Asking for the Throne

Xiao Jia was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt that just covered her navel, paired with tight jeans that accentuated her long legs. Her hair was casually tied up in a ponytail, making her look as pure as a lotus flower. She stood smiling behind Xia Xiang.

"Are you feeling better from your cold?" Xia Xiang's first thought was that Li Dingshan's fever medicine was quite effective. His second thought was that Xiao Jia was indeed beautiful; her simple and lively outfit made her look like a college student. But why did she have to be so close to Wen Yang, and even seem to have an ambiguous relationship with him?

With these thoughts, Xia Xiang became a bit colder towards Xiao Jia. He felt that she was too good at hiding her true intentions. Remembering her dejected look earlier, he decided to keep his distance from her, as he had done before.

Xiao Jia gave Xia Xiang a reproachful glance, her eyes full of emotion, which made him feel a little moved. Despite having encountered many women, the allure in Xiao Jia's eyes still made him momentarily lose his composure.

Xiao Jia was confident in her appearance. Seeing Xia Xiang, who had always been shy and reserved, now looking composed, she was a bit surprised. Then, she smiled, her thin, long eyes narrowing into slits. "The fever medicine was very effective. Thank you, Xia Xiang. I didn't expect you to be so considerate. How about I treat you to dinner tonight to thank you for your care?"

Xia Xiang didn't want to get involved with Xiao Jia. His focus was entirely on Li Dingshan, and he had plans to go out with him that evening. He didn't want to upset Wen Yang because of Xiao Jia. It wasn't that he was afraid of Wen Yang, but he simply didn't want to deal with him. Xia Xiang always felt that there was something sinister in Wen Yang's small, squinted eyes.

"No need to be polite, we are colleagues, and it's only natural. But I have plans tonight, so I can't join you. I'm sorry," Xia Xiang replied calmly.

Xiao Jia was clearly taken aback, not expecting Xia Xiang to refuse her. After a moment, she laughed, "If you can't make it, it's fine. I'll invite you next time, and you must come. By the way, Xia Xiang, with the company's current situation, it probably won't last much longer. Do you have any ideas? As a legitimate college graduate, finding a decent job shouldn't be too hard."

In 1998, although college graduates were no longer as highly sought after as they once were, they were still more valuable than the oversupply that would result from the expansion of university admissions in the following decade. So, college graduates at this time were still quite desirable.

Xia Xiang noticed that Xiao Jia seemed to ask casually, but her eyes flashed with a different light. He wondered if Xiao Jia had some hidden agenda. Given her looks and abilities, it would be easy for her to find a good job outside the company. The fact that she stayed meant she had some plan. Thinking of Wen Yang, who was Li Dingshan's junior at university and had likely received some promise from Li Dingshan before joining the company, Xia Xiang realized that Wen Yang must have made a significant decision to leave his position as a section chief in the Provincial Youth League to work at the company.

Section chief? Xia Xiang suddenly remembered something. If, through his efforts, Li Dingshan agreed to take the position of county party secretary, he would surely bring a few of his own people. Jia He could be the driver, and Wen Yang could be the head of the county party office, both at the same level. But Xia Xiang, without any rank, might not even qualify to be Li Dingshan's secretary.

Thinking of this, Xia Xiang sighed, "What can I do? All my connections are here in the company. If I resign, I'll face problems later. If I transfer, it will be very troublesome. Besides, the company still has a chance, so let's wait and see..." As he spoke, he glanced at Xiao Jia, who was smiling sweetly, her large eyes narrowed into crescents. He felt a bit distracted and coughed to cover his unease. "What about you, Xiao Jia? Do you have any ideas for making money?"

Xia Xiang was just speaking casually, but Xiao Jia suddenly said mysteriously, "If you agree to have dinner with me, I'll tell you a way to make money, and I'm willing to work with you. You just need to lead the way."

As Xiao Jia leaned in, whether intentionally or not, she whispered in Xia Xiang's ear, her breath warm and fragrant, making his ears hot and neck itchy. Glancing down, he saw a light purple strap over her right shoulder, highlighting her fair, smooth skin.

Remembering how Xiao Jia had been drenched in the rain earlier, wearing a flesh-colored bra, and now in a new outfit with a light purple bra, Xia Xiang wondered when she had changed. He had almost never noticed her bringing clothes to the company.

Unable to resist Xiao Jia's close proximity, Xia Xiang took a step back and said, "Okay, if you really have a way to make money, I'll treat you to dinner. But I should warn you, I'm broke. I don't have the capital to start a big business."

Xia Xiang didn't believe Xiao Jia had a real way to make money. Even if she did, he doubted she would share it with him. So, he was just saying it to discourage her from asking him for money.

Xiao Jia looked unconcerned. "Hmph, if it required tens of thousands, even if you had it, I wouldn't dare. If we lost, I couldn't pay it back even if I sold myself. Xia Xiang, I'm serious. Don't doubt me. Do you know why Wen Yang, who can return to the Provincial Youth League anytime, stays in this half-dead company? Because he's making a lot of money!"

This news shocked Xia Xiang. Seeing Xiao Jia's determined expression, he thought: Wen Yang is always mysterious, indifferent to the company's affairs, yet comes to the office every day, staying in his room. Only Xiao Jia frequently enters his office, while others are always turned away.

Given Xiao Jia's close relationship with Wen Yang, she must know something. Xia Xiang wasn't really interested in making money with Xiao Jia, but he wanted to know what Wen Yang was up to. If Li Dingshan had to choose between him and Wen Yang, he needed to be prepared and understand Wen Yang better.

"If the company can't make money, and Mr. Li is at a loss, why doesn't Mr. Wen share his method to save the company?" Xia Xiang asked with a smile.

Xia Xiang, with his additional 12 years of experience, had a calm and affable demeanor. His casual smile, though, had a maturity that made Xiao Jia's heart skip a beat. She couldn't help but look at him, wondering how he suddenly seemed so manly, compared to his usual dullness.

Xiao Jia secretly thought, this guy's smile is a bit mischievous and cute. His skin isn't pale, but healthy, and he looks like a sunny boy.

While lost in thought, she noticed Xia Xiang glancing at her neck, his gaze intense and greedy. Blushing, she spat, "What are you looking at? Keep your eyes to yourself!"

Xia Xiang chuckled, "We're talking about serious matters. I wasn't looking, you were just too close."

Xiao Jia glared at him, her eyes filled with charm, making him nearly lose control. She is a real temptress, he thought.

"Wen Yang wouldn't be Wen Yang if he were selfless! He's a selfish, greedy, and mean person. He promised to give me half, but he's giving me less than 30% and wants me to…" Realizing she had said too much, Xiao Jia covered her mouth, looking nervous. "Don't tell Mr. Li. If he finds out, he might fall out with Wen Yang, and I won't get my share."

There's definitely something going on, Xia Xiang thought. "What's the story?"

Xiao Jia looked upstairs, then whispered, "I'll tell you when you take me to dinner. Not now, it's not convenient."

Knowing she was worried about Li Dingshan, Xia Xiang smiled and sat back down. "I really have plans tonight. I'll treat you to dinner tomorrow. Drink plenty of water to recover fully."

Xiao Jia's eyes sparkled, and she nodded. "Thanks, Xia Xiang. Talking to you makes me feel better. I never noticed before, but you're not just a good person, you're a nice one."

Xia Xiang nodded, about to speak, when he heard footsteps from upstairs. Li Dingshan rushed down, waving a key. "Xia Xiang, I have an urgent matter tonight. I need to meet Gao Hai. We'll reschedule dinner with Director Li. Go home and lock the door."

Gao Hai was the deputy secretary-general of the municipal government, a key figure who was reportedly favored by Mayor Chen Feng and might soon be promoted.

Li Dingshan's urgency to meet Gao Hai suggested the land approval for the railway station square might be coming sooner. In Xia Xiang's memory, the approval should come a month later. If it came early due to his influence, persuading Li Dingshan to enter politics would be harder. If Li Dingshan continued his current path, he might suffer a major setback with the LCD screen project, possibly ending up worse off than a regular editor.