Chapter 208: This Matter (Part 1)

Hou Weidong, Duan Ying, and Liu Kun each harbored their own private thoughts, leaving the air in the room thick and stagnant.

Qin Feiyue, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Liu Kun had frozen like a statue, began the introductions. "Let me introduce everyone. This is Reporter Chen from the Shazhou Daily, and this is Reporter Duan." He then went on to introduce Hou Weidong, Su Ming, and Liu Kun. With a light-hearted joke, he added, "Reporter Duan is a smart and capable beauty. She used to work for the Yiyang Daily."

Su Ming greeted them warmly. "Welcome, Reporter Chen and Reporter Duan, to Yiyang. We hope you’ll promote our town extensively." He produced a business card and handed it over with both hands. "We live in the information age now; even good wine fears a deep alley. Yiyang boasts beautiful mountains and clear waters, and it is an emerging industrial powerhouse. It’s a pity that its virtues remain unknown to the wider world. If you have time, do visit Qinglin Town. I’m sure you’ll find topics that interest you."

Reporter Chen, who managed the advertising pages for the Shazhou Evening News, placed great importance on networking. Seeing Su Ming’s card, he recognized a decision-maker and his smile broadened. "After we finish the special edition on the development zone, I’ll head to Qinglin Town to dig up some hot topics. Since Duan Ying comes from the Yiyang newspaper, she should be familiar with Qinglin Town. She can take the lead on this, contributing to her hometown."

Su Ming, quick-witted, replied, "We welcome Reporter Duan to interview in Qinglin Town. If you have time this trip, please drop by."

At that moment, the Qingda Group was conducting an inspection of Qinglin Town. A feature article in the Shazhou Daily would be beneficial in every way for the town.

Ever since entering the room, Hou Weidong had been observing Liu Kun’s expression out of the corner of his eye. Seeing him sit silently to the side, not even greeting Duan Ying, Hou Weidong thought to himself, Liu Kun’s tolerance is indeed shallow. After all, he and Duan Ying were once together; a simple greeting would have been normal.

Taking advantage of a pause in Su Ming’s speech, Hou Weidong spoke up. "Duan Ying, it’s been a long time."

When Duan Ying had left Yiyang, she and Hou Weidong had shared a night of intense passion, but they had not contacted each other since. On this trip to Yiyang for interviews, she had imagined various scenarios of an accidental reunion with Hou Weidong. She never expected to actually meet him, nor did she expect to encounter Yang Kun—someone she had no desire to see.

Duan Ying kept her tone strictly professional. "Hello, Mayor Hou."

Qin Feiyue asked, "Brother Hou, do you know Reporter Duan?"

Seeing Duan Ying’s calm demeanor and cold attitude, Hou Weidong understood the situation. "Duan Ying once came to Shangqinglin to interview the Gravel Association," he answered. To save face for Liu Kun, he deliberately omitted the fact that the three of them were university classmates.

Su Ming was delighted. "Reporter Duan has interviewed the Gravel Association? That’s excellent. Qinglin Town has developed rapidly in recent years. If we dig deeper, there are certainly new stories to be told."

Noticing Su Ming’s eager attitude, Reporter Chen began to cast his net. "For this year’s National Day, the Shazhou Daily is planning a special edition to celebrate the holiday with the city’s citizens. This is a great opportunity to promote Qinglin Town. However, space is limited and competition is fierce. Since we hit it off, Su Secretary, I’m prepared to reserve a page specifically for Qinglin Town."

The advertising department naturally needed clients to buy ad space; it was a significant source of revenue for the newspaper and a side income for Reporter Chen. Therefore, he was always on the lookout for resources wherever he went.

As Reporter Chen had anticipated, Su Ming was interested in advertising. Previously, Qinglin Town’s publicity had barely reached the level of the Yiyang Daily. Meeting a reporter from the Shazhou Daily was a pleasant surprise. "It would be good to place an ad in the Shazhou Daily for National Day. I’ll contact you then. I also have another idea. As a township gradually transitioning into an industrial town, Qinglin Town is quite typical for Shazhou. Reporter Chen, could you do a series of reports on Qinglin Town’s development? It would certainly make for valuable coverage."

Seeing that Reporter Chen seemed interested, Su Ming added, "I know you are busy, but since we’ve become friends, Qinglin Town can cover some of the expenses for transportation and living costs incurred during the interviews."

Reporter Chen thought to himself, They say township cadres are unsophisticated, but that’s not entirely true. Su Ming is quite skilled; he knows how to place soft advertisements in the media. Out loud, he said, "I’ll need to discuss this with my boss. The Shazhou Daily pages are very tight, and key promotional reports are already scheduled for after National Day. Whether we can squeeze out space will require checking with the newspaper’s editorial board."

"Reporter Chen will surely find a way," Su Ming said confidently.

The room was warm, and despite the air conditioning, a sheen of oil appeared on Reporter Chen’s forehead. He looked troubled. After a moment, he said, "Since Secretary Su has asked, I’ll try to make it work. If the main pages of the Shazhou Daily are truly unavailable, the report on Qinglin Town could be placed in the supplement. I am confident about that."

While Su Ming negotiated the page space, Duan Ying took out her notebook and asked Qin Feiyue a few specific questions. She had already clarified these points earlier; her questions now were merely to avoid awkward silence.

With the main business concluded, Su Ming was in high spirits. He turned to Qin Feiyue. "Director Qin, it’s been a long time since we drank together. Today, I must toast you several times, and also congratulate Brother Hou on his steady rise."

Hou Weidong hurriedly replied, "Secretary Su, I am just a plain soldier now. How can I speak of rising?"

Su Ming laughed. "Although you have temporarily moved from a leadership position to a non-leadership one, Secretary Zhu has mentioned your name several times. That is no small feat. I guarantee that you will be given heavy responsibilities before long."

Qin Feiyue also chimed in. "Brother Hou, don’t be modest. I’ve heard rumors that Secretary Zhu intends to have you serve as his secretary. Secretary Zhu is likely to become the Vice Mayor of Shazhou. Following him, your future will be bright."

This news startled Hou Weidong. He had been transferred to the Yiyang Organization Department specifically to aim for a transfer to the Shazhou Regional Organization Department. If he stayed by Secretary Zhu’s side as a secretary, his plan would be disrupted. He thought to himself, Transferring to the Shazhou Organization Department would undoubtedly be greatly beneficial for my development. However, following Zhu Yan is also not bad. If he moves to Shazhou as Vice Mayor, I will have new opportunities.

Qin Feiyue, Su Ming, Hou Weidong, and Liu Kun were all, or had been, key leaders in Qinglin Town. Each had their own current circumstances, and none were doing poorly. When successful people gathered, it was not just for eating and drinking; it was also to build connections, which might prove useful someday.

Zhao Yongsheng had led Qinglin Town for seven or eight years. During his tenure, he held a position of authority. Even when competing with Qin Feiyue, he had the upper hand, let alone when partnering with Su Ming. In the past, such gatherings revolved around him.

However, people are realistic. Now that Zhao Yongsheng had been demoted due to the foundation incident and lost his power, he was no longer invited to these gatherings, even though he remained in the city. Su Ming, Hou Weidong, and the others understood this unspoken rule. Hou Weidong could only sigh inwardly, The saying is true: when the person leaves, the tea cools; when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.

For Liu Kun, the meal was tasteless. Duan Ying was like a thorn deeply embedded in his heart. Worse still, this thorn had matured and become more charming under the influence of Shazhou. The thought that Duan Ying’s proud chest might now be caressed by other men made his heart bleed.

On the other hand, although he was the youngest mayor in Yiyang County, his presence in this setting was overshadowed by Hou Weidong. He thought bitterly, I am the youngest mayor in Yiyang County, while Hou Weidong is merely an ordinary clerk. He doesn’t even weigh his own importance, yet he acts so arrogant in front of me.

Liu Kun remained silent, merely lowering his head to eat.

Duan Ying’s attention remained fixed on Hou Weidong and Liu Kun.

Hou Weidong had a dark complexion and short, upright hair, appearing energetic and full of masculine vigor. Liu Kun’s skin was as pale as ivory, resembling his mother’s, and with his slightly curly hair, he was also extremely handsome.

Liu Kun and Duan Ying had lived together for nearly two years. To say there was no affection would be false, yet that affection was so fragile it surprised even her. Two years of shared life could not compare to a single night of spring breeze with Hou Weidong.

After leaving Yiyang, to embrace a new life, she had never contacted Hou Weidong. Even when invited by Xiaojia to the New Moon Tower twice, she had managed to keep her heart as still as water. She had originally believed Hou Weidong had become a passerby in her life. But upon seeing him today, she suddenly realized that Hou Weidong had secretly taken root in the depths of her heart. Like a seed, he sprouted at the slightest touch of sunlight and rain.

After dinner, the sky had turned slightly dark. Reporter Chen and Duan Ying returned to the Yiyang Hotel. Reporter Chen, a veteran journalist with extensive connections, was called away by a phone call while still in the elevator. Duan Ying returned to the hotel alone.

She watched television for a while, finding it boring, then reviewed her interview notes and began drafting an outline for the report on the Yiyang Development Zone. She had already had a rough idea, but today she could not concentrate. The outline never seemed satisfactory. After several revisions, it was already ten o’clock, and she was still dissatisfied.

Duan Ying put down her pen in a state of mental agitation and went downstairs to buy snacks. Sweet chocolate could lift one’s mood; this was an experience she had gained while living alone in Shazhou.

The elevator stopped on the third floor. Hou Weidong suddenly appeared at the elevator door. Both were startled.

Hou Weidong had just escaped from Liang Bifa’s drinking table. As he reached the elevator, he was still thinking, This Liang Bifa is truly a madman, insisting on drinking a whole bottle of baijiu each before clinking glasses. The elevator doors opened, and he stepped in, only to see Duan Ying inside. He paused, then said casually, "Duan Ying, going downstairs?"

"I’m going to buy some snacks."

In the lobby, Hou Weidong asked, "Where are you buying snacks?"

Duan Ying pointed. "There is a supermarket next door."

They exchanged a few lukewarm sentences, both feeling awkward. As they exited the lobby, Duan Ying fell silent.

Hou Weidong said, "I’ll go first." Feeling the words were too cold, he added, "Let’s keep in touch."

Duan Ying’s expression was uncertain. She whispered, "You go ahead."

Driving his car, before he even reached Shazhou College, his mobile phone rang.

The Days in Qinglin