Chapter 117: The Choices Faced by Working Women Are Always More Difficult
When Lin Xili walked into the forensic department carrying large and small bags, the office was already bustling with activity.
Several colleagues were gathered around the coffee machine discussing something when they saw her come in. Li was the first to look up.
"Hey, our bride's back!" he joked with a smile. "Went on your honeymoon? You look great!"
Brother Wang also came over, his eyes falling on the bag in her hand: "What delicious food did you bring us? You're having your wedding in your hometown, you must have some local specialties, right?"
Other colleagues also gathered around, offering their greetings all at once.
Lin Xili placed the bag in her hand on the table in the common area. "I brought some local specialties from the town. Everyone, please try them. The tea is quite good."
Brother Li eagerly opened the walnut shortbread packaging. "Hmm, authentic Xili, thanks!"
Brother Wang picked up a packet of tea leaves and smelled it: "This tea smells good. I'll go brew a pot for everyone to drink now."
Just as things were getting lively, the office door was pushed open.
Gao Bowen stood at the door. "Xi Li, you're back? Come to my office for a moment."
The lively atmosphere subsided slightly, and the colleagues tacitly dispersed and returned to their respective workstations.
Lin Xili followed Gao Bowen into the office.
"Was the wedding successful?"
"It went very smoothly, thank you for your concern, Manager Gao," Lin Xili replied politely.
Gao Bowen nodded, pulled a document from the folder, and pushed it in front of Lin Xili. "Take a look at this."
Lin Xili took it; it was a brochure for a management training course.
The training program lasts for one year, is organized internally by the judicial system, and aims to cultivate mid-to-senior level management talent. It is held every two years.
She quickly glanced through the contents, then looked up at Gao Bowen with some confusion.
"Manager Gao, this is..."
“You have performed exceptionally well in the field of forensics over the past two years.” Gao Bowen placed his hands on the table with his hands crossed. “From evidence collection to laboratory analysis, from crime scene investigation to testifying in court, your professional competence is evident to all.”
Lin Xili listened quietly, vaguely guessing what was going on in her mind.
“However,” Gao Bowen changed the subject, “a person with strong professional skills may not necessarily become a good manager.”
He pushed the enrollment brochure towards Lin Xili: "I want to enroll you in this year's management training program."
"After the training, there will be a batch of adjustments to mid-level positions in the bureau. With your abilities and qualifications, plus this training experience, you should be able to take on a higher position."
Lin Xili looked at the admission brochure, a mix of emotions welling up inside her.
She knew this was an opportunity, a fantastic chance to take her career a step further.
The fact that Gao Bowen took the initiative to make this suggestion shows that he really thinks highly of her.
“Thank you, Manager Gao,” she said carefully. “I appreciate your recognition. But I would like to participate again next year.”
Gao Bowen was clearly surprised by this answer. "Why? Do you know how many people are vying for this opportunity?"
“I know.” Lin Xili nodded. “But I have my own plans. Besides, Brother Li and Brother Wang have been in the forensic department longer than me and have more seniority. I think they are more suitable.”
In the workplace, seniority is indeed an important consideration, and she didn't want to skip over those senior colleagues who had worked diligently for many years just because she had solved a few major cases.
Gao Bowen disagreed: "Xi Li, you've misunderstood. Leadership has no absolute relation to seniority."
"Leaders need professional knowledge, as well as professional personal charisma, the ability to unite a team, make the right decisions, and remain clear-headed under pressure. You happen to have these qualities."
He paused for a moment, then said, "You don't think I recommended you because of Director Lu, do you? If so, you're underestimating yourself."
This was a very direct statement, but Lin Xili didn't have that thought.
She knew very well what kind of person Lu Qingshu was.
That female bureau chief detested nepotism the most; she got to her current position through her solid abilities and performance.
"I believe in Director Lu, and I believe in myself."
“That’s not why I refused. I want to get the senior professional title first and solidify my professional foundation. And there are also some personal reasons.”
As she said this, she unconsciously touched her lower abdomen.
Although the area is still flat and normal, she wants to use these two years to complete the major life event of having a child and have a truly complete family with Huo Nanchen.
Gao Bowen's gaze lingered on her hand for a moment, and then he suddenly understood something.
Working women always face more complex choices, often requiring a difficult balance between career and family, promotion and childbirth.
He was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, I respect your choice. Your plan makes sense, but my junior brother may not agree with it."
“I know he has always wanted me to prioritize my career development, but this is my plan, and he will respect it.”
Gao Bowen nodded and stopped trying to persuade him, since everyone has their own plans.
One week later, in the evening, as Lin Xili walked out of the building with her commuter bag, she habitually looked up at the other side of the road.
Beneath that familiar tree, that familiar figure stands quietly.
A week of waiting, seven days of longing, all transformed into a surging warm current at this moment, breaching all the dams of reason.
Lin Xili jogged across the sidewalk, and when she finally reached him, her breathing was a little rapid. "You're here."
Huo Nanchen watched her run closer, and seeing her slightly flushed cheeks, he nodded gently. "Yes, dinner is ready. Let's go back and eat."
Huo Nanchen took the commuter bag from her shoulder, and Lin Xili took his arm, and they walked together toward the Justice Bureau dormitory.
How is the case progressing?
“It went very smoothly.” Lin Xili turned to look at him. “We found crucial evidence of the fund flow and have already transferred it to the procuratorate. Supervisor Gao said the case was solved brilliantly.”
"Hmm," Huo Nanchen responded, glancing at her sideways as they waited at a red light. "You look very tired."
"It's alright." Lin Xili rubbed her temples. "It's just that I haven't been sleeping very well this week."
Huo Nanchen was silent for a moment, then said, "Get some rest early tonight."
As I opened the door, the familiar aroma of food wafted out.
A simple three-dish-and-one-soup meal was already laid out on the table: steamed sea bass, garlic broccoli, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and a pot of matsutake mushroom and chicken soup.
"Wash your hands first, I'll get the rice."
Lin Xili washed her hands and sat down at the dining table, watching Huo Nanchen's busy figure in the kitchen.
She suddenly remembered those days in the small town, and what Grandma Huo had said: "Food needs the warmth of home cooking to have a human touch."
At this moment, this simple meal is the warmest expression of everyday life.
The two sat facing each other eating. Halfway through the meal, Lin Xili put down her chopsticks and looked at Huo Nanchen: "There's something I want to tell you."
Huo Nanchen put down his chopsticks and looked up at her: "Hmm?"
"Manager Gao wanted to enroll me in this year's mid-to-senior level management training program," Lin Xili said calmly, "but I refused."
Huo Nanchen's expression remained unchanged; he simply watched her quietly, waiting for her to continue.
"I want to get my senior professional title certificate first, to solidify my professional foundation," Lin Xili continued. "I want to have our child in the next two years."
These words silenced the air at the dining table for a moment.
Huo Nanchen looked at her for a long time, "It's always more difficult for women to maintain a balance between career and family than for men."
“This is your plan, and I will respect it,” Huo Nanchen continued. “But I hope this is the plan you truly want, and not a compromise made for the sake of having children.”
She looked at Huo Nanchen, and seeing the concern and understanding that were now shining through his usually calm eyes, and her nose suddenly felt a little sore.
“This is what I want.” She nodded vigorously. “I’ve done my research and consulted doctors. Giving birth at this age allows for a faster recovery and is also good for the child. I can postpone my management position for a few years.”
She paused, then added, "I'm not giving up this opportunity; I really want to solidify my professional foundation so that I can be more convincing."
Huo Nanchen was silent for a moment, then said, "Then I support you."
Lin Xili picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of fish on Huo Nanchen's plate, her tone playful, "Then you have to work hard, you need to get pregnant this year and give birth next year, the timing is perfect."
These words made Huo Nanchen's ears turn red. He coughed lightly and lowered his head to eat.
"Mm," he replied. "Okay."
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