I slept with my sister's classmate, and she turned out to be my boss.

Zhang Degui was repairing farm tools in the yard when his phone rang.

He was squatting on the ground with a wrench in his hand, preparing to tighten a loose screw.

Hearing his phone ring, he put down the wrench and reached into his pocket to take out his phone.

The screen showed that the number of messages in the village's WeChat group had jumped to 99+.

He was stunned. Usually, there were only a few messages in this group throughout the day. Why did it explode so early this morning?

He clicked on the top message, which was a screenshot sent by a village official.

The image shows the words "Announcement on Guaranteed Purchase Price of Codonopsis pilosula in Qingshun County" printed on it, with a red title, black text on a white background, and the county government's electronic seal below.

Zhang Degui stared at the screenshot for several seconds.

Then he quickly typed a few words on the screen, forwarded them to the group, and added the sentence: "Don't panic, someone will cover you."

After he sent the message, the group was quiet for a few seconds, as if everyone was looking at those few words.

Then messages started flooding the screen.

Is the guaranteed minimum price real?

"How do I sign the contract?"

Is Guangjitang's factory reliable?

Zhang Degui did not reply to each one.

He recalled that when he decided to expand planting last year, he was unsure of himself, but he saw that others had made money from it, so he followed suit.

Now that he saw that price, he felt relieved. Although it was much lower than the market price, at least he wouldn't lose money.

……

Meanwhile, at Qingshun County TV Station, the interview vehicle was already on its way to Guangjitang.

The reporter, a young woman, was flipping through her interview outline in the back seat, while the cameraman sat in the passenger seat checking the equipment batteries.

After the car got on the highway and drove for more than ten minutes, it turned into the industrial park and stopped at the entrance of the Guangjitang factory area.

Mr. Liu was already waiting at the entrance of the office building.

He wore a dark gray jacket, just like usual, without deliberately changing into formal clothes.

When he saw the interview vehicle stop, he walked over, shook hands with the reporter, and exchanged a few pleasantries.

Then the interview officially began.

The reporter asked, "Mr. Liu, farmers in the county are currently in a state of agitation. What were the considerations behind Guangjitang's early implementation of the guaranteed price?"

Looking at the camera, Mr. Liu said in his usual tone, "Guangjitang's investment in building a factory in Qingshun County is not a one-off deal. The guaranteed price is the guaranteed price, not a penny less."

The reporter then followed up with, "So what would you like to say to the farmers?"

After thinking for a moment, Mr. Liu said, "Just cultivate the ginseng well, and we'll buy it according to the contract. Don't worry about anything else."

……

At 6:30 p.m., the county news broadcast this interview.

The video was forwarded in the group, and someone put the interview video together with a screenshot of the announcement from that morning and posted it in the group with the caption: "The county didn't lie to anyone."

This time, no one questioned it anymore.

After dinner, Zhang Degui sat in the courtyard enjoying the cool air, looking down at the video.

When Mr. Liu said "not a penny less" in front of the camera, his expression was very calm, and he didn't seem to be lying.

at the same time.

He Ying saw the interview video in her dormitory at the Party School.

She found Mr. Liu's WeChat and typed: "Mr. Liu, thank you."

General Manager Liu replied quickly: "Secretary He, you're too kind. Cooperation means sharing weal and woe, and I truly mean that."

He Ying smiled faintly: "President Liu, once this busy period is over, I will personally go to the factory to thank you in person."

General Manager Liu replied, "Secretary He, you're too kind."

……

It was past ten o'clock at night.

Bai Jiangfei was in his rented room, getting ready to go to sleep.

The phone rang; it was Wang Yan calling. He answered it quickly.

"What are you doing?"

Wang Yan's tone carried a hint of relaxation and teasing.

Bai Jiangfei replied, "Getting ready to sleep."

"Tch, it's still early. Let's go out for a drink, to that bar from last time."

Bai Jiangfei didn't hesitate: "Okay, wait for me for ten minutes."

After hanging up the phone, he got dressed again and went out.

He didn't have any particular thoughts in his mind, but he felt that Wang Yan calling so late probably meant she wanted more than just to drink.

When he arrived at the bar, Wang Yan was already sitting at the bar counter with a glass of wine in front of her, her face turned towards the door as if she was waiting for him.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around, glanced at him, and smiled slightly: "You're here? Have a seat."

Bai Jiangfei sat down next to her and ordered the same drink.

He picked up his glass, took a sip, and didn't speak immediately.

Wang Yan also picked up her wine glass and took a sip, then turned her head to look at him, as if waiting for him to speak first.

Bai Jiangfei put down his wine glass and asked, "Did your boss dump his stock?"

Wang Yan's lips curled into a slight smile: "Sold it. It was timely enough; although I didn't sell at the peak, I still made a considerable profit."

Bai Jiangfei chuckled, picked up his glass, and took another sip. "That's alright. Did you get your payment?"

Wang Yan's lips curved slightly. She didn't answer directly, but instead picked up her wine glass, took a sip, and then said, "I've taken it."

She paused for a moment:

"And you? You must have gotten quite a bit this time, right?"

Bai Jiangfei smiled and did not deny it: "It's alright, a little more than last time."

He didn't give a specific number, and Wang Yan didn't press him for details.

The two sat quietly for a while, each drinking the wine in their glasses.

Bai Jiangfei did not mention Jiang Dongmei or Zhao Yike.

He knows what he can say and what he cannot say.

Wang Yan didn't press him further about the shipment, only glancing at him occasionally and looking down at the little wine left in her glass.

She finished the last sip, put down the glass, and turned to look at him:

"Let's go."

Bai Jiangfei didn't ask any further questions, stood up and paid the bill.

The two walked out of the bar one after the other.

After entering the hotel room, Bai Jiangfei took off his coat and draped it over the back of the chair, while Wang Yan turned her back to him and untied her scarf.

He walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

She didn't dodge, but tilted her head slightly and touched his forehead with her lips.

Bai Jiangfei whispered in her ear:

"Why do you suddenly want to drink tonight?"

Wang Yan paused for a few seconds, then lowered her voice slightly: "It's nothing, I just feel like I've finished being busy lately and want to have a drink."

She turned to face him, placing her fingers on his shoulder.

"And you? What are your plans for the future?"

Bai Jiangfei was stunned for a moment.

He rarely thinks about "what's next"; taking things one step at a time has always been his approach.

But when Wang Yan asked him that question, he suddenly realized that he didn't seem to have any concrete plans either.

He thought for a moment and said, "Let's finish what we're doing first."

Wang Yan glanced at him but didn't ask any more questions.

She tilted her head slightly and pressed her lips to mine.

Bai Jiangfei responded to the kiss.

His hand slid from her waist to her back, and Wang Yan took a step closer to him.

The two embraced and kissed tightly, moving step by step toward the bed.

Upon reaching the bedside, Bai Jiangfei gently pushed Wang Yan, and she fell onto the bed.

He leaned down and pressed down on her...

After the passion subsided, the room fell silent.

Bai Jiangfei lay flat on his back, his arm still draped over her shoulder, looking at the ceiling without speaking immediately.

Wang Yan lay on her side next to him, one hand resting on his chest, and after a while spoke: "Do you plan to stay in Qingshun from now on?"

Bai Jiangfei remained silent for a few seconds before answering:

"Not necessarily. It depends on the situation."

He wasn't really sure what "it depends" meant, but when he said those words, the USB drive hidden in the bed frame flashed through his mind.

Wang Yan did not ask any further questions.

She closed her eyes, and her breathing gradually became calm.

Bai Jiangfei glanced at her; she looked like she was about to fall asleep.

He reached out and pulled the blanket up to cover her shoulders, then put one arm around her waist...