Mr. Tang's invitation

The newspaper office was exceptionally busy today. Piles of mail filled the meeting room to the brim, and the phone kept ringing. Everyone in the office felt like they were about to be split in two. There were urgent reprints and on-site interviews. The last time we were this busy was when Mr. Sun Yat-sen's remains were moved to Nanjing.

He Qingcheng frowned, holding the phone between her shoulder and arm. One hand frantically jotted down newly arrived telegrams on paper, while the other searched for documents. Qingcheng was furious at the news from the front lines and slammed down the phone, the loud noise instantly drowned out by the surrounding din.

Those despicable warlords only know how to fight amongst themselves. No wonder the international community looks down on us. Look at their cowardly behavior towards the outside world! My current feelings are just as Mr. Lu Xun said: I am angry at their misfortune and saddened by their lack of resistance.

Every war brings misfortune to ordinary people. Their land is seized, their homes destroyed, and large numbers of refugees are forced to migrate south. It is said that the area outside Beiping (Beijing) is filled with starving people fleeing from Northeast China. Moreover, the Yellow River floods and Shandong suffers from drought. The war makes the already difficult lives even more difficult. With the end of the year fast approaching, what are they going to do?

Before the layout was even finished, Sister Zhao urged Qingcheng to sort and send out the readers' letters, as guests were coming to see Boss Shi later and the meeting room needed to be cleared out.

"Ugh, you're driving me crazy!" Qingcheng wailed, clutching her head, but resigned herself to her fate and ran to the conference room. There, she and a few other colleagues packed up the letters from the great writers by pen name. Except for Mr. Lu Xun, who had a special request, they kept all of them. For the other writers, they just picked out the letters containing personal attacks and threw them away.

From upstairs, the postman could be seen waiting downstairs with his tricycle. In the newspaper office, there was no distinction between men and women. Qingcheng rolled up her sleeves, took a deep breath, and lifted the 40-pound sack, carrying it downstairs to mail it.

The sack was taller than her; she would have definitely tripped if she hadn't been familiar with the area, but she was used to it and it didn't bother her. When it arrived at the door, the postman kindly helped her carry it. Qingcheng, panting, bent over and pointed at the sack, saying, "This one's for 15 Danshui Road, this one's for..."

"Miss He, you're quite strong." The teasing voice sounded strangely familiar. Qingcheng looked up along the green pants, then closed her eyes in annoyance. How could she have confused the military uniform with the mailman's uniform? The mailman's uniform was clearly greener.

However, she gets angry whenever she sees someone in military uniform and has no desire to acknowledge Gao Junxiao. This man keeps showing up at the newspaper office every few days, making everyone there think he's their boyfriend. Is the anti-banditry office really that empty?

"Miss He, aren't you hungry? Why don't you come eat with me?" Gao Junxiao took off his sunglasses, revealing a sincere smile.

"I'm busy." Qingcheng turned to go upstairs, but was suddenly stopped by Gao Junxiao.

"Then I'll come pick you up tonight," Gao Junxiao asked persistently.

“No need, I’ve already ordered a car.” Kiyosumi shook off the man’s grasp and coldly warned, “Also, in broad daylight, please be mindful of the impact, Inspector Gao. If you continue to be rude, I will call the police.”

Secretary Zhao, who had just come downstairs, quickly bowed to Gao Junxiao with a smile: "Supervisor Gao, I'm sorry, our Editor He is extremely busy today and probably can't accompany you. How about we arrange to meet her again in a few days?"

"Sister Zhao! Why be so polite to him? He can't even do his job properly." Qingcheng interrupted directly, not giving Gao Junxiao any chance to speak.

Sister Zhao pulled Qingcheng's arm and whispered, "Oh, my dear young lady, don't take your anger out on them. It's those old warlords who are the ones who are causing trouble for the people during the war."

Gao Junxiao's military uniform stood out in the crowd, and his colleagues began to whisper about the two of them. Seeing that the two of them blocking the doorway was not going to work, Qingcheng gave Gao Junxiao a look, led him to a small alley, cleared her throat and said, "I'm sorry, I'm in a bad mood today and took it out on you. I'm very sorry."

"I accept the apology." Gao Junxiao said with his hands behind his back, showing no displeasure whatsoever.

"However, let's keep things separate. I already made it very clear to you at the dock last time that you should find someone else. I have no plans to get married anytime soon." Qingcheng had no choice but to repeat what she had said that day.

“I know.” Gao Junxiao nodded.

"Then why are you still bothering me? Let's go, I'm swamped with work." Qingcheng directly dismissed him.

Gao Junxiao suddenly changed the subject: "You told Harvey last time that I was your fiancé."

"I was just making things up, to make him give up and come back to China." Qingcheng laughed in exasperation; this man was just being unreasonable.

She couldn't explain to Gao Junxiao that Harvey only became interested in China through her, and that her image represented the image of women in the motherland to Harvey. She could only play the role of a happy woman who had found true love, fulfilling Harvey's fairytale fantasy as a knight.

"Although you usually tell half the truth and half the lies, if you dare to say it, I dare to believe it," Gao Junxiao calmly revealed his true feelings.

"Are you crazy? I'm not the virtuous young lady you imagine." Qingcheng's tone softened. "Besides, I've already taken advantage of you so much, please give up."

“No, I promised Harvey I would take good care of you before I left. A gentleman’s word is his bond.” Gao Junxiao refused decisively.

"Ha, why should I pay for your self-indulgent sentimentality? Stop being so wishful thinking," Qingcheng retorted bluntly.

"I don't think I'm just being wishful," Gao Junxiao said confidently.

Good heavens, what sins did she commit in her past life? Why are all her suitors such lunatics? She finally managed to send the obsessive Harvey back to France, and now she's being pestered by this guy.

"Sir, what do you like about me? I'll change it, okay?" Qingcheng felt powerless, like hitting cotton, and could only try to persuade him gently.

"I don't know. Everything's fine. Especially today, it feels so real." Gao Junxiao looked Qingcheng over carefully, and just as he was about to pat Qingcheng's head, he was slapped away.

Suddenly, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky. Qingcheng was caught off guard and pulled into Gao Junxiao's arms. Only then did she realize that someone was watering the flowers. She scolded him irritably, "Don't you have eyes in broad daylight? Didn't you see someone down there?"

As a result, the person who was watering the flowers slammed the window shut without any remorse. Qingcheng was immediately filled with anger and pretended to climb up to the window to argue with him, but Gao Junxiao grabbed her around the waist and persuaded her to calm down.

Just then, Sister Zhao walked into the alleyway carrying a paper-wrapped pancake: "Editor He, we have to sign a contract with Miss Li at 1:30 this afternoon, have a few bites first..."

Time seemed to stand still. Sister Zhao turned away, her face full of embarrassment, and said, "I'm sorry to have disturbed you. Please continue."

After Sister Zhao finished speaking, she hurriedly left. Only then did Qingcheng notice the ambiguous posture of the two. In the struggle, she stomped hard on the man's foot. Taking advantage of Gao Junxiao's pain and release, she sternly warned, "Don't do it again, or I won't be polite to you."

"You've got real strength! How do you plan to go all out? I'd like to see for myself." Gao Junxiao twisted his ankle and asked with interest.

"You..." Qingcheng was about to retort when suddenly a strange halo of light refracted from the window behind Gao Junxiao. That spot was directly opposite her office, while the other windows were completely covered, as if no one had lived there for a long time.

This is bad! She stopped arguing with Gao Junxiao and ran back to her office, locking the door behind her. She mentally calculated the angle of the window she'd just seen, and her hand instinctively pulled open the drawer in front of her, pulling out a makeup mirror.

Before she could check what was happening behind her, there was a knock on the door. Kiyosumi immediately stuffed the mirror back in and closed the drawer.

"Editor He, Boss Shi wants you to go to the conference room for a meeting," Sister Zhao said from outside the door.

"Okay, I'll be right there." Qingcheng let out a long sigh and patted her cheeks. She also needed to talk to her boss about something.

In the conference room, waiting for her were not only her boss but also two other men. One was a middle-aged man dressed in a Chinese-style long gown and mandarin jacket, who was none other than Mr. Tang Bangtang, a wealthy man from Shanghai. The other was her nemesis, Gao Junxiao. How dare this bastard barge into her room?

"Mr. Shi, you were looking for me?" Qingcheng pretended not to see Gao Junxiao and stood next to her boss with a smile.

"Qingcheng, you've come at the right time. Let me introduce you. This is my good friend, Mr. Tang Bang." Mr. Shi's recommendation of such a big shot made Qingcheng feel flattered. Was he going to ask her to do an exclusive interview with Mr. Tang?

"Mr. Tang, hello. I'm editor He Qingcheng." He Qingcheng politely extended his hand, and Tang Bang, being a seasoned businessman, didn't put on any airs and immediately shook hands with her.

"I won't introduce the other Inspector Gao; you're all familiar with him." Mr. Shi's eyes held a knowing look. "When you attend the wedding, remember to bring me an invitation; I'll definitely give you a big red envelope."

"Oh, so you're a couple about to get married. Then I've come to the right place today." Mr. Tang said, exchanging a glance with Mr. Shi.

Mr. Shi immediately made his intentions clear: "Today, it wasn't me who came to see you, but Mr. Tang. Oh, it's all about his precious daughter, isn't it?"

"Old Shi, what are you saying? I'm actually here to apologize for my daughter, but you've made it sound like I'm here to interrogate you," Mr. Tang said with a nonchalant reproach.

Everyone had to engage in feigned politeness at first, but Qingcheng inwardly scoffed. Instead of apologizing, she thought, "Why don't you discipline your unruly kids at home?" She glared resentfully at Gao Junxiao; if the boss hadn't been there, she would have already chased him away with a broom.

"Mr. Tang, you're too kind. I didn't really take it seriously anyway, let's just let this matter drop." Qingcheng remembered that Tang Manman hadn't come to work for a long time, and it would be best if she didn't come anymore, it was too much trouble.

"That's right, Miss Tang should go home and have a meal of bamboo shoots and roasted meat (and a beating), and then get her married soon." Although the joke about Tang Manman was a bit too much, Qingcheng felt that Mr. Shi would say anything against his conscience if he could get rid of that living ancestor, Tang Manman.

“She definitely needs to be disciplined; it’s the father’s fault for not raising her properly. As long as Miss He needs anything in the future, please feel free to come to me, and I will do my best to help.” Mr. Tang’s eyes revealed sincerity.

"Mr. Tang, you're really too kind. It was Miss Tang who made the mistake. It's already too much for you to apologize to me, a junior, on her behalf. I can't accept anything more," Qingcheng said politely.

"Old Tang, let's not change the subject, let's talk about business." Mr. Shi gave Tang Bang a push.

"Well then, I'll be hosting a big party at the end of the year, where my daughter will personally apologize to you. Please bring some friends from the arts and culture scene with you." Mr. Tang finally got down to business.

This must be Tang Bang's real purpose for coming today. He really is an old fox. That last report probably affected his family's business. By getting the media to report on both sides of the incident again, he can make the Tang family seem magnanimous and well-mannered, and at the same time, he can attract public attention and do some advertising. It's a win-win situation.

However, being able to ride on Tang Manman's coattails and borrow Tang Bang's big ship is a good deed for her.

Hehe! Why not take advantage of this windfall? Qingcheng was already planning to apply for donations to disaster-stricken areas, and Mr. Tang's arrival has solved a major problem for her. This banquet couldn't be more timely; it'll make those big compradors bleed a little.

Qingcheng then replied, "I love cocktail parties the most, but a cocktail party without a theme is no good. Since the Central Plains region has been severely affected by the disaster, why don't we hold a charity fundraising dinner and invite some big stars to attend? The main thing is to do good deeds and accumulate merit. Whether or not we apologize is secondary. What do you say, Mr. Tang?"

Tang Bang's eyes lit up when he heard the suggestion: "This charity gala is very interesting. Cultured people are different. I'll make the arrangements right away. We can also hold a ball. Miss He and Director Gao can come together."

"Hehe, not necessarily." Kiyosumi couldn't help but speak up in denial.

"Definitely, definitely, we'll be there on time." Gao Junxiao smiled and shook hands with Mr. Tang to express his gratitude.

"Oh, Miss He is so talented and beautiful, she's bound to be a star in the literary world. Governor Gao, you mustn't forbid your wife from writing in the future," Mr. Tang said, showering her with praise once again.

"How could I dare? From now on, she'll be in charge." Gao Junxiao shamelessly admitted it, and his shamelessness once again refreshed Qingcheng's understanding of this man.

"Everyone has misunderstood, Inspector Gao is not..." Kiyosumi was interrupted by his boss before he could finish speaking.

"Ahem, that's enough. It's settled then. I know a private restaurant that serves authentic Shanghainese cuisine. I'll take you there to try it later." Mr. Shi changed the subject, coughing a few times as a warning.

Qingcheng couldn't figure out what the boss meant, so he could only smile and watch the three of them leave the newspaper office.

"Remember to eat lunch even when I'm not here." Gao Junxiao muttered to Qingcheng before leaving. Qingcheng was indignant, but he was just showing concern for her, and if she made a scene, she would be ungrateful. So she nodded silently.

"Good girl, I like strong women." Gao Junxiao winked at Qingcheng.

Seeing his smug expression, Qingcheng was really angry. Taking advantage of his inattention, she stepped on the man's foot again. "Since you like him, I'll grant your wish." With a cold snort, she turned around and walked back to her office without looking back. She had to finish what she hadn't done earlier.

After closing the door, Qingcheng took out the mirror again. The window on the third floor opposite was too well covered, and the special refraction could not be seen from the front. She guessed that it was the refraction of a telescope or a sniper rifle scope. No matter what the result was, she was being watched.

It seems to be one of Xu Qiao's people again; they really are everywhere. If someone hadn't been watering the flowers, I would never have noticed with my limited experience. Now, the real problem is that Xu Qiao has completely targeted me. What should I do? I'll talk to my cousin later.