Chapter 68: The Official Beginning

How obsessed is Qi Zhengqing with Zhou Wan? It’s said that last year, for Zhou Wan’s birthday, Qi Zhengqing spent fifty million to put on a city-wide fireworks show. Although Zhou Wan didn’t attend. He’s been relentlessly pursuing her for more than a year, all for a single purpose: to sleep with her. The things you can’t have are always the best. Perhaps it’s because he hasn’t succeeded, or perhaps because Young Master Qi has never tasted failure, that he’s unusually fixated on Zhou Wan. When obsession reaches a certain point, it becomes a compulsion. Now, even Qi himself can’t tell whether his feelings for Zhou Wan are genuine affection or simply obsession. Maybe it’s both.

“Wan, let’s have dinner together after your performance,” Qi Zhengqing spoke with gentle ease, as if nothing had happened.

Zhou Wan shook her head. “Sorry, I have plans tonight.”

So many eyes watched them, but even as Zhou Wan rejected him, Qi showed no anger. To him, the people around were mere cattle and horses. Would you be annoyed if cattle and horses stared at you? Absolutely not. You’d simply pity them.

“This time I had Lin Daoan turn you down, to show you that I can raise you up quickly, but I can just as swiftly drag you down into the mud. Face reality, Wan,” Qi said.

A mocking smile appeared on Zhou Wan’s face. Did he really think that without Lin Daoan’s help, she couldn’t get good songs? Once the Postman’s song is released, let’s see what they have left to say.

“It’s nothing serious. Like Shen Xian said, even if I only make three thousand a month, I can live just fine,” Zhou Wan smiled.

Qi was momentarily stunned, then narrowed his eyes. What kind of magic did this Shen Xian have, to plant such ideas in Zhou Wan’s mind?

“Heh,” Qi Zhengqing chuckled, then shook his head. “The higher you climb, the harder you fall. Today, if you hit rock bottom, you’ll never get up again.”

Zhou Wan was unconcerned. “I don’t mind. I love this industry, but that doesn’t mean I’m attached to it. It can propel me forward, but it can’t bind me. So your threats don’t really affect me.”

She was rebellious to the bone—the more she was threatened, the more defiant she became.

Qi Zhengqing, hearing this, didn’t press further. He returned to the crowd with a beaming smile, chatting and laughing, basking in their compliments.

Now, those around him were no longer cattle and horses. They were bona fide officials at department level or above. Some of the Qi family’s businesses operated within these officials’ jurisdictions, so he needed their support.

Far away in Nanzhou, Shen Xian enjoyed a comfortable morning nap. When he opened his eyes, he saw Qingqing sitting nearby, focused on playing with building blocks. She was so well-behaved—awake for some time, but not crying, simply playing on her own. Shen Xian felt his heart melting.

When she saw Shen Xian awake, Qingqing patted her tummy. “Hungry.”

Shen Xian laughed. “Alright, let’s brush your teeth first, then I’ll make you something delicious.”

He spoke as he led Qingqing out of the room. The house felt livelier, warmer, as if a ray of sunshine pierced the dreariness of his life.

“Today I’ll take you to the amusement park,” he said after breakfast, dressing Qingqing in cute clothes and pinching her little cheek.

He was still driving Xiao Yang’s father’s old Land Rover.

Today was the grand opening of Nanzhou’s amusement park, backed by several major capital investors from Haicheng. It was rumored that the heiress of the primary holding company would be coming for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Nanzhou Amusement Park was the largest integrated park in An Province, nestled beside the 5A-rated scenic area of Wanfo Lake. Within the park, there were yachts, speedboats, roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, and a drifting ride stretching over ten kilometers.

It had taken over a billion invested and more than three years to complete.

Shen Xian wasn’t originally interested in these things, but today, since he was taking Qingqing out, he thought she should experience them—after all, he never had the chance as a child.

He felt kindness toward every child, believing that no child’s childhood should be as his own had been.

His own childhood pain wasn’t mostly material; it was spiritual. Material deprivation—hunger, cold—could be endured. But the emotional wounds might never heal.

Xiao Yang only knew that Shen Xian had a miserable childhood, but not what he’d gone through. The villagers knew, but they were the very ones responsible for scarring his soul.

So, after growing up, Shen Xian would secretly return once a year during Qingming Festival, to pay respects to his late grandfather, then quietly leave again.

Tickets were 158 yuan each—not cheap. Outside the scenic area, a long queue had already formed. There was never a shortage of people eager for excitement.

Shen Xian took a photo of Qingqing and sent it to Zhou Wan: “Today I’m taking Qingqing to Wanfo Lake Scenic Area. There’ll be a fireworks and light show tonight. If you’re back by then, you can join us. If not, I’ll take Qingqing home around ten.”

Zhou Wan quickly replied: “Thank you.”

Then she put away her phone and began to prepare herself for the upcoming performance.

At eleven o’clock—one hour before the singing began—all the performers entered the venue and took their seats.

The event was held in the conference hall of the government office building, which could accommodate about fifteen hundred people. Usually, it was used for major provincial meetings, like the Provincial Political Consultative Conference or People’s Congress.

The equipment for the performance had been specially purchased, matching or even surpassing the quality of a sports center. The large display screen was clearer than those at regular concerts, showing how seriously the organizers regarded this event.

Now, provinces, cities, and counties were all striving to promote their cultural tourism, hoping to make their cities stand out and boost local economies. For officials, this was a matter of political achievement.

The cultural tourism route was easier than traditional approaches.

Half an hour before the start, the official video accounts of two provinces launched their livestreams.

The event’s scale was such that even the host was at department director level.

Standing on stage, the host looked down. The hall was filled with men in suits, most middle-aged, the youngest born in the eighties. Each exuded a powerful aura, staring straight at her.

What rank is a department director? Most ordinary people might never meet one in their lifetime. Now, a thousand department-level officials sat together, and even the battle-hardened host felt nervous, her palms sweating.

But her professionalism was strong. She appeared to be in her forties, with short hair, and carried herself with crisp efficiency. “Esteemed leaders, participants, good afternoon. To thoroughly study and implement... grasp deeply... promote...” She recited many introductory phrases, fully demonstrating her political alignment and the event’s theme.

“There are forty contestants. We’ll now conduct the electronic lottery!”

Zhou Wan drew number thirty-two, toward the end. Liu Ruyun drew thirty-one, just ahead of Zhou Wan.

“Now, I declare the ‘Voice of China’ concert officially begins!” the host announced.

Clap, clap, clap—one thousand leaders applauded.