A whirlwind marriage with a high-ranking official: Lights out, don't force me to take the initi

Zhou Xuchen and Song Xiaotang are cousins. They were both born in Jilin Province, but Song Xiaotang stayed in Jilin Province while Zhou Xuchen went to Beijing to develop his career.

Over the years, Zhou Xuchen has accumulated a considerable network of connections in Beijing, spanning government departments, military-industrial complexes, and local government systems.

He is the youngest director of the research institute, with outstanding abilities and a promising future.

In addition, he and Song Xiaotang share a common maternal grandfather who made outstanding contributions during the founding of the People's Republic of China, which laid the foundation for the family's status within the system.

Song Xiaotang didn't actually want to use these connections; with her abilities, she could easily maneuver around them and overcome them one by one.

But this matter came quickly and was decided hastily.

There was no time left; filming was imminent, and she didn't want to give up her collaboration with the clothing company.

If the clothing company is excluded due to certain people's concerns, firstly, it will lose the possibility of expanding the film's influence, and secondly, Song Xiaotang will miss the opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ye Wenxi.

She always felt that collaborating with Ye Wenxi and with the clothing company might just be the beginning of this film.

"Why did you suddenly decide to collaborate so deeply with the clothing company?" Zhou Xuchen asked, puzzled. "You haven't been here long, have you?"

"Ye Wenxi gave me a proposal. I took a look at it, and it's very bold, but it should be quite effective, that's the main reason," Song Xiaotang said, tapping the sofa with her finger.

"Although... there are other reasons too..." Song Xiaotang looked up at Zhou Xuchen, "Never mind, you wouldn't understand even if I told you."

Zhou Xuchen lowered his head and smiled.

If he hadn't known about Ye Wenxi, he probably wouldn't have understood the reason.

His cousin has probably met her soulmate.

"I'm happy for you..." Zhou Xuchen leaned back on the sofa, his tone languid.

"What's there to be happy about?" Song Xiaotang turned to look at him.

"It's not easy to meet someone who shares your values ​​in the current environment," Zhou Xuchen said, his expression becoming more serious.

Song Xiaotang looked at him with a surprised expression.

The fact that he could say that shows that he understands Ye Wenxi well enough, knows her thoughts, her way of doing things, and the spirit in her bones.

"Do you know Ye Wenxi?" Song Xiaotang asked Zhou Xuchen, raising an eyebrow.

"Who in this military region doesn't know you?" Zhou Xuchen did not give a direct answer.

"Are you two very close?" Song Xiaotang felt it wasn't that simple.

"I've dealt with her a few times. She is indeed very capable and has very advanced ideas. Working with her should be of great help to you," Zhou Xuchen said calmly.

Song Xiaotang was suddenly lost in memories.

That noon, while they were having lunch at the garment factory, the technicians enthusiastically told her that a group of higher-level leaders had come to visit, and one of them looked like an intellectual. He even helped them calculate the future growth trend.

"Did you visit the garment factory with the leaders of the military region and even help them calculate the future growth trend of those counterfeit goods?" Song Xiaotang stared at him.

She couldn't help but feel that the intellectual the technicians were talking about was the man in front of her.

"How did you know? Did Ye Wenxi tell you?" Zhou Xuchen was taken aback.

Song Xiaotang didn't answer, but continued to press, "So, when you recommended that I film here, saying that the place is open-minded, has strong support, and that women's themes should be respected, was that because you saw the development of Ye Wenxi and the others, that you came to that conclusion?"

"There's some connection," Zhou Xuchen nodded, "but these are all objective facts."

"How do you know so much about these facts?" Song Xiaotang raised an eyebrow at him.

"How...how much?" Zhou Xuchen frowned.

"Not much?" Song Xiaotang asked back.

Zhou Xuchen was speechless...

"Alright, I'll call the Film Bureau." Zhou Xuchen returned to his office.

"Thanks, bro~" Song Xiaotang got up to leave, but turned back at the door and said, "I'll treat you to dinner later and introduce you to someone."

Zhou Xuchen rolled his eyes and glared at Song Xiaotang: ".........."

Song Xiaotang came out of the division headquarters building. It was almost lunchtime. For some reason, she suddenly wanted to go to Ye Wenxi's clothing store and eat with those people.

What she ate wasn't important; she liked the atmosphere there.

But it wouldn't be appropriate to just show up and freeload again without giving prior notice, since they cook according to the number of people.

Thinking of this, Song Xiaotang gave up the idea and decided to have dinner with Ye Wenxi again tomorrow, taking the opportunity to talk about the progress.

The military canteen has a small area in its kitchen that is specifically designated for small kitchens.

There is a stove here, which belongs exclusively to the clothing company and is also where Lang Yuqin works daily.

There was simmering pickled cabbage and pork belly in the pot, along with two blood sausages, all steaming away.

Lang Yuqin was scooping rice and vegetables into an enamel tray, preparing to deliver them to the clothing store later.

"Oh my, you really bought a lot! This must be almost half a refrigerator!" Aunt Yang opened the refrigerator door and rummaged through the contents, looking at the things they had bought from the market last time.

"I bought half a fan, divided some among myself, and kept some for Xiao Ye." Lang Yuqin was busy with her hands and didn't look up.

This Aunt Yang is Lang Yuqin's old friend from the military region.

Before Lang Yuqin worked at the garment factory, the two of them often sat together chatting about everyday things, talking about this and that, and having a lively conversation.

Occasionally, Aunt Yang would come to Lang Yuqin's small kitchen to chat with her.

Aunt Yang pulled open the crisper drawer and saw the fruit and cantaloupe inside: "I thought this was vegetables. There's so much fruit too? Your meals are too good. Even the military region doesn't have cantaloupe."

"How much would it cost for the military region to buy cantaloupes? Only a garment factory with few employees can afford it." Lang Yuqin wiped her hands on her apron.

"Hey? When are you going to teach me your braised pork recipe? My grandson is so proud of yours, he keeps asking me to learn it from you." Aunt Yang's hands were busy, turning over the shelves of dried goods and the jars of pickled vegetables.

"Hey, hey, hey—don't mess it up, I just arranged it neatly." Lang Yuqin tugged at Aunt Yang's arm.

Aunt Yang rolled her eyes at her: "I've noticed you've become quite particular these days."

Lang Yuqin didn't reply and continued with her work.

After a while, she packed the prepared food into an enamel basin, ready to take it to the clothing store.

"I was going to call you the night before last, but we're out of spices, so I have to go buy some. Wait for me, it'll only take two hours. I'll call you again once I'm done here and have bought some spices."

"What else do we need to buy? We have plenty of these." Aunt Yang gestured to the spices they had bought at the market that day.

"Those are from the clothing company! Why would I use their spices?" Lang Yuqin's tone hardened.

"They only pinch a tiny little thing, and they're so old, what could possibly happen?" Aunt Yang said dismissively.

Lang Yuqin looked at the spices; the ones from the service shop weren't as good as these.