0084 93 Small Business
Ling Xingzhi left with an air of arrogance, while Zhou Xiye sipped her tea. She hadn't felt this calm in a long time. Sometimes, one really does need to calm down in difficult times and undergo a small transformation.
Zhou Xiye believes that only in times of crisis can the brain become alert—activating the instinctive self-protection mechanism to make the right choice.
Thinking of this, she smiled with relief. A quote from former US President Trump, that crazy old man, remained vivid in her memory: "Over the course of your life, you will find that things are not always fair, you will find that you do not deserve and that are not always warranted, but you have to fight, fight, fight. Never, ever, ever give up, and things will work out just fine."
Zhou Xiye is a human being, Ye Lifeng is a human being, Hua Chunyang is a human being, and Ling Xingzhi is a human being. No matter how precisely the situation is calculated, it cannot escape the butterfly effect. Small changes can have far-reaching consequences.
Ultimately, all conflicts boil down to an exploration of human nature. The events may happen suddenly, but they are logical and in line with the human instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm.
Ye Lifeng's treatment of her during this period was too extreme and ruthless; he kicked her aside without showing any mercy. As a result, Zhou Xiye herself fell into great panic and despair.
When Zhou Xiye calmed down and started thinking about a way out, he realized that there seemed to be a glimmer of light in the vast fog.
In the entire game of chess, as long as there is one living point or one liberty, the situation can be turned around.
Zhou Xiye felt that Ye Lifeng had made a mistake.
A mistake that was neither too big nor too small, as ordinary as a butterfly's wing—Ye Lifeng's attitude and actions toward her were completely inappropriate.
Zhou Xiye put down his teacup, his fingers tapping rhythmically back and forth on the table. What would be the proper, correct way to handle this?
The correct approach would be to give in when dealing with a subordinate you've known for five or six years and who knows your personality inside and out. If you can't meet her demands, you should step back, arrange a way out for her, and reassure the troops. She can still be used in the future.
A cornered dog will jump over a wall, a cornered rabbit will bite, and the final result of a desperate struggle is that they will all die together.
Of course, this is also the best way to deal with mistresses. So many officials have been caught because of their mistresses because they did not understand human nature and thought that the power in their hands could solve all difficulties.
The arrogance that comes with power is like the triumphant smile of someone who commands authority with impunity.
So, was this mistake something Ye Lifeng deliberately left behind to test her, or was it because he was excited about the "alliance" with the Pei family, or was he so arrogant that he lost his mind and forgot that water can carry a boat but also capsize it?
This time, she wouldn't try to guess his thoughts. No matter what the situation, Ye Lifeng would eventually come looking for her.
Give a slap and then a sweet date.
Zhou Xiye turned her head and looked at the cheerful people in the teahouse, and she couldn't help but smile as well. She had to take a gamble; Ye Lifeng would come looking for her and give her a sweet treat.
She didn't believe there was always a way out. Zhou Xiye was going to take a big gamble; Ye Lifeng would come looking for her, and Ling Qingyun would too. She had the judgment to believe that Ye Lifeng's reason for coming to her might be to appease her, or perhaps to give Zhou Xiye a way out because she was the Pei family's daughter-in-law.
Ling Qingyun's purpose in coming to her was simpler: she was someone who understood Ye Lifeng and could be used to analyze Ye Lifeng's actions, making her a sharp weapon against him.
She wants to see both, but she can't choose between them.
Choosing Ye Lifeng meant that similar situations would likely recur, and she couldn't jeopardize her career with his. Choosing Ling Qingyun, however, would leave her pleasing neither side and branded a traitor. In Beijing, there was no shortage of clever people, only a lack of loyal ones.
Having faced a life-or-death situation, she realized a harsh reality: they could manipulate her at will, and all those promises and vows were nothing but lukewarm water.
Caught between two factions, it's better to establish your own independent entity. Comfort means no freedom, and freedom requires taking risks; these are the only two paths.
This time, she must fight for a position with real power in the local area, otherwise she will never have a chance to rise in the world.
After finishing her last cup of tea, Zhou Xiye got up and left the teahouse. The sound of her footsteps on the stairs was loud. Zhou Xiye felt satisfied; she knew she was growing and had become aware of it, and she felt content.
Therefore, it is not too difficult to tolerate Ling Xingzhi's arrogance and domineering attitude; it is also not impossible to live under the same roof as Pei Zhiyu.
She knew that one day she would break free from them and reach the place she wanted to go.
It's only a matter of time.
In the office, Ai Jianshe stared at Zhou Xiye for a long time. Knowing that she was staring at the computer screen, he smiled slightly and said, "Teacher Ai, if you keep looking at me, I'll think you've fallen in love with me."
Ai Jianshe looked away, lowered his head and picked up his pen. "You've been different these past two days. I feel like you've changed."
"Huh? What's changed?"
Ai Jianshe shook his head. "Can't explain it? Are you getting a promotion? People are in high spirits when they have good news, aren't they?"
Zhou Xiye laughed heartily, "You could say that, but you couldn't."
"The Liang meeting is about to end, when will your transfer order come through?"
Zhou Xiye shrugged. "I don't know, Teacher Ai. Are you really hoping I'll leave?"
"...Not really..." Ai Jianshe put down his pen, picked up his teacup and took a sip. After a while, he sighed for some reason and left the office.
Ling Qingyun's proposal was also rejected by Ye Lifeng. The reason was simple: what they were trying to touch was the emperor's territory, everyone knew that, but no one understood why Ling Qingyun would do it. His motives were mysterious, and no one could figure them out.
Zhou Xiye's gamble paid off. On the afternoon of Ye Lifeng's victory, he invited her to Wangyue Manor to discuss matters. She wasn't particularly happy, because she had always been someone who looked up to him. She didn't want to speculate about Ye Lifeng's thoughts, for the sake of survival.
"It seems you're not surprised that I called you here."
Zhou Xiye nodded, "Minister Ye, you are not a heartless person."
Ye Lifeng smiled, but there was a hint of loneliness in his smile. "A few days ago, I dreamed about the idiot. He came to ask me how I was doing... Have you dreamed about him?"
Zhou Xiye's lips twitched, then he shook his head, his gaze falling on the teacup.
"He's been dead for so long, and this is the first time he's come to see me. His silly look hasn't changed at all. He asked me if I ate the bread he left for you, and if I was happy." Ye Lifeng seemed lost in memories, chuckling softly. Only now did he seem like a father. "I said I didn't know, and asked him why he didn't come to see you. Guess what he said?"
Zhou Xiye stared intently at Ye Lifeng, whose eyes seemed to be filled with tears. "I don't know."
Ye Lifeng said, "He said, 'I bullied you, so I can't enter your dreams,'" with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Zhou Xiye remained silent, lowering his eyes to hide his emotions.
“After I woke up, I went to the temple to offer incense and pray for him. The master in the temple told me that I was destined to be with the Ye family. One of my children and one of my grandchildren liked me and treated me well. I thought I shouldn’t have been so cruel to you.”
Zhou Xiye remained silent, his black hair falling beside his ears.
"Lu Daiyuan got you into the army and gave you a sinecure, but he also gave you a path to promotion. I spoke to them and found you a powerful position in Hangzhou, so you won't be bullied by the Pei family."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiye raised her head and said, "Minister Ye, I don't want to go to Hangzhou."
"What's the meaning?"
Zhou Xiye said sincerely, "Minister Ye, I've been with you for so long, and you know me well. Every choice I've made has been for you; I've never had any selfish motives. On the battlefield, I followed a soldier's duty and obeyed orders. In officialdom, I've always thought of you..."
"Since you want me to have a better experience, why not just send me to a local place? If I can no longer help you, then I can stay there, out of sight and out of mind, and I won't cause you any trouble. But Hangzhou isn't a good place either. Even the closest of relatives can be distant, and my relationship with the Pei family is caught in the middle, which is not easy to handle."
Ye Lifeng nodded upon hearing this, fully understanding Zhou Xiye's meaning. Ignoring all the reasons, he asked directly, "Where do you want to go?"
"Yunnan, Kunming".
Ye Lifeng pursed his lips. This wasn't a good place. They say even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake, and Yunnan, located in the southwest, bordering three countries, was likely a place where local bullies had long since become cunning. He looked at Zhou Xiye, "Yunnan, Kunming… the higher-ups don't seem to intend to replace you. Little Zhou, this place is dangerous; it's not suitable for a woman like you."
Zhou Xiye pursed his lips, took out a document from his bag, placed it face down in front of Ye Lifeng, and crossed his hands on the table. "Minister Ye, Ye Rouxin recently sent me a document by express delivery. He asked me to pass it on to you."
Ye Lifeng frowned slightly, picked up the documents, and almost the moment he saw them, the incomprehension in his eyes turned into murderous intent.
Faced with his pressure, Zhou Xiye remained calm. "Minister Ye, to be honest, I almost lost my life several times on the battlefield, but coincidentally, I survived each time. Chinese people always say that those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune. I think if something happened to me in Beijing, as your subordinate, I would definitely receive a lot of attention. Besides, Ye Rouxin sent me more than just this one document."
The little green snake bared its teeth. Ye Lifeng found it amusing and put the documents back on the table. "How can you be as naive as him? You think two insignificant documents can kill me?"
Zhou Xiye shook his head. "I can't, but someone else can."
Ye Lifeng exhaled through his nostrils, "Haven't you thought about what I would do to you if you failed to threaten me?" His words were like those of an old father speaking to his daughter who had made a mistake.
“Of course I’ve thought about it,” Zhou Xiye nodded, sounding just like a rebellious daughter who never learns her lesson. “But if you touch me, you’ll dirty your hands. If I go to Yunnan and something happens there, you can say that you can make me disappear from this world without any effort.”
Ye Lifeng smiled with appreciation, thought for a few seconds, and said, "You've been with me for so long, I really have to compensate you. Yunnan is no problem, I'll arrange it."
"I hope you can keep our conversation confidential this time. I need to see my transfer order, the sooner the better."
After parting ways with Ye Lifeng, Zhou Xiye got into her car. Even though it was late winter, she was still drenched in sweat. She reclined the seat and closed her eyes to rest. The risk was high, but she was gambling with Ye Lifeng's character and personality, taking a huge gamble.
Although Ye Lifeng's words cannot be trusted, this concerns his life. Yes, the document Zhou Xiye showed Ye Lifeng today cannot shake his position, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. If it is exposed, many people will use this opportunity to make trouble.
The enemy, unable to see the bait, will never surface.
As a cunning and shrewd fox, how could Ye Lifeng not know? Those words were just for show.
Now, Zhou Xiye is unsure whether he has won the gamble and can only wait for his transfer order.
She opened her eyes and sighed.
In the dark car, she met someone's eyes, and the next second, the pungent smell of ether made her lose consciousness.
——————————
Over the course of your life, the long road of life...
You will find that things are not always fair; you'll discover that there are many unfair things in life.
You will find that you do not deserve it; you will discover that an unbearable burden that is not yours is pressing firmly on your shoulders.
And that is not always warranted; in fact, it often seems like an unexpected disaster.
But you have to fight, fight, fight! You must bow your head and fight! Fight! Fight!
Never, ever, ever give up, and things will work out just fine.
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