Chapter 676 - 390: Dilemma (2)

But if you were to serve as Vice Principal while also taking on the roles of Deputy Secretary and Minister of Organization, the nature of things would be entirely different. Moving up, you could either be directly transferred to another top university to take the helm, or directly join the ministry. And Zhao Haiqi still has ten years before he retires; he has the space to climb even higher...

Shit! This is undeniably a massive promotion!!

Li Peifeng’s heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself that his father-in-law was getting more and more formidable. He didn’t know if this was good or bad for him. If in the future, his own dirty secrets were uncovered... he feared he could only face the consequences!!

Though he was scared inside, it didn’t affect the enthusiastic look on Li’s face, whose expression was one of delighted surprise, as if he were sharing in the glory: "Congratulations Uncle, this is wonderful. As the saying goes; the clouds disperse revealing sunlight and magnificent rays, strong spring breezes lift the kite high. It soars straight into the azure sky, ascending to the heavens accompanied by auspicious signs... you’ll be able to better pursue your ambitions."

"Hahaha, you kid, making poetry on the spot. It’s all about teaching and nurturing."

This flattery was sincerely pleasing and enjoyable!

Zhao Haiqi couldn’t help but smile, raised his glass to clink it against his, took a small sip, then chuckled and said: "In another three or four months you’ll be graduating. What are your plans, do you still want to focus on writing?"

Li Peifeng nodded, and Zhao Haiqi gently suggested it would be best for him to pursue a Ph.D. and take the academic route, given his current resources and talents, he’d have a promising future. As he spoke, perhaps under the influence of alcohol or maybe because he felt they’d eventually be family, he became more straightforward.

"You’re still young, capable, and smart, and I’ll help you too."

Zhao Haiqi looked meaningfully, speaking in a calm manner: "Once you’re embedded in the system, whether you pursue academia or administration, there’s a great opportunity to achieve accomplishments not inferior to mine. If a benefactor recognizes your talent, you could rise meteorically. And you should know, that there was once a web novelist who is now a senior official, just one administrative level below mine."

"When you reflect upon yourself, your educational background and other qualifications were better than his, and the popularity of your works at present isn’t much less than his initial novel, although the genres are different. But if you settle down in the next few years to write more scholarly content, the future road will be broader for you as well."

Li Peifeng hesitated for a moment saying, ’I’ll think about it,’ but deep down he wasn’t considering it at all, because he had deeper concerns.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to eat imperial grain, but hypothetically speaking, if Li Peifeng landed a state-supported job, no matter what kind of work it is, once two hundred years have passed, if the unit’s leadership suddenly found out this person is still drawing a pension... It would be a major event!

And let’s not even say two hundred years away, merely forty years later, when colleagues of his age become white-haired and near retirement, yet find this chap Li Peifeng shows no signs of aging, big issues would arise too!

Once Li Peifeng is ’middle-aged,’ unless he wears makeup to work every day, such situations would be unavoidable, so he simply avoids getting job to save him from such trouble.

As for anything further down the line, Li Peifeng dares not think about it; the mere thought makes him feel disturbed, caught in a deep void...

"What have your parents been busy with lately?"

Midway through the meal, Li Xin casually asked, and Li Peifeng naturally responded: "Doing regular work, but... my mom is pregnant with a second child."

"What?"

This caught Zhao Haiqi and Li Xin by surprise, and they questioned persistently, to confirm Li Peifeng’s parents’ ages, finding out they were only four to five years younger than them. Upon hearing Li’s claim that his parents were in such fine health that several hospitals said smooth delivery was possible, they couldn’t help but marvel or envy Mr. and Mrs. Li’s healthy constitution.

"That’s great, if health permits, having another sibling will be beneficial for both you and your parents."

Once spoken, Li Xin felt a bit torn: "But considering this, does it mean your folks can’t visit the Capital any time soon?"

Li Peifeng said ’ah’: "My mom plans to take leave and rest at home in a week, because the doctor said the first three months of pregnancy are crucial, not suitable for stress, my dad also wants to be home to take care of her, they’ll certainly not visit me for the time being."

Li Xin’s implication wasn’t lost on Li Peifeng, it was nothing more than having the families sit together, get to know each other, and talk about matters concerning their children.

But how could Li Peifeng dare let the two families meet? Li Qiyuan and Yu Huizhi still have reservations against him, surely they wouldn’t be willing to help stage a show with their precious son to cope. If at that time the elderly parents, in a heated hurry and anger, regard the precious child as a wastrel, and spill all the beans on his misdeeds... Wow, brilliant!

Li Xin frowned: "I wanted to invite them for a meal together, but... Haiqi?"

Zhao Haiqi thought for a moment, and said: "Then we can go to Ningyuan, this matter should be expedited. Otherwise, once I take office on Monday, there won’t be much time..."

Upon saying this, he paused, looked towards Li Peifeng to seek his opinion: "Tomorrow is the weekend, how about tomorrow? We’ll be back by the evening."

Leader, my dear Principal, are you flipping mad? What’s with suddenly tomorrow? Why so abruptly, weren’t you even disagreeing with me and Zhao Duoduo’s relationship before? How come now you’re willing to humble yourself to visit?!

Li Peifeng’s thoughts were scattered and he laughed dryly: "Go to my home tomorrow? Isn’t it too sudden."