Chen Bin had just hung up the phone when Wei Kai knocked on the door and walked in.
"I just heard that Lu Huisheng rounded up dozens of people, demanding the county approve bullfrog farming. Did you know about this?"
"Yes, Secretary Xue already called to ask about it."
"So what do we do now? We can’t let Lu Huisheng and his people gain the upper hand!"
"Don’t worry about it. Bullfrog farming is dood to fail in the end. Just wait and enjoy the show."
"But what if it succeeds?"
"Then it’ll be the county’s wise decision, and we’ll just follow along with it."
Dragon Mountain County, County Standing Committee eting.
Xue Baoguang asked the standing committee mbers to share their opinions on whether Qinghe Town should proceed with the bullfrog farming project.
The results turned out to be evenly split between approval and opposition—neither side could convince the other.
In the end, this hot potato was shoved back into Xue Baoguang’s hands.
After thorough consideration, Xue Baoguang finally nodded.
"Since so many villagers want to do it, let Qinghe Town serve as a pilot. If it achieves breakthrough developnt, we’ll expand it county-wide!"
After receiving approval from the county, Ye Hong imdiately called Lu Huisheng to deliver the good news.
Wasting no ti, Lu Huisheng sent people to the city to offer high pay and hire a bullfrog farming expert to co to the town for guidance.
In the evening, just before leaving work, Jiang Huai ca to Chen Bin’s office.
He said it was his birthday today and that he had reserved a table at Qinghe Hotel in the evening, inviting Chen Bin to co over for a casual al.
Without hesitation, Chen Bin agreed imdiately.
As Jiang Huai was about to leave, Chen Bin seed to think of sothing and quickly said,
"I’ll bring soone along; what do you think?"
"No problem, bring as many as you like. The more, the rrier."
After Jiang Huai left, Chen Bin called Cai Lixia’s office and asked her to co over.
Soon, Cai Lixia knocked on the door and walked in.
"Secretary Chen, what do you need?"
Ever since the incident in Shanghai, Cai Lixia had been sowhat hesitant to face Chen Bin.
Even a brief eye contact would make her turn red.
Now, being alone with Chen Bin in the room made her heart race, and even her breathing grew shallow.
"Director Jiang is celebrating his birthday tonight, and he wants to invite you to join us."
Frowning slightly, Cai Lixia looked confused.
"Why is he asking you to invite for his birthday?"
"Because he thought you might not agree if he invited you himself. He asked for help, and surely, you won’t refuse , right?"
At these words, Cai Lixia looked visibly troubled.
During her ti working in Qinghe Town, she had always adhered to a neutral stance, focusing strictly on her duties without aligning with any faction.
If Jiang Huai had asked her, she definitely wouldn’t go.
Otherwise, it might lead to misunderstandings with Lu Huisheng.
And then, a forced alliance would beco inevitable.
But now, being invited by Chen Bin, she couldn’t bear to let him down.
Seeing that Cai Lixia was still hesitant, Chen Bin tried to persuade her.
"Why not co along with ? My alcohol tolerance is poor, and if I get drunk, I doubt I’ll even find the guesthouse entrance. With you there, at least we can look out for each other."
"Um..."
Frowning deeply, Cai Lixia continued to deliberate.
Chen Bin smiled and said, "No worries. I’ll call for you when it’s ti."
Her eyes widened in surprise as Cai Lixia protested.
"When did I agree to go?"
Chen Bin responded with an unrelated remark.
"How about wearing that skirt you had on when we squeezed onto the subway? It really looks beautiful."
Recalling the scene where Chen Bin had held her waist firmly at that ti, Cai Lixia’s cheeks instantly flushed bright red.
Without another word, she turned and fled from Chen Bin’s office like a startled rabbit.
After work, Chen Bin didn’t leave with Wei Kai and the others but returned directly to the guesthouse.
He didn’t wait long downstairs before he saw Cai Lixia erge, dressed in a long skirt.
Though her looks did not rival Zhao Xini’s stunning beauty, she had an understated charm.
The more you looked, the more attractive she beca—the kind of allure that lingered with ti.
"Hey, what are you standing here for?"
Upon seeing Chen Bin, Cai Lixia’s cheeks blushed again.
Chen Bin grinned and said, "I’m waiting for you, of course!"
"Hey, I never agreed to co to dinner. What are you waiting for for?"
"That doesn’t matter. Since you’ve made wait, you have to co along!"
Faced with Chen Bin’s domineering attitude, Cai Lixia didn’t argue further and shyly nodded.
When the two appeared in the private dining room together, Wei Kai and the others were both surprised and delighted, standing to greet them enthusiastically.
Evidently, everyone knew that after this al, Cai Lixia would be aligned with their group.
Once the dishes were served, Jiang Huai gave a short opening speech, and everyone began exchanging toasts.
Following Chen Bin’s cues, Wei Kai and the others took turns raising their glasses to Cai Lixia.
Though Cai Lixia wasn’t a heavy drinker, she found it hard to refuse, worried that declining would embarrass everyone involved.
So, she grit her teeth and downed glass after glass.
Chen Bin had anticipated that Cai Lixia might get completely drunk.
But surprisingly, while her face turned red, she didn’t lose consciousness.
After the al ended, everyone exchanged farewells.
On the way back to the guesthouse, a slightly intoxicated Cai Lixia said to Chen Bin,
"I ant to help you walk back, but instead, I’m the one who’s drunk now."
Chen Bin supported her by the arm and replied with a laugh.
"No worries, mutual assistance, right?"
The November night wind was still cold, cutting through the air and making Cai Lixia shiver.
Seeing this, Chen Bin imdiately took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
The sudden gesture of warmth left Cai Lixia speechless; she didn’t resist.
Chen Bin then added casually,
"The road’s pretty dark. Let hold onto you as we walk."
With that, he extended an arm, wrapping it gently around her slim waist.
Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps sothing else—but Cai Lixia neither noticed nor protested.
The two walked side by side, chatting effortlessly as they strolled.
When they arrived at Cai Lixia’s room door, Chen Bin finally let go of her.
As she opened the door and prepared to bid goodnight, Chen Bin suddenly stepped forward and gazed intently into her eyes.
His lips inched closer, prompting Cai Lixia to shut her eyes tightly out of panic.
But the anticipated goodbye kiss didn’t happen.
Instead, warm breath tickled her ear, followed by Chen Bin’s voice.
"You’re truly beautiful. Good night, my little beauty!"
A sudden shiver ran through her heart as she quickly opened her eyes.
All she saw was Chen Bin’s retreating figure.
Unable to think clearly, she rushed into the room, shutting the door behind her.
Then, her legs gave out, and she crouched down on the floor.
Chen Bin’s handso face flashed in her mind, leaving her utterly lost in thought.
After parting with Cai Lixia, Chen Bin arrived at He Beibei’s room.
He Beibei had seemingly just taken a bath. She was wearing a white nightgown and lying on the bed with her delicate bare feet, engrossed in a book.
A plate full of fruit sat on the bed, adding to the serene ambiance.
Though Chen Bin intended to tutor He Beibei as usual, her youthful fragrance and soft, rosy toes ignited a mysterious longing within him...
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