Wen Dongrong glared.
Her words practically screamed that if he failed again next year, he’d be an idiot!
Such low-quality black-hearted cotton wouldn’t even pass a small workshop’s standards. Wen Dongrong wanted to argue, but Deng Shangwei, quick as a flash, stopped him, “Brother-in-law, come on, let’s drink and eat. We’re all toasting to celebrate for big sister.”
Deng Jie and Deng Hao raised their juice glasses to congratulate their aunt. If Wen Dongrong didn’t join in, it’d be too disrespectful to Chen Ru.
*Winter balconies may be mosquito-free, but they’re cold!*
Wen Dongrong had no choice but to raise his glass.
Compared to his rollercoaster emotions, Chen Ru was the true calm boss, “Thanks, everyone. I’ll keep working hard.”
To Wen Dongrong’s slight relief, Chen Ru hadn’t mocked him since the results came out.
So his wife still loved him, right?
At the end of the meal, Wen Dongrong sought comfort from his brother-in-law. Deng Shangwei, a veteran henpecked husband, had his own insight, “Brother-in-law, my wife’s pretty amazing now too, handling half the seafood company’s business.”
Life was like that—when you can’t resist, just lie back and accept it.
Deng Shangwei embraced it well, speaking of Chen Li’s competence with pride.
Wen Dongrong wanted to kick this spineless brother-in-law away!
But Deng Shangwei suggested they spend the weekend in the countryside again, lowering his voice, “Last weekend you were busy, and the kids kept asking why Uncle Wen didn’t come. I’m fine donating books, but I can’t handle the big talks—you’ve got to step up!”
Wen Dongrong puffed out his chest.
Of course.
Deng Shangwei was great at business, but in culture and education, he couldn’t match Wen Dongrong.
After recent blows, Wen Dongrong found that needed feeling in Deng Shangwei’s flattery.
Being needed was his greatest spiritual pursuit.
Now, with the Wen family not needing him and his wife and daughter thriving with or without him, only these countryside trips with Deng Shangwei made him feel essential.
This feeling hooked him. Initially reluctant, now he felt uneasy if he didn’t go periodically.
Though pragmatic, Wen Dongrong hadn’t used these trips for gain. Yet, the world works in mysterious ways—what you experience leaves marks, subtly reflected in your actions.
Wen Dongrong was like this. He thought he hadn’t changed, but his worldview and behavior had shifted unnoticed.
A skilled writer at work, during Party School training, his study reports stood out, catching the eye of a visiting leader.
The leader’s four-word review: *Substantial and meaningful.*
Truly, flowers don’t bloom when you plant them, but willows thrive when you don’t.
Wen Dongrong thought promotion would come after Party School, but before it ended, Rongcheng called his workplace, wanting to transfer him there.
“That’s… that’s not my call; we need to ask Comrade Dongrong’s opinion,” his unit leader said, nearly refusing outright before softening.
The refusal was because the leader planned to promote Wen Dongrong as deputy!
But the words stayed unspoken.
Refusing was easy, but blocking Wen Dongrong’s bigger prospects was like cutting off his livelihood—a grave enmity!
Stay or go, it was Wen Dongrong’s choice.
Staying in a small place wasn’t bad; he’d be a big fish in a small pond.
Going to Rongcheng offered a larger stage, but climbing higher would be tougher!
The leader left the decision to him.
Facing Rongcheng’s inquiry, the leader praised Wen Dongrong’s abilities and integrity.
It wasn’t empty talk.
After all, Comrade Wen Dongrong had withstood a disciplinary investigation without any violations found!
This twist stunned even Wen Ying.
*Another thing that didn’t happen in my past life!*
She told herself to stay calm.
With so many changes to those around her, her father’s career shift was only natural.
The hurricane kept blowing, and old Wen’s pride was soaring sky-high.
Big fish or phoenix tail?
No question!
Perhaps the Wen family craved the extraordinary, yearning for a bigger stage. That’s why Wen Kai aimed for Beijing, why Wen Ying in her past life refused to return to her small hometown.
Wen Dongrong was no exception.
After years on the sidelines in his youth, now in his prime, he felt unstoppable!
A career was a man’s confidence and pride. The spirited Wen Dongrong was back, brimming with ambition but playing coy, “Working in Rongcheng is like starting over—new workplace, new colleagues. If you and our daughter weren’t there, I wouldn’t want to go.”
“Hmph,” Chen Ru snorted, “You coming or not doesn’t affect us.”
Last year, at their lowest, Chen Ru considered divorce. Wen Dongrong, thick-skinned, commuted between cities, mending their relationship.
Back then, Chen Ru’s career wasn’t as successful, and Wen Ying wasn’t a bestselling author!
If she dared consider divorce then, what was there to fear now?
Wen Dongrong’s hypocrisy—claiming it was for them when he wanted the step up—Chen Ru wouldn’t indulge.
Going might lead to greater heights or obscurity.
Staying meant a sure promotion but a clear ceiling; missing this chance, he’d likely stay in the hometown until retirement.
This was a turning point for his career, determining how far he’d go before retiring. No one could advise or choose for him—only Wen Dongrong could decide.
His soaring spirits took a hit from Chen Ru’s jab, and he scrambled to save face, “Let’s discuss this in the bedroom, don’t disturb Wen Ying’s studies.”
Wen Ying wanted to roll her eyes.
As Chen Ru was pulled into the room, snippets of their talk drifted out.
“If you transfer to Rongcheng, you won’t take the exam next year?”
“Of course I will! I’ll not only take it, I’ll pass. My degree’s fine in a small place, but in the provincial capital, it’s no edge.”
“…At least you’re clear-headed!”
