A call from Secretary Peng?

Xia Xiao Lan wasn’t close with Secretary Peng – she usually dealt with Little Wang. Secretary Peng had been aloof since their first meeting.

Xia Xiao Lan wasn’t oblivious to his wariness of her.

However, she had no interest in flattering Secretary Peng. There was an art to seeking patronage – while she wouldn’t hesitate to align herself with Tang Hong En, Secretary Peng was already in Tang Hong En’s camp. If Xia Xiao Lan had been within the system, they would have been competitors.

As things stood, they maintained a comfortable distance, coexisting peacefully.

Secretary Peng wouldn’t call without reason – it was Tang Hong En’s instruction.

“The leader says he’s going to Yang Cheng and asks if you’d like to join.”

The question seemed abrupt – why did they want her to go to Yang Cheng?

Xia Xiao Lan covered the receiver, “Uncle, what’s today’s date?”

Liu Yong was caught off guard, answering hesitantly, “July 16th?”

It wasn’t that they were living aimlessly, but they were simply too busy – running between the building materials store and the Nanhai Hotel construction site, there were endless tasks from dawn to dusk. The date hardly mattered when there was work to be done!

The 16th!

That was when her mother would be in Yang Cheng exchanging goods.

Xia Xiao Lan hadn’t met privately with Tang Hong En since arriving in Peng Cheng. Not only was she busy, but Tang Hong En had also been occupied with government matters, including a recent investment promotion banquet. While outsiders saw it as mere festivities, Xia Xiao Lan could guess at the substantial investments being negotiated behind the scenes!

After the banquet, Tang Hong En should have been even busier.

At a minimum, he needed to secure Harold’s intended investment. That he could still think about visiting her mother at such a time – Xia Xiao Lan could only express profound admiration!

She couldn’t accuse Tang Hong En of neglecting his duties; rather, he was willing to steal time from his busy schedule to build a relationship with her mother… Xia Xiao Lan was well acquainted with the romance beneath his serious exterior.

During New Year’s, when he had traveled all the way to rural An Qing to support the Liu family, giving them tremendous faces.

Who would believe Mayor Tang would do such things?

“Thank you, Secretary Peng. Since Uncle Tang suggested it, I’ll go.”

Did Mayor Tang know that back in Beijing, he had a “rival” – stern-faced but warm-hearted?

Xia Xiao Lan figured that even if her mother had met Mayor Tang during her previous visit to Yang Cheng, she wouldn’t have mentioned Director Ma.

So he must not know.

After confirming the time with Secretary Peng, Xia Xiao Lan hung up.

Her desire to go to Yang Cheng wasn’t about being an inconsiderate third wheel. She had been excited about Harold’s potential land acquisition at Xiang Mi Lake, and since Ji Jiang Yuan hadn’t contacted her, she wanted to ask Tang Hong En directly.

“Uncle, I need to go to Yang Cheng. My mother’s coming, and I’ll ask if she wants to stay in Peng Cheng for a few days.”

Xia Xiao Lan didn’t have high hopes – Liu Fen would likely be in a hurry.

Li Feng Mei had been anxious about managing just one store, and after visiting Xiang Mi Lake, she left her son behind and rushed back to Shang Du after just two days. Liu Fen now managed two stores and helped at Luna – how could she stay away from the Beijing business?

Knowing that Xia Xiao Lan had borrowed 700,000 yuan and had no working capital left, with the Gu Lou store renovated but no money for inventory, Liu Fen was eager for the Xi Dan and Xiu Shui Street stores to earn more, helping ease Xia Xiao Lan’s burden.

Liu Fen had come a long way – from helping sell fried residue to managing store accounts, to now overseeing three stores.

She wasn’t just Xia Xiao Lan’s capable assistant anymore; she had become independent, continuously using profits from the clothing stores to provide ‘cash fuel’ for Xia Xiao Lan’s business empire. Only a mother would work so tirelessly to help her child.

Lost in these thoughts as she got into Tang Hong En’s car, Xia Xiao Lan merely murmured “Uncle Tang” instead of asking about Harold’s investment as she had planned.

“Are you tired from your work in Peng Cheng, young lady?”

Seeing her distraction, he regretted letting her come along to Yang Cheng.

Xia Xiao Lan snapped to attention, “I’m not tired, I was just thinking about my mother. If it weren’t for helping me, she wouldn’t need to travel so exhaustingly from north to south.”

Tang Hong En nodded:

“Your mother is indeed working hard. What parents can give their children usually far exceeds what children can repay in the future. Especially after you marry and have your husband and children, plus your career – the time you can give your mother might be one-tenth or even less of your attention.”

From infancy to walking and running, to youth, to establishing a family and career… raising a child for a hundred years brings ninety-nine years of worry – parents’ concern for their children spans a lifetime.

Conversely, when children grow up, they invest more energy in their own families, their concern for parents far less than for their offspring.

Xia Xiao Lan understood this logic, but her situation with her mother was different. As an only child, she received all of Liu Fen’s attention, and after divorcing Xia Da Jun, Liu Fen lived alone.

As expected of a leader, Tang Hong En had immediately touched upon Xia Xiao Lan’s concerns.

Of course, she could bring her mother wherever she went now, but after marriage, could she still prioritize Liu Fen?

Would she neglect Liu Fen, would her concern for her mother always differ from her care for a partner?

Xia Xiao Lan glanced at Tang Hong En – the mayor was incredibly skilled at psychological tactics, unsettling her with just a few words. How could her mother resist?

With such sophistication, even Director Ma, who lingered daily in Xi Dan, probably couldn’t compete despite being nearby.

“Uncle Tang, you must feel the same about Ji Jiang Yuan. When foreign investors brought him to Peng Cheng, you knew they were using him, but you couldn’t show anger – you had to save face for him?”

Tang Hong En could certainly be impartial.

But if he showed no humanity at all, even the understanding Ji Jiang Yuan would feel uncomfortable.

Tang Hong En found Xia Xiao Lan’s topic interesting, sensing it wasn’t simply to challenge him.

“You’re interested in Harold’s investment in Peng Cheng?”

Xia Xiao Lan nodded frankly, “I’m interested in anything profitable. Harold Wilson is George’s uncle – if he wants to invest in Peng Cheng, why should we let him become George and Ji Ya’s tool? Why not win him over? He could contribute positively to Peng Cheng’s economy, and prevent George and Ji Ya from causing trouble through Harold’s influence.”

Of course, Xia Xiao Lan couldn’t win him over herself.

Her capital was far from sufficient; she wasn’t in Harold’s league to even attempt such persuasion.

But Tang Hong En, as Peng Cheng’s mayor, certainly could.

Xia Xiao Lan didn’t want Harold to become a weapon against Tang Hong En.

The ideal situation would be Harold making reliable investments in Peng Cheng, receiving government support, and making money. Peng Cheng would benefit from Harold’s investment, and Tang Hong En, who facilitated this investment, would gain political achievement.

“Even without you saying this, I wouldn’t create difficulties for Harold because of his relationship with George. Personal grudges shouldn’t affect such investments… However, you’re not being unrealistic – Harold’s project in Peng Cheng might indeed be your opportunity.”