Chapter 119: Sworn Brotherhood with the Mayor

The Ziyun Pavilion was filled with more than just the leadership of the Construction Bureau; Mayor Lang Ping, Director Yuan Shan of the Land Bureau, and Police Chief Kong Lei were also in attendance. As soon as Yang Tian walked in, everyone rose to their feet to greet him and invite him to take his seat.

Yang Tian introduced Huang Juan to the group, and the young girl’s face immediately beamed with a radiant, happy smile. Because of Yang Tian, she—an unassuming girl—had been granted a level of respect she had never known before.

Seeing this, Huang Jian’s family immediately shifted their attitude toward Huang Juan. Huang Jian hurried over to pour drinks for the officials and Yang Tian, while Jiang Mei busied herself urging the waiters to bring the food out quickly. Huang Ya moved to sit right next to Huang Juan, showering her with affectionate endearments.

Being snobbish, they understood perfectly that the young man beside Huang Juan was someone worth cozying up to. At the very least, if they asked him to put in a good word with Zhang Siguo, Huang Jian’s promotion to section chief of the Construction Bureau would be a certainty.

Huang Ya’s change of heart was swift. She apologized to Huang Juan, claiming their earlier remarks were born of ignorance and that they had truly only meant the best for her. She even added that ever since leaving Big Willow Village, she had missed her cousin dearly.

Huang Juan was no fool; she understood perfectly well why the family had done a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. However, being of a gentle nature, she felt no desire for revenge. She simply watched Yang Tian from the side as he conversed effortlessly with Mayor Lang and the others, carrying himself with such poise that she felt deeply satisfied and happy.

"Yang Tian, you are the treasure of our municipal bureau now," Mayor Lang said, three drinks in, speaking with unreserved candor. "Because of the completion of the viaduct and the successful renovation of Zhongshan Road, the provincial authorities have specifically commended our city’s leadership at every level. If you have any good ideas in the future, just tell us directly—no, just come to the municipal bureau and find us. The doors are always open to you!"

So, it was this young man who had the idea for the viaduct? And he had a hand in the redesign of Zhongshan Road, too? No wonder the municipal leaders were so deferential to him. The three members of Huang Jian’s family exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts filled with trepidation. They looked pale; they had just slandered him, and they worried he might hold a grudge. If he did, Huang Jian’s political career would surely go downhill.

"Speaking of which, I must add something," Zhang Siguo chimed in. "Yang Tian, our Construction Bureau has no shortage of talented people with ideas, but someone with your breakthrough vision is truly rare. We have also taken on the construction of the Binhai University New District. If you have any good advice, don't keep it to yourself. We’re old friends, after all—you can’t just stand by and watch me make a fool of myself!" Zhang Siguo held Yang Tian in high regard, and for good reason: the success of the viaduct had made him a rising star in the eyes of provincial officials. If he could pull off another victory with the university district, his career prospects would be limitless.

Seeing his superior speaking to Yang Tian in such a manner, Huang Jian felt like he could die of regret. If Yang Tian whispered a few bad words in Zhang Siguo’s ear, forget a promotion—a demotion was a distinct possibility.

"My little Juan is truly blessed to have a good friend like you," Jiang Mei said, rushing to raise her glass as she saw Huang Jian floundering. "As Juan’s aunt, I am so pleased. Come, Comrade Yang, let me toast you!"

"Aunt, you are too kind," Yang Tian said, raising his glass with natural grace. "I often hear Juan talk about you and how much you looked after her family in the past. I will certainly remember your kindness for her." His words were so pointed that Jiang Mei nearly fainted.

Others might not have noticed, but the family knew exactly what he was doing: Yang Tian was mocking them. Huang Juan, meanwhile, wore a sweet smile; she felt a sense of belonging because Yang Tian had treated her as one of his own in front of so many high-ranking officials. For a girl with simple expectations, that meant more than anything.

"Indeed, indeed, we are all one family!" Huang Jian said with a bitter laugh, trying to smooth things over.

"Yang Tian, stop with the small talk," Chief Kong laughed loudly. "Have a few drinks with us! Today, we aren't treating you like a student. You have to drink, and you have to enjoy yourself!"

"Exactly," added Director Yuan Shan. "You built the viaduct and fixed Zhongshan Road, earning accolades for Mayor Lang and Director Zhang. It’s not fair! You’ll have to give me and Chief Kong some ideas soon so we can get some commendations too!" He was joking, but he meant it; the Land Bureau was busy, but they lacked any major achievements in this era of reform.

"Commendations? Forget it," Kong laughed. "He causes me nothing but trouble! The last time he got into a fight on the Ninghua Highway, it was Mayor Lang and I who had to take the heat for him!" The table erupted in laughter.

Huang Juan felt a surge of gratitude; she knew Yang Tian had only started that fight because of her father.

Huang Jian’s family was stunned. *Good heavens*, the kid was incredibly influential in the municipal government, with connections to every leader at the table. No wonder Huang Biao had been acting so recklessly in the jujube market lately—he had someone like this backing him!

"Yang Tian, don't think we're just joking," Mayor Lang said, patting Yang Tian on the shoulder after a few more drinks. "It sounds absurd for a high school student to be advising us on the development of Binhai, but I don't care. Leadership authority, prestige—it's all nonsense. To me, a leader only needs to do one thing: find every possible way to foster development."

"Exactly," Zhang Siguo agreed, thumping his chest. "We are all relatively young, so we don't hold onto stuffy, old-fashioned airs. It’s the turn of the century; Binhai's growth is what matters. Whoever can offer a beneficial idea, we respect them. I, as the head of the Construction Bureau, am willing to work like a dog for them!"

Yang Tian smiled sincerely. He remembered these men well; they were driven, and while their desire for political achievement was undeniable, they were truly the pillars of Binhai’s progress.

"To be honest, there were things I only dared to think about before, not act on," Yuan Shan reflected. "But since the viaduct and the road were recognized by the citizens, I realized that bold breakthroughs are essential."

"So, Yang Tian, give us a few more blasts!" Mayor Lang said, tapping his glass. "The winds of reform are blowing everywhere; we Binhai people must strive!"

"If Binhai wants to grow quickly," Yang Tian said nonchalantly, "I think the first step should be the reform of state-owned enterprises. Enterprises are always the engine of urban development."

"Excellent! You’ve hit the nail on the head," Mayor Lang exclaimed, slamming the table. "I’ve thought about this for a long time. I’ll have you write some proposals, and I’ll appoint you as the deputy director of the municipal bureau office!"

Everyone was shocked. A deputy director position was no small matter—that was a leadership role!

"Mayor Lang, that... Mayor Luo will certainly not agree to this," Zhang Siguo whispered.

"Indeed," Kong Lei added, looking disgruntled. "Ever since Old Secretary Hu went on medical leave, Luo has been the top dog. He’ll think you’re planting your own people."

"That old fossil, that dogmatist," Lang Ping said, not caring who heard him. He never took Mayor Luo seriously.

"How about this," Yuan Shan suggested. "We give Yang Tian the authority to speak on our behalf, so he can assist us in all areas."

"No, without real power, people below will just make things difficult for him," Lang Ping said. After a moment of thought, he hit upon an unconventional idea: he would become Yang Tian’s sworn elder brother. That way, everyone would know Yang Tian had his backing, and no one would dare block him from conducting research or proposing plans.

"Mayor Lang, only you could come up with that!" Zhang Siguo and the others roared with laughter, agreeing that it was a brilliant move.

"Fine, I will do my best to contribute to Binhai's construction," Yang Tian said with a wry smile. He couldn't refuse the Deputy Mayor's offer.

"Congratulations! Yang Tian, let me toast you!" Huang Jian, seeing the shift in power, quickly raised his glass to curry favor.

Yang Tian held his glass up symbolically, then reached out to take Huang Juan’s hand, encouraging her to join in the toast.

"I can't drink," Huang Juan whispered into his ear.

"What’s this? Are you not giving your 'older brother' some face, or is it the Deputy Mayor you won't toast?" the group laughed.

"I understand! My little Juan can't drink, I'll go get her a beverage!" Jiang Mei suddenly became all smiles, acting as if she knew Huang Juan perfectly, and hurried off to fetch a drink.

As the banquet ended, Yang Tian and Huang Juan rode away under the watchful eyes of the Huang family.

"I’m sorry, I wanted to give you a special birthday, but we ran into them," Yang Tian said, the wind rushing past them on the motorcycle as his alcohol-induced haze began to lift.

"Not at all," Huang Juan replied with a warm, understanding smile. She reached out and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, resting her head against his back, eyes closed as she savored the warmth.