Chapter 727: It Is Right to Make a Contribution to One's Hometown
"Hehe, are you really going to wear this one?" Ge Dongxu asked with a smile.
"Doesn't it look good?" Liu Jiayao twirled in front of Ge Dongxu, holding the hem of her dress.
"It looks great, of course it looks great, anyone who says otherwise must be blind," Ge Dongxu exaggerated, nodding his head repeatedly.
"Giggle!" Liu Jiayao laughed happily and once again latched onto Ge Dongxu's arm, saying, "Then let's go now."
"Yeah, it's about that time," Ge Dongxu nodded.
So, Liu Jiayao put on her coat and intimately hooked Ge Dongxu's arm as they went downstairs.
Today Ge Dongxu wasn't driving Liu Jiayao's Audi, but his special Cherokee official car with a military license plate.
Under the setting sun, the Cherokee made its way through Linzhou City's downtown area, unobstructed all the way.
Whenever there was traffic, police officers would salute upon seeing this special official car, then direct the traffic to let it pass first.
"Why do I always feel like you're 'the fox exploiting the tiger's might' when I see your young face?" It was Liu Jiayao's first time riding in this official car, and seeing how it moved unimpeded, even having traffic police come forward to salute and direct traffic, she looked at Ge Dongxu with a very subtle expression.
"Please, I am quite the big shot in the special department, you know? Plus, today we are hosting the King of Reel Country and his entourage! I'm even driving myself, what more do you expect? If it were the provincial leaders, a banquet of this level would surely need a police car clearing the way, right?" Ge Dongxu laughed.
"Giggle! Yes, yes, you're right, Leader Ge!" Liu Jiayao smiled, pursing her lips upon hearing this.
"Alright, alright, but actually, since Gustadin is the King after all, there's bound to be traffic management near Kunting Grand Hotel where he's going to dine today. Since I am the landlord here, there's no way I'm going to be stopped and questioned, right? That would be too embarrassing for our own people! So, I had no choice but to take out this flashy car," Ge Dongxu said, scratching his head helplessly as Liu Jiayao teased him.
"Silly, you think I don't know that? I am the boss of a company, after all; I still have that common sense," Liu Jiayao scolded playfully, tapping Ge Dongxu's head with her delicate finger.
As they spoke, Ge Dongxu's car approached Yongqing Road where the Kunting Grand Hotel was located.
As expected, several intersections on Yongqing Road were staffed with several times more traffic police than usual, each of them holding walkie-talkies, ready to receive instructions at any moment.
Traffic control hadn't officially started yet, meaning King Gustadin's convoy was either still on the way, some distance from Yongchun Road, or hadn't left the Mingyue Lake State Guesthouse yet.
However, even though traffic control hadn't officially begun, the road conditions had improved a lot due to the presence of several times more traffic police on duty.
These police officers all stood to attention and saluted as they saw the Cherokee with the special military plate drive past, watching it go.
The car sped along Yongqing Road and quickly approached the Kunting Grand Hotel.
"A King is a King, indeed." Ge Dongxu had just arrived at the Kunting Grand Hotel and already noticed the security personnel arranged in visible and hidden places, and couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.
Actually, with him there, if any assassin were lying in ambush with plans to kill the King, he would be able to detect even the slightest hint of murderous intent immediately—so there was no need for such high levels of precaution.
But Ge Dongxu could understand; this time the King was making a high-profile appearance, accompanied by important figures from Reel Country. Jiangnan Province would never dare to be negligent in any way.
The hotel was still open for business as usual, but the inspection of people and vehicles entering and leaving was very strict, and the number was tightly controlled.
When the Grand Cherokee drove into the hotel entrance, the tactical police recognized this special military vehicle, immediately snapped to attention, saluted, and allowed it through without delay.
Once inside the hotel, Ge Dongxu drove the car directly to the Presidential Suite's dedicated parking area and then got out with Liu Jiayao.
The Presidential Suite has its own private passageway and elevator, so there is no need to go through the main lobby entrance.
However, the security for the private passage and elevator was completely different tonight, fully managed by the security bureau of Jiangnan Province and the security personnel of the King.
The security bureau's chief in charge knew Ge Dongxu because last time Ge Dongxu had dined with Secretary Chen and others, he was there as well; and before undertaking this assignment, Director Zheng had already briefed them. So, upon seeing Ge Dongxu arriving with Liu Jiayao, the bureau's staff immediately saluted and allowed them through, whereas the Reel Country security personnel assisting tonight included two who had met Ge Dongxu in the medical room that afternoon.
When they saw Ge Dongxu accompanying Liu Jiayao, their hearts couldn't help but skip a beat. They hurriedly stopped others who were about to step forward for questioning, stood straight, and saluted, which left the other security personnel secretly astounded.
The elevator went straight to the Presidential Suite.
Outside the Presidential Suite, just as many security staff were on duty.
"Dongxu! Sister Liu!" Lin Kun, the manager of the hotel, had already arrived at the Presidential Suite. Upon seeing Ge Dongxu arriving with Liu Jiayao, he hurried forward respectfully and called out.
"How are all the preparations?" Ge Dongxu asked.
"Everything is ready," Lin Kun replied.
"The security staff here should move to the lower floors. With such a rigid atmosphere, how can there be any mood for dinner?" Ge Dongxu said.
"It's easier to communicate with Director Zheng's side, but the Reel Country side..." Upon hearing this, Lin Kun's expression turned troubled.
"Call Henry and tell him it's on my orders. Let him handle it," Ge Dongxu instructed.
"Yes!" Lin Kun responded, first calling Zheng Zijie, then Henry.
To Lin Kun's surprise, Henry didn't utter a second word upon hearing that it was an order from Ge Dongxu, agreeing immediately without showing any airs of a royal steward.
Shortly, all the security personnel outside the Presidential Suite had been withdrawn, and only then did Ge Dongxu nod in satisfaction.
Not long after the security staff had left, Secretary Chen, Governor Sang, and Director Zheng arrived at the Presidential Suite with their wives.
As it was a private dinner and the venue was limited, on the government's side, Ge Dongxu had only invited the top two officials and Director Zheng, with whom he had a good relationship.
Ge Dongxu greeted each of Secretary Chen's group, then casually chatted with them.
Liu Jiayao, seeing Ge Dongxu talking and laughing with the provincial leaders she once could only look up to, felt both sentimental and proud.
"Director Ge, last time you introduced Mr. Gu to us, and this time you introduced the King of Reel Country. We really owe you our thanks!" In the midst of talking, Secretary Chen suddenly became emotional and held Ge Dongxu's hand tightly.
"Haha, Secretary Chen, you are too kind. Don't forget, I'm also a person from Jiangnan Province. It's only right to contribute to my hometown," Ge Dongxu laughed and said.