After the divorce, I became a god that my ex-wife couldn’t reach.

Du Hongyu and Du Zhiyuan quickly stood up and looked at Lan Bowen.

Lan Bowen was also looking at them.

He hadn't seen Du Zhiyuan for over a decade and almost didn't recognize him.

Du Zhiyuan is now clearly middle-aged and has gained weight.

With a round belly and a bloated figure, he looked like a groundhog standing there.

It seems his parents had foresight when they named him, as he does indeed have a very round belly.

Du Hongyu looked Lan Bowen up and down, then walked over with a big smile and extended his hands.

He said very warmly, "Mr. Lan, it's a great honor to meet you. My name is Du Hongyu, Chairman of Hongyu Infrastructure Group. Welcome, Mr. Lan."

When Lan Bowen saw him, he already knew what was going on.

His eyes flickered for a moment, then he said calmly, "You're too kind. If I remember correctly, we met once at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Xingyi Industrial Park."

"Yes, I greeted you back then. Mr. Lan has an amazing memory; he remembers me among so many people."

Du Hongyu said with a slightly obsequious tone.

Lan Bowen couldn't help but chuckle to himself, "With your groundhog-like figure, you're basically unforgettable after just one glance."

However, a smile appeared on his face. "It's not that I have a good memory, it's that Chairman Du has an imposing presence that makes him unforgettable."

After exchanging a few polite words, the two went into the private room together.

Du Zhiyuan looked at Lan Bowen and said, "President Lan, it's been many years. If we met outside, I wouldn't even recognize you."

Lan Bowen reached out and shook his hand lightly, saying self-deprecatingly, "Really? In Director Du's eyes, I'm probably still that poor kid from the mountains back then, right?"

Du Zhiyuan chuckled somewhat awkwardly, "Mr. Lan is joking. Who would dare say that Mr. Lan is a poor boy? You are now the general manager of Yan's Group, a highly sought-after figure in Beijing's business circle."

After sitting down, Lan Bowen said, "Director Du, you flatter me. What general manager? In the end, I'm just working for the Yan family."

Du Hongyu suddenly said with some curiosity, "President Lan, isn't that too modest? From what I understand, before you went to Yan's, you founded your own company. If I remember correctly, it was called Shanhe Infrastructure, right?"

Lan Bowen smiled calmly, "Chairman Du investigated me?"

“No need to investigate. I also work for an infrastructure company. After all, we're in the same industry, so it's not difficult for me to find out,” Du Hongyu said naturally. “Besides, Shanhe Infrastructure was quite famous in Beijing back then.”

Lan Bowen said, "That's because Shanhe Infrastructure was founded by a dozen or so migrant workers from the countryside who came to Beijing to work. Some people find that incredible, which is why it has gained some fame. But compared to Chairman Du's Hongyu Infrastructure, it's nothing."

Du Zhiyuan asked curiously, "President Lan, since you have your own company, why do you still want to be the general manager of Yan's? Isn't there a saying, 'Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix'?"

Lan Bowen chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I've never been an ambitious person. As long as I have a stable environment, I don't think too much. After Shanhe Infrastructure was acquired by the Yan Group, the chairman of the Yan Group valued me and appointed me as the group's general manager, which already made me feel flattered."

"With the Yan Group around, there's not much point in my small company persisting."

Du Zhiyuan's eyes flickered for a moment, then he asked, "It seems you are quite satisfied with the Yan Group?"

“Of course.” Lan Bowen answered decisively, “Putting aside the fact that the chairman of Yan’s Group once helped me, I am willing to work for Yan’s Group based on his abilities alone.”

Du Zhiyuan turned his head and glanced at Du Hongyu, giving him a look.

Du Hongyu immediately understood and said with a smile, "President Lan, you and Director Du are classmates. It's been many years since we last met. It's a rare opportunity for us to get together today. We should have a few more drinks later."

Lan Bowen said calmly, "I can't hold my liquor, but I'll manage a little. However, you two didn't invite me here just to have a few drinks, did you?"

Du Hongyu's eyes darted around, and he said, "To be honest, I do have something I'd like to ask President Lan for help with."

As he spoke, he poured wine for Lan Bowen, appearing extremely humble.

Lan Bowen said calmly, "Chairman Du is joking. I'm just someone who works for the Yan Group, how could I be so highly regarded by Chairman Du?"

Du Hongyu chuckled, "President Lan, let's not beat around the bush. It was my idea to invite you here today."

Lan Bowen smiled inwardly, knowing that they were finally getting to the point.

"Oh. What exactly is Chairman Du's purpose in inviting me here?" Lan Bowen remained calm and composed.

Du Hongyu raised his glass and said, "There's no rush. Let me first toast President Lan to our acquaintance... I'll drink this first as a sign of respect."

Lan Bowen raised his glass and lightly clinked it with his.

Du Hongyu drank it all in one gulp with great gusto.

Lan Bowen then drank it down in one gulp.

Du Zhiyuan also came to offer a toast. After drinking three glasses in a row, Lan Bowen put down his glass and said, "Chairman Du, can we get down to business now?"

As Du Hongyu poured him a drink, he said with a fawning smile, "President Lan, the Yan Group is going to put out a public tender for the Xingyi Industrial Park project. Are you in charge of overseeing this?"

Lan Bowen nodded and said, "Yes, hasn't Chairman Du's Hongyu Infrastructure already signed up?"

"Mr. Lan, it's like this, I wonder how much you know about Hongyu Infrastructure?"

Du Hongyu continued to beat around the bush.

Lan Bowen smiled slightly, "We have indeed done our research. I have also carefully reviewed your company's information. I have a general understanding of your company size and success stories. Among all the companies that have applied, I am more optimistic about Hongyu Infrastructure."

Du Hongyu's eyes flickered for a moment, then he seemed much relieved. He chuckled and said, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Mr. Lan. With that, I have confidence."

Lan Bowen said calmly, "Chairman Du, this bidding process is a sealed bid. We will be issuing the bidding documents tomorrow. I think with Hongyu Infrastructure's capabilities, winning a bid should not be a problem at all."

Du Hongyu said happily, "Thank you for your kind words. If we can really get this project, I will definitely thank President Lan properly."

Then, he stood up and clapped his hands.

As his applause subsided, the door to the private room was pushed open.

Fan Qingxiang entered carrying a tea gift bag and respectfully greeted, "Chairman!"

He then placed the gift bag on the table and left.

Lan Bowen's gaze swept over the gift box, a flicker appearing deep in his eyes.

Du Hongyu took the gift bag, held it in his hand, and said respectfully, "President Lan, we're friends now. Hongyu Infrastructure will need your continued support."

Lan Bowen said calmly, "Chairman Du, you flatter me. It's not a matter of who's taking care of whom. If we have the opportunity to cooperate this time, then we'll be partners."

Du Hongyu nodded, "Yes, I sincerely hope that Hongyu Infrastructure can become a partner of the Yan Group."

As he spoke, he placed the gift box in front of Lan Bowen and patted it.

Lan Bowen feigned surprise and asked, "Chairman Du, what do you mean by this?"

Du Hongyu said happily, "It is a great honor to meet President Lan. It is our first meeting, and I do not know any of your preferences. This is just a box of very ordinary tea. It has no other meaning than that I sincerely hope to make friends with you. I hope you will not refuse."

The tea gift bag is printed with "Junshan Maojian". Judging from the packaging, it is not a particularly valuable item.

A slight glint flashed in Lan Bowen's eyes, followed by a hearty laugh. He said generously, "Chairman Du, you're too kind. Since you're so sincere, I naturally can't be too polite. I appreciate Chairman Du's kindness..."

Upon hearing these words, Du Hongyu slowly withdrew his hand from the gift bag.

Du Zhiyuan, standing to the side, raised his glass and said, "Chairman Du, President Lan, congratulations on your friendship. In the future, your two strong partners will surely become a legend in Beijing's business circles. On behalf of the Urban Construction Bureau, I congratulate you both and invite you to have a drink together."

Du Hongyu and Lan Bowen raised their glasses at the same time, clinked them together, and drank them all in one gulp.

"Director Du, in the future, my Yan Group will have to rely on your guidance."

After finishing his drink, Lan Bowen said to Du Zhiyuan.

Du Zhiyuan nodded repeatedly, "President Lan, you're being too polite! What is our relationship? We're classmates. The most genuine feelings in this world are those between classmates and comrades-in-arms. From now on, your problems are my problems, and I will do my best to help you as long as it's within my capabilities."

"Alright, Director Du is so generous, let me toast you again..."

Lan Bowen took the initiative to toast Du Zhiyuan, acting as the host.

The drinking session lasted for more than an hour, and the three of them stopped only when they were all slightly tipsy.

When they were leaving, Du Hongyu personally carried the gift bag out of the hotel, put it in Lan Bowen's car, and thoughtfully called a designated driver before they parted ways.

As he left the restaurant, Lan Bowen, who was initially a little drunk, suddenly had a gleam in his eyes.

He reached out and grabbed the gift bag, pressed it, and then a strange smile appeared on his lips.