Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
It was impossible that He Yi would pass the baton within three years.
At this juncture, it seemed overboard and vicious for Deng Wenchang to discuss the topic of promotion with Qiao Nan. This was such a sensitive topic. Even when at home, they should not casually engage in such hate, let alone at the office.
He Yi’s identity and status were one of the reasons that Qiao Nan was unwilling to continue on this topic.
Secondly, Qiao Nan was the newest employee in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No matter how well she had performed, obviously, she had limited contribution when compared to the elders who had worked in the department for twenty to thirty years. She had far fewer opportunities than them.
If Qiao Nan dared to admit that she had high chances of promotion, someone would send an anti-corruption and whistle-blowing letter to the top leaders tomorrow. The letter would be filled with the injustice, favoritism, partiality, and unfair practices of He Yi during his term at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In short, if it were to reach this stage, it was very likely that both she and He Yi would be down on their luck.
Deng Wenchang dug such a huge pit for Qiao Nan to jump in. Clearly, Qiao Nan had seen it. How could she still jump into the hole knowingly as if she had been possessed?
This was such a sensitive topic. From Qiao Nan’s perspective, it was best to cease it now.
Deng Wenchang had been confused by Qiao Nan. Only after Deng Wenchang calmed down did he realize that Qiao Nan had diverted the topic. Qiao Nan neither denied nor gave any hints to the question he had posed. Given this attitude, everyone would think that there seemingly wasn’t any major problem with Qiao Nan and He Yi.
Deng Wenchang crumpled up a booklet in a furor. He really could not figure out why Qiao Nan could always answer his questions perfectly, covering all angles, although she was two years younger than him.
His father had long said that He Yi had such useful and important documents. He Yi could bear to give Qiao Nan something so good. He did not believe that He Yi did not tell Qiao Nan about his future plans for her during their usual day-to-day interactions.
She clearly knew that she would receive many excellent resources from He Yi in the future, yet she could maintain her silence on it. Wasn’t Qiao Nan too calm and resilient? Deng Wenchang could not see in Qiao Nan the impetuousness and conceit found in people of similar age. Was there really such a placid youngster in this world?
“Dad, did Peng Yu or his family contact us eventually?” After returning home from work, Deng Wenchang was so anxious that he did not even change out of his clothes. He sat on the sofa and looked at his biological father eagerly. “It’s best that the Peng family take action as soon as possible. The situation has changed.”
“Change? What changes again?” Father Deng removed his reading glasses and looked at his son. “This is not the first or second day that He Yi thinks highly of Qiao Nan. You should be used to it by now.” As to the means that He Yi used to dote on Qiao Nan, Father Deng was not interested at all.
“The documents that you mentioned to me previously… Over an hour ago, He Yi passed them to Qiao Nan in front of everyone. He not only asked Qiao Nan to read it properly but also said that he would check Qiao Nan’s homework on it after she read them. Dad, tell me. Is He Yi mad? Why is he so good to Qiao Nan?”
“You’re worried that after handing this set of documents to Qiao Nan, He Yi’s next step will be to pass his most precious minister role to Qiao Nan?” Father Deng’s expression was more solemn now. “Qiao Nan has just joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not long ago. He Yi can still continue his term for another two years. Creating such a situation at this time, what is he thinking of?”
It was very normal to nurture Qiao Nan. However, He Yi would feed on Qiao Nan’s ambitions with such behavior.
At this point in time, Father Deng could not guess what He Yi was trying to do even after pondering for a long time. “Don’t feel anxious about this matter. They won’t succeed within such a short time. Putting aside Qiao Nan, He Yi has not even reached retirement age. Even if he is willing to retire from his role and pass it to Qiao Nan or someone else, the leaders won’t agree. Don’t always be distracted or confused due to some minor matters. The time is not ripe for that yet.”
Deng Wenchang sneered continuously. “Dad, I think this is precisely He Yi’s thoughts. He is prepared to boil the frog slowly. He is aware that he will be retiring in a few years’ time. Hence, Qiao Nan will not be too much of a threat to him in these few years. At most, he will let Qiao Nan get some limelight. He Yi has been in this role for so many years. Obviously, he is capable. If he really passes down everything to Qiao Nan, Qiao Nan having more limelight won’t be the only issue then.”
The problem was that, when that happened, there would be a wide gap in capability between him and Qiao Nan.
Now, Qiao Nan’s work capability was slightly better than him. If he did not have the status of an overseas student, he would have long been subdued badly by Qiao Nan.
He Yi would retire in a few years’ time. At that time, would his status as an overseas student be as useful as now? It was very rare to have overseas students in ordinary families of the older generation. However, in his social circle, there were quite a number of people who studied overseas.
Thereafter, no one could predict the situation.
“Dad, you should know very well the scarcity of females in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There are a lot more men. What is the era now? People value gender equality. In other countries, some women are emperors. Qiao Nan is young and also a woman. It’s much more difficult for her to take on that role. However, can you guarantee that the situation will remain as it is when He Yi retires? When Qiao Nan far surpasses me, with He Yi’s insistence and the Zhai family’s support… Dad, tell me. What are the chances of Qiao Nan getting promoted then?”
At this juncture, Father Deng smiled bitterly. “You have not said it all. Qiao Nan not only has the support of He Yi and the Zhai family. She is also the last disciple of Elder Lin. This point alone will give her at least ten percent more chances of winning. Besides this, there are also chances that the Zhu family, the Shi family, and the Lee family will give Qiao Nan a push. With the support of so many powerful forces…”
Qiao Nan might even be able to take on a more powerful and greater role in the future, let alone the minister of foreign affairs.
Deng Wenchang’s face turned ghastly pale “This… So as to speak, there is no need to wait for a few years. Actually, it’s already a sure loss for me, no?” Qiao Nan had the support of so many people but the Deng family was only collaborating with the Peng family. How could he compete with Qiao Nan?
1
Father Deng held back his actual thoughts and consoled Deng Wenchang. “Wenchang, don’t be like that. I’ve said before. The situation is not that serious now. We must not give up until the last moment. Otherwise, it means that we have conceded defeat.”
