Bai Yulan was among the group with Han Mingrui and others.

Moreover, it was clear to any discerning eye that she was the undeniable protagonist of this group.

"Jiang Tao, Lili, Mr. Xu, Mrs. Xu, you’re here."

"Let me introduce you, this is the Executive Deputy Magistrate of Ping County, County Magistrate Gao Aiguo."

"And this is..."

Seeing Jiang Tao and his group arrive, Bai Yulan warmly approached them and took the initiative to make introductions.

Xu Li’s family of four listened to Bai Yulan introduce various county magistrates, secretaries, directors...

Watching everyone treat Jiang Tao with immense courtesy.

A strong sense of pride and shared honor welled up in their hearts!

Success!

Their husband and son-in-law had truly made it!

So many county leaders were treating Jiang Tao with such respect, treating him as an honored guest.

Moreover, when Jiang Tao greeted everyone, his expression was very composed, with not a hint of restraint.

The Jiang Tao of today bore no trace of the former truck driver.

In just a few months, the tremendous changes in Jiang Tao could already be conservatively described as a transformation!

It was as if he had become a completely different person!

After the introductions, everyone moved into a large reception hall inside the guesthouse.

Inside, there were four large round tables, and service staff ushered everyone to their seats.

There were no opening remarks or speeches; once seated, the staff began to serve the food.

Given the special nature of today’s reception, the dishes served were not as luxurious as the feast Wang Xingguo hosted at Baiyulan Hotel yesterday.

Yet, it wasn’t skimpy either.

There were chicken, duck, fish, beef, lamb, pork shanks, and prawns on the menu.

The liquor served was a type of baijiu Jiang Tao had never heard of, but the label on the bottle read "Special Supply."

This liquor might not match Maotai, but its taste was certainly comparable to those of some 100 to 200 yuan baijiu on the market.

During the meal, Bai Yulan reintroduced Jiang Tao to the leaders, and they toasted each other and exchanged contact information.

The earlier introductions at the door didn’t count as truly meeting.

After toasting and exchanging contact details, it was considered a genuine acquaintance. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

During the banquet, everyone noticed Bai Yulan’s warm attitude towards Jiang Tao and speculated about their relationship.

Though they couldn’t figure it out.

But everyone present was seasoned in social dealings and could tell their relationship was not ordinary.

Therefore, the attendees were also very enthusiastic towards Jiang Tao, valuing not only the fact that he won today’s competition.

Frankly speaking, although today’s health run was Ping County’s first.

If someone else had won the championship, it wouldn’t warrant the county officials personally receiving and hosting him for a meal.

At most, there would be a few polite words in person, followed by a photo-op for publicity, and that’d be it.

The meal lasted from past 1 PM till slightly after 3 PM.

The whole process was lively, and the atmosphere extremely congenial.

In today’s setting, everyone present was a dignified person; no one pressed Jiang Tao to drink, nor did they force alcohol on him.

But Jiang Tao offered toasts to so many officials, and in doing so, drank quite a bit indeed.

Fortunately, with his increased constitution, his body’s metabolic ability improved significantly.

After drinking over three jin (approximately 1.5 liters) of baijiu at lunch, his face remained unflushed, and his breath steady, as if nothing happened.

His capacity for drinking amazed everyone once again.

Once full and satisfied, everyone parted ways at the entrance of the guesthouse.

The family of three returned to the in-laws’ house.

Upon returning home, the alcohol kicked in for Jiang Tao, and he went straight to sleep.

...

Meanwhile.

In the general manager’s office of Baiyulan Hotel.

Bai Yulan was initially in a good mood today until she received a call from her assistant.

Returning to the office and looking at the financial report placed on her desk by the assistant.

Bai Yulan’s pretty face instantly clouded over, cold as frost.

Thud!

"Big sis, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I realize my mistake."

"I’m sorry, big sis. Please give me another chance, I swear I won’t do it again."

Bai Jianfeng saw the expression on his cousin’s face and figured out that his deeds had been uncovered.

With a thud, he knelt to the ground, continually kowtowing and apologizing to Bai Yulan.

"Jianfeng, oh Jianfeng, what couldn’t you do with that 5 million? You went and bought lottery tickets!"

"I knew you weren’t smart, but I didn’t think you were this stupid!"

"At the end of the day, it’s a game of rock-paper-scissors; if you’re always the one to play first, how can you win?"

Bai Yulan flung the financial report onto the floor in front of the desk with a crash.

For Bai Yulan, 5 million wasn’t a huge amount.

Her anger stemmed from her cousin Bai Jianfeng using her resources and quietly embezzling funds behind her back!

If not for their familial bond, such an amount would have had Bai Jianfeng jailed for seven to eight years!

"I’m sorry, sis, I just lost my head for a moment, I’m truly sorry..."

The matter had already occurred, and the evidence was conclusive; Bai Jianfeng knew there was no point in saying anything else now. It was better to sincerely admit his mistake and hope for his cousin’s forgiveness.

The Bai family wasn’t thriving in this generation, only four siblings.

That’s why Bai Yulan had always taken care of her younger siblings, using her network to arrange things for them.

"Let’s leave it at that; I won’t hold you accountable further."

"However..."

"Use the talented, do not doubt them; doubt them, do not use them. Pack up and go home, the hotel will compensate you with N+2."