Before Tang Maolin could recover from the immense shock.

The principal of First Middle School, Liu Zengyin, had already come over to stand in front of Tang Song, looking visibly nervous.

He took the initiative to extend his hand. "Hello, classmates Tang Song, Liu Qingning, sorry to have kept you waiting."

Tang Song shook his hand politely. "Hello, Principal Liu."

"Principal Liu." Liu Qingning also gave a sweet smile.

Liu Zengyin turned slightly to the side, his tone so warm it was almost excited, and introduced the two: "Let me introduce you, this is Secretary Zhang Chengming of our Jing County Party Committee.

Secretary Zhang, this is our outstanding alumnus who graduated from First Middle School, Tang Song. And this is our county’s top scorer in the college entrance exam that year, Liu Qingning."

Hearing Liu Zengyin’s introduction, the expressions on Tang Jianying and Xu Feng’s faces froze for an instant, filled with bewilderment and helplessness.

What’s going on? Why... has the county party secretary personally come?

On the other side, Li Qiaoling had already been stunned silly.

Though she didn’t work within the system, because of Tang Maolin she naturally paid some attention.

She was more or less familiar with the main county leaders, just from hearing about them all the time.

Now she stared blankly at this unbelievable scene before her, feeling as if her brain had stopped functioning.

"Hello, Secretary Zhang." With a smile on his face, Tang Song took the initiative to extend his hand.

Zhang Chengming immediately took a step forward, grasped Tang Song’s hand firmly with both of his, and gave it a cordial shake.

His voice was loud and infectious. "Hello, Chairman Tang. I’ve long heard the thunderous reputation of Rongliu Capital! I never expected that the one steering this giant capital ship would turn out to be a young talent who came out of our Jing County. Truly, heroes emerge from the young. Our Jing County’s mountains and waters are indeed nurturing!"

On Zhang Chengming’s face was that particular kind of smile an elder wears when meeting an outstanding junior, full of appreciation and enthusiasm.

Tang Song replied with a smile, "Secretary Zhang, you flatter me. I’m just a native son of Jing County. Seeing my hometown changing with each passing day genuinely makes me happy."

"You young people who have ability and vision are the greatest hope for the future of your hometown!" Zhang Chengming patted the back of his hand firmly. "I heard you and classmate Qingning are coming back to your alma mater for the anniversary. We elders, both in sentiment and in principle, should come personally to welcome you."

As he spoke, he then introduced the people behind him to Tang Song one by one.

As both sides exchanged warm pleasantries.

Only then did Tang Maolin gradually come back to his senses.

He looked at his paternal nephew—being affectionately addressed as "Chairman Tang" by Secretary Zhang, surrounded at the center by a group of county leaders like stars clustered around the moon...

His throat involuntarily moved up and down, and a flush surged over his face from the extreme excitement.

He didn’t know what "Rongliu Capital" was, nor did he understand "giant capital ship", but after years of navigating the system, from the form of address just now and the county leaders’ near-humble attitude alone, he had already judged.

This nephew of his was something else.

He had come with a try-it-and-see mentality, shamelessly showing up at the door to ask for help, but he never imagined that the "god" he was coming to beg for, would be this formidable!

After the pleasantries.

Tang Song introduced the people behind him. "Secretary Zhang, this is my father, Tang Jianying. This is my mother, Xu Feng."

"Hello."

"Hello, Secretary Zhang." Xu Feng and Tang Jianying hurriedly greeted him.

Even now, they were still somewhat muddled about what was happening.

They had originally thought only Principal Liu of First Middle School would be coming, yet a whole bunch of county leaders had shown up.

Although they didn’t work within the system, when it came to the local parent-officials, they were all

"This is my uncle, Tang Maolin, and my aunt, Li Qiaoling..."

Seeing that Tang Song was introducing him, Tang Maolin’s whole body trembled, and he immediately realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

He stepped forward, bent slightly at the waist in a respectful posture, and said, "Hello, Secretary Zhang, I’m Tang Maolin. At last month’s special meeting on ’Optimizing the Business Environment’ organized by the county, I had the honor of listening to your report. I currently work in the Planning Section of the county Housing and Construction Bureau."

Hearing "Housing and Construction Bureau", a gleam flashed in Zhang Chengming’s eyes, and he immediately said with a smile, "Oh, hello, Maolin. The Planning Section is very important. The blueprint for the future urban development of our county relies on frontline cadres like you to draw it stroke by stroke."

These high-EQ remarks not only highlighted the importance of his department, but also gave him ample recognition.

Tang Maolin felt a rush of heat surge to his head, and his voice even trembled a little. "Thank you for your encouragement, Secretary. We will definitely do our best and live up to the expectations of the county party committee."

Then his gaze shifted to Tang Song, emotions surging in his heart.

Originally, he was just dropping by for a visit, nervously putting forward his "request."

He had even thought that even if Tang Song was willing to help, he would still have to ask around and find people to pass on messages.

Yet the scene before him felt like a dream.

Tang Song didn’t need to say much at all; just by casually introducing him here, he could leave an impression on the secretary.

And the weight of being "remembered" like this was often more useful than years and years of painstakingly cultivating relationships.

He quietly swallowed a mouthful of saliva, feeling his chest burn hot.

Unconsciously, he too had found himself a powerful backer.

...

In a high-standard reception room temporarily set up in the Quan City Municipal Government building.

Shen Yuyan sat upright on one of the sofas, with a cup of steaming tea before her.

A composed and appropriate smile hung on her face as she listened carefully to the mayor’s secretary’s introduction opposite her.

From the moment she arrived in Quan City at noon, she had been conducting formal work coordination with the Municipal Government Office in her capacity as the Chairman’s Special Assistant of Rongliu Capital.