Chapter 172: Watching the Play

Shi Xiaonan had considered that Section Chief Zhang might make some excessive demands of her.

She was even somewhat mentally prepared; if there was really no other way, she would just give in.

After all, she was no longer a maiden; although she and Wang Kai were not yet divorced, they had been separated for so long that there was no possibility of reconciliation.

It was just that she hadn't expected Section Chief Zhang didn't want to sleep with her, but rather wanted her to seduce someone else! This was something Shi Xiaonan found hard to accept.

It wasn't that she had a special affection for Section Chief Zhang, and that it was fine for him but not for others.

It was mainly that if Section Chief Zhang had designs on her, at worst she could just lie down on the bed, close her eyes, and it would be over.

She wasn't unaware that men were just like that; at most, it was a matter of a few minutes.

Throughout the whole process, she only needed to passively endure it; there was absolutely no need to do anything.

Moreover, there was a sense of self-consolation psychologically that she was being forced.

But now, asking her to seduce another person was fundamentally different.

This time, not only did she have to be proactive, but it also completely shattered the excuse she used for self-justification.

Therefore, even if the tasks were similar, the impact on Shi Xiaonan was completely different.

Shi Xiaonan was in a daze and didn't even know how she had returned to the theater troupe.

At this moment, she truly didn't know what to do.

Just then, following the sound of a door opening, a young woman walked in from outside. Seeing Shi Xiaonan, she was startled: "Oh my, Sister Shi, you're here so early today!"

Shi Xiaonan came to her senses, forced a smile, and prevaricated: "Mm, I didn't have anything to do today, so I came over."

The woman walked past behind Shi Xiaonan and curled her lips slightly.

Shi Xiaonan caught it inadvertently in the mirror, and her heart tightened.

This was the aftereffect of her quota for Hong Kong being canceled.

All the previous envy had turned into schadenfreude.

Shi Xiaonan bit her lower lip and acted as if she hadn't seen it, but in her heart, she was determined that she must win back some dignity.

……

The next evening, the performance ended.

Shi Xiaonan had just removed her makeup and costume and sat backstage, taking a deep breath.

Suddenly, a group of people entered from outside. Leading them was a middle-aged man in his forties, with their troupe director accompanying him with a face full of smiles, and Section Chief Zhang following closely behind the middle-aged man.

Shi Xiaonan's heart skipped a beat; she knew that what was meant to come would come eventually.

At this time, the troupe director introduced: "Division Chief Liu, this is Comrade Shi Xiaonan."

Shi Xiaonan stood up and glanced at Section Chief Zhang.

Section Chief Zhang acted as if nothing was wrong, as if he didn't know her.

The troupe director then introduced: "Little Shi, this is Division Chief Liu from the Mechanical Bureau, a famous opera enthusiast..."

Shi Xiaonan smiled reluctantly and shook hands with Division Chief Liu: "Hello, Division Chief Liu."

Division Chief Liu laughed heartily: "What Division Chief? We're in private now; I'm just an ordinary Peking Opera fan. Just call me Old Liu."

Division Chief Liu was open and aboveboard, without any lecherous attitude. Immediately after, he discussed things like Peking Opera singing styles with Shi Xiaonan. He even brought a camera and asked someone to help take a group photo, showing no signs of any messy intentions.

After about twenty minutes, Division Chief Liu took the initiative to propose leaving: "Well, I won't delay Comrade Little Shi's rest any further."

Shi Xiaonan nodded: "Division Chief Liu, walk slowly."

Division Chief Liu said "stay" with a smile and then left with his people.

Left behind, Shi Xiaonan sat backstage, and someone immediately came over to ask: "Sister Shi, who was that person just now? Such a grand entourage."

Shi Xiaonan's heart was still in turmoil, but she forced herself to keep up appearances: "Ah~ I heard he's from the Mechanical Bureau; it's my first time seeing him too."

Just after saying a few words, the troupe director who had followed them out returned, smiling: "Little Shi~ Division Chief Liu was praising you to the heavens just now."

Shi Xiaonan forced a smile: "Is that so~"

The troupe director frowned, noticing Shi Xiaonan was distracted, and called out "Little Shi" with some displeasure.

Shi Xiaonan came to her senses, realized she had been zoning out, and apologized: "Director, I'm feeling a bit unwell today."

The troupe director realized. Usually, Shi Xiaonan's conduct and work were fine, and she was especially respectful to him, so he softened his tone: "If you're not feeling well, hurry back and get some rest. You are the pillar of our troupe now."

Shi Xiaonan agreed. After tidying up, she left the troupe. Halfway home, she ran into Section Chief Zhang.

Watching Section Chief Zhang standing by the side of the road smoking, Shi Xiaonan's heart tightened. She licked her lips and walked up to him...

At the same time, in a nearby alley, Zhang Dajun was smoking.

A young man ran in from outside the alley and said upon reaching him: "Brother Zhang, they've made contact again."

Zhang Dajun nodded and flicked the cigarette in his hand to the ground: "Got it, keep watching."

Two days ago, because of the situation with Deputy Factory Director Liu, Chu Zhongxin had transferred the main personnel to the Red Star Factory, leaving Zhang Dajun to lead a few people to keep watch here for the time being.

However, the handover regarding Deputy Factory Director Liu should be completed in these two days, and the focus would soon be able to return here.

At this moment, another young man ran in from outside, panting heavily.

Zhang Dajun asked hurriedly: "Did you find out who that person was just now?"

The young man suppressed his breathing and said: "Found out, it's from the Mechanical Bureau, a Division Chief surnamed Liu..."

According to recent investigations, they had long discovered the contact between Section Chief Zhang and Shi Xiaonan.

This was not hard to discover; given their relationship, once they had frequent contact, it would naturally attract attention. At first, Zhang Dajun and his men thought the two had an improper affair, but now they realized it wasn't that simple.

Especially today, with the appearance of Division Chief Liu from the Mechanical Bureau.

Those involved are often confused, but Zhang Dajun and his men, being on the sidelines, saw it very clearly.

Section Chief Zhang was clearly setting a trap, step by step leading Division Chief Liu to get to know Shi Xiaonan.

And what made Zhang Dajun pay even more attention was that Shi Xiaonan lived in the same courtyard as Ning Weidong.

He hadn't been sure before, but today, Section Chief Zhang deliberately bringing Division Chief Liu to meet Shi Xiaonan made him have to suspect Shi Xiaonan's identity.

Although the probability of this situation involving Ning Weidong is extremely small, from Zhang Dajun's position, he must report it in a timely manner, otherwise it would be a dereliction of duty.

Once Ning Weidong finds out later, he will certainly have negative thoughts about him.

Zhang Dajun made arrangements immediately, then got on his bicycle and headed to find Ning Weidong at top speed.

……

At this moment, facing Section Chief Zhang, Shi Xiaonan said with a bitter face, "I... I really can't!"

Section Chief Zhang chuckled, "Why can't you? It's just a man~ Little Shi, with your beauty, it should be easy for you."

"But I..." Shi Xiaonan still wanted to refuse.

Section Chief Zhang's face sank, "There are no 'buts'. If you can't even handle this small matter, do you still want to go to Hong Kong to perform or not?"

"I..." Shi Xiaonan was suddenly speechless.

Of course she wanted to go to Hong Kong to perform, even more so than before.

It was like a big pancake; not only was it drawn for her, but she had even tasted a bite, and having it suddenly taken away made it even more painful.

Section Chief Zhang said, "Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. You've come this far, so why pretend to be a chaste and virtuous woman? Besides, no one is asking you to open your door to solicit customers, what is there to be unable to accept?"

Shi Xiaonan stood silently.

Section Chief Zhang continued in a cold voice, "I'm telling you, there is only one chance. Don't regret it if you miss it."

After speaking, he made a move to turn and leave.

Shi Xiaonan's hand was faster than her brain, and she hurriedly grabbed Section Chief Zhang, "Wait, I... I agree..."

Section Chief Zhang sneered, turned to look at the woman in front of him, and said ungraciously, "Ungrateful."

……

At Ning Weidong's home, Zhao Ruyi came over this evening to help tidy up some supplies.

Although she is the child of a Cadre, there were no pampered young ladies in this era, especially since Zhao Ruyi lost her mother early on, so she had to do many things herself.

Now that she is with Ning Weidong, she is truly living a life with him. After being subdued by Ning Weidong, she dares not put on airs anymore. If she dared to give Ning Weidong a cold shoulder, her backside would suffer; when it comes to this guy Ning Weidong, she really cannot beat him.

Zhao Ruyi cooked dinner, and after the two finished eating, they were tidying up old clothes.

Zhao Ruyi took a large travel bag, preparing to take Ning Weidong's dirty clothes home; her family has a washing machine, so she would wash them, dry them, and bring them back.

Ning Weidong didn't stand on ceremony either; he was laid-back and not only didn't help, but also messed around by touching her.

Just at this moment, Zhang Dajun arrived, but he was stunned when he saw Zhao Ruyi, and the words he was about to say regarding Shi Xiaonan were choked back.

He had come this time mainly to ask Ning Weidong if he had any relationship with Shi Xiaonan.

Having arranged things for Bai Fengyu before, he guessed that Ning Weidong might have an ambiguous relationship with Bai Fengyu. This Shi Xiaonan also lived in the same courtyard, was quite beautiful, no worse than Bai Fengyu, and was currently going through a divorce.

If there really was a relationship, he needed to clarify and cut ties quickly so as not to be caught off guard.

But now, with Zhao Ruyi here, how could he ask?

Ning Weidong was baffled by Zhang Dajun's reaction, but Zhao Ruyi said generously, "Zhang, does Ning Weidong have something going on?"

She knew that Zhang Dajun was considered one of Ning Weidong's people.

Zhang Dajun managed a stiff smile, "Well, sorry to disturb you and the leader for a moment." He then gave Ning Weidong a wink.

Ning Weidong glanced at Zhao Ruyi and said directly, "Ruyi, I'm going outside to have a word with Zhang."

Zhang Dajun hurriedly bowed and nodded to Zhao Ruyi, adding, "Just a few words, I'll be right back."

Zhao Ruyi didn't care much; seeing Zhang Dajun's manner, she guessed it might be related to a woman.

Although Zhao Ruyi keeps to herself, she is not a delicate flower in a greenhouse.

In fact, in Zhao Ruyi's circle, children of such backgrounds, especially the men, never lacked resources.

Even in the situation of previous years, they only exercised restraint as much as possible.

It was mainly because the resources they could access were simply too vast; even a little bit squeezed out was enough to make people covetous.

By comparison, beautiful women were not rare at all.

Zhao Ruyi glanced toward the outer room but did not follow to listen; she would wait for Ning Weidong to tell her later.

Ning Weidong went outside the outer room with Zhang Dajun and frowned, "What's the situation?"

Zhang Dajun lowered his voice, quickly explained the situation, and finally asked, "Leader, this Shi Xiaonan doesn't have any relationship with you, right?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Weidong was between laughter and tears, "I say, Zhang, what are you thinking about all day? That woman does look okay, but she has nothing to do with me. We just live in the same courtyard."

Zhang Dajun breathed a sigh of relief, "Then I understand." After finishing, he said goodbye and wanted to leave.

Ning Weidong, however, suddenly had a flash of inspiration and called him back to ask, "By the way, you just said, who did Section Chief Zhang go to see a play with today?"

(End of this chapter)