Spoiled by the CEO after amnesia!-Chapter 471 - 469: Does Huo Shao Return to the Country and Recognize a Godson?
Jiayi subconsciously nodded quickly, "Yes."
Having returned to Yunling, her ancestral home, with Mommy and choosing to be an ordinary person, the matters in S Country and her identity as the Chu Family daughter would vanish into thin air, never to be mentioned again.
A glint of light briefly flickered through his intelligent eyes, seeing her still somewhat evasive. Just as he was about to continue questioning her, a man’s voice came from directly ahead:
"Huo Zhenyang has arrived, welcome, welcome."
An older man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, who appeared to be in his late fifties or early sixties, approached with a polite smile covering his distinguished, well-maintained face.
Accompanied by several people dressed like professional bodyguards, they escorted the man forward as a group.
Jiayi felt a sense of recognition, as if she had seen him on television before. The man was Mayor Qiao Guang of Yunling City.
The usually high and mighty Mayor Qiao, who was surrounded by stars, had no airs about him in front of Huo Zhenyang.
Only then did Huo Zhenyang withdraw his gaze from the young woman, turned his neck towards Mayor Qiao, and welcomed him with a faint smile, "Mayor Qiao."
In the coastal region, two of the most powerful men in business and politics exchanged a few pleasantries.
Afterwards, Mayor Qiao walked Huo Zhenyang and his group around the banquet hall, greeting the business and political elite of The Seven Coastal Cities in turn.
Surrounded by a host of mayors, the man was like the moon circled by stars, exuding a formidable presence, yet unapologetically basking in the respect as if it was his due right.
"Mr. Huo." A deep yet slightly somber voice floated over.
Jiayi looked over to see a man in his forties or fifties, impeccably dressed, flanked by several people as he approached. The thin-faced man had deep-set eyes, a sharply defined hawk nose, tightly pressed lips, and eyes that were dark and profound, revealing him to be a shrewd and calculating politician.
Although he respectfully addressed Huo Zhenyang as "Mr. Huo," there was something about the man that made Jiayi feel somewhat uncomfortable.
When Huo Zhenyang saw the middle-aged man, his eyes briefly flickered, but he remained composed, "Vice Mayor Yan."
The middle-aged man was Yan Bin, among the various deputy mayors under Mayor Qiao, he was the most experienced and wielded the most authority.
Before Huo Zhenyang’s return to the country, Yan Bin had been considered the most likely candidate to succeed the mayorship.
In plain terms, both men were hot contenders in the upcoming mayoral election.
With the rival standing before them, the two men maintained their composure, greeting each other casually as if they were not opponents in a fierce battle but old friends of many years.
Jiayi couldn’t help but quietly sigh. These big shots were truly adept at keeping their cool. Despite their intense hatred for each other in the race for mayor, they still played the part of close brothers, which was quite an act considering politicians are often deemed the most shameless.
Vice Mayor Xu, standing next to Yan Bin, fixed his gaze on Jiayi, giving her several thoughtful looks.
After exchanging a few words, Huo Zhenyang slightly nodded and, linking arms with Jiayi, walked away.
Watching the two leave surrounded by a crowd, Yan Bin’s previously polite countenance vanished without a trace, his gaze hardened as he stared at Huo Zhenyang’s retreating figure.
In his expression, there was a mix of three parts jealousy, and seven parts unwillingness.
After struggling for most of his life, and finally nearing the chance of Mayor Qiao’s retirement, Yan Bin had thought that the mayoral throne was inevitably his.
Just as he was about to hold the reins of power over The Seven Coastal Cities—
At this time, Huo Zhenyang’s return to the country to run for mayor almost shattered Yan Bin’s hopes.
This man applied the same decisive, cold, and deadly techniques he used in the business circuit to play politics, charming Mayor Qiao and a host of other politicians with his substantial finances and favorable image, taking the place that Yan Bin sought and becoming the most likely candidate for the next mayor.
Yan Bin couldn’t help but feel anger and irritation.
It was as if he was in the last round of a gamble, about to win big, only to have someone snatch the victory right out of his hands!
His confidant, knowing his leader’s thoughts, comforted him at his side, "Deputy Mayor Yan, the election hasn’t even started yet; everything is still an unknown. Who can say for sure? It’s not certain that Huo Zhenyang will be able to take the Mayor’s seat."
Vice Mayor Xu also said, "That’s right, Old Yan. Although Huo Zhenyang has the strong support of Mayor Qiao and others, you’ve also had substantial experience in municipal affairs over the years."
In political circles, forming cliques and alliances is quite normal; everyone has their own circle.
Vice Mayor Xu was no exception, with a rather good relationship with Yan Bin.
Yan Bin glanced at Vice Mayor Xu and then, as if suddenly remembering something, wrinkled his brow, "Why were you silent just now? You seemed to be sizing up the lady accompanying Huo Zhenyang. What, do you know her?"
Vice Mayor Xu hesitated for a moment before replying, "Not exactly someone I know well. That woman seems to be the mother of a child named Chu Zhuoting, who was once a classmate of my son Xiaobo in kindergarten. Some time ago, Chu Zhuoting had a fight with my son, and Huo Zhenyang protected Chu Zhuoting. It’s said that Huo Zhenyang is Chu Zhuoting’s godfather. I have been to Qixing Kindergarten once and saw this woman picking up the child, so I remember her a bit. Now that I see her here, I realize that Huo Zhenyang treats both the mother and son quite well."
Standing up for his godson and even bringing the godson’s mother to such a high-end banquet.
Yan Bin hadn’t paid much attention to the woman accompanying Huo Zhenyang earlier and hadn’t given it much thought. Now, hearing Vice Mayor Xu’s words, he lifted his eyelids in interest.
As a rival, Yan Bin had also tried to find out if there were any scandals in his opponent’s private life.
However, ever since Huo Zhenyang arrived in Yunling, his conduct had been beyond reproach, leaving no room for criticism; he was cool and steady in his actions, airtight, and aside from a few personal aides and secretaries he brought from America, he rarely got close to anyone.
Who would have thought that after returning to China, Huo Zhenyang had acknowledged a godson?
And he had such a close mother and son by his side?
That was somewhat interesting.
—
Meanwhile, Jiayi, arm-in-arm with the man beside her, continued to navigate through the crowd.
At first, she didn’t understand why all the big shots with absolute speaking power in The Seven Coastal Cities respected him so, but it gradually became clear to her.
The Asia Building, soon to be under construction on the coast, and already touted as the tallest in Asia even before its completion, was a massive investment by this man.
This project was a showcase for the coastal area, poised to yield substantial profits for all parties involved.
And it was because of this project that Mayor Qiao strongly advocated for Huo Zhenyang as the next Mayor.
Now, to the eyes of the political elite gathered here, this man was not only expected to ascend to Mayor of a core city; he was also like a God of Wealth with vast financial power. A loose handful of money from Huo Zhenyang could potentially mean investment in their own cities.
No one didn’t want to curry favor.
No wonder—
The usually haughty officials, accustomed to being served, were willing to bow down in his presence, like grandsons in front of their grandfather.
Jiayi, with her arm intertwined with his, also fluttered through the crowd like a colorful butterfly.
Based on her experience from the last yacht party, she didn’t need to speak or do anything—just being a decorative vase was enough.
But...
