Shi Jixing pointed at the manuscript, his face beaming: "Secretary Wen, look at this! The translation is absolutely superb! The word choice is precise, the writing is fluent, it's even better than those who have studied abroad!"
Secretary Wen watched with great interest, and she was full of anticipation for the "translation expert" that Wang Wenchang had brought: "Wenchang, how long until that comrade arrives?"
Wang Wenchang smiled and said, "I've already sent someone to invite them; they should arrive soon."
No sooner had he finished speaking than there was a knock on the office door.
"Knock knock knock—"
All three of them looked up at the doorway, their eyes filled with anticipation.
The door opened, and Xu Kuo stood in the doorway, looking completely bewildered.
"What are you doing here?" Shi Jixing's face darkened instantly upon seeing Xu Kuo, and his tone was unfriendly. "What are you doing here?"
Secretary Wen was also stunned. She looked at Xu Kuo, then at Wang Wenchang, completely bewildered.
Xu Kuo snorted coldly, "Of course someone invited me here, what does it have to do with you?"
Shi Jixing frowned and waved his hand impatiently: "Go away, go away! Don't cause trouble here. We have important guests coming today, so don't cause any trouble!"
He pointed to the translation in his hand, looking arrogant, "See this? This distinguished guest is extremely knowledgeable and well-informed, far superior to you half-baked amateur!"
Xu Kuo and Wang Wenchang exchanged a glance, their expressions both somewhat strange.
He recognized it at a glance—wasn't this the manuscript he had translated before? As for why it was in Shi Jixing's hands, he easily guessed.
Wang Wenchang also felt somewhat embarrassed, after all, the person translating this manuscript was none other than Xu Kuo, who was standing right in front of him.
Seeing that Xu Kuo remained silent, Shi Jixing assumed he regretted not being able to join the county committee, and became even more smug. "What's wrong? Regretful? Secretary Wen gave you a chance back then, but you didn't appreciate it. Now you're jealous, aren't you? Too late!"
Xu Kuo couldn't help but laugh. This guy had way too much of an opinion of himself! He raised an eyebrow at Shi Jixing: "You really think this translation is so well written?"
Shi Jixing slammed his hand on the table: "Nonsense! Do you even need to ask? You don't know anything! This translation is absolutely brilliant, every word is a gem, a masterpiece! It's elegant and profound! It's simply..." He racked his brains, trying to find a few more flowery words.
Secretary Wen, who was listening nearby, couldn't stand it any longer and quickly interrupted, "Shi Jixing, say less. Comrade Xu Kuo, don't take it to heart, that's just how he is."
Xu Kuo shook his head, his face showing no anger: "I didn't take it to heart. Because..."
He paused, a playful smile playing on his lips. "This translation is one I wrote."
"What?!" Shi Jixing laughed as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. He pointed at Xu Kuo and laughed loudly. "You wrote this? You can really brag! You should take a good look at yourself. With your level of skill, you think you can impersonate someone else? Let me tell you, this translation was brought by Comrade Wang Wenchang!"
Wang Wenchang's face turned pale and then red, so embarrassed he wished he could disappear into the ground. He coughed lightly and forced himself to speak: "Um... Brother Shi, Comrade Xu Kuo, he... is the person I was telling you about."
Shi Jixing's smile froze instantly. He looked at Wang Wenchang in disbelief, then at Xu Kuo, as if he couldn't accept it.
Secretary Wen was also stunned. She looked at Xu Kuo, then at the translated manuscript, and finally understood why Xu Kuo was so knowledgeable about the reform of the vegetable market. So that's the root of the problem!
Shi Jixing still refused to believe it. He grabbed Wang Wenchang's arm and asked urgently, "Wenchang, you...you're not joking with me, are you? Have you been fooled by him?"
Wang Wenchang looked helpless and shook his head with a wry smile: "Director Shi, I guarantee with my reputation that this is absolutely true."
Seeing Shi Jixing's expression of utter dismay, Xu Kuo's smile widened. He slowly said, "Director Shi, thank you for the compliment."
Shi Jixing felt a burning sensation on his face, as if he had been slapped hard several times.
He gritted his teeth, a raging fire burning within him, causing a dull ache in his internal organs: "This... how is this possible? How could that insignificant Xu Kuo be a master translator? Has Wang Wenchang made a mistake?"
The more he thought about it, the more unwilling he became.
Immediately afterwards, he hurriedly said to Wang Wenchang, "Comrade Wenchang, how about... you recommend a few more translators? This matter cannot be taken lightly!"
He was unwilling to acknowledge Xu Kuo's abilities, much less to bow down to Xu Kuo.
Wang Wenchang's face darkened further. He spread his hands with a wry smile and said helplessly, "Director Shi, it's not that I'm unwilling to recommend him, it's just that... Comrade Xu Kuo is already the best translator I've ever met."
He practically forced out the last few words through gritted teeth.
He knew in his heart that Shi Jixing had a prejudice against Xu Kuo, but the facts were right in front of him, and he could not lie with his eyes open.
Seeing this, Secretary Wen realized that they could not delay any longer.
She sighed and turned her gaze to Shi Jixing: "Jixing, quickly apologize to Comrade Xu Kuo."
As a leader, she must uphold fairness and order and not let personal emotions affect her work.
Shi Jixing was extremely unwilling, but he dared not be the slightest bit presumptuous in front of Secretary Wen.
He walked slowly to Xu Kuo, head bowed, and said, "I...I'm sorry."
Xu Kuo waved his hand magnanimously: "It's nothing, I didn't take it to heart at all."
The more relaxed he was, the more frustrated Shi Jixing felt, as if he had punched cotton and had nowhere to land.
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