Chapter 21
The Shenzhen branch's HR manager's transfer quietly drifted away, like a final reminder that Ling Peng's deadline had expired. Nearly four years had passed. He was still trapped in this bustling yet unfamiliar southern city. The promise he'd made, "a year at most," had long since been worn away by reality.
Ling Peng was driven by an unbearable anxiety. He couldn't wait any longer. Taking advantage of a chance to report on a key project at group headquarters, he mustered up the courage and knocked on the door of the head of the group's human resources department.
No longer the cautious and uneasy newcomer he once was, years of experience had given him composure and confidence in his presentations, and his project achievements were substantial, leaving headquarters leaders with a positive impression. He tried to clearly express his desire to be transferred back to the Beijing headquarters, explaining his personal and family circumstances.
The HR manager received him politely, listened to his ideas carefully, and said he would "study and consider it."
A few days later, Ling Peng returned to Shenzhen. He waited for the results of his "research" with a faint hope. Then the phone rang. It was the group's head of human resources.
The other party's tone was still polite, and even contained a hint of solemn congratulations.
"Ling Peng, we've carefully studied your situation. The group leaders have witnessed your performance in Shenzhen over the past few years and highly recognize your abilities and contributions. The Shenzhen branch is developing very well right now, and we're in need of key personnel."
Ling Peng's heart sank slowly, and he had a premonition of something.
"After discussion among the group's leadership team, we have a more important arrangement for you." The person in charge's voice was clear and powerful. "The group has decided to officially appoint you as the Deputy General Manager of the Shenzhen branch. We hope you can take root in Shenzhen and lead the team to greater success! This is a great opportunity to stand on your own two feet, young man. You have a bright future!"
Deputy General Manager.
Long-term employment.
These words struck Ling Peng's heart like a heavy hammer, instantly shattering all the hopes he had accumulated over the past four years about returning. Not only could he not go back, but he was now being "nailed" here even more firmly and formally.
He tried to make a final effort, explaining in a somewhat hoarse voice: "Thank you for the group's trust, but... I personally do have some practical difficulties. My elderly family members are all in Beijing, and my girlfriend..."
"Ling Peng," the person in charge interrupted him. Although his tone remained calm, it carried an undeniable sense of responsibility. "You need to take a long-term view. Personal difficulties can always be overcome. This opportunity is something many people would love to have. The group made this decision because they value you. I hope you can put the overall situation first and live up to the organization's training and expectations."
The call ended. Ling Peng, phone in hand, stood by the French window of his office, gazing at the endless stream of cars below. He felt a chill run down his spine. The overall situation, the organization, the future… these weighty words weighed down his mind, making his own personal feelings and expectations seem insignificant, even a little "immature."
He returned to his residence in a daze and asked for leave for the first time. He needed time to digest this news that completely overturned his expectations.
He tried to call home and explained with difficulty the "promotion" and the reality that it meant he would have to stay in Shenzhen for a long time. After a brief silence, his parents' reaction was beyond his expectations.
"Vice President? This is great! Pengpeng! This means that the leader values you!" There was surprise in the mother's voice.
"You can't quit! You absolutely can't quit!" My father was resolute. "Such a great job, such a great platform, how many people would envy it! A man should put his career first! A man with great ambitions should be able to reach far and wide. How can he be held back by romantic interests?"
My mother even suggested, "If you really miss home...why don't you let your parents go over to accompany you? We're retired anyway, and we can still take care of you in Shenzhen."
His family's reaction blocked his last possible escape route. He couldn't just say, "I don't want to do this anymore. I want to go back to Beijing." To his parents, that would be an unreasonable act of self-destruction.
He fell into an unprecedented pain and struggle. On one side was a bright future that was visible to the naked eye and the earnest expectations of his family, and on the other side was the love that seemed to be gradually estranged and the deep desire for belonging that was thousands of miles apart.
He pondered the matter for two full days, his desk piled high with instant coffee packages. Finally, on that Friday night, he knew he couldn't put it off any longer. He took a deep breath and called Zhao Jinglu.
The phone rang for a long time before it was picked up. There was some noise in the background, as if she was still outside.
"Hello? Ling Peng?" Her voice was a little hurried. "I just finished dinner with my colleagues and was about to go home. What's wrong?"
Listening to her voice, which was familiar yet seemed to be separated by a layer of gauze, Ling Peng's heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and a suffocating pain spread.
He opened his mouth and found that his throat was very dry, so he spoke in a hoarse voice:
"Jinglu...I...I have something to tell you."
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