King of Technology: A Fresh Start in 1983

While calling for a waiter to refill his tea, Lao Yang said to Zhan Yiling, "I hope you can understand that this is purely a coincidence."

"Both the progress of the project and the progress of my feelings for you have reached a crucial point at the same time."

Zhan Yiling continued, "Then could we put aside matters of the heart for now and talk about them after the project is finished?"

Why?

"Because I don't want to link the two things together. I feel it's a desecration of our relationship, don't you think?"

Old Yang immediately laughed: "Zhan Yiling, I don't think you could possibly not understand, right?"

"If it weren't for my feelings for you in the first place, why would I have gone to so much trouble to help you get this project?"

"I've already tied my feelings for you to this project."

Zhan Yiling sighed, "Old Yang, thank you for your kindness, but I really didn't expect things to turn out this way, and I'm very sorry."

"But I don't want to deceive you, I don't want you to feel like I'm using you, I have to make things clear to you."

"First of all, the relationship between my boyfriend and me is something that no one can break up."

"No matter what happens, I will never break up with my boyfriend."

"I'd give up anything for him!"

"I did that five years ago! I gave up my acceptance letter from a prestigious university in the UK for him. I will do it now and in the future!"

"I admit that as an IBM sales representative, I really wanted to get the contract from Jiangji Group."

"But I would never give up anything for a contract or for money!"

This price is too high; I, Zhan Yiling, cannot afford it.

"Can't afford it? Price? What do you mean?"

Old Yang looked at Zhan Yiling suspiciously. "Are you worried that even if you become my girlfriend, I might not be able to help you secure the contract?"

"In that case, I feel it's necessary for me to explain some things to you."

"I just said something that I didn't mean that someone's success was guaranteed. That was just a humble statement."

"In fact, if I want someone to succeed, they will definitely succeed."

"Let me put it this way! Originally, when I returned to the ministry after my secondment next year, I was sure I would become the head of a core department."

"When I returned this time, the relevant leaders spoke with me..."

"The position of section chief has already been filled by someone else. The ministry can only offer me a position as a research fellow at the level of a full section chief."

"You should know that being a researcher is just a position with rank and benefits, but no real power. What happens next depends on opportunities."

"I'm afraid I'll have to wait a while longer until the position of section chief becomes available before I can get it."

"Otherwise, the chances of being promoted to deputy director in the future will be very low; at most, he'll retire as a deputy inspector."

"When I heard that, I immediately got emotional, but the leader said there was nothing that could be done, otherwise they wouldn't have made this arrangement."

"My boss asked me what my requirements were. He wanted me to choose a popular department or travel abroad."

"I told my supervisor I had no other requests!"

"Because I recommended the Jiangji project to the ministry, I want to be responsible for it to the end."

"I hope that the final selection and approval of the project can be decided by me."

"The leader agreed without saying a word. He couldn't be happier; he didn't have to lift a finger and he easily got me sorted out."

"Zhan Yiling, do you understand what this means?"

"I'm doing this for you, sacrificing my personal career to gain decision-making power over this project."

"Tell me, how high is the price I've paid for this? Do you think I can afford to pay it so easily?"

Hearing what Lao Yang said, Zhan Yiling was speechless!

After a long silence, she shook her head and said, "You're trading your future for decision-making power over this project..."

"Now they're trying to use their decision-making power over the project to win my affections..."

"Such feelings will only go astray, just like this project now, which has already gone astray."

"Old Yang, I, Zhan Yiling, cannot accept this kind of relationship, and I don't want this project either!"

Old Yang looked surprised: "Zhan Yiling, what do you mean?"

Zhan Yiling calmly stated, "I've already made it very clear, I cannot accept this project!"

"I've arranged everything for you, and now you're telling me you don't want this project anymore?"

Old Yang continued, "Do you think that even if you reject me, and I have no other choice, I'll still give you the contract?"

"No, Lao Yang, you've misunderstood! You don't understand me at all, let alone my relationship with my boyfriend."

"To be honest, my boyfriend graduated from university five years ago and still doesn't have a job..."

Even so, I would not trade anything for my feelings for him.

Zhan Yiling stood up and began packing her things. "I'll go back now and tell the boss to transfer this project to someone else."

Whether the contract is ultimately signed or not has nothing to do with my reputation or fortune.

"At the same time, I can assure you that even if you award the contract to IBM, I will not receive a single penny from it."

"Even if the company offered me money, I would absolutely not take a single penny."

"What are you doing? Don't go!" Old Yang immediately grabbed Zhan Yiling's hand.

Zhan Yiling pulled her hand away: "Old Yang, I don't want to owe you a favor. I can't accept it, and I can't repay it!"

"Even if it weren't for my boyfriend, even if it were just out of my pride, I wouldn't accept your condescending charity."

"I will not accept your attempt to tempt or blackmail me with a contract."

"No! Why do you think that? This is clearly out of my sincere feelings for you..."

Old Yang asked repeatedly, his face contorted in pain, "Why do you think of me in such a terrible way? Why do you imagine this matter to be so filthy?"

"I have to think this way, I absolutely must think this way!"

Zhan Yiling's eyes reddened, and she covered her mouth, afraid that she would cry.

Forcing herself to speak, she added, "Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll waver, but please don't misunderstand, it's definitely not for feelings, it's for this project..."

Old Yang sighed, "I never expected things to suddenly turn out this way..."

"How about we both calm down first, okay?"

Zhan Yiling said, "Okay! I'll go now."

"No way! Didn't we agree that you'd treat me to dinner? Are you going to go back on your word?"

Old Yang was clearly using a different tone, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

Zhan Yiling gave a wry smile: "Do you think you can even eat this dinner now?"

"Thank you for the tea, and thank you again for the roast chicken and Yanghe beer last time."

"I'm sorry, I really can't keep my promise."

"Until I can no longer face you the way I used to, let's not see each other again."