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

At the end of the corridor on the third floor of the Women's Federation office building, there is a small office for the Publicity Department.

A desk with peeling paint, on which sits an enamel mug, red and blue pencils, and a calendar.

A banner reading "Women hold up half the sky" hangs on the wall, and a metal filing cabinet stands in the corner.

Section Chief Liang held a fountain pen and was writing furiously on the manuscript paper.

"Knock knock knock—"

"Please come in."

Xiao Liu from the editorial department walked in carrying a stack of manuscripts: "Section Chief Liang, the manuscripts submitted by Wenxi Garment Company are ready."

Section Chief Liang took it and looked at it: "Okay, let me take a look."

She flipped through the contents and said, "By the way, Xiao Liu, Comrade Ding Jiahe has passed the preliminary selection for our provincial-level March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter and has entered the national-level selection."

"Our application has been approved, and the next issue of 'Longjiang Women' will feature her special report on the cover."

"Okay, I'll go and let everyone know." Xiao Liu nodded.

"As for Comrade Ye Wenxi... the provincial selection committee is still discussing it, and the judges have some disagreements. How about this, you first finalize the cover and feature for Ding Jiahe. I'll let you know after the provincial selection results for Ye Wenxi are released."

"Okay, then we'll wait for your instructions." After saying that, Xiao Liu turned around, opened the door, and left.

"Okay, go ahead."

Section Chief Liang held the pen and wrote scribblingly on the paper.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a shimmering ring of light on the enamel mug.

"Ring ring ring—"

The black dial telephone on the table rang.

"Hello?"

"Hello, are you Section Chief Liang from the Publicity Department of the Heilongjiang Provincial Women's Federation?"

"Yes, who are you?"

"This is the Publicity Department of the All-China Women's Federation. My surname is Zhang."

"The Publicity Department of the All-China Women's Federation?" Section Chief Liang looked up abruptly.

"Yes, there's something I'd like to ask you about," the voice on the phone continued.

"Okay, go ahead."

"We received two things. One was a letter from the public, reflecting Comrade Ye Wenxi's deeds in founding the Wenxi Garment Shop and Mutual Aid Society, and promoting employment for military families. The other was a feature article called 'Heroine' sent by Ji Tinglan, editor-in-chief of Popular Cinema, which also focused on this comrade."

"Our Women's Newsletter is quite interested in this story. After making inquiries, we learned that your provincial publicity department has done in-depth research on this comrade's deeds and plans to do a special report on it."

"So I'd like to make a phone call to verify this and hear your overall evaluation of this comrade."

Section Chief Liang was startled and quickly sat up straight: "Yes, there is indeed such a person. She has been designated as a municipal-level March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter, and we just visited her place a few days ago. Which specific aspect would you like to inquire about?"

The person on the other end of the phone paused for a moment: "There are many things we want to know... such as the specific process of her founding the garment company, the actual data on job creation, the reputation and influence of the garment company, and your personal overall evaluation of her. Could you first tell us your impressions from your on-site visit?"

"Okay, then let me tell you what I know about her."

Section Chief Liang talked on the phone for almost half an hour.

She used the most precise language to explain to the other party everything she had seen and learned at the clothing company.

Before hanging up, Section Chief Liang asked one more question: "I'd like to ask, are you considering publishing her personal story in the All-China Women's Federation's internal publication, 'Half the Sky Newsletter'?"

"We are currently interested, but it still needs to be combined with our comprehensive assessment," the person on the other end of the phone said.

"Oh, okay, I understand."

"Thank you for your feedback, Section Chief Liang. We will organize it and contact you again regarding some details."

Section Chief Liang hung up the phone and called out towards the door, "Xiao Liu!"

Xiao Liu strode over and pushed open the door: "Section Chief, you called me?"

Section Chief Liang didn't speak, but instead fell into deep thought, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

Xiao Liu stood at the door, a little stunned, waiting for her to speak.

"Alright," Section Chief Liang finally looked up, "take the materials we've compiled over the past few days about Comrade Ye Wenxi and the Garment Company, including the interview records from our on-site visits, and make a copy. Send it to this address."

She tore off a piece of paper with the address of the All-China Women's Federation Publicity Department's "Half the Sky Newsletter" written on it.

Xiao Liu took the note, a little confused: "Section Chief Liang, is this... going to be published in 'Half the Sky Newsletter'? Or not here?"

"Yes!" Section Chief Liang said with a smile, "The comrades over there just called to inquire about the situation, and they do indeed have this intention."

Xiao Liu even stammered for a moment: "Then...then Comrade Ye Wenxi's provincial selection..."

Section Chief Liang's lips curved into a smile: "Wait for my news."

--------

On the central exhibition platform of Harbin's Third Department Store, there are promotional boards, posters, and new product samples of Wenxi Garment Company.

This is their second time holding a trade fair here.

The layout is the same as before, with no physical walls. Promotional posters and style descriptions are used as the outer perimeter, and a curtain separates the two fitting rooms in the middle.

The three-dimensional mannequins are placed around the perimeter and in the center, forming a U-shaped movement path.

Next to the entrance at the very front is a glass display case filled with goods, and the bottom drawers are stuffed with receipts.

Ding Jiahe was leaning over the counter writing a note. After finishing, she handed it to a woman who had just paid: "Comrade, this item has a three-month exclusive design guarantee. If you buy the exact same item in another department store or reputable store within three months, you can contact us. After verification, we will issue a refund, but not a return."

The customer's eyes lit up: "You can do that? That's great!"

After seeing the customer off, she took out the trade fair's ledger, flipped to today's page, and marked it with a pen: "Xiao Zhou, was that size L the last one? This one only has size S left now, just 2 pieces, and it'll be out of stock soon."

"Call the clothing company and ask if they can allocate some tomorrow. If they can't, then it will have to be listed as sold out tomorrow."

"Okay, sure," Xiao Zhou, the sales clerk, replied.

After giving her instructions, she continued checking the ledgers when she heard a sticky, familiar voice: "Team Leader Ding~~~~ I'm here~~~~"

Ye Wenxi, carrying a bag and two large bags, deliberately walked over from a distance with a cat-like gait.

Ding Jiahe looked up, burst out laughing, and walked over to take the two large bags of goods.

Then he turned to the sales clerks and said, "The restock has arrived. Update the inventory book."

"How's it going, Team Leader Ding?" Ye Wenxi asked, putting one hand on Ding Jiahe's shoulder.

"Look, besides the ones you ordered, there are only 6 left. The others are all out of stock." Ding Jiahe picked up the water bottle and took a sip.

"Looks like it'll be sold out by tomorrow morning..." Ye Wenxi flipped through the inventory book.

She turned and patted Ding Jiahe: "Let's hurry up and get our marriage certificate, bride!"