Distribution controversy
Three days later. The day will be the day the graduates' destinations are announced.
The old ceiling fan hummed incessantly in the auditorium, the noisy cicadas outside the window were irritating, and the air was so thick that it was hard to breathe.
Hundreds of graduates sit here, waiting for their fate to unfold.
As the counselor read out the assignment list, everyone pricked up their ears to listen carefully.
"Ye Wanqing, Gancheng Machinery Factory."
Sitting in the corner, Ye Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief. The Northwest was a place she longed for.
"Xue Mubai, Shanghai Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department."
Upon hearing this, Xue Mubai's eyes widened in surprise. He glanced at the teacher and exclaimed, "Teacher, did you mispronounce it?"
The counselor checked it again. "That's right. It's the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department."
"How is that possible... I clearly filled in the Northwest..." Xue Mubai was at a loss. He turned to look at Ye Wanqing, feeling somewhat at a loss.
"Wanqing, wait a moment, let me ask. There must be some misunderstanding..." Xue Mubai was a little anxious. Going to Shanghai meant he wouldn't see Ye Wanqing more than a few times a year...
Ye Wanqing clenched her fist, staring intently at the open notebook in front of her, but still gestured to him, "Shanghai has a better future, Xue Mubai."
Ye Wanqing was also surprised that Xue Mubai was assigned to Shanghai.
We agreed to go to Northwest China together...
Now, one is at the far east, and the other at the far west...
Shanghai is a dream of prosperity and a bright future; Gancheng is a remote and impoverished place with an uncertain future.
Any normal person would choose the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
The list was finally read out. The classroom was bustling with noise; those who were assigned to good places were beaming with joy, while those who were unlucky sighed in despair.
Ye Wanqing sat like a stone statue in the center of the noisy vortex, sitting there blankly, motionless.
She saw Xue Mubai rush to the podium and stop the counselor who was about to leave.
"Teacher, what's going on? I clearly filled in my college application to go to the Northwest!"
"That's right, too many people are going to the Northwest, so we've selected a group of outstanding graduates to go to Shanghai. Shanghai offers better prospects, so you must obey the organization's arrangements!"
The counselor patted Xue Mubai on the shoulder and said, "Xue Mubai, you are very outstanding and have a bright future. You must obey the assignment."
"What if I don't obey the assignment?" Xue Mubai raised his head with unwavering resolve.
"Then you'll have to give up the job assignment and find a job on your own. Jobs are so hard to find these days. What was the point of going to university? Xue Mubai, you can't be foolish. If you accept the job assignment now, you'll have cadre status. If you find a job on your own, you'll have worker status. I don't need to tell you how important cadre status is, do I?"
"how so……"
Xue Mubai's shoulders slumped, and he turned around dejectedly, his gaze passing through the crowd to Ye Wanqing.
Ye Wanqing and he were now locked in eye contact.
Those vows we made back then now seem like a joke.
Let's go to the Great Northwest to see the stars together.
"I am destined to be with you for the rest of my life..."
Those promises made under the sycamore trees on summer nights have now been shattered by the cold place names of "Gancheng" and "Shanghai".
She shook her head very slightly at him, then forced herself to look away.
Disheartened.
This feeling wasn't sharp pain, but rather like being immersed in ice water, the chill seeping into your bones bit by bit, even slowing your heartbeat.
Ye Wanqing knew from the moment she heard the place name that there was no longer any possibility between her and Xue Mubai.
Two thousand kilometers is not just a line on a map; it is an insurmountable chasm in reality, and completely different life trajectories.
Her future is the Gobi Desert, his world is the bustling metropolis.
No matter how sad or reluctant you are at this moment, time and distance will eventually smooth it out, and it will eventually become a blurry mark in your memory.
She had originally planned that once Xue Mubai went to the Northwest with her, she would accept his feelings and the two of them would truly be together.
Now it seems unnecessary.
Xue Mubai remained standing there, gazing at her, the light in his eyes gradually dimming.
His heart ached terribly. What should he do? Was there really no future for him and Ye Wanqing?
No, no, he had to find a way. He had to ask his father for help… His father was all-powerful; he would surely have a solution…
He stepped forward and grasped Ye Wanqing's hand. "Wanqing, don't worry, I'll go back and beg my father. I will definitely go to the Northwest to find you."
Ye Wanqing released her grip, a helpless smile playing on her lips. "Xue Mubai, you don't need to do this. It's not worth it for me."
"No, you deserve it. You are my worthy person."
Xue Mubai's eyes were filled with determination. "Wait for me."
...
Xue Mubai stood in front of the wrought iron gate of the Xue Mansion, about to press the doorbell.
Butler Fu Bo greeted him, his eyes slightly moist: "Young Master, you're finally back. Master..."
She swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue and simply took the suitcase from his hand.
"What happened to my father?" Xue Mubai asked, puzzled.
"It's nothing..." Uncle Fu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
Although Xue Mubai was puzzled, he immediately dropped his luggage and ran into his father's bedroom.
"Father."
He saw his father lying on the sickbed, his face pale.
Xue Huaili slowly turned his head, his cloudy eyes suddenly brightening: "Son, you're back..."
He struggled to stand up, which triggered a heart-wrenching cough.
Xue Mubai quickly stepped forward to support him, handed him a water glass, and after a while finally spoke: "Father, I came back this time to ask you to help me with my job placement after graduation. I'd like to..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xue Huaili knew what he was trying to do and immediately interrupted him by pretending to cough violently again.
"Father, what's wrong?"
Xue Huaili took out a stack of medical records from Shanghai hospitals from the bedside.
Late-stage stomach cancer with lymph node metastasis; survival period is three months.
“Father, you…” Xue Mubai stood there, stunned.
"Mu Bai, my time is running out. My biggest regret in this life is not seeing you get married."
"Son, I hope you can stay with me in my final moments..."
Xue Mubai burst into tears, unable to utter the words he had prepared at the beginning.
Loyalty and filial piety cannot be reconciled...
On one side is his father who gave him life, and on the other is the woman he loves most...
No matter what he chooses, he will ultimately let him down...
Xue Huaili immediately pressed his advantage, feigning weakness as he said, "By the way, son, where were you assigned after graduation? I really hoped you could be assigned to Shanghai."
Xue Mubai could only nod. "Yes, Father, I've been assigned to the Propaganda Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee."
"Good, very good... I can die in peace now..."
Xue Huaili hugged him excitedly, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes.
He knew his son was very filial, and faking illness was such a wise move...
Now he can keep his son with him.
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