Chapter 164: A Head-to-Head Response
Seeing the utterly speechless expression on Deputy Director Liu's face, Director Huang realized that he had acted too excitedly and seemed somewhat abnormal.
He coughed lightly twice and explained, "I just don't want the research institute to leave others with the impression that it likes to poach talent from other institutes. I hope that our research institute will give others a more positive impression. In the future, you should do less of this kind of thing and not deliberately try to poach talent from other research institutes."
Deputy Director Liu pursed his lips, not taking Director Huang's words to heart. He felt that since the Dongfanghong Research Institute had developed, Director Huang had become increasingly concerned with his image and these superficial things. He didn't want to poach other people's employees, but other people wanted to poach his!
He sighed and lamented, "But talented people are hard to find! Although we have assigned worker-peasant-soldier college students to come here, their basic theoretical knowledge is weak and their professional depth is lacking. Although they have strong practical skills, they cannot lead a project team independently. By the time they grow up, we will have to wait a long time. This is a helpless move of mine!"
This is why his eyes lit up when he saw talented people in other research institutes.
Upon hearing this, Lin Yuanshu smiled and said, "Deputy Director Liu, no one can predict the future. Perhaps what you are worried about today will be completely gone by next year."
She wasn't joking. Once the college entrance examination is reinstated, China's talent cultivation program will get back on track, and talent won't be as scarce as it is now.
"I hope so!" Deputy Director Liu wasn't very optimistic about it.
Lin Yuanshu noticed the disapproval in Deputy Director Liu's eyes. She didn't continue the conversation or try to force Deputy Director Liu to change his mind. After all, the more you say, the more mistakes you make, and it's better to be cautious in your words and actions when you're out in public.
Unlike Deputy Director Liu, Director Huang was not sentimental about the passing of spring and autumn. He focused more on the present than on the unseen future.
While enthusiastically helping Lin Yuanshu with his luggage, he tentatively asked, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu, how about you take tomorrow off and start work the day after? Or would you like to rest for a few more days?"
Lin Yuanshu answered without hesitation, "I can start work the day after tomorrow."
Her colleagues at the research institute were paying close attention to her every move. She didn't want to be gossiped about while on vacation, as it was against the rules, so she couldn't justify taking a vacation.
Upon hearing this, Director Huang's lips curled up slightly. Since Lin Yuanshu had agreed to return to work at the research institute the day after tomorrow, it meant that Director Cao's attempt to poach him had failed. This was truly a welcome piece of good news!
He originally wanted to ask Lin Yuanshu about Director Cao, but when he saw Deputy Director Liu next to Lin Yuanshu, he immediately changed his mind. After all, some things are not suitable for outsiders to know.
He smiled and instructed, "Come with me to the institute's office now. I need to discuss some work-related matters with you. The institute's car is parked outside. We'll take it back. You can put your luggage in the car first, and then take it home after we've finished discussing work. The driver, Xiao Li, can even help you carry your luggage, which will save you a lot of trouble."
Lin Yuanshu had no reason to refuse, so she readily agreed, "Okay, but then again, why did you come to pick me up at the train station?"
This treatment was too good for her, making her feel like she was on top of the world, so she needed to find out the reason before she could feel at ease.
Before Director Huang could speak, Deputy Director Liu interjected, "It's perfectly normal for us to come and pick you up! You represented the Dongfanghong Research Institute in the epidemic area, and you're returning to Beijing after completing the mission assigned by the leadership. How could we not show our appreciation at all!"
Lin Yuanshu only believed three-tenths of what Deputy Director Liu said. She turned to look at Director Huang, waiting for his reply.
Director Huang pursed his lips and nodded with difficulty. He couldn't find a better reason. He couldn't tell anyone the real reason, including Lin Yuanshu.
Lin Yuanshu was skeptical of this explanation. She didn't completely believe it and planned to ask Director Huang after Deputy Director Liu left. Of the two, Director Huang was more likely to tell the truth.
The three walked and talked, and soon arrived at the van. They put their luggage in the van and got in.
After the van started moving, Deputy Director Liu chatted with Lin Yuanshu with a smile. "After you left the institute last year, an excellent female colleague named Wu Qin was transferred here. When you return to the institute, you can get to know her. The Minister of Health assigned her an important project that was originally intended for you, but unfortunately, she didn't perform as well as you. It's been almost a year, and she still hasn't completed the task, which is quite disappointing. If this project had been given to you, you would have definitely completed it long ago."
Upon hearing this, Director Huang knew that Deputy Director Liu was trying to sow discord and pit Lin Yuanshu against Wu Qin. He couldn't just stand by and watch this happen; no matter who was hurt, it would be a loss for the research institute.
He quickly replied, "This is not a simple project to begin with, and it is not easy to complete. Comrade Wu Qin's progress is already considered relatively fast."
Deputy Director Liu raised an eyebrow, his face full of disapproval, and said, "If it were Comrade Lin Yuanshu, the progress of the mission would definitely be much faster, and the project might already be completed by now."
After saying this, he turned to Lin Yuanshu and said earnestly, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu, you'll have to put in a lot more effort now. Director Huang and the Minister of Health both think highly of Comrade Wu Qin. As soon as I said anything bad about Comrade Wu Qin, Director Huang immediately spoke up for her. As for the Minister of Health, well, it's hard to say..."
Lin Yuanshu raised an eyebrow at Deputy Director Liu's hesitant words, then gave a bright smile. "I don't care about these things. If her work ability is worse than mine, it's normal for her to be valued by Director Huang and the Minister of Health. It's because I'm not as skilled. I never thought that it would be normal for Director Huang and the Minister of Health to revolve around me."
Although she is not a good person, she wants to appear as one in front of others. It is more reassuring to use a capable good person than a capable bad person.
"Your idea is very good, neither arrogant nor impatient." Director Huang agreed earnestly. He turned to Deputy Director Liu, his tone serious, "Deputy Director Liu, you can't sow discord and make Comrade Lin Yuanshu resent Comrade Wu Qin just because you have a prejudice against her."
Director Huang chose to directly break off all pretense of civility.
A hint of smugness flashed in Deputy Director Liu's eyes. He had brought this up in front of Director Huang, and he had guessed that Director Huang would protect Wu Qin and reprimand him.
It's best to protect her! How can we distance ourselves from Lin Yuanshu if we don't protect her? How can we plant a thorn in Lin Yuanshu's heart!
He deliberately cried out that he was innocent, saying, "Director Huang, how could you think of me like that! I didn't try to sow discord. This is what I really think. I just wanted to remind Comrade Lin Yuanshu to be careful of Comrade Wu Qin. She is not a simple person. My heart is completely on Comrade Lin Yuanshu's side. I'm afraid that Comrade Lin Yuanshu will be caught off guard and suffer a loss."
He believed that with Wu Qin's annoying personality, it was impossible for her to get along with Lin Yuanshu, so he kindly reminded Lin Yuanshu that sowing discord was just a side effect.
Director Huang looked at Deputy Director Liu with a complicated expression and said emphatically, "Then you're overthinking it. You're judging others by your own standards. Neither of them are the kind of people who would scheme against each other. Instead of thinking about these trivial things, you should focus on your work and do it even better. That's the right way."
Deputy Director Liu sneered, dismissing Director Huang's words with disdain. He said it was all talk and no action. If Director Huang really thought that way, he wouldn't be suppressing him so relentlessly. He himself enjoys playing these underhanded tricks, yet he's advising him to walk the right path. It's utterly speechless.
The two started arguing, one sentence after another.
Lin Yuanshu couldn't help but sigh inwardly. On her first day back in Beijing, she had to face a quarrel between her superiors. This whole thing was clearly staged for her. What could she do but play along? It was so tough for her.
The atmosphere in the car grew increasingly tense. If atmosphere could materialize, she would be surrounded by ice spikes. She didn't want the two of them to continue arguing because of her.
So, she tried to ease the tension by saying, "As the saying goes, everyone has their own reasons, and I'm glad that your intentions are for my own good..."
Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Liu laughed heartily and said, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu, you truly have a discerning eye!"
He knew that Lin Yuanshu was not so easily swayed by his intelligence, but his words always left a mark on her mind. As long as she would subconsciously be wary of Wu Qin when she was with Wu Qin, then his goal would be achieved.
The more cautious a person is, the more guarded they are.
Lin Yuanshu smiled at what Deputy Director Liu said, and instead of continuing the conversation, she changed the subject and talked about her life in the epidemic area.
Although she acted indifferent, she still remembered Wu Qin. She had to meet her in person to find out whether this person could be a friend or an enemy!
Driver Xiao Li sighed regretfully. To be honest, he really wanted to continue listening to Director Huang and Deputy Director Liu argue. After all, such scenes were rare. Lin Yuanshu was the one who should ride in the car the most often, as he could always find something to watch, making the originally boring journey more lively.
Lin Yuanshu had no idea what the driver, Xiao Li, was thinking. If she did, she would definitely just say "Hehe." He wasn't involved, so of course he was happy. He was just watching the show, while she was enjoying the spectacle.
Thanks to Lin Yuanshu's efforts, Director Huang and Deputy Director Liu stopped their confrontation and maintained a semblance of calm.
As the three were chatting, the van pulled up in front of the research institute. Lin Yuanshu opened the door and got out first, followed closely by Director Huang and Deputy Director Liu.
Deputy Director Liu patted the corner of his clothes and said to Lin Yuanshu, "Since you want to discuss important matters with Director Huang, I won't bother you any longer. If you want to know what happened at the research institute while you were away after you finished discussing important matters, you can come to me. I'll be happy to answer your questions. I'll go back to work now and we'll talk later."
He didn't want to follow them and see Director Huang's sour face.
Director Huang smiled and politely declined on Lin Yuanshu's behalf, saying, "You don't need to worry about that. I will answer it for Comrade Lin Yuanshu."
Before leaving, Deputy Director Liu did not forget to sow discord, saying, "Your words are too subjective and not objective enough."
As Director Huang watched Deputy Director Liu's departing figure, he really wanted to rush over and give him a good beating. Ever since Wu Qin came to the research institute, Deputy Director Liu had become increasingly impatient, acting like he had swallowed a bomb, and finding fault with everyone.
However, this is a good thing for him, not a bad thing.
But sometimes, he wished that Deputy Director Liu was mute.
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