"It's normal for her to have situations, she's an adult now," Xie Yan teased. "Don't treat her like a little kid."
Chu Xiaohe sighed upon hearing this, then chatted with Xie Yan about their daughter's childhood.
When Chu Zhishui emerged from the bathroom, she found her parents in the living room, with the pile of New Year goods still there. She felt something was amiss and hesitated, "What's going on?"
"Nothing, just chatting with your dad," Xie Yan smiled. "Out and about a lot recently? That's good, relax a bit, don't always be so busy with work."
Chu Zhishui rubbed her nose, "It's not just for fun, I'm going to the new place."
"Oh, will you go after the Spring Festival?" Xie Yan asked. "Every weekend from then on?"
Chu Zhishui dodged the question, "I'll be going on a business trip after the Spring Festival."
Director Hu was taking them to Yinhai City, so she couldn't visit the new place every weekend.
After the Spring Festival, Huaijiang City gradually quieted down. Young people who had returned home for the holidays bid farewell to their families and headed back to the bustling metropolises where they worked. During the festival, the streets were crowded, and shopping malls and cinemas were packed. After the holidays, the city became much emptier.
At the Huaijiang Observation Bureau, Chu Zhishui finished organizing her documents after the New Year's work resumption. She briefed Jin Yu and Chen Zhuhui on the recent arrangements before setting off on a business trip with Hu Chenrui and Xin Yunmao.
Hu Chenrui explicitly wanted to bring Xin Yunmao along, and Jin Yu didn't want to go to Yinhai City, so it ended up being one human and two yao.
Hong Ximing booked the plane tickets, and Chu Zhishui only found out about the seating arrangement at the airport. She and Xin Yunmao were seated on the side with two seats, separated by an aisle from Hu Chenrui on the other side.
Chu Zhishui sat between the two yao, occasionally chatting with each of them, feeling strange about acting as a bridge for the yao's communication.
The flight attendants soon brought drinks and meal boxes. Chu Zhishui opened her box, glanced inside, and only ate the red velvet cake, leaving the rest untouched.
Xin Yunmao noticed this, opened his own box, took out his cake, and placed it in her box.
Chu Zhishui saw the bright red cake and was stunned, "You eat it."
"I don't eat."
Hu Chenrui observed them with interest and smiled, "That's nice, I'm going to Yinhai with colleagues from the bureau for the first time."
Chu Zhishui was afraid Director Hu might misunderstand, so she quickly responded politely, "Do you go to Yinhai City every year, Director Hu?"
"Yes, and it's always around this time. If the business expenses aren't in place, we can't start our work," Hu Chenrui smiled. "This money is allocated every year, but how it's divided needs to be discussed. Each bureau's development situation is different, so those that are more hardworking get more."
Chu Zhishui inquired, "Which bureaus are more hardworking?"
"All except the Yinhai Bureau are more hardworking," Hu Chenrui said. "Our bureau only got better after you came."
"..."
This meant only the Yinhai Bureau could make a profit, no wonder Director Ye was so smug at the beginning.
"Will other directors also go?" Chu Zhishui was curious. "The Qiwu Bureau and Kongsang Bureau."
Hu Chenrui glanced at the quiet Xin Yunmao, who sat by the small window, seemingly indifferent. He then nodded, "Yes, they will also appear."
At the Yinhai Airport, Du Zigui today drove a large car that could seat seven, perfectly solving Chu Zhishui's dilemma of how to allocate seats. After greeting Du Zigui with a smile, she took Xin Yunmao to the back row and let Hu Chenrui sit by the door.
In the bustling city center, the ancient building of the Yinhai Bureau stood out, with the area around it as lively as ever. Tourists chatted and laughed as they passed through the big iron gate, the huge city perfectly concealing the yao's base, with no one showing interest in the street-side buildings.
There were too many skyscrapers in this city, and various government units were complex. Even the surrounding residents might not know what the Yinhai Observation Bureau really did.
After getting off the car, Hu Chenrui strolled around with a friendly smile and began planning the new bureau shop: "I never noticed before, but this area is quite lively, very suitable for us to open a store."
Du Zigui was suddenly informed that the director of a brother unit wanted to open a store in his bureau: "?"
"Xiao Chu, you said you wanted to set up a creative direct sales store, with some new products and postcards," Hu Chenrui gestured. "I think the area by their main gate is suitable, with good foot traffic and many cafes."
"Because there's a small path leading directly to the city's scenic area, the whole street is filled with cafes and creative stores," Chu Zhishui quietly introduced. She had once been brought here by her university classmates and passed by the Yinhai Observation Bureau, seeing the ancient building with grey eaves and white walls.
Hu Chenrui clapped with delight, "That's even more suitable, I think it's perfect!"
"Old Hu, you're here, what's going on with you!?"
A familiar quacking sound rang out, and the colorful Director Ye appeared, looking like a wobbly big bird, rushing over. Seeing the one human and one yao with Director Hu, he quickly lowered his voice, forced a smile at Chu Zhishui, and bowed to Xin Yunmao, looking awkward and flustered.
Hu Chenrui saw the flamboyantly dressed Ye Huayu and politely said, "Director Ye, long time no see, how have you been lately?"
"With you coming like this for the meeting, do you think I can be well?" Ye Huayu made faces, hindered by Xin Yunmao's presence, unable to directly point out the issue, "If our relationship is close, it's fine, but what about them?"
Chu Zhishui pretended not to hear, but she could read Hu Chenrui's expression, which clearly said, "I'm glad to know you're not doing well" and "You're wrong, our relationship isn't close."
"What's the problem?" Hu Chenrui feigned ignorance and changed the subject, "By the way, Lao Ye, I heard that physical stores are not doing well now, and your shops are hard to rent out, why don't you rent them to us?"
"Ah?" Ye Huayu was bewildered, "Who said they're hard to rent out, we rent out very well..."
Hu Chenrui firmly grasped Ye Huayu's hand, his expression serious and meaningful, "I know you always keep things to yourself, we're close, just tell the truth, we'll rent them."
Chu Zhishui thought that if the talkative Director Ye always kept things to himself, then Xin Yunmao might be naturally mute, as bamboo doesn't have a mouth to speak.
Hu Chenrui: "It's not good to leave the area by the main gate empty, why don't we rent that spot to open our direct sales store."
Ye Huayu was shocked, his ears and neck turning red, he let out a high-pitched bird-like sound: "Do you know how much money the shops by the main gate make, how can we give it to you to open a store—"
"Don't get excited," Hu Chenrui skillfully took out a bag of corn kernels, interrupting Ye Huayu's chatter, and said methodically, "Want some?"
No matter how many years passed, Hu Chenrui's trick to tease the bird was still the same, a bag of salted egg yolk corn kernels to rule the world.
After eating the bag of corn kernels, Ye Huayu started to lose focus on the main issue, sometimes thinking it was wrong to let Xin Yunmao come during the director's meeting, sometimes thinking it was wrong to rent the main gate shop to the Huaijiang Bureau. Confused by the double whammy, he didn't know which issue to address first.
After a while, Ye Huayu slapped his head and decided to discuss it later: "Alright, you guys go to the guesthouse first, I still have to pick up Sha Sha and the others later."
Du Zigui quickly took the Huaijiang colleagues to the guesthouse to check in, the same one where Chu Zhishui had stayed during her previous business trip.
At the guesthouse's first floor, by the sofa, Chu Zhishui glanced at Du Zigui who was checking in at the counter, then looked at Hu Chenrui, hesitating, "Director Hu, are you sure it's okay? Other directors will be coming too."
She had already guessed Director Ye would react this way, Ye Huayu's attitude towards Xin Yunmao had softened, but other directors might not be the same, perhaps resorting to the old tactic of encircling and suppressing. She didn't want to encounter such a situation, even if Xin Yunmao said he didn't care, anyone would feel uncomfortable facing hostility.
"No problem, what could go wrong? Two poor bureaus, who would bother with them?" Hu Chenrui calmly said. "If it weren't for that peacock having a couple of coins in his pocket, do you think I would even talk to him?"
Chu Zhishui felt Director Hu really treated her as one of his own, now even hiding his inner dark side, unlike his usual smiling demeanor in public. She avoided Hu Chenrui and moved closer to Xin Yunmao, whispering, "You don't mind either?"
Warm breath brushed past her ear, causing a tingling sensation, like a feather floating by. His eyelashes fluttered, he looked at her in surprise, and after a long while, he came to his senses and mumbled, "I don't mind."
"Really?" Chu Zhishui frowned, "Have you met yao from other bureaus?"
Xin Yunmao pondered for a few seconds, as if trying to comprehend the meaning of her words, and finally responded softly, "So that's what you meant."
Chu Zhishui: "?"
She suspected his chat system had gone offline and protested, "Are you even listening to me?"
Chu Zhishui noticed that Xin Yunmao remained silent, assuming he didn't like the place and put on a haughty, indifferent expression. However, he seemed to be lost in thought, not really engaging in the conversation at all.
He had been frequently spacing out lately, not knowing what he was thinking about. He often stared at her intently but didn't listen to her, like a student who was daydreaming during class.
"I'm listening," he said, a bit sheepishly, avoiding her gaze and calmly added, "I don't mind. They're weaker than that cat; a few fish can't cause any waves."
"Are the other bureaus weaker?" Chu Zhishui was surprised, "How do the four observation bureaus rank from strongest to weakest?"
Xin Yunmao replied slowly, "Basically, it's Huaijiang, Yinhai, Qi Wu, and Kong Sang."
Xin Yunmao had been staying in the Huaijiang area for a long time, so naturally, the Huaijiang Observation Bureau was the strongest. The Yinhai Bureau was located in a major city, holding a different strategic significance. Qi Wu was by the sea, the former unit of Wu Changgong, and the birthplace of the Dragon God, where local forces were complex. The Kong Sang Bureau had always been at the bottom, often having no say in the four bureaus.
Hu Chenrui had once discussed tea pricing with Chu Zhishui, mentioning that the Yinhai Bureau was not as good in business as the Huaijiang Bureau but had a better geographical location. Now it seemed his words were true.
Since both Hu Chenrui and Xin Yunmao said it was fine, Chu Zhishui had no reason to worry further. She had originally thought that if everything went smoothly, they might not encounter any other bureau's monsters. However, they unexpectedly met someone at lunch.
In the cafeteria, Hu Chenrui was having a meal with the bureau directors, while Chu Zhishui and Xin Yunmao didn't join them and instead queued up for the buffet.
Xin Yunmao had been to the Yinhai Bureau before, and his reappearance didn't cause a stir. It seemed that the threshold of tolerance was gradually being broken. The monsters of the Yinhai Bureau had seen the God of the Divine once, and they no longer cared about the second or third time, becoming accustomed to the frequent business trips of the Economic Development Department.
In the restaurant, there was a particularly sharp gaze. Chu Zhishui looked up and saw an unfamiliar face.
The man was about twenty to thirty years old, with an extraordinary appearance and soft eyes. His serious expression diluted the fragility, and a silk ribbon tied a small braid at the back of his head, wearing exotic attire that was exquisite yet not androgynous.
The braided man frowned, glaring at them with deep-set eyes full of vigilance, like a wary wild animal on high alert.
Chu Zhishui suspected he was from another bureau's monster, as the Yinhai colleagues had already passed the first round of shock and were now numb to the presence of the God of the Divine.
Xin Yunmao followed her gaze and also saw the braided man, his handsome face also carrying a frosty expression.
"Don't look," Xin Yunmao said coldly, not sure if he was speaking to Chu Zhishui or warning the man not far away.
Chu Zhishui reminded, "He's looking at us."
"Then you shouldn't look at him either."
"..."
Chu Zhishui ignored him and continued to look around, "Is he from another bureau? Maybe we'll run into him."
The braided man seemed hostile, perhaps they should inform Director Hu.
Seeing her interest in other monsters, Xin Yunmao became increasingly resentful and childish, moving closer to block her view with his face, completely shielding the braided man from her sight.
Chu Zhishui was amazed at his shamelessness and almost wanted to knock him on the head, but considering they were in the cafeteria, she refrained, "You're annoying."
"Annoying?" Xin Yunmao widened his eyes, even more displeased, "You immediately find me annoying?"
Chu Zhishui was speechless and felt it was pointless to argue with him.
Chu Zhishui wanted to inform Director Hu, but unexpectedly, the other person had the same idea and also informed their director.
After the meal, Chu Zhishui and Xin Yunmao stood outside the cafeteria to bask in the sun and digest, coincidentally meeting the group of directors who had finished their meal.
Hu Chenrui, Ye Huayu, and an unfamiliar burly man walked in the front, while the braided man from the cafeteria followed closely behind. The burly man looked imposing, his face large, exuding authority, likely the director of another bureau.
Ye Huayu saw the two of them not far away and quickly changed the subject, "Sha Sha, let's go for a walk in the building."
"Sha Director, you also want to bask in the sun?" Hu Chenrui noticed Chu Zhishui and Xin Yunmao and understood Sha Jingwen's intention to walk over, smiling and waving, "Xiao Chu, did you two eat?"
Chu Zhishui quickly replied, "Yes, we did."
Seeing that Director Hu didn't mind, the braided man, Lan Quanxian, put on a serious expression and said, "Director Hu, this doesn't comply with the regulations of the observation bureau."
"Regulations?" Hu Chenrui said casually, "Which regulation doesn't it comply with? Tell me, I'll listen."
Sha Jingwen raised his hand to stop him, "Quanxian, be polite to Director Hu."
Lan Quanxian glanced at the expressionless Xin Yunmao and said more solemnly, "This will undermine the security of the observation bureau."
"You getting closer now will undermine the security. Be smart and stay away," Hu Chenrui said indifferently, "We wouldn't be enough to handle it."
As the focal point of the topic, Xin Yunmao didn't care about the approaching directors at all. In the sunlight, he was focused on observing the few strands of hair dancing in the breeze at the tip of Chu Zhishui's hair, entering a daydreaming state after lunch.
Chu Zhishui wasn't afraid when they approached, calmly greeting them and introducing herself, "I'm Chu Zhishui, and this is Xin Yunmao. We both work in the Economic Development Department of the Huaijiang Bureau. This time, we are mainly accompanying Director Hu to discuss cooperation and development with Director Ye."
"That's right!" Ye Huayu loudly agreed, "Just talking about making money, nothing major!"
"Economic Development Department?" Lan Quanxian frowned and questioned, "How can you, working in a non-core department, understand the seriousness of the issue?"
Hu Chenrui suddenly interrupted, "Where does he work? What's his rank?"
Sha Jingwen replied, "Quanxian works in the Observation Department of the Qi Wu Bureau and is currently a section chief."
"Oh, just a section chief," Hu Chenrui said casually, "Actually, our bureau just finished the annual performance review. Xiao Chu's work performance over the past year has been excellent, deeply trusted by the bureau staff. After discussion and voting, she has been promoted to deputy director of the Economic Development Department of the Huaijiang Bureau."
Chu Zhishui was suddenly promoted from Chu Section Chief to Chu Deputy Director: "?"
She didn't know she had been elected deputy director by the bureau monsters. This promotion speed was like a rocket!
Hu Chenrui glanced at Lan Quanxian, implying, "Although Xiao Chu's temper is good and she doesn't care about these things, a section chief should still be polite when speaking to a deputy director."
Lan Quanxian was openly criticized by Director Hu and had to shut up, not daring to speak out again.
Sha Jingwen was surprised, "You haven't even issued the operating funds, and you've already selected officials?"
The annual selection of officials shouldn't be at this time; it was impossible to promote at this point.
"So what?" Hu Chenrui smiled, "What's the big deal? I know your officials are also pre-determined, with the whole bureau voting just a pretense, and the promotion list was already set."
"..."
