n

n

n

nThe next day.

nEarly in the morning, upon waking up.

nDong Xuebing was awakened by a phone call, or more accurately, by his daughter's crying after she heard the phone ring.

n

"Hello?

"

n

"Xuebing.

"

n

"Who is this?

"

n

"It's me, Yu Meixia.

"

n

"Oh, Sister Yu, I was just sleeping.

"

n

"I know. I have something to ask you.

"

n

"Alright, go ahead, what is it?

"

n

"Somebody wants me to act in a movie, saying my appearance fits their next film.

"

n

"Acting in a movie? Is it reliable? Don't tell me you're being scammed again. There are so many scammers nowadays. Did they ask for money? How much did you pay?

"

n

"They didn't ask for money, so it must be real.

"

n

"How do you know it's a legitimate film company?

"

n

"I am in Beijing, and I have visited their company, it's quite big. I've seen the producers and investors, too. I had a friend check them out. Their credentials match, with photos identical to them. It's genuine, and they've made many movies.

"

n

"Are they offering you the lead role?

"

n

"No, it seems to be a supporting role.

"

n

"That's not bad then.

"

n

"If you say okay, I will go.

"

n

"You should check it out first and be smart about it.

"

n

"Alright, I understand. Today is the audition. I don't know if I'll pass. If I do, I will call you again.

"

n

"Why are you suddenly interested in acting?

"

n

"I can't always rely on you. Qian Qian will be taking the college entrance exams next year. I want to earn money for her tuition. It's not right to keep taking your money.

"

n

"You're too polite.

"

n

"It's not about being polite, it's different.

"

n

"Okay, if you want to go, go ahead.

"

nAfter hanging up, Dong Xuebing wasn't sleepy anymore. He yawned and got up. Regarding Yu Meixia's matter, Dong Xuebing wasn't surprised. Big Sister Yu was exceptionally beautiful and remarkably virtuous too. Though she might not have much acting skill, playing a role that suited her natural demeanor wouldn't be a problem. As for why Yu Meixia didn't want to spend her own money was probably a matter of her pride, which Dong Xuebing understood.

n

"Wow!

" Little Qian Qian was still crying.

nDong Xuebing quickly picked up his daughter and kissed her several times.

"Good girl, don't cry. Daddy is here. Let's go, it's not early, let's go to work with Daddy.

" Last night, Dong Xuebing didn't return to the courtyard until around ten o'clock. Instead, he went straight to the family housing compound. Mainly because Fang Wenping was too fond of little Qian Qian, and she wouldn't let go. Little Qian Qian also liked her a lot. The big and small ones were very affectionate; if it hadn't been so late, Dong Xuebing would have stayed there, and tongues would have been wagging.

n...

nNine o'clock.

nTime for work.

nThis time, Dong Xuebing didn't dare to have someone else take care of his child. He carried Qian Qian straight into his office, let her sit on his lap, and started working like that.

n

"Oops!

"

n

"Daddy!

"

n

"Oops! Oops!

"

nLittle Qian Qian was too naughty, always causing trouble for Dong Xuebing in his office. Whenever she saw a pen or some documents, she would reach out to grab them. She would cry loudly enough for people downstairs to hear if she weren't given. Dong Xuebing could only laugh helplessly. He couldn't get anything done; he could only play and pacify his child for over an hour. In the end, unable to do anything else, Dong Xuebing had to put little Qian Qian down on the floor to play by herself. Fortunately, there were no dangerous items in the office, so Dong Xuebing wasn't worried.

nMorning.

nIt's almost time for lunch.

nDong Xuebing checked the time on his watch, and he was nearly finished with his work. He happily put it aside and spent time playing with his lively daughter. Dong Xuebing always felt a sense of pride whenever he saw his daughter. This little one was so beautiful from a young age; she would surely be material for a big star when she grew up. Just look at the people in the unit; who wouldn't like Little Qian Qian? She was star material. Thinking about stars, Dong Xuebing suddenly remembered Yu Meixia and wondered how her interview had gone.

nLet's ask.

nDong Xuebing dialed Yu Meixia's number.

nRing, ring, ring... but no one answered after a long wait.

nDong Xuebing furrowed his brow. Sister Yu never ignored his calls, almost always picking up after one or two rings. Today was indeed unusual. Dong Xuebing figured she might be outside on the street and didn't hear the phone.

nAbout five minutes later.

nRing, ring, ring... Yu Meixia's call came back.

nDong Xuebing answered,

"Hello, Sister Yu, how was the audition? Did you pass?

"

nBut Yu Meixia's voice on the other end was low and urgent,

"Xuebing, you... come pick me up quickly, I... I...

"

nDong Xuebing was taken aback,

"What's wrong?

"

nYu Meixia hurriedly said,

"Please come pick me up!

"

n

"Where are you?

" Dong Xuebing could tell something was wrong with Sister Yu, his expression tightening.

"Tell me slowly what happened, don't be afraid, I'm here!

"

nYu Meixia softly replied,

"I'm at their company. During the audition today, there were many people. However, when I audited, it was supervised by a middle-aged man who seemed to be an investor. He asked me to act in a scene, and I didn't know what happened. I said okay, but then he said... he wanted a kissing scene and asked me to kiss him... I... I disagreed; he got impatient and even cursed at me, which was very rude. Finally, that investor insisted on showing me how to do the kissing scene. I was scared, so I quickly opened the door and ran away. I am in the women's restroom at their company, I... I dare not come out. I heard someone outside calling; I don't know if they're looking for me!

"

n

"He didn't take advantage of you, did he?

" Dong Xuebing took a breath.

n

"Not yet... I ran away,

" Yu Meixia said.

nDong Xuebing was instantly furious,

"He asked you to perform a kissing scene? Damn it! Is he tired of living? I'm going to give him a beating!

" Dong Xuebing always resorted to strong language when angered.

"Don't be afraid, Sister Yu, I'm here! Damn it all!

"

nYu Meixia whispered,

"Xuebing, please come quickly!

"

n

"Okay! I'm coming right away! Tell me the company's address!

" Dong Xuebing quickly grabbed a notebook and wrote it down. Then he said,

"Don't panic, don't be scared. Stay in the restroom, lock the door from the inside for safety. I'll be there in ten minutes!

"

n

"Okay, okay.

" Yu Meixia sounded panicked, too. She was originally from the countryside and particularly honest and gentle, often at a loss in such situations.

nThe call ended.

nDong Xuebing put away his phone with a grim expression. Among the people he cared about, Yu Meixia was the one he cared about the most. She had the most pitiable background and a somewhat timid personality. Despite being older than him, Dong Xuebing couldn't help but look after her. With a serious face, Dong Xuebing bent down to pick up little Qian Qian from the floor.

"No more playing, Qian Qian. Daddy has to go out for something.

"

nEveryone noticed that Dong Xuebing's expression was wrong when he was leaving.

n

"Director Dong, are you...

" They could see something was off.

nBut Dong Xuebing didn't answer directly. He asked,

"Where's Director Luo?

"

nZhang Lili said,

"Director Luo went out for business. It's been an hour. She probably won't be back until the afternoon. What do you need... Should I call Director Luo back?

"

n

"Call her back now? It's too late for that!

" Dong Xuebing didn't say anything more. He left the office area and headed straight to Fang Wenping's office. It was strange indeed—among everyone in the Nineth Office, Dong Xuebing trusted Luo Haiting the most. She was experienced, and he felt completely at ease leaving his child with her. Zhang Lili was also trustworthy, but Dong Xuebing wasn't as confident in her for some reason. Conversely, he felt surprisingly reassured with Fang Wenping, whom Dong Xuebing had deeper conflicts with and didn't particularly like. Relationships between people were complex, and trust was often difficult to explain.

nAt the entrance to the director's office.

nStill, without knocking, Dong Xuebing pushed the door open and entered.

nInside, Fang Wenping was in conversation with another cadre. Seeing Dong Xuebing enter without knocking, her expression soured, clearly displeased.

nThe other cadre, obviously of lower rank than Dong Xuebing, sensed the atmosphere and excused himself tactfully, closing the door behind him as he left.

n

"What's the matter?

" Fang Wenping didn't give him a friendly look.

nDong Xuebing put down his child.

"I need to go out for something. Can you look after Qian Qian for me?

"

nFang Wenping's expression darkened.

"Am I indebted to you, or is your home's nanny? Do I manage your affairs? You're not very polite.

"

nDong Xuebing was already impatient.

"I have urgent business!

"

n

"Are you not coming back this afternoon? Then consider yourself absent for the day!

" Fang Wenping said coldly.

n

"Write it down however you like! Can you take care of my child or not?

" Dong Xuebing retorted.

nFang Wenping stared at him coldly.

"...Go on then.

"

nDong Xuebing squatted, speaking gently to his daughter,

"Daddy needs to go out. Auntie Fang will take care of you today, okay?

"

nLittle Qian Qian babbled in response, seemingly unsure if she understood.

nDong Xuebing couldn't worry about it anymore.

"Listen to Auntie Fang, behave yourself. Daddy's leaving!

" With that, he nudged his daughter gently.

nLittle Qian Qian blinked her eyes and awkwardly and clumsily toddled toward Fang Wenping.

nFang Wenping stood to greet her, her previously reluctant expression softening into a gentle smile. She bent down to lift Qian Qian, kissing her cheeks a few times, once on each side.

"Ignore your dad and play in Auntie's office, okay?

"

n

"Ah! Yi!

" Qian Qian giggled happily.

n

"Hehe! Such a good girl!

"

n

"Giggle! Ah! Ah!

"

nSoon, Qian Qian happily played with Fang Wenping.

nOnly then did Dong Xuebing relax. Seeing this, he closed the door and turned away, his expression darkening.

n

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