Chapter 293: Chapter 290: Human Sentiments and Worldly Affairs
Chapter Two Hundred and Ninety: Worldly Affairs
Three small dishes sat on the table.
There was a dish of fried peanuts, a dish of pig’s head meat, and a plate of stir-fried garlic chives.
Worker Liu held chopsticks in one hand, humming an unknown tune. He picked up a piece of soft and glutinous pig’s head meat, lightly dipped it in vinegar, and as he put it in his mouth, he chewed while squinting, savoring the taste.
With his left hand, he lifted the wine cup to his lips and took a sip.
The breath he exhaled seemed to carry a trace of merriment.
In the kitchen, Worker Liu’s sister, Liu Hui, was still busy.
A chunk of pork fat was sliced open with a cleaver, and Liu Hui quickly rendered it in the wok before her, making pork cracklings.
This stuff was actually quite unhealthy, but interestingly, both siblings enjoyed it.
Especially stir-fried green vegetables with pork cracklings—it was particularly delicious!
By the time Liu Hui brought a plate of freshly stir-fried green vegetables with pork cracklings to the table, Worker Liu had already had several drinks.
The alcohol was nothing special, just a mid-to-low-end series from Yanghe, commonly found in supermarkets, the kind that cost a little over ten yuan a bottle.
Liu Hui wiped her hands and sat down at the table. Worker Liu hurriedly poured a small cup of wine for his sister.
Liu Hui picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of the pork cracklings, savored the taste, and then put down her chopsticks. "Not bad! Brother, try it; it’s not overcooked."
Worker Liu sighed but picked up his cup. "Huihui, cheers! You worked hard today!"
Liu Hui raised her cup to her brother’s. "Brother, happy birthday!"
Worker Liu drained his cup in one gulp, wiped his mouth vigorously, and looking at his sister, he sighed. "Ah, my dear sister, whoever marries you will truly be blessed."
Liu Hui’s expression flickered, a shadow crossing her face. "Brother, why bring this up?"
"I’m just saying that guy must be blind. He didn’t cherish a good girl like my sister! If you hadn’t stopped me, I would have definitely gone over there and broken his legs..."
"Brother!" Liu Hui’s face darkened. "It’s your birthday today. Let’s not talk about such unpleasant things."
"...Alright, alright, let’s not talk about these ominous people and matters," Worker Liu nodded.
"Today is your thirtieth birthday. I wish you a happy birthday and a smooth career!"
Liu Hui raised her glass again.
The siblings clinked their glasses once more. After finishing their drinks and putting down their cups, Liu Hui stood up and went into her room. She returned shortly with a beautifully packaged gift box in her hands.
"Here! Your birthday present!"
"Oh?" Worker Liu was surprised, then smiled. "Good sister, you’ve spent too much! Ah, I really shouldn’t accept this."
"Enough of that, just open it," Liu Hui said, casually picking up her chopsticks and taking a bite of the garlic chives.
Worker Liu unwrapped the box and was first stunned by the brand on the label. Upon opening the box, he found a stainless steel men’s watch inside.
The design could be described as delicate but not ostentatious.
It was not a high-end brand—certainly not a Rolex, which he couldn’t afford.
Forget Rolex; even a Longines was out of reach.
Neither of the siblings belonged to high-income groups.
It was just an ordinary "EBOHR" watch, costing less than a thousand yuan.
He had recently seen the brand as a sponsor at the end of the TV series *The Kangxi Dynasty*.
Worker Liu estimated in his heart that the watch was worth a month’s salary for his sister.
His face showed a hint of pain. "For a birthday, why buy something so expensive? You should have kept the money to buy yourself some new clothes."
"I only have one brother, and my brother only turns thirty once in his lifetime," Liu Hui said with a smile.
She wasn’t beautiful—the Liu family didn’t have genes for high attractiveness. But, having been independent from a young age, she had a spirited way of doing things.
As she spoke, Liu Hui looked at Worker Liu’s face and asked tentatively, "Brother, about that matter... is there really no hope at all?"
"..."
Worker Liu’s face stiffened for a moment. Then he slowly tried the watch on his wrist, fastened the clasp, raised his hand to look at it, and reluctantly took it off. "I’ll wear it to work tomorrow."
"...Brother?"
"Hey!"
A bitter smile appeared on Worker Liu’s face, and he let out a light sigh. "Don’t ask... That matter... most likely, there’s no hope."
They were talking about Worker Liu’s job.
Previously, Worker Liu worked in the Office of Academic Affairs at No. 8 Middle School; outwardly, he was a staff member there.
But in reality, he was not a teacher at No. 8 Middle School, nor was he part of the teaching staff before its restructuring.
Worker Liu was actually an employee of an education company.
During the restructuring of No. 8 Middle School, he was dispatched by the education company to act as a liaison responsible for daily affairs during the preparatory phase of the restructuring—a typical minor role.
The actual work related to the restructuring involved high-level negotiations between the education group and the Education Bureau.
Worker Liu, as this kind of liaison, was a permanent fixture in the school, dealing with some of the everyday trivial matters—essentially, he was a jack-of-all-trades and a messenger.
Worker Liu’s ability to get things done wasn’t very strong, but at least he was diligent. As a liaison at No. 8 Middle School, he did a fairly decent job.
It was the kind of work where there was much effort but little credit.
Initially, he had gotten this job through a connection with a high-level executive in the education group.
The Liu siblings’ father had known a high-level executive in the education group before he passed away.
It couldn’t be said that the relationship was particularly close—it was somewhere in the middle. By pulling strings, their father had secured this job for Worker Liu.
The income was neither high nor low but fairly stable, and he didn’t have to bear too much pressure or responsibility.
Originally, after No. 8 Middle School was restructured, it became part of a privately-managed education group, transitioning from a public school to a private one.
And according to workplace management, people like Worker Liu, who were always "on the front lines" and diligent, were supposed to receive some form of promotion when contributions were rewarded.
For a long time before, the higher-ups had hinted to Worker Liu, both openly and covertly, that once the restructuring was completed and No. 8 Middle School transitioned to private management, the position of deputy director of the school’s Academic Affairs Office should rightfully be his as a reward for his services.
Worker Liu had always believed it. So, he had always been very diligent in his work.
However, the restructuring of No. 8 Middle School, although eventually completed, deviated significantly from the original plan!
The biggest change was the introduction of foreign capital!
In 2001, attracting foreign investment was all the rage, especially foreign capital entering the education sector, which was a relatively rare political achievement in that era.
Consequently, No. 8 Middle School quickly became highly sought after, and even the Education Bureau paid great attention to it.
However, for Worker Liu, this spelled disaster!
The deputy director position at the Academic Affairs Office, previously thought to be a sure thing, suddenly had several competitors.
Originally, it wasn’t that big of an issue.
After all, Worker Liu had the advantage of being there first—he had been with No. 8 Middle School for over two years. He was familiar with everyone and everything, from the school leadership to the teachers of various grades.
His seniority was evident.
And he had some merit to his name.
Although his background was a bit weak, he had obtained this job by leveraging a connection with a high-level executive. Even though their relationship wasn’t very strong, he was nevertheless recruited by them. It’s like respecting the Buddha for the monk’s sake.
But the problem was the arrival of a "parachuted" individual with a somewhat troublesome background.
In terms of seniority, this person had also worked for a few years in another school within the education group, so he was familiar enough with the system’s rules and workflow.
His educational qualifications were also higher than Worker Liu’s.
Most importantly, this person was rumored to be a relative of one of the education group’s vice presidents!
Although it was said that this vice president ranked towards the lower end among the big bosses of the education group.
And the family connection was supposedly very distant, barely related at all.
But!
A lower-ranking vice president was still a vice president! A true member of the group’s core management.
A distant relative was still a relative! His background was definitely much stronger than Worker Liu’s.
Now things became complicated.
Lately, the attitude of the head of Worker Liu’s department had turned ambiguous, implying both openly and tacitly that he should remain calm.
The implication of their words was that even if the position couldn’t be his this time, the company wouldn’t forget his contributions during the restructuring process and would arrange another position of sufficient importance for him...
Those words didn’t sound right at all!
Worker Liu might not have been a career elite, but he was an old hand at this. He could tell there was something off.
That definitely signaled someone else was about to pick the fruits of his labor.
In terms of contributions and familiarity with the job, Worker Liu was undoubtedly the most capable and suitable candidate.
He knew the ropes!
To overlook someone who knew the ropes and instead arrange a different position for him?
What did that mean?
Moreover, if they arranged another position—would it be any good?
To leave No. 8 Middle School and go back to the education group’s corporate office? There’s one turnip for every hole in the office! Where could there be a cushy job waiting for him, Worker Liu?
To stay within the school? There were no other positions available there.
Better than the deputy director of Academic Affairs?
Sure, there were some, like managing logistics.
Or overseeing the school’s external business operations—like swimming pools, restaurants, and other publicly operating or contracted assets.
Those were all lucrative spots!
But those positions had long since been divvied up by people from within the education group; those who held such cushy jobs had really solid connections.
After making inquiries all around and even giving away two cartons of expensive Jinling Cigarettes, he finally received a relatively accurate piece of news.
Apparently, the plan from above was to transfer him to another school in the Jiangbei New District, one that was preparing to collaborate with the education group and undergo restructuring.
Doesn’t that mean I have to redo everything I’ve worked on these past two years at No. 8 Middle School?!
Besides, Jiangbei New District... That place is just too far!
Old residents of Jinling held an old belief: once you crossed the Yangtze River, the Jiangbei New District wasn’t really considered part of Jinling City anymore; it was the countryside!
This wasn’t just in 2001; even twenty years later, real estate prices throughout Jinling would still be the lowest in Jiangbei.
After all this time, I’ve paid my dues and was waiting for my reward.
And now, they want to transfer me to an even more remote and desolate place to be a pioneer for a few more years?!
This!!!
But, what other choice is there?
Many of the world’s problems, when boiled down, have only two core solutions:
Either endure!
Or get out!
Subjectively, he didn’t want to endure, but could Worker Liu just get out?
All his work experience was at No. 8 Middle School, and his educational qualifications weren’t high. The meager network and connections he had built over the years were all tied to No. 8 Middle School.
If he left No. 8 Middle School, left the education group, and tried to find another job in society? Would it be better than his current situation?
Switching industries would mean starting from scratch!
I’m already thirty years old!
I might as well go to Jiangbei and be a pioneer; at least it’s familiar territory.
Worker Liu let out a long sigh and said with a bitter smile, "Actually, everything else is negotiable. I’m only thirty years old; I’ve got strength, and I can endure some hardship. It’s not impossible to go to the school in Jiangbei and put in another two years to build seniority.
"It’s just that... Jiangbei is simply too far from our home. Commuting to and from work every day is utterly inconvenient. It takes at least two hours just for the round trip.
"If I really go there, I’ll have to live at the school."
"..." Liu Hui gritted her teeth. "They can’t bully people like this! They hinted at it before, and you’ve worked hard these past two years. Now that it’s time for rewards based on merit, a parachuter comes and takes your place. Isn’t this toying with people?!
"Why don’t we try to find someone? Offer some gifts?"
"Who could we turn to?" Worker Liu shook his head. "When Dad arranged this job for me, he had to swallow his pride. They only reluctantly accepted the gift and gave me a way to make a living. Outsiders think I’m connected to that high-ranking official, but we know the truth; our families aren’t that close.
"Now that Dad is gone, I have no grounds to even speak with them.
"Besides, why would they challenge another deputy director and reject their relative for someone irrelevant like me?
"What for? Just for the few bottles of liquor and cartons of cigarettes I gave them?
"That’s impossible!
"As for turning to others, who do I even know? Who else has any influence?"
Liu Hui thought for a moment. "Old Sun has always been a very fair person, and now he’s a vice-principal. You’ve worked with him a lot; why don’t you talk to him..."
"Old Sun... He’s a good man. But he doesn’t control the personnel arrangements for the education group. He’s in charge of teaching and research work at the school.
"Besides, think about it logically... after the reorganization, the education group effectively absorbed No. 8 Middle School.
"What is Old Sun?
"He’s one of the ’absorbed’ personnel!
"Even if the education group values his ability and talent and promotes him,
"can an ’absorbed’ person interfere with the education group’s personnel arrangements?
"It’s not appropriate!"
The siblings exchanged glances, both unable to help but sigh.
"Things are already like this; there’s not much we can do," Worker Liu said, shaking his head. "It’s just that if I go to work in Jiangbei, I’ll probably only be able to come home on weekends. You’ll be alone at home on weekdays; you must take good care of yourself."
Liu Hui felt a pang of sadness and said in a low voice, "Mm... I understand."
The conversation left both siblings feeling down.
Both had things weighing on their minds.
Worker Liu was troubled by his job assignment.
Clerk Liu, Liu Hui, was upset about having recently broken up with her boyfriend.
The siblings actually had a very close relationship.
Worker Liu was thirty this year. His sister, Clerk Liu, was four years younger, twenty-six.
Their parents had passed away early. When Clerk Liu was in her last year of high school, both their parents were gone.
It could be said that during her university years and after she started working, it was her brother, Worker Liu, who took care of her.
There was a sense of them relying on each other for survival.
Lately, the siblings had both run into a streak of bad luck. Tonight’s birthday drinks, as they drank, somehow acquired a taste of dismal sorrow.
Both were old residents of Jinling and had lost their parents when they were young. Living independently hadn’t been easy, so they hadn’t adopted the foreign custom of eating birthday cakes.
After three rounds of drinks, following Huaxia tradition, Liu Hui went to the kitchen to cook a small pot of longevity noodles—it was more of a symbolic gesture, which also doubled as the main course for the evening.
The noodles weren’t even out of the pot when suddenly the doorbell rang.
Glancing at the time, it was just a little past half-past seven in the evening.
"You’re busy; I’ll get the door," Worker Liu told his sister before standing up and heading to the entrance to open it.
As soon as he saw who was standing in the hallway, Worker Liu’s face fell.
"Damn, why is it you?" Worker Liu said with a look of displeasure.
Standing outside the door, grinning from ear to ear with a rascally smirk, who else could it be but Chen Nuo?
"Yo, Worker... Teacher Liu, good evening," Chen Nuo greeted with a beaming smile.
Worker Liu immediately felt a pain in his molars. "What are you here for?"
"Just a little business, a little business," Chen Nuo replied, waving the supermarket plastic bag he was holding.
No matter how much Worker Liu disliked Chen Nuo, he still maintained basic politeness. Sour-faced, Worker Liu stepped aside. "Come in and talk."
Chen Nuo walked into the living room and immediately noticed the food on the table. "You haven’t finished dinner?"
Worker Liu raised an eyebrow. "Take a seat and speak."
From the kitchen, Liu Hui emerged with the freshly boiled noodles and placed them on the dining table. Surprised to see Chen Nuo, she asked, "Little Chen Nuo? What brings you here? Have you eaten yet?"
"Don’t ask him; it’s already this late. He definitely came after dinner!" Worker Liu quickly interjected, obviously not wanting to give Chen Nuo a chance to freeload a meal.
"Brother!" Liu Hui looked at her brother with mild disapproval, then smiled at Chen Nuo. "If you haven’t eaten, sit down and have some. I’ve just cooked the noodles. They’re my brother’s longevity noodles, so consider it a good omen."
Seeing the plastic bag Chen Nuo had brought placed on the floor, she quickly added, "You came all this way; why bring something? You’re too polite!"
"Just a little something, as I should," Chen Nuo said nonchalantly, placing the plastic bag on the living room’s sideboard.
He then added with a laugh, "Hey, is it Teacher Liu’s birthday today? I must have come at the perfect time! Gee, I had no idea beforehand! Hope I’m not disturbing you. Sorry about that, sorry!"
He said this while comfortably seating himself at the dining table.
Worker Liu rolled his eyes, but Clerk Liu, after all, was quite fond of Chen Nuo, so she got a clean bowl and chopsticks and placed them before him.
The first bowl of longevity noodles was served to Worker Liu, and the second bowl went to Chen Nuo.
"Just a little, just a little. I’ve already had dinner," Chen Nuo said politely as he accepted the bowl.
Glancing at Worker Liu, who was eyeing him skeptically, Chen Nuo then looked at the liquor bottle on the table. After a moment’s thought, he took a teacup from the table, picked up the liquor bottle, and poured a tiny amount—just enough to cover the bottom of the cup.
"Teacher Liu, I wish you fortune as vast as the East Sea and longevity comparable to the South Mountain."
"Stop right there! I’m only thirty, not eighty. Save that phrase for a few decades from now," Worker Liu said, but still picked up his cup and clinked it against Chen Nuo’s.
They both drank it down in one gulp.
Chen Nuo casually picked at the dishes on the table with his chopsticks, praising them profusely as he ate. "This must be Clerk Liu’s cooking, right? It’s really good!"
Worker Liu stared at Chen Nuo. "Little Chen Nuo, you didn’t come to our house specifically to freeload, did you?"
"No, no, not at all. There really is a bit of business," Chen Nuo chuckled. "Let’s have the noodles first. No matter how important, it can wait until after the longevity noodles are finished."
Chen Nuo slurped down half a bowl of noodles in just a few mouthfuls and even drank all the soup before putting down his bowl and chopsticks.
Every time Worker Liu saw Chen Nuo, he felt a faint unease—the kid was starting to give him a complex.
"Alright, out with it. What do you want from me?" Worker Liu frowned. "Is it something to do with the school?"
"No, no, not you. I’ve come to ask Clerk Liu about something." As he spoke, Chen Nuo took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, opened it, and adeptly offered one to Worker Liu.
"You’re looking for my sister?" Worker Liu was taken aback.
"Is it about little Chen Xiaoye? Are there still some procedures that need to be handled at the neighborhood office? Household registration? Or something else?" Clerk Liu asked.
Chen Nuo didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he picked up the plastic bag he had brought and smiled. "I didn’t prepare much, just some ordinary things. Consider it a little something to add to Teacher Liu’s birthday celebration."
"Clerk Liu, there’s something I’d like to ask you about," Chen Nuo said with a cheerful grin. "Right, I remember, you work at the Moling Neighborhood Office, correct?"
"Yes, Moling Neighborhood Office..." Clerk Liu nodded, though she was a bit puzzled by Chen Nuo’s intentions.
"Well, how familiar are you with the collective enterprises under the neighborhood office?"
Upon hearing this, Worker Liu couldn’t help but laugh. "Asking if my sister is familiar? Then you’ve really come to the right person!"
Clerk Liu replied with a touch more reserve, "Well, I’d say I’m quite familiar."
"Oh?" Chen Nuo’s eyes lit up. "I remember you used to work with... the neighborhood Women’s Federation, right?"
"What a coincidence! Just two months ago, my sister was transferred from the Women’s Federation. Now she’s in the neighborhood’s investment promotion office. It’s directly related to commerce, and several collective enterprises under the neighborhood office are affiliated units. So, would you say she’s familiar?"
Worker Liu said with a knowing smile, peering at Chen Nuo through narrowed eyes, "Little Chen, it sounds like you have something you want my sister to help you with, right?"
Chen Nuo smiled.
「 」
It really was quite the coincidence.
The moment Chen Nuo heard that Clerk Liu had transferred to the investment promotion office, he felt somewhat reassured.
He had indeed come to ask for a favor.
It was for no one else but Ou Xiuhua.
Ou Xiuhua, holding the prison’s reference letter and information on the social resettlement policy for ex-convicts, had found a job at a state-owned enterprise, a collective enterprise.
It was actually an enterprise under the jurisdiction of a street-level government in the district.
It happened to be the Moling Street Office where Clerk Liu worked.
Ou Xiuhua’s job had already been arranged, her onboarding process was complete, and she had even received her work uniform.
This enterprise was under the jurisdiction of the street government and had contracted to manage part of the property services for a company park within its area. This included external cleaning of the park, electrical repairs, and general property maintenance.
Ou Xiuhua’s position was as a cleaner.
Although there was a resettlement policy and the enterprise had smoothly accepted Ou Xiuhua’s employment, Chen Nuo still didn’t feel completely at ease in his heart.
Ou Xiuhua was an ex-convict with a criminal record. People like her working in a unit would inevitably face biased views. Perhaps the staff, from top to bottom, might not look favorably upon her.
Ou Xiuhua had an introverted personality. If she were bullied at work, she was the type to swallow it down and never speak out about it.
Though Chen Nuo supported Ou Xiuhua in finding something to do, he couldn’t really just leave his mother to fend for herself.
Seeking someone’s help to look out for Ou Xiuhua could make her work life a bit smoother.
「 」
Chen Nuo didn’t hide anything and frankly explained his reason for coming.
Worker Liu remained silent, while Clerk Liu listened carefully. After thinking for a bit, she asked, "Your mother has been released?"
"Yes," Chen Nuo sighed. "She’s been out for less than a month."
Pausing, he then shared a bit about why Ou Xiuhua had been imprisoned and some of their family’s past experiences.
"Actually, she was just confused at the time; she was driven to it by her ex-husband. She’s really not a bad person at heart. It was just a moment of weakness and muddled thinking that led her to take a wrong step.
"She genuinely reformed herself while inside and wants to lead a good life now that she’s out.
"But as you know, reintegrating into society isn’t an easy task..."
Clerk Liu nodded.
Actually, Chen Nuo didn’t need to explain this.
Clerk Liu was already very familiar with Ou Xiuhua’s situation from her time working at the street Women’s Federation when she was responsible for Chen Xiaoye’s temporary guardianship. She had a deep understanding of the family’s circumstances.
"You and Ye Zi’s mother... I learned about her situation back then. It was indeed quite pitiful and very unusual." Clerk Liu thought for a moment. "The property company you mentioned is registered under an asset management company that falls under the street office. It is indeed an affiliated enterprise related to my work, and I know the person in charge.
"Hmm..."
After pondering for a moment, Clerk Liu said slowly, "Chen Nuo, we’ve known each other for a while, and I know you’re a good kid, so I’m going to be upfront with you."
Good kid... As these words were spoken, Worker Liu couldn’t help but smirk.
You don’t know what this "good kid" did to your brother, pressing his head to the ground!
You also don’t know about this little crook, conning your brother with a supermarket card that only had one yuan and eighty cents left on it!
"Please, go ahead!" Chen Nuo said with a steady smile.
"Although I work at the street office, I’m ultimately a low-level, rank-and-file civil servant. I may have met and know the head of this enterprise, and had some dealings with him...
"But when it comes to actual connections, there isn’t much. Our interactions have been purely work-related.
"To ask for favors, to have him take special care of someone—honestly, I don’t have that kind of influence or power.
"At most, I can introduce you. You’ll have to handle the specifics yourself."
"I understand, I understand! I wouldn’t ask you to use your influence for me like that.
"I’m very grateful if you could just help make the introduction. I’ll handle the necessary networking myself."
Clerk Liu sighed with relief.
That was truly the extent of her power.
She could make an introduction, but to use her own influence to ask someone for a favor—the person in charge was, after all, the head of an enterprise. He might not necessarily give face to a minor clerk like her.
"Alright then, tomorrow I’ll call the person in charge to lay some groundwork. Then I’ll let you know, and you can pay him a visit."
"That would be great!" Chen Nuo smiled. "Thank you!"
Don’t underestimate the importance of "making a connection."
If a stranger shows up asking for a favor, they might be completely ignored.
They might not even get through the door.
This wasn’t like storming someone’s place; you couldn’t just put on a leather jacket and a helmet and fight your way in.
Ou Xiuhua still had to work under these people.
After a few brief words, Chen Nuo didn’t immediately take his leave. He sat down and chatted casually with the Liu siblings for a while.
—After all, one couldn’t just ask for a favor and then leave immediately.
That would seem too distant.
Moreover, Clerk Liu had helped a lot with Xiao Yezi’s situation previously. Chen Nuo felt he owed her a favor.
"By the way, isn’t Teacher Liu about to become the director of our school’s Academic Affairs Office? When the time comes, we must congratulate Teacher Liu on his promotion," Chen Nuo commented with a casual smile.
However, upon hearing these words, he noticed that the Liu siblings both looked somewhat embarrassed.
"It might... not be exactly like that. It’s also possible that by the end of this semester, I might be transferred to another school," Worker Liu admitted with a bitter smile.
Chen Nuo’s mind stirred.
A transfer?
Wouldn’t that be a pity?
While Worker Liu tended to take small advantages, overall his character was acceptable.
And since he was already familiar with him at No. 8 Middle School, it would be convenient to seek his help if any issues arose at school.
One couldn’t go to Old Sun for every little thing.
And certainly not always to that squatting fanatic Hummingbird who looked at you with hook-like eyes, as if wanting to swallow you whole.
"This... wasn’t there a rumor that Teacher Liu was to become the director of No. 8 Middle School’s Academic Affairs Office?"
"Vice director, vice director," Worker Liu shook his head. "It was said that if I remained, I’d be a vice director. The old director hasn’t retired yet, so I couldn’t possibly take his position.
"The rule after the restructuring is that the school’s original leadership remains unchanged, but a deputy representing the education group is added to the main positions.
"In the future, the school personnel will be responsible for teaching and research, while the education group personnel will be responsible for the school’s daily management, operations, and admissions."
"Then why are you leaving?"
"What else could it be? Someone from the education company is being parachuted in, picking the fruit, squeezing my brother out..." Clerk Liu sighed.
Chen Nuo nodded slowly and said, "Didn’t you try pulling any strings?"
"I wanted to, but I have no strings to pull," Worker Liu shook his head.
Chen Nuo thought for a moment, then said, "Alright, let me make some inquiries about this."
"You?" Worker Liu was taken aback.
But then it suddenly dawned on him: this young man might actually have a way!
Old Sun was a vice-principal, and this kid was dating Old Sun’s daughter!
Moreover, it was rumored that this kid had been transferred to the Ba International Division this semester, and Old Sun hadn’t arranged it.
Instead, the school board had directly intervened.
The official story was that this kid had impressed the school board members during his work with the board’s reception team.
He had a relationship with the vice-principal akin to that of a son-in-law.
And he was also favored by the foreign school board members...
Perhaps he really could do something about this!
"Yes, I’ll start making inquiries tomorrow," Chen Nuo said, leaving some room for uncertainty.
The Liu siblings weren’t fools. They knew that in such matters, no one would make an outright promise on the spot.
"Making inquiries" essentially meant "I’ll try to help, but I can’t guarantee success."
Even so, this was an unexpected delight!
After sitting for a few more minutes, Chen Nuo checked the time and then stood up to take his leave.
「 」
After seeing Chen Nuo out, Worker Liu remembered the supermarket plastic bag Chen Nuo had brought. He grabbed it and opened it.
Inside the plastic bag, the contents were revealed.
It wasn’t anything particularly valuable: two cartons of Jinling Cigarettes with gold packaging; one carton cost two hundred yuan.
Altogether, the items were worth just a few hundred yuan.
The siblings were momentarily stunned.
Worker Liu chuckled a few times, his tone tinged with emotion.
"To think an eighteen-year-old kid could be so shrewd."
Chen Nuo’s conduct tonight could be summarized in two words: sensible!
When visiting someone to ask for a favor, unless the relationship is exceptionally close, the timing of the visit is crucial.
You should never go around five or six o’clock—that’s dinner time!
If you go to someone’s house at mealtime to ask for a serious favor,
not only do you interrupt their meal,
but should they invite you to eat or not?
You say you’re there to ask for a favor, but those unaware might think you’re there to freeload.
Chen Nuo timed his visit for after seven-thirty.
This timing was perfect.
For most families, this is the period right after dinner but before they prepare to wash up and go to bed—a spare moment.
Another sensible aspect was the gift he brought!
It wasn’t expensive, just two cartons of cigarettes.
It couldn’t be considered a bribe but fell within the scope of normal social courtesy.
Were either of the Liu siblings really in need of two cartons of cigarettes?
When you visit someone to ask for a favor, whether you bring a gift or not...
Often, what you’re offering isn’t the gift itself.
And what the host sees isn’t the small gift you bring.
What do they see?
They see whether you, as a person, are sensible and understand social etiquette.
You ask me for a favor; if I help, it’s a kindness; if I don’t, it’s my prerogative.
The decision to help or not often depends on whether you understand human relationships and are worth befriending!
It’s not about two cartons of cigarettes.
I won’t get rich from your two cartons, nor will I starve without them.
But if you come seeking my help, you should at least show a respectful attitude first.
At such times, a small, inexpensive gift is the embodiment of this respectful attitude and understanding of worldly affairs.
No one would willingly help someone who isn’t sensible.
「 」
The Liu siblings hadn’t expected things to be resolved so quickly the next day!
The next morning, when Worker Liu arrived at school, before he even had a chance to settle in his chair, he received a call from a vice president of the education group.
This vice president was directly responsible for overseeing the operations of No. 8 Middle School.
The phone conversation was very polite. He inquired about Worker Liu’s recent work, praised him for several tasks that appeared well-done, and then clearly informed Worker Liu that the formal appointment would be announced at the school management meeting next week:
Worker Liu’s new position was Director of No. 8 Middle School’s Academic Affairs Office.
Note, not deputy.
Director!
The previous director, a nearly retired school leader who had worked at No. 8 Middle School for over a decade,
was given early retirement by the education group and then rehired at a high salary to serve as a consultant for another training institute affiliated with the group.
It seemed as if the director’s position had been cleared specifically for Worker Liu!
The vice president hinted as much to Worker Liu.
This decision had been made early that morning, personally ordered by the chairman of the education group!
「 」
In fact, it wasn’t until much later that Worker Liu learned his appointment had been secured that very night after Chen Nuo’s visit. Hummingbird, a foreign shareholder of the education group, had made a quick call to the group’s chairman, and the personnel arrangement was made shortly thereafter.
「 」
Was it excessive for Hummingbird, a foreign shareholder of Niveer, to intervene in the appointment of the Director of Academic Affairs for No. 8 Middle School?
Niveer had invested three million British Pounds, which in 2001 equated to over thirty million Huaxia Currency.
With such a sum in 2001, one could have become a major shareholder even in a company like Penguin.
Moreover, aside from the money, the benefits this investment brought to the education group were immense!
Firstly, foreign investment in the education sector immediately made the education group a key model enterprise for restructuring, drawing the attention of relevant departments.
With its status as a joint venture, it could swiftly obtain many preferential policies from the government.
Furthermore, in all dealings requiring official liaison, its status as a model restructured enterprise meant many matters would be prioritized and fast-tracked.
Additionally, many overseas school and university partnerships were negotiated through Niveer’s connections.
Such substantial benefits...
And what did Niveer gain in return?
Firstly, the investment had not yet been recouped—after all, the initial phase required burning through cash.
Then, leveraging her status as a shareholder and school board member, she hadn’t sought any personal gain.
Arranging for Chen Nuo and Xicheng Xun, two students, to transfer schools certainly didn’t count!
The Ba International Division of No. 8 Middle School was precisely the kind of place where children from wealthy families could enroll by paying—it was designed to make money.
So... after making such significant contributions to the education group...
If she didn’t intervene in anything at all, it would actually make the high-level executives of the education group uneasy!
Could it really be that she crossed oceans just to offer selfless help?
Now, things were different; she had started to intervene.
The position of head of the Academic Affairs Office at No. 8 Middle School was given to her appointee!
「 」
"What? Really?!"
Clerk Liu was shocked when she received her brother’s call with the good news that morning. "So fast?!"
After a moment of silence—being a civil servant at the grassroots level, her perspective differed from Worker Liu’s, who remained at the school—she thought for a bit and said in a low voice, "Do you think... could it be Chen Nuo..."
"I... I don’t know. He couldn’t have that much influence, could he?" Worker Liu sounded a bit uncertain.
"..." Clerk Liu thought for a moment. "Alright, let’s talk about this at home tonight. You focus on school matters first. Keep a low profile before the personnel appointment is announced, brother!"
"I understand!"
After hanging up the phone, Clerk Liu sat at her desk and pondered for a while.
She made a decision.
Whether or not she was certain if Chen Nuo was behind this.
But... caution was paramount!
Initially, she had only planned to call the manager of the property company today, thinking a few introductory words would suffice as helping Chen Nuo.
Now, Clerk Liu felt that just a phone call was far from enough!
She opened a drawer, took out a box of fine tea leaves someone had given her, and put it in her bag.
Minutes later, Clerk Liu stepped out of the street office building.
She decided to make a trip to that company and pay a visit to the manager in person.
「 」
At half-past one in the afternoon, Chen Nuo received a call from Clerk Liu.
"Chen Nuo, I’ve spoken to Manager Zhang of the property company and fully explained your mother’s situation to him. He took out your mother’s file and reviewed it seriously in front of me. He also said he would look after her, so you can rest assured.
"Ah... by the way, you don’t need to visit Manager Zhang today; he happens to be going on a business trip this afternoon.
"Yes, yes... perhaps another time. When an opportunity arises, I’ll act as the intermediary, and we can all have a meal together.
"Alright, alright..."
As the conversation reached this point, a thought struck Clerk Liu, and she tentatively added, "Oh, and Chen Nuo... about my brother’s situation, thank you so much..."
On the other end of the phone, Chen Nuo’s voice carried a smile. "Sister Liu, you’re being too formal. You helped us a lot with Ye Zi’s situation before, and I troubled you with my mom’s matter this time.
"So, of course, I had to do my best for Teacher Liu’s issue.
"It’s all about helping each other!
"From now on, we’re friends."
After hanging up the phone, Clerk Liu understood clearly in her heart!
It was him!
「 」
Chen Nuo put down the phone and sighed inwardly.
Everyone here is clever. Among the Liu siblings, Clerk Liu is obviously savvier than Worker Liu.
Her words in that last call were full of subtle cues.
What did she say again?
"...Your mother’s file, he took it out and seriously reviewed it in front of me. He said he would take care of it, so you can rest assured."
What’s the emphasis in that sentence?
In front of me!!
Without being too obvious, she highlighted that she hadn’t just made a phone call; she had personally gone to see Manager Zhang and asked for the favor on my behalf!
With the matter settled, Chen Nuo put away his phone and looked at the person in front of him.
Sun Keke sat with her long hair draped over her left shoulder, her posture very straight, gazing intently at Chen Nuo.
Chen Nuo sighed and frowned. "Sorry, that call was about my mother... um, please continue."
"I... these past few days, I’ve been feeling increasingly... not right, Chen Nuo!"