Chapter 30: A Hazy Aftermath of Wine

When He Shinian arrived at the private room, Shi Dahai was already there, chatting and laughing with a beautiful woman. Upon seeing He Shinian, Shi Dahai immediately stood up and said, “Our county party committee secretary has arrived.”

The real secretary of the county party committee was Ou Huasheng, the director of the county party committee office. Shi Dahai’s way of addressing He Shinian clearly served to flatter him.

He Shinian didn’t dare to accept this title and scolded, “Shi Manzi, don’t talk nonsense; it wouldn’t be good if this got out.”

What surprised He Shinian even more was that the beauty Shi Dahai brought along was actually Zhou Xian, the top star of Ninghai County’s television station, known as the most beautiful woman in Ninghai and the dream girl of many men.

He Shinian often watched TV and recognized Zhou Xian, but before this moment, it was impossible for her to know him.

Zhou Xian rose and gave a respectful nod.

If it had been before, He Shinian surely would not have received such courtesy. Not to mention that Ninghai’s top beauty wouldn’t give him a second glance, even Lin Anyan wouldn’t have treated him with such respect.

He Shinian thought to himself that many people put on airs, not realizing that what propped them up was power and money. As individuals, they were worth nothing.

Shi Dahai introduced He Shinian, and then they all sat down to talk.

“班长 (Class Leader), you must take care of your health, especially your kidneys,” Shi Dahai said.

He Shinian felt puzzled and somewhat annoyed. For a man, the kidneys were a sensitive subject; joking about it in such a setting was clearly inappropriate.

Shi Dahai smiled and added, “班长, just think about it—from now on, you’ll have to be with Li Wanji every day; how could your kidneys possibly handle that?”

He Shinian gave a faint smile, understanding that although the remark was risqué, it was a way of showing concern. Changing the subject, he said, “Let’s serve the food; I’m starving.”

Hearing this, Shi Dahai immediately instructed the waiter to bring the dishes.

Zhou Xian had already stood up first, swaying her supple waist as she walked out. Although she was over thirty, she was still enchanting.

Her face was excessively beautiful, and even her eyes were extraordinarily lively.

When she walked, the sway of her hips exuded endless allure. Compared to her, Lin Anyan, though pretty, lacked that mature, seductive charm of a married woman.

He Shinian silently warned himself to keep his distance from this dangerous woman.

The food was served quickly, all within five minutes.

Lin Anyan took the initiative to serve He Shinian rice, while Shi Dahai pulled out two bottles of Feitian liquor.

He Shinian quickly stopped him, saying, “Don’t be corrupt, put away your Feitian; let’s just drink local wine.”

Shi Dahai laughed heartily, not embarrassed, and put away the Feitian, then had the waiter serve authentic local braised pot wine.

“If we’re not drinking Feitian, then at least you have to smoke my cigarettes!” Shi Dahai said, pulling out a pack of premium Yunyan cigarettes, tearing it open and tossing two packs in front of He Shinian.

He Shinian glanced at the cigarette brand and asked, “Shi Manzi, have you made it big in South Guangdong Province?”

Shi Dahai was unabashed and replied, “Just made a little money.”

He Shinian was indeed a bit hungry and ate two bowls of rice before feeling comfortable.

By then, the wine had been poured, and when He Shinian put down his chopsticks, Shi Dahai raised his glass and said, “Come, everyone drink a toast.”

Zhou Xian lifted her cup with both hands, revealing her pearly teeth, and smiled, “Secretary He, I toast you. Please look after me in the future.”

Across Ninghai County and the entire Donghua Prefecture, there were countless people eager to curry favor with him, so someone like her, a mere secretary, was hardly in a position to do so.

“I’d be happy to help if I can, but I’m afraid I might not be able to,” He Shinian replied.

Shi Dahai jumped in, “If you want to help, you definitely can. Think about it: you’re now the lone bridge between the big boss and everyone else. In officialdom, who doesn’t want to climb higher? Who wouldn’t want to squeeze across that bridge?”

Having been in business for several years, Shi Dahai had shed much of his military rigidity, becoming more tactful without losing courtesy.

Hearing this, Lin Anyan also joined in, “Senior brother, I toast you as well. Congratulations on your promotion.”

After this toast, everyone toasted each other.

He Shinian was the guest of honor tonight. After Shi Dahai’s toast, Zhou Xian naturally stood to offer her toast.

Zhou Xian, known for her social grace, had a way with flattering words. She said many pleasant things to He Shinian, making his heart bloom with joy, though he instinctively grew wary.

Not long after, with a pound of wine consumed, the two women’s cheeks flushed with a rosy glow.

Shi Dahai wanted to order more wine, but He Shinian stopped him, saying, “Shi Manzi, that’s enough.”

Shi Dahai, in high spirits, had many things he wished to discuss with He Shinian, but waved his hand and said, “Others might not know your drinking capacity, but I know it well—you’re at the kilogram level. Today’s drinking is just to warm you up.”

Indeed, this amount of wine was nothing to He Shinian.

But his identity had changed; he could no longer be as carefree as before. He had to remain clear-headed, cautious, and tread carefully.

“Forget it, maybe another day,” He Shinian said, refusing to drink more.

Shi Dahai did not insist and added, “After a long day, how about I arrange something for you to relax?”

He Shinian was indeed tired; a hot bath and a massage sounded tempting.

Yet he hesitated.

Every word and action now represented the role of secretary to the county party secretary.

“Forget it, find a quiet room and have some tea,” he decided.

To He Shinian’s surprise, Shi Dahai arranged a very large room.

Outside the room was a living area for tea drinking, and inside was a spacious bed for sleeping.

After drinking tea and chatting for a while, Zhou Xian excused herself, citing work at the unit.

Shi Dahai stood to see her out; out of courtesy, He Shinian followed.

Near the door, Shi Dahai glanced around slyly and whispered, “This place is safe. Make good use of the time.”

Then he pushed He Shinian inside, gave a sly wink, and closed the door.

Only then did He Shinian realize that the so-called arrangement was meant to encourage him and Lin Anyan to take their relationship further.

Shi Dahai was sharp; he had long seen that He Shinian and Lin Anyan were not lovers, at least not beyond a certain boundary.

Back at the tea table, only He Shinian and Lin Anyan remained. In this enclosed space, the atmosphere grew somewhat intimate.

Today, Lin Anyan wore light makeup, and after drinking wine, her fair skin was flushed with a rosy glow, appearing delicate and charming.

It is said that to judge a woman’s beauty, first look at her face, then her hands.

Lin Anyan’s fingers were exquisitely beautiful—fair with a hint of translucence, even the veins beneath were visible.

He Shinian sat opposite her, about to say, “Your fingers are truly beautiful; they remind me of the ancient phrase ‘jade-like fingers like scallions.’”

But Lin Anyan lifted her tea cup herself and smiled, “Senior brother, congratulations. I toast you with a cup of tea.”

He Shinian took a sip and said, “Thank you.”

“You promised me before, if one day you rose to great heights, you’d take me along with you. Does that still stand?”

He Shinian was momentarily speechless.

He had indeed said that once, though at the time, he thought it impossible to become Wu Yunqiu’s secretary and had spoken casually.

He never expected it to come true, and Lin Anyan had remembered the promise.

“Well, we’ll talk about that later. I’ve just arrived at the county party committee and haven’t yet established myself,” He Shinian replied, somewhat evasively.

“Hehe, thank you, senior brother. I believe you’ll be a great secretary to Secretary Wu and rise steadily. Now, let me drink another cup of tea with you.”

He Shinian could only remain silent.