"Chen Yang, I really want to open up your head and see what's inside."
"Your ideas are practically out of this world, but upon closer thought, they make perfect sense."
"Compared to you, I feel like I've lived decades in vain, all my years wasted."
After hearing Chen Yang's words, Li Yong felt ashamed of himself as an elder. He previously thought his suggestions were very constructive, but compared to Chen Yang, he fell far short.
"Uncle Li, please don't say that. I'm just living at the bottom, so I'm voicing some opinions that people from the grassroots should have."
"You're different. Your position is separate from ours, so what I'm saying might be something you can't truly see."
Chen Yang smiled faintly. When a leader praises you, it's good to know it, but don't let it go to your head.
"Chen Yang, I really thank you this time. What you've said, I might summarize and perhaps make suggestions to my superiors. What do you think..."
Li Yong felt somewhat embarrassed to say this. These were Chen Yang's ideas, and it would be quite shameless of him to present them to gain favor with his superiors.
However, at that level of meeting, he was just a junior and had no right to bring Chen Yang along.
"Uncle, just say it. If any leader takes it to heart, it will benefit all our countrymen. I'll be absolutely fine with it, and even happy."
"If Uncle implements these policies in the future, I'm willing to be the vanguard."
"I think Shenzhen is a good place, close to Hong Kong. My factory has an office there, and all the foreign exchange business relies on this office for operations and communication."
Even without Chen Yang's intervention, Shenzhen was set to establish an economic special zone within a year or two. Perhaps Chen Yang's small suggestion to Li Yong could accelerate Shenzhen's establishment as an economic special zone.
Then, perhaps it would be even more convenient to go to Hong Kong. If the opportunity arose, Chen Yang would definitely acquire several large trucks from Hong Kong. In this day and age, doing business without your own transport fleet is impossible.
"Chen Yang, don't worry, I will report your suggestions properly."
"If there's ever a time I need to trouble you in the future, Uncle won't hesitate to ask."
Li Yong smiled faintly. He naturally understood what Chen Yang meant – to ask for his help later if possible. Even if Chen Yang's suggestions hadn't been helpful, he would still be happy to be friends with Chen Yang, a person so intelligent that his future achievements would surely be remarkable.
Intelligent people always appreciate each other.
"Uncle, I heard you have a fondness for calligraphy and painting. Coincidentally, when I bought my house, there was a painting left behind by the previous owner, and they didn't take it. I'd like to present it to you as a gift, Uncle, please take a look."
While their conversation was pleasant, it was still important to strengthen their relationship. Chen Yang didn't know much about Li Yong, only that he liked calligraphy and painting.
Upon hearing Chen Yang's words, Li Yong glanced at the landscape painting Chen Yang had opened. With his discerning eye, he could tell the painting was old.
Judging by the style and the aging color of the canvas, it was likely from the Ming Dynasty or even earlier. This made him hesitate about accepting it, but his heart was a little swayed.
He wasn't greedy for money or lustful. His only passion in life was calligraphy and painting.
"Uncle, please rest for a moment. I still want to dance with Teacher Zhang."
"So many students at our school dream of dancing with Teacher Zhang. Today, thanks to your favor, I can't waste such a good opportunity."
Chen Yang could see Li Yong's hesitation and quickly left the painting behind.
"Chen..."
Before Li Yong could finish speaking, Chen Yang had already disappeared.
"This kid, at this age, is more cunning than someone twice his age. I really wonder how his brain is wired."
Looking at Chen Yang, Li Yong thought of his own clumsy secretary. They were of similar ages, but the difference was immense.
As Li Yong mused, he picked up the painting Chen Yang had left. The quality, the style, the more he looked, the more exquisite it seemed.
Although the painting was unsigned, Li Yong was certain it was the work of a master.
Initially, he just wanted to admire it and return it to Chen Yang, but now he was somewhat reluctant to part with it.
...
While Li Yong was examining the painting, Chen Yang and Zhang Yingying had returned to the stage.
As soon as Chen Yang appeared, Teacher Zhang immediately took his hand. As they danced, she asked him like a curious child,
"How did your talk with Uncle Li go?"
Zhang Yingying was very curious. She had never seen a young person like Chen Yang who could talk with Li Yong for so long.
"It went well."
"Uncle Li is likely to be promoted when he goes to the capital this time."
Chen Yang glanced at Zhang Yingying. This girl had an extraordinary background. She could connect with Li Yong, and Zhang Yingying's father seemed to be on equal footing with Li Yong. This was no small matter.
If he wasn't mistaken, Zhang Yingying's grandfather or maternal grandfather must have had a significant influence.
"You're quite good, you've only spoken a few words and you're already calling him Uncle Li."
"Uncle Li's promotion is a sure thing; he's very capable."
"This isn't my statement, it's..."
Zhang Yingying pointed cautiously towards the sky. Chen Yang immediately understood. Whether he was involved or not, it wouldn't affect Li Yong's promotion.
He was already valued by his superiors. What he had done was merely the icing on the cake, making people admire Li Yong even more and see him as more talented.
"Teacher Zhang, thank you this time. When you have free time, I'll treat you to a meal to show my gratitude."
Zhang Yingying had helped him so many times, whether it was avoiding punishment at school or helping him get introduced to Li Yong this time. Chen Yang was naturally grateful.
"I'm free today."
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Chen Yang almost choked on his own saliva. This girl didn't play by the rules.
Normally, Zhang Yingying would politely decline, saying it was just a small favor, and then he would insist on treating her to a meal to express his gratitude.
Finally, they would set a date, and Chen Yang would find a place to host the meal.
But she agreed on the spot, wanting to eat today. Chen Yang was completely unprepared.
"Alright, alright, I was just teasing you. Look at you, so flustered."
Seeing Chen Yang's lack of reaction, Zhang Yingying felt a surge of joy.
This boy, in front of her, had never been so flustered. This time, she finally managed to make him stumble.
"That won't do. If I say I'll treat you to a meal, I will. You choose the place. You're from Shanghai, so you're familiar with the area."
Chen Yang saw that there was no need for preparation. It was just a meal. He wasn't afraid of drinking either.
Given his age across two lifetimes, Zhang Yingying was at most a young girl. What could she do to him?