Zhou Xian's Motive for Treating Dinner Was Not Pure

When the two of them arrived, Zhou Xian and her boss were already there.

After meeting, Zhou Xian first introduced He Shinian and then her boss, Shen Jian.

"Secretary He, hello. I am Shen Jian. I have heard of you for a long time, and it is finally an honor to meet you today."

"Director Shen is too polite. I should thank you for solving an urgent problem for our department. Tonight, I must toast you a couple of drinks."

After shaking hands, the two sat down.

"Secretary He is too courteous. Our television station is understaffed, and news releases are outsourced anyway. Since they have to go to someone, why not take care of our own people?"

Shen Jian's meaning was very clear: he regarded He Shinian as a friend and was giving him face.

To put it bluntly, he wanted to curry favor with He Shinian.

He Shinian was naturally well aware of this in his heart, but he remained non-committal.

Once the dishes were fully served, the two beauties, Tian Mi and Zhou Xian, proactively poured the drinks.

He Shinian raised his wine glass and said, "Beauty Zhou, Director Shen, come. On behalf of the First Section of the County Committee, I propose this toast to you both, thanking you for providing our department with an opportunity to generate revenue."

All four of them raised their glasses and stood up.

Shen Jian glanced at the two beauties, laughed heartily, and said, "Since we are already standing up, we must drain our glasses."

Tian Mi's eyes flickered, but she ultimately gritted her teeth and finished the drink.

With that single glass of wine, Tian Mi's face bloomed with a rosy flush like sunset clouds, and her eyes shimmered with a faint mist.

He Shinian glanced at her and said in a low voice, "Drink a little less."

When it came to occasions like this, Zhou Xian was extremely adept, reeling off social pleasantries one after another.

She controlled the room and livened up the atmosphere even more smoothly than Shen Jian.

Not only was her voice pleasing to the ear and uplifting to the heart, but the expressions on her face were also utterly captivating.

After three rounds of drinks, Shen Jian took the initiative to toast He Shinian.

"Secretary He, actually, our television station and the County Committee can still engage in deeper cooperation."

Hearing this, He Shinian gave an acknowledging "oh" and asked, "Director Shen believes we can cooperate in what ways?"

Shen Jian lit a cigarette and said, "To put it bluntly, our television station is in the news industry. What is most important in the news industry?"

"First is time."

"Second is information."

"Third is material."

"Where do the news releases, videos, and case studies of our Ninghai Television Station come from?"

"First, through externally hired correspondents; second, through our own station reporters."

"Our news reports on both people's livelihoods and government affairs, covering policies, documents, and strategies related to the party committee, and of course, including the activities of leaders."

"If we can obtain the arrangements related to the party committee at the very first moment, or in advance, we will be much more proactive."

Hearing this, He Shinian understood Shen Jian's plan and intentions.

This last sentence was the crucial point.

To put it bluntly, he wanted to report more on the County Party Secretary, Wu Yunqiu.

However, He Shinian could not easily agree to this matter, nor could he make any promises.

Because Wu Yunqiu had been in Ninghai County for four months, yet she rarely appeared in front of the media.

Even on the occasional event when she needed to be on camera, she would notify the Publicity Department in advance.

He Shinian did not know why Wu Yunqiu wanted to do this.

But he believed that Wu Yunqiu definitely had her own considerations and deliberations.

The Ninghai Television Station belonged to the Bureau of Radio and Television, and the Bureau of Radio and Television was subordinate to the Publicity Department.

Leaving aside whether He Shinian, a mere humble secretary, could even get involved in this matter, even if he could, he belonged to the County Committee Office, and interfering in this would smack of overstepping his bounds.

This was an extreme taboo in official circles.

He was not a fool and naturally would not do such a thing.

"Director Shen, you are overestimating me. How could I possibly have such great influence?"

Hearing this, Shen Jian did not press further. He said, "I understand Secretary He's difficulties. I only hope that when the opportunity is right, we can serve the County Committee at the very first moment."

Serving the County Committee, in a sense, also meant serving Wu Yunqiu.

Besides the television station, news media in Ninghai County also included the *Ninghai Evening News*, which was a party newspaper organ directly managed by the Publicity Department.

Shen Jian said this because he wanted to acquire first-hand information at the earliest possible moment, and he didn't want to fall behind the *Ninghai Evening News*.

He Shinian nodded and said evasively, "If the opportunity is right, I will mention it to Secretary Wu."

Seizing the opportunity, Shen Jian said, "I heard that Secretary Wu is going down to the townships for an inspection tour in a few days. Could Secretary He mention this to the Secretary and let us follow and report on it?"

A slight shock rippled through He Shinian's heart. He had only just discussed this with Ou Huasheng that afternoon.

The specific itinerary had not even been finalized yet, and people on the outside already knew about it.

This showed that in official circles, there truly were no secrets!

Thinking of this, He Shinian understood that Li Chaoyang inviting him out today was probably related to this matter as well.

He Shinian put down his chopsticks and said, "Director Shen, I cannot make the decision on this matter. Tomorrow I will find an opportunity to mention it to Secretary Wu. As for whether it will work out or not, that is not something I can interfere with."

Shen Jian smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Shinian. Regardless of whether it succeeds or not, I owe you a favor."

After that, the group drank a few more glasses.

When the time was about right, a phone call rang—it was from Li Chaoyang.

He Shinian glanced at it and hastily stood up to go outside to answer.

Upon returning, he apologized and said, "Director Shen, Beauty Zhou, I am sorry. We've had about enough to drink. Shall we call it a day here?"

Knowing that He Shinian had other matters to attend to, Shen Jian said, "Alright, we'll gather again another day."

Once outside, Shen Jian grasped He Shinian's hand and said, "I'll have to trouble you with this matter, Brother Shinian."

He Shinian acknowledged it. After releasing his hand, Zhou Xian proactively reached out.

Her hand was slender yet very soft, feeling like cotton and as warm and smooth as jade when held in the palm.

"Secretary He, then we'll be leaving now?"

"Goodbye."

After the two left, He Shinian asked Tian Mi, "Are you drunk? Shall I send you home first?"

Having drunk alcohol, Tian Mi's eyes were exceptionally bright like autumn pools of water, and a blush rose on her face, making her look touching and pitiful.

"There's no need! Section Chief, if you have things to do, go ahead and take care of them. I don't live far; I can just walk back."

Seeing that Tian Mi's eyes were half-closed and a flush was rising on her cheeks, it was clear that the alcohol was getting to her head.

"Get on, I'll send you."

Tian Mi hesitated for a moment, but ultimately got on the back of the bike.

Her delicate fingers subconsciously grabbed hold of He Shinian's clothes.

In the cool breeze of midsummer, Tian Mi on the back of the bike actually began humming a little tune on her own.

It was *Zigeunerweisen* by the famous violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter.

He Shinian asked, "You seem quite happy. Did your boyfriend come?"

Tian Mi chuckled softly, swinging her legs back and forth, causing the bicycle to sway slightly.

"I'm single. Where would I get a boyfriend?"

"No way. Someone as pretty, gentle, and virtuous as you—how could you not have a boyfriend? Could it be your standards are too high?"

"Am I pretty?"

Tian Mi tilted her head to ask, a radiant smile blooming across her face.

He Shinian nodded.

"Then compared to Sister-in-law, how do I stack up?"

The sister-in-law she mentioned naturally referred to Qiao Yina.

Because of the marriage issue, the two of them had experienced some unpleasantness.

At this moment, He Shinian did not want to mention her, so he said, "You are one of a kind."

Tian Mi giggled and said, "Section Chief, you really know how to flatter people. Hearing that makes it feel like honey has been smeared in my heart."

After sending Tian Mi home, He Shinian arrived at the private dining room booked by Li Chaoyang.

The room was hazy with cigarette smoke. Aside from Li Chaoyang, a woman wearing a moon-white cheongsam, with delicate features and a plump figure, was sitting opposite them brewing tea.

The slit of the cheongsam shifted fluidly with her movements, revealing a long stretch of jade-like leg, with a glimpse of spring scenery faintly fluttering within...