Chapter 5 (5)
The personnel appointment has come in. The boss has to leave, to Qinghai.
Li Ren was a little worried. He felt that he was in an awkward situation.
If he follows, this place is just starting out, and even if he is seconded, it is hard to say when he can return. If he does not leave, he will be marginalized as soon as the new official takes office. He has no background or backing, and he is all alone. Finding a new backer is even more difficult.
Leaders like to have a clean slate and cultivate their own people. Who would take over the old minister left behind by the previous term? Besides, he is not really an old minister.
Having seen the sights and dangers of the big city, Di Liren now understood that the reluctance of those older employees to transfer and offer him the opportunity wasn't due to a lack of confidence, but rather a deep understanding of the complexities of the big city. Being a mid-level manager in the "base" provided him with connections, and he could take care of his family. A life like that, peaceful and stable, was a good thing.
Why bother charging forward armed with weapons?
However, they didn't understand that Li Ren had ambitions. He truly wanted to serve the people and achieve something, at least to establish a legacy, if not a place in history. However, to achieve all this, he couldn't do it without power. Only by wielding authority could he better carry out his work. The difficulty of this, however, couldn't be explained in a few words.
Ultimately, his foundation is too shallow.
When he arrived in the big city, he began to regret getting married too early. He lacked strategic planning, had some feelings, and enjoyed some tenderness. After graduating from college in his early twenties, he gave himself up.
Now it seems that this was totally wrong.
Marriage is like war; choosing your comrades is crucial. This is especially true for someone like him who aspires to a career in government. How can one succeed without leveraging their strength? Forget about politics; even in business, just look at the fathers-in-law of successful businessmen; even a fool can understand the secrets. Liren was too young when he got married. He was impulsive. His family didn't know how to steer the ship, which led to his departure from the right path.
Besides, he has nothing to say to Yu Jia now. Does she care about him and love him?
Nine out of ten people would say she is very caring and loving. This is the character Yu Jia has been portraying for a long time: a good wife.
Ke Liren felt that wasn't care and love; it was fawning. They fawned over him because he was doing so well. Her whole family was like that. He'd helped his worthless brother get a doctorate, and he'd caused a ton of trouble for his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and all sorts of relatives. They were eager to pull him down before he even took off.
He couldn't stand the despicable behavior of these people.
He flatters his boss outside, and when he gets home, these people flatter him too. He always feels like he is watching his own shadow acting, reminding him, "How ridiculous you are."
Liren likes people who act arbitrarily, because he will never be able to do what he wants.
Liren still felt that Yu Jia didn't understand him at all. She'd even suggested going back together. Wouldn't that have been like declaring his entire life's struggles in vain, like condemning him to desertion? He'd lost on the battlefield of life, burying his ideals.
People strive for higher positions, to come to big cities, to serve more people and make a greater impact. This is his ideal! Ideal! Ideal! Do you know what an ideal is? It's something people will sacrifice their lives for! She couldn't mention it, shouldn't have! Stupidity, stupidity! Although, even now, Li Ren still couldn't figure out the line between ideals and desires. Anyway, he and Yu Jia didn't get along.
It was better when they were living apart, with her as his nominal wife. But when they really met, living under the same roof, he couldn't stand it and felt awkward.
For example, he couldn't possibly discuss the boss change with Yu Jia. She would definitely make a fuss and think of herself first.
And then there was the last time they'd caught each other. Yu Jia's tolerant and generous demeanor also made him uncomfortable. He'd rather she'd just make a scene. She had no idea how boring she was right now. When was the last time they'd made love? He couldn't remember. He only knew she'd always lie flat on her back, as straight as a stick, completely silent and dull!
He felt like he was fighting a piece of dead pork.
He talked more to his friends than to her. It wasn't like he hadn't thought about divorce; he had thought about it a few years ago. Whenever the thought came to him, he would always tell himself that it wasn't the right time yet.
Luan Chengyun found him at the right time.
In the past, Liren probably would have turned it down. No one comes to see him for no reason. Luan probably wants to ask him for something. But now, Liren was feeling bored, and having Luan as a buddy to distract him was a welcome distraction. They were in different fields, not in direct competition.
Standing in front of Luan, you can relax a little.
In the elegant hall of Qushui Lanting, Luan Chengyun stood beside a marble table, holding a large wolf-hair brush and practicing calligraphy. A standing figure watched from the side.
Just as I wrote the knife above the character "忍" (nin), my phone rang. Chengyun answered. It was a woman's voice. We chatted for a few minutes, then hung up.
It was Weng Yue calling to discuss some business matters. Cheng Yun explained.
Liren said with a smile, "That's all right now. I can let myself go."
"Business partner," Luan Chengyun finished writing the word "Ren" and put down his pen, watching from a distance, "You are the one who wants to let go."
"Don't send me any posts about remarriage. I won't pay you even if you do." Li Ren joked.
"I never thought about it." Luan Chengyun changed a piece of rice paper, stepped aside, and handed the pen to Li Ren, "I won't bother with that."
Li Ren stood in front of the desk, with his legs apart, like in a horse stance, and without hesitation, he wrote the word "Chang".
Cheng Yun casually commented, "The wind is gentle and pleasant, and the green mountains do not hinder the flying white clouds. Wonderful! Where there is great access, there must be great obstruction; without extraordinary encounters, there will be no extraordinary poverty."
Li Ren sighed, "It's better to be alone. I can be free and do whatever I want."
Luan Chengyun took a half step forward, walked to his side, and whispered, "Don't divorce."
Liren was always like this every time they met. Chengyun had long suspected his weariness in marriage. The rest was predictable.
Li Ren was stunned. He marveled at Cheng Yun's ability to see through his thoughts. Fortunately, he remained composed, his expression expressionless. Then he laughed and said, "Listen, isn't it ridiculous? You're divorced yourself, yet you're trying to persuade others not to."
"trouble."
"I see you're enjoying it." Li Ren said with a hint of sarcasm.
Luan Chengyun said, "Men, as long as you're divorced, as long as you have some money and aren't too old, there will definitely be someone who's interested in you."
"That's because you lack determination."
"I am also a human being. I have needs too."
"Oh, I see. You got her pregnant?" Li Ren handed the pen to Cheng Yun. "Be careful. For an entrepreneur playing with women, it's the beginning of his downfall."
"No, I don't have that habit." Cheng Yun said, "If you want to, tell my buddies and I'll take you there. Shuangyan, you play and I'll just rest."
"You should be arrested."
"Unfair."
"Corruption and depravity, that's what I mean by people like you."
"I'm a virgin, thinking of remarrying," Luan Chengyun said with a playful smile. This statement was a bit unexpected for Liren. He knew Chengyun's words were always half-truths, true and false, and those who didn't know him could easily be misled. But he, Di Liren, could distinguish the truth from the lies. "Thinking of remarrying"—this statement was true, right? However, Liren knew Zu Liangcai, though not very well—Liangcai held a higher position than him. He had heard indirectly that Liangcai had a girlfriend recently. It was said that she played mahjong with him. That person was Yu Meng.
Li Ren certainly wouldn't tell Luan Chengyun. He just thought Chengyun's infatuation was a little pitiful, lamentable, and even a little ridiculous.
Chengyun picked up his brush and wrote the character "和" (harmony), muttering to himself, "A room is elegant and harmonious, and peace and tranquility are natural." Tired of writing, the two went back for tea. Chengyun had made a small fortune in business, but his villa had been mortgaged and the money hadn't come back, so it was essentially empty money. Nothing was in his pocket, and it wasn't his. He was eager to build connections. He approached Liren to ask if there were any other avenues. Previously, he'd been throwing money around, slogging through obstacles, with only half the effort. Liren didn't say much, simply saying that his boss was leaving. Chengyun didn't ask any more questions. Without the skin, where can the hair be attached? There was no point asking; he knew Liren was alone and powerless.
Liren said, "Let's try the Xin family." Chengyun remained silent. He felt it was inappropriate. This relationship had been cultivated for a long time and could not be used lightly. Moreover, the current situation was delicate, and the Xin family would not easily make a move. To put it bluntly, what was his relationship with them? It was too weak, not even a shared interest.
After drinking tea, the two men fell silent, each thinking about his own things and worrying about his own troubles. It was a rare opportunity to drink tea facing each other like this.
After a pot of tea, Chengyun felt obliged to chat about something and casually asked, "How is Sister Jia doing recently?"
Li Ren quickly glanced at him and said, "It's still the same." Seeing his tone, Luan Chengyun realized that there was no need to continue asking.
"It's boring." Luan Chengyun said suddenly.
"What's the meaning."
"It's boring at this age," Luan sighed, "everything is fake."
Li Ren sighed, "Your good days have just begun, stop making sarcastic remarks here."
"Really?" Luan asked. The phone rang again. It was Weng Yue again. Li Ren heard a noise and tactfully walked away.
After careful consideration, Di Liren politely approached the "boss" to express his willingness to follow him to Qinghai. The boss didn't say yes or no, simply saying that wherever he went, he would serve the people. It wasn't time for an answer yet. Liren knew that even if he went, he wouldn't be going directly with the boss; he would probably have to be seconded. However, if he left, there was still a way out. If he didn't leave, staying here would be a dead end. He could only follow the example of "going to Jinggangshan" and open up a revolutionary base.
Sisi's study abroad was basically decided, and Yu Yi ran around and provided guidance throughout the whole process - he was a man who had never been abroad, but he was the one who guided others who had never been abroad.
Li Ren introduced a girl to Yu Yi, the daughter of a capable older sister, who was a local resident, had a bachelor's degree, and worked in the laboratory department of a hospital - not just anyone could enter that hospital.
The young girl… oh no… the old girl was quite fond of Yu Yi. Yu Jia, of course, agreed, but Yu Yi had some reservations. He didn't dare show it too clearly, as he had to save face for his brother-in-law. He hoped for the best outcome: the girl wouldn't be attracted to him, and everyone would be content. Yu Jia advised his brother to find a local woman whose family could help him, saving him the stress and twenty years of struggle.
Watching his sister's lecturing expression, Yu Yi felt, on the one hand, that she genuinely cared about him—she was his biological sister, after all. On the other hand, he felt she didn't understand men at all. He'd earned a doctorate just to marry into a family? Why couldn't he find someone he loved? A man's happiness comes from pursuit. He hated that girl's big mouth; her gums showed when she smiled. He was afraid she'd eat him alive!
He still loved Yu Rui, even if she was so poor she lived in a cowshed, so wild he couldn't control her, she would always be the most beautiful white moonlight in his heart. Even if he couldn't have her, he could still think about it. By comparison, the girl in the laboratory department was just plain vulgar. Yu Rui was struggling, while she, on the other hand, was simply born into a good family, thanks to her parents. There was nothing poetic about that. On the contrary, Yu Rui possessed an epic beauty and desolation.
Yu Jia saw what her brother was thinking and said, "You're still thinking about Xiaorui? She has three hearts. Can you handle it? Close the shop as soon as possible. Your brain is only suitable for living a peaceful life." Yu Yi muttered, "Sister, you have lived a peaceful life for so many years, but what have you gained?" Her voice was very low, but Yu Jia still heard it clearly. She shouted, "Xiaoyi!" Yu Yi ran away quickly. He was afraid of listening to his sister's nagging.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
