CHAPTER 421: CHAPTER 421: THE INTERMEDIARY

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!

"Little Qiao, are you still hung up on Wu Kexin in your heart?"

Sipping his beer silently, Qiao Baichuan didn’t answer.

Chen Bin pressed forward, "I understand how you feel. After all, you’ve been married for so many years, and there’s still a bond there. Plus, you have kids together. Breaking up just like that isn’t easy, I get it."

"What’s the point of it being difficult? She’s been in bed with another man! If I don’t get divorced, I’ll just be a fool. How could I hold my head high in the county after that?!"

Seeing Qiao Baichuan growing emotional, Chen Bin quickly explained,

"I’ve heard about what happened between Kexin and Hou Haoyu, but apparently, they were both drunk and only shared the same bed without doing anything. And come on, you’ve been married to Kexin for years now—don’t you trust her character by now?"

Still looking downcast, Qiao Baichuan remained silent.

Chen Bin continued, "We share similar tastes, right? So let me help you sound out Kexin’s feelings. If she still cares about you, would you consider reconciling?"

"No... no..."

Before Qiao Baichuan could finish, Chen Bin interrupted him directly.

"Are you an idiot? Kexin’s a completely innocent woman, and you’re just going to give up on her like that? Do you think the next woman you marry will definitely be spotless? For your child’s sake, stop throwing a tantrum already."

Taking a deep breath, Qiao Baichuan finally nodded.

"Chairman Chen, then I’ll trouble you to check on Kexin’s feelings. If she still has me in her heart, then... for the child’s sake, I’ll forgive her just this once."

Raising his glass, Chen Bin clinked glasses with him.

"Let’s forget about forgiveness. What matters is if you two can get back together and live a happy life."

The next morning, Chen Bin called Wu Kexin and invited her to dinner that evening.

Since Chen Bin had once helped her get revenge, Wu Kexin’s impression of him was quite favorable.

Without hesitation, she agreed.

That evening, the two met at a hot pot restaurant near the County Committee and County Government buildings.

After ordering, Chen Bin spoke directly.

"Last night, I had dinner with Qiao Baichuan and brought up the topic of you two reconciling."

Upon hearing this, Wu Kexin couldn’t help but ask, "What did he say?"

Though she tried to appear indifferent, her eyes betrayed her concern.

Chen Bin replied, "He didn’t explicitly say whether he wants to reconcile or not. He still seems upset about the situation with Hou Haoyu. You know how men are—they can get hung up on things like this, and that’s totally understandable."

Snorting coldly, Wu Kexin angrily retorted,

"Reconcile if we can, forget about it if we can’t! I’ve been mocked for so long, and he hasn’t even comforted me—on top of that, he dares to throw a tantrum? Total scumbag!"