Chapter 24: A Temporary Respite

Ignoring Jiang Zhaoyang completely, she stood up without a moment’s hesitation. She offered neither a greeting nor a farewell, walking straight out of the office and leaving him with nothing but a cold, retreating back.

Jiang Zhaoyang felt a bitter sting in his heart. Within this compound, he had become an "outcast" in the eyes of many—a man stripped of his former glory and support, naturally relegated to a target of scorn and neglect. Anyone, it seemed, felt entitled to look down on him. The fickleness of human nature was on full display here. Even the young girl who once greeted him with fawning smiles now wore a different face, casting disdainful glances his way. How times had changed; there were simply too many snobs. People like Bai Wei were rare indeed.

"Young Master! Young Master!"

Over ten minutes later, the sound of Bai Wei’s footsteps echoed sharply down the corridor. She hurried back into the office, absentmindedly brushing stray hairs from her forehead.

Jiang Zhaoyang was already leaning back in his chair. With one hand resting lightly on the desk, a meaningful, playful smile curled the corners of his lips, as if he had already foreseen everything to come. His gaze held a touch of mockery as he spoke slowly: "Oh? And how did the trip go?"

"Did you succeed?"

Bai Wei shook her head gently, her red lips parting slightly. "I wouldn't put it that way."

"A failure, then?" Before Jiang Zhaoyang finished his sentence, his lips pulled into a self-deprecating smile. He knew all too well that dealing with Lin Weiquan was never easy, so he was not surprised by the outcome.

Bai Wei shook her head again. "Not that, either."

Jiang Zhaoyang was baffled by this ambiguous answer. "If it was neither a success nor a failure, then what was it?" His curiosity was fully piqued.

"Lin Weiquan is just letting you delay your move to the reservoir for a few days."

"I did my best," she sighed, a flicker of exhaustion crossing her eyes.

"Delay for a few days?" Jiang Zhaoyang felt a jolt of surprise. The Lin Weiquan who had been plotting so meticulously to purge him—would he really choose to take a step back at such a critical moment? This defied his understanding.

He locked his gaze onto Bai Wei’s fair and delicate face, attempting to capture more information from her subtle expressions to unravel this sudden mystery.

"What exactly did you say to him?" he asked urgently.

Bai Wei smiled faintly. "I told him that this research report was a task assigned directly from above, and its importance goes without saying. I also mentioned that the city had given our outline high praise, commending our clear thinking and definite direction." She paused before continuing, "I added that the city has been urging us through the county to accelerate our progress to ensure the mission is completed successfully."

Jiang Zhaoyang listened intently, nodding slightly, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. He inwardly marveled at Bai Wei’s wit and composure.

"And then? Did Lin Weiquan raise any objections?" he pressed.

"Of course he did," Bai Wei replied, "but he was quickly stunned by what I said next. I told him this wasn't just a work assignment; it was a 'top-leader project.' It requires the person in charge to oversee every detail personally to ensure nothing goes wrong. Whoever holds the top position must bear this responsibility. It is a political task. No one can afford to take it lightly, and certainly, no one should let personal grudges hinder the bigger picture. Besides, Jiang Zhaoyang is the one who wrote it; without him, no one else has the capability to finish it."

"And then?" Jiang Zhaoyang asked.

"After hearing that, he seemed at his wit's end, his brows knitted as if bound by invisible shackles. He paced back and forth, hands behind his back, occasionally looking up at the ceiling as if searching for the key to unlock his predicament. After much deliberation, he asked me to tell you," Bai Wei’s voice softened with a hint of sympathy, "that the transfer to the reservoir is set in stone and cannot be changed. However, you can report for duty two or three days late."

Jiang Zhaoyang’s eyes flickered upon hearing this, but the light quickly dimmed. So, it was merely a stay of execution. He sighed, helplessly accepting the reality.

Bai Wei said, "You should follow Mayor Lin’s arrangement for now. You are still working in your original office!"

"My desk has already been moved to the storage room to be sold as scrap."

"That won't do. It must be moved back immediately."

Just then, Xie Qiling walked in. Seeing Jiang Zhaoyang still there, she looked at him with undisguised contempt.

However, upon hearing Bai Wei’s words, Xie Qiling felt as if she had been jolted by a sudden realization. Her attitude underwent a 180-degree turn in an instant. A radiant smile bloomed on her face. Her expression turned sweet, and her voice became exceptionally sugary: "Oh my, Director Jiang, I am so sorry! I actually ran out of tea here."

"I even ran to other offices just now, hoping to find some good tea to brew for you. Who would have thought they wouldn't have anything decent? It was so disappointing. But then, I suddenly remembered I had a box of high-quality tea in my office—a gift from a friend that I’ve been saving. Look at my memory; I should be punished for this!"

She tapped her head lightly to show her self-reproach. Immediately after, she busied herself with the tea set, her movements practiced and nimble. Within moments, she presented a steaming cup of tea to Jiang Zhaoyang with a humble and respectful smile.

"Director Jiang, please, have some tea. This is Biluochun, the absolute finest. Our little broadcasting room is graced by your presence. You must provide us with more guidance in the future; we are all looking forward to learning so much from you. You are our direct superior, after all; you can't distance yourself from the masses!" She looked at Jiang Zhaoyang with eager anticipation, her eyes revealing a hunger for the leader's favor.

Jiang Zhaoyang felt a wave of nausea, but he forced himself to remain silent. Xie Qiling’s ability to change faces was truly jarring; it was all so hypocritical.

At this moment, Bai Wei asked Jiang Zhaoyang, "Director, would you like to finish your tea before you go, or take a rest?"

"No, time waits for no one."

"Very well, let's go."

The two left the room. Bai Wei continued to walk forward.

"Where are you going?"

"To have someone bring your desk back," Bai Wei replied as she walked.