That day, Chen Bin was sitting in his office, chatting with Zhao Xinmei on WeChat.
Minister Wu Daibo from the County Committee’s Organization Department knocked on the door and came in.
"Chairman Chen, I heard that it was all thanks to you that Gu Bei and Tang Zhuqing didn’t divorce. This time, I’m here to ask for your help."
Seeing Wu’s anxious expression, Chen Bin smiled and asked,
"Minister Wu, you’re not here because of Kexin, are you?"
Wu nodded and sighed.
"I’ve asked around too. Nothing really happened between Kexin and Hou Haoyu. The divorce was a decision made in the heat of the moment. As her father, I hope they can reconcile. Chairman Chen, I’ll need your help in this."
"Minister Wu, you must be joking. I’m not even that familiar with them. Wouldn’t it be a bit inappropriate for me to act as an intermediary?"
Wu quickly replied, smiling obsequiously.
"Everyone in Beihuang County knows that Chairman Chen is the most capable. I’m hoping you can do me this favor to help Kexin and Qiao Baichuan get back together!"
It’s said that all parents have the same loving hearts. Wu Daibo truly couldn’t persuade Wu Kexin himself; he had tried nearly every method available.
Having no other options left, he shamelessly came to seek Chen Bin’s help.
Thinking of Wu Kexin’s rounded, curvy figure, Chen Bin ultimately nodded and agreed.
"Alright, I’ll give it a shot, but whether it works or not will depend on their fate."
"No problem! As long as Chairman Chen is willing to help, no matter what it is in the future, just give me a holler, and I won’t refuse!"
After Wu Daibo left, Chen Bin began pondering how to help Wu Kexin and Qiao Baichuan reconcile.
After all, even Wu Daibo couldn’t manage to get them back together, and as an outsider, Chen Bin’s chances of success were even slimmer.
Thus, the safest approach was to avoid being overly direct.
Otherwise, it would almost certainly backfire.
Over the next few days, after finishing work, Chen Bin started dining at a small restaurant near Qiao Baichuan’s home.
Finally, last night, the two happened to run into each other.
Ever since the divorce, Qiao Baichuan hadn’t had anyone to cook for him.
His own cooking skills were poor, and the meals he prepared were terribly unappetizing.
After work today, he planned to treat himself at the restaurant. Unexpectedly, he bumped into Chen Bin.
Since Chen Bin was Hao Wenjing’s favorite aide, Qiao Baichuan naturally stepped up to greet him.
"Hello, Chairman Chen!"
Chen Bin glanced up at him and smiled.
"Well, isn’t it little Qiao? You like eating here too, I see?"
Qiao Baichuan didn’t find the food particularly delicious, but since Chen Bin had said so, he nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I live nearby. Whenever I crave something different, I come over here."
"Looks like we’re quite fated. Why not join me for a meal?"
After a moment’s hesitation, Qiao Baichuan finally nodded.
Soon, the two ordered several homestyle dishes and a few bottles of beer, eating and chatting as they went.
Since Chen Bin avoided talking about work-related topics, Qiao Baichuan didn’t feel pressure and began responding more freely.
Around halfway through the meal, Chen Bin abruptly asked, "I heard you and Wu Kexin divorced. Haven’t thought about finding someone new?"
Qiao Baichuan shook his head with a bitter smile. "I think I’ll pass. Living alone isn’t so bad."
Clearly, he hadn’t yet moved past the emotional wounds.
"You’re still young and have pretty good qualifications. Finding a young lady wouldn’t be a problem at all. How about I introduce you to someone?"
Startled, Qiao Baichuan widened his eyes in surprise.
"You’re going to set me up?"
"Absolutely. I have a distant female cousin, a bit older than me by two years—she’s already thirty this year. Her family has been anxious, pushing her to get married, so I thought of introducing you two to each other."
"I appreciate the kind thought, Chairman Chen, but I’m not considering marriage at the moment."
Though he said that, the truth was that Qiao Baichuan’s mind was still occupied by thoughts of Wu Kexin.
The rumors about Wu Kexin and Hou Haoyu’s relationship had hurt his pride, fueling the decision to divorce.
Now, the more he thought about it, the more he regretted the separation, though he couldn’t step past his own mental hurdles.
As for marrying another woman, that was something he had never truly considered.
In fact, Chen Bin had made the offer as a way to test Qiao Baichuan’s attitude.
If Qiao had agreed to meet the woman, it would have meant he had let go of Kexin, rendering reconciliation unnecessary.
But since Qiao refused, it indicated there was still hope!