Chapter 166 Meeting
Lin Yuanshu was taken aback by Wu Qin's words and politely declined, saying, "I'm really sorry, I really want to help you, but I don't know much about the project you're in charge of, so I probably can't be of much help. It would be better if you went to a researcher who specializes in this drug."
She was telling the truth. Even Baidu isn't omnipotent, let alone her. She's really not that amazing. As soon as Wu Qin asked her a question, she could give a reasonable explanation and win Wu Qin's approval.
She was completely clueless about the project Wu Qin was in charge of; she only knew that it was an important project, but nothing else.
Such a plot twist that leads to a slap in the face is something we can only dream about.
Wu Qin did not give up despite Lin Yuanshu's polite refusal. She said thoughtfully, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu, you don't need to be so modest in front of me. Deputy Director Liu told me that you performed very well when you assisted Team Leader Ye in advancing the project. Besides, the project I was originally going to give to you. I don't believe you are completely unaware of this project."
Lin Yuanshu didn't know Wu Qin's purpose in saying this, so she pretended to be naive and said, "Ah? I'm not being modest, this is all from the bottom of my heart. I didn't expect Deputy Director Liu to think so highly of me. He didn't treat me like this before. I didn't even know that the project you were in was originally going to be assigned to me. When I left Beijing, no one mentioned the project to me. It seems that I am not destined for this project. Since the organization has assigned this project to you, it means they believe in your abilities. Do a good job and don't let the organization down."
Wu Qin stroked her chin, a playful expression on her face, and asked, "What was Deputy Director Liu's attitude towards you before?"
Lin Yuanshu bluntly said, "His attitude towards you now is the same as his attitude towards me before. If you put me on the opposite side because of Deputy Director Liu, then you have done something incredibly stupid."
Such an obvious attempt to shift blame would only fool a fool; she prefers harmonious coexistence to confrontation.
For a moment, Wu Qin didn't know what to say. She had originally intended to test the relationship between Lin Yuanshu and Deputy Director Liu, but she didn't expect Lin Yuanshu to be so direct, not trying to hide anything at all, and directly revealing all these complicated matters.
She seemed foolish for stirring up trouble, but she didn't mean to. She mainly wanted to get to know Lin Yuanshu better through this method. Sometimes, arguments can reveal a person's character.
Seeing that Wu Qin did not reply and looked thoughtful, Lin Yuanshu assumed that Wu Qin agreed with her words since she did not refute them. With that thought, she prepared to leave.
She said this because she didn't want to get involved in the conflict between Wu Qin and Deputy Director Liu; she just wanted to watch the show and have some fun.
Seeing Lin Yuanshu preparing to leave, Wu Qin suddenly had a flash of inspiration. She grabbed Lin Yuanshu's arm and said in a slightly excited tone, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu, some things you can't avoid just because you want to. You don't make things difficult for Deputy Director Liu, but he's trying to find ways to make things difficult for you. Why don't we join forces to deal with Deputy Director Liu? As long as I become the deputy director, you'll definitely get your share of the benefits."
She hadn't originally had this idea; it only came to her after meeting Lin Yuanshu, because Lin Yuanshu didn't seem like the kind of person who would do anything to climb the social ladder.
Having no ambition means that Lin Yuanshu can be used by her. In this way, Deputy Director Liu will have no way to use Lin Yuanshu to suppress her, and she will also have one more capable assistant. It's a win-win situation.
Lin Yuanshu was quite surprised by Wu Qin's suggestion. Although Wu Qin and Deputy Director Liu's approaches were different, their goals were similar: one wanted her to passively join the battle, while the other wanted her to join voluntarily.
She smiled slightly and declined in another way, saying, "It's not that it's impossible, but we have to change the outcome. As long as I become the deputy director, you'll definitely get your share of the benefits."
Wu Qin looked at Lin Yuanshu with a "what are you thinking?" expression, and refused without hesitation: "No way, if I do that, wouldn't I be doing all the work for you?"
Her real reason for targeting Deputy Director Liu wasn't because of a verbal argument, but because she wanted to become the deputy director herself. To be honest, she joined the Dongfanghong Research Institute with the goal of becoming the deputy director; otherwise, she could have easily transferred to another more prestigious medical research institute.
Therefore, it was absolutely impossible for her to help Lin Yuanshu become the deputy director.
Lin Yuanshu helplessly spread his hands and said frankly, "I'm sorry I can't cooperate with you. I'm not willing to do the work for you. It seems we can't reach an agreement on this matter. Come back to me to discuss cooperation when you're willing to back down. I'll welcome you back then."
Wu Qin looked Lin Yuanshu up and down, and asked with great puzzlement, "Your appetite is bigger than I imagined. I admit that your work ability is outstanding, but your shortcomings are also very prominent! You didn't go to university, so it won't be easy for you to reach a high position. At most, you can only be a deputy director. If you want to continue to climb up, it won't be so easy. You might as well come and help me. You can get more benefits from it."
Lin Yuanshu raised an eyebrow. He couldn't deny that Wu Qin's words were not wrong. The reason she was able to get promoted so easily was mainly because of the influence of that era. Ability was the "passport," and academic qualifications were not so important, since universities were closed.
But in the 1980s, when universities resumed enrollment, academic qualifications became an "important threshold." Ability determined how far she could go, while academic qualifications determined whether she could even embark on that path.
Although she knew Wu Qin was right, it didn't mean she had to agree with her in person. She smiled and said, "A university degree doesn't always mean everything. Otherwise, I wouldn't be in a research institute now, but in a pharmaceutical factory workshop. Besides, just because I'm not a university student now doesn't mean I won't be one in the future. The road ahead is long! Who knows what will happen? Just like the emperors of the past never thought they wouldn't become emperors."
Wu Qin: "..."
She suddenly realized that she was quite similar to Lin Yuanshu. She was stubborn and refused to admit that Lin Yuanshu's work ability was better than hers, while Lin Yuanshu was also stubborn and refused to admit the importance of a university degree and that her future development would be better.
Although she was a little disappointed that she hadn't been able to win over Lin Yuanshu, at least Lin Yuanshu wouldn't side with Deputy Director Liu, which was a blessing in disguise!
As for Lin Yuanshu's desire to become the deputy director, she didn't take it to heart, because she felt that she had a better chance of becoming the deputy director than Lin Yuanshu, since Lin Yuanshu was still too young and lacked the necessary work experience.
In the end, Lin Yuanshu failed to persuade Wu Qin, and Wu Qin failed to persuade Lin Yuanshu. Although the two did not part on bad terms, their conversation was not very pleasant either.
Wu Qin didn't like Lin Yuanshu because she felt that Lin Yuanshu's personality was too arrogant and he didn't respect her at all. She was Lin Yuanshu's senior! That's how he treated her.
For some reason, she always felt like she was seeing herself when she saw Lin Yuanshu. How could she possibly like him? She really didn't know how Deputy Director Liu and the others could put up with it. Lin Yuanshu was clearly even more arrogant than her, but everyone still said that Lin Yuanshu was being modest.
Lin Yuanshu didn't care much about this. After all, she had never intended to get along with Wu Qin. The current situation was fine; they maintained a comfortable distance, just like ordinary colleagues.
The most important thing about this meeting was to tell Wu Qin that she would not cooperate with Deputy Director Liu and that Wu Qin should not waste her energy on her.
After parting ways with Wu Qin, Lin Yuanshu left the research institute and returned to his apartment building in a van.
Driver Xiao Li enthusiastically offered to help Lin Yuanshu carry his things.
Lin Yuanshu took a step back, dodging the driver Xiao Li's hand, and said with a smile, "I can carry these things upstairs myself. I've already troubled you to bring me back, so I won't keep you any longer. You can go ahead and do your work!"
Driver Xiao Li shook his head in strong disapproval, took the things from Lin Yuanshu's hands without hesitation, and said in a righteous tone, "Director Huang specifically instructed me to help you move your things and not to tire you out. If Director Huang finds out that I didn't do that, he will definitely be unhappy. So don't make things difficult for me."
Seeing this, Lin Yuanshu could not refuse any longer and could only acquiesce to the driver Xiao Li's actions.
Driver Xiao Li quickly helped Lin Yuanshu move all his things. He stood at Lin Yuanshu's door, panting heavily. He had climbed the stairs several times and was quite tired.
Lin Yuanshu quickly brought a cup of sugar and salt water to the driver, Xiao Li.
Driver Xiao Li did not refuse and drank the cup of sugar and salt water in one gulp before saying goodbye.
Lin Yuanshu slipped a few Beijing white pears into the hand of the driver, Xiao Li, and said with a smile, "Take these back for the kids to enjoy."
Luckily, Zhou Xiangyang had fruit at home, otherwise she really wouldn't know what to send.
Looking at the Beijing white pear in his hand, driver Xiao Li was overjoyed and said, "Then I won't be polite. Thank you on behalf of my child. If you need a car next time, you can let me know in advance, and I'll mention it to the dispatcher so you can get priority."
He enjoyed being around comrades like Lin Yuanshu who weren't arrogant; it made him feel comfortable talking to them.
Lin Yuanshu readily agreed, "Okay, I definitely won't hold back then."
Driver Xiao Li didn't chat with Lin Yuanshu for long. He turned and left with a smile, after all, Lin Yuanshu was on vacation, while he had to go to work!
Hearing the commotion outside, the plump woman next door curiously came out of her room. Seeing that Lin Yuanshu's door was not closed, she glanced inside and saw Lin Yuanshu standing in the living room.
She exclaimed in surprise, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu, you're back in Beijing so soon? How's the situation in the epidemic area? Is everything going smoothly...?"
The plump woman asked questions as she walked into Lin Yuanshu's house.
Lin Yuanshu brought a chair to the plump woman and replied with a smile, "It's going very smoothly. Most of the patients in the epidemic area have recovered. As long as we persevere in eradicating Oncomelania snails, schistosomiasis will one day become a thing of the past."
Although the plump woman didn't understand the connection between snails and schistosomiasis, she knew that it was a good thing that most patients in the epidemic area had recovered. "That's good. Nothing is more important than health. As long as you're alive, there's hope."
"You're right," Lin Yuanshu agreed with a smile.
While reading at home, Sister Yao heard the fat woman shouting. Because the fat woman's voice was shrill, she couldn't make out what she was saying. She thought something had happened to the fat woman, but when she opened the door, she saw the fat woman walk into Lin Yuanshu's house.
She immediately understood; Lin Yuanshu must have gone home. After all, during the time Lin Yuanshu was away, the plump woman had been communicating with Zhou Xiangyang outside the door to avoid suspicion, and hadn't come inside.
Therefore, there is only one explanation at the moment.
Sister Yao glanced at Sister Xia's tightly closed door next door. After thinking it over again and again, she still went to Lin Yuanshu's house alone.
Lin Yuanshu didn't show any unwelcomeness towards Sister Yao. After all, in her opinion, it made no difference whether she chatted with the fat auntie alone or with both of them.
Although the plump woman was unhappy, seeing that Lin Yuanshu, the host, had no objections, she didn't say much, much less take it upon herself to make decisions for Lin Yuanshu.
Seeing this, Sister Yao was overjoyed. It seemed that her idea was correct; it was easier to please one person than two.
Sister Yao sat down next to Lin Yuanshu in a very open and generous manner and told him about the things that had happened to the neighbors recently. Lin Yuanshu was stunned as he listened. Sure enough, life is more dramatic than a novel!
The plump woman glanced at Sister Yao with disdain, then confidently interjected, telling Lin Yuanshu about Zhou Ma's matter.
Comrade Xiao Yao is still too inexperienced. She not only knows the gossip of the neighbors, but also the gossip of Lin Yuanshu's mother-in-law. Lin Yuanshu has more to talk about with her.
Sister Yao thought the fat aunt was crazy, and she didn't even spare Lin Yuanshu's mother-in-law from gossip. She really didn't mind the trouble!
As Aunt Yao and Aunt Pang chatted back and forth, Lin Yuanshu learned what had happened to her after she left Beijing.
Lin Yuanshu had considered that Zhou Ma and others might come to settle scores after she left Beijing, but he did not expect Zhou Xiangyang to be so tough this time.
She had to admit that she was quite satisfied with Zhou Xiangyang's performance. After all, she couldn't protect him every moment. Only when he stood up for himself could others not hurt him.
After an unknown amount of time, Lin Yuanshu felt a bit tired. Even the gossip from the plump woman couldn't excite her mind, and she couldn't help but yawn.
The plump woman paused for a moment, then immediately changed the subject, smiling as she said, "Time really flies! It's time for us to make dinner, so we won't bother you any longer. We'll go home and make dinner first."
"Alright, then I won't see you off. Take care." Lin Yuanshu couldn't help but admire the plump woman's quick thinking; the moment she yawned, the woman knew what to do.
Sister Yao was originally planning to chat with Lin Yuanshu for a while longer, but Aunt Pang's family should be cooking dinner at this time, while her family doesn't cook dinner at this time, so she didn't need to rush home to cook dinner.
She had finally found time to spend alone with Lin Yuanshu, so naturally she was unwilling to give up this opportunity.
The plump woman didn't care about Sister Yao's thoughts. She covered Sister Yao's mouth with one hand and grabbed Sister Yao's arm with the other, forcibly dragging Sister Yao out of Lin Yuanshu's house.
As soon as they stepped outside, Sister Yao shoved the plump woman aside, her anger blazing, and said, "Are you sick? Just because you don't want to chat with Comrade Lin Yuanshu doesn't mean I don't want to chat with him. Why did you drag me out here?"
The plump woman said speechlessly, "I understand your desire to get closer to Comrade Lin Yuanshu, but you have to be mindful of the occasion! Comrade Lin Yuanshu is clearly a bit tired. If you don't leave now and force her to chat, you're not trying to get closer to her; you're just trying to make things difficult for her. It will only make your relationship worse."
Sister Yao was taken aback for a moment, then, remembering Lin Yuanshu's somewhat tired expression, she realized that she had almost done something foolish. She said with considerable surprise, "I didn't expect that you, a country bumpkin, would know these things!"
The plump woman gave a forced smile and said irritably, "I'm not only knowledgeable about these things, I also know how to eat!"
Sister Yao smiled awkwardly and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Although we had some unpleasant experiences before, I still want to thank you for your help today."
The plump woman raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically, "You don't need to thank me. I don't repay evil with kindness. I'm not helping you, but helping Comrade Lin Yuanshu."
Just as Sister Yao was about to reply, Sister Xia stood at her door and screamed, "What are you doing?"
Sister Yao looked at Sister Xia stiffly, and said guiltily, "I didn't do anything."
Her heart was pounding. She didn't know how long Sister Xia had been waiting at the door, or whether she knew about her trying to curry favor with Lin Yuanshu behind her back.
Sister Xia said angrily, "You're talking nonsense! You betrayed me! Have you forgotten what you said back then?"
Sister Yao quickly walked up to Sister Xia and said anxiously, "Let me explain."
Sister Xia put her hands on her hips and sneered, "Then explain."
Sister Yao: "..."
For a moment, she didn't know where to begin her explanation.
Sister Xia glared at the fat woman and angrily said to Sister Yao, "Back then, you were the one who complained that the fat woman was unhygienic and kept smelly vegetables in the corridor, and you made me join you in criticizing her. Now it's you who are chatting and laughing with the fat woman behind my back. You have betrayed our friendship."
Hearing this, Sister Yao breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Sister Xia hadn't discovered that she had secretly gone to Lin Yuanshu's house to curry favor with him, otherwise she would have been even angrier.
She whispered, "You've misunderstood. I wasn't chatting and laughing with the fat lady. Come to my room and I'll tell you what happened."
Sister Xia looked at Sister Yao with some skepticism, but in the end, their long-standing friendship prevailed, and she followed Sister Yao to her home.
The plump woman could only say one thing about the two men's behavior: they were sick. She was incredibly unlucky to have encountered these two abnormal neighbors.
Inside the room, Sister Yao went to great lengths to convince Sister Xia that she had no special connection with the fat woman.
But the seeds of doubt have already been sown, and it's not something you can simply stop doubting just because you want to.
On the other side, after the fat aunt and Sister Yao left, Lin Yuanshu stopped paying attention to their affairs. Instead, he changed into his pajamas, lay down on the bed, closed his eyes, and rested. He fell asleep without realizing it.
When Lin Yuanshu woke up again, it was already dark outside. She walked out of her room and heard the sounds of cooking coming from the kitchen.
Lin Yuanshu called out softly, "Xiangyang."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiangyang immediately came out of the kitchen. He looked at Lin Yuanshu with great concern and said, "You've lost so much weight. Your cheeks are practically all gone. I've made you some chicken soup to nourish your body and help you stay healthy."
Lin Yuanshu touched her cheek; it was still fleshy. She laughed and said, "It's not as exaggerated as you make it out to be!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com