CHAPTER 632: CHAPTER 632: AN UNUSUAL DINNER GATHERING

It was half a month later that Lan Hui managed to get through on the phone again.

"What’s going on? Why aren’t you answering the phone?"

Tao Qian sighed and replied helplessly.

"I was taken away by people from the Provincial Public Security Department for investigation recently. They asked if I was still in contact with you. I was worried they would trace our calls, so I hid this phone away."

"How are things now? You didn’t spill the beans, did you?"

"Don’t worry, I would never betray you. If I didn’t really love you, I could have taken all that money for myself, wouldn’t you say?"

"I know you love me, otherwise I wouldn’t have contacted you. The main thing now is how to get that money away."

"The Public Security Department has been keeping a close watch lately, let’s talk about it later."

After hanging up the call, Tao Qian immediately reported this matter to Chen Bin.

Chen Bin was with Cheng Zhuang at the time and had intentionally put the call on speakerphone.

After the call ended, he said with a smile,

"If I can get Lan Hui back, catch her, it would definitely be quite an accomplishment!"

Cheng Zhuang shook his head, thinking it was almost impossible.

"Since Lan Hui knows the police are after her, she probably won’t come back, right?"

"That’s not necessarily true! She did so many illegal things for the money. Now she’s escaped abroad with nothing, do you think she’d give up?"

"That’s true indeed."

Cheng Zhuang nodded, agreeing with the reasoning.

At this point, Chen Bin muttered again, "But I can’t let her come back now. Ugh, it’s tough."

Cheng Zhuang didn’t quite understand what Chen Bin was pondering, but he didn’t ask further.

Because Cheng Zhuang knew deep down that he’s not that smart, and he doesn’t need to worry much.

He just needs to earnestly complete each task assigned by Chen Bin.

...

Because Kong Shiyu bore Chen Bin’s child, Li Lu, as Kong Shiyu’s biological father, treated Chen Bin like a son-in-law.

That day, while Chen Bin was working in the office, he received a call from Li Lu.

"Soon Zeng Pengchao will leave Yanxi, and then Governor Cheng Liusha from the adjacent province will come to take his place. It’s good timing since I know Governor Cheng. You bring Lu Cailian tonight, and the four of us will have dinner together."

"Alright, thanks for the heads-up, Secretary Li. I’ll make arrangements for tonight."

After hanging up, Chen Bin called Lu Cailian into the office.

After asking her a few questions, it was clear she didn’t know Cheng Liusha at all.

Thinking about Li Lu’s previous concern for Lu Cailian, Chen Bin suspected if Cheng Liusha might have an interest in Lu Cailian.

If that’s the case, for Chen Bin, it’s both a good thing and a bad thing.

He did fancy Lu Cailian, but her worth didn’t justify competing with Cheng Liusha.

Moreover, from another perspective, if Cheng Liusha genuinely liked Lu Cailian, Chen Bin could entirely use her as a new ally.

After all, once Zeng Pengchao left, Chen Bin only knew Li Lu in the Yanxi political sphere.

But Li Lu’s position was not as high as Pang Nianke, so he couldn’t rely on him to keep smoothly playing the political game.

With that in mind, Chen Bin told Lu Cailian about the dinner arrangements for the night.

Lu Cailian initially didn’t want to agree, but under his persuasion, she eventually nodded.

After booking a restaurant at the Tianhai Hotel, Chen Bin called Li Lu.

He informed him of the time and place.

That evening, after finishing work, while on the way to the Tianhai Hotel, Lu Cailian’s body slightly trembled.

Chen Bin smiled and said, "Don’t be scared, they won’t bite you. We’re all just people."

"I’m not scared, just a bit nervous."

Chen Bin gently held Lu Cailian’s hand to comfort her,

"Don’t worry, Governor Cheng is merely appreciating you, and besides, I’m here with you."

Upon hearing this, Lu Cailian nodded slightly, her complexion improving a few shades.

Upon arriving at the Tianhai Hotel, Chen Bin first went to the front desk to inquire about the preparations.

Then, he stood in the lobby with Lu Cailian waiting to welcome Cheng Liusha and Li Lu.

About half an hour later, a modest Audi stopped in front of the restaurant.

Seeing Li Lu and a man step off it, Chen Bin and Lu Cailian immediately went up to greet them.

"Secretary Li!"

After shaking hands with Li Lu, Li Lu began introductions.

"Governor Cheng, this is Chen Bin, the director of the Provincial Television Station. And beside him is Miss Lu, I presume?"

Lu Cailian smiled and shook hands with Li Lu, "Hello, Secretary Li."

After Chen Bin and Lu Cailian shook hands with Cheng Liusha separately, the four of them entered the private dining room.

Cheng Liusha was a middle-aged man in his fifties, standing roughly at 1.75 meters tall, with an ordinary appearance and average build.

Like Feng Lei, he’s the kind of person who’d go unnoticed in a crowd.

But Chen Bin noticed that since Cheng Liusha laid eyes on Lu Cailian, his gaze hardly left her.

Once they took their seats, Chen Bin secretly gave Lu Cailian a hint.

She immediately took the menu from the waiter and offered it to Cheng Liusha.

"Governor Cheng, you’ve come a long way, please choose the dishes."

Cheng Liusha pushed the menu back, "No need, you choose. I’m terrible at ordering food."

Lu Cailian seemed a bit at a loss and turned to Chen Bin.

Chen Bin had to pick up the conversation, "Governor Cheng, perhaps you should choose. We’re meeting for the first time, and she wouldn’t know your preferences. If the dishes don’t suit your taste..."

"No need to worry, I come from the countryside, a farmer’s son, never picky about food."

Chen Bin signaled to Lu Cailian again, and she placed the menu before Li Lu.

"Secretary Li, why don’t you..."

Before she could finish, Li Lu interrupted.

"No need to complicate things. Since Governor Cheng asked you to choose, go ahead."

With Chen Bin’s approval, Lu Cailian began to peruse the menu.

Since she learned from Chen Bin that Cheng Liusha was the governor of the adjacent province,

those from that area like spicy cuisine, so she specifically ordered a few spicy dishes.

Although Cheng Liusha hailed from the countryside, he possessed high cultural qualities.

He chatted extensively with Lu Cailian, hardly any awkward pauses occurred.

As they grew more acquainted, Lu Cailian also became less nervous, dealing with things more calmly.

At this moment, Li Lu secretly signaled Chen Bin before getting up first.

"Governor Cheng, I suddenly have urgent matters to discuss with Director Chen outside. I apologize for not being able to stay."

Cheng Liusha promptly nodded, "Sure, attend to your business first."

Seeing that Chen Bin was also about to leave, Lu Cailian felt a pang of anxiety.

Yet with Li Lu having urgent matters with him, Lu Cailian felt it inappropriate to impede them.

She could only muster courage and continue chatting with Cheng Liusha.

Once Chen Bin exited the room with Li Lu, he settled the bill at the front desk.

After they left, Chen Bin didn’t receive a call from Lu Cailian until he was about to sleep.

She told him she was home, and Cheng Liusha just left.

Chen Bin asked, "What did you two talk about after I left?"

"Nothing much, just topics related to literature."

"Did he inquire about your family circumstances?"

"No, he didn’t."

After hanging up, Chen Bin immediately contacted Li Lu.

Li Lu explained that Cheng Liusha was on a business trip to Yanxi and wouldn’t stay for long.

However, Lu Cailian performed remarkably well.

In the future, seeking protection under Cheng Liusha through Lu Cailian might be a feasible option...