Chapter 114 – The Chairman’s Audience (Part Two)

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Inside the luxurious extended version of the Hongqi limousine, Chu Qitong and I were comfortably seated in the back, enjoying the snacks while admiring the scenery passing by. I had no inkling that at this very moment, my name had already caught the attention of the two most authoritative leaders of the Huaxia Nation—the President and the Minister of Defense. Yet, I remained blissfully unaware, still pondering how I might flaunt my talents in front of the President upon arrival at Zhongnanhai...

“Xiao Qiang, why isn’t Song Jie riding with us? Isn’t he going to meet the President?” Chu Qitong, now much calmer than before, suddenly asked after a long silence.

I rolled my eyes in helplessness. “I beg you, Miss, can you not ask such pointless questions out of the blue? Song Jie is no ordinary person; of course, he wouldn’t stoop to ride in the same car as us. Naturally, he has a special vehicle of his own.”

“Pfft, maybe it’s not that he looks down on us, but that he hates being in the same car as you,” Chu Qitong teased with a sly smile. “By the way, Xiao Qiang, sometimes I really can’t figure you out. Where did you see that vector propulsion design diagram you showed earlier?”

I glanced at her, then turned my head and struck a mysterious pose. “That’s classified state secret, no comment.”

“You stingy thing, if you won’t say, then I’m not interested,” Chu Qitong pouted, clearly unbothered. “You have so many mysteries about you, Xiao Qiang. How about I study you from now on?”

“Go away. What’s there to study about me? Are you planning to dissect me alive or something?” I chuckled bitterly. “If that were the case, you’d be the evil old witch, not the little witch.”

“What little witch? That sounds awful! I’m not that bad. Don’t slander me!” Chu Qitong huffed. “Calling me a little witch is bad enough, but haven’t you forgotten I never said you were a narcissist?”

“Narcissist? Who are you calling a narcissist…” I was about to argue when suddenly my phone rang in my pocket. I hurriedly took it out and nearly jumped in fright!

“What? Su Xin’s calling? Heh, looks like someone’s secret got exposed. I’m dying to see how you explain this,” Chu Qitong chuckled gleefully, her smile mocking me mercilessly. I shot her a sharp glance, then reluctantly pressed the answer button, forcing a faint but bright smile. “Hello, my dear…”

“Hmph, who’s your wife? Confess quickly or face the consequences! Tell me honestly about that painting Tongtong drew!” Su Xin’s voice came through the phone, cold and scolding, making me break out in a cold sweat.

I glanced at Chu Qitong, who was reveling in my discomfort, and glared at her before switching back to a smiling face. “Hehe, Xin Xin, listen to me first. Don’t believe what that girl drew. That unforgettable moment she painted is actually… um, well, it’s true.”

“Hmph, I knew it! Xiao Qiang, you really fell off a cliff? When did you never tell me about this…” Su Xin’s voice on the other end was tinged with tears. I wanted to explain, but heavens, how could I explain this?

“Xin Xin, don’t be upset. Although it really happened, I’m fine now. It was an accident, but nothing serious. I didn’t want to worry you, so I didn’t say anything. Su Xin, my dear wife, don’t cry. I’ll confess everything to you now, okay?” Hearing her quiet sobs, sweat practically poured from my forehead. I knew she wasn’t jealous, just upset I’d never told her about the cliff accident.

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Just as I was about to explain further, Chu Qitong snatched the phone from my hand, shot me a glare, and answered, “Hello? Xin Xin? Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as you think. Well, the painting was a bit exaggerated. It was just a small cliff. After Xiao Qiang fell, there was a small lake below, and nothing happened. Both Xiao Qiang and I thought it was minor, so we didn’t tell you. Please don’t be sad, okay?”

Listening to Chu Qitong’s explanation, I couldn’t help but glare at her in frustration. If she hadn’t stirred up trouble with that painting, would things have escalated like this? If not her, then who else? Now when I go back, I’ll have to spend ages explaining. If Su Xin really gets mad, I’ll never be able to clear my name!

But it seemed Chu Qitong gradually started chatting with Su Xin, and I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Su Xin wasn’t as angry as I feared. Still, those glances the little witch kept shooting me made me want to strangle her on the spot. No, don’t misunderstand — just on the spot, no funny business...

“Here’s your phone back. Su Xin says she has class now and had to hang up,” Chu Qitong said casually after about ten minutes, handing the phone back to me with an air of righteous accomplishment. “So? I explained everything for you. Whether or not it’s a success, at least it was hard work. You owe me a meal, right?”

“I’m not treating you to anything! If it weren’t for your ridiculous painting, things wouldn’t have gotten out of hand like this. Can you get your facts straight? And you expect me to treat you to dinner? Dream on!” I was at a loss for words facing this beautiful woman. I’ve seen shameless people before, but never one so shameless...

“Fine, no dinner then, no need to be so harsh,” Chu Qitong put on a face full of grievance and whispered softly, “I’m really pitiful, working so hard and not even a thank you, just yelling at me… Ah, looks like once we’re back in C City, I’ll have to come clean with Su Xin properly…”

“Pfft!” I was just taking a sip of my drink when the little witch’s words made me spit it out. Seeing her feigning hurt expression, I slapped my forehead and groaned, “Oh heavens… Why did I ever meet such a troublesome one like you? Fine, you win. I admit I’m wrong. I’ll treat you, alright?”

Chu Qitong, seeing my helpless and defeated expression, finally smiled triumphantly. “That’s better. You’re teachable after all, haha.”

Watching her grin so brightly, I could only chew my chips in frustration, trying hard not to let my murderous aura show. Sometimes, I really wish I could strangle this jinx right here...

“Sir, Madam, Zhongnanhai is approaching. Please prepare,” the driver’s voice came from the front cabin. Chu Qitong and I stopped bickering immediately, tidied our clothes, and got ready to meet the President.

In my previous life, I had never even met a minor city mayor, let alone anyone with status and influence. So this meeting with the President was a first in my life—a rare honor in the Huaxia Nation to witness the symbol of the highest national power with my own eyes.

The car slowly stopped at the gates of Zhongnanhai. After presenting the pass, the driver proceeded about another kilometer before finally parking. Chu Qitong and I quickly opened the doors and stepped out.

The sky was a clear, deep blue without a single cloud. Beautiful flowers and trees lined the roads, and not far away, a green lake reflected the crimson glow of the setting sun. Occasionally, a row of soldiers in neat uniforms passed by, their shoulder patches marked “Internal Guard”—clearly the legendary Zhongnanhai bodyguards.

“Such beautiful scenery… Zhongnanhai really is a wonderful place,” Chu Qitong said, stretching and taking a deep breath of the fresh air with delight. “The air here can really rival C City. Ever since I came to the capital, I haven’t breathed such fresh air in a long time.”

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“Hehe, since you both find the air so nice, you’re welcome to stay longer and breathe it in,” a middle-aged man’s voice came from behind, prompting me to turn around.

He was about fifty, dressed in a military officer’s uniform, exuding a mature, commanding aura typical of an Eastern middle-aged man. His eyes were sharp and bright, and his entire presence conveyed something I couldn’t quite describe. After sizing him up, I respectfully asked, “Excuse me, sir, are you here to escort us to meet the President?”

The man looked slightly surprised by my question but soon smiled and nodded. “Yes, the Chairman asked me to wait here for you. You are the winners of the national computer competition, right? Weren’t there three of you? How come there are only two now?”

“Oh, the other one might arrive later. He seemed to have driven himself,” I said, knowing the man was referring to Song Jie. But whether Song Jie came or not was none of my concern. Curiously, I asked, “Sir, may I ask your name? Is the Chairman already inside waiting for us?”

“Hehe, my surname is Zhu. Yes, the Chairman has been expecting you for some time.” The man named Zhu smiled and then asked, “By the way, is there a contestant named Xiao Qiang among you?”

“Huh?” I was puzzled by this sudden mention of my name. “That’s me—Xiao Qiang. Uncle Zhu, how do you know my name?”

“Is it you? Your name is Xiao Qiang?” Zhu seemed very interested. Upon learning I was Xiao Qiang, his eyes gleamed with a strange light. The aides behind him also showed visible reactions, which puzzled me even more. Was my name really that famous? Could it be that exaggerated?

“Hehe, don’t misunderstand. I only just met you today. That vector propulsion design you created at the national computer contest—is it really your own work? Or did someone guide you?” Zhu’s carefully chosen words suggested he had thought this through deeply.

Hearing this, I immediately became alert. How had Zhongnanhai learned of the vector propulsion project so quickly? Could it be that they had already secretly studied the feasibility of my design? It seemed my suspicion was correct. Since Zhu knew about it, the President must know as well. This actually helped me a lot. Originally, I planned to find a way to get close to Chairman Hua, but now it seemed impossible not to catch his attention.

I smiled and said, “Yes, I designed it all by myself. I saw how backward our nation’s aviation propulsion technology was, so I studied it for several years and finally developed this design.”

“Oh, so that’s the case. I didn’t expect someone so young to create such an impressive propulsion system. Truly, heroes emerge early,” Zhu praised me warmly, scrutinizing me carefully. Then he said, “Alright, let’s go. The Chairman is waiting for you in the pavilion just ahead. Let’s meet Chairman Hua.”

“Uncle Zhu, there’s still one contestant who hasn’t arrived. Shouldn’t we wait for him?” Chu Qitong suddenly remembered Song Jie and quickly reminded him.

“The one who hasn’t arrived can come later. As long as Xiao Qiang is here, that’s enough!” The officer Zhu waved me forward enthusiastically. “This way, young man.”

Feeling a surge of pride, I nodded. Through Zhu, I now knew the Chairman had definitely noticed me. What I needed to do next was not how to attract his attention, but how to negotiate for the greatest benefit.

I took Chu Qitong’s hand, and under Uncle Zhu’s lead, we walked toward the pavilion by the small creek ahead to meet Chairman Hua.