Chapter 23: The Glory of Seizing Another’s Achievement?

He feigned ignorance, attempting to bypass this unexpected "obstacle."

He continued walking forward.

Unexpectedly, in that moment, Bai Wei grabbed Jiang Zhaoyang’s hand without the slightest hesitation.

Her eyes flickered with confusion. "Director, do you not recognize me?"

She whispered softly, "It’s me, Bai Wei!"

Jiang Zhaoyang, feeling helpless, retorted with self-deprecating irony, "That was an improper thing to say."

"What did I say wrong?" she stammered.

Her voice was as faint as a gnat’s buzz, yet it reached Jiang Zhaoyang’s ears with perfect clarity.

"That remark you made earlier—'You’re still here?'—it sounded like... like you were surprised that I haven’t passed away yet."

Jiang Zhaoyang continued his analysis, "Isn’t that essentially cursing me to death?"

Bai Wei froze, her face flushing bright red in an instant.

She stammered, "I truly didn't mean it that way!"

"Director, please don't be angry!"

"I actually meant something else. Please, don't misunderstand!"

Jiang Zhaoyang looked into Bai Wei’s clear eyes, and an inexplicable warmth surged in his heart.

"Then what did you mean?"

"I just returned from the county. I heard that you were transferred from the department to..."

"To guard the reservoir?" Jiang Zhaoyang asked calmly.

"Yes. It seems that was a rumor!"

"No."

"It’s true?" Upon hearing this, her face was immediately masked with shock and disbelief.

She was clearly stunned by this sudden news.

"It is no lie."

She looked completely bewildered.

She murmured to herself, "Director, you have always been so diligent, conscientious, and hardworking! You put in so much effort!"

"What mistake could you have possibly made to end up in such a state?"

"Have all your dedication and hard work really gone down the drain?"

Jiang Zhaoyang offered a bitter smile. "It has nothing to do with my work."

"Then what is it about?"

"It’s about family backgrounds, about purging dissenters."

"And it’s about the 'tribute' of betrayal."

"Don't understand?" Jiang Zhaoyang asked rhetorically.

"I don't!" Bai Wei shook her head. "This isn't fair!"

"Have you never seen a pig run, even if you’ve never seen one fly?"

"Don't be so naive."

Jiang Zhaoyang sighed.

His tone carried a sense of helplessness and mockery. "Don't be so shocked; this is how the world works."

"Sometimes, hard work does not necessarily guarantee a reward."

"Instead, choosing the right side, or engaging in opportunism and flattery, might be what leads you to climb the ladder."

At this point, Jiang Zhaoyang glanced at Bai Wei.

He said, "There is one more thing that concerns you!"

Hearing this, Bai Wei furrowed her delicate brows and asked suspiciously, "What is it?"

"I am going to Lin Weiquan’s office to recommend you."

A flicker of surprise crossed Bai Wei’s eyes. She asked, puzzled, "Recommend me for what?"

Jiang Zhaoyang took out the research report.

"This report is almost finished."

"But I am about to be transferred."

"This matter is being pressed from above; it is work that must be completed."

"The work cannot be delayed."

"It concerns the future economic development of Liuli Town."

"I am recommending to Lin Weiquan that you be the one to complete what I have left unfinished."

Upon hearing this, a surge of inexplicable panic rose within Bai Wei.

She waved her hands hurriedly, her voice filled with urgency and unease. "Me? How could I? Am I qualified?"

"If you aren't, then no one is."

"You participated in the research for this."

"You know the situation inside and out; that is the key to completing this report."

"No!" Bai Wei almost jumped up to object.

In her mind, an image of Jiang Zhaoyang appeared—he had walked almost every inch of Liuli Town for this research report.

Whether it was rugged mountain paths or winding rivers, his hardworking footprints were left everywhere.

She remembered the days Jiang Zhaoyang worked late into the night.

Under the lamplight, she recalled his exhausted yet determined gaze, and his obsession with carefully weighing and deliberating every single word of this report.

Those days and nights of effort had exhausted months of his heart and soul.

Now, all of that seemed to have vanished like bubbles.

And she was expected to take on this heavy responsibility.

How could she steal someone else's achievement?

Besides, if she were to do it, it would be like adding a dog's tail to a sable coat—a disgrace to the original work!

"No!" Bai Wei’s face turned crimson, as if illuminated by a sunset cloud. "Director, don't you know what I'm worth?"

Her voice held a hint of self-mockery and helplessness. "I don't have the substance for this!"

"This is a major matter; it cannot be treated lightly!"

She knew that this research report was not just a document to be submitted.

It was an important reference for the future development of Liuli Town.

"Director, your thinking is agile and your mind is clear."

"You have unique insights; how can I be compared to you?"

"No, how could I ever reach even a fraction of your capability?"

At this point, Bai Wei changed the subject. "Director, you must still be the one to lead this!"

"How about this, go sit in your office."

Jiang Zhaoyang asked, puzzled, "Why?"

"Besides, I don't even have a permanent office anymore," Jiang Zhaoyang replied with a bitter smile.

Bai Wei’s eyes widened in surprise. "What happened to your office?"

"How can you not have one?"

Jiang Zhaoyang sighed and explained, "He Di... he has already occupied my office ahead of schedule."

"What? You haven't even officially resigned yet, and he's already so impatient to replace you?"

Bai Wei said, somewhat annoyed, "That guy is a classic example of a small man blinded by sudden success!"

She continued, "In that case, Director, go sit in my office."

"I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to Lin Weiquan’s office."

"What for?"

"To argue the case!" Bai Wei said indignantly.

"It's useless!" Jiang Zhaoyang knew that Lin Weiquan was determined to demote him to guard the reservoir.

Why would he change his mind because of a woman?

No, he wouldn't change his mind because of anyone’s persuasion.

But Bai Wei was persistent and insisted on going.

Jiang Zhaoyang, feeling helpless, had to take a step back. "Alright!"

"I will go wait in your office!"

"Good!" Bai Wei and Jiang Zhaoyang parted ways.

Jiang Zhaoyang walked toward her office.

It was only a few steps away.

He gently pushed open the door to Bai Wei’s office.

Jiang Zhaoyang entered.

The office was small, the space cramped.

Two desks occupied the main area of the room.

One belonged to Bai Wei.

The other belonged to the staff member here—a young radio broadcaster named Xie Qiling, a girl in the prime of her youth.

She was bowed over, immersed in the world of broadcast scripts.

Her fingers gently turned the pages.

Occasionally, she looked up to stare at the computer screen.

However, this focus was abruptly interrupted the moment Jiang Zhaoyang stepped inside.

Xie Qiling’s eyes were like a disturbed lake; she looked up suddenly, a flash of indescribable shock appearing in her pupils.

She seemed to want to say something; her lips parted slightly.

A faint, almost imperceptible sound came from her throat.

But in the end, she couldn't utter a single word.

The smile on her face froze instantly.

Replacing it was a cold, indifferent expression, as frigid as frost.