Most of the songs on the playlist had been selected by the city managers. 

Well… how to put it—it’s mostly songs like “Why am I falling for you? I keep asking myself,” or “Let the great nation of China be honored by all,” or even “Love is like a hungry wolf, sweet on the lips but shows its fangs once you get close to play.” That kind of style. 

The genres were quite diverse. 

The songs themselves were very good—but only when sung by the original artists. 

When the group of men there started singing, they couldn’t even manage to stay in key. 

Lu Nan queued up the songs that a few of the women had requested earlier, and then slightly rearranged the playlist order. 

Soon enough, it was time for the song that Chen Lu had asked Lu Nan to put on—a light, sweet duet by a female duo. 

Chen Lu picked up one microphone and handed another to Lu Nan. “Let’s sing together.” 

Lu Nan happened to know this song too, so she gladly agreed. 

As she sang this song, Lu Nan appeared to be a sweet girl, completely different from the fierce image she had earlier when she was drinking straight from the decanter at the dinner table. 

Seeing this, Wu Chuan smiled and said to Chen Xiao, “At first I was a little concerned that Lu Nan, being relatively new, might not be able to command respect in Hua’an City. But now, it’s clear you and Director Tong have excellent judgment.” 

Chen Xiao lowered his eyes slightly. “If someone is truly capable, they’ll shine no matter where they are. No need to give her special treatment just because she came from me or Director Tong. What you saw at the table is just a small part of her abilities.” 

As for what other strengths Lu Nan had or how capable she really was, Chen Xiao didn’t elaborate. Words are just words—ultimately, Wu Chuan needed to see for himself and truly recognize her value in order to feel confident entrusting her with the Hua’an market. 

Wu Chuan nodded thoughtfully. 

Once Chen Lu and Lu Nan finished their duet, the room burst into applause, though for reasons everyone seemed to understand, no one dared step forward to propose a toast. 

Finally, Wang Xinglong stepped up with a beer “award” and toasted with the two of them. 

As the next song started, Chen Lu glanced at the screen and casually handed the microphone to Xu Yao. “Yao Yao, isn’t this the one you asked Lu Nan to queue?” 

“Yes, yes it is.” Xu Yao took the mic and placed it in He Manlin’s hand, then called out loudly to Chen Xiao from across the table, “Brother Xiao, sing with us!” 

Chen Xiao had been chatting with Wu Chuan and looked up when Xu Yao called him. He glanced at the screen, then saw He Manlin clutching the mic tightly to her chest. He gave a helpless smile. “I don’t know this song, Xu Yao. Maybe ask someone else.” 

As he spoke, Lu Nan was about to hand him the microphone, but now neither advancing nor retreating seemed right. Her almond-shaped eyes widened slightly, making them appear even rounder: You’re really not singing? 

Chen Xiao shook his head. 

It was “Little Dimples,” one of the most popular love duets. Did Manager Chen really not know it? 

Don’t assume just because the city managers were men in their thirties and forties that they weren’t gossipy. Their chants for “Manager Chen, sing one!” were loud and clear. 

But Chen Xiao insisted, smiling wryly and waving it off: “I honestly don’t know it.” 

Seeing the situation, Wu Chuan stepped in to defuse things: “Manager Tang, you were shouting the loudest—why don’t you sing it with Xiao He?” 

Manager Tang had truly been the classic bystander getting caught in the crossfire all evening. Now that he was being called out by a superior, he reluctantly stood up. 

Lu Nan looked back at He Manlin, whose expression looked on the verge of tears. 

Sigh… 

She swatted Manager Tang’s hand away from the mic. “I’ll do it, I’ll do it. Who says duets have to be male and female? Sister Manlin, I’ll sing with you. I’ll take the male part.” 

All she had to do was lower her pitch a little. 

The intro was nearly over. Lu Nan stepped closer to He Manlin, mic in her left hand and her right hand gesturing in invitation: “I’m still searching, for someone to lean on… someone who gets mad at me, argues with me…” 

The original version of the song had a smooth, warm vocal quality. With her lowered tone, Lu Nan performed it well—it truly sounded like a clean, boyish voice from someone just before their voice changed. 

He Manlin, almost instinctively, slipped her hand into Lu Nan’s and let herself be pulled up, joining in on the female part. 

To be fair, her voice was a bit rough—it wasn’t clear whether it was due to emotion or simply lack of singing experience. 

Lu Nan led her forward a few steps so that He Manlin was facing away from the crowd and wouldn’t see their glances or amused looks. 

Sure enough, He Manlin relaxed a little and gradually loosened up while singing. 

After helping her get started, Lu Nan deliberately kept her own voice in the background during the rest of the duet and solo parts, so as not to overshadow her. 

By the end of the song, He Manlin’s voice had grown slightly choked. 

A sweet love song ended up sounding tinged with sorrow. 

“…I’ll love you forever.” 

As she sang, Lu Nan thought: There’s no such thing as forever. The world is vast—hopefully, Manlin can move on. 

The room fell silent for a few seconds before applause finally broke out. 

Lu Nan smiled at He Manlin. Her eyes were a little red, but she smiled back and softly said, “I’m going to the restroom.” 

Xu Yao, who’d been closely watching the whole time, immediately followed her out. 

Lu Nan stood the mic upright on the coffee table, picked up her wine glass, and sought out Manager Tang in the crowd. Raising her glass slightly, she said, “Manager Tang, sorry about earlier. I really love that song and couldn’t give it up.” 

Manager Tang didn’t dare protest. 

After what had happened to Zhang Fei earlier, he was half-expecting Lu Nan to challenge him to a drinking match. He hurriedly replied, “No worries, I don’t even know how to sing that song anyway.” Of course, that was a lie. 

So… did I just earn their respect through drinking? 

Sensing what he was thinking, Lu Nan found it a bit amusing and teased, “Manager Tang, we’re only drinking beer—it’s practically water. And you won’t even drink a little glass? Looks like you still haven’t forgiven me.” 

She had to admit—what she said was half arrogant, half cheesy. 

Manager Tang hadn’t realized before how grating that familiar table phrase—“If you don’t drink, it means you don’t see me as a friend”—really was. But now, having it turned on him, he felt awkward and flustered. He quickly clinked glasses with Lu Nan and downed his beer, practically ready to slap a label on his forehead: Respectfully seeing off the drinking goddess. 

After sufficiently startling Manager Tang, Lu Nan turned and walked away. 

Chen Xiao raised his hand and called out to Lu Nan. She squatted down next to him with her drink. “Brother Xiao?” 

“Sit down and talk,” Chen Xiao tilted his head, signaling to the empty seat beside him. 

Lu Nan sat down without hesitation. 

Chen Xiao glanced at the wine glass in her hand. Lu Nan thought for a moment, then suddenly understood and let out a quiet “Oh,” raising her glass and lightly clinking it against Chen Xiao’s. 

A crisp clink rang out. 

Chen Xiao said expressionlessly, “Manager Lu, I think you’re a bit bold today.” He was certain Lu Nan knew that wasn’t what he meant, but she had deliberately acted that way anyway. 

That annoyed him. Okay, he admitted—if you counted the drinking contest at dinner too, it wasn’t just a bit. He was quite upset. 

Lu Nan paused, then smiled apologetically. Indeed, she might have gone a little too far. 

She placed her glass down on the coffee table, right next to Chen Xiao’s. 

Then she asked seriously, “Brother Xiao, what did you want to say?” 

Lu Nan admitted her mistake so quickly that Chen Xiao suddenly wondered—was his tone or expression… too harsh? 

As for what he wanted to say—there were many things. But after careful thought, he realized it was probably better to leave them unsaid, no matter whose perspective he considered. 

Chen Xiao sighed lightly. “I didn’t know you could hold your liquor so well. But even so, you shouldn’t have kept provoking Zhang Fei tonight. What if he could outdrink you?” 

Lu Nan shook her head. “That’s impossible.” 

“I’m saying, what if?” 

“There’s no ‘what if’,” Lu Nan insisted. “I’m confident.” 

Chen Xiao couldn’t change her mind, so he asked instead, “This time, you outdrank Zhang Fei and won over the other regional managers. But what about next time? Will you do the same? Do you realize how risky this is? Not to mention the health risks—what if someone gets offended or angry? You’re still just a young woman…” 

He didn’t expect himself to be this nagging, this concerned. What happened to professional distance? Workplace boundaries? His principles? All on the verge of crumbling. 

“But the workplace doesn’t distinguish between men and women. I’m a city manager—responsible for the entire city’s client development, sales, and revenue.” Lu Nan said. “Brother Xiao, don’t worry. I don’t plan to handle every challenge like this. I know it’s a last resort. But I’m new to this position, and my existing performance doesn’t stand out to the other managers. If I backed down today, they’d think ‘campus hires are mediocre,’ ‘female graduates are weak,’ or even question your and Director Tong’s judgment. That would affect Hua’an City’s future market share and budget. You understand this… so I can’t back down.” 

Did Chen Xiao not understand this? 

Of course he did. That’s why, at the dinner table, one look from Lu Nan was enough to convince him not to intervene. 

He knew this was only the first of many challenges Lu Nan would face as a city manager—and possibly the easiest of them. 

“You’re right,” Chen Xiao said softly, and then repeated, “You’re right. But if in the future you’re ever forced to take a stand again—Lu Nan, you must make sure you have trusted colleagues nearby, and absolutely, absolutely do not drink too much. Understand?” He couldn’t bring himself to tell her not to drink at all—their company made liquor, after all. 

Lu Nan nodded. “Of course.” 

“What are you two chatting about?” Wang Xinglong suddenly squeezed in on the other side of Chen Xiao, handing microphones to both of them. “Come on, no more work talk, let’s sing!” 

Lu Nan’s expression froze—not because she feared singing, but because she worried Wang Xinglong might pick a duet like Loving Confidants. 

Heaven knows why, even though he was born in the ’80s, his favorite songs were all from the ’60s and ’70s! 

“What are you waiting for? Sing!” Wang Xinglong looked at them and quickly added, “Don’t worry, it’s a song for you young folks.” 

The intro began playing. 

It was the theme song from Young Justice Bao. 

Compared to his usual playlist, this song was relatively modern. 

But… as Xu Yao and He Manlin walked into the room, Lu Nan hesitated. 

She wasn’t worried about offending the administrative staff or the accountant—though avoiding that would be ideal. 

What bothered her was this: Chen Xiao had just declined a duet with He Manlin, and now he was about to sing with her. That would probably hurt someone like He Manlin, who was introverted and sensitive. 

Lu Nan was about to say, “I don’t know the song,” but changed her mind. She had a better idea. She took the microphone from Chen Xiao and handed it to Wang Xinglong. “How about I sing it with Manager Wang?” Though phrased as a question, her tone left no room for argument. 

Wang Xinglong stared at the mic in his hand, wishing he could disappear. 

Lu Nan didn’t care. When the female part began, she started singing. 

As it neared the male part, she gave Wang Xinglong a nudge with her eyes. 

Manager Wang trembled as he began singing—so off-key he was practically in another time zone. He let out a pitiful howl—he only liked songs like The Legend of the Hungry Wolf! This soft love duet was completely not his style! 

Just then, He Manlin, who had just entered, couldn’t help laughing and said, “Manager Wang, please, give the mic back to Brother Xiao. You’re so off-key that Lu Nan can’t even catch up with you!” 

He Manlin was laughing. 

She had gone to the restroom just now, expecting to cry her heart out—but surprisingly, she hadn’t. 

Perhaps because deep down, she had always known: Chen Xiao didn’t see her as anything more than a colleague. 

In fact, just today, moments ago, she had confirmed a long-standing suspicion—Chen Xiao liked Lu Nan. 

Not every girl turns into a bitter rival who thinks, If I can’t have him, no one can. 

He Manlin felt she never really stood a chance in the first place, so it didn’t matter who won or lost. 

Still, even though her quiet crush had ended, she could do one last thing for the guy she once liked— 

Help him. 

She had tasted the pain of unrequited love. She hoped the one she liked wouldn’t have to. 

Wang Xinglong, still stunned, handed the mic back to Chen Xiao. 

In the end, the duet of As Long As I Have You was sung by Chen Xiao and Lu Nan. 

Chen Xiao stared at the lyrics on the screen. They were beautiful: “May the sun and the moon meet again under the same sky.” 

He turned to look at Lu Nan. Her eyes sparkled like stars. 

Chen Xiao thought, This is our first duet. Maybe… also our last.