Chapter 29: 028

028 "Liu Dong. Liu as in Liu Bei, Dong as in East."

"Department Director Wang?"

"Yes. A few nights ago, I was working overtime writing a news release. Director Wang came by, saw me working overtime, and said that working hard is good, but one must also pay attention to rest. He even asked if I could play badminton. I said I could play a little."

"Director Wang didn't say anything else and left. Later, I privately asked my colleagues at the unit and learned that Director Wang particularly loves playing badminton and is quite skilled. I thought I should practice too, so I came to find you."

Fang Qingye stared at him blankly after hearing this.

Is this still the slightly aloof literary youth from before?

The change is too great, isn't it?

"What's wrong? Ye Zi? Do you have something to do? If you do, forget it." Liu Dong said again.

"No, no, I have nothing to do tonight." Fang Qingye came to his senses: "Alright, I'll teach you. I'll teach you thoroughly!"

"Then thank you very much. Come, cheers!" The two raised their beer glasses.

The next day, after dinner, Fang Qingye prepared to go to the stadium to play ball, but unexpectedly, Song Dahai called.

"Are you free tonight? Let's go to Royal No. 7 to sing."

"No time. Liu Dong asked me to teach him badminton." Fang Qingye told the truth.

On the other end of the phone, Song Dahai's tone was very surprised.

"Liu Dong asked you to teach him badminton? I was just about to call him... What's wrong with this guy's brain? Learning this now?"

"He's preparing to be a sparring partner." Fang Qingye smiled and briefly explained the reason Liu Dong had told him last night.

"Ah? It's actually like that? Isn't that a bit of a loss of face? If it were me, being asked to play ball with a leader? I'd ignore you!"

"Your father is the richest man in Nanxin, and your second uncle is a leader at the municipal bureau. Of course, you don't need to watch anyone's face. Can Liu Dong do that!?" Fang Qingye retorted without hesitation.

"His family is in the countryside; his parents are honest, hardworking farmers with no background. He was assigned to the Elderly Affairs Commission. Does he want to spend his whole life dealing with old men and women? Transferred to the Propaganda Department is the best opportunity to leave completely! Of course, he will spare no effort."

"Sigh... Ye Zi, you've become worldly too." On the other end, Song Dahai sighed.

"This isn't worldliness; this is reality! Alright, I won't chat with you anymore. I have to hurry."

"Alright, then I'll find Shi Yong and the others to hang out."

"Go ahead, but absolutely do not drive after drinking."

Fang Qingye said a sentence and hung up the phone.

The Shi Yong Song Dahai mentioned was also the son of a big boss in Nanxin.

Their small group had seven or eight people, all famous rich second-generation kids in Nanxin County town, driving luxury cars and frequenting high-end entertainment venues.

Fang Qingye knew them too, but only as acquaintances who nodded at each other; Song Dahai had never pulled him into this circle.

Riding his small scooter, Fang Qingye rushed to the badminton hall at the stadium. Liu Dong was already waiting, and the two continued practicing.

After yesterday's training, Liu Dong's skill had improved significantly. Compared to table tennis, badminton is relatively quicker to learn. He quickly grasped the essentials of serving, and now, following Fang Qingye's instructions on footwork, he began practicing movement, learning with proper form.

An hour passed. Fang Qingye consciously increased his power and executed a beautiful smash. Liu Dong actually returned it.

"Hmm, not bad. I'll drop it, you smash!" After speaking, Fang Qingye lifted the shuttlecock. Liu Dong imitated and executed a smash, but Fang Qingye caught it very calmly. The two began smashing back and forth on the court.

The two's performance on the court attracted the attention of two Misses playing on the adjacent court.

One was tall with somewhat dark skin; the muscle lines on her thighs were clear and fluid as she ran, obviously someone who exercised frequently. The other was shorter, with a round face, and looked very fair in her sportswear.

The tall one was named Du Juan, and the other was named Bi Huanhuan. The two were cousins who came to play ball together.

Du Juan was a physical education teacher at Chaoyang Middle School. Today she came to play with her cousin, but Bi Huanhuan's skill level was too poor; she played weakly with no interest at all.

When she inadvertently saw Fang Qingye smashing hard on the adjacent court and noticed his footwork, she concluded: He has undergone professional training.

Playing with someone like this is actually interesting.

She rolled her eyes and said to her cousin across from her: "Huanhuan, come over here."

"What's wrong, cousin?" Bi Huanhuan picked up a towel, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and walked over to her.

"How about we swap and play with those two handsome guys next door? You go play with the one wearing glasses, and I'll play with the tall one." Du Juan said in a low voice.

Bi Huanhuan carefully watched the two playing and understood. These two boys' skill levels were also one high and one low. Her cousin was dissatisfied with her own poor skill and wanted to play with a master.

"Okay, but cousin, you go tell them. I'm too shy." Bi Huanhuan replied.

"You work at the Government Office, and your skin is still so thin?! Alright, alright... I'll go say it." Du Juan replied, took her racket, and walked straight to the opposite court.

"Two handsome guys, stop for a moment."

Hearing this, Fang Qingye caught the shuttlecock Liu Dong hit, turned his head, and looked at this Miss who appeared somewhat carefree.

"Handsome guy, I see your skill is decent. I'll play with you, and my cousin will play with your friend. Is that okay?"

Fang Qingye did not answer but looked at Liu Dong standing opposite.

Liu Dong was very straightforward: "Alright, but my skill isn't high."

"My cousin's skill is also average; you two fit perfectly." Du Juan replied, then took her racket and walked toward the court where Liu Dong was standing.

Liu Dong naturally moved aside and came to the adjacent court.

Fang Qingye didn't speak either. He served first. The opponent returned it high to the backcourt. The opponent suddenly jumped and executed a powerful smash. The shuttlecock headed straight for the left rear corner of Fang Qingye's side of the court.

Fang Qingye was prepared. He took a side step, scooped up the shuttlecock, and dropped it to the corner. The two began rallying back and forth.

Neither spoke; they focused entirely on playing. Both executed powerful smashes, and their skill levels were evenly matched. This immediately attracted some spectators who stood by the court watching, some even shouting praise loudly.

On Liu Dong's side, it was much quieter.

After playing for a while, it was Liu Dong's turn to serve. Holding the shuttlecock, he didn't serve but asked openly:

"You work at the Government Office, right?"

"You know me?" Bi Huanhuan was somewhat surprised.

"I went to the Government Office to deliver documents and saw you."

"Ah? Which unit are you from?"

"I used to work at the Elderly Affairs Commission, and now I'm seconded to the Propaganda Department." Liu Dong told the truth.

"The Propaganda Department must be quite busy too?" Bi Huanhuan asked.

"Yes, we often go down to the countryside, and upon returning, we still have to write reports. When important meetings are held at the county level, such as the People's Congress or the Party Congress, we are incredibly busy."

Hearing Liu Dong's words, Bi Huanhuan felt some sympathy:

"Our Government Office is quite busy too. I'm in the General Section; I have to write various materials, and there are also various supervision tasks, inspections..."

The two of them got along quite well.

"I forgot to ask your name?" Liu Dong asked.

"My name is Bi Huanhuan. Bi as in Grandpa Bi, Huan as in Joy. What about you?"

"Liu Dong. Liu as in Liu Bei, Dong as in East."