Qiáo Liáng walked up behind Fāng Xiǎoyǎ and suddenly patted her shoulder: "Xiǎoyǎ—"
"Ah—" Fāng Xiǎoyǎ jumped, turned around and saw it was Qiáo Liáng, happily punched his chest, "You bad Qiáo Liáng, you scared me!"
Qiáo Liáng looked at Fāng Xiǎoyǎ with a grin.
"Cousin, this is my college classmate Qiáo Liáng, he works in the Propaganda Department of the Jiangzhou Municipal Party Committee now." Fāng Xiǎoyǎ introduced to her cousin, then said to Qiáo Liáng, "This is my cousin, Hè Lì."
"Hello, cousin." Qiáo Liáng greeted politely.
Hè Lì sized up Qiáo Liáng, her eyes lit up, and then smiled kindly, "So you're Qiáo Liáng. You're quite handsome, no wonder Xiǎoyǎ has been thinking about you for so many years in America."
Listening to Hè Lì, it seemed she had also been in America for many years.
The little girl said at this time, "Big brother is my dad's colleague."
Qiáo Liáng was shocked. What did the little girl mean by that? Colleague? Who was her dad?
Hè Lì chided the little girl playfully, "Nīni, don't be rude, you have to call him uncle." Then she smiled apologetically at Qiáo Liáng.
Nīni stuck out her tongue and made a funny face.
Qiáo Liáng bent down and looked at Nīni with a smile, "Nīni, who is your dad?"
"Hehe, guess?" Nīni covered her mouth and giggled.
Qiáo Liáng looked at Fāng Xiǎoyǎ and Hè Lì. They both smiled without speaking.
Qiáo Liáng scratched his scalp and said to Nīni, "Uncle is stupid, he can't guess. Can you tell me your full name?"
"My name is Xú Nīni."
"Ah—" Qiáo Liáng couldn't help but exclaim. There were only three people surnamed Xú in the entire Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department. Besides Xú Hónggāng, the other two were women.
Obviously, Nīni's father was Xú Hónggāng, and Hè Lì was Xú Hónggāng's wife.
This meant Xú Hónggāng was Fāng Xiǎoyǎ's brother-in-law!
This unexpected discovery shocked Qiáo Liáng. He never dreamed that Fāng Xiǎoyǎ and Xú Hónggāng would have such a relationship!
A question that had troubled Qiáo Liáng for a long time suddenly found an answer. Yes, it must be like this. He must have been transferred from the mountains to the department with Fāng Xiǎoyǎ's help. She must have recommended him to Xú Hónggāng!
He thought there was some mysterious and complicated reason behind his good fortune, but it turned out to be so simple, as simple as a piece of paper.
Qiáo Liáng suddenly felt relaxed, but also a little lost.
Why he felt lost was hard to explain for a moment.
Qiáo Liáng came to his senses and quickly changed his address to Hè Lì, "Hello, sister-in-law."
Then he stared blankly at Fāng Xiǎoyǎ.
Fāng Xiǎoyǎ looked at Qiáo Liáng with her bright eyes, with a hint of a smile.
Hè Lì looked at Qiáo Liáng, then at Fāng Xiǎoyǎ, pursed her lips, and smiled, "Xiao Qiáo, Xiǎoyǎ, you two chat for a while. Nīni and I will go for a walk ahead."
Then Hè Lì left with Nīni.
Qiáo Liáng looked at Fāng Xiǎoyǎ, "Xiǎoyǎ, I understand…"
"I know what you understand." Fāng Xiǎoyǎ interrupted Qiáo Liáng and pointed to a teahouse nearby. "Let's go inside for tea, we can talk as we drink."
The two of them entered the teahouse and ordered a pot of Tieguanyin.
"Xiǎoyǎ, I didn't expect you and Minister Xú to be relatives, and I didn't expect you to help me get transferred from the mountains to the department." Qiáo Liáng got straight to the point.
Fāng Xiǎoyǎ chuckled, "I intended to keep this from you for a while longer, but I didn't expect you to find out by chance today. Since you know, I won't hide it anymore."
"Why did you hide it? Was it your idea or Minister Xú's idea?"
"It was our joint decision, my cousin-in-law and mine. For me, I didn't want you to feel indebted to me or burdened. For my cousin-in-law, he didn't want you to feel any personal intimacy with him because of me, and preferred to maintain a simple superior-subordinate relationship with you."
"But now I know, what should I do?" Qiáo Liáng said foolishly.
"Hehe, it's fine if you know. My cousin-in-law just had that thought initially, but after observing and testing you during this period, he has come to appreciate you more and more. Last night at home, he even praised you for your loyalty, saying that even if the mayor wanted to transfer you to be his secretary, you wouldn't go. So, you don't need to worry about this."
Qiáo Liáng wanted to tell Fāng Xiǎoyǎ the truth about the mayor wanting to transfer him to be his secretary, but he decided against it. If Fāng Xiǎoyǎ accidentally mentioned it to Xú Hónggāng, it would be terrible.
"Xiǎoyǎ, thank you. I always thought you had nothing to do with the rascals in officialdom, but I didn't expect that you really..."
Fāng Xiǎoyǎ smiled faintly, "I told you, there's no need to be polite between us. Originally, I had no connection with officialdom at all, but by chance, my cousin-in-law was transferred to Jiangzhou as the Minister of Propaganda, so I recommended you to him. It was fate."
Qiáo Liáng felt he was indeed very lucky. Man proposes, but heaven disposes.
"When did you come to Huángyuán, and why?" Qiáo Liáng asked again.
"I came to see my cousin off. My cousin is taking Nīni back to America tomorrow. Nīni has been studying in America since she was young, and my cousin resigned to accompany her. I lived with my cousin when I was in America."
Qiáo Liáng nodded. So that's how it is. Xú Hónggāng's wife and child live in America long-term, making him a left-behind cadre.
Being able to let his wife and child live in America long-term required financial backing. Xú Hónggāng was impressive.
No wonder Xú Hónggāng never talked about his family at the department. Such things were naturally not for public disclosure.
Since it was not suitable for public disclosure, he naturally couldn't tell others casually.
Chapter 42: Each With Their Own Thoughts
Fāng Xiǎoyǎ continued, "After sending my cousin off tomorrow, I'll go to Songbei County to discuss the development of the Songbei Ancient City project with County Head Miáo."
"County Head Miáo is from my hometown and I know him well. He's a good person..." Qiáo Liáng then introduced Miáo Péilóng's work style, personality, and temperament to Fāng Xiǎoyǎ.
Fāng Xiǎoyǎ listened attentively.
After chatting for a while longer, they parted ways, and Qiáo Liáng went straight back to his hotel room.
Xiǎo Zhèng was watching TV in the room.
Leaning against the headboard, Qiáo Liáng lit a cigarette and slowly smoked, pondering the two unexpected discoveries of the day. He felt somewhat relieved, yet a trace of emptiness.
The entire day, Qiáo Liáng had nothing to do. Besides lying in the room sleeping, he watched TV and occasionally chatted with Xiǎo Zhèng.
Although Xiǎo Zhèng didn't talk much, he was observant. Seeing Qiáo Liáng's water cup was empty, he immediately refilled it. Seeing the ashtray was full, he immediately emptied it.
Qiáo Liáng felt that Xiǎo Zhèng was a very competent driver for a leader.
On the day the conference ended, before dinner, Yè Xīnyí pushed the door open and informed Qiáo Liáng and Xiǎo Zhèng that Minister Xú had a dinner engagement tonight and they would all accompany him.
Qiáo Liáng, who disliked conference meals, became spirited upon hearing about the dinner engagement, wondering who would be treating them.
They went downstairs together, got into the car, and headed straight for the News Grand Hotel.
The News Grand Hotel was a five-star hotel affiliated with the Jiangdong Daily Newspaper Group, the provincial Party committee's official newspaper.
Upon entering the luxurious private room in the restaurant, they learned that the host tonight was Cheng Mǐn, the editor-in-chief of the Jiangdong Daily.
Cheng Mǐn had half-white hair and wore black-rimmed glasses. His face was kind, appearing quite scholarly.
After brief pleasantries and introductions, Cheng Mǐn warmly invited them to be seated. Xú Hónggāng sat as the main guest, Yè Xīnyí as the secondary guest, and Qiáo Liáng sat to Xú Hónggāng's left. There were only the three of them. Xiǎo Zhèng was having a buffet downstairs.
As the provincial Party committee's official newspaper, the Jiangdong Daily and the propaganda departments of various cities and prefectures had a close relationship. They were mutually beneficial. The propaganda departments of various cities and prefectures needed the newspaper for publicity, while the newspaper needed the propaganda departments to subscribe to its publications.
After the food and drinks were served, they started drinking. The dishes were plentiful, and the wine was high-end.
After Cheng Mǐn proposed two toasts, Xú Hónggāng took the initiative to toast Cheng Mǐn, "Old leader, I haven't been in Jiangzhou for long. I hope you will strongly support Jiangzhou's propaganda work in the future."
"Hehe, definitely. Minister Hónggāng is young and promising. I believe that under your leadership, Jiangzhou's propaganda work will surely open a new chapter." Cheng Mǐn said with a smile.
"You are welcome to visit Jiangzhou and guide our work when it's convenient, old leader."
Hearing Xú Hónggāng refer to Cheng Mǐn as "old leader" repeatedly, Yè Xīnyí and Qiáo Liáng were somewhat puzzled.
Seeing their confused expressions, Xú Hónggāng explained, "When I was the Deputy Director of the Press and Publications Division at the Provincial Publishing Bureau, Director Cheng was the division chief and my direct superior. Director Cheng took great care of me and cultivated me a lot at that time. I have always been very grateful."
Yè Xīnyí and Qiáo Liáng understood and nodded.
Although he said this, Xú Hónggāng sneered inwardly. Damn it, what care? What cultivation? There were two deputy directors in the division at that time. The old guy outwardly treated them equally, but secretly favored the other deputy director. When he left office, he recommended that the other deputy director to succeed him as division chief. If I hadn't had connections above, and managed to operate urgently, I wouldn't have become the division chief.
Cheng Mǐn chuckled, "Minister Hónggāng, you are too kind. During the years I worked with you, your outstanding abilities and exceptional talent left a deep impression on me. That's why when I left, I specifically and solemnly recommended you to the higher authorities to take over my position."
"Hehe, that's why I have always been grateful to you, old leader." Xú Hónggāng smiled, but inwardly sneered again. Old fellow, do you think I'm a fool? You're trying to fool me.
He also pondered that the old fellow inviting him to dinner tonight was probably not just to deepen their relationship through work, but likely had other objectives.
As for what those objectives were, he would take it one step at a time.
After a few rounds of drinks, Cheng Mǐn said to Xú Hónggāng, "Hónggāng, you are in charge of propaganda in Jiangzhou. If you want to quickly open up the situation and achieve outstanding results, you must have capable subordinates."
"Old leader, you are right. These two are my capable subordinates. I specifically transferred them from the Jiangzhou Daily to the department." Xú Hónggāng pointed to Yè Xīnyí and Qiáo Liáng.
Cheng Mǐn nodded, "Mm, there are quite a few talented people at the Jiangzhou Daily. My former star student is working there."
"Oh, you mean your student from when you were a teacher at Jiangdong Normal University? Who is it?" Xú Hónggāng asked calmly.
Before going to the Provincial Publishing Bureau, Cheng Mǐn was the Deputy Director of the Journalism Department at Jiangdong Normal University and later entered the political arena.
Cheng Mǐn nodded, "It's Wén Yuǎn, the current editor-in-chief of the Jiangzhou Daily. He was one of the most outstanding students in the journalism department back then."
Qiáo Liáng nodded secretly. So Wén Yuǎn and Cheng Mǐn had this teacher-student relationship. Being in the newspaper system, they naturally had close ties.
Xú Hónggāng nodded, "Mm, Editor Wén is an old hand in journalism, and his writing is indeed good."
"Wén Yuǎn's writing is not only good, but his management skills are also outstanding. He was the student union president at Jiangdong Normal University back then."
"Oh, oh..." Xú Hónggāng picked up his chopsticks and ate.
"I heard that after the Party Committee Secretary of the Jiangzhou Daily, Lǐ Yǒuwéi, got into trouble, Wén Yuǎn has been presiding over the newspaper's work as the editor-in-chief. Is that right?" Cheng Mǐn asked.
"Yes." Xú Hónggāng nodded decisively.
"Hónggāng, you are my former subordinate, and Wén Yuǎn is my star student. You are now the head of propaganda in Jiangzhou. My star student needs your care. Personally, I feel that with Wén Yuǎn's abilities, he can undertake more important work." Cheng Mǐn chuckled.
Xú Hónggāng finally understood the real intention behind Cheng Mǐn inviting him to dinner tonight. He was acting as a lobbyist for Wén Yuǎn to get promoted.
Wén Yuǎn had always wanted to be promoted, but Xú Hónggāng had been non-committal. Wén Yuǎn was anxious but didn't dare to ask Xú Hónggāng directly, so he chose an indirect approach, using the opportunity of Xú Hónggāng attending a meeting in the provincial capital to get his teacher Cheng Mǐn to work on him.
Wén Yuǎn's thinking was probably that Cheng Mǐn was his old superior, and now also the editor-in-chief of the provincial newspaper with a department-level position. Regardless of the past or present, he was higher in rank than Xú Hónggāng. Moreover, Jiangzhou's propaganda work relied on the support of the provincial newspaper. From any perspective, Xú Hónggāng had no reason not to give Cheng Mǐn face.
Cheng Mǐn's thinking was probably that he was Xú Hónggāng's old leader. Xú Hónggāng should not know about the matter of recommending the other deputy director when he left office back then. Furthermore, he was now the editor-in-chief of the provincial newspaper, holding the power of life and death over the propaganda work of various cities and prefectures. Xú Hónggāng, who had just arrived in Jiangzhou, must be eager to open up his work situation and would definitely need strong publicity from the provincial newspaper. At this time, he must not offend him and would definitely give him face.
Xú Hónggāng's thoughts at this moment were: The old fellow thinks I don't know what happened back then, thinks his rank is half a level higher than mine, and thinks I need him, so he's acting like an elder and lobbying me for his student. Little does he know that I have already seen through him. I haven't settled the score for what happened back then, and now he wants me to help his student? Dream on.
What does it matter if you are the editor-in-chief of the provincial newspaper? I already know that at your age, you will retire by the end of the year. What does it matter if I offend you? What can you do to me?
He then thought of Wén Yuǎn's indirect approach and got angry. Damn it, this kid dared to use someone from above to pressure me. How hateful.
Chapter 43: The Eternal Second
Although he was angry internally, Xú Hónggāng's face wore a bright smile. "Old leader, I understand what you mean. Your concern for your disciple is truly touching. Come, old leader, I'll toast you. I wish you good health."
Cheng Mǐn was startled. This kid only said he understood and was moved, but didn't give a clear commitment. What did that mean?
Yè Xīnyí and Qiáo Liáng also heard that Cheng Mǐn was speaking on behalf of Wén Yuǎn to Xú Hónggāng, trying to get him promoted, but Xú Hónggāng was playing dumb, his attitude unclear.
Yè Xīnyí was secretly anxious. Given Wén Yuǎn's cultivation of her over the years, she really hoped Wén Yuǎn would be promoted to become the head of the newspaper. However, with Xú Hónggāng's current attitude, her anxiety was useless.
Qiáo Liáng was secretly delighted. Wén Yuǎn thought he would be smoothly promoted after Lǐ Yǒuwéi fell, but he didn't expect to encounter strong resistance from Xú Hónggāng. It seemed Xú Hónggāng had other ideas about the candidate for the newspaper's top position.
Good, that's great. Let Wén Yuǎn continue to be the eternal second.
After the dinner ended, Xú Hónggāng thanked his old leader again for the warm hospitality and enthusiastically invited him to visit Jiangzhou and guide their work when convenient.
After Xú Hónggāng and his entourage left, Cheng Mǐn felt a bit depressed. Xú Hónggāng was playing tricks on him. Although he was respectful on the surface, calling him "old leader" repeatedly, he actually didn't take him seriously and didn't give him, his old leader, any face. It seemed that the matter Wén Yuǎn entrusted to him was going to fall through.
Xú Hónggāng's treatment of him clearly indicated that he knew Cheng Mǐn was retiring by the end of the year and was no longer useful, so there was no need to worry about future publicity issues.
Cheng Mǐn suddenly thought, could this kid know about the incident where he recommended another deputy director to take over when he left office back then? If so, then this kid must hold a grudge and naturally wouldn't give him face.
Thinking of this, Cheng Mǐn couldn't help but regret it. He shouldn't have spoken up for Wén Yuǎn and put himself out there. The matter wasn't resolved, and instead, he found himself in an awkward position.
Alas, helpless flowers fall, the person hasn't left, but the tea has gone cold.
The next day, after breakfast, they were supposed to return to Jiangzhou. However, Xú Hónggāng said he had some business to attend to, asked Yè Xīnyí and Qiáo Liáng to wait a moment, and then left with Xiǎo Zhèng.
Yè Xīnyí didn't know what business Xú Hónggāng had to attend to, but Qiáo Liáng knew. Xú Hónggāng was probably going to the airport to see his wife and child off to America. Fāng Xiǎoyǎ was also going to see them off.
Xú Hónggāng had returned home last night. He wondered if Hè Lì would mention seeing him.
If she did, he didn't know what Xú Hónggāng would think.
Qiáo Liáng played on his phone in the room for a while. Feeling bored, he went out into the corridor to stretch.
All the attendees had left, and the corridor was very quiet. Only Yè Xīnyí and Qiáo Liáng were on this floor.
As Qiáo Liáng was stretching, the door to Yè Xīnyí's room opened. Yè Xīnyí leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed, looking coldly at Qiáo Liáng, and snorted, "Hey, why didn't you go to Mayor Wú's side as his secretary?"
"I already told you the reason in the car yesterday." Qiáo Liáng continued stretching.
"Humph, that's nonsense. Who would believe that?" Yè Xīnyí snorted again, unable to understand why Qiáo Liáng would give up such a good opportunity for advancement.
"What do you mean by that? Minister Xú believed it. Are you calling Minister Xú an idiot? That's too disrespectful to your leader. I'm going to tell Minister Xú." Qiáo Liáng stopped and said righteously.
Yè Xīnyí was stunned. Damn it, this scoundrel was threatening her.
She felt embarrassed for a moment, accidentally letting this guy catch her off guard.
Seeing Yè Xīnyí's expression, Qiáo Liáng grinned smugly, "You actually can't wait for me to leave the department, can you?"
"Yes, I don't want to see you for another day." Yè Xīnyí said directly.
"Why? Just because we had that relationship... man on top, woman on bottom?" Qiáo Liáng said with mock seriousness.
"You... hussy, scoundrel!" Yè Xīnyí was furious. This scoundrel spoke too directly, too crudely.
"It's already happened. You have to respect history and face reality. You can't keep dwelling on it. Besides, you were the one who initiated it. As a superior, you seduced a subordinate. You should seriously reflect on yourself. I'm not pursuing it, and you're still making a fuss." Qiáo Liáng said sternly, trying hard not to laugh inside.
Yè Xīnyí was completely furious. Damn it, he took advantage and then acted like the victim, how shameless! This scoundrel's tongue was too nimble; he could twists things around, turning black into white. She couldn't argue with him!
Yè Xīnyí angrily returned to her room and slammed the door shut.
Qiáo Liáng chuckled, remembering the drunken confusion with Yè Xīnyí that night. He felt a physical reaction and reached down to touch himself, then smacked his lips.
Yè Xīnyí happened to see Qiáo Liáng's action through the peephole, and became even more indignant. Shameless scoundrel, he must be savoring the memory of that night with her.
Thinking of that intoxicating and wild night, Yè Xīnyí's heart suddenly raced, and she unconsciously clenched her legs. Her lower body felt hot.
She immediately felt annoyed. Why was she having such a reaction? It was absolutely inappropriate!
Yè Xīnyí secretly vowed that if she ever had the chance to catch Qiáo Liáng's weakness, she would make him pay dearly and vent her anger properly.
Around 10 o'clock, Xú Hónggāng returned. They all got into the car and left Huángyuán.
The weather was gloomy, with dark clouds pressing down. The forecast predicted heavy rain in some parts of the province.
As the car left the Huángyuán city area and entered the highway.
"Xiao Qiáo, where were you yesterday when we were in the meeting?" Xú Hónggāng asked casually.
"I was sleeping and watching TV in my room, then I went for a walk around the nearby Huángyuán Ancient Street." Qiáo Liáng replied, looking back.
"Was Huángyuán Ancient Street fun?"
"It was fun, very lively."
"Just fun and lively?"
Seeing Xú Hónggāng's half-smiling expression, Qiáo Liáng immediately concluded that he knew about his encounter with Hè Lì and Fāng Xiǎoyǎ yesterday. He didn't know who told him.
In front of Yè Xīnyí, Qiáo Liáng decided not to mention meeting Hè Lì yesterday. Perhaps Xú Hónggāng was deliberately asking this, testing him.
"Actually, it wasn't just lively and fun. There are many old Ming and Qing dynasty buildings on the ancient street. It's very educational to see them."
Xú Hónggāng nodded with satisfaction. This kid's words were very much to his liking.