Around 8 o’clock on the evening of April 29, 2008, inside Nanjing Lukou Airport, the lights were bright, and there were few pedestrians. In contrast to the

    bustling and lively atmosphere during the daytime, it appeared somewhat deserted at this moment.

    Speaking of Lukou Airport, despite its grand appearance, with its curvilinear design and silver-gray color, it exudes a modern charm. Moreover, the prominent display of the six characters “ 南京祿口機(jī)場(chǎng) ” (Nanjing Lukou Airport) adds a sense of grandeur, exuding a significant presence. However, the locals have some minor grievances about Lukou Airport. Their own airport seems to have been built for the neighbors, rather distant from the city itself. It’s like making wedding clothes for others. The decision-makers seemed to have the letters “H,” “tow,” and “O” playing tricks in their minds; otherwise, it’s hard to explain. In fact, there is some historical connection to the neighboring provinces. Back in the day, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, entered Jinling (Nanjing) from the neighboring region. He didn’t just enter, he stayed for over 30 years until his final days.

    It is said that the selection and construction of Lukou Airport here was a result of a slip of the tongue. A leader from our hometown who was working in Beijing, deeply connected to and passionate about our hometown, naturally cared for it. Thinking about the people of our hometown traveling north and south without an airport, he wanted to bring happiness to the people and build an airport in our hometown. In a way, this is a common sentiment. Even a primary school student, not to mention a kindergarten child, once they start receiving education, they learn to “l(fā)ove the motherland, love the people, love the hometown.” How could a leader working in Beijing not have some attachment to “l(fā)oving the hometown”? So, he made a declaration to build a “XX Airport.” When this leader was young, he left his hometown, traveling far and wide, and his accent naturally got a bit mixed up. Consequently, the non-standard Mandarin pronunciation of the leader’s words reached the ears of local officials, and the location completely changed. A complete reversal of north and south. For ordinary people, building an airport is a monumental task. But for that leader working in Beijing, dealing with a myriad of responsibilities every day, including numerous domestic and international affairs, there’s no doubt about it. How could he possibly have the time or inclination to focus on a small airport?

    As a result, the “XX Airport” was filled in by local leaders as “Lukou Airport.” This caused dissatisfaction not only for the leader working in Beijing but also among  the local residents. On the matter of filling in the “airport” blank for the local leaders,  there was an unusually high level of unanimous agreement from top to bottom.  However, the leader working in Beijing couldn’t openly express their dissatisfaction,  while the discontent of the local residents could be vented at any time. Complaints  emerged about traffic jams on the way to the airport, long lines at security checks  inside the airport, delays in departure from the boarding gate, and so on. All of these  grievances were attributed to the mistake made by the local leaders in filling in the  blank. These are just rumors in the streets; who really knows the true situation? If you really want to understand the truth, unless you have strong connections, you  won’t be able to find out even if you inquire. But enough idle talk, let’s listen – the  announcement over the airport’s public address system sounded –

    Passengers traveling on Eastern Airlines flight MU2861, scheduled to depart from Nanjing to Beijing at 20:50, are kindly requested to proceed for boarding. This is the final announcement for this flight. This is the final announcement for this flight.

    Inside the airport loudspeakers, the calm and composed voice of a young woman once again resounded. While she spoke in a deliberate pace, the urgency of her message was unmistakable. Especially for those passengers who hadn’t boarded yet, it was hard not to feel a sense of haste upon hearing the announcement. And if you doubt it, just take a look at the four individuals walking toward you – three men and one woman, their footsteps noticeably hurried. Contrasting with the sparse and leisurely movement of people inside the airport, the difference between the two was stark. On the pathway leading to the boarding gate, the four individuals appeared rather rushed, almost jogging the whole way. Clearly, they were in a hurry to catch the imminent flight, MU2861. Indeed,they were in a hurry. What’s fortunate is that, despite the rush, not a single one of them was grumbling. Judging from this, it’s unlikely that these four are from the city; it’s highly probable they come from a city or county within our province.

    Indeed, that’s exactly how it happened. As the three men and one woman settled into their seats aboard the Boeing 737 aircraft of Eastern Airlines, a scene unfolded. One of the young and handsome men among them wore a smile on his face as he greeted a distinguished middle-aged individual with well-groomed hair, saying, “I’m really sorry, Director Wu. We made you rush.”

    “Manager Liu, there’s no need for excessive courtesy. This is in line with the mayor’s decision. How can we not rush?” The balding middle-aged man addressed as “Director Wu” responded coolly while fastening his seatbelt.

    “It’s alright, it’s alright. We finally caught the flight.” The only woman among the four, addressed as “Manager Liu,” greeted the young man known as such. “Director Wu” seemed unimpressed and quickly interjected to defuse the situation. The woman had longhair cascading down her shoulders, quite captivating. As she spoke, she wiped sweat from her brow with a tissue. On this early spring night, the fact that a lady was breaking a light sweat indicated they truly had been in a hurry.

    “Manager Liu, Xiao Qian, the two of you will have to put in some extra effort this time and make sure Director Wu is well taken care of. Our trip carries important instructions from Mayor Wen, and Director Wu’s involvement is crucial for the key tasks.” The woman with longhair casually brushed her hair aside, then turned to address the two young men seated in the rear.

    “Please rest assured, General Manager Qin. Providing excellent service for Director Wu and General Manager Qin is absolutely essential,” Manager Liu, who was tall and handsome, maintained his smiling demeanor. “Xiao Qian,” who appeared much younger than his age, also quickly chimed in, “If you have any requests, please feel free to instruct General Manager Qin and Director Wu. Both Liu Yong and I will definitely see to them.”

    “General Manager Qin, no need to be so polite. Our trip to Beijing this time can  be considered as being entrusted with a task in a time of crisis. Whether we can turn  the situation around and accomplish Mayor Wen’s instructions is still uncertain. So,  there’s no need to talk about whether we’ll provide service or not,” “Director Wu,” who was seated next to the woman addressed as “General Manager Qin,” responded

    with a slight, casual smile on his face, turning to the woman with longhair beside him.

    At this moment, the airplane was still taxiing on the runway and hadn’t taken off yet. Let’s take a moment to provide a brief introduction of the three men and one woman before us, dear readers.

    The tall and handsome young man referred to as “Manager Liu” is named Liu Yong. He’s in his early 30s and runs an entertainment company in Moon City. He’s a prominent figure in the entertainment industry of Moon City and is often regarded as a heartthrob by many local girls. His charisma and presence make him a significant personality in the city’s entertainment scene.

    The middle-aged man with a well-groomed head referred to as “Director Wu” is named Wu Shimang. He holds a notable position in the political landscape of Moon City. Currently, he serves as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Moon City Municipal People’s Government and also holds the position of Director of the Municipal Political and Legal Affairs Office. His influence and role in the city’s governance make him a recognizable figure in the political arena.

    The woman with long hair cascading down her shoulders, referred to as “General Manager Qin,” is named Qin Xiaoyue. She has a talent for maintaining her appearance, as her radiant complexion doesn’t reveal her actual age. She is one of the rare combinations of beauty and talent in Moon City, currently holding the position of Chief Editor at the “Moon City Evening News.” Her role as a skilled journalist adds to her charm in the city.

    The young man referred to as “Xiao Qian” is named Qian Tao. He’s around the same age as Liu Yong and works under Qin Xiaoyue. He currently holds the position of Director and General Manager of the Advertising Center at the Moon City Evening News. Since the newspaper’s operations have become market-oriented, the advertising center has adopted a corporate management model. As a result, Qian Tao has taken on the role of General Manager of the Moon City Evening News Advertising Company.

    On this trip to Beijing, these four individuals have a daunting destination indeed: the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (Beijing Organizing Committee).

    “This performance must not stop under any circumstances. It’s the themed event hosted by the Moon City Municipal Government to welcome the Olympics.How can we afford to halt it? If we stop, how can we explain to the people of Moon City?”

    Even though it was past office hours, a tense emergency coordination meeting  about the “May 1st  Welcome Olympics Grand Concert” was still underway in the  mayor’s office. Mayor Wen Lianggong held a letter from the Beijing Organizing  Committee to the municipal government, urging them to “suspend the performance,” and he gestured continuously, his expression unusually serious. Just as his name  implies, Wen Lianggong, who was transferred from southern Jiangsu to Moon City  to become the mayor, was seen by government officials and Moon City residents  alike as an amiable and approachable person. Even when delivering speeches at  gatherings, he wore a gentle smile, being a mayor who was close to the people and  had a good reputation.

    At this moment, faced with the letter from the Beijing Organizing Committee to the municipal government, stating that the “May 1st  Welcome Olympics Grand Concert” is illegal and must be immediately suspended, what can they do? It is now a little past 6 PM on April 29, 2008, and there is just over a day left until the official start of the “May  1st  Welcome Olympics Grand Concert.” Over 30,000 concert tickets were sold out more than a week ago. Of course, there might have been some exaggeration in the “sold out” claim. The successful sell-out was largely the result of collaborative efforts between Liu Yong and Qian Tao’s companies. It involved generous contributions from various government departments and important enterprises. While there were tickets genuinely sold to the public, the quantity was limited. In Moon City, attending various shows, including concerts, has a historical and traditional significance. Asking the public to purchase tickets out of their own pockets is difficult.

    At this moment, canceling the concert would undoubtedly lead to a mass event. This is a special year of nationwide celebration for the Olympics, and the people of Moon City had harbored hopeful wishes to convey their blessings and cheers to Beijing, a thousand miles away. The purpose of hosting this concert was to boost and support the Olympics, but if it turns into a riot, what would that achieve? Moreover, during the “Two Sessions” at the beginning of the year, Mayor Wen had the honor of a warm reception by that leader from their hometown working in Beijing. This leader expressed great satisfaction with the achievements of the hometown in recent years and even mentioned a desire to return for a visit. The prospect of this visit would undoubtedly provide immense encouragement and motivation. Just imagine the significance of this for Mayor Wen’s potential progress from mayor to provincial leader.

    Because it wasn’t a significant holiday, there were no important delegations to receive, and there was no heavyweight leader inspecting the city, unlike the leader from their hometown who worked in Beijing. As a result, the Moon City Municipal Government building, which looked quite majestic during the day, wasn’t illuminated with lights, shining brilliantly. This 20-plus-story square-shaped building stood on Fenghuang Road in the Moon City New District. At this moment, it appeared rather dim and gloomy.

    As the saying goes, a phoenix doesn’t descend upon a place without treasures. Back when Moon City was upgraded from a county-level city to a prefecture-level city, the choice to have the municipal government building located on Fenghuang Road was a deliberate one. Although Mayor Wen isn’t the first mayor, he has been serving as the mayor of Moon City for nearly two terms, which is around seven or eight years since his transfer from southern Jiangsu. The current moment is crucial. At this particular moment, when one looked out from the mayor’s office, the Fenghuang Road in front of the government building was beginning to light up with the glow of various lights. Vehicles came and went, with their front lights shining brightly and their taillights casting a subdued red glow, occasionally blinking. It was this bustling flow of traffic and the twinkling lights that depicted the prosperity of the new district. Fortunately, the traffic flow wasn’t too heavy, and even though it was just after work hours, there was no congestion.

    Speaking of traffic congestion, it’s something that frustrates many people in China. It’s as if a traffic jam in one city triggers traffic jams in other cities. Once Beijing gets congested, Shanghai follows suit, then Guangzhou, and even Nanjing joins in the chaos. This “congestion” has become like a virus that quickly spreads from first-tier cities to second-tier and third-tier cities. It seems uncontrollable; there are even some small towns experiencing congestion. Quite amusing, isn’t it? Fortunately, Moon City isn’t plagued by this issue. This aspect alone brings a sense of relief and contentment to the people of Moon City.

    Despite the sense of relief, it’s important to note that the residents of Moon City have their opinions about urban development. A wry and widely circulated rhyme captures this sentiment: “In the city, there’s a township government; in the township,there’s a city government.” Another version humorously quips, “Where there are  people, the lights are off; where the lights are on, there are no people.” Anyone even  remotely acquainted with the situation in Moon City can recognize the satire behind  these lines. They serve as a commentary on the initial stages of the “greater city” formation, where the expansion of the new district’s framework was so extensive  that it seemed as if the originally smaller Moon City was trying to fit into oversized  clothing. Consequently, the much-needed “old city transformation” of the existing  urban area was temporarily set aside.

    The concept of becoming a “big city” is perhaps an invention of the people  of Moon City, contrasting with the original county-level city, referred to as the  “small city.” Before Moon City upgraded to a “big city,” it was merely a street  with a population of 200,000, hardly qualifying as urban development. As locals  would put it, it was like trying to establish a monastery within a snail’s shell, there  wasn’t enough space to spread out or move around. In more straightforward terms,  it was akin to taking a dog for a walkin the evening; the dog might raise its hind  leg to relieve itself, and if not careful, it could end up urinating in a neighboring  county. Fortunately, after several years of effort, the Moon City that emerged as a  “big city” underwent significant changes in its urban landscape. The developed area  expanded considerably. While it might not be as organized as the “ring roads” of Beijing or Shanghai, the formation of a network of roads spanning both vertically  and horizontally gave the residents of Moon City a sense of hope. As for the city  government being in the countryside and the township government eventually  becoming urban, that did happen. The township government wasn’t always in the  city, and not long after, there was a round of administrative adjustments, leading to  the transformation of the township government signboards into “sub-district offices.”

    It’s important to understand that this “changing of the signboards” is indeed an effective method of operation. When you change “township government” to “sub-district office,” the results are different. In the eyes of the ordinary citizens, it might seem like just changing a sign, what’s the big deal? However, these citizens might not fully grasp the underlying context. This change in signboards leads to some direct changes, notably, the urbanization rate of Moon City has significantly increased.

    Of course, the “old city transformation” involves a vast and extensive undertaking. During the days of being a “mall city,” due to the accumulated backlog and various issues, it wasn’t easy to completely change the situation of “dim lights.” As for the new district that just “put on” its “oversized clothes,” it’s not an overnight  task to make it vibrant and bustling; impatience won’t lead to good outcomes. As the  saying goes, haste makes waste.

    However, at this moment, Wen Lianggong, the mayor of the city, is feeling  more than just a bit impatient. It’s not just a slight unease; he’s actually deeply  anxious. He’s become as agitated as a “l(fā)ittle insect on a hot pot.” Faced with the  charming and elegant Qin Xiaoyue, Wen Lianggong has lost the usual enjoyment  he finds in her presence. He’s also reluctant to engage indirect conversation with  the two young individuals who seem to have “no experience and lack capability.” Furthermore, the cultural and public security departments, despite their efforts to  investigate and halt the concert, haven’t offered any convincing solutions, much to  Wen Lianggong’s dissatisfaction. He nearly scans the office with a glance before  turning to Wu Shimang, the Deputy Secretary-General and Director of the Political  and Legal Affairs Office, and issues an instruction:

    “Director Wu, take them to Beijing and explain the situation to the Olympic Organizing Committee. Strive for their understanding and support. I don’t care what methods you use, but the concert must not be stopped. Any other issues can be discussed after the concert is over. If there are any violations, they must be dealt with seriously. If there is accountability, it must be pursued.”

    The mayor’s words caused a slight tightening in the chest of Liu Yong, who had been sitting quietly in a corner of the office. Could it be that he was really going to fall from this Olympic concert? Gazing at the constant stream of traffic outside the window, Liu Yong felt a sense of unease wash over him.

    During this trip to Beijing, Liu Yong had already leveraged his father’s connections.

    Liu Yong’s ambition to carve out a slice from the “Olympic cake” in Beijing was quite audacious. He truly had a lot of ideas. It’s no wonder he’s a young man, exuding a sense of youthful fearlessness. However, despite his youthful enthusiasm and lofty aspirations, Liu Yong didn’t take his father’s initial warnings to heart.

    Thinking that he had secured the agency rights for the provincial “Olympic- themed concert” through his connections in the Beijing entertainment industry, Liu Yong believed that everything was “OK.” He was just waiting for those involved in the entertainment business to come knocking on his door, seeking to book orders.With dozens of cities and the provincial capital wanting to host concerts, he felt it was all in his hands. He envisioned himself sitting at home, counting stacks of money in private. In this day and age, everything seemed fake, and only the money in hand was real. Especially when it was fresh from the bank, crisp and new, consecutively numbered, those red Chinese Yuan notes felt truly satisfying to hold in his hands.

    Talking about that “sensation,” Liu Yong understood it well. In these past few years of being in the entertainment industry in Moon City, he had certainly made a name for himself. The claim that he was surrounded by beautiful women wasn’t an exaggeration. With the movement of his fingers, girls would moan and become aroused. The sensations that followed were delightful and pleasurable. Yet, after the delight and pleasure faded, everything suddenly felt empty and uninteresting. This change was something that Liu Yong didn’t particularly enjoy.

    But counting money was an entirely different story. Although their generation didn’t hold much “revolutionary sentiment” for the “great leader,” Mao Zedong, his leadership during the “Long March of 25,000 li” seemed a bit too distant. The tumultuous Cultural Revolution appeared “absurd” and “ridiculous” in their eyes. However, their enthusiasm for Mao Zedong appearing on the currency was a different matter altogether – an enthusiasm that sometimes seemed unusual. If you see these young people holding the red bills with Mao Zedong’s image and repeatedly kissing them at their lips, don’t find it strange, and certainly don’t find it amusing. This gesture comes from their hearts. It’s not all about money; they genuinely want to show their affection for the red Mao Zedong. Every flick of their fingers makes Chairman Mao “smile” once. The faster they flick their fingers, the more frequent Mao Zedong’s “smiles” become. If they flick their fingers faster and faster, Chairman Mao ends up “smiling” non-stop, laughing uncontrollably. Sometimes, Liu Yong found himself unable to stop grinning while watching this. In those moments, the “sensation,” one word, was pure-blissed.

    Unexpectedly, before the flood of orders to carve a slice of the “Olympic cake” had even arrived, trouble struck right at his doorstep, in his own stronghold. Someone had reported the “May 1st Olympic-themed Concert” in Moon City as an illegal performance. How could this be possible? At that moment, even Yung couldn’t fully comprehend the situation. However, when Mayor Wen held up the “halt performance notice” issued by the Olympic Organizing Committee to the city government,Yung immediately thought of someone his father had mentioned before. In this critical situation, there was only one option – to seek the help of that person. Without his intervention, navigating this crisis would prove to be an insurmountable challenge.

    Upon learning of Yung’s desire to grab a piece of the Beijing “Olympic cake,” his father, Liu Chengyin, had warned him. He suggested that when Yung went to  Beijing, he should look up “Uncle Cheng.” This person was now a key official  responsible for major events at the Beijing Olympics. Anything he said carried  immense weight and influence. Given their history of working together in the  Provincial Committee’s Agricultural and Industrial Department, Uncle Cheng would  likely offer assistance if Yung ever faced a problem.

    Indeed, Liu Yong didn’t really pay much attention to his father’s advice. In his mind, organizing a concert was his forte; he was familiar with the ins and outs, well-connected, and experienced in navigating both the upper and lower echelons. To him, the “Olympic-themed concert” was just another type of “concert,” albeit with a different theme. After all, weren’t the main performers still the same? He had established connections with agents, and important connections could be easily resolved with a single phone call. Financial matters were also not a concern. He was confident in his ability to handle any challenges that arose.

    Now that a tricky legal situation has arisen, it’s clear that Liu Yong needs to seek help from “Cheng Shu.” Without reaching out to him, the “danger” cannot be averted. It seems that “Cheng Shu” still holds onto the connection he shared with Liu Yong’s father from their time working together at the Provincial Committee’s Agriculture and Industry Department. Liu Yong reached out to “Cheng Shu” for assistance over the phone, and surprisingly, “Cheng Shu” didn’t adopt an official tone. Instead, he reassured Liu Yong not to worry too much and advised him to discuss matters in person when they meet in Beijing. He promised to help, and he specifically told Liu Yong to lethis father know that everything was in “Cheng Shu’s” hands.

    Liu Yong had already informed one of the organizers of the “May 1st  Olympic- themed Concert,” Qin Xiaoyue, the Chief Editor of the “Moon City Evening News,” about this situation. He didn’t want his “Qin Sister” to worry too much. The part that went awry was supposed to be under Liu Yong’s full responsibility and that of his company. Involving Qin Xiaoyue made Liu Yong feel guilty, and their successful past collaborations with the “Moon City Evening News” allowed him to casually address her as “Qin Sister” inappropriate settings. Sometimes, in special circumstances, he would even separate the “Qin Sister” part. This way of addressing each other is bound to trigger various speculations among the readers about their relationship. However, it’s not something that can be easily explained in a few words, so it’s better to set it aside for now.

    Dear passengers, our flight has now taken off. Please ensure your seat belts are fastened, your mobile phones are switched off, and your seat backs are in an upright position. We apologize for the delay in takeoff due to air traffic control, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding. Welcome aboard Star Alliance’s flight MU2861 operated by China Eastern Airlines. This flight is headed from Nanjing to Beijing, with an estimated flight time of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Thank you!

    After a brief wait on the aircraft, flight MU2861 has finally taken off.

    Despite the company of a beautiful woman sitting next to him, Wu Shimang remained upright and composed, avoiding any sidelong glances. He not only kept his gaze straight ahead but also closed his eyes. It was unclear whether he was resting his eyes or taking a brief nap. This behavior raised some curiosity among the two young individuals seated in the back row. Whether referred to as “Director Wu” or “Secretary-General Wu,” some of Wu Shimang’s certain “preferences” were known to both Lao Xiong and Qian Tao, given their positions in the municipal government.

    Perhaps some might argue, isn’t Wu’s official title “Vice Secretary-General”?  Shouldn’t he be addressed as “Vice Secretary-General Wu” then? Well, this isn’t  the military, and there’s no need for such formalities. The distinction between  “Chief” and “Deputy” is quite strict, and it’s not necessary. Moreover, whether  someone holds a high or low position, who would like their title preceded by the  word “Deputy”? Take Wu Shimang for instance. People call him “Secretary-General  Wu,” which sounds straightforward and pleasant. If you were to call him “Deputy  Secretary-General Wu,” it would sound like adding a redundant word before his title.  Astute readers might have noticed that Mayor Wen, being the city leader, neither  called Wu Shimang “Secretary-General Wu” nor “Deputy Secretary-General Wu.” Instead, he referred to him as “Director Wu.” There’s a reason behind this. Mayor  Wen needs to be precise in his speech. Calling Wu “Secretary-General” wouldn’t  be appropriate, as there’s another individual serving as the Secretary-General of the Municipal Government. Calling him “Deputy Secretary-General” isn’t suitable either, as people generally avoid using the word “Deputy” in casual conversation, and even the Mayor doesn’t want to use it. So, calling Wu “Director” is both accurate and pleasant to the ear, even though it might not carry the same official weight as “Secretary-General.” But, as the saying goes, the title “Director” carries no inherent hierarchy. After all, the dearly respected Deng Xiaoping once held the title of “Director,” albeit as the head of the “Central Advisory Commission.”

    At this moment, “Director Wu” does indeed seem preoccupied, even though  his eyes are tightly shut. However, his concern isn’t focused on Qin Xiaoyue,  his seatmate. During this trip to Beijing, it’s not an easy task to provide Mayor  Wen with a satisfactory answer. The notice from the Beijing Olympic Organizing  Committee isn’t something to betaken lightly. If they’ve ordered the Municipal  Government to halt the “May 1 Olympic-themed Concert” and have mentioned legal  violations, can Mayor Wen really decide not to cancel the concert? While Moon  City has its practical situation, there are also regulations from higher authorities.  Otherwise, why would there always be a gap between the upper and lower levels in  many practical tasks? “Putting yourself in others’ shoes” is often written in reports  and spoken about, but in practice, it’s rarely implemented. Otherwise, why would  the first point emphasized in most leadership reports be “unify thinking and raise  awareness,” indicating that there’s still a lack of alignment between upper and lower  levels, hence the need for “unification.” Now we’re dealing with the small matter of Moon City versus the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee. Who should “unify” with whom? That’s quite clear. Can you expect the Beijing Olympic Organizing  Committee to listen to Mayor Wen? It’s difficult—more challenging than launching  the “Shenzhou” spacecraft.

    Of course, since Mayor Wen has instructed Wu Shimang to lead the team to Beijing, Wu Shimang cannot remain idle either. He is considering how to approach the situation and make the leaders in charge of large-scale performances understand Moon City’s practical circumstances. After all, the concert is approaching, and tens of thousands of concert tickets have already been sold. Naturally, Wu Shimang also has his own “trump card.” He won’t easily reveal this “trump card”; if he does, it must be effective. At the same time, he wants to ensure that Qin Xiaoyue, who is usually arrogant and looks down on others, is impressed by him. Otherwise, he would rather return empty-handed, offend Mayor Wen, and even disappoint over 30,000 Moon City residents who have bought concert tickets. Wu Shimang is determined to teach a lesson to the peacock—Qin Xiaoyue—who has been consistently unwilling to give him face.

    Wu Shimang’s calculations seem to have taken a somewhat cunning turn. He is well aware that if he fails to establish a good relationship with the Olympic Organizing Committee during this Beijing trip and cannot resolve the crisis of the concert suspension, the “May 1st  Olympic-themed Grand Concert” in Moon City will undoubtedly become a major “incident.” As one of the responsible parties, Qin Xiaoyue,how could she escape the repercussions?

    Qin Xiaoyue, being both a beauty and a talented woman, could be considered  one of Wu’s top choices for collaboration. As a key person involved, she naturally  holds more influence than Liu Yong and Qian Tao. Sitting beside Wu at the moment,  she is inclined to offer some “empty promises” to her companion, encouraging him  to exert effort and sweat to resolve the crisis during this Beijing trip. After all, the  “May 1st  Olympic-themed Grand Concert” involves both the Moon City Evening  News and her as the main responsible parties. The responsibility is significant and  the pressure is immense. While Liu Yong is also a co-organizer, he has been focused  on his own endeavors, with no consideration for positions or political prospects. In  his eyes, there is no such concern. On the other hand, he is tall, handsome, strong,  and charming – qualities that captivate Qin Xiaoyue. Having always been a reserved  and contemplative woman, she had been pursued by many prominent figures in  Moon City through various means, trying to win her favor and affection. However, it  was all in vain. She never expected that after encountering Liu Yong, she would also  find herself following the trends of Hong Kong and Taiwan. Although this “trend” is currently underground and only known to a few close friends, it’s an unexpected  change in her demeanor.

    At this moment, Wu Shimang has transformed himself into a serene “Buddha,” while Qin Xiaoyue refrains from making any moves, especially since there’s a pair  of eyes behind them intently watching. The two in the front row are each calculating  in their own minds, while in the back row, Liu Yong’s inner thoughts are bounding  about like a little rabbit. He sneaked a glance at Qian Tao beside him. Qian Tao, by  now, has already started emitting a faint snore. It’s not surprising since, despite the  significance of this Beijing trip, Qian Tao’s responsibility is singular: to heed Qin’s  instructions and handle the bills. Apart from that, he finds himself powerless to do much. Ultimately, how things will conclude, whether they can defuse the crisis or bear the consequences, lies entirely in the hands of fate, and he has no agency in the matter. Sleeping seems like a rather good choice. After all, having spent years with Liu Yong, whenever Qin and Liu Yong are together, it’s best for him to turn a blind eye. The sillier he seems, the more Qin seems to like it, right?

    Sure enough, seeing Qian Tao asleep, Liu Yong softly called out, “Sis,” and discreetly reached out a hand toward Qin Xiaoyue in front of him. He truly is a restless little rabbit. The significance of this “l(fā)ittle rabbit” between Liu Yong and Qin Xiaoyue will be explained in detail later.

    Qin Xiaoyue turned her head and gave Liu Yong a glance, whispering, “Think  about how to talk to your ‘uncle’ when we land, and behave properly.” In this  situation, with someone pretending to sleep beside her, and subordinates behind  her, it’s better to stay composed. Upon reflection, even though Liu Yong mentioned  his father’s connection with “Uncle Cheng” in Beijing, it’s still uncertain how  things will turn out. If they can’t resolve the situation smoothly, it won’t be a small  matter. Liu Yong has his “backing,” and he doesn’t care about any “political future.” But what about her? Can she really count on this “handsome guy” in front of her,  admired by many girls? There has been some tenderness between them, but how  much responsibility can he shoulder? Without going through trials, how could she  know? Suddenly, Qin Xiaoyue felt a touch of melancholy and didn’t want to engage  in further conversation with Liu Yong. She absentmindedly took out the earphones  from her seat pocket and put them on, intending to hide her emotions by listening to  music. Just as she turned back, her heart skipped a beat. Outside the airplane window  hung a waning moon.