Chapter 38: A Solution for Departmental Revenue Generation

After that, Qiao Yina complained at length. In the presence of the Qiao family, He Shinian did not argue with her, but staring at the meal, he found it tasteless and felt a flicker of suppressed anger.

Eventually, the dinner ended on a sour note. They had come as a pair, but He Shinian returned alone. Qiao Yina was in a fit of pique and refused to go back with him. He Shinian let her be, choosing not to force the issue. In truth, he knew that everything Qiao Yina had said was under the influence of Wei Ziqin.

After He Shinian left, the four members of the Qiao family sat together, their expressions grim. Wei Ziqin, cracking melon seeds, spoke first: "Daughter, listen to your mother. Marriage is a major life event, governed by the words of matchmakers and the commands of parents. We don’t interfere in your romance, but when it comes to marriage, it involves your lifelong happiness. You must listen to us."

Qiao Yina sighed and said, "Mom, I know Shinian’s personality. He is very stubborn. Once he sets his mind on something, ten oxen couldn't pull him back. Since he isn't willing to marry into our family, perhaps we should just let it go!"

Wei Ziqin tossed aside a seed and continued, "What do you mean, 'let it go'? Yina, if we don't stand firm now, you will have a miserable life after marriage."

At this, Qiao Hailin added, "This boy, He Shinian, has a rebellious streak. He’s the secretary to the County Party Committee Secretary now, a man in favor, and his tone is becoming increasingly arrogant. If he isn't brought to heel, you will suffer greatly in the future."

"But Dad, what does this have to do with whether he marries into our family?" Qiao Yina asked, puzzled.

Qiao Hailin smiled deeply and said, "If he marries into our family, he becomes a matrilocal son-in-law. The upper hand remains in our hands. If I tell him to go east, would he dare to go west?"

Qiao Yina seemed to understand. At this point, Qiao Yizhou could no longer listen. "Mom, Dad, marriage is their own business. As their family, we only need to support and affirm them. Why must we force so much messy baggage into it?"

Qiao Hailin glared at Qiao Yizhou and snapped, "Shut up, you shortsighted fool." Qiao Yizhou took a puff of his cigarette, sullenly daring not to say another word.

Resting her chin on her hand, Qiao Yina asked anxiously, "Mom, Dad, what if Shinian refuses to change his mind?"

"Daughter, come here. Mom will tell you—this is something I have the most experience with..."

On the other side, just as He Shinian reached the foot of his building, his phone rang. He thought it might be Qiao Yina regretting her decision to stay behind. Pulling it out, he saw it was Shi Dahai.

"What is it, Shi the Savage?"

The other end was noisy, sounding like a bar or a karaoke lounge. "Class monitor, it's the weekend. Come over to sing and relax."

He Shinian didn't actually like such venues, but feeling quite stifled today, and having been meaning to consult Shi Dahai about the department's petty cash fund, he agreed.

"Prosperity Emperor."

Hearing this, He Shinian was slightly startled. Isn't this the karaoke lounge owned by his brother-in-law? Why was Shi Dahai there?

"Fine, I'm heading out now."

When he arrived, He Shinian checked the time; it was past nine in the evening, yet the place was desolate, with hardly a soul in sight. Inside the private room, there were only two people, both of whom he knew: Zhou Xian and Shi Dahai.

The table was covered with fruit platters, snacks, and a full spread of drinks. Seeing He Shinian, both stood up. Shi Dahai walked over warmly, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "Class monitor, I’m so happy you could come."

Zhou Xian was wearing a tight black silk dress that accentuated her slender waist; she was undeniably a stunner. "Welcome, Secretary He," Zhou Xian said with a smile, her eyes sparkling with an alluring charm.

This was the second time he had seen them together. Could they be having an affair?

"Why did you order so much alcohol? Is someone else coming?" He Shinian asked.

"No, just the three of us. It’s better with fewer people, given your sensitive position."

After they sat down and exchanged pleasantries, Zhou Xian wiggled her waist as she stood up. "Secretary He, what would you like to sing? I’ll queue it up for you."

He Shinian laughed, "I don't know how to sing."

Before he could finish, Shi Dahai said, "Queue up 'Borrow Another Five Hundred Years from Heaven' for my monitor."

He Shinian was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected Shi Dahai to remember one of the few songs he knew how to sing. The grand, stirring music began, as if pulling everyone into the long river of history in an instant.

He Shinian didn't stand on ceremony. He stood up and began to sing along with the accompaniment. His voice was thick, powerful, and deeply heroic, possessing a strong sense of penetration and charisma. He brought the sweeping, majestic spirit of the song to life completely.

When the song ended, both of them stood up to toast him. "I've heard my monitor sing this song many times, and every time, it fills me with respect. Come, monitor, a toast."

Zhou Xian also leaned in, revealing a hint of her porcelain-white skin, and laughed, "Secretary He, and you said you couldn't sing? After hearing this, I don't even dare to take the mic; I wouldn't be able to hold a candle to you."

The three of them drank. Zhou Xian also performed a song, Meng Tingwei's "Look at the Moon's Face." It was unexpected that Zhou Xian, a host, had such a beautiful voice. Her performance was delicate and soulful. Her voice was as clear as water, the high notes bright and sweet without being cloying, leaving one with a sense of deep contentment.

Everyone sang a song and had a few drinks. Taking advantage of the moment Zhou Xian went to the restroom, Shi Dahai said, "Monitor, let’s have a drink. Congratulations on your promotion to section chief."

He Shinian accepted the toast, drank, and asked, "Shi the Savage, I have a question for you."

"Hey, my dear monitor, just say the word. Why be so formal with me?"

He Shinian then explained the situation regarding the department's fund. After listening, Shi Dahai laughed, "Is that all? Just a department fund? Tell me, how much? I’ll sponsor it."

He Shinian didn't dare agree. Shi Dahai was a businessman, and he was a civil servant. Although their relationship was good, he dared not accept sponsorship so easily. Even if Shi Dahai didn't ask for anything now, who could guarantee he wouldn't later? If that happened, would he be able to refuse after having taken his help? He Shinian had always adhered to the philosophy that a friendship between gentlemen should be as pure as water.

"Forget it, it’s not regulation-compliant. I’ll find another way."

Hearing this, Shi Dahai straightened up. "Monitor, you’re being too distant, aren't you? What’s not compliant about it? Your business is my business."

"It’s not that, Shi the Savage..."

Just then, Zhou Xian walked out of the restroom. Hearing their conversation, she asked curiously, "What are you two talking about?"

Shi Dahai said, "Zhou Xian, you be the judge. I want to do something for the monitor, but he won't let me." He then explained the matter of the department's revenue generation.

After listening, Zhou Xian said, "Secretary He, I actually have a way that is regulation-compliant and can generate revenue, but the amount is a bit small. I’m just afraid you might look down on it."

"Every little bit helps, as long as it's compliant."

Zhou Xian said, "Our TV station has a column that needs written materials, two pieces a week, about 500 to 1,000 words each. As for the price, I’ll discuss it with the director when I go back, but we can calculate it at one yuan per character."

Two pieces a week, 500 to 1,000 words each, at one yuan per character—that would be 1,000 to 2,000 yuan a week. Calculating for 52 weeks a year, that was 52,000 to 104,000 yuan! If this could be done, wouldn't the department's annual revenue goal be met?

"Would this work?" He Shinian asked.

"Why wouldn't it? The manuscripts for this column are already outsourced. If it’s going to be done by someone, why not give it to one of our own?"

The matter was settled just like that. To show his gratitude, He Shinian took the initiative to toast Zhou Xian. "Then I must thank you, Miss Zhou."

Shi Dahai, never one to shy away from excitement, suggested, "Monitor, since we're thanking her, I have an idea. Why don't you two drink from crossed arms?"

Hearing this, He Shinian’s gaze instinctively fell on Zhou Xian, but he said, "Don't mess around, Shi the Savage. Is a toast with crossed arms something to do lightly?"

Zhou Xian, however, smiled with her red lips, "It would be my honor to share a drink with Secretary He."

In the end, the two of them actually drank with crossed arms. As they did, a faint, feminine fragrance wafted over, and combined with the sensation of Zhou Xian’s firm chest brushing against his arm, his heart fluttered slightly.

Afterward, Shi the Savage invited Zhou Xian to dance. When they finished, Zhou Xian invited He Shinian, but he refused; he didn't know how to dance. Furthermore, there was a saying in the army: "Don't touch a company commander's toothbrush or toothpaste." Since Zhou Xian was close to Shi Dahai, He Shinian felt it necessary to keep his distance. The toast with crossed arms had already been his limit.