Chapter 3: Hobbies

Mu Wanlan stood by the window of Deputy Director Gao's rest area, watching my disappearing figure, and asked, "Director Gao, is this young man new to your bureau?"

"Yeah, he's a talented graduate from Jiangzhou University. He just started working at our bureau today."

Gao Qirong struggled to get up from the bed, looking at her with lustful eyes, his face full of smiles, teasing, "What? Director Mu, are you interested in this handsome young man?"

In her thirties, Mu Wanlan had the mature charm of a young woman, which was well known throughout Qingyang City. She was known to be still charming despite her age.

For the first time, outsiders would be impressed by her tall figure. In just over a decade, with the help of various powerful figures, Mu Wanlan had quickly become a wealthy woman with assets worth billions.

Mu Wanlan didn't respond to his words, just smiled faintly, walked over and sat on the edge of Gao Qirong's bed, concerned, "Director Gao, why did you drink so much? No wonder you don't remember why I'm here."

"Of course I remember. Brother Wang asked you to come because he must have something to tell you."

Gao Qirong's hands restlessly moved to massage Mu Wanlan's thigh wrapped in black stockings, smiling, "Something very important to you, Director Mu, I'm sure you'll be interested in it."

With a lascivious look, a smirk on his lips, Gao Qirong stared at Mu Wanlan's voluptuous curves under her tight-fitting clothes, teasingly hinting at something.

Mu Wanlan, seeing his lecherous expression, knew what he wanted to do.

Gao Qirong had been mingling in official circles for many years, and his biggest flaw was his love for money and women. He never engaged in losing deals. Mu Wanlan was good at observing and understanding people's intentions, knowing how to seize Gao Qirong's weaknesses to gain the benefits she needed.

She gently pushed away Gao Qirong's hand on her thigh, her expression coquettish, "Director Gao, I heard you had dinner with Boss Lin today."

Gao Qirong was momentarily stunned, then immediately smiled, "Director Mu, you really have extraordinary abilities. Both you and Old Lin are interested in this mining right. Brother Wang asked you to come to give you some information about it." As he spoke, he placed his chubby hand on Mu Wanlan's leg again, stroking it with ill intentions...

...

On the way back, I kept pondering. The relationship between that woman and Deputy Director Gao should be unusual. Otherwise, how could she dare to enter the director's rest area without Deputy Director Gao's permission, without even knocking on the door?

"Perhaps, next time I have the chance, I should get to know her." On the way home, I continued to contemplate about the woman, who seemed somewhat absent-minded. It wasn't until a voice called me several times that I reacted.

"Xiaoquan, what are you thinking? I've been calling you for so long, but you didn't hear me." Fang Zhengyuan caught up to me, greeting with a smile.

I smiled faintly, softly saying, "Maybe it's because it's my first day at work. I'm not used to it yet, so my attention isn't very focused."

Fang Zhengyuan, upon hearing this, became a bit nervous, quickly advising, "Xiaoquan, work is important, but you also need to take care of yourself. After all, health is the foundation of everything. If you lose your health, you won't have the opportunity to turn things around."

"Thank you, Brother Fang."

I nodded, curious, "Brother Fang, what brings you here?"

"Well, it's a bit complicated."

Fang Zhengyuan looked around, seeing many passersby nearby, making it inconvenient to speak, then changed the subject, "Xiaoquan, after coming out, I realized I didn't bring any money with me. Do you have any money on you? I want to buy some cigarettes."

I nodded, handing over the few coins I had, smiling, "Is this enough?"

"It's enough, it's enough."

Fang Zhengyuan took the coins and walked towards the nearby convenience store, muttering under his breath, "It's really strange. How could my luck be so bad today?"

I paused for a moment, then realized, my expression unconsciously darkened, turning to him, "Brother Fang, did you go gambling again?"

Fang Zhengyuan nodded dejectedly, then casually said, "Xiaoquan, you know, gambling is my only hobby."

"Gambling harms oneself and others, Brother Fang, you should quit sooner rather than later!"

Since Fang Zhengyuan lost his function as a man, he had transferred his interest to gambling. I knew advising him was like talking to a wall, feeling somewhat helpless, I could only sigh inwardly.

Still tangled up in my thoughts, I had just reached the staircase when I almost bumped into someone. Looking up, I saw it was Sister Jiaqi. She was wearing a light blue spaghetti strap dress, red high heels, her long hair casually falling on her shoulders, carrying a small black bag.

She had put on light makeup, her lips painted with lipstick, charming and alluring. The graceful curve of her lips was extremely seductive, her fair cheeks carrying a charming smile, making her even more charming and alluring.

Song Jiaqi stopped in her tracks, leaning against the door, and asked in confusion, "Xiaoquan, what's wrong? You seem to have something on your mind?"

"It's nothing, Sister Jiaqi." I smiled back, remembering the argument I overheard outside the door that day, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, and dared not look at that radiant face.

A strange emotion seemed to be brewing in my heart, but I couldn't explain it clearly, which made me no longer as calm as before when facing Sister Jiaqi.

But Song Jiaqi seemed calm and composed, as if she had long forgotten about that incident. With a giggle, she said, "You little rascal, you really startled me. What kind of profundity are you trying to show at such a young age?"

I sighed lightly, my tense mood relaxing, and smiled slightly, looking at her charming face, and said softly, "Sister Jiaqi, are you going out?"

"Yes, going out to buy some things."

Song Jiaqi smiled sweetly, then reminded again, "Xiaoquan, your complexion doesn't look good. You've just started working, this state won't do. Eat more good food, make sure to take care of your nutrition, and keep your body in good shape."

These words were originally very ordinary, and in the past, they wouldn't have caused any ambiguity. But hearing them now, they seemed to carry some intriguing meaning, which made me feel a slight heartbeat.

"Keep your body in good shape?"

I chewed on these words repeatedly, somewhat surprised as I stared at Song Jiaqi, seeing the concern between her eyebrows. It didn't seem like she was implying anything, so I nodded and quickly walked forward.

After walking a few meters