Conversation with Zhang Biao
The rumors gradually subsided thanks to Mo Zhichi's skillful planning, and the project department returned to its former order. However, this incident undoubtedly drew a fine line between Lan Tongtong and Mo Zhichi. Lan Tongtong took the secretary's "reminder" to heart and deliberately reduced her visits to the director's office. Even when she did go to deliver documents, she tried to be businesslike, leaving and returning quickly, and avoiding any unnecessary conversation.
That afternoon, Lan Tongtong had just put a sorted file back in its place when the internal phone rang. It was Mo Zhichi calling.
"Tongtong, are you free now? Come to my office." His voice was as calm as ever, and no emotion could be heard.
Lan Tongtong's heart tightened slightly. This was the first time Mo Zhichi had approached her since the rumors died down. She straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and walked towards the director's office.
When I knocked on the door, I saw Mo Zhichi sitting behind his desk, holding a document. He gestured for Lan Tongtong to sit down, and the atmosphere in the office was a little more solemn than usual.
Mo Zhichi put down the documents and looked at her calmly. "Tongtong, a lot has happened in the project department recently. I asked you to come here because I wanted to ask you about your personal situation as a brother." He paused, his tone gentle but direct: "You've been working on the project for a while. Have you met any male colleagues who you get along with, or...who you think are good?"
This question surprised Lan Tongtong, and a subtle blush crept across her face. She subconsciously lowered her eyelids, her fingers gently stroking the hem of her clothes. On the project, the men she interacted with most often were her supervisor and the construction workers. When it came to someone she felt close and reliable, the first person that came to mind was naturally Mo Zhichi himself, who cared about her, guided her, and supported her through her difficulties.
Besides Mo Zhichi, the person she interacted with the most and who was also honest and straightforward was Zhang Biao. Although she didn't have any heart-throb feelings for him, he was at least a down-to-earth and reliable person.
She raised her head, meeting Mo Zhichi's concerned gaze, her tone tinged with a hint of girlish shyness and frankness: "Brother Mo, why do you suddenly ask this? I'm mainly focused on work right now, and haven't given these things much thought." She smiled and added, "If I must say... Zhang Biao is a very down-to-earth person and works very hard. He's a good colleague."
This answer avoids sensitive points and provides a reasonable answer.
Mo Zhichi listened quietly, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment, as if observing her reaction. Then, he nodded gently, his tone still gentle, "Zhang Biao is indeed a down-to-earth young man. It's a good thing for you young people to work together and get to know each other better."
He didn't ask any further questions, but changed the subject naturally, his tone returning to his usual calmness: "How's the work in the library going lately? We're in a busy phase lately, and the workload is quite heavy."
Lan Tongtong breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed the topic, "It went smoothly, Brother Mo. I'll hurry up and prepare the materials."
After briefly explaining the work, Mo Zhichi said, "Okay, then you can get busy first."
Lan Tongtong stood up to say goodbye, feeling a mix of emotions as she left the director's office. She was grateful for Mo Zhichi's concern, but she also vaguely sensed that there might be a deeper purpose behind this conversation. However, being able to communicate so openly gave her a sense of peace of mind.
After Lan Tongtong left, the director's office returned to silence. Mo Zhichi didn't immediately return to work. He leaned back in his chair, staring calmly at the busy construction site outside the window, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.
Lan Tongtong's response, while seemingly reasonable, left an indescribable ripple in his heart. Her response about Zhang Biao was tinged with a girl's natural shyness, yet also revealed a carefully maintained calmness. He keenly sensed that it wasn't the demeanor a girl in love would display when mentioning her crush. It was more like... a safe excuse.
As an experienced elder, he knew that relationships couldn't be forced, but he also understood the impact of environment on young people. The project department was a relatively closed environment, and gossip could easily destroy a girl's reputation and mindset. Since he had adopted Lan Tongtong as his sister, he felt a responsibility to consider her more carefully. If Zhang Biao was indeed a reliable choice, then proper guidance might be beneficial to Lan Tongtong's future.
After thinking for a moment, Mo Zhichi picked up the intercom and dialed the number of the engineering department: "Hello, it's me, Mo Zhichi. Ask Zhang Biao to come to my office when he is free."
After a while, a loud report came from outside the door: "Boss Mo! Zhang Biao reports in!"
"Come in." Mo Zhichi sat up straight and regained his usual dignity.
Zhang Biao pushed the door open and walked in. His tall figure seemed a little reserved, with a look of confusion and nervousness on his face. "Mr. Mo, are you looking for me?"
"Sit down, don't be nervous." Mo Zhichi pointed to the chair opposite him and said in a more gentle tone, "I want to talk to you. It's not about work."
Zhang Biao sat down as he was told, put his hands on his knees and kept his back straight.
Mo Zhichi looked him over. He knew Zhang Biao. He worked hard, had a straightforward personality, and was a bit gangster-like, but he wasn't bad at heart and had a high reputation among the workers. He had previously beaten Liu Feng to protect Lan Tongtong. Although his behavior was extreme, he was also loyal and responsible. As for his family situation, Mo Zhichi had vaguely heard that Zhang Biao's hometown was a demolition household, and his family was quite well-off, so he could be considered a "second-generation demolition worker." However, the young man himself was not ostentatious and was down-to-earth and hardworking.
"Is the work at the beam yard going smoothly recently?" Mo Zhichi started with the work.
"That's easy! Don't worry, Mr. Mo! We are strictly controlling the progress and quality now, so there will be no problem!" Zhang Biao answered in a loud voice.
"Well, that's good." Mo Zhichi nodded, then changed the subject and asked casually, "Xiao Zhang, personal matters...do you have any plans? You're old enough to start a family."
Zhang Biao hadn't expected the chief supervising engineer to ask this. A blush of embarrassment suddenly appeared on his dark face. He scratched his head and smiled innocently, "Mr. Mo, why do you ask this? I'm a rough and timid person. I'll help you repair the bridge first. As for starting a family... let fate take its course."
His response was straightforward and simple, without a trace of slickness.
Mo Zhichi observed his expression and continued calmly, "It's not a conflict for a man to start a family and a career. When you meet the right girl, you have to know how to seize the opportunity. What's important is sincerity and responsibility." He paused and added meaningfully, "Especially with girls, you have to respect them, love them, and not bully them."
Zhang Biao left the director's office, scratching his head and feeling perplexed. Mr. Mo's conversation with him today was truly bizarre. First, he asked about work, then suddenly shifted to personal matters, with remarks like, "If you meet a good girl, you should seize the opportunity," and "You should respect and cherish her." Where did this all fit in? Zhang Biao was a rough-hewn man who worked with steel and concrete every day, so why was Mr. Mo suddenly so concerned about his lifelong prospects?
Puzzled, he returned to the engineering department's office. Li, the engineering director, was looking over blueprints when he saw him return. "Biaozi, what does Mr. Mo want to talk to you about? Is there something wrong with the beam yard?"
"Ah? Nothing... nothing." Zhang Biao was still pondering and answered casually, "Just... just chatting a little."
"Gossip?" Engineer Li put down the blueprints, piqued. "Boss Mo wants to chat with you? That's new. What did you talk about?"
Zhang Biao was a straightforward person, so without giving it much thought, he repeated everything Mo Zhichi had asked him. "...He asked me about my personal plans, saying that if you meet a good girl, you have to know how to seize the opportunity, be responsible, respect and love her, and not bully her... Mr. Li, what do you think Mr. Mo means by this? I'm really worried."
After hearing this, Engineer Li was stunned for a moment, then he slapped his thigh with an expression of sudden enlightenment on his face. He pointed at Zhang Biao and said with a smile, "Oh my! Biaozi, is your brain covered with concrete? Don't you understand this?"
Zhang Biao looked bewildered: "What do you understand?"
"Boss Mo is targeting you!" Li Gong came closer, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of teasing and envy, "He's taken a fancy to you, kid, and wants you to pursue Lan Tongtong!"
"What?!" Zhang Biao's eyes instantly widened like copper bells, his dark face flushed red all the way to his ears. He waved his hands repeatedly, "Engineer Li, please don't talk nonsense! How is this possible! Engineer Lan... Engineer Lan..."
"Why not?" Engineer Li said with a look of "you're too naive." "Think about it, why did Mr. Mo choose to talk to you about this? There are so many young men in the project department, why didn't he go find someone else? Think about it, Lan Tongtong is in the reference room now, and she has a lot of contact with Mr. Mo. Mr. Mo must think she's good, and seeing that you're a decent person and have a good family background, he wants to match you two up! I'm telling you a message, silly boy!"
Zhang Biao's mind buzzed when Engineer Li pointed it out. All the previous details instantly connected together - President Mo's special care for Lan Tongtong, inviting her to his home for dinner during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and today's meaningful words... Could it be... Could it be that what Engineer Li said was true?
His heart suddenly began to beat wildly, a huge wave of surprise and disbelief washed over him. He did have feelings for Lan Tongtong, and had confessed his feelings before. Although he had been rejected, he had never let it go. If... if Mr. Mo really supported him, did that mean... he had another chance?
Looking at Zhang Biao's unpredictable face, filled with both surprise and joy, Engineer Li smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Alright, stop standing there! Mr. Mo has already said so much. If you're really interested in Engineer Lan, then take some action! Don't let Mr. Mo down!"
Zhang Biao walked out of the office dazed, feeling like he was stepping on cotton. Mr. Mo's suggestion was like a sudden, bright light, illuminating his already somewhat dejected emotional world. He recalled Lan Tongtong's pretty face and earnest demeanor, and his heart was suddenly filled with energy and hope.
"Yes! Mr. Li is right!" He clenched his fists and secretly made up his mind, "Boss Mo has supported me, what am I afraid of! I must perform well this time and can't be as reckless as last time!"
In this way, with the unintentional "assistance" of the Minister of Engineering, Mo Zhichi's implicit consideration was interpreted as clear "official support".
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
