Asking for the Throne

Xia Xiang was stunned, his heart in turmoil. Suddenly, he felt a chill on his arm; Xiao Jia had given him a gentle push. She then waved her hand, which was just half a foot from Xia Xiang's face. Her long, slender fingers, catching the sunlight, looked as if they were made of translucent white jade. She said, "I'm talking to you, why are you spacing out? Don't be so absent-minded. It's perfect, you can invite me for dinner tonight. I have something important to discuss with you."

Xia Xiang snapped back to reality. Upon reflection, no matter what, he had to find a way to help Li Dingshan enter politics. With Li Dingshan's network and media background, once he entered the political arena, he would surely make a significant impact. If Xia Xiang could gain Li Dingshan's trust and stay by his side, success would come naturally. If Li Dingshan managed to secure the land and build the large LCD screen, he would be burdened with a massive debt. When the newspaper sent someone to audit the accounts, it would take at least a year or two, and there would be no chance of leaving.

At that point, forget about being transferred from the newspaper to become a county party secretary; he should consider himself lucky if he wasn't disciplined by the newspaper. However, since he now knew about Wen Yang's behind-the-scenes actions, having a meal with Xiao Jia didn't seem like a bad idea. Xia Xiang, understanding this, teased, "You said you would treat me to dinner, but now it has turned into me treating you. Isn't that a bit too much?"

"Come on, I'm giving you a chance to have dinner with a beautiful woman, and you're still being picky. You should know, once an opportunity is missed, it's gone forever. Don't regret it!" Xiao Jia, who had regained her vitality, spoke animatedly, her face showing no signs of illness.

The sunset clouds in the west, like silk and satin, drifted across the sky. A flock of birds flew by, their chirping sounds carrying far. It was a rare and beautiful sunset in Yan City. The evening after the rain, the streetlights lit up one by one. The cool summer breeze brought a refreshing air, making everything feel particularly invigorating. Xia Xiang and Xiao Jia walked side by side along the riverbank, chatting sporadically, lost in the freshness of the air, like a pair of lovers in a dreamy trance.

After some discussion, they decided to go to the barbecue city by the river for dinner.

The barbecue city was formed at the intersection of the Second Ring Road and the new residential area after the construction of the People's River. It was a popular food district, especially known for its barbecues. Small shops lined the streets, and people from all walks of life enjoyed coming here in the summer evenings. Whether they drove luxury cars or rode bicycles, they would gather friends and order grilled wings, skewers of lamb, a plate of edamame, and a bucket of draft beer, enjoying a hearty meal and a good drink by the sound of the flowing river.

This area was famous for the most authentic barbecue in Yan City, especially the Chicken Wing Fragrance Pavilion, which was renowned for its grilled chicken wings. There were over a dozen ways to prepare the wings, such as spicy, regular, extra spicy, and super spicy. The place was always packed at night, and selling over a thousand wings in a single night was not uncommon.

Xia Xiang and Xiao Jia arrived a bit late, and the Chicken Wing Fragrance Pavilion was already full. They had to walk a little further and found a seat at a place called "Drunken Spring Breeze." They chose a room inside for some privacy, sitting at the innermost corner.

Xia Xiang asked Xiao Jia to order, but she waved her hand and handed the menu back to him, saying, "Since you're the host, you decide."

Xia Xiang teased, "Then I won't be polite and will only order what I like."

Xiao Jia didn't fall for it: "Go ahead, as long as you feel comfortable. Besides, when a man and a woman come to eat together, the woman letting the man order shows absolute trust and confidence in him."

As she spoke, Xiao Jia's eyes sparkled, a misty look rising in them, like a vortex, staring straight at Xia Xiang. Xia Xiang wasn't afraid of Xiao Jia, but he still harbored some resentment over her past flirtation with Wen Yang. He deliberately avoided her gaze and said, "Alright, let's have some edamame, a plate of peanuts, six chicken wings, twenty skewers of lamb, and two glasses of draft beer. How about that?"

Seeing Xia Xiang dodge her gaze, a flash of displeasure crossed Xiao Jia's face, but it quickly vanished. She said, "No draft beer, it's too weak, like water. Let's have four bottles of beer instead."

Xia Xiang hurriedly replied, "I can only handle two bottles. More than that, and I'll get drunk. Can you really drink two bottles?"

Xiao Jia, a bit miffed, said, "What, you think I can't? Let me tell you, Xia Xiang, if I get serious, I can drink six bottles and still knock you down."

Xia Xiang chuckled and didn't say anything. He and Xiao Jia were here to talk business, not to have a drinking contest.

Soon, the food and drinks arrived. Although they were sitting in a corner, the small shop was noisy. But no one seemed to mind; the louder it was, the more lively the atmosphere. That was the essence of eating barbecue.

Xiao Jia had four bottles of beer opened, two for each. She filled her glass and raised it, saying, "Xia Xiang, we are colleagues, and this is our first time having a drink together. Here, I toast you, thanking you for your care."

Without waiting for Xia Xiang to respond, she downed the glass in one go.

Xia Xiang had seen women who could drink, but it was rare to see someone like Xiao Jia, who drank a full glass without even touching her food. The glass was almost equivalent to half a bottle of beer. Xia Xiang, who considered himself a good drinker, couldn't handle three such glasses on an empty stomach.

It was clear that despite her smile, Xiao Jia had something on her mind.

Xia Xiang didn't hesitate and also downed his glass. They refilled and ate in silence for a while. Seeing Xiao Jia's smile fade and a troubled look appear, Xia Xiang didn't initiate conversation and focused on his chicken wings.

After a while, Xiao Jia suddenly laughed, "You're a man, can't you be more proactive?"

Xia Xiang pretended not to understand, took a sip of beer to wash down the spiciness, and asked, "Proactive about what? I've been actively eating and drinking, never lagging behind you."

"Annoying! Smooth talker!" Xiao Jia gave Xia Xiang a fleeting glance, and even that brief moment made Xia Xiang's heart skip a beat. Despite his 12 years of experience, Xiao Jia was the most charming and seductive woman he had ever met.

Unfortunately, such a woman was with the sly Wen Yang. Thinking about this, Xia Xiang found the barbecue tasteless.

"I'll be serious then…" Xia Xiang put on a stern face and said, "You just recovered from a cold and fever. You shouldn't be eating barbecue or drinking. Give me your portion, and I'll reluctantly finish it for you."

Xiao Jia burst into laughter, laughing so hard she had to lean on the table. She held a chicken wing in one hand and pointed at Xia Xiang with the other, "You, you, you want to eat more and come up with such a noble reason. Really, how thoughtful. Come on, darling, I'll give you this chicken wing, okay? Just call me sister!"

Xia Xiang grabbed the half-eaten chicken wing from Xiao Jia and stuffed it into his mouth, bones and all, mumbling, "Sure, I'll call you sister, but only after I eat this."

Xiao Jia blushed and lowered her voice, "Your eating habits are terrible, eating meat and bones together. If you really want to eat, I'll remove the bones for you."

"Do you really want to be my sister? You're only six months older than me," Xia Xiang said, realizing the chicken wing he grabbed was from Xiao Jia's mouth. They were sharing the same piece, which felt a bit awkward.

Thinking about their earlier conversation, Xia Xiang wondered if he was intentionally flirting with Xiao Jia. No, he didn't have the mood for that now. Many urgent matters needed attention.

He composed himself and asked, "Tell me, what's this great money-making opportunity?"

Xiao Jia's eyes twinkled, and she bit her lip, "Call me sister, or I won't tell you."

"Really?" Xia Xiang was a bit overwhelmed by Xiao Jia's coquettishness. The alcohol hadn't hit him yet, but he was already feeling warm.

"You have to. You've already eaten my meat, so you must call me sister!" This statement was too suggestive, and Xiao Jia realized it, sticking out her tongue and blushing.

Xia Xiang, unable to resist, called out, "Big Sister…"

Xiao Jia covered her ears, "Oh, that's awful. Big Sister? It makes me sound like a middle-aged countrywoman! Don't call me that, just call me sister!"

Xia Xiang, exasperated, called softly, "Sister… Is that better now?"

"You're smart!" Xiao Jia smiled triumphantly, "Don't be reluctant. Recognizing me as your sister will only benefit you. Don't believe me? I'll tell you a secret."

Xia Xiang perked up his ears.

"Wen Yang has been using the company's name to make money for himself, and he's made quite a lot, at least a million yuan!"

Xia Xiang was shocked.