Just as Shan Liqiang was pondering, Chen Bin spoke slowly once again.
"As a man, you should get back up from where you fell. If you walk away like this, what does that mean?"
"Minister Chen, I understand what you're saying, but..."
"Let me put it this way: I will be coming to work in Tianhe next year."
Upon hearing this, Shan Liqiang was visibly shocked.
"Oh my God, is this true?"
"Of course it's true, but apart from the main leaders of the Provincial Committee, no one knows about this. I hope you can keep it a secret for me."
"Rest assured, Minister Chen, I promise I won't tell anyone about this news."
Recently, Shan Liqiang had been puzzled as to why Chen Bin had arranged the modeling competition and Medusa lingerie show in Tianhe.
Now it seems it was definitely to pave the way for his future work in Tianhe.
At this point, Chen Bin continued speaking.
"After I come to Tianhe, I plan to have you assist me with my work. Are you still planning to leave?"
"No, I'm not leaving anymore. Wherever you need me to go, I'll go. I'll listen to whatever arrangements Minister Chen makes."
Shan Liqiang's career had hit a lot of bumps, and he had originally decided to leave Tianhe.
If he couldn't leave, he wouldn't stay in the bureaucracy.
Now, with Chen Bin backing him, his future seemed incredibly bright.
Shan Liqiang also understood that by sharing such a big secret, Chen Bin considered him one of his own.
After a few more words were exchanged, he got up and left.
Chen Bin had just taken out his phone, intending to contact Kawashima Yoshiko, when the phone unexpectedly rang.
Seeing an unfamiliar number, he decided to answer it.
"Is this Minister Chen Bin?" a crisp female voice asked over the phone.
In Chen Bin's memory, he didn't know this person, so he replied,
"Yes, who is this?"
"Hello, Minister Chen. My name is Ke Jiayi, and Secretary Bao asked me to contact you."
"Oh, I see. Where are you now?"
"I just got off the plane with my girlfriends, and I'm now at Tianhe Airport."
"Then come to Tianhe Hotel alone to meet me. I'm in room 626."
After hanging up, Chen Bin sent a message to Cheng Zhuang and then headed to the bathroom to take a shower.
He originally wanted to invite over Kawashima Yoshiko and practice with that little girl.
Now it seemed that the plan might fall through.
Shortly after Chen Bin finished his shower, Ke Jiayi arrived.
Although she was only eighteen, she was already a professional model.
Her height of 1.78 meters paired with her long legs was quite enticing to him.
"Hello, Minister Chen, I'm Ke Jiayi."
Upon seeing Chen Bin, Ke Jiayi immediately bent over and bowed, looking very polite.
"Hello, please come in."
Ke Jiayi's clothes were very form-fitting, and she walked with a seductive swaying of her hips.
Swallowing hard, Chen Bin felt a bit curious.
He wondered how it would feel to screw such a young model.
After closing the door, he gestured for her to sit down.
Glancing at Ke Jiayi's face, he found it was almost identical to her photos.
Upon closer inspection, she even appeared more beautiful in person than in pictures.
Satisfied, Chen Bin took out his phone and sent Cheng Zhuang a WeChat message.
"Proceed as planned!"
After several seconds, his phone rang.
Confirming it was Cheng Zhuang calling, he immediately turned the volume to max and answered.
"Why are you calling again?"
In a fawning tone, Cheng Zhuang said, "Minister Chen, I don't expect to get into the top three this time, as long as you can secure my daughter a place in the top ten. I'm willing to pay 50 million, do you agree?"
Hearing this, Ke Jiayi's heart trembled.
She never imagined that a top-ten spot would cost so much.
So, if money were used to push, wouldn't the top three have to exceed a hundred million?
Upon seeing Ke Jiayi's expression, Chen Bin felt secretly pleased.
He instructed Cheng Zhuang to stage this, precisely for this effect.
With a light cough, he spoke solemnly to the phone.
"I cannot accept your money! If your daughter truly has what it takes, she doesn't need to spend money to enter the top ten. If she's just faking it, even if she wins a spot, it will only be a joke. I have other things to do, goodbye!"
After hanging up, Chen Bin muttered impatiently.
"Why are there so many looking for backdoors all day? It's so annoying!"
Then he turned to Ke Jiayi once more.
"What did Secretary Bao tell you?"
"He just told me to contact you, and didn't say anything else."
"Actually, my relationship with him is quite basic, we hardly ever contact. It was only after his persistent requests that I agreed to meet with you."
Having just come of age, Ke Jiayi didn't understand many life matters.
She could only give an awkward smile and reply, "Really, I'm sorry to trouble you, Minister Chen."
"No trouble, I can help you get into the top fifteen, but as for what rank you can ultimately achieve, that will depend on your own ability."
Hearing this, Ke Jiayi's heart sank halfway.
She originally thought Bao Kanglu had arranged everything, assuming she could make the top ten.
That way, at least she could get on Medusa's stage.
If she couldn't make it to the top ten, participating in the modeling competition would be meaningless.
Seeing this, Chen Bin continued.
"Your qualifications are good, if you want to enter the top ten, even the top three, I can help think of a way."
Upon hearing this, Ke Jiayi's eyes lit up.
She hurriedly said, "Minister Chen, stepping onto Medusa's stage has long been my dream. Please, help me."
Chen Bin knew it wasn't yet the time to seize the opportunity.
So he replied, "Think about this thoroughly before contacting me again."
Unclear about his meaning, Ke Jiayi wondered why she was asked to consider with no clear indication of what to think about.
While her heart was full of doubts, she still nodded.
"Alright, then I won't disturb you any longer, Minister Chen."
The next morning, Chen Bin hurriedly returned to Tianhai.
After finishing some work, he remembered the little girl who quarreled with him last time.
He initially thought that Wu Jie's personality would make her apologize.
Now it seemed that the girl was genuinely upset.
As the evening approached and work hours ended, Chen Bin called Wu Jian.
"How is your job at City TV going?"
"The new environment is great, and I'm getting along well with colleagues."
Wu Jian's voice was cheerful, indicating his satisfaction with his current state of life.
Chen Bin then asked, "So, is Xiao Jie at home?"
"She is. I don't know what's going on, but she's often sad. If you have time, you might want to visit."
Actually, Wu Jian had already suspected Wu Jie's unusual behavior was connected to Chen Bin, but he didn't dare to ask.
After all, in his eyes, Chen Bin was a formidable official whom he couldn't possibly offend.
Only when Chen Bin inquired about his daughter did he dare to reply.
"Alright, I'll come over after work, but don't tell her for now."
"Okay."
Not long after hanging up, it was time to leave work.
Chen Bin first drove to Tianhai District and changed clothes at Wu Jie's place.
Only then did he head downstairs, and took a cab to Wu Jie's home through the back door...