Chapter 42: He Was Actually Listening Intently

After showing off, Lu Qiaoge tucked her work ID into her crossbody bag.

As their eyes met, Qin Hengzhi gave a light cough and asked politely, "How is the work at the sub-district office?"

Lu Qiaoge gave a charming smile. "Seeing all walks of life?"

Qin Hengzhi chuckled. "You've only been working for two days, and you already have such insights?"

Lu Qiaoge replied, "The sub-district office deals with the common people. Our Xiangyang Sub-district Office manages tens of thousands of people. Family disputes, neighborhood conflicts... as long as it doesn't end up at the police station, the sub-district office has to handle it."

Qin Hengzhi glanced at the door. Shao Le hadn't returned yet. This man...

He had no choice but to continue talking to Lu Qiaoge. "I heard you handled a real estate dispute yesterday?"

"Yes!" Lu Qiaoge's eyes sparkled. "I even saw Sister Zhou just now; she's renting a place right next to Qi Shuang's."

Qin Hengzhi smiled as well. "Can you tell me about it?"

Of course she could.

Lu Qiaoge chattered away, telling Qin Hengzhi the whole story.

Lu Qiaoge had a pleasant voice and strong organizational skills; her descriptions made one feel as if they were right there on the scene.

Qin Hengzhi had always preferred quietude. When he spoke to people or discussed matters, he was always concise and to the point. Even when subordinates reported work, they picked the key points and were brisk and efficient.

Yet, despite how much Lu Qiaoge talked, he found himself listening intently.

After finishing her story, Lu Qiaoge sighed. "I borrowed a book on current laws from Director He. Indeed, there is no explicit right of inheritance. Children inheriting their parents' property still follows the old rules—the 'equal distribution among sons' that has existed for thousands of years. Since girls are expected to marry out eventually, they aren't eligible to inherit family property. Therefore, Zhou Li's claim is invalid."

Qin Hengzhi looked at Lu Qiaoge with a strange expression and suddenly asked, "Why did you borrow a law book?"

Instead of a storybook, a picture book, or a novel?

Most girls rarely enjoyed reading such books. As far as he knew, his female cousins preferred novels and pictorials.

Lu Qiaoge said, "My thought at the time was that if I joined the sub-district office, it would be necessary to understand our country's laws and regulations."

Qin Hengzhi nodded slightly, a trace of imperceptible admiration in his eyes. He said, "Even though equality is constantly being advocated, gender inequality still exists. It's not just that the laws need to be perfected, but people's mindsets must also improve. This process might be very long."

It wasn't something that could be achieved just by shouting slogans.

Lu Qiaoge's eyes lit up; she had finally heard something rational. She looked at Qin Hengzhi with a hint of admiration. "I didn't expect you to say something like that."

Qin Hengzhi let out a light laugh. "Then what did you expect me to say?"

This was the first time Lu Qiaoge had seen Qin Hengzhi smile like this. When he smiled, he was truly handsome.

However, the atmosphere suddenly felt a bit off. Was it her imagination?

Facing Qin Hengzhi's dark eyes, which seemed to possess a soul-stirring power, Lu Qiaoge chose to change the subject. "So, Representative Qin, do you think it's better to watch the program, or would you like to attend the social dance?"

This was work; she had to report back to Deputy Director Huang once she returned.

Qin Hengzhi's gaze darkened slightly. Every time he met this girl, she gave him a very mysterious feeling.

He said, "I will communicate with the factory leadership tomorrow. They will notify your sub-district office in due course."

Lu Qiaoge teased, "So you're not choosing either one, then?"

Qin Hengzhi stood up, his voice deep. "Production tasks are currently heavy; we cannot cause such a stir just for my sake."

He walked to the bookshelf and said to Lu Qiaoge, "I have many books here as well. You can pick a few you'd like to read, perhaps some supplementary books suitable for your work at the sub-district office."

Lu Qiaoge looked at his bookshelf curiously.

Perhaps because he was only acting as the military representative, he didn't have many books. But it was clear that Qin Hengzhi was a man who loved reading.

She looked up at him.

An untimely image flashed through her mind: by a window with fluttering gauze curtains, sunlight falling upon a handsome man in a white shirt; he leaned lazily in a chair with a book on his lap, his eyes cast down, his long fingers resting on the pages...

"Why are you looking at me instead of the books?" Qin Hengzhi's voice, devoid of discernible emotion, sounded above her head.

Lu Qiaoge snapped back to reality and said with a straight face, "I was just about to ask you when you are leaving, so I can return the books on time."

Whether Qin Hengzhi believed this excuse or not, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly as he said nonchalantly, "If I leave, these books belong to you."

Books were very precious nowadays. Whether permitted or not, books were a highly valuable resource. For instance, students of this era would use both sides of a notebook; failing to use the back was considered a waste.

Since Qin Hengzhi was being so generous, Lu Qiaoge accepted readily. She chose a set of *M Selection* and several related books.

Seeing that it was getting late, and noting that Shao Le—who shared the same "constipation" issue as Lu Qiaoling—hadn't returned, she wondered if he was stuck.

Clutching the books, Lu Qiaoge thanked him and said goodbye in a good mood. "In that case, I will have our Director wait for the notice from above."

Qin Hengzhi gave a soft hum of affirmation and politely escorted Lu Qiaoge to the office door.

Xiao Su poked his head out from the next room, only to meet Qin Hengzhi's cold gaze. Xiao Su hurriedly stepped out and stood at attention.

Qin Hengzhi gave him a faint glance. By then, Lu Qiaoge had already disappeared from his sight.

It wasn't until Lu Qiaoge reached the main gate that she saw a flushed, rushing Shao Le.

Lu Qiaoge said, "Representative Qin said he would communicate this matter with the higher-ups. We just need to report truthfully tomorrow morning."

Shao Le scratched his hair sheepishly. When he saw the books Lu Qiaoge was holding, he was instantly stunned.

Lu Qiaoge proactively explained, "Representative Qin lent these to me. He really is a good person."

Shao Le: "..." He felt like something was slightly off.

Just as the two walked out of the military representative's courtyard, they saw two middle-aged men walking toward them, carrying a canvas bag.

Lu Qiaoge didn't recognize either of them. But judging by their attire...

Sun Yat-sen suits with four pockets. Yes, they were definitely factory leaders.

Shao Le quickened his pace to greet them. "Factory Director Hao, Secretary He."

Director Hao nodded with a smile, then entered the military representative's office building with Secretary He.

Once they were in a secluded spot, Shao Le said mysteriously, "The Director and the Secretary must be here to persuade and win over Representative Qin."

Lu Qiaoge asked in surprise, "Why?"

"Because Representative Qin is too outstanding. To put it exaggeratedly, our factory has never encountered such an excellent military representative. Whether it's technical skill or management, he is top-tier."

Shao Le gave a thumbs up and continued, "I heard he entered the Jingbei Military Academy at fifteen. He's the type who can rank first in any subject."

"Our factory leaders often have conflicting opinions; they frequently slam the table during meetings. But regarding Representative Qin, they are surprisingly unified. They were definitely looking for him to have a drink and persuade him to stay."

Lu Qiaoge glanced at Shao Le. "How do you know so much?"

Shao Le replied, "Director Hao is my eldest uncle."

Lu Qiaoge: "..."