In the following days, Chen Bin drifted between Zhao Xini and Ma Juan, living quite comfortably.
The only thing that troubled him was the pain in his lower back, making his walk a bit unsteady.
It seed that facing won who had been yearning for affection was a bit much for him to handle.
That night, while Chen Bin was deep in conversation with Ma Juan, the phone on the pillow suddenly rang.
Chen Bin glanced at the caller ID but chose not to answer.
Unexpectedly, the phone kept ringing continuously afterward.
Ma Juan, thoroughly irritated, turned it off without a second thought.
The next morning, when Chen Bin turned the phone back on, he found over thirty missed calls.
After so hesitation, he finally called back.
As soon as the call connected, Zha Qiuling's accusing voice ca through.
"What do you an by this? Why didn't you answer my calls?!"
Chen Bin replied with a smile, "I'm really sorry, I fell asleep last night and didn't hear it. What can I do for you, Miss Cha?"
"After the National Day holiday, I'm planning to go to Tianhai. I want you to arrange a fashion promotion for then."
"I'm currently in the Imperial Capital. How about we et up and talk about it now?"
"Alright, I'll arrange the restaurant."
After receiving Zha Qiuling's ssage, Chen Bin took a cab to a nicely set-up Western restaurant.
This ti, Zha Qiuling was by herself; assistant Qu Lan was nowhere to be seen.
Chen Bin had just sat down when Zha Qiuling coldly asked.
"How's the environnt here? If Governor Chen doesn't like it, I can find a better place."
"Miss Cha, we've known each other for a long ti; no need for formalities. Anywhere is fine for a quick bite."
After placing their orders, Zha Qiuling looked at Chen Bin, visibly displeased.
"These days, it's really difficult to et with Governor Chen. Should I go out and buy so firecrackers to celebrate?"
"I've been really busy lately..."
Chen Bin then recounted so recent events.
However, Zha Qiuling didn't believe a word of it.
"When I was the wife of the Provincial Committee Secretary, you always had ti. Now that I'm divorced, you don't even have ti to take a call?"
Honestly, Chen Bin had been avoiding Zha Qiuling.
After all, she was just an ordinary person now, and helping her wouldn't benefit him; Chen Bin simply couldn't be bothered.
The main reason he agreed to co today was that he thought Zha Qiuling had a nice figure.
The last ti had been rushed, and he hadn't really savored it.
If given the chance, he wouldn't mind having another go at it.
Just as Chen Bin was about to speak, Zha Qiuling questioned once more.
"I'm tired of your lies. Just give it to straight: are you going to promote my fashion line or not?"
"You've already gained quite a bit of notoriety; is further promotion necessary?"
"Of course it is! My goal is to go international!"
"I see. So how much are you planning to pay for advertising?"
This statent made Zha Qiuling even angrier.
"Are you that obsessed with money? You used to help for free, so why are you asking for paynt now?"
"If you can't pay for advertising, why should I help you?"
Seeing Chen Bin's faintly amused expression, Zha Qiuling was on the verge of exploding with anger.
"When you persuaded to divorce Cheng Liusha, you promised you'd always help with recomndations. What's changed?!"
"That was then, and this is now. I helped you before for Secretary Cheng's sake. Now that there's no money to be made, why should I make a losing deal?"
Zha Qiuling said nothing, but she clenched her fists, visibly furious.
Chen Bin continued, "Don't look at like that. Getting your clothing line noticed is already a big favor. Tis have changed, and free advertising is out of the question."
Although Zha Qiuling was extrely angry, she knew she couldn't afford to offend Chen Bin at this mont.
Fashion design falls under the fashion industry, and going it alone offers little chance of success.
Only by breaking into the entertainnt industry can one quickly gain popularity.
Nationwide, Yanxi TV's entertainnt business is booming.
With Chen Bin steering Yanxi Station, having his help would spell success for her.
Taking a deep breath, Zha Qiuling asked, "Can I owe the advertising fee for now and pay you back later?"
With a mischievous smile, Chen Bin replied.
"Our TV station's ad slots are in high demand; we don't support credit. But if you're out of cash, you might consider so other ways. After all, with your beauty, if you make happy, I might just do it for free."
Zha Qiuling instantly understood what he ant.
Recalling the video Chen Bin had threatened her with, she couldn't help but ask.
"Tell the truth, was it you in that video?"
Instead of answering directly, Chen Bin responded with a teasing smile.
"Take a guess!"
"I guess it was you!"
"Instead of speculating, why not experience it firsthand? Only then will you know."
Facing Chen Bin's provocation, Zha Qiuling felt her heartbeat quicken, and she beca a bit flustered.
Gently holding her delicate hand, Chen Bin softly said.
"Miss Cha, if you want free advertising, you should hurry. If one day I'm no longer at the TV station, there really won't be any way."
Though Zha Qiuling often seed haughty and domineering, she was, in essence, a bully who feared those stronger than her.
Facing the dominant Chen Bin, she had no fight in her.
Like a frightened fawn, she imdiately withdrew her hand.
Seeing this, Chen Bin said nothing more and quietly resud eating his steak.
After the holiday, he bid farewell to Zhao Xini and the others and flew back to Tianhai.
That afternoon, Cheng Liusha called Chen Bin, saying he wanted to treat him to dinner.
Faced with Cheng Liusha's invitation, Chen Bin certainly didn't dare refuse, so he promptly agreed.
The dinner was arranged at the Radio and Television International Hotel.
At six in the evening, when Chen Bin arrived at the hotel suite, he found Lu Cailian already there.
As for Cheng Liusha, he hadn't arrived yet.
Since Lu Cailian agreed to be with Cheng Liusha, she and Chen Bin hadn't t privately.
Being alone now was inevitably awkward.
Chen Bin was the first to break the silence: "How are things with Secretary Cheng?"
Lu Cailian couldn't look him in the eye and replied softly.
"It's alright."
Chen Bin pulled her into his arms and asked earnestly.
"Really? Has he ever bullied you?"
Lu Cailian sighed deeply, "No."
Hearing Chen Bin's increasingly rapid breathing, she quickly added.
"Don't do anything reckless; Cheng Liusha might arrive at any mont."
Chen Bin took out his phone and made a call.
"Call as soon as you see Secretary Cheng entering."
Putting the phone away, he attempted to kiss Lu Cailian.
But she dodged him.
"I'm the Provincial Committee Secretary's girlfriend now; what are you thinking?"
Lu Cailian loved Chen Bin deeply but felt a tinge of resentnt toward him for pushing her toward Cheng Liusha.
Despite this, she was still willing to sacrifice herself for Chen Bin.
"I don't care whose girlfriend you are; you're my woman, and that will never change!"
With those words, Chen Bin planted a kiss on Lu Cailian's soft lips.
At the sa ti, his hand slipped under her dress, pushing aside her bra...
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