His father had lost his official post, and the Ministry of Works offices were full of gossip.
One of the minor Ninth Rank officials who had shared his table at the banquet that day was competing with him at work. Both wanted to advance, and the other man, relying on an ancestor who had once been a high-ranking Upper Rank official, had repeatedly taken veiled digs at him. Though he had never insulted him outright, it had left him deeply displeased.
Lou Yushan had originally planned to bring Li Qingxian along to toast his superior, but once he went downstairs and sobered up a little, he realized that would be unwise. He barely knew Li Qingxian, and could call in this favor only once at most. Rather than waste it at a banquet, he should find a way to use it at the office. After all, Li Qingxian was on very good terms with Bureau Chief Liu Muwa. They had recently worked together for a second time in Far-Reaching City, and he often heard Liu Muwa praising Li Qingxian.
Lou Yushan sighed. Li Qingxian could solve his difficulties-even his entire family's-with a single word, yet he could not even decide how to ask for that word. He would have to go home and discuss it with his father.
He washed his face and walked back to his private dining room. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he forced a smile, then pushed the door open and entered.
The seven people inside were all seated. Two of them had accompanied him to offer the toast.
Lou Yushan smiled as he looked around. He had thought that after he toasted Li Qingxian, everyone would see him in a very different light. Yet although all seven were smiling, their smiles looked