"Thump, thump, thump!..."
Not long after, a series of hurried footsteps came from the third-floor staircase.
The sound grew louder as it approached, and gradually, the person who had come ran into the corridor.
Looking at him again, it was clear that this person was none other than Zhao Guoping.
There was no other way. Zhao Guoping didn't want to do this either, but he had to hurry because the big boss had summoned him!
After entering the corridor, Zhao Guoping slowed his pace, calmed himself down, and then walked towards Vice Minister Bai's office.
"Vice Minister Bai, I heard from Secretary Hu that you were looking for me."
In the office, Zhao Guoping stood there properly, asking cautiously.
"Comrade Guoping! Relax, don't be so reserved, sit down and let's talk," Vice Minister Bai said with a smile, pointing to the chair.
"Thank you, Vice Minister Bai."
After Zhao Guoping sat down, Vice Minister Bai didn't try to hide anything and asked directly.
"Comrade Guoping! I called you here today for nothing important, just to ask about your relationship with Sun Zhengguo."
Vice Minister Bai's question stumped Zhao Guoping.
My relationship with Son Jung-guk? How should I describe it?
Zhao Guoping certainly thought so. In his heart, Sun Zhengguo was his benefactor, teacher, and friend, holding a very high position.
But this is just his own opinion; what Sun Zhengguo thinks is unknown, so he can't really describe it.
"What's wrong? Is there something you're having trouble telling me?"
Seeing Zhao Guoping hesitate and remain silent, Vice Minister Bai couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.
"It's not what you think, I just have trouble describing it?" Zhao Guoping waved his hand and then explained.
"Oh! Then tell me, let me hear what happened."
With encouragement from Vice Minister Bai, Zhao Guoping slowly began to narrate.
"Actually, we've always had a good relationship, but the Section Chief Sun I know is now getting higher and higher in rank, and I don't know if he's changed...."
Upon hearing Zhao Guoping's account, Vice Minister Bai's eyes lit up.
It seemed the two had a good relationship, so he decided to send Zhao Guoping to scout things out.
"Comrade Guoping! Hearing you say that, I feel relieved. Comrade Zhengguo is not that kind of person. Here, I'm giving you a task..."
After listening to Vice Minister Bai's description of the task, Zhao Guoping was honestly very reluctant to do something so thankless.
But what can he do? A leader's decision is the most important thing, and he can't refuse.
Having accepted the task, Zhao Guoping had no choice but to push his bicycle and ride towards the Mechanical Research Institute.
Throughout the journey, he kept thinking about how to start the conversation once he got there.
Before he knew it, the research institute was right in front of him. Only then did Zhao Guoping snap out of his thoughts, get out of the car, and push it toward the entrance.
Because the Mechanical Research Institute is a classified unit, the entrance is guarded not by security personnel, but by People's Liberation Army soldiers.
"Hello comrade, who are you looking for?"
When the sentry stopped him, Zhao Guoping didn't react much; he simply took out his work ID and handed it over.
"Hello, PLA comrade, I have official business and I'm here to see your Chief Sun."
After checking the work permit, the sentry didn't make things difficult for the guard, but instead turned around and made a phone call.
A moment later, the sentry returned, had Zhao Guoping register again, and then let him in.
Upon entering the research institute, Zhao Guoping initially intended to ask someone for directions, but upon seeing the single building, he knew exactly where to go.
"Guoping, what are you staring at? Can't you see a living person like me?"
Hearing the somewhat familiar voice, Zhao Guoping looked in the direction of the sound.
It turned out they were old acquaintances; the two had fought side by side for a long time and had formed a deep friendship.
"Lianshan, it's you? You didn't wait here for me on purpose, did you?"
What do you think?
Chen Lianshan quickly stepped forward, and the two shared a big hug.
"The director heard you were here and specially sent me to pick you up. Come on, let's go upstairs."
"good."
Zhao Guoping then parked his bicycle and followed Chen Lianshan upstairs.
At this moment, Sun Zhengguo, who was in his office, had stopped working and got up to make two cups of tea.
Just as he finished brewing the tea, Chen Lianshan led Zhao Guoping into the office.
"Director, Guoping is here."
Upon seeing Zhao Guoping arrive, Sun Zhengguo put down his teacup and feigned displeasure.
"Guoping! It's been years since we last saw each other, hasn't it? You didn't even come to see me."
"Section Chief, I...I...I saw that your official position was getting higher and higher, and I was afraid that others would misunderstand and think that I was here to curry favor with you, so..."
Zhao Guoping felt a little ashamed. Based on his understanding, Sun Zhengguo shouldn't be that kind of person, but he was unsure and afraid of being rejected when he went to visit him.
Sun Zhengguo naturally believed what he said.
If Zhao Guoping were a sycophant, he wouldn't have been demoted to a low-level post back then.
Seeing Zhao Guoping's embarrassed expression, Sun Zhengguo didn't want to tease him anymore. Instead, he stretched out his arms and gave him a big hug.
He had the same enthusiasm as when he was the deputy section chief.
At this moment, Zhao Guoping was deeply moved. The section chief was still the same section chief, unchanged.
However, it seems that my purpose in coming here this time is not entirely pure.
"Section Chief, I...I came here this time..."
Before Zhao Guoping could finish speaking, Sun Zhengguo stopped him with a gesture.
"No need to say anything, I know why you've come. Sit down and have some tea. We'll have lunch here, and Senior Brother Chen will come over too."
Today was originally a family dinner to celebrate his second uncle's new job, so Sun Zhengguo didn't intend to invite any outsiders.
But plans can't keep up with changes. Now that Zhao Guoping has arrived, they simply invited him to join them.
As for bringing Chen Lianshan along? That was to avoid embarrassing Zhao Guoping.
Zhao Guoping was unaware of the family dinner at noon and readily agreed.
The group then stopped discussing business and instead chatted over tea, talking about the changes that had occurred in recent years.
Speaking of changes, everyone has changed a lot in the past few years, not to mention Sun Zhengguo and Chen Lianshan.
Last year, Zhao Guoping successfully passed the engineer exam and was promoted to section chief.
Looking back on his demotion, Zhao Guoping was filled with emotion, and the others also sighed deeply…
Time flew by, and it was noon. When the group arrived at the cafeteria, Zhao Guoping was dumbfounded.
So today is the section chief's family dinner; I've become the one causing trouble.
However, he quickly put all of this behind him, because everyone present was very friendly to him, this unexpected guest.
Everyone had one question: Sun Zhengguo was clearly the director, so why did Zhao Guoping always call him section chief?
Only after the banquet ended and everyone else had left did Zhou Weimin ask, puzzled.
"Section Chief Zhao, you've been addressing our director as 'Section Chief' the whole time. What's the meaning behind that?"
“Uh…!” Zhao Guoping was speechless. Yes! He’s clearly the director, so why have I been calling him section chief?
They don't realize that this is a kind of sentiment in men.
Just like when you're a soldier, even after leaving the military for many years, you often still call him "Old Squad Leader" when you meet him again.
This makes it seem more intimate and authentic, as if everything has gone back to the past and nothing has ever changed.
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