Xu Chunliang and Su Qing arrived at Feiyun Crossing.
Feiyun Crossing isn’t a well-known local attraction. It mainly features large areas of reeds and white pampas grass, which sway like waves in the gentle breeze, resembling a white ocean. This scene is set against the picturesque contrast of the neighboring erald-green lake. On the mountain opposite Feiyun Crossing, there are two waterfalls. Although not large in scale, their cascading streams create a delightful, natural symphony.
They encountered Xing Wenhua again by the waterfall, where he was taking long-exposure shots to capture the silky water effect using a tripod. He’s an amateur photography enthusiast.
Xu Chunliang approached him, and Xing Wenhua smiled, showing him the photos he had taken.
Xu Chunliang comnted, "Secretary Xing, this is masterpiece-level work."
Xing Wenhua felt pleased but modestly said, "Oh, no, it’s just a hobby."
Xu Chunliang said, "These photos could be phone wallpapers. Could you send a few?"
Xing Wenhua, pleased by the complint, voluntarily added Xu Chunliang on WeChat. Su Qing, listening from the side, couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. Xu Chunliang’s skills in making connections were getting more refined; even his reason for adding a leader on WeChat was so elegantly unique.
Xing Wenhua said, "Would you two like a photo together? I can take it for you." He assud they were a couple.
Since the leader took the initiative, Xu Chunliang felt it would be rude to refuse, so he and Su Qing had their first photo together.
Today, Xing Wenhua’s photography passion was thoroughly ignited. It was rare to find such excellent models: Xu Chunliang, handso, and Su Qing, beautiful, set in such a lovely surrounding. He ended up taking several photos, unable to stop himself.
At first, Xu Chunliang suspected Old Xing might have an interest in Su Qing. However, he soon realized Xing was purely a photography enthusiast who also knew how to avoid misunderstandings. He assured Xu Chunliang that he would edit and send him all the photos later, promising not to keep any on his own.
Xu Chunliang noticed that it was almost ti, so he seized the opportunity to invite Xing Wenhua to join them for a local farmhouse al nearby.
Xing Wenhua, enjoying their company, agreed without hesitation.
Before coming out, Xu Chunliang and Su Qing had specifically asked around and learned about the well-reputed Caiying Earth Cuisine Restaurant located nearby.
Xu Chunliang stated upfront that he would cover the al to thank Secretary Xing for his effort in taking their photos.
Su Qing noticed that Xu Chunliang’s strategy was seamless, ensuring the esteed leader couldn’t refuse the al invitation while feeling utterly natural.
Xu Chunliang ordered a few of the local specialty farmhouse dishes. Although the restaurant wasn’t crowded, their service attitude was exceptionally warm. Xu Chunliang observed that service attitude often inversely correlated with business: the better the business, the poorer the attitude.
Xu Chunliang brought a bottle of locally aged 20-year-old spirit, but Xing Wenhua told him not to go overboard.
Su Qing volunteered to fill their glasses. Xu Chunliang raised his glass to toast to Xing Wenhua. After the second toast, he said, "Secretary Xing, I have a favor to ask."
On hearing this, Xing Wenhua beca wary. A al often precedes a request, and he admonished himself, guessing this young man was waiting for this mont. He quickly gave Xu Chunliang a heads-up: "Let’s not talk about business while eating."
Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "Don’t worry, this has nothing to do with official business. It’s like this." He explained the stage performance of "Farewell My Concubine" he and Su Qing would be doing tomorrow and asked if Xing Wenhua could take so photos for them.
Xing Wenhua, thinking it was sothing major, then laughed at the simplicity of the request. Photography is his forte, and given the beautiful subjects, he agreed without hesitation.
Su Qing, sharp and insightful, realized Xu Chunliang was using this opportunity to further deepen ties with Xing Wenhua. She thought of an idea: "Secretary Xing, I also have a favor to ask."
Xing Wenhua laughed, "Say it all at once, no going one after another."
Everyone laughed. Su Qing said, "Here’s the thing: our stage play lacks one actor."
Even Xu Chunliang was puzzled, as he hadn’t heard of a third character in "Farewell My Concubine."
Su Qing explained that, in the script, an elderly archaeology professor introduces the story of "Farewell My Concubine," setting the scene. They wanted Xing Wenhua to play this professor.
Xing Wenhua was inclined to decline, but Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Xing, you keep saying you support Dongzhou Culture and Tourism developnt. You can’t just talk the talk; you have to walk the walk."
Xing Wenhua said, "I have no acting experience."
Xu Chunliang responded, "Neither do I, yet I’m daring to play the Overlord of Chu. Surely you can manage to play a professor? You won’t even need makeup."
Su Qing added, "Mostly, it’s your impressive presence. Just stand on the stage and you’ll be persuasive."
Xu Chunliang inwardly chuckled; the young lady had a way with words. It was less about persuasiveness and more about power. Old Xing was the head of Pinghai Culture and Tourism. Others trying to sideline them couldn’t exclude them easily since he was there to bolster their strength.
Xing Wenhua was in a bit of a dilemma but still hesitated, "Are there any lines?"
"Not many, just a few lines of poetry."
Xing Wenhua nodded and said, "Alright, I’ll support Dongzhou’s cultural tourism work."
Xu Chunliang picked up the glass in front of him, "Thank you, Secretary Xing, for supporting our Dongzhou Culture and Tourism. I’ll drink this, and you can do as you please."
Xing Wenhua said, "No, no, you can’t drink like that..."
Xu Chunliang tilted his head back and finished the glass in one go. Seeing him down the whole glass without a change in expression, Xing Wenhua secretly praised him in his heart. This young man is articulate and can drink—he has a bright future.
The three of them created a small group chat, and Su Qing shared the electronic version of the script with them.
Xing Wenhua glanced at it and indeed found there weren’t many lines, which imdiately put his mind at ease. They agreed to have a simple rehearsal at eight o’clock tonight in the small conference room, and Su Qing was contacting her classmates from the local theater to bring them costus.
After the al, Xing Wenhua asked his driver to get the bill, but Xu Chunliang had already covered it while ordering.
Xu Chunliang and Su Qing rode their bicycles back the sa way. Xu Chunliang was cautious, wary of the restaurant owner coming back for revenge, but luckily they made it back to the hotel smoothly.
As soon as Xu Chunliang entered the room, Fu Guomin and Fan Lidada ca looking for him to ask if the program was confird.
Seeing their anxious expressions, Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but laugh, "I told you it’s just a gathering, why are you so worried?"
Fan Lidada said, "You don’t understand, the culture and tourism bureaus from all over are really serious about this. Zhongyuan Province is practically moving the Shaolin Temple here."
Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t be fooled by their big show. In a real fight, they might not even be able to beat ."
The driver Xiaong couldn’t help but laugh out loud. This Xu Chunliang is young but such a braggart, it’s hard to understand what these two leaders see in him, always listening to his tall tales.
Fu Guomin was already a bit anxious, and hearing Xiaong laugh made him angry, "Xiaong, what are you laughing at?"
"Nothing... just laughing at nothing!"
Fu Guomin said, "This is a critical matter related to our Dongzhou’s city honor. If you can’t help, that’s one thing, but to stand there laughing, don’t you have any collective pride?"
"No... Director Fu, you misunderstood, I just like to laugh, it wasn’t ant like that."
Fan Lidada, seeing Fu Guomin genuinely angry, quickly pulled him out for a walk.
After they left, Xiaong said to Xu Chunliang, feeling wronged, "Who did I ever offend? Can’t I even laugh?"
Xu Chunliang said, "You can laugh, but you’re laughing at the wrong ti. Xiaong, for a driver or a secretary, it’s especially important to control your expressions. You need to work on this."
Noticing it was about ti, Xu Chunliang got up to go to the rehearsal.
Fu Guomin and Fan Lidada left the hotel and walked to the lakeside. Fan Lidada offered him a cigarette, "Director Fu, don’t worry, didn’t Xiaoxu say it’s all settled? If you trust soone, you don’t doubt them, so let’s just leave it to him."
Fu Guomin sighed, "How was I to know the cultural and tourism system was so competitive? We’re really here for a eting, but they’re here to show their presence. Old Fan, it’s not that I want to criticize you, but having just arrived and with no experience, you’ve been doing this for years; you should know better."
Fan Lidada smiled wryly, "Director Fu, you really can’t bla . In the past, our tourism bureau never had so many tricks. Now it’s different. Culture and tourism bureau chiefs everywhere are going the influencer route, and their talents are becoming increasingly impressive."
Fu Guomin’s phone rang; his wife was checking in on him again. He sighed again as he stepped aside to answer. Fan Lidada watched his back and shook his head. This guy doesn’t have it easy either, leaving his wife and kids to return to Dongzhou. Although he’s beco the director of the culture and tourism bureau, work isn’t going so smoothly. Earlier today, Fu Guomin sought help from Li Yushan at the cultural bureau, hoping to bring in so reinforcents from Dongzhou to bail him out temporarily. However, Li Yushan just said he couldn’t find anyone, clearly unwilling to cooperate.
Bringing in people from other departnts would be unjustified, leaving only Xu Chunliang to pin their hopes on.
Fan Lidada lit a cigarette. Feeling the urge because of the few beers he had at dinner, he looked around and went to a secluded place to relieve himself. Just as he was getting comfortable, a flash of light blinded him. As he wondered who could be so inconsiderate, another flash illuminated him completely. It struck him with a terrifying realization: soone was photographing him.
Fan Lidada saw a man in a hoodie standing not far away, holding a phone aid at him.
He was furious and awkwardly halted the rest of his stream, forcibly holding it back to his bladder. He shouted, "Hey, you! Stay where you are!"
The man turned and ran.
Fan Lidada chased after him while pulling up his pants.
Fu Guomin was startled by Fan Lidada’s shout and saw him chasing soone like crazy. He quickly hung up the phone and joined the chase, "Old Fan... Old Fan..."
Fan Lidada was in a real panic. If the guy was rely a twisted perv, that would be one thing. But, if he was prepared, specifically to photograph him, then the consequences could be grave. If those photos were posted online, his political career would be over.
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