Chapter 44: Providing Closure for Oneself

"Even if it's just to prove to yourself that you haven't been completely overlooked, it has its value, right?"

Jiang Zhaoyang was somewhat shaken by her words.

After a brief silence, he slowly spoke, "What you say makes sense, but I still feel..."

"No buts," Bai Wei interrupted Jiang Zhaoyang, her tone carrying a playful touch. "Just think of it as coming along to keep me company, and by the way, let me see what you're really capable of."

"Besides, I genuinely hope to recommend you, Director, during tomorrow's vote. That way, you'll be able to look out for me in the future, won't you?"

At this, Bai Wei could not help but chuckle softly over the phone.

Her laughter was crisp and pleasant, as if laden with boundless hope and anticipation.

Infected by her mood, Jiang Zhaoyang felt his spirits lift significantly, and the hesitation and unease in his heart gradually dissipated.

"Alright," Jiang Zhaoyang took a deep breath, as if exhaling all the hesitation and anxiety trapped in his chest. "Then I'll give it a try. No matter the outcome, consider it an account I owe to myself."

Jiang Zhaoyang put down the phone, his fingers gently tracing the cold tabletop, his heart flooded with a complex mixture of emotions.

He gave a wry, helpless shake of his head.

In this town, Bai Wei was probably the only person left who still believed he had a fighting chance of being voted for and recommended to serve as the deputy town mayor.

There would not be a second person!

The fickleness of human relationships and the coldness of the world were lessons Jiang Zhaoyang had long since learned to the bone.

By now, he seemed to have become a "hot potato" in the eyes of the town's cadres, who went out of their way to avoid him, terrified of being implicated in any unnecessary trouble.

Some even kicked him while he was down, making things difficult for him at every turn, hurling sarcasm and mockery. Would those people ever vote for him?

And as for those who might still harbor a shred of goodwill toward him, they wouldn't dare cast their votes for him either—not with Lin Weiquan watching closely.

Even though Jiang Zhaoyang knew crystal clear that his seniority and credentials gave him no competitive edge in this round of cadre recommendations—

He could practically conclude with certainty that he would not be recommended—

He still couldn't bear to let Bai Wei feel even the slightest bit of disappointment or worry.

Therefore, he put on a lighthearted, teasing smile and said, "Hey, Bai Wei, just in case this dark horse really does get unexpectedly pushed into that position, I promise to look after you in the future and make sure you're completely satisfied at work. How about that?"

Hearing this on the other end of the line, Bai Wei laughed like silvery bells, seemingly infected by this sudden, unexpected optimism. "Haha, Director, I'm actually going to take your word for it!"

"It's a deal then. Once you become my big boss, don't forget about little old me!"

"It's a deal, Bai Wei. When that day comes, forget about being a small fry—you'll be my right-hand woman, and together we'll conquer the world!"

There was a hint of banter in Jiang Zhaoyang's voice, yet it also concealed a fond yearning for the future, even though he knew the chances of this promise coming true were microscopic.

Bai Wei said, "Alright, no more chatting, I have work to get to."

Jiang Zhaoyang replied, "Go ahead."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Zhaoyang gave a self-deprecating shake of his head.

The impractical fantasy in his heart was quickly extinguished by a bucket of cold reality.

He understood that in this round of recommendations, he was merely serving as a prop to run alongside the real contenders yet again.

That night, just as Jiang Zhaoyang was preparing to wrap up a busy day and get some rest, his phone suddenly rang. The screen displayed the name Liu Wen.

"Hello, Liu Wen? Is something the matter so late at night?" Jiang Zhaoyang answered the call, a trace of puzzlement in his tone.

"Jiang Zhaoyang, isn't your town holding cadre recommendations tomorrow?"

"You seem to be a candidate. Did you... even know about it?" Liu Wen's voice carried a mixture of surprise and incomprehension.

Jiang Zhaoyang frowned slightly, a look of doubt and confusion in his eyes as he slowly replied, "I heard something about it, but how on earth did you find out so quickly?"

He was clearly caught off guard by the rapid spread of the news.

Hearing this, the corners of Liu Wen's mouth curled into a faint smile, a flash of complacency in her eyes as she answered, "My dad told me. He heard it from He Di."

"He Di was so confident, boasting that there is a ninety-nine percent chance he'll be elected in tomorrow's democratic recommendation for deputy town mayor."

Waves immediately stirred within Jiang Zhaoyang's heart upon hearing this.

He thought to himself that this He Di was truly out of his mind with arrogance. The curtain on the democratic recommendations hadn't even officially risen yet, and he was already treating himself as the guaranteed victor!

This arrogance and cockiness filled Jiang Zhaoyang with disgust.

In Jiang Zhaoyang's view, a true leader should possess the qualities of humility, pragmatism, and a willingness to take responsibility.

Instead of acting like He Di, who only knew how to indulge in empty talk and self-aggrandizement.

Thus, Jiang Zhaoyang took a deep breath, adjusted his mood, and slowly said, "He Di is certainly an optimist."

"He thinks that because Lin Weiquan holds the power, the whole world belongs to him. The results of the democratic recommendations haven't even come out yet; anything can happen."

Liu Wen's tone carried a mix of helplessness and reproach, as if she were making one final effort to salvage an unsalvageable relationship. Displeased, she said, "Look at you—always acting high and mighty, looking down on everyone else."

"Jiang Zhaoyang, if you could just be like He Di, putting more effort into getting along with leadership, knowing how to pave the way for your own future, adding a bit more calculation and a bit less naivety... perhaps our relationship wouldn't have deteriorated to the point it has today."

"You're always like this, pouring your heart and soul into your work while completely ignoring the unwritten rules of the workplace and those seemingly trivial yet crucially important interpersonal relationships."

Hearing this, the anger in Jiang Zhaoyang's chest was ignited as if by an invisible force.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, but the dissatisfaction in his words remained unmistakable: "You think He Di has more of a future than I do? Fine, let him have it. I'm not going to argue with you about it."

"Right now, we are nothing more than ordinary acquaintances who occasionally nod to each other in passing."

"As for what you mentioned—rather than wasting time currying favor and scheming, I'd much rather spend my energy on improving my professional competence."

"And regarding our relationship, the fact that it has reached this point is not entirely my fault."

"If you're always going to compare me to others and use such metrics to measure our worth, then I think it would be better if you didn't call me anymore."

Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang Zhaoyang pressed the hang-up button. A busy tone came from the other end of the line, sounding like a final farewell to their relationship.

Liu Wen had hung up first.

He knew that after this phone call, the distance between them could truly never be bridged again.

Early the next morning, just as the sky began to turn the color of a fish's belly, Jiang Zhaoyang mounted his motorcycle and embarked on the journey back to the town.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile hung on his lips.

Hidden within that smile were traces of self-deprecation and release.