The Troubles of Male Celebrities
A gentle breeze blows, birds sing sweetly, and glistening dewdrops condense on the tips of the grass. Sunlight shines through the dewdrops, refracting them into a rainbow of colors. The streets are decorated with red and colorful decorations, creating a festive atmosphere. However, public sector employees no longer take a holiday for the Spring Festival.
Inside the conference room, Gao Junxiao sat in the main seat, with Chen Yao to his left and Deputy Regiment Commander An, sent by Staff Officer Tang, to his right. Behind them were several brigade commanders from various brigades, as well as the head of the General Affairs Department and several confidential secretaries, all eagerly watching the man in the main seat, waiting for him to speak.
"Gentlemen, we've been training for a thousand days to use our troops for one. Our anti-banditry office has been established for some time now, it's time to stretch our muscles and get some exercise." Gao Junxiao finished speaking and looked around at everyone's reactions.
Director Zhao of the General Affairs Department pushed up his glasses and silently opened his work notebook. From now on, the General Affairs Department will be the busiest. Everyone knows the principle that supplies must come before troops can move. How much military supplies, how many generators, how many vehicles are needed? If there are not enough, they have to coordinate with the Military Supplies Department. How much money to allocate from the Finance Department is also a matter of concern.
Several brigade commanders straightened their backs and pricked up their ears, waiting for Gao Junxiao to continue, since they didn't know which organization he was targeting. However, everyone's eyes were drawn to Director Zhao, guessing that since he was so serious, it seemed he was about to get serious.
"I've received intelligence that Chuansha is planning a big operation soon. Let's stretch our legs nearby without going too far." Hearing Gao Junxiao say that they were going to deal with Du Hanbin, who was the easiest target, the brigade commanders all showed relieved smiles, probably because they were finally able to relax.
Everyone knows this is a great opportunity to make a name for themselves. Du Hanbin is called a bandit, but he's really just a river pirate. We didn't dare to make things difficult for him before because of Mr. Du's influence, but now let him go and curry favor with the King of Hell.
Brigade Commander Zhang was the first to express his support, saying he would definitely cooperate fully this time and that if there were not enough men, he could add some new recruits. Faced with Brigade Commander Zhang's sudden fawning attitude, the brigade commanders who had previously been keeping quiet all rushed to say that if there were not enough men, they should just come to them for help.
Gao Junxiao maintained a polite smile as he watched them scrambling to get ahead. He chuckled to himself, thinking, "They're all shrewd and calculating. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were really into fighting bandits."
"Since everyone is so enthusiastic, then I, Gao, will not refuse. I will have Lieutenant Lu report the number of people you need later." Gao Junxiao bowed to his colleagues with a half-smile, then turned to An Fu beside him and asked, "Deputy Commander An, do you have any further guidance?"
"You're too kind. We'll follow Commander Gao's orders regarding the bandit suppression," An Fu said with an awkward smile, indicating he had no objections. Everyone knew he was just a figurehead; otherwise, someone of his rank wouldn't have been qualified to be present.
After exchanging pleasantries, Gao Junxiao asked Li Shaofu, the company commander of the reconnaissance company, to describe the terrain.
After a round of enthusiastic applause, Li Shaofu and a guard slowly unfolded a map on the shelf: "Chuansha has a low-lying terrain and a wide network of waterways, which is not conducive to the movement of large mobile forces. Therefore, we will all be dressed in civilian clothes and traveling light. In addition, we will use Sanzaobang as our base and then expand outwards..."
The meeting ended and it was already dark outside the window. Xu Xi called again to invite Chen Yao and Gao Junxiao to have Cantonese food at □ that night. Gao Junxiao had a good impression of Xu Xi's character and found it rare to meet such a generous and righteous younger brother.
Of course, it would also take the opportunity to annoy Xu Xi's spy boss, Xu Qiao, so why not? Don't think he knew nothing; a little investigation afterwards would reveal that those two troublemakers were both CC Clique agents, and the mastermind was obvious.
However, Gao Junxiao did not expect that Miss Song was also a cadre in the CC. This woman had a very bad falling out with Xu Qiao in order to be transferred back to the General Staff Headquarters in Nanjing. He was not worried that Xu Xi would be deceived by the woman, since Xu Xi was willing anyway. He was more worried about He Qingcheng. He could guess that the relationship between the two was unusual, let alone a big spy who could read people's expressions.
Xu Qiao's actions this time are most likely aimed at warning He Qingcheng, who was implicated by Song Licai. The silly girl is impulsive and might be led astray by Miss Song in a moment of rashness.
He needed to find an opportunity to subtly remind He Qingcheng before setting off to keep a proper distance from Song Li, lest he be used as a pawn while happily thinking he was helping someone else.
The Shanghai branch's restaurant is an ordinary two-story Chinese-style attic building with a decent number of tables and chairs. It's currently lunchtime, and the area in front of the building is bustling with people. The waiters are busy handing out bamboo number tags to customers waiting for a table.
Xu Xi had booked a private room long ago, and Gao and Chen were led into the room simply by giving their names. However, the young master Xu who was supposed to be hosting the dinner was nowhere to be seen.
Just as Gao Junxiao and Xu Xi were getting impatient, Xu Xi, dressed in a mandarin jacket, finally arrived with his arm around the shopkeeper's shoulder. His attire resembled that of a street performer playing the erhu. After he ordered the food, the shopkeeper left.
"Xu Baixi, are you playing the blind man playing the erhu today?" Chen Yao had the same thought as him.
Hearing Chen Yao's complaint, Xu Xi quickly took off his sunglasses and said with a bitter face, "No, those reporters blocked both the front and back doors. I was able to escape by changing clothes with the musicians."
At this moment, the waiter left with the tray of wine and dishes. Chen Yao smiled and set out the wine set: "Brother, you know the rules. No matter what the reason for being late, you have to punish yourself with three cups."
Xu Xi stood up and drank all three cups without any awkwardness, even turning the cup upside down to show that it was clean. His decisive action earned applause from the two older brothers. Only then did he sit down and ask, "The holiday is coming soon, what do you all want to do?"
“What holiday? People in Nanjing think the Spring Festival is a feudal holiday. All public departments only get New Year’s Day off, and no one is allowed to take the Spring Festival holiday.” Gao Junxiao explained and exchanged a wry smile with Chen Yao. He continued, “Even if we get a holiday, it won’t be for us. We’ve almost forgotten what a holiday is.”
"Speaking of this New Year's holiday, I really can't hold it in anymore. Even during the Beiyang period, we had a day off for the Spring Festival. Chinese people should eat New Year's Eve dinner, stay up late on New Year's Eve, set off fireworks, and have a lively celebration. Those politicians even only celebrate Christmas and still think they're celebrating the New Year. What are they pretending to be, these white devils?" Chen Yao complained, slamming his hand on the table.
"In the end, it wasn't just Principal Jiang who approved it. Come on, let's have a drink first." Xu Xi finished complaining and poured drinks for his two older brothers.
"Thank you, but I drove here and can't drink." Gao Junxiao decisively refused Xu Xi's request and poured himself another cup of tea.
Without a word, Chen Yao snatched the teacup and replaced it with a wine glass: "What a spoilsport! What are you guys drinking tea for? We'll find a designated driver later."
"Don't push Zexiu, safety first. Come on, I'll keep you company." Xu Xi clinked glasses with Chen Yao. "By the way, I'm going to Jingjing Ballroom tonight, do you guys want to come?"
"Any pretty girls you can introduce?" Chen Yao asked, blinking.
"Of course there are, I've heard there are quite a few. Shall we go?" Xu Xiye raised his eyebrows and answered with a smile.
"Go—" Chen Yao said, giving Xu Xi a tacit high-five.
"I'll pass, I have to do morning exercises tomorrow." Gao Junxiao refused calmly, and poured a cup of tea for each of them, pushing it in front of them, as both of them needed to cool down.
"Tch, you wouldn't go even if it wasn't for morning exercises, you have to keep yourself pure." Chen Yao, hooking up with Xu Xi, started taking advantage of Gao Junxiao again, "Qingcheng is pretty amazing, isn't she, brother-in-law?"
The dishes were served one after another. Gao Junxiao rubbed his forehead, too lazy to pay attention to Chen Yao. Xu Xi also slapped his forehead and said in a startled voice, "Sorry, I forgot. Your girl is not someone to be trifled with. If Qingcheng finds out that I took you to meet other girls, I'll be dead."
This almost made Gao Junxiao burst out laughing. This is too exaggerated. What kind of existence does He Qingcheng really have in your hearts? Actually, apart from being a little bold, a little curious, and a little unconventional, she is a very gentle girl at heart.
"Qingcheng is very beautiful, but she has never been in a relationship, and I have to teach her from scratch. Women like her are too troublesome for me," Xu Xi added, shaking his head.
"No, no, Qingcheng must have been in a relationship before. I've seen her interviews; she had a boyfriend she didn't end up with," Chen Yao said to Gao Junxiao deliberately.
"What's so strange about that? Every girl has a first love that ended without a trace," Gao Junxiao said dismissively. He was thinking about writing a thank-you letter to Qingcheng's ex-fiancé's family again.
"Hmm? Could it be that Qingcheng has a crush on someone and is too shy to admit it?" Xu Xi tilted his head and thought for a long time before saying to Gao Junxiao, "But Qingcheng isn't in a relationship yet. Bro, if you want to get a wife, you'll have to step up your game. Throw gifts and flowers at her until she's dizzy."
“Don’t listen to his playboy ways. Listen to me, give her your monthly salary, the key to the family’s secret stash, and everything else. Let her take charge of all the big and small things at home to give her a sense of security. Make her feel moved that there is such an honest man in the world,” Chen Yao said earnestly.
"Enough already, when will this end? Why are you all worrying about this? I think we're doing great," Gao Junxiao replied confidently.
"You answer me first, when was the last time you met?" Xu Xi asked in return.
Gao Junxiao said it was the day before yesterday.
"Did she call you yesterday?" Xu Xi asked again.
"I did call her the day before yesterday, but the newspaper doesn't give out annual leave, and she's been very busy lately. I've also been incredibly busy these past few days and haven't had time to call. I was hoping to go on another date, but our schedules just don't match up," Gao Junxiao said helplessly, explaining that they hadn't been able to contact each other.
Xu Xi gasped, gritting his teeth in exasperation, and said, "You two are in the honeymoon phase, aren't you? She's busy and doesn't contact you, and you're busy and don't contact her either. Men should take the initiative. Can't you even squeeze out two minutes for a phone call every day?"
“It’s ridiculous. Why set such quotas? If you have time, go out. If you don’t, just do your own thing,” Chen Yao replied to Gao Junxiao.
“Yeah, isn’t it normal to be busy with work?” Gao Junxiao replied, puzzled.
“I just discovered that you two have problems. You’re ignoring your sweethearts and getting absorbed in work. When are you going to finally get close to her? If you can hold back, I’ll respect you as a man.” Xu Xi closed his eyes and sighed. “Never mind, I’ll talk about myself. I like women who are worldly-wise and sensible.”
"Hahaha, why don't you just say you like mature women? They're beautiful, sensible, and you don't have to take responsibility." Chen Yao laughed without holding back.
"Go away, that's not what I meant." Xu Xi downed another glass of wine and said dejectedly, "Take those female fans for example, they like the Xu Xi on screen, not the Xu Xi I am."
"That's difficult. You'll have to change your appearance. If you're ugly, they won't like you," Chen Yao said helplessly, spreading his hands.
“It’s not a problem that can be solved by changing my attitude. What I want is for someone to understand me.” Xu Xi pouted and muttered like a child, “It’s not that there aren’t any, but the premise is that I have to be capable of marrying that person.”
"Are you talking about Miss Song?" Gao Junxiao saw through Xu Xi's thoughts. "Do you know what she does for a living?"
“I know, she was the head of the CC Telecommunications Department, my brother’s subordinate, and also my junior from school.” Xu Xi seemed lost in memories. “Her fiancé and younger brother were executed at Yuhuatai after April 12. She managed to save her life through connections, but was ostracized and sent to that godforsaken place where there is no light of day.”
"What? Miss Song is a spy? Wait a minute, could she be a member of the Whampoa Military Academy Women's Brigade?" Chen Yao asked, his face full of surprise. In contrast, Gao Junxiao's face remained completely calm.
“Yes, she studied at the Wuhan branch of Huangpu University, where she has relatives. She stayed with her relatives before taking the selection exam,” Xu Xi said.
So this is where their paths crossed. Gao Junxiao raised an eyebrow and accepted the information, but then, thinking of Xu Qiao, he felt a pang of anxiety and asked, "Have you told your older brother about Miss Song staying here?"
Seeing Xu Xi firmly shake his head, Gao Junxiao reminded him, "If you want to help Miss Song get out of CC, you must not share what she told you in private with your older brother and the women around him. You have to keep this to yourself from now on."
"Wow, bro, do you have some kind of precognitive ability?" Xu Xi realized his slip of the tongue and covered his mouth as he said, "You all know that being a spy has a terrible reputation. People say it's like being a pig or dog doing dirty and filthy work. I'm determined to help her leave that filthy place and stand openly in the sunlight."
“Men just love rescuing prostitutes, hehe, Bai Xi, you’re no exception. Let’s have a drink.” Chen Yao teased, raising his glass. “Look at all your partners, each one has a unique skill. I’m much simpler; I just want to find a good girl I can talk to, someone healthy and decent enough to settle down with.”
Gao Junxiao knew without looking that Chen Yao was currently wallowing in self-pity. His request was actually the simplest, but also the most difficult to fulfill in the short term. He patted Chen Yao reassuringly and said, "I wish you a speedy escape from your misery and a good match with this tea instead of wine."
“Absolutely. We’ve waited this long, a few more years won’t make a difference.” Chen Yao raised his voice and clinked glasses with Gao Junxiao.
"Sigh~ That's why finding a wife is a skill, and you also need excellent luck. It seems that eldest brother has the best luck right now." Xu Xi suppressed a laugh and clinked glasses with the two men.
“Since you’re already calling me ‘Big Brother,’ why don’t you just acknowledge me as your second brother too?” Chen Yao downed his drink.
"Then why don't the three of us become sworn brothers?" Xu Xi's suggestion was met with unanimous approval from the three.
Standing on the stairs, Kiyosumi's nose kept itching. Finally, she couldn't help but sneeze. She rubbed her still itchy nose and wondered what was going on. Had she caught a cold?
But when she looked up, she was completely stunned. In the private room that the waiter had opened when he brought the food, three familiar men were arguing and laughing. She rushed into her own private room as if she were flying, and closed the door behind her.
Qingcheng stood blankly in front of the door, her heart pounding so hard she could hardly breathe. She said to Song Li, who was studying blueprints at the table, "Xu Xi, Chen Yao, and Gao Junxiao are eating in the room across the street."
Song Li paused for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table: "It's okay, they can come to eat, you can come too. The Cantonese food here is very authentic, almost the same as the original restaurant I ate at in Guangzhou."
"It's not that you don't understand him, sis. You can eat slowly, I'm full. See you at 10 pm at 24 Ferguson Road." Qingcheng hurriedly put on her coat and ran out of the private room.
Xu Xi was sitting in a spot that offered a clear view of the stairs. As he looked up, he saw a familiar figure leaving the restaurant. Before he could think about it, he was quickly brought back to his senses by the cheerful laughter in front of him. He glanced at his two older brothers, who seemed oblivious to his presence. He decided to continue eating.
Under the dim streetlights, Qingcheng walked through the familiar streets, then found a secluded phone booth and dialed Wu's Car Rental. After a few busy tones, a familiar male voice answered from the other end. Qingcheng said, "Manager Liu, I would like to temporarily book a rickshaw with Master Qin."
Manager Liu quickly realized this was a pre-arranged code: "Oh! A tricycle, with or without a canopy?"
"It's best to bring one, I'm afraid it will rain," Kiyosumi replied.
"Okay, what about the time and place?" Manager Liu asked again.
"Meet me at the intersection of Rue Ferguson and Rue Joffre in the French Concession at 9 p.m. tonight," Kiyosumi replied, glancing at her watch.
Shopkeeper Liu hummed in agreement. There was a sudden silence on the other end of the phone. After a while, Shopkeeper Liu came back and said, "...I'm sorry, Miss, Master Qin just left. I'll find someone else for you."
“Okay, we’ll be traveling at night, so find me a driver with good eyesight.” Qingcheng readily agreed, as she had only booked the car at the last minute.
"No problem, our drivers all have good eyesight, but our master needs a little extra tip for working the night shift. It doesn't have to be much, just half a cigarette will do. He's a heavy smoker and always has a cigarette in his mouth," Manager Liu explained carefully.
Qingcheng silently memorized Liu's description: to find a driver who smokes a cigarette that night, and the token of their meeting is half a cigarette.
"Yes, I'll prepare. By the way, do you have any tiny Kara girls? If so, could you bring one for me?" Qingcheng suddenly remembered something.
"Miss Kara, the size of a palm, what is that?" Manager Liu seemed not to understand what it was, and there was another silence. He probably went to ask the people around him. Soon he replied, "...Yes, yes, I'll have my master take it for you."
After hanging up the phone, Qingcheng stepped out of the phone booth. She needed to prepare herself for her nighttime visit to Xu Xi's Western-style mansion.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
