At that moment, Bai Shutong stood up, and she was within arm’s reach, allowing Zhang Xiaoshan to get a clear view of her.
Bai Shutong was dressed in a white shirt, paired with high-waisted skinny jeans that accentuated her perfectly straight legs. Her shirt was tied up around her lower abdomen, displaying her incredibly flat stomach.
She wore a pair of white sneakers and stood about one hundred sixty-seven centimeters tall. Her chest wasn’t very large, but it was proportionate.
Her features were delicately refined, and she wore no makeup at all— a pure, natural beauty.
Compared to Jiang Man’s aloofness, Bai Shutong seemed much more approachable.
Jiang Man was right beside him, so Zhang Xiaoshan didn’t dare to look too much.
"Hello, Zhang Xiaoshan."
Zhang Xiaoshan extended his hand and briefly shook hands with Bai Shutong. Their contact was quick, just the necessary formalities.
"Sister, is this your boyfriend?"
Bai Shutong asked, looking towards Jiang Man.
Jiang Man was immediately startled, her face flushed with colors of dawn.
At the time, she and Zhang Xiaoshan were still in a secret relationship, one that couldn’t be exposed.
"No, you, you misunderstood, Little Shan and I are good friends."
This answer clearly did not convince Bai Shutong, who looked suspiciously at Jiang Man.
The usually composed Jiang Man was somewhat at a loss at this point.
Zhang Xiaoshan timely interjected,
"It’s a bit chaotic here, let’s find somewhere else to talk."
"Yes, yes, let’s move somewhere else to chat."
Jiang Man eagerly agreed.
Half an hour later, in a teahouse near the window.
Jiang Man and Bai Shutong sat together, with Zhang Xiaoshan across from them.
Jiang Man took the initiative to introduce Bai Shutong to Zhang Xiaoshan.
"Little Shan, Shutong is my junior from university, the belle of the Journalism Department, and now a journalist at Xijing Daily in the provincial capital, known in the industry as a distinguished writer. I specifically asked her to come from the provincial city to help you."
"To have such a renowned journalist visit our humble place is truly extraordinary," Zhang Xiaoshan said ingratiatingly.
"Oh please, Sister, don’t make fun of me,"
Bai Shutong said somewhat shyly, waving her hand.
Every smile, every frown, was captivating. Follow current novels on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝙣𝙚𝙩
Such an approachable, nice girl.
Zhang Xiaoshan was already beginning to daydream.
"No way, she’s Sister Man’s junior; what are you thinking?"
He inwardly berated himself harshly. He then turned to Jiang Man and said,
"Help me, Sister Man; I, I don’t really need a journalist."
Jiang Man displayed a somewhat distressed expression and then explained to Zhang Xiaoshan,
"Last time, you had me ask for a new primary school, and after I returned, I had people in the relevant department prepare a preliminary plan."
"The initial calculations for the education building, along with educational equipment and physical education gear, came to at least seven million, excluding ongoing maintenance costs. The town can only contribute a very small part. I managed to secure two million from the county finance department, but there’s still a four million funding gap."
"Actually, my days in the county aren’t that easy either. My father is up there, but he can’t just do whatever he wants; there’s a lot involved."
"Getting to where I am at my age is not bad, but I’m still in a deputy position."
"My effort to secure funding faces a lot of resistance; you, you understand, Sister Man."
At her words, Zhang Xiaoshan looked pained.
Jiang Man’s father was seriously ill, the family was on shaky ground, and her life here as a woman was definitely not easy.
He couldn’t help but feel some guilt.
"Sister Man, I was too hasty before. If I had known it was so difficult for you, I wouldn’t have troubled you."
"You don’t need to worry about the funding anymore, just help me secure the approval document."
"Getting the document isn’t hard, but it’s the empty pot that makes the loudest noise; without money, what can you do?"
"I’ve still got a few million saved up, that should not be a big problem," Zhang Xiaoshan said truthfully.
Jiang Man immediately objected,
"No way, this isn’t just about you; how can you pay out of your own pocket? I know you have a good heart, but I won’t let you waste money like that."
At that moment, Jiang Man completely resembled Zhang Xiaoshan’s wife.
Listening to the conversation between Zhang Xiaoshan and Jiang Man,
Bai Shutong looked at Jiang Man with an even stranger expression.
"Sister, you can manage someone else’s finances as just good friends?"
Jiang Man snapped out of it and hurriedly defended herself,
"I, I’m just caring for a friend."
Bai Shutong smiled without saying a word.
"Don’t worry, I’m here, aren’t I? I won’t let your good friend pay out of his own pocket."
Bai Shutong emphasized the words ’good friend’ particularly strongly,
as if hinting something to Jiang Man.
"Oh, Journalist Bai, do you have a way?"
Zhang Xiaoshan looked hopefully at Bai Shutong’s beautiful, radiant face.