Chapter 388

Jian Mingli smiled at Comrade Ji Tao and Zhang Kaishan, "Secretary Ji, County Magistrate Zhang, it was rude of me. What is it you wanted to discuss with me?"

Comrade Ji Tao smiled, "It's nothing, Director Jian. How about this: let County Magistrate Zhang tell you."

Zhang Kaishan told Jian Mingli about Su Xinghui going to Jiangcheng to attend the calligraphy and painting exhibition, then said to her, "Director Jian, we feel this is a very good opportunity to promote Shangjun County. Those painters and calligraphers all painted the scenery of Meng Hu Ling. If we can get more published in provincial-level or higher newspapers, I think Shangjun County's reputation will certainly grow."

Jian Mingli smiled slightly, "Then what do you need me to do?"

Zhang Kaishan said, "Weren't you in the media before? We thought you should know some media friends who could help promote Shangjun County."

Comrade Ji Tao smiled, "As for how much funding is needed, you can report it to County Magistrate Zhang."

Zhang Kaishan complained, "Secretary Ji, why is everything reported to me?"

Comrade Ji Tao said, "You are the county magistrate. If we don't report such things to you, who should we report them to?"

Zhang Kaishan nodded and said, "Fine, as long as Director Jian can help, I will certainly resolve the funding."

Jian Mingli said, "That's fine. I really do have quite a few friends in the media; I can go find them."

Comrade Ji Tao and Zhang Kaishan were both very happy and said together, "Then thank you, Director Jian!"

Jian Mingli smiled, "Why are Secretary Ji and County Magistrate Zhang being so polite? Am I not also a cadre of Shangjun County? Isn't promoting Shangjun County part of my duty? This is my job. Otherwise, it would mean the Secretary and County Magistrate don't consider me the propaganda director of Shangjun County."

Comrade Ji Tao quickly said, "It was our slip of the tongue."

Jian Mingli asked Su Xinghui, "Township Head Su, when are you going to Jiangcheng?"

Su Xinghui said, "I'm going tomorrow."

Jian Mingli said, "How about this: I'll go to Jiangcheng with you tomorrow to find several Jiangcheng media outlets and ask them to help report more on content related to Shangjun County during this calligraphy and painting exhibition."

Su Xinghui said, "Fine, then I'll come to the County Party Committee compound tomorrow morning to go to Jiangcheng with you."

Returning home that night, Su Xinghui called Lu Xiaoya and Zhang Bin one after another, saying he was going to Jiangcheng the next day to find them for something. Upon hearing Su Xinghui was coming to Jiangcheng, Lu Xiaoya happily said she would wait for him at the agency the next morning and even told him her office location.

The next morning, Su Xinghui went to Jiangcheng with Jian Mingli. Along the way, Jian Mingli took the initiative to chat with Su Xinghui quite a bit. The more she chatted with him, the more surprised she became, because Su Xinghui didn't feel timid at all in front of her, a member of the County Party Standing Committee and propaganda director. He spoke eloquently and appeared both mature and wise. She thought, is this really a young man in his early twenties? No wonder he could become a deputy township head at such a young age.

Jian Mingli said, "Come to think of it, your Meng Hu Ling has already been in our newspaper several times, but I have never been there. After returning from Jiangcheng this time, I plan to go to your place to take a look and see just how beautiful the scenery is and how rapidly it is developing."

Su Xinghui nodded confidently, "Director Jian, you are welcome to visit Meng Hu Ling. It certainly won't disappoint you."

Jian Mingli asked again, "After arriving in Jiangcheng, will you be acting with me or acting independently?"

Su Xinghui said, "I'll act independently. I have a junior schoolmate working at the 'Hudong Daily' and a classmate working at the 'Jiangcheng City Daily'. I'll go find them."

Jian Mingli nodded and said, "That's fine. Then these two newspapers are left to you. If there are any problems, contact me again. I'll be staying at the Shangjun Hotel."

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Okay, then we'll meet at the Provincial Painting Academy on May 1st."

Jian Mingli had the driver drop Su Xinghui off at the entrance of the 'Hudong Daily' agency and then left. The 'Hudong Daily' agency was a six-story building from a relatively old era. Su Xinghui went to the guard room and said he was looking for Lu Xiaoya. The old guard asked if he had an appointment with Lu Xiaoya, and Su Xinghui said he did.

The old guard even conscientiously made an internal call to Lu Xiaoya. After Lu Xiaoya spoke with Su Xinghui, she told the old guard that this was her friend and asked the old man to let Su Xinghui go up.

The old guard hung up the phone and earnestly told Su Xinghui that it wasn't that he was being meddlesome, but last time a madman said he wanted to come to the newspaper to report a story, and as a result, he let the person in, and the person caused trouble in the building. Therefore, everyone who wanted to enter the newspaper building now had to be screened more strictly.

Su Xinghui was caught between laughter and tears. He waved at the old man and then entered the door and went upstairs.

The editing room where Lu Xiaoya worked was on the third floor. Lu Xiaoya was already waiting for Su Xinghui at the stairwell. As soon as she saw Su Xinghui come upstairs, she happily took Su Xinghui's arm and led him toward the editing room.

On the way, she asked Su Xinghui, "What did you come for today? Did you come to return my favor?"

Su Xinghui smiled bitterly, "Can you stop talking about favors all the time, please?"

Lu Xiaoya smiled, "I can't stop mentioning favors. I just want you to remember that you owe me a favor."

Su Xinghui said, "I might not be able to return your favor this time; I'm afraid I'll have to owe you another one."

Lu Xiaoya said, "That's great. I just like it when you owe me favors."

Entering the editing room, people were coming and going, and it looked very busy. Su Xinghui said, "You all are quite busy here!"

Lu Xiaoya said, "This is the Provincial Party Committee newspaper, of course it's busy."

Lu Xiaoya let Su Xinghui sit down and poured him a cup of tea. Several girls in the editing room asked, "Xiaoya, who is this? Is he your boyfriend?"

Lu Xiaoya said with a smile, "You guess?"

Those girls laughed, "We guess he is your boyfriend; he looks quite dashing."