Chapter 2454 - 2250: Going Through with It No Matter What (Part 3)

However, Zhou Yuanzhi couldn't stand Boss Niu's attitude and took the initiative to respond.

"Deputy Director Zhang, this is Mr. Song Xiaodong from Minghe." Zhou Yuanzhi introduced Song Xiaodong to Deputy Director Zhang.

"Song, Song Xiaodong Mr. Song?" Deputy Director Zhang's face suddenly changed after hearing Zhou Yuanzhi's introduction, as if a rabbit basking in the sun suddenly saw a hawk circling in the sky.

"Are you Song Xiaodong Mr. Song?" Deputy Director Zhang stared at Song Xiaodong's face and incredulously asked again.

"It's me." Song Xiaodong maintained a very indifferent demeanor and nodded gently at Deputy Director Zhang.

"I really didn't expect to meet Mr. Song here, it's really surprising. I didn't realize you were Mr. Song earlier, so I inadvertently neglected you. I hope Mr. Song doesn't mind!"

Deputy Director Zhang vividly performed a face-changing act like in Sichuan opera for Niu Yun and others. He was just maintaining a leader's posture and, upon hearing the name Song Xiaodong, immediately switched to flattering mode, excitedly standing up from his chair and bowing repeatedly to apologize to Song Xiaodong.

Niu Yun watched Deputy Director Zhang nodding and bowing timidly in front of Song Xiaodong, his mouth agape in surprise, nearly revealing his tongue.

What is going on? A deputy director of the provincial tax bureau, a government official with authority over a province's tax revenue, is showing such respect to a small businessman from a small city like Minghe?

Is Song Xiaodong truly an extraordinary figure, or is there something wrong with Deputy Director Zhang's mind?

Master Futian, Ma Jiayi, Wang Shangjin, Zhang Lijiao, and Zhou Yuanzhi all looked at Deputy Director Zhang with bewilderment seeing him show such respect to Song Xiaodong.

It makes no sense, a provincial official with ministerial-level administrative rank, while Song Xiaodong isn't even an official—just a small business owner—why does Deputy Director Zhang respect him so much?

Song Xiaodong was also quite unaccustomed to Deputy Director Zhang's 180-degree change in attitude. After hearing Deputy Director Zhang finish his pleasantries, Song Xiaodong looked up and asked Deputy Director Zhang: "Deputy Director Zhang, have we met before?"

"No, no, I wasn't lucky enough, I just heard the old Secretary mention you before. Today I'm fortunate I finally get to meet Mr. Song, I'm truly ecstatic!" Deputy Director Zhang replied.

"Lucky? You're a vice-ministerial official, a hotshot in the taxation department, and you consider it lucky to meet this Mr. Song? Have you lost your mind?" Wang Shangjin thought to himself.

"Old Secretary?" Song Xiaodong asked in confusion.

"Yes, that's Secretary Li, he often mentioned you to us, praised you quite a lot, never ran out of compliments!" Deputy Director Zhang said excitedly, his eyebrows dancing, saliva flying.

"Secretary Li?" Song Xiaodong still couldn't figure out who it was.

"Mr. Song, I mean Old Li, you must remember now!" Deputy Director Zhang reminded.

"Oh..." Song Xiaodong realized.

The old Secretary Deputy Director Zhang was referring to is Old Li, whom Song Xiaodong met in Luobu Po before. Later, when Song Xiaodong almost got framed by Wang Gang and faced a potential life sentence, it was Old Li and Zhao Ruonan who came to his rescue.

Maybe Deputy Director Zhang and Old Li have some connections, which is why he's being so deferential to Song Xiaodong.

"Let me quietly share some good news with Mr. Song, you might be getting a promotion and making a fortune! Congratulations, Mr. Song!" Deputy Director Zhang said, waving his arms.

Song Xiaodong listened to Deputy Director Zhang but showed no sign of joy, slightly furrowing his brow.

Deputy Director Zhang suddenly realized, looked around at Niu Yun, Ma Jiayi, Wang Shangjin, who were all watching him, quickly smiled again, and added: "Mr. Song is a business giant in Minghe, and everyone here today is an internet tycoon, exchanging and combining strengths. Mr. Song will surely make a fortune!"

"Hahaha, Deputy Director Zhang is right, but it's not just Mr. Song taking advantage of us, our internet companies can't entirely separate from physical industry, so making a fortune surely involves mutual assistance!" Boss Niu, needing something from Deputy Director Zhang, agreed with everything Deputy Director Zhang said, nodding in support.

Only Deputy Director Zhang and Mr. Song know they definitely weren't talking about this.

Seeing the topic diverted, Deputy Director Zhang felt relieved, stood up, and moved to the gap between Song Xiaodong and Wang Shangjin, saying to Wang Shangjin: "CEO Wang, could you make room? I'd like to chat with Mr. Song."

"Sure, sure, sure, Deputy Director Zhang, please!" CEO Wang quickly stood up to make space for Deputy Director Zhang, his chopsticks still holding meat.

"Really, thank you!"

As soon as Deputy Director Zhang's seat touched the chair, he quickly picked up a wine glass, turned to Song Xiaodong, and said: "Mr. Song, meeting you here at Boss Niu's event today has truly made me extremely happy. I just have to borrow flowers to offer Buddha, and toast Mr. Song!"

"Deputy Director Zhang, please." Song Xiaodong maintained a calm and composed demeanor, whether receiving toasts from these small businessmen or the high-ranking tax bureau Deputy Director.

"Damn, what is the background of this Mr. Song? This is a vice-ministerial leader, acting like a lowly subordinate, bowing and toasting, while this Mr. Song keeps playing it cool. Even when a deputy director is toasting, he maintains this attitude?" Sitting nearby, Wang Shangjin watched Deputy Director Zhang and Song Xiaodong drink, thinking silently to himself.