Chapter 7: The Man Destined to Be a Big Shot

Just as Chen Qiaoqiao was overjoyed at Xu Yuexin's success, Xu Yuexin took her hand and stepped into the Moscow Restaurant.

Compared with other hotels that promote austere simplicity and plain decor, Lao Mo is a whole different world.

The ceiling is adorned with a resplendent crystal chandelier, the floor is spotless and mirror‑smooth, the heavy solid‑wood flooring stretches on both sides of the view, and the classic candlesticks, when lit, emit a pleasant pine scent…

Chen Qiaoqiao feels as if she is in a dream world, and she sniffs the air inside the restaurant, which is filled with a rich fragrance.

"The environment is really nice."

Chen Qiaoqiao exclaims, feeling a slight lightness all over her.

"When you were interning at the sea, didn't you wander around the Grand Hall or the Fishing Platform or anything?"

Xu Yuexin asks.

Chen Qiaoqiao shakes her head honestly: "No. Those in the foreign language majors sometimes get to attend diplomatic events and can go once or twice, but our Chinese Department spends the whole time working in the office hall."

Guided by the waiter, Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao sit at a window‑side table.

"What would the two of you like to eat? You may tell me."

The waiter respectfully presents the menu, a demeanor worlds apart from that of staff at other state‑run hotels these days.

The internal requirement for other state‑run hotels is that they must not beat customers without cause, while citizens rate them as having unpleasant faces, terrible food, and harsh words.

Therefore, as many private hotels opened later, most state‑run hotels were squeezed out.

As for why Lao Mo's service is outstanding, Xu Yuexin guesses it relates to their strict internal standards and more generous employee benefits.

Opening the beautifully bound menu, Xu Yuexin orders three dishes in one go.

"Stewed beef in a sealed pot, creamy mushroom soup, pan‑seared silver cod."

All three are Lao Mo's classic dishes, and when Xu Yuexin smoothly recites the list, the waiter's gaze toward him changes.

Well done, expert, he immediately ordered their signature dishes.

Looking across the whole Jing, there are not many gourmets with the means to dine here regularly.

Xu Yuexin clearly senses the waiter's different look, and nonchalantly hands the menu to Chen Qiaoqiao.

Don't ask him why he's so at ease; the answer is that he learned it from a series of era novels like "Bloody Romance" and the like.

Chen Qiaoqiao orders a dish and returns the menu to the waiter.

By now she has adapted to Lao Mo's restaurant atmosphere and continues to be curious about what Xu Yuexin is involved in.

"Where are you investing?"

Chen Qiaoqiao asks eagerly.

"People's Literature; it'll be published after a while."

Xu Yuexin says lightly, making Chen Qiaoqiao extremely envious.

"People's Literature? You're amazing."

"This is the hall of literature!"

Chen Qiaoqiao says joyfully, her eyes full of Xu Yuexin.

As a student of the Yanda Chinese Department, Chen Qiaoqiao knows very well how prestigious it is to have a work published in People's Literature.

Even among classmates who are literary masters, a piece in People's Literature can make one stand out and become a top student of the cohort.

"Never fight an unprepared battle. Before I resign, I have already decided what to do."

"What about you, what are your plans for future work?"

Following normal conversational habits, Xu Yuexin thinks she should now talk about the novel's content, but the author, embarrassed, diverts the topic in time.

Talking to someone you know in real life about exactly what you wrote is always awkward, like having someone peek at your diary.

"Our school hasn't yet reinstated graduates after the College Entrance Exam. According to the school, the graduation assignment will respect our personal preferences and offer different options."

"I've long decided to go to a Communist Party and government agency after graduation, seeking a stage to exert myself," Chen Qiaoqiao says, her previously delicate demeanor instantly replaced by resolve, "The nation's work focus has shifted to construction, and every sector needs people who can work steadily."

"I believe that as long as I work hard, I will surely shine."

Great, truly great…

Now it's Xu Yuexin's turn to admire Chen Qiaoqiao.

The Yanjing University class of '78 Chinese Department, after graduation, entered a Communist Party and government agency, with an extremely strong desire to climb upward.

This is the rhythm of becoming a rising star in politics.

Could it be that I'm destined to have a big‑shot wife?

"You're absolutely right. The country's future personnel direction is the four‑fold transformation of cadres—revolutionization, youthfulness, knowledge, and professionalism; you meet each criterion."

"There's no place more suitable for you than a Communist Party and government agency."

Xu Yuexin preemptively states the four‑fold cadre policy.

And a year later, that great figure will broadcast the policy with a deafening voice, transmitting it via radio and screens into every citizen's ears across the nation.

Chen Qiaoqiao hears Xu Yuexin's speech and shows a rather fresh expression.

"Revolutionization, youthfulness, knowledge, professionalism?"

She repeats the twelve characters softly, as if savoring their meaning.

"Yes, abbreviated as the four‑fold cadre transformation."

Xu Yuexin looks at Chen Qiaoqiao, nods slightly and says.

After pondering repeatedly, Chen Qiaoqiao repeatedly praises, "These twelve characters are truly incisive and perfectly realistic."

"Each one precisely addresses the nation's and society's strongest needs."

At this moment, Chen Qiaoqiao gains a new understanding of Xu Yuexin's profound thoughts and sincerely respects him.

Xu Yuexin smiles without replying.

The great figure's directive could not be anything but incisive and practical.

At this point, the waiter has placed the stewed beef on the table, instantly filling the dining area with an enticing aroma.

Inside the earthen pot, pieces of beef are layered with small red tomatoes, onions, oyster mushrooms and other side dishes; the red‑and‑green visual effect together with the aroma greatly whets the appetite.

"Delicious, rich yet not greasy, tender yet not mushy. The side dishes complement the main dish without stealing the show."

Qiao Qiao picked up a piece of beef with chopsticks, tasted it, and gave it a very high rating.

No wonder she's a top student of the Yanda Chinese Department; if it were the pre‑time‑travel Xu Yuexin, he would probably just exclaim "Whoa, delicious."

Of course, he's a cultured person now, so he has to watch his words.

"This is their most classic dish."

Xu Yuexin, drawing on the knowledge he accumulated before the time‑travel on Bilibili science‑popularization videos, commented, "Russia is at a high latitude, requiring meat to replenish calories, and the cooked beef has a layer of oil on its surface, so it won't cool quickly."

"As for adding tomatoes and other side dishes, that's typical of the Caucasus culinary style. Essentially, this is a dish that fuses different regional cultures."

Xu Yuexin spoke slowly and earnestly, while Qiao Qiao listened attentively without blinking an eye.

His knowledge is so broad—he can detail the grand current national personnel direction, and even the origin of a single dish, as if reciting family heirlooms.

I need to learn more from him to broaden my horizons.

When Xu Yuexin saw the admiration overflowing in Qiao Qiao's eyes, he felt the pleasure of having succeeded.

Securing the wife must be done early. Since Qiao Qiao is destined to become a female boss in the future, I must, before she rises, cultivate her habit of looking up to me.

Hmm, just thinking that someday Qiao Qiao will command the winds and clouds before an audience, and then return home to find me still gazing at her with starry eyes, Xu Yuexin feels quite pleased.

(End of chapter)