0011 14 “Whether I’m qualified or not is up to me. Come sit here.”
"May I have your name?"
On the way, Zhou Xiye asked the college student in the passenger seat that she usually only called college students "Xiao Li" at work, and didn't know their real names.
"Li Xiaocen".
Zhou Xiye nodded. "Can I drink alcohol?"
"It's alright..." Her voice was extremely soft, after all, she was a girl. It's not that girls can't drink, but girls aren't as obsessed with alcohol as men are, drinking until they vomit, or being so fixated on drinking a lot to show their masculinity.
Zhou Xiye hates socializing, but she has no choice because her boss is a man, and the system is a typical patriarchal society.
"During the meeting later, you'll sit behind me and take notes. You also have a social engagement tonight... Have you been to any of those engagements before?"
Li Xiaocen shook her head, and Zhou Xiye regretted bringing her out.
The car entered the municipal party committee compound, and the two got out and went into the municipal party committee building. The guards at the gate knew they were there for a meeting, so they didn't register them but simply led them to the elevator. There were also two other people waiting for the elevator at the entrance.
"It's the director of the Shijiazhuang Liaison Office in Beijing." Zhou Xiye smiled at the man, extended his hand, and shook it gently. "Zhou Xiye, director of the Xiangtan Liaison Office in Beijing."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Zhang He, director of the Shijiazhuang Liaison Office in Beijing. I heard you were coming a couple of days ago, but we haven't met yet. I've run into you today."
Zhou Xiye smiled, and the elevator doors opened as the two of them stepped inside together.
"Director Zhou has reached this position at such a young age; he must be a very talented person."
Once Director Zhang started talking, Zhou Xiye just smiled calmly and said, "Director Zhang, that's too kind. There are talented people everywhere in Beijing and around the capital. I don't deserve such praise."
"Where is Director Zhou from?"
"Northerner."
The elevator arrived at the floor in a few words. Zhou Xiye asked Zhang He to go out first. Although they were officials of the same rank, there was still a subtle hierarchy of contempt depending on the location. At least in cities near the capital, there was a ranking.
Zhang He and Zhou Xiye entered the conference hall, where only Li Qingshan was pouring tea. He greeted them with a smile. After all, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen are all first-tier cities, and their status is more prestigious than theirs. Shenyang is an old industrial city with a developed military industry. Even though it has been less favored by the central government in recent years due to partisan struggles, it still has the confidence to be proud.
Zhou Xiye chose a seat at the back, leaving the front row for others.
Zhang He was also self-aware; the director of the Qingdao Liaison Office in Beijing was about the same as him, and both of them were slightly stronger economically than Xiangtan.
Soon, Wang Renjian, director of the Qingdao Liaison Office in Beijing, arrived. After greeting Zhou Xiye, he asked, "Are you my junior? I see you're also from Tsinghua University."
Zhou Xiye smiled and nodded, "Yes."
"I've seen your resume, you're the secretary to the mayor of Shenyang... So you'll get to know Old Xing who's coming later, Xing Zhigang."
Zhou Xiye smiled and nodded, "Yes, when I was the mayor's secretary, he worked at the Municipal People's Congress."
When Zhang He heard her say that, a different meaning appeared in her eyes. "Director Zhou, where in the north are you from? I'm a local from Shijiazhuang."
"I'm from Shanxi, specifically Datong."
Zhou Xiye had no choice but to mention his hometown. As soon as he finished speaking, the director of the Taiyuan Liaison Office in Beijing walked in, laughing heartily, "Director Zhou, you really are from the same hometown as me!"
Director Zhang, Director Wang, and Zhou Xiye all stood up at the same time. This director of the Taiyuan Liaison Office in Beijing was no ordinary person. He entered politics at the age of forty and had risen from the local level to the central government in less than ten years. Hearing that he would be promoted to the central government at the Second National Congress of the Communist Party of China next year, and now that they were colleagues, they had to flatter him.
The four men sat down, followed by the directors of the Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen liaison offices in Beijing. They sat near Ling Xingzhi's seat at the conference table, each accompanied by three or four assistants. Compared to them, Zhou Xiye looked quite poor.
The difference in rank between the two directors of Beijing offices is immediately apparent. However, Shanghai's director is the highest-ranking, equivalent to a provincial-level director of a Beijing office, a department-level cadre, while the others are all at the municipal level. The difference in status is significant.
At 4:20, when it was time for the meeting, Ling Xingzhi walked into the meeting room on time with a teacup in his hand.
Seeing him in a suit, carrying a teacup, with his secretary holding a briefcase, Zhou Xiye couldn't help but laugh. Ling Xingzhi in bed was nothing like this—so refined and gentle, his eyes always brimming with smiles. Ling Xingzhi walked to the head of the table, put down his teacup, and met Zhou Xiye's gaze.
His smile widened. "Director Zhou, why are you sitting so far back, a girl like you? Come, move forward and sit next to me."
Everyone frowned upon hearing this. Although relationships within the system are complex and intricate, it's rare to see someone so openly sitting next to you. If word got out, it would definitely draw criticism.
Zhou Xiye stood up and nodded to Ling Xingzhi. "Secretary Ling, are you putting me in a difficult position? I've only just taken office; how could I possibly be qualified to sit next to you?"
She gave a dry laugh.
Ling Xingzhi sat down, tapping his fingers on the table, squinting and raising his lips. Chen Ran placed the materials in front of Ling Xingzhi, then sat down in the chair behind him.
"Whether I'm qualified or not is up to me. Come sit here."
These words carried a hint of pressure, and the people present remained silent, either looking down at the documents on the table or drinking water from their cups.
Zhou Xiye didn't refuse. She took her cup, drank her documents, and walked over to Ling Xingzhi's side. The director of the Shanghai Municipal Government's Beijing Office stood up and made room for her. Who was Ling Xingzhi? He was the Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee, several ranks higher than them. They were people they rarely saw at meetings. It wasn't a big deal that Zhou Xiye was just asking to sit next to him.
However, the question of Zhou Xiye's identity and background stirred something within them. Was Director Zhou someone close to Secretary Ling, or did the two have a grudge?
Zhou Xiye sat down openly, and Ling Xingzhi's gaze did not fall on her. He looked around at everyone present and said, "The reason I called everyone here for this meeting is to discuss two things. One is to understand the situation of sports venues in various places, and the other is the construction around the sports venues."
The central government's intention to host the World Cup is a good opportunity to boost the economy, showcase the strength of a major power, and enhance the reputation of each city.
Apart from Xiangtan, all the other directors of the Beijing liaison offices present have the capability to build stadiums, so Zhou Xiye's appearance seems quite abrupt.
"Of course, there are more northern cities. It's not that we're not giving southern cities a chance, but this event is definitely going to be held in cities around Beijing, mainly because the climate is suitable."
Ling Xingzhi looked at the people present and smiled, "The reason I came to you first and didn't report to the higher-ups is because this matter hasn't been decided yet. The central government has this intention, but what to do and whether there are the conditions are all up to you to fight for."
The meaning is quite clear: the higher-ups want to proceed, but haven't received formal approval yet, so holding a meeting with the mayor is against protocol. However, these directors of Beijing offices can contact the secretaries of provincial governors and mayors to relay information. Most importantly, with the military parade approaching, provincial governors and mayors from all over the country will be coming to Beijing, and as their reception staff, they will inevitably meet and have lengthy conversations.
The fact that the municipal party secretary personally convened the meeting shows that he is confident about hosting the World Cup.
The meeting lasted one hour and twenty minutes. Ling Xingzhi learned a lot, and Chen Ran behind him was typing away at lightning speed.
Before the meeting adjourned, Ling Xingzhi said he had prepared a meal to treat them, and the group had already made preparations.
The drivers stopped in front of the municipal party committee building. Ling Xingzhi acted as if he didn't see Zhou Xiye. He got in the car first, followed by the director of the Shanghai Liaison Office in Beijing, then Guangzhou. Zhou Xiye was the last person to get in the car.
The dinner was arranged in a secluded alley. The car only stopped at the entrance of the alley, and everyone had to get out and walk for ten minutes to reach the restaurant. During that ten-minute walk, lights shone along the cracks in the walls, creating an elegant and tranquil atmosphere.
The vermilion gate opened, and Zhou Xiye walked in. As soon as he entered, he heard the sound of rushing water. Turning his head, he saw a rockery on his right, with water flowing down from it. Not far away, a pavilion stood behind the rockery.
Zhou Xiye turned his head and looked in front of him. He walked past a large jade screen and corridor, and finally entered the center of the hotel.
After everyone sat down, the seat next to Ling Xingzhi became empty. Zhou Xiye paused, and the director of the Shanghai Liaison Office in Beijing smiled and said to Zhou Xiye, "Come on, Director Ling has been waiting for you for a long time."
Zhou Xiye walked over, took off his coat, and sat down to Ling Xingzhi's right.
At the dinner party, amidst the clinking of glasses, people from different places talked about interesting things from their respective regions. Ling Xingzhi remained silent, drinking and watching them talk with a smile.
Zhou Xiye would occasionally chime in with a few words.
“This toast is for Xiao Zhou,” said Xing Zhigang, director of the Shenyang Liaison Office in Beijing, standing up with a slightly flushed face and a glass in his hand. “Back when I was in the Municipal People’s Congress, Xiao Zhou took good care of me. Now, I’m offering this toast! A belated toast!”
Before Zhou Xiye could refuse, Xing Zhigang had already finished his drink. Zhou Xiye had no choice but to stand up, pour himself a glass of wine, and down it in return.
“I’ve met this child before. When he first came to Shenyang, he didn’t know anything…”
Whether it was from drinking too much or from taking advantage of his age over Zhou Xiye, Xing Zhigang actually started talking about her past, saying, "She was too idealistic. Look how good she is now. But reality still has to wear her down!"
After saying that, the group looked at each other and laughed.
Zhou Xiye lowered his eyes and then looked at Xing Zhigang. "Director Xing, you haven't changed at all after all these years. No wonder Mayor Chen told me that I must not embarrass myself in front of you, otherwise you will remember it better than anyone else."
Xing Zhigang paused, his expression panicking for a moment, then smiled and said, "Little Zhou..."
Zhou Xiye didn't think she should be lectured just because she was young. He wasn't her elder; they were at the same level. Besides, Xing Zhigang's official position was almost at its limit. It was really unnecessary for him to act as Zhou Xiye's senior and put her down on this occasion.
"Director Xing, you were at the Municipal People's Congress when I was the mayor's secretary, right? I remember the first time you delivered documents to me, it was a sweltering day, and you were covered in sweat. Shenyang is a northern city, but it's still hot. I felt bad for troubling you to deliver documents to me..."
She followed Xing Zhigang's recollections and spoke her own words. The meaning behind her words was clear: even back in Shenyang, she was a more capable person than him.
Xing Zhigang understood the implication, and the others also realized that they couldn't belittle her just because she was a woman, a young woman, especially since a high-ranking leader was sitting next to her.
Everyone's laughing at us.
Ling Xingzhi did not express his opinion, but leaned back in his chair and ate his food with chopsticks in his hand.
Zhou Xiye sighed, "That's all in the past, Director Xing, I have to toast you..." He poured himself a small glass of wine, tilted his head back and drank it down. Xing Zhigang drank another glass, his face turning as red as a pig's liver.
In the latter half of the meal, after Ling Xingzhi had eaten his fill, he chatted and idly with them.
Zhou Xiye stood up and, using the excuse of going to the restroom, lit a cigarette in the corridor.
The bright moonlight shone through the openwork gaps in the corridor doors, and the distant sounds of water and the scent of grass were enchanting and serene.
Footsteps sounded; the corridor was long in the night, and the echoes of the footsteps carried a sense of tranquility.
Zhou Xiye had a cigarette between his fingers. He turned his head and saw Ling Xingzhi.
He walked to her side, took the remaining half of the cigarette from her hand, and put it in his mouth. Zhou Xiye looked at him calmly, and the next second, Ling Xingzhi reached out and untied her hair.
The fragrance from his hair wafted towards him, and Ling Xingzhi exhaled a puff of smoke, squinting his eyes as if he were enjoying it.
Neither of them spoke; the sound of flowing water filled the silent space.
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