Chapter 10

After learning about the story behind Chen Yan, Gu Qiu sometimes wondered how strong a person had to be to keep going. A disabled husband, a mother-in-law who spewed venom, and the men around her who harbored ill intentions.

But every time he saw Chen Yan, her face always wore a radiant, sunny, and confident smile. No one could detect even a hint of sorrow from her face.

So every time he saw Chen Yan, Gu Qiu felt a myriad of emotions. Perhaps it was precisely because of Chen Yan's character that he became more resilient in his career.

On Monday morning, the phone in the office rang.

Chen Yan answered the call, and her expression clearly changed. "Gu Qiu, Director Xie wants you to come over."

Gu Qiu responded with an "Oh," and stood up to walk out.

Chen Yan called out to him, "Be careful!"

Gu Qiu nodded in understanding. What was to come would come; there was no escaping it. He really didn't believe that Xie Bisheng would dare to do anything to him over such a trivial matter.

As he entered Xie Bisheng's office, Xie Bisheng was lying in his chair, smoking. His hair was slicked back, and a double-layered glass cup was placed in front of him.

Gu Qiu called out, "Director Xie."

Xie Bisheng nodded, and his face actually showed a rare smile.

"Little Gu, sit down!"

This was the first time Gu Qiu was formally summoned by Xie Bisheng.

Gu Qiu was secretly puzzled by Xie Bisheng's attitude, which seemed far from the rumors. He couldn't figure out why Xie Bisheng was being so nice to him.

Since he couldn't understand, he decided to go with the flow. Gu Qiu sat down, appearing very calm.

Although the Investment Promotion Office had eight deputy directors and over a dozen departments, Xie Bisheng, with his connection to Secretary Tang, held absolute power in the office.

Ever since Gu Qiu entered, Xie Bisheng had been sizing him up. The young man before him was on a completely different level from ordinary people. After entering, he neither tried to flatter Xie Bisheng like others nor offered any主动性.

When asked to sit, he sat without saying much.

Xie Bisheng smiled, "Little Gu, I heard from Comrade Chen Yan that the three-year anniversary planning proposal for our Investment Promotion Office was done by you?"

Gu Qiu replied, "It was completed under the guidance of Director Chen."

"Ah! Very good, very good!"

Xie Bisheng praised him a few times and opened the lid of the teacup in front of him. There was only half a cup of tea left, and after opening the lid, he didn't rush to drink it, seemingly hinting at something.

Gu Qiu sat there, "Director Xie, is there anything that needs to be revised?"

Under normal circumstances, as soon as Xie Bisheng made this gesture, someone would have stood up to refill his teacup. Gu Qiu's attitude left Xie Bisheng somewhat helpless. Seeing that Gu Qiu didn't move, he had to stand up and refill the cup himself.

Returning to his seat, Xie Bisheng seemed to remember something and picked up a pack of cigarettes. "Do you smoke?"

Gu Qiu saw that the cigarettes in his hand were top-quality Furong Wang. However, when he opened the box, it was empty. Xie Bisheng smiled wryly, "Sorry, no more cigarettes." He then casually threw the empty box into the trash can.

In a place like Anping, at that time, most officials smoked ordinary yellow-boxed Furong. Xie Bisheng's consumption level was clearly higher than others.

Gu Qiu waved his hand, "Thank you, but I don't smoke."

After two failed attempts to hint, Xie Bisheng couldn't help but feel a bit unhappy. However, he still maintained a friendly smile.

With the hints failing, Xie Bisheng sat back down.

"Little Gu, I carefully reviewed your proposal yesterday, and it's very good!"

Gu Qiu, coming from a family of officials, naturally understood these tactics. Generally, when a leader praised you, there was more to come. Sure enough, Xie Bisheng changed the subject, "However, some parts are too vague and lack specific data. A planning proposal, like a thesis, needs data to be convincing. You are a top student from Jingnan University and a talented person in our Investment Promotion Office. I believe you understand this better than I do."

Gu Qiu replied, "Yes, I have thought about this issue, but the data needs to be collected on-site and cannot be fabricated."

"Right!"

Xie Bisheng slapped the table, "Indeed, you are a top student from Jingnan University. Since you proposed using Daqiu Township as a pilot, find a time to go to the countryside and collect these data. We need to submit a complete proposal to the county."

Gu Qiu said, "I'll set out this afternoon."

"I'll send a driver with you."

Xie Bisheng, changing his usual style, decided to be practical. Gu Qiu, of course, agreed. He also hoped that his proposal would be put to good use.

If his proposal could be implemented, the investment promotion work would not be difficult to advance.

Gu Qiu stood up, "Director Xie, I'll go prepare."

As Gu Qiu left the office, Xie Bisheng actually stood up to see him off. He patted Gu Qiu's shoulder, "I like the enthusiasm of young people like you. Little Gu, work hard."

Was this a tacit approval?

Gu Qiu didn't know, but when he returned to the office and Chen Yan asked about the result, he immediately shook his head.

"This Xie Bisheng is so cunning! He's trying to send you away."

Xie Bisheng, sitting in his office, hummed an opera tune.

"I am on the city tower watching the mountain scenery, hearing the noise outside the city. The flags flutter in the wind, but it turns out to be the troops sent by Sima—"

A deputy director walked in and asked with a smile, "Director Xie, you're in a good mood. What's making you so happy?"

Xie Bisheng sat down, "Nothing much, just feeling good and humming a tune."

The deputy director placed a pack of tea on his desk, "This is from a drinking session with some friends yesterday. It's top-quality Longjing, and I only have two boxes. I'll give you one."

Xie Bisheng didn't hesitate and took a new pack of cigarettes from his drawer, "What's the plan for the afternoon?"

The deputy director said, "There's nothing in the afternoon, how about singing together in the evening?"

"Evening..." Xie Bisheng thought for a moment, "No, I'm busy in the evening."

The deputy director stayed in his office for a while before leaving.

Xie Bisheng picked up the phone on his desk, "Chen Yan, I have an important guest tonight. Prepare yourself and come with me for dinner."

Gu Qiu went to the countryside and gave Chen Yan a phone number before leaving.

When she received Xie Bisheng's call, Chen Yan was doubtful and stared at the number.

PS: Sixth update! Who will join Brother Rui to open up a new world and conquer a territory!

Thank you to Rao Ren Qing Meng and Tian Lan SHI for your support!

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