Chapter 29: 028

“Minister Wang?”

“Yes, a few nights ago I was working late writing a news article, Minister Wang came by, saw me working overtime and said diligent work was good, but I should also rest, then asked if I played badminton—I said I knew a little.”

“Minister Wang didn’t say much and left. Later, I asked coworkers privately and found out Minister Wang loves badminton and is quite skilled, so I thought I should practice too, which is why I came to you.”

Fang Qingye listened, staring at him blankly.

Is this still the same slightly aloof literary youth from before?

Has he changed that much?

“What’s wrong, Ye Zi? Do you have something on your mind? If you do, forget it.” Liu Dong added.

“No, no problem—I have nothing to do tonight.” Fang Qingye snapped out of it: “Fine, I’ll teach you—teach you thoroughly!”

“Thank you so much! Come on, cheers!” They raised their beer cups.

The next day after dinner, Fang Qingye headed to the sports field to play, but Song Dahai called.

“Free tonight? Let’s go to Royal No. 7 for karaoke.”

“No time—Liu Dong asked me to teach him badminton.” Fang Qingye answered honestly.

Song Dahai’s tone on the other end was extremely surprised.

“Liu Dong asked you to teach him badminton? I was just about to call him… Is this guy off his rocker? Learning this now?”

“He wants to be a practice partner.” Fang Qingye smiled and briefly recounted what Liu Dong had told him the night before.

"What? It could happen like this? That’s so embarrassing! If it were me, I’d never bother accompanying a superior to play ball!" [27] Their small group had seven or eight people—all famous wealthy second-generation kids from Nanxin County, driving luxury cars and frequenting high-end entertainment venues.

“Your dad’s the richest man in Nanxin, your second uncle’s a city bureau leader—you don’t need to kowtow to anyone. But what about Liu Dong?!”

“His family’s from the countryside, his parents are simple farmers with no connections. Assigned to the Aging Committee, is he doomed to spend his life dealing with old folks? Getting transferred to the Propaganda Department is his best chance to escape completely—he’ll spare no effort.”

“Sigh… Ye Zi, you’ve become so worldly.”

“This isn’t worldliness—it’s reality. Enough talking, I’ve got to go.”

“Alright, I’ll go hang out with Shi Yong and the others.”

“Go ahead—don’t drive after drinking.”

Fang Qingye said this, then hung up.

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

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

Fang Qingye knew him too, but only by nodding acquaintance; Song Dahai never pulled him into that circle.

Fang Qingye hopped on his scooter and arrived at the badminton hall—the court, Liu Dong was already waiting, and they resumed practice.

After yesterday’s training, Liu Dong’s skill had improved significantly; compared to table tennis, badminton was easier to pick up—he quickly mastered serving technique and now practiced footwork according to Fang Qingye’s instructions, learning with proper form.

An hour passed, Fang Qingye deliberately increased his power and delivered a sharp smash—Liu Dong actually returned it.

“Good. I’ll lift it high—you smash!” Fang Qingye tossed the shuttlecock up, Liu Dong mimicked the motion and smashed it—but Fang Qingye caught it effortlessly, and they began exchanging smashes on the court.

Their performance on the court caught the attention of two girls playing on the adjacent court.

One was tall with slightly dark skin, her thigh muscles clearly defined as she ran—obviously an athlete. The other was shorter, with a round face, dressed in sportswear that made her look very pale.

The tall one was Du Juan, the other Bi Huanhuan—they were cousins who came to play together.

Du Juan was a PE teacher at Chaoyang Middle School; today she was accompanying her cousin, but Bi Huanhuan’s skill was terrible—her shots were limp and boring.

When she casually noticed Fang Qingye’s powerful smash and observed his footwork, she concluded: he had received professional training.

Playing with someone like this would be fun.

She glanced sideways and said to her cousin: “Huanhuan, come here.”

“What is it, cousin?” Bi Huanhuan wiped sweat from her forehead with a towel and walked over.

“How about we switch partners? You play with the glasses-wearer, I’ll play with the taller one.” Du Juan whispered.

Bi Huanhuan watched them play for a moment and understood—her cousin disliked her poor skill and wanted to play with someone better.

“Okay, but you go ask them—I’m too shy.” Bi Huanhuan replied.

“You work in the Government Office—how can you still be so shy? Fine, fine… I’ll go.” Du Juan muttered, grabbed her racket, and walked straight over to their court.

“Hey, guys, stop for a second.”

Fang Qingye caught Liu Dong’s shuttlecock, turned, and looked at the girl—she seemed bold and carefree.

“Sir, I see you’re pretty good—I’ll play with you, and my cousin will play with your friend. Okay?”

Fang Qingye didn’t answer—he glanced at Liu Dong standing across.

Liu Dong was very straightforward: “Sure, but I’m not good.”

“My cousin’s average too—you’re perfect for each other.” Du Juan replied, then walked over to Liu Dong’s court with her racket.

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

Fang Qingye said nothing, served first—the opponent returned his high clear with a sudden powerful smash, sending the shuttlecock hurtling toward Fang Qingye’s left back corner.

Fang Qingye was ready—he sidestepped, retrieved the shuttlecock, and lifted it to the back corner; they began rallying back and forth.

Both played in silence, focused, smashing hard—neither had the upper hand, and soon spectators gathered along the sidelines, some cheering loudly.

Liu Dong’s side was much quieter.

After a while, it was Liu Dong’s turn to serve—he held the shuttlecock, didn’t serve, and spoke up:

“You work in the Government Office, right?”

“Do you know me?” Bi Huanhuan was surprised.

“I delivered documents to the Government Office—I’ve seen you.”

“Oh? Which unit are you from?”

“I used to work at the Aging Committee, now I’m temporarily assigned to the Propaganda Department.” Liu Dong answered honestly.

“Is the Propaganda Department busy too?” Bi Huanhuan asked.

“Yes, we often go to the countryside, then come back to write reports. When the county holds major meetings—like the People’s Congress or Party Congress—it’s insane.”

Hearing this, Bi Huanhuan felt sympathy:

“Our Government Office is busy too—I’m in the General Division, writing all kinds of documents, handling inspections, follow-ups…”

They got along well.

“I forgot to ask your name,” Liu Dong said.

“I’m Bi Huanhuan—Bi from Bi Lao Ye, Huan from happiness. What about you?”

“Liu Dong, the Liu from Liu Bei, the dong from east, south, west, north.”