Li Ya strode onto the platform and immediately bellowed. “Zhang Yang, the gang’s here, and you don’t even come out to greet us?

How are you going to face us now!” “Am I supposed to wait for you in the middle of the road? Forget about me for a second, I think you’re the one about to have rotten luck!” Zhang Yang chuckled, and just as Li Ya was looking at him in suspicion, wondering why he’d be unlucky, he suddenly felt a sharp tug behind him, and the whole body was pulled down.

“You ungrateful wretch, I’ll beat you to death!” Wang Chen had already sauntered over; it was him who had grabbed Li Ya. He dramatically waved his crutch, preparing to swing it at Li Ya’s head.

Screeeech! The sound of tires grinding against asphalt rang out again as another car pulled into the parking lot.

From afar, Chang Feng, having just stepped out of his vehicle, was already shouting, “Hey Wang Chen, if you’re going to commit assault, can you pick another venue? We have police officers around, don’t think just because I’m an inspector, I can’t detain you!” “This kid is half-crippled, and he’s still running around causing fights all day.

I say, they should detain him!” Another car arrived behind, and Young Master Su stepped out with a sly grin, chiming in to support Chang Feng. Li Ya quickly hurried over, his hands still raised high, shouting loudly, “Officer Chang, I want to report a crime!

Someone is threatening and trying to beat me up! Arrest him quickly!” Li Ya’s performance was over the top, making Chang Feng, Su Zhantao, and Yang Ling, who had just gotten out of her car, all burst into laughter.

Never mind them, even Mi Xue, Xiao Dai, and Nan Nan were secretly chuckling. These guys were truly clowns, especially Li Ya and Wang Chen—they could stir up some funny business wherever they went.

“I’m being wronged, Zhang Yang, you have to clear my name!” Wang Chen’s face was as foul as it could possibly be. With everyone ganging up on him, he could only turn to Zhang Yang for help.

Zhang Yang smiled slightly and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll tell the truth!” “I knew you were the best, Zhang Yang. Wait until I’m better, and I’ll treat you well!” Wang Chen immediately broke into a wide grin, casting a smug look towards the group of people walking toward them, led by Li Ya.

Zhang Yang watched him, a hint of playful mischief returning to his face. He whispered softly, “I will state exactly what I witnessed.

I only saw you lift your crutch, intending to hit someone. As for anything else, I know nothing!” Wang Chen, who had been smiling smugly, felt his expression instantly freeze.

He slowly turned his head, looking at Zhang Yang with disbelief. This time, Mi Xue and the others could hold back no longer, and a roar of laughter erupted from them all.

Wang Chen’s look was simply too comical, especially that expression of grievance and helplessness—anyone would laugh seeing it. With the commotion caused by Wang Chen and the others, Zhang Yang’s mood brightened considerably.

The negative feelings stirred up earlier by Zhang Keqin had significantly lessened. As the group laughed, several more cars arrived from outside.

Long Cheng, Huang Hai, Wu Zhiguo, and Cai Zhele were all present, accompanied by a stranger Zhang Yang didn’t recognize. With their arrival, everyone expected for the day was finally assembled.

“What’s going on with you guys? Why does Wang Chen look like that?” Long Cheng strode over, asking the first question, a hint of confusion still lingering on his face.

Huang Hai, Wu Zhiguo, and the others were equally bewildered, not knowing what had transpired. Wang Chen was looking down, on the verge of tears from his perceived injustice.

“Brother Cheng, you have to stand up for me! Li Ya is slandering me, and Brother Chang is about to arrest me!” Seeing Long Cheng, Wang Chen immediately acted as if he had found his anchor, grabbing Long Cheng’s arm and beginning to weep his grievances.

“Is that so? Well, I think that’s appropriate.

You deserve to be detained, boy. A few days behind bars might teach you some manners.

Look at you, still running around everywhere. If we don’t detain you, who should we detain?” Upon hearing this, Long Cheng burst into loud laughter, leaving Wang Chen standing stunned again.

This time, Huang Hai and the others joined in the laughter. After a brief flurry of activity at the entrance, they finally entered the hotel.

The best room had been reserved for them, large enough to accommodate even more people. When taking seats, Cai Zhele deliberately sat next to Zhang Yang, watching him and smiling consistently.

“Zhang Yang, Zhantao, let me introduce you. This is Hu Bin, currently working in the Huashi District Committee as the Deputy Director of the Office!” Once seated, Long Cheng introduced the only stranger to Zhang Yang.

As soon as the introduction was made, Hu Bin came over and shook hands with both Zhang Yang and Su Zhantao. “A Deputy Director!

That’s much better than us ordinary citizens!” Su Zhantao chuckled, causing Hu Bin to pause slightly, looking somewhat awkward. Most of the people present today were involved in commerce, and Cai Zhele also worked in a state-owned enterprise, fitting into the business sphere.

Hu Bin, however, was a Deputy Director—a legitimate civil servant, an official with a rank. Zhang Yang smiled lightly.

“Zhantao, civil servants have their advantages. If you say that, what about Officer Chang?” Chang Feng, who had been sipping tea, suddenly looked up sharply when he heard Zhang Yang’s words.

He hadn't expected Zhang Yang to drag him into this again. But Zhang Yang was right; Chang Feng was also a civil servant, holding a slightly higher position than Hu Bin, though in a different system.

“I was wrong, I didn’t mean anything by it. Brother Hu, please don’t take offense, I’m just too quick with my words!” Su Zhantao quickly stood up to apologize.

He knew what he had said was slightly inappropriate, but that was just his nature—straightforward and outspoken. “It’s fine as long as you know you were wrong.

You owe three penalty drinks later!” Zhang Yang grinned, and Su Zhantao’s expression immediately soured. “Can we skip the penalty drinks?

I have low tolerance for alcohol. If you punish me further, I’ll end up crawling under the table again today!” Hearing this, the others burst into laughter again.

The sound of merriment hadn't stopped since they came in. Hu Bin glanced at Zhang Yang with a hint of gratitude before sitting down.

The food and drinks arrived quickly. After a few rounds of drinks, everyone became more familiar, and conversation naturally flowed more freely.

Zhang Yang soon understood Hu Bin’s background: he turned out to be another young master of sorts. Hu Bin was the son of Hu Yang, the Director of Propaganda, who had been in Changjing for many years and possessed extensive connections.

However, Zhang Yang could also sense that Long Cheng and his group were not particularly close to Hu Bin. They were all young masters, but their circles and paths differed, leaving them with little common ground.

Hu Bin was primarily here today to accompany Cai Zhele; he had a good relationship with him. Hu Bin clearly knew about Su Zhantao’s and Zhang Yang’s backgrounds.

The incident at the police station had become widely known. The sons of two major figures being detained together was quite a strange tale.

It was precisely because of this that Hu Bin hadn't dared to get angry at Su Zhantao’s thoughtless remark; he understood clearly that many of the people present held influence equal to or greater than his own. “Old Cai, Zhang Yang is here now.

Can you tell us what you needed him for?” After several bottles of wine were downed, Long Cheng finally spoke up. Huang Hai and the others all turned their attention to Cai Zhele.

Cai Zhele had actually arrived that lunchtime. It was he who had proposed this gathering.

When making the request, he had specifically asked for Zhang Yang to be invited to thank him. As for the reason for his gratitude, he refused to elaborate when asked by the others.

“It’s nothing much for me, really. My grand-uncle is coming to Changjing.

He’ll be staying here for a while, so I wanted to check in and thank Zhang Yang for treating my grand-uncle’s illness!” Cai Zhele set down his chopsticks and said with a light smile. Zhang Yang was momentarily confused; he had no idea who Cai Zhele’s grand-uncle was.

Zhang Yang quickly asked, “Old Cai, be clear. Who is your grand-uncle?

When did I ever agree to treat him?” “My grand-uncle is Elder Qi. Didn’t you agree with Secretary Zhang a few days ago?

My cousin-uncles have already made preparations; they’ll be here tomorrow!” Cai Zhele smiled, and Zhang Yang’s face showed surprise, quickly followed by realization. Zhang Keqin’s meeting with him was indeed to ask a favor: to treat an elder.

He had agreed at the time but hadn't paid attention to the patient's identity. Whoever it was, they were his patient, and his job was simply to provide treatment.

It was just that he hadn't expected the patient requiring treatment to have a connection to Cai Zhele. Zhang Yang understood, while the others were still somewhat fuzzy, asking questions one after another.

Only after Cai Zhele’s explanation did they fully grasp the situation. Once they understood, everyone looked at Zhang Yang with envy.

Zhang Yang’s medical skills had spread; even a respected elder like Elder Qi had heard of him and was coming to seek his treatment. Elder Qi was retired, but his contributions were undeniable.

Like Elder Qiao, he was a pillar of his family. Zhang Keqin had known Elder Qi when he was in Beijing and was quite close with Elder Qi’s son, Qi Zhenguo.

After hearing about Elder Qiao’s miraculous cure, they inquired about Zhang Yang’s identity. Upon learning that Zhang Yang was Zhang Keqin’s son, Qi Zhenguo immediately called Zhang Keqin, requesting Zhang Yang’s assistance to examine Elder Qi in Beijing.

Zhang Keqin couldn't refuse the favor and temporarily agreed, which led him to seek out Zhang Yang for the meeting and present the request. Unfortunately, their meeting hadn't gone smoothly.

Zhang Yang had agreed to the treatment, but only in Changjing. Zhang Keqin had tried to persuade him further, but Zhang Yang gave him no opportunity.

He could only return and persuade his old friends to come to Changjing together, perhaps also for a relaxing break. Zhang Yang was unaware of these details; his emotions had been too complicated at the time for him to even ask the patient's name.

“So, Elder Qi is coming. No wonder you’d come here!” Long Cheng smiled.

Within the Cai family, Elder Qi was the most powerful figure. If Elder Qi truly came to Changjing for medical treatment, let alone Cai Zhele, even his father and others would have to come.

Learning all this, Hu Bin also became envious, watching Zhang Yang with a trace of jealousy. Zhang Yang had already saved the senior Elder Qiao, and now securing a favor from Elder Qi meant that even without his father’s connections, ordinary people wouldn't dare easily move against him.

If Zhang Yang chose a career in politics, these connections would become incredibly useful resources. As long as he avoided any major personal mistakes, his rise would be swift, and his future prospects might even surpass Hu Bin’s.

Hu Bin was now contemplating why he didn't possess such formidable medical skills and why he hadn't been sought out by such revered seniors. In the future, the help rendered wouldn't just benefit him, but his entire family.

“I’m done eating. Let’s go to Drunken Heaven to welcome Old Cai properly!

I’m treating today!” The drinking was nearing its end when Li Ya suddenly exclaimed. Everyone was already a bit tipsy, and the alcohol-fueled energy needed an outlet, making a trip out to relax the perfect solution.

(To be continued) RQ