Luo Ziling really guessed right; Guo Chao truly came to greet them at the entrance of the scenic area.
The two beautiful tour guides accompanying Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin, upon seeing Guo Chao, immediately went forward to greet him, their demeanor very respectful.
However, Guo Chao didn’t pay attention to them; he simply nodded briefly and then warmly smiled, moving towards Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin.
Guo Chao extended his hand to Luo Ziling and enthusiastically introduced himself, "I am Guo Chao, and I warmly welcome Mr. Luo and Miss Yang to Gusu. Gusu is an extremely beautiful city, I’m sure you both will like it, and I hope you enjoy your time and have a delightful visit."
"You’re too kind, Mr. Guo!" Luo Ziling reached out and shook hands with Guo Chao, smiling as he said, "We are just here for a private tour, drawn by the fame of Gusu, and we really dare not trouble Mr. Guo!"
"Mr. Luo, you’re too polite!" Seeing Luo Ziling didn’t address him by his title, Guo Chao breathed a sigh of relief.
After lightly shaking hands with Yang Qingyin, he then smiled and said, "I’ve long heard that Mr. Luo’s girlfriend is exceptionally pretty, but seeing her today, I realize what true beauty is. I really envy Mr. Luo and Miss Yang; you two are truly a perfect match!"
The two beautiful tour guides didn’t dare come close after Guo Chao arrived.
Guo Chao’s courteous treatment of Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin greatly surprised them.
The young couple they accompanied today held identities that were truly intimidating.
Guo Chao, who usually holds himself in high esteem, treated them so warmly and even lowered his own status, like a subordinate meeting a superior. Not entirely like a subordinate meeting a superior, he just didn’t put on any airs.
Guo Chao didn’t come alone; he brought a driver and a secretary.
He didn’t bring his wife; he felt that this kind of occasion wasn’t suitable for family members to be present.
Guo Chao’s driver and secretary were also greatly surprised by his behavior.
However, they were people who had seen many such occasions and were not particularly surprised by this.
Guo Chao enthusiastically invited Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin to get in the car and go to the dining place.
After exchanging a couple of pleasantries, Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin ultimately did not refuse and got into Guo Chao’s Audi A6.
"Is this a government car?" As he got into the car, Luo Ziling jokingly remarked, "If it’s misuse of a government car, that shouldn’t happen!"
"It’s not a government car; it’s my private vehicle, purchased during the car reform. But the driver is a government employee, so I’ll have him return afterward, and I’ll drive myself!" Guo Chao, rarely sitting in the front passenger seat, hurried to explain, "Today I’m inviting you both in my personal capacity, so please don’t feel any burden. Public and private should be separate; it’s something everyone should do."
"Mr. Guo is truly a model public servant!"
Guo Chao wasn’t sure whether Luo Ziling’s words were praise or sarcasm, and could only respond ambiguously, "It’s what one should do!"
Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin sat in the back seat, while Guo Chao sat in the front passenger seat.
The driver had never seen Guo Chao sitting in the front passenger seat before, so he was a bit nervous and drove more carefully.
Today, Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin didn’t invite the two beautiful tour guides to dine with them, and Guo Yue also did not invite them.
Since Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin didn’t express such an intention, he naturally wouldn’t invite them proactively.
With outsiders present, many things cannot be spoken directly.
Luo Ziling was reasonably socially skilled and didn’t invite the two guides to join them for a meal today.
Afraid that Guo Chao might misunderstand and punish them, he praised the two guides en route, saying they were warm, hospitable, and had very solid professional knowledge, which helped them understand Gusu’s local customs and culture well.
Guo Chao asked when Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin planned to leave Gusu, and upon learning that they wanted to explore the ancient city the next day, he immediately offered to personally accompany them.
Afraid that Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin would decline, Guo Chao quickly explained, "Tomorrow is the weekend, and I have my day off, so I can arrange my own time!"
"Then we’ll trouble Mr. Guo!" Yang Qingyin accepted on behalf of Luo Ziling and, while doing so, signaled him with her eyes.
Luo Ziling didn’t express much, only thanked Guo Chao.
The dining place was located at the junction between the city and the suburbs, a private establishment within an exquisite courtyard, without any sign outside.
It was unclear whether it was Guo Chao’s special instruction or simply that there were few patrons; this private establishment, called "Sanwu House," had no other guests.
December in Gusu was somewhat cold.
However, they were seated outside in a half-enclosed sunroom, which didn’t feel cold, surrounded by plenty of green plants and flowers, giving a very delicate impression.
In such an environment, Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin were quite satisfied.
Guo Chao’s manner was similar to that of Zhao Songliang from the previous evening, but because there were no outsiders here, he was more direct than Zhao Songliang.
He directly expressed his intention, admitting he had followed the wrong people before, but was fortunate to realize it in time. He hoped Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin could show him the right path, for which he would be very grateful.
Guo Chao’s status was slightly higher than Zhao Songliang’s, and he was acquainted with more people in Yanjing, so he was clearer about the gravity of the situation.
Upon hearing that the Chen Family might encounter serious trouble, he hadn’t slept well for several nights and immediately began to consider self-rescue.
Someone pointed out a viable path to him: to seek Ling Ruonan or Ling Zhengping and align himself with their family.
The Ling Family was on the rise, and following this incident, their status would undoubtedly increase.
After careful consideration over several days and clarifying many things, Guo Chao decided to find a way to associate himself with the Ling Family through Ling Ruonan.
Just by coincidence, he learned that Luo Ziling was traveling to Suzhou, so he quickly made the decision to establish ties by accommodating Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin. He simply didn’t anticipate that Zhao Songliang from Yangzhou would beat him to it.
Guo Chao and Zhao Songliang had worked together before; the two were of similar rank and belonged to the same network, maintaining a decent relationship with frequent interactions.
This time, he hadn’t asked Zhao Songliang anything, fully aware that asking wouldn’t help and that Zhao might not share any information either.
Therefore, regarding how to treat Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin, he could only proceed according to his thoughts.
Of course, he was well aware of Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin’s status, even knowing that the Yang Family and Ling Family might form an alliance through the union of Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin.
Therefore, in front of Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin, he spoke quite frankly, even directly mentioning he had followed the wrong people and wanted to abandon the dark for the light.
Listening to Guo Chao’s remarks, Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin exchanged a knowing smile, each seeing amusement in the other’s eyes.
Things seemed more interesting than they had imagined.