Chapter 106: Zhao Xinghua

Chapter 106: Zhao Xinghua

Ying was driving, taking Tao Taozi along the way to the television station to pick up Tao’s husband, Xinghua.

“Sis Tao, what’s your husband’s surname?”

“It’s Zhao. Zhao Xinghua.”

“What does he do at the TV station?”

Feng Shuya asked casually.

“He’s on the news interview team.”

“Oh, he must be the team leader,” Feng Shuya said knowingly. She had already heard that Tao Shi’s son-in-law held a minor official position at the station. Zhao Xinghua was also a countryside boy who entered the TV station after graduating from university.

The car soon arrived at the television station. Zhao Xinghua was waiting outside the building. He was tall and slender, wearing glasses, with a scholarly air about him. The car stopped beside him, and he looked at the beautiful driver with some surprise.

Le’er got out of the car.

“Brother-in-law, please get in.”

“Are you… Sha Le’er?”

“You don’t recognize me, brother-in-law, but I know you,” Le’er said with a warm smile. “I’m good friends with Qiangzai and have seen you at his house.”

“Oh…”

Xinghua got in, sitting next to his wife Taozi. Taozi looked at her husband gently but said nothing. The two shared a tacit understanding, able to grasp each other’s thoughts without speaking.

“Taozi, why didn’t you invite Le’er and the others to come to our place?”

“Ah… brother-in-law, I had to persuade my eldest sister for a long time,” Le’er quickly interrupted Zhao Xinghua. “Let me introduce you. The driver here is my sister, Li Ying. Next to her is Director Feng Shuya, the village chief of Tao Sha village now.”

“Oh…”

Xinghua looked at Li Ying and Feng Shuya in surprise. He had heard about Feng Shuya over a month ago. A university graduate who had come to serve as a village official was indeed something new.

Zhao Xinghua smiled. “I’ve heard you’re working on a poverty alleviation project. I was just thinking of doing an interview. What a coincidence meeting today.”

Following Feng Shuya’s direction, Li Ying drove to the Jin Kai Grand Hotel. It seemed Le’er was about to spend big today. Feng Shuya was pleased but kept her expression calm and composed.

This poverty alleviation project definitely needed publicity and would certainly get it. If the TV station didn’t take the initiative, her father, Secretary Feng, would plan it anyway. However, it was necessary first to have a solid appearance at Sha Le’er and Li Ying’s breeding base before proceeding. Why did Feng Shuya come down to serve as a village official? To create a splash and rise swiftly in her political career. Otherwise, she could have worked at the county committee office for three to five years and earned a deputy section chief title, but further promotion required other opportunities.

There were truly two paths to a brilliant political career. The first was to start from the grassroots, building capability and achievements while having the right patronage; this path was more stable. The second was to begin at a high-level post in provincial or central government organs, with backing to climb quickly, then go down to gain field experience. Those with real ability could also rise swiftly this way.

Feng Shuya chose to start from the grassroots. As long as this poverty alleviation project was successful and well-publicized, she would instantly become a political rising star, making her path smooth.

Still, she didn’t dare rush the media. Taking the opportunity to visit the restroom, her father called her. When she returned, her expression was even calmer. By then, Le’er was happily chatting with Taozi and Zhao Xinghua.

Li Ying sat nearby sipping tea, smiling warmly at the conversation.

“Sis, we came today to ask a favor from you.”

“What favor, Le’er?” Taozi asked kindly.

Le’er explained the issue of road repairs and her father’s stubborn refusal. Taozi frowned as she listened.

“My father is a stubborn old bull,” Taozi smiled with narrowed eyes. “Tell me, and I’ll talk to him. He’ll surely agree.”

“Actually, I already told Uncle Tao. He agrees in his heart but finds it hard to change his mind immediately,” Le’er chuckled as she refilled their tea. “Once you say it, he won’t say no.”

At that moment, Feng Shuya sat down. Zhao Xinghua asked about the poverty alleviation project. Feng Shuya handed him Li Ying’s project proposal. As a seasoned reporter, Zhao Xinghua had a keen nose for political value and his eyes lit up reading the plan.

“Great, excellent!” Zhao Xinghua said excitedly. “Such a practical poverty alleviation project is bound to succeed. Taozi, no need to go back to work today. I’ll visit in the afternoon and do a special interview.”

“All right,” Feng Shuya replied calmly with a smile. “With Brother Zhao’s help, the road issue will surely be settled.”

She subtly shifted the form of address, drawing the relationship closer.

“Projects like this definitely require publicity, not just some, but extensive,” Zhao Xinghua said, sipping his tea as he turned to Le’er. “Le’er, would you like to be on TV? I can put you on to show off a little.”

Li Ying glanced nervously at Le’er, who didn’t notice.

“Brother-in-law, no thanks,” Le’er laughed heartily, looking adorable. “I’m so ugly; if I appear on TV, I’d scare the viewers away.”

Li Ying breathed a sigh of relief and smiled gently.

“You rascal, if you’re ugly, who else will I see?”

Xinghua laughed too, and everyone joined in.

“Brother-in-law, I’m just a small person with little money. If I appear on TV, those few coins might not be safe,” Le’er took a sip of tea. “Let Director Feng go on TV. She arranged the project and has been running around tirelessly.”

Le’er had a simple thought: it’s better not to expose one’s wealth. Although it was already known in the village, going on TV would let the whole world know, making it hard to sleep peacefully. She admired TV stars but wasn’t one herself and saw no need to embarrass herself.

“Miss Li, what about you?” Zhao Xinghua looked at the elegant Li Ying, who had been silent. “Don’t tell me you’re going to say you’re ugly too. If so, then those celebrities on TV shouldn’t show up either.”

Li Ying smiled faintly.

“I think like Le’er,” she said, looking between Le’er and Feng Shuya, then back at Zhao Xinghua. “Le’er and I don’t need publicity. The project should be publicized but mainly to promote Director Feng. She’s the one who connected all the dots and worked so hard.”

“Li Ying, Le’er, you’re too modest,” Feng Shuya said with a smile. “Without you, where would this project be?”

“That’s not what we mean. We’re just business people. Businesspeople can’t be in the spotlight,” they said.

As they continued discussing, the food arrived.

“Enough talk, let’s eat,” Le’er suddenly blurted, breaking into a rare curse. Li Ying gave him a glance, and he quickly sat down. Zhao Xinghua laughed heartily. Taozi and Feng Shuya smiled as well. Zhao Xinghua ordered a beer, so Le’er had to have one too. While eating and drinking, they resumed their conversation.

“Brother Zhao, our project isn’t ready for too much exposure yet,” Feng Shuya and Li Ying drank soft drinks. “We’ll discuss it later.”

“I’ll handle that,” Zhao Xinghua said enthusiastically. “Besides, it’s not just my decision. I’ll do the special interview first; we can’t let other media get ahead.”

Le’er didn’t pay attention to their talk or interrupt, smiling as he served dishes and occasionally telling jokes, making the table lively. Li Ying began to admire Le’er’s natural talent—the key to business was harmony, even more than timing or location.

As the saying goes, “Make a fortune quietly.” Business is about profit, not fame. Those who seek glory are not good businesspeople.

“Taozi, you’ve been in the municipal committee for many years, right?”

Feng Shuya glanced at Taozi casually, her tone equally casual. Zhao Xinghua looked surprised. He knew Feng Shuya was not ordinary; her father was the county party secretary, and she must have connections in the city’s upper echelons. Her sudden mention of Taozi’s work was no random remark.

“Yes, but she lacks political aptitude and sensitivity. She’s been in the confidentiality department for ten years as an ordinary staffer,” Zhao Xinghua said, looking at his wife. “Ha, my Taozi is hardworking and practical.”

Taozi smiled.

“I know my place. I don’t have connections or scheme for anything. As long as I do my job well, I’m satisfied.”

Li Ying quietly ate and drank, not involving herself in the rest of the conversation. Le’er remained simple and honest, picking up the serving chopsticks to pass a piece of mandarin fish to Li Ying.

“If Sis-in-law is capable, she should be in a more important position,” Feng Shuya said, offering Taozi some food. “My younger uncle is the director of the municipal party committee office.”

At this, Zhao Xinghua and Taozi quickly clinked glasses with Feng Shuya. Taozi’s agreement to Feng Shuya’s help meant support for her promotion, and Zhao Xinghua would surely do his part in the publicity.

Taozi’s experience and abilities were evident. Though the confidentiality department wasn’t a key post, with some backing, promotion by one level was possible. Major achievements were unlikely, but a minor official rank was attainable without corruption.

Business is a transaction; so is officialdom.

The three clinked glasses, their faces alight with joy.

Each had their interests secured. Sha Le’er paid no mind to their affairs, and Li Ying pretended not to hear. They neither could nor wished to engage in political dealings.

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