At around half past seven, Li Jupeng arrived very punctually at the gate of Nie Zhenbang's yard and entered. Nie Zhenbang had also finished packing his things by then.
As soon as he stepped out the door, Nie Zhenbang noticed the expression on Li Jupeng's face, which was somewhat awkward and solemn. This was characteristic of Li Jupeng among people he was familiar with. Li Jupeng wasn't very good at concealing his feelings.
Seeing Li Jupeng looking this way, Nie Zhenbang, for once, teased him, "Ju Peng, why such a face? Could it be that yesterday's date wasn't successful?"
This was part of Nie Zhenbang's charismatic appeal. Compared to other officials at the provincial and ministerial level, Nie Zhenbang was quite young. Other officials, whether at work or in their personal lives, naturally displayed an air of authority that came with age and years of experience. It was not something deliberate.
