Chapter 1728
In the evening.
Around seven o"clock.
In the residential compound, dinner is ready.
"Come, 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 met," 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 met 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 me. At that time, I hadn"t started acting yet and hadn"t found a job. My family wanted me 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 entertainment industry is chaotic, but he"s trusted me these years and taken good care of me. He"s a good person, good to me."
"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 inst.i.tute."
"At the Chinese Academy of Sciences," Chen Ying said. "But it"s cla.s.sified research, so I don"t know exactly what he does. He doesn"t tell me either."
Dong Xuebing was taken aback. "The Chinese Academy of Sciences, under whose authority?"
Chen Ying thought for a moment. "In a group led by an academic surnamed Zhong."
"Zhong Lizhen?" Dong Xuebing said speechlessly.
Chen Ying was surprised. "Seems like it. How do you know her name?"
"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 exclaimed.
"Yeah, the world is small," Dong Xuebing chuckled. "If that"s the case, your husband might have seen me too. Some time ago, I negotiated a project with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to come to Zhenshui County. Quite a few researchers came with it. Although I can"t remember the names."
Chen Ying was lost in thought. "My husband is in Zhenshui County now and comes home only once a week, sometimes once every half month. You"re the one who got that project over there?"
"Yeah, it was me. 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 time my husband comes 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 meet each other now."
"Alright, blame me, blame me. I"ll talk to Professor Zhong and ask her to let your husband come 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. "h.e.l.lo, 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 met an old cla.s.smate from elementary 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 name?"
"His name is Dong Xuebing," Chen Ying replied.
"Dong Xuebing, the former 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 cla.s.smate 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 some basic computing issues. Anyone could do it; my expertise isn"t being utilized. In Beijing, Professor Zhong has several more suitable projects for me, 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 moment, 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 name 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, "h.e.l.lo, Professor Zhong."
Zhong Lizhen responded flatly, "What"s the matter?"
Dong Xuebing chuckled, "Just a little something. How are you?"
"Eating," Zhong Lizhen"s tone was sharp, as always.
"Oh, what are you having? Busy with some socializing outside?" Dong Xuebing asked.
"At home, eating instant noodles. I never socialize. You"ve known me long enough to know that," Zhong Lizhen replied.
Dong Xuebing chuckled awkwardly, "You shouldn"t always eat instant noodles. Find some time to have something 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 named 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 elementary school cla.s.smate. Though Zhang Bin wants to stay put, his wife has complained to me 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 mention 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 same situation, expressed slightly differently, yields vastly different results.
Zhong Lizhen fell silent for a moment. "Why do you always complicate things? Last time, I helped you secure the site in Zhenshui County, and you just left after claiming credit. Now you"re asking me 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 came to me in tears, and he"s my old cla.s.smate. I can"t just ignore it. Besides, our inst.i.tute should have a humane side, too. Keeping a couple separated long-term is just not humane. It also affects Director Zhang"s work mentality. I suggest finding an unmarried comrade to replace Comrade Zhang Bin.""
Silence followed.
"Professor Zhong?"
"This is the last time."
"Alright, alright, the last time."
"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 embarra.s.sing. Even though he heard the line disconnecting, he continued with a feigned casual tone, "Alright then, I"ll treat you to dinner sometime. Well, alright, you"re busy. I"ll hang up now."
He finally put down his phone.
Men, sometimes had to save face.
Losing face before anyone was bad enough, let alone in front of a female comrade, especially an old cla.s.smate.
Chen Ying immediately 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 relations.h.i.+p.
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 me, how can I help you in return?"
"No need, we"re cla.s.smates. 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 me. You"re a big star now."
Chen Ying smiled and asked, "Where should I sign?"
"Sign on my s.h.i.+rt. Hehe, from now on, I"ll be your fan," Dong Xuebing pointed to his s.h.i.+rt. "After you sign, I won"t wash it."
Chen Ying giggled as she happily signed his s.h.i.+rt collar. But after finis.h.i.+ng, 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.