Chapter 99 : Dinner

When Liang Qingqing received Tian Fengchun’s message, she was stunned. No way, had the dinner been arranged so quickly?

For some reason, Liang Qingqing felt uneasy, but she couldn’t avoid a dinner invitation from a leader, so she went with a nervous heart.

The location was set at a well-known state-run restaurant in the provincial capital, not far from the broadcasting bureau. Liang Qingqing took three bus rides to get there. After telling the waiter Tian Fengchun’s name, she was taken to a private room on the second floor.

She thought she had arrived quite early, but to her surprise, as soon as she entered, she saw three people there. She ended up being the last one to arrive.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

“It’s alright, it’s not time yet, and not everyone has arrived. Come and sit down,” Tian Fengchun said, waving Liang Qingqing over to sit next to her.

Noting that there were still two seats available at the head of the table, Liang Qingqing assumed that those sitting in these positions must have significant status. Could it be that Tian Fengchun’s important friend hadn’t arrived yet?

With a stomach full of questions, Liang Qingqing smiled and took a seat beside Tian Fengchun.

“I’d like to introduce you. This is my long-time friend, Director Ding Yunkun from the Education Bureau,” Tian Fengchun said, standing up to introduce the two men.

Hearing this, Liang Qingqing’s eyes widened slightly. Since Tian Fengchun’s friend had arrived, who were the other two people? Before she could think further, she instinctively stood up with Li Changguo, shaking hands with Ding Yunkun and offering a polite smile, “Hello, Director Ding, I’m Liang Qingqing.”

“Hello,” Ding Yunkun said with a warm smile. He appeared approachable and friendly, showing no airs, and the atmosphere was quite pleasant. “Young people are impressive. They all have ideals and a bright future. I’m very pleased to see that.”

After chatting for a while, Ding Yun-kun suddenly shifted his focus to Liang Qingqing and asked Tian Fengchun, “Is this Comrade Liang the one you personally selected from the local area?”

Seeing Tian Fengchun nod, Ding Yun-kun’s smile widened, “I often hear your teacher mention you. Your performance at the gala was particularly noteworthy. Who would have thought you’ve only been in this industry for a month or two?”

Liang Qingqing, pleasantly surprised, smiled modestly, “It’s all thanks to my teacher’s guidance.”

Ding Yunkun also praised Li Changguo, and as they continued chatting, Tian Fengchun suddenly lowered her voice, “It’s not just Director Ding praising you. Be sharp later.”

Hearing this, Liang Qingqing and Li Changguo exchanged a glance, then quickly averted their eyes.

Not long after, voices and the sound of steady footsteps came from outside the door. It sounded like they were heading towards their private room. Everyone in the room instinctively looked towards the door and stood up when the figure appeared.

“Comrade Fan!” Ding Yunkun greeted with a broad smile, stepping forward to welcome him. Tian Fengchun followed closely behind. Liang Qingqing and Li Changguo, aware of their own lesser status, remained where they were, observing the leaders’ exchange.

As soon as the man entered the room, Liang Qingqing immediately recognized him. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and she quickly looked down, her heart skipping a beat.

It was the prominent figure who had been in the central position at the gala that night.

Although she hadn’t clearly seen his face that evening, given Ding Yunkun’s reference and the vacant seat at the head of the table, his identity was easy to deduce.

She had been right in her guess, he indeed had an impressive appearance. Despite the passage of time, he remained elegant and dignified, with superior features that exuded authority even without him saying a word. Yet, why did his face seem increasingly familiar?

A figure from the capital, with the surname Fan, and of high status…

Liang Qingqing’s uneasy premonition grew stronger. Unable to resist, she stole a glance at him, only to find herself staring directly into his deep, calm eyes. They were full of scrutiny and other emotions she couldn’t quite place.

She swallowed hard, momentarily stunned, and unconsciously clenched her fists.

Fortunately, he soon averted his gaze and walked towards the head of the table, as if their brief eye contact was merely a coincidence.

“Please, sit down. The waiter will bring the menu,” Tian Fengchun said, inviting everyone to take their seats. The waiter soon brought the menu.

As she handed the menu over, Zhu Weiqing intercepted it midway, smiling broadly. “Our leader isn’t picky about food and isn’t very familiar with the local cuisine. You all should order.”

Tian Fengchun smiled as well, but she pondered Zhu Weiqing’s words carefully before tentatively suggesting, “Then let’s order some of the restaurant’s signature dishes?”

“Sure.” Zhu Weiqing nodded and stood up to pour everyone a cup of tea. “Since we’re all familiar here, let’s skip the alcohol today.”

Having only met twice, how could they be considered “familiar”?

Zhu Weiqing’s pretense of familiarity was expertly executed, showing no signs of guilt. As the top aide to Fan Fangming, his words were essentially Fan Fangming’s own. Naturally, there would be no objections, and in fact, this term of “familiarity” subtly strengthened the connections among the group.

It was a fortunate situation for them, so why not go along with it?

Liang Qingqing remained silently in her seat, listening to the conversation. On the surface, she was calm, but inside she was a bundle of nerves, her fingers constantly fidgeting under the table as she tried to calm herself.

However, the anticipated difficulties never materialized. In fact, throughout the meal, the topic never even turned towards her.

“Let’s arrange another time when we’re free. We’ll be leaving first,” Zhu Weiqing said, standing by the car and opening the door for Fan Fangming.

“Alright.”

As she watched the car disappear around the corner, Tian Fengchun glanced back at Li Changguo and Liang Qingqing, her brow furrowed. The intentions of the powerful were as deep as the sea. After such a meal, she was left confused, unable to discern their true motives.

Was there any purpose behind this gathering? Why specifically include Li Changguo and Liang Qingqing?

Were they just bored?

Not only was Tian Fengchun puzzled, but everyone else was equally baffled. Liang Qingqing, however, was greatly relieved. She didn’t care what Fan Fangming’s intentions were, as long as she wasn’t the target of any difficulties or obstacles.

The question of whether to inform Fan Yanxing about this situation was another challenge. She resolved not to keep any secrets from him.

Having made up her mind, Liang Qingqing planned to bring up the matter the next time Fan Yanxing called her.

—

As the car smoothly drove down the road, Zhu Weiqing glanced at Fan Fangming, who was resting with his eyes closed in the back seat. After some hesitation, he finally spoke up, “What do you think of Comrade Liang?”

Hearing this, Fan Fangming slowly opened his eyes. He didn’t answer immediately, resting his hand on the car window and lightly pressing his temple. He then replied, “What I think doesn’t matter.”

What was important was that Fan Yanxing thought very highly of her, to the point of being unwilling to marry anyone else.

Thinking about what his son had said at the guesthouse, Fan Fangming felt a pang of anger, his actions growing a bit more forceful.

Zhu Weiqing took everything in with a thoughtful expression and hesitated before speaking, “Since Comrade Fan is so stubborn, perhaps I should go talk to Comrade Liang?”

Using both threats and inducements, applying both soft and hard tactics, surely a young female comrade like her would eventually give up.

Before Zhu Weiqing could finish his sentence, Fan Fangming interrupted him with an annoyed frown, “What has that female comrade done wrong? What are we turning into if we go after her?”

He had used all sorts of means against her today.

Thinking of her pretty and obedient face, Fan Fangming’s frown deepened. The coincidences of the world often come as a surprise. He hadn’t expected that the female host who had left such a deep impression on him at the party would turn out to be the girl Fan Yanxing liked.

It wasn’t surprising that he liked her. After all, who wouldn’t?

“I must have been mistaken,” Zhu Weiqing said, rubbing his nose and clearing his throat before asking, “So should we just leave this matter alone?”

“Leave it alone? Now that he’s grown wings, am I supposed to manage him?” Fan Fangming’s lips curled into a sardonic smile. Zhu Weiqing didn’t dare to respond to that. Fortunately, Fan Fangming wasn’t planning to debate whether he should intervene, and instead said, “Tell me, is it wrong for parents to think about their children?”

“Of course not. Comrade Fan doesn’t understand these principles yet. He will eventually understand your good intentions,” Zhu Weiqing replied with a forced smile, his back nearly soaked with cold sweat.

Fan Fangming looked out the window. “He says that marriage is a matter between two people, and he doesn’t want to spend his life with a woman he doesn’t like.”

“Whether one likes someone or not is something that comes with time. You and Mrs. Fan were also brought together by force, but after so many years, you are still very loving,” Zhu Weiqing said. Having worked alongside Fan Fangming for many years, he was well aware of these details.

But although he spoke this way, the bitterness and struggle involved were not known to outsiders.

Fan Fangming closed his eyes and recalled the time when he and Qu Qingying first married. They were like strangers, polite but distant, more like business partners than a couple. But over time, feelings grew, and their relationship changed.

Now, when he’s busy and doesn’t return home for a day, his wife’s calls come through.

He had to admit, he preferred the present time.

One should empathize with others and not impose on others what one does not wish for oneself. Yanxing is his son, could he really bear to force him onto the same path he had taken? If he did, would his son hold a grudge against him for life?

Moreover, although the female comrade came from a less privileged background, she had worked hard and excelled. Seeing Vice Director Tian’s attitude towards her, it was clear she was appreciated and valued.

Given their current positions, his son was even inferior to her.

“Go to Daping Village tomorrow and tell him that I want to see his sincerity.”

Zhu Weiqing was left puzzled. What sincerity? It seemed like another cryptic riddle between the father and son, so he decided not to probe further and simply nodded slightly, “Alright.”

The scenery outside the window, much like the human heart, is constantly changing. Even persistent thoughts eventually cannot resist the sway of emotions.