Chapter 53: Dining Together

At this moment, Zhang Wen suddenly recalled Elder Chen’s identity. He finally remembered where he had seen Elder Chen before—it was when Li Zeming had just arrived in the capital to serve as the Municipal Party Secretary, and Elder Chen had been invited to give them a lecture.

“Zhang Wen, you are the director of the Drug Administration, yet you fraternize with a leader of the underworld. Once you return, you will be subject to an investigation by the Discipline Inspection Commission,” Li Zeming said, his words sealing Zhang Wen’s fate.

Since becoming the director, Zhang Wen had amassed a considerable amount of dirty money, all laundered by his cousin. If the commission started to investigate, there would be no escape.

“Damn it, if I’m going down, I’ll take you all with me!” Zhang Xuefeng’s second uncle suddenly roared, charging at Elder Chen with clenched fists. He wasn’t stupid; it was clear that Elder Chen held the highest position among those present. If he could get hold of Elder Chen, he and his family might just escape unscathed.

His plan was wishful thinking, but reality struck hard. He had barely taken two steps before Chu Feng kicked him back.

“Old Wang, call the guards upstairs and have them come down to take this man away. Let’s see how much evil he’s done over the years,” Chu Feng ordered. The people upstairs were, in fact, those from the military district assigned to protect Elder Chen.

“As for the rest of you, Secretary Li will have the Discipline Inspection Commission investigate. Remember this: whatever you do, Heaven is watching. Sooner or later, retribution will come,” Chu Feng added. Though not especially superstitious, he firmly believed justice would never be absent from the world.

“Elder, would you like to go upstairs to rest, or join us for a meal?” Since they were planning to eat, it was only natural that Chu Feng would invite Elder Chen as well.

“I haven’t eaten yet either, so let’s go together. Besides, I need to thank Miracle Doctor Chu for saving my son’s life,” Li Zeming said warmly, also inviting Elder Chen to dine with them.

“Of course I’ll join you. Sharing a meal with the Municipal Party Secretary will give me bragging rights with the old fellows for days,” Elder Chen joked.

To invite Elder Chen to a meal was a privilege not afforded to many, given his status.

“Please ride with me, Elder. There’s a Central Plains restaurant nearby with excellent food—let’s go there,” Li Zeming offered, clearly well acquainted with the area.

Elder Chen and the Li couple took one car, while Chu Feng, Old Wang, and Han Xuefang rode in another. As for Li Xuefeng, his father, his uncle, and his mother, they were all taken away for investigation. Over the years, they had committed innumerable heinous acts; even if not sentenced to death, life imprisonment was almost certain.

It didn’t take long before they arrived at the Central Plains restaurant Li Zeming had mentioned, a modest establishment.

“Elder Chen, I know you enjoy food from the Central Plains, so I brought you here,” Li Zeming explained, evidencing his familiarity with Elder Chen’s preferences.

“Be honest, did you bring me here just to flash your Municipal Secretary badge and eat for free?” Elder Chen teased, making it clear he didn’t want Li Zeming abusing his position for personal gain.

“Elder Chen, how could Old Li dare? If the old man ever found out, he’d break his legs. Sometimes he even pays extra when dining out,” Li Zeming’s wife interjected, defending her husband.

“You two are always in cahoots. I won’t say more—just remember to serve with integrity, and never betray your conscience,” Elder Chen admonished gently, knowing Li Zeming’s character and offering just a word of warning.

Li Zeming requested a private room, considering his position and Elder Chen’s presence, to avoid attracting attention.

“You young people order whatever you like; don’t mind an old man like me. I’ll just have something simple,” Elder Chen said, handing the menu to Chu Feng. Without ceremony, Chu Feng ordered four dishes—two meat and two vegetables.

“Old Wang, don’t just stand there—sit with us. It would look odd to have only you standing among us,” Chu Feng insisted, seating Old Wang beside him, with Elder Chen on Wang’s other side.

The Li couple ordered a few more dishes, but no alcohol, mindful of Elder Chen’s presence and the need for discretion.

“You mentioned just now that Xiaokun’s child is in the hospital. What happened?” Elder Chen asked Li Zeming once the waiter had left.

“Xiaokun was hit by a car at school and taken to the hospital. The doctors there couldn’t help, but fortunately, Chu Feng was there and saved Xiaokun’s life,” Li Zeming summarized, not going into detail so as not to worry Elder Chen.

“And your father—did he have an episode? That old fellow only has one grandson. You must all be careful,” Elder Chen said, his familiarity with Li Zeming’s father evident.

“I haven’t dared tell him yet, for fear his heart condition would act up. When Xiaokun recovers in a few days, I’ll let him know,” Li Zeming replied, helpless. With only one son, he didn’t know how to break the news to his father, so he chose to keep it from him.

“Don’t tell him for now. The old man has lived a long life but couldn’t bear such a blow. We once said we’d go into the grave on the same day,” Elder Chen said with a hint of sorrow in his voice. He, too, had once had a son, but his boy had died on the battlefield; now, only his old comrades remained.

“Elder Chen, you must keep a positive mindset. If you think this way, not even my best medical skills can cure you,” Chu Feng advised, not wanting Elder Chen to dwell on the past.

Han Xuefang, sitting beside Chu Feng, had already recognized the man seated opposite him as the Municipal Party Secretary. She hadn’t expected Chu Feng to have such deep connections.

Soon, the dishes were served. Chu Feng, without standing on ceremony, picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, not forgetting to serve Han Xuefang as well.

Because of his health, Elder Chen ate only a little, mostly vegetables. His hometown was in Central Plains City, so he was particularly fond of the cuisine.