Wednesday.
Chen Ningxi received a phone call from her father asking her to co to Xianyue Restaurant.
Rembering their last unpleasant father-daughter eting, Chen Ningxi felt she couldn’t skip it.
Parking in front of Xianyue Restaurant, Chen Ningxi took a deep breath before opening the car door.
Since university, her contacts with He Yunyi had diminished, having t at class reunions only twice, with just a brief exchange.
Now suddenly being matchmade with him felt awkward no matter how she thought about it.
Standing at the door of the private room, Chen Ningxi built her ntal courage before entering. She smiled awkwardly and said, "You’re all here, sorry I’m late."
"You’re not late, we just arrived too," He Yunyi said as he stood up to greet her, "Long ti no see, class secretary."
Hearing the familiar title, Chen Ningxi felt as if she had returned to high school and her tension eased.
"Long ti no see, class president," Chen Ningxi replied with a smile.
Chen Weichuan noticed how one sentence from He Yunyi eased Chen Ningxi, making him more pleased with him.
"Ningxi, co sit," Chen Weichuan gestured with a raised hand, "All the dishes tonight were ordered by Yunyi, all of them your favorites."
Sweeping a glance around the table, Chen Ningxi had to admit, they really were her favorites.
During high school, they had organized dinners like this, with Chen Ningxi in charge of ordering and He Yunyi writing the nu, it seed he rembered her preferences.
So might find it thoughtful, but for so reason, Chen Ningxi found it a bit creepy.
She said to He Yunyi, "Don’t just order what I like, make sure to order so for yourself too."
He Yunyi replied, "What you like, I also like. Our tastes are quite similar."
Chen Weichuan, with a smile in his eyes, said, "Alright, all the dishes are here, let’s eat."
After Chen Weichuan took the first bite, He Yunyi only then picked up his chopsticks. The first glass of wine was also offered by He Yunyi.
It was clear he understood how to interact with leaders, skillfully managing the nuances. Such a capable person adept in social grace would surely not falter in his career. The topics he brought up were all of interest to her father, and when the conversation peaked, they’d clink glasses and drink together, making the atmosphere lively.
Compared to the lively banter with He Yunyi, Chen Ningxi just seed like soone intent on her al, oblivious to everything else.
Chen Weichuan, judging the timing just right, excused himself to the restroom, leaving the two to have so ti alone.
But as soon as he left, the room fell silent, and Chen Ningxi felt her awkwardness returning.
Putting down his chopsticks, He Yunyi said, "Class secretary, you didn’t plan tonight’s dinner, did you?"
Swallowing the food in her mouth, she didn’t want to deny it, "Haha, you saw right through it."
He Yunyi exhaled, "Good thing I didn’t thank you just now."
Chen Ningxi burst into laughter, "If you had thanked , my dad’s dignity might have taken a hit."
He Yunyi seed relaxed, his voice carrying warmth as he spoke, and Chen Ningxi found herself less irritated when talking to him.
"Actually, we haven’t seen each other for quite a while, and suddenly sitting at the sa table feels a bit forced. I was just afraid it’d be too awkward, so I kept trying to find topics, even if it ca out a bit jumbled."
"You felt jumbled? You were doing a great job going topic after topic, truly fitting for soone in education, similar to our horoom teacher, Old Qiu. Before you knew it, he had you convinced."
"Hahaha..." He Yunyi laughed heartily, "Rember the nickna we used to call Old Qiu behind his back?"
ntioning the past, Chen Ningxi’s eyes lit up, and together they said:
"Swindler Qiu."
"Hahaha..."
"Yes, you rember too?"
Just beyond the door, Chen Weichuan heard the laughter inside and relaxed his grip on the doorknob.
To see his daughter happy was what Chen Weichuan most wanted, as did every parent in the world.
Before leaving the restaurant, the two added each other on WeChat.
To enhance her candidacy for a promotion, Chen Ningxi proposed a green access initiative in Danjiang City for agricultural zones, which involved streamlining and expediting processes for agricultural electricity projects.
Her initiative was well-received by local farrs, who wrote letters of gratitude to the mayor’s office.
Upon seeing the comndation letter from the city, He Yunyi promptly sent his congratulations.
He Yunyi: Congratulations, Mr. Chen, on earning the public’s love. Staying true to one’s original intention is the key to success, and you are a role model for us all.
Smiling as she read the words, Chen Ningxi replied: Thank you, Mr. He, for your affirmation and encouragent. I will continue serving the people diligently, unafraid of hardships, and pressing forward.
He Yunyi sent her a sticker of a thumb’s up in front of the national backbone.
Chen Ningxi replied with a saluting animated picture.
The next day, He Yunyi called Chen Ningxi. The education bureau was organizing an electrical and fire safety campaign and wanted her to participate in teaching electricity safety to schools. Thinking it was beneficial, she agreed to demonstrate how to handle electrical ergencies correctly.
The campaign selected three universities, three high schools, and twelve middle and elentary schools in Danjiang City, expected to last a week.
Initially hesitating to accept, Chen Ningxi consulted Manager Bai, who also endorsed her participation, noting that the campaign would include photos broadcasted in city news and television to boost her visibility.
Planning to visit three schools daily, by week’s end, Chen Ningxi grew more proficient, even crafting exhibits and experintal tools for students to experience safe electricity use firsthand.
Danjiang News began covering the education departnt’s fire safety campaign across schools, featuring interviews with Chen Ningxi and He Yunyi by Danjiang Television. Chen Weichuan eagerly called ho to inform Ye Yujun to watch the broadcast.
The two on the screen, a perfect match of talent and charm, made Yujun happy at the prospect of their relationship developing, pending Chen Ningxi’s decision.
After wrapping up the final university’s campaign, to express gratitude, He Yunyi invited Chen Ningxi to dinner.
Spending a week together naturally made them feel more in sync, eating without reservations. Chen Ningxi even posted a photo on her social dia, showing a hot pot bubbling, surrounded by plates of at, seafood, and vegetables.
Cheng Qiaobei, having just t with a client, casually glanced at his social dia and saw Chen Ningxi’s hotpot photo.
About to like it, he zood in as if discovering sothing new, noticing the table size and chair arrangent looked like a dinner for two, with the figure across her resembling a man.
Opening the chat with Chen Ningxi, unsure how to question it, he pocketed his phone and hurried downstairs.
He Yunyi’s car was parked at the entrance to the complex where Chen Ningxi lived. As she stepped out from the passenger side, seeing him also get out, she quickly said, "Don’t bother getting out, no need to see off, goodbye."
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