Even the final move to guide Zhang Mengxin to Qingkou County was orchestrated by Shao Qile. However, at the time, Shao Qile didn't anticipate that Zhang Mengxin would date Liu Chang'an, the county magistrate of Qingkou, and even marry him. After all, his initial arrangement was based on the knowledge that Shao Qibin would be transferred to T City as mayor a few years later, and that Qingkou County's rapid development during his tenure in T City would be a significant milestone in his political career. He never expected such an unintended consequence.
“That Hong Xinran is no simpleton. She didn’t change her expression at all. No wonder she’s an international-level actress. You think you can use me to stir up trouble between Hong Xinran and Shao Qibin and cause them to have a romantic dispute? I’m afraid that won’t be easy.” Zhang Mengxin looked at Shao Qile on the computer screen and really couldn’t understand the thoughts of this girl who was a year younger than her.
"Eat one bite at a time, no rush. The important thing is that my brother still has feelings for you. It really is a beautiful first love."
"No matter how wonderful it is, it can still be abandoned at any time in the face of interests and power."
"You knew all along that I was involved in what happened back then. Maybe if I hadn't gotten involved, you and my brother would have grown old together."
"You don't need to test me anymore. In the end, it was my own naivety and trust that led me to so easily hand over the most precious thing a girl could have to Shao Qibin. Besides, it was the child's biological father who allowed Li Jianmei to lay a hand on me. Who can I blame? I know very well that, in order not to leave any leverage for others, as a minor who became pregnant out of wedlock, I shouldn't expect to keep the child." Zhang Mengxin had seen things more clearly over the years, and then she changed the subject, saying, "Moreover, even if I had escaped that ordeal, with a crazy person like you who's obsessed with your brother around, even if I wanted to have a happy marriage with Shao Qibin, you would probably ruin it. Li Jianmei, who was forced to flee abroad, is a good example. What I don't understand is, I heard that you were the one who brought your brother's girlfriend together, so why are you going back on your word now and trying to sabotage things?"
"Hong Xinran also wants to stand by my brother's side, without even considering whether she's worthy. How can a woman who can kiss and date any man in front of cameras and public eyes just for professional reasons become Mrs. Shao? I was just trying to test my brother's views on love, and it only made Hong Xinran so arrogant." Shao Qile and Zhang Mengxin both knew they were wearing masks. However, when their thoughts aligned, they naturally formed an alliance of interests. Although Zhang Mengxin might not love her husband deeply now, after she had come to regard Liu Chang'an and the Liu family as her own, for an orphan, an orphan with an extraordinary attachment to family, protecting this family became a dogma engraved in her bones. And Shao Qile's secretly developed business provided Zhang Mengxin with enough leverage. With the injection of funds, Qingkou County would naturally develop better, and the benefits to Liu Chang'an, the county magistrate, would be obvious. Moreover, Zhang Mengxin already harbored resentment towards Shao Qibin.
When Zhang Mengxin first understood Shao Qile's abnormal love for Shao Qibin, she couldn't believe it. But then, when faced with Shao Qile's suggestion to help her, the idea of breaking up Shao Qibin's relationship and making him disillusioned with love and women, and that he would rather stay single for the rest of his life, was too tempting.
After all, with a crazy younger sister like Shao Qile around, what's impossible?
As for Shao Qile and Shao Qibin, as long as Shao Qibin remains in politics, he has absolutely no chance. Making Shao Qibin suffer, struggle, regret, and feel remorse is, in a way, a form of revenge!
"It won't be easy to bring her down. Okay, my husband will be back soon. I'll tell you about the progress next time."
After ending the video call, Shao Qile patted his cheeks. He was becoming increasingly adept at playing the role of a brother who deeply loved him and was somewhat mentally unstable and deranged. He had been planning for years, using Zhang Mengxin as a pawn, hoping to reap the opportunities he desired.
I did underestimate Hong Xinran before, but if I use her skillfully, I might get some unexpected results.
And she should take advantage of this mess and go back to T City.
After so long, I wonder how Shao Qibin, as her older brother, will welcome her back as his younger sister?
I wonder if the guilt stirred up by Zhang Mengxin will be shared with her, the real younger sister.
On the other side, Hong Xinran, after returning to the municipal building with Shao Qibin, couldn't sit down for a proper talk because Shao Qibin had official business to attend to. She privately pulled Secretary He aside for a while and, after confirming that the woman named Zhang Mengxin and her husband Liu Chang'an had a very close relationship, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
However, just to be on the safe side, Hong Xinran went to find her best friend Zhang Yue after leaving. Zhang Yue, who had recently returned from Fashion Week in France, should be on vacation. Asking Zhang Yue to keep an eye on her boyfriend would put her mind at ease.
However, Hong Xinran probably doesn't know what it means to be caught between a rock and a hard place. She might end up making a mistake by asking for help.
47. Favorability increased
Chapter 46: Deepening Favorability
Shao Qibin and Zhang Yue had a final discussion about Zhang Yue's garment factory opening a branch in a county or town under T city, as well as funding some charitable projects in the city.
Shao Qibin held Zhang Yue in high esteem, admiring her talent and resilience, for she had single-handedly built such a large business empire at such a young age. It was precisely because of this that, even knowing that Zhang Yue would occasionally come to him to discuss official business while Hong Xinran was away filming, and although most of these so-called official matters didn't require his involvement as mayor, he didn't show any obvious annoyance.
After all, Zhang Yue is a tactful person who knows when to intervene and when to keep quiet. Moreover, the benefits Zhang Yue brings to T City's economic development are undeniable. Plus, she's a good friend of his girlfriend, Hong Xinran, so naturally he wouldn't want to embarrass her.
After getting off the plane, Shao Qile rushed to the municipal government, even though she hadn't been to T City for over half a year. As the mayor's sister, with He Shengming as her secretary, she would naturally be able to find Shao Qibin. Upon seeing Shao Qibin and Zhang Yue together, Shao Qile noticed the subtle, unspoken understanding between them.
"Brother, Sister Yueyue, what are you talking about? You seem to be having a great time."
"Why did you come here?" As soon as Shao Qibin finished speaking, he saw Shao Qile's obviously dimmed expression and quickly changed his words, "Why didn't you call me when you got to T City? I would have asked Secretary He to pick you up. You are a girl, and you have taken such a long flight. You should get some rest."
"Brother, I knew you were the best to me." Shao Qile's face immediately lit up with a smile, and she sat down affectionately next to Shao Qibin. "Even though I've been away from T City for more than half a year, I'm still very familiar with this place. Secretary He is your secretary, brother, how can I let him run errands for me? Besides, it's more convenient and easier for me to take a taxi here."
"You two siblings have such a good relationship." Zhang Yue's eyes, hidden behind her glasses, flickered. She didn't mention at all that Shao Qile had suddenly appeared and interrupted her conversation with Shao Qibin. Instead, she naturally interrupted the siblings' conversation with a hint of envy.
"Of course, my brother loves me the most. And I love my brother the most too!" Shao Qile's lips curled up high, and her eyebrows also showed a hint of pride. If you didn't look closely at the faint sadness flowing in her eyes, it would just be a simple sister showing off her brother.
Noticing that Shao Qibin slightly adjusted the glasses that had somehow appeared on his face because of her words, Shao Qile quickly added, "We're model siblings, right, brother?"
"Yes, whatever Lele says is right." Shao Qibin looked at Shao Qile, who was acting without any awkwardness or hesitation, and firmly suppressed the suspicions in his heart.
"Sister Yueyue, I haven't congratulated you yet. Your fashion show in F country was a huge success. I wasn't in T city at the time, so I didn't get a chance to celebrate with you. I wonder if you have time tonight? I'd like to treat you to a big meal."
"Alright, there's no reason for you to spend money. Since you call me 'sister,' and I work and earn my own money, it's ridiculous for a student like you to treat me to a meal. If people find out, they'll laugh me half to death."
"I may not have money, but that doesn't mean my brother doesn't. Brother, will you help your little sister out with this little bit of food before meals?"
"You little rascal, you're treating, and I'll foot the bill, huh? That's a clever idea."
"If Mayor Shao were to treat me to a meal, I wouldn't refuse. After all, I've done my duty as a citizen for charity in T City, so I can eat Mayor Shao's meal with a clear conscience. I can even brag about it to others."
"See, brother? She's still young. Even if I wanted to treat her, Sister Yueyue wouldn't let me. But if you treat her, Sister Yueyue would be thrilled."
Amidst their laughter and conversation, Shao Qibin had his secretary, He, make a reservation. When the three arrived, dishes were served one after another. Shao Qile, smiling, said that Secretary He had worked incredibly hard, and since she was treating, Secretary He should also be invited. He Shengming was also seated. With him there, everything was handled perfectly.
The group had only been seated for a quarter of an hour when the dishes that He Shengming had ordered according to each person's taste were served one after another.
After a satisfying meal, Secretary He naturally escorted the beautiful Zhang home, while Shao Qile sat in the passenger seat waiting for his brother to drive her back.
By the time they got home, it was almost nine o'clock at night. Shao Qibin was thinking about a meeting the next day and some documents he needed to review, even though he wanted to have a proper talk with Shao Qile. Seeing how exhausted Shao Qile was from her long journey as soon as she got home, he couldn't help but soften. More than half a year had passed, and it seemed that Lele was dating in Beijing, but it was just an immature, innocent crush from a young girl's early years; Lele might have already moved on. As her older brother, was he really going to be so wary of his sister over something like that?
Subconsciously, Shao Qibin overlooked the deeper meaning behind Shao Qile's impromptu invitation to Zhang Yue to dinner tonight, and the coincidence of involving Secretary He. If it were just the three of them, he would definitely have driven Zhang Yue home; it's basic courtesy for a gentleman. If it weren't for this dinner party tonight, he might have had a proper talk with Shao Qile.
Shao Qibin went back to his room and took a shower; men always take a little longer to shower than women. By the time Shao Qile finished getting ready, blow-drying her hair and doing all sorts of things, Shao Qibin was already in his study looking at documents.
Shao Qile thought for a moment, went into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and saw that Secretary He had indeed filled it with ingredients as instructed. She then began to prepare a late-night snack. After making the white fungus and red date porridge, she pressed the keep-warm button and sent a text message to Shao Qibin, telling him that there was porridge in the pot if he got hungry. She then prepared to go to sleep.
She was exhausted after a long day and was indeed very sleepy.
Upon receiving the text message in his study, Shao Qibin was momentarily stunned. For the past six months, Shao Qile hadn't been by his side. If there was anything he found most difficult to adjust to, it was probably his well-pampered stomach. Shao Qibin was determined to get things done, which often required working overtime and staying up late, and this always took a toll on his stomach. In addition, he inevitably had to drink a few glasses at banquets. Although he was currently healthy and young and hadn't experienced any problems, there was no guarantee that something wouldn't happen in the future.
Despite having traveled a long way and being exhausted, Shao Qile still habitually remembered to prepare a late-night snack for him. Regardless of Shao Qile's true feelings for him as an older brother, this gesture and the feeling of being cared for made Shao Qibin feel an unprecedented warmth.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, for touching the heart of your target! Both your intimacy and trust levels have increased by two points. Your current intimacy level is 80/100 and your trust level is 90/100. You are getting closer to completing the mission. Please keep up the good work and achieve even greater success!"
Shao Qile felt incredibly happy to hear such good news before drifting off to sleep. Since leaving Shao Qibin in the past six months, it had become much harder to increase his favorability towards her. Now, with income on her very first day back, she was overjoyed.