health Bureau, Wang Manjiang.

"Haha...... Old Zhang, what does your sister have to do with me But alright... If Xiao's younger brother's sister gets married, I definitely won't come empty-handed!"

Upon hearing Zhang Shaohua’s words, Wang Manjiang burst into laughter and joked back.

Wang Manjiang couldn’t fathom the depth of Xiao Yu. On that night at Seafood Family Restaurant, they had also stepped outside the room, so naturally, they saw Xiao Yu's intent to cripple Cao Er.

Moreover, there was Thursday Li Hanbo; Wang Manjiang knew very well about his background. Even with such a powerful background, Li Hanbo still showed some restraint towards Xiao Yu. Therefore, he didn't believe that Xiao Yu was merely an upcoming doctor planning to open a clinic.

In this clear display of respect for Xiao Yu, Wang Manjiang naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity. More friends mean more opportunities, especially one with such extensive connections like Xiao Yu.

Zhang Shaohua gave Wang Manjiang a meaningful glance and chuckled without saying anything.

Liu Bao stared at this scene, dumbfounded. By now, he should have known that Xiao Yu was no ordinary person, and not just ordinary—Xiao Yu was extremely extraordinary. Both Zhang Shaohua and Wang Manjiang showed a certain degree of respect towards him.

"Liu Chang, go over there and thank the two leaders for their kindness to you both!"

Liu Bao tugged at Liu Chang standing next to him and said.

"Thank you, Leaders! I also want to thank Leaders on behalf of Xiao Wei for your kindness!"

Walking up to Zhang Shaohua and Wang Manjiang, Liu Chang bowed slightly and spoke. Born into such a family, he naturally knew how to be smooth and tactful; as soon as Liu Bao pulled him, he realized this was an opportunity to build rapport with Zhang Shaohua and Wang Manjiang.

Liu Chang's company dealt in medical devices and medicines; today, Wang Manjiang had come at his request to his father. This presented another chance for him to get closer to Wang Manjiang, one he wouldn't miss.

"Liu Chang, I want to tell you: my sister marrying you means she can’t suffer in silence. If I find out that you’re making her unhappy, just wait and see how I’ll deal with you!"

Zhang Shaohua was about the same age as Liu Chang, but when speaking to him, he naturally adopted a condescending tone befitting an elder lecturing a younger generation.

"Yes, yes, Director Zhang, rest assured. I will treat Xiao Wei very well!"

Instead of feeling resentful towards Zhang Shaohua’s tone, Liu Chang felt a small thrill.

"Yes...yes, Director Zhang, you can rest assured! I’ll treat her like my own daughter."

The moment Liu Chang spoke, his mother also walked over and said. In the past, due to her snobbishness, she had once obstructed her husband’s critical promotion; in recent years, she had experienced firsthand the benefits of money and power and thus wouldn’t let her son be held back by such prejudices.

Xiao Yu observed Liu family's performance and nodded. He thought to himself that as long as Zhang Shaohua wasn't disgraced, even if Meng Xiaowei were to have a girl, she would not suffer in the Liu household.

"Mmm...sister, if you feel wronged, just go find your Brother Zhang; he’ll fight for you!"

Nodding his head, Zhang Shaohua turned around with a smile and said to Meng Xiaowei.

"Thank you, Brother Zhang! Xiao Yu also thanks you!" With gratitude in her eyes, Meng Xiaowei thanked both Zhang Shaohua and Xiao Yu. She knew that Zhang Shaohua’s actions were due to Xiao Yu's influence, so she looked at Xiao Yu with even more gratitude.

"Heh heh, why are you being so polite with me..." Xiao Yu said with a light laugh.

"Doctor Xiao, Director Zhang, Bureau Chief Wang, there's no need to stand here. Let’s go inside and have some drinks. Today is such a joyous day at our Old Liu family!"

After seeing that everything was settled and his daughter-in-law and grandson were out of danger and had even made connections with Zhang Shaohua, Liu Bao couldn’t help but be overjoyed as he said.

"Alright, let’s go for some drinks..."

“That's right, we should drink. Last time I didn't get to have a good talk with Xiao Brother, so today is the day!”

Hearing Liu Bao's words, Zhang Shaohua and Wang Manjiang both exclaimed in agreement.

Xiao Yu thought about it but did not refuse. He was somewhat disappointed in his classmates from school, so he called Yunxi and Wei Jun to follow Zhang Shaohua into the No. 1 private room.

As they passed by Zhang Tianpeng, none of them glanced at him; Zhang Tianpeng wasn't even worth considering as a clown in their eyes, let alone bothering with any trouble for him.

Xiao Yu's classmates, seeing everyone leave, all returned to the private room looking dejected. They deeply regretted not having built better relationships with Xiao Yu sooner. Given his close ties with Bureau Chief Wang, securing official positions wouldn’t have been a problem if they were on good terms with him.

Now their regrets were in vain as they sulked back to Room No. 7.

Xiao Yu and Wei Jun led Jiang Ling and Yunxi to follow Zhang Shaohua into the No. 1 private room.

The No. 1 private room was the largest within the small hall, and with fewer people among Zhang Shaohua's group, there was plenty of space for everyone to sit comfortably, even after Xiao Yu’s group arrived.

Zhang Shaohua’s group knew Xiao Yu’s drinking capacity; they weren’t masochists, so they only occasionally clinked glasses with him.

Now their focus shifted to Wei Jun, who accompanied Xiao Yu. If they couldn't beat Xiao Yu in a drinking contest, at least they would make sure Wei Jun was thoroughly drunk.

They also recognized Wei Jun from that night when Xiao Yu intended to cripple the son of Secretary-General Cao; although Wei Jun had been battered and bruised back then, they instantly knew it was him upon seeing him.

Wei Jun didn’t refuse any drinks offered to him. With Jiang Ling shielding him from some pours as well, Xiao Yu found that Jiang Ling’s drinking capacity wasn't bad either. The two of them could match Zhang Shaohua and Wang Manjiang drink for drink.

The few people originally seated in box one were of lower status and position compared to Zhang Shaohua and the others. Moreover, they didn't know Xiao Yu and Wei Jun's backgrounds specifically, so they dared not approach them with drinks; hence, they would only occasionally exchange flattering words.

Zhang Shaohua and Wang Manjiang knew about the relationship between Xiao Yu and Wei Jun, so they didn’t put on any airs of being leaders. Instead, they treated Wei Jun as a friend and kept drinking.

Wei Jun and Jiang Ling, due to their family business reasons, knew that they might need Zhang Shaohua's help at some point in the future. Also, since both were guests whom Zhang Shaohua usually couldn't invite over even if he tried, they drank heartily.

When Xiao Yu and his group left the restaurant, Wei Jun and Jiang Ling were already quite drunk, along with Zhang Shaohua and Wang Manjiang. They had to be helped into a car by Wang Manjiang's driver.

Xiao Yu and Yun Xi looked at Wei Jun and Jiang Ling who were obviously tipsy, exchanged glances, and shook their heads helplessly before helping them get into the car and sped off towards the antique city.

After Xiao Yu left, Zhang Shaohua and Wang Manjiang, who had appeared drunk, suddenly opened their eyes. There was no trace of drunkenness in their eyes anymore.

Zhang Shaohua and Wang Manjiang often drank together; hence, Wang Manjiang knew about Zhang Shaohua’s alcohol tolerance. Seeing that Zhang Shaohua shouldn't have been so intoxicated, he was alarmed and instantly figured out the situation. He pretended to be unable to drink more.

"Brother Zhang, what is Xiao Yu's background Why do you treat him like this!"

Wang Manjiang asked after seeing that Xiao Yu’s car had driven away.

Regarding Xiao Yu's origins, Wang Manjiang knew nothing except that he was no ordinary person. However, he never inquired about it before.

Seeing how carefully Zhang Shaohua and his friends drank around Xiao Yu today made him curiously ask Zhang Shaohua.

"Heh heh, Brother Wang, don't ask me. I know very little too!" Upon hearing Wang Manjiang's question, Zhang Shaohua chuckled.

In truth, Zhang Shaohua also didn’t know about Xiao Yu’s exact background, only that Zhang Dahai was his older brother and there was a phone call from Beijing to help him get medical qualifications. Other than these, he knew nothing else.

"Eh..." When Wang Manjiang heard this answer, he showed an expression of surprise. He thought Zhang Shaohua would know about Xiao Yu's background since the way Zhang Shaohua treated Xiao Yu suggested otherwise. It turned out that even Zhang Shaohua didn’t have a clue.

Wang Manjiang knew they had a close relationship, so Zhang Shaohua wouldn't deceive him over such trivial matters. Thus, Wang Manjiang became more curious.

"But… he connects to the heavens! The boss holds him in high regard too!" Zhang Shaohua lowered his voice and pointed upwards as he spoke.

“Oh…” Wang Manjiang’s expression turned thoughtful, nodding meaningfully.gh his face darkened, Cao Jingmin remained silent.He had already heard the stories they told and also knew that Governor Huang had come. He was curious as to who in police custody could make Governor...