I Got Rich in Period Fiction
Chapter 473: Cultural Troupe?

Chapter 473: Chapter 473: Cultural Troupe?

Wang Sisi picked up the teacup and, without a care, took a sip before smiling and saying, "I have long admired you. The transformation here in Xichuan, from what it was to what it is now, is so striking. It might sound exaggerated, but you’re like a fairy who’s cast a spell, turning this barren land into green waters and lush mountains..."

Qiao Qingyu’s eyes remained still as she refilled Wang Sisi’s cup. She wasn’t familiar with Wang Sisi and couldn’t figure out her intentions. This person had just shown up unannounced without giving Qiao Qingyu any time to prepare.

Qiao Qingyu spoke earnestly, "My personal power is limited. I do not agree with your statement. Although the barren land has been turned green by seeds from the lab, you have to understand how hard it is in this kind of place. Initially, there is a lack of water here. For a piece of land less than an acre, to make anything survive, I have to fetch water from a creek ten miles away. Can you imagine how tough that is?"

Evidently, Wang Sisi’s expression froze, but she quickly smiled charmingly and cleverly changed the subject. She looked around and said, "It’s hard to imagine that in Xichuan, your home is so warm, so stylish, and well-structured too."

Qiao Qingyu glanced around and casually said, "You like the layout of this house? Go ahead and have a look around, and I’ll go boil some hot water for you."

The hot water in the thermos was gone, and Wang Sisi had already had two cups of tea.

Typically, when a host makes such an offer, it would be polite for the guest to avoid overstaying their welcome, but Wang Sisi seemed not to hear and really started exploring each room. Her steps were light, her smile playful, and her eyes clear, giving off the innocent vibe of the girl next door, like a child seeing new toys at someone else’s house, making her hard to be annoyed or bothered by.

The door to He Xiuyu’s study was open. Typically, guests at their house wouldn’t enter the study, except for Xiao Hu.

Seeing that Wang Sisi’s first stop was the study, Qiao Qingyu thought for a moment and then went to the kitchen to boil water.

After turning on the electric kettle, she looked out the window where there was a small mirror. She saw Wang Sisi standing at the doorway of the study. Although she didn’t enter, she lingered there for quite a while.

Qiao Qingyu frowned slightly and casually placed the mirror inside the cabinet below the windowsill.

By then, the water had boiled. Qiao Qingyu filled the thermos with water, and when she turned around, she saw Wang Sisi standing at the doorway.

She seemed to have just realized and said apologetically, "There’s no need to go to any more trouble for me, Leader. I’ve already taken up too much of your time. I should be leaving now."

Just then, the door opened, and He Xuerong entered the house with her schoolbag on her back.

Today was Saturday, and there was only one class in the afternoon, so she came home early. Upon seeing the unfamiliar woman, the little girl paused and then greeted politely, "Hello, Auntie."

Wang Sisi then bent down with a beaming smile, "Ah, this must be Rongrong, such a beautiful little girl, just like a princess." She then seemed disappointed and slapped her forehead, "I brought lots of fun things for you—tin frog trumpets, spinning tops, and checkers, but I forgot to bring them this time. Next time I come, I’ll bring them for you."

That gave her a reason for a future visit. Qiao Qingyu smiled, and He Xuerong’s eyes lit up, "Auntie, what are these checkers like?"

"They’re made of glass marbles, really pretty, like candy."

He Xuerong didn’t have checkers with glass marbles.

The little girl kept smiling at Wang Sisi, who then left He Xiuyu’s home with light, brisk steps.

Qiao Qingyu naturally saw her out the door and waited until her figure disappeared around the corner before she returned to the house.

Wang Sisi left the base’s residential compound, paused for a moment, then headed towards the base’s store.

At the counter selling needles and thread, she picked and chose for a good while, purchasing various colors of thread and a few needles. Since they were all base staff, the service was naturally impeccable.

She calmly carried these items out of the store.

A person emerged from the shadow of the corner next to the store and asked in a low voice, "How did it go?"

Wang Sisi’s expression remained calm; to anyone else, they appeared as two strangers. But the two were only a few steps apart. She looked around and said, "It went smoothly, after all, the relationship is there. It’s easy to get in touch. I’ll find more opportunities to visit her home in the future, but today I only glanced at the study. The desk was clean. If there’s anything important, it’s either at the office or in a drawer."

The other person frowned, "You need to be careful. Visiting his study on your first visit, while gathering intelligence is secondary, you should first establish a good relationship and earn his trust. Don’t treat others like fools."

Although Wang Sisi didn’t say anything, she felt somewhat defiant, "Tell the young lady to rest assured. In this position, I have no choice but to build a good relationship with her. Getting what we want is just a matter of time."

Having said that, she didn’t wait for a response and briskly walked away, the person watching as Wang Sisi’s figure disappeared. He looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them before turning and heading directly outside the base.

He Xiuyu finished work as night had fallen, especially since it was early winter and after the summer solstice, it got dark early. Qiao Qingyu had already prepared dinner and set it on the dining table, while He Xuerong had finished her homework.

Qiao Qingyu took his overcoat as he took it off and hung it on the rack by the door, shaking off the cold, though his brow was slightly furrowed. Qiao Qingyu paused her hands and asked, "What’s wrong?"

He Xiuyu hesitated for a moment before saying, "The higher-ups are planning to establish a cultural troupe at the base to enrich the cultural life of the staff."

Qiao Qingyu raised her eyebrows. Nowadays, any reasonably ranked agency had its own cultural troupe, which, as the name implies, involved singing, dancing, and organizing performances. These groups were typically filled with good-looking young girls and boys; anyone not up to par in appearance or voice simply wouldn’t do.

Qiao Qingyu had been thinking that the base should start its own TV station, but was surprised to hear that they were planning a cultural troupe instead.

Qiao Qingyu then wondered, "Why do you seem unhappy about it?"

"The higher-ups mean well by enriching everyone’s cultural life, but there are many ways to enrich culture, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be through a cultural troupe."

"If they form a cultural troupe, will they assign people from above, or will our base select them?"

"It sounds like from what Old Wei said that a few major departments in Beijing are downsizing their cultural troupe personnel."

Oh, that explained it; there were places being streamlined.

Then, for some reason, his thoughts turned towards the research base.