In the evening.
Around seven o'clock.
In the residential compound, dinner is ready.
"Co, Xuebing, try what I made." Chen Ying brought the dishes over.
"Sure." Dong Xuebing picked up his chopsticks. "Mmm, delicious, delicious."
Chen Ying smiled. "Really? Hehe, then try this dish."
Dong Xuebing took another bite. "Mmm, all of it is good. You cook well, Chen Ying."
"I didn't know how to cook before. I learned after I got married," Chen Ying said.
"By the way, I haven't asked what your husband does and how you two t," Dong Xuebing looked at her.
They chatted while eating, discussing everyday matters, gradually easing away the awkwardness from earlier, no longer feeling so awkward.
Chen Ying smiled, "We t back when I graduated from college. It was through a mutual acquaintance. He's a Ph.D. researcher in scientific research, a few years older than . At that ti, I hadn't started acting yet and hadn't found a job. My family wanted to get married first, considering that a woman can't compare to a man. At twenty-three or twenty-four, I wasn't young anymore. We dated for half a year and then got married. After that, I started acting in TV dramas. My husband, well, how should I put it? He's straightforward and a bit rigid, but that's what I value about him. The entertainnt industry is chaotic, but he's trusted these years and taken good care of . He's a good person, good to ."
"Being a good person is what matters," Dong Xuebing said.
"That's exactly how I see it," Chen Ying smiled. "He's doing scientific research now at a research institute."
"At the Chinese Academy of Sciences," Chen Ying said. "But it's classified research, so I don't know exactly what he does. He doesn't tell either."
Dong Xuebing was taken aback. "The Chinese Academy of Sciences, under whose authority?"
Chen Ying thought for a mont. "In a group led by an academic surnad Zhong."
"Zhong Lizhen?" Dong Xuebing said speechlessly.
Chen Ying was surprised. "Seems like it. How do you know her na?"
"I know her. Professor Zhong is related to my wife's family. Strictly speaking, I should address her respectfully as Aunt Zhong if I see her."
"That's quite a coincidence," Chen Ying exclaid.
"Yeah, the world is small," Dong Xuebing chuckled. "If that's the case, your husband might have seen too. So ti ago, I negotiated a project with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to co to Zhenshui County. Quite a few researchers ca with it. Although I can't rember the nas."
Chen Ying was lost in thought. "My husband is in Zhenshui County now and cos ho only once a week, sotis once every half month. You're the one who got that project over there?"
"Yeah, it was . Half a year ago, I was still the Deputy County Mayor of Zhenshui County," Dong Xuebing said.
Chen Ying smiled teasingly. "I was wondering who was so unethical. So it was you. That place is remote, with scorching sun and strong winds. Every ti my husband cos back, he gets darker, and his skin gets worse day by day. So, you're the one who brought that research project there?"
Dong Xuebing chuckled awkwardly. "I didn't know your husband was involved."
Chen Ying complained, "It's not easy for us to et each other now."
"Alright, bla , bla . I'll talk to Professor Zhong and ask her to let your husband co back," Dong Xuebing said. "It's no problem."
Chen Ying hesitated a bit. "It's not necessary to bother."
"Not a bother at all," Dong Xuebing insisted.
"Then, I'll ask my husband first," Chen Ying said.
After dinner, Chen Ying took her phone to the bedroom and made a call. Ringing... answered. "Hello, honey, where are you? Are you coming back this week?"
The man on the other end said, "I probably won't be coming back."
Chen Ying frowned. "Why are you so busy?"
"Got a lot on my plate. I'll head back next week," her husband said.
"I see," Chen Ying paused. "Today, I t an old classmate from elentary school. It seems like he was the one who arranged the project you're involved with in Zhenshui County. Your team leader, Professor Zhong, is also related to his wife's family. Do you know about this?"
The man was stunned. "What's his na?"
"His na is Dong Xuebing," Chen Ying replied.
"Dong Xuebing, the forr Deputy County Mayor of Zhenshui County," the man said. "We had dinner together when I first arrived."
"Yeah, we're talking about him now. My classmate said if you want to transfer back to Beijing, he can help you contact Professor Zhong," Chen Ying said.
"That's not appropriate," the man said.
"I feel it's nothing major," Chen Ying said.
"Returning would be ideal mainly because I can't contribute much here regarding research. I'm just handling so basic computing issues. Anyone could do it; my expertise isn't being utilized. In Beijing, Professor Zhong has several more suitable projects for , and I prefer them too—things like electronic pulses, which align with my background," the man explained.
Chen Ying blinked. "I'll speak to him for you."
After pondering for a mont, the man said, "If it's not too much trouble, sure."
After the call, Chen Ying said, "Xuebing, I'm counting on you for this."
"Alright," Dong Xuebing asked, "What position does your husband hold now?"
"He's currently a deputy director," Chen Ying said. "His na is Zhang Bin."
Dong Xuebing nodded and picked up the phone and dialed Zhong Lizhen without further ado. She eventually picked up after a prolonged wait, and Dong Xuebing greeted, "Hello, Professor Zhong."
Zhong Lizhen responded flatly, "What's the matter?"
Dong Xuebing chuckled, "Just a little sothing. How are you?"
"Eating," Zhong Lizhen's tone was sharp, as always.
"Oh, what are you having? Busy with so socializing outside?" Dong Xuebing asked.
"At ho, eating instant noodles. I never socialize. You've known long enough to know that," Zhong Lizhen replied.
Dong Xuebing chuckled awkwardly, "You shouldn't always eat instant noodles. Find so ti to have sothing nutritious. Research can wait; I don't want to see you exhausted." Knowing Zhong Lizhen's workaholic nature, Dong Xuebing knew better than to push further.
"I'm busy. Get to the point," Zhong Lizhen said curtly.
"Alright, I have a friend nad Zhang Bin under your supervision. You should know him," Dong Xuebing said. "He's currently involved in research in Zhenshui County. Can you consider transferring him back to Beijing and arranging him in a research group? Zhang Bin recently got married; his wife is my elentary school classmate. Though Zhang Bin wants to stay put, his wife has complained to a lot. They haven't even had children yet and barely see each other once in a month. Naturally, his wife is unhappy. What do you say?" Dong Xuebing subtly tailored his words. He knew when to say what and understood Zhong Lizhen's preferences, so he didn't ntion that Zhang Bin wanted the transfer but instead implied that it was his wife's desire for the couple to reunite.
That's the art of language.
The sa situation, expressed slightly differently, yields vastly different results.
Zhong Lizhen fell silent for a mont. "Why do you always complicate things? Last ti, I helped you secure the site in Zhenshui County, and you just left after claiming credit. Now you're asking to pull strings again. You know I hate these personal favors."
Dong Xuebing disapprovingly said, 'Look at you, making it sound serious again. It's because Director Zhang's spouse ca to in tears, and he's my old classmate. I can't just ignore it. Besides, our institute should have a humane side, too. Keeping a couple separated long-term is just not humane. It also affects Director Zhang's work ntality. I suggest finding an unmarried comrade to replace Comrade Zhang Bin.'"
Silence followed.
"Professor Zhong?"
"This is the last ti."
"Alright, alright, the last ti."
"Before next week, I'll arrange for him to return. That's it, goodbye."
"Alright, thank you so much, Professor Zhong. I'll..." Before he could finish, Zhong Lizhen had already hung up. Dong Xuebing coughed awkwardly, seeing Chen Ying still watching. He couldn't afford to lose face, especially after boasting earlier. Being hung up on was embarrassing. Even though he heard the line disconnecting, he continued with a feigned casual tone, "Alright then, I'll treat you to dinner soti. Well, alright, you're busy. I'll hang up now."
He finally put down his phone.
n, sotis had to save face.
Losing face before anyone was bad enough, let alone in front of a female comrade, especially an old classmate.
Chen Ying imdiately asked, "How did it go? Did it work out?"
"It's done," Dong Xuebing flopped onto the sofa. "Professor Zhong said she'll arrange for your husband to return to Beijing before next week."
Chen Ying was delighted. "Oh, thank you so much!"
"It's nothing, really," Dong Xuebing waved it off.
"I'll call my husband right away and tell him," Chen Ying said happily, indicating their strong relationship.
When she returned, Chen Ying said, "I don't know how to thank you enough. It's been quite a day. I always need your help with company matters, and now my husband's affairs, sigh." Chen Ying ran her hand through her hair and looked at him. "Tell , how can I help you in return?"
"No need, we're classmates. It's what I should do," Dong Xuebing said.
"I just feel it's not quite right. I owe you too much," Chen Ying sighed.
Dong Xuebing chuckled, "Then sign an autograph for . You're a big star now."
Chen Ying smiled and asked, "Where should I sign?"
"Sign on my shirt. Hehe, from now on, I'll be your fan," Dong Xuebing pointed to his shirt. "After you sign, I won't wash it."
Chen Ying giggled as she happily signed his shirt collar. But after finishing, she unexpectedly kissed Dong Xuebing's collar, leaving a lipstick mark. "There."
Dong Xuebing felt his neck tickle as if his lips had touched his warm and tender skin.
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