A whirlwind marriage with a high-ranking official: Lights out, don't force me to take the initi

After a brief introduction and pleasantries, Lu Weidong was about to turn and leave when Li Yuejin and the others called him back.

"Let's eat together, Chief of Staff Lu," Li Yuejin said with a smile and a wave.

"It's so cold, how could I let you go on an empty stomach?"

Li Yuejin showed Lu Weidong great respect.

Even though he was much older, he still addressed him with the respectful "you" due to his status and military uniform.

Ye Wenxi also spoke up: "Let's eat together."

Lu Weidong glanced at her; there was a hint of a smile in her eyes.

"Alright, then I'll gladly accept your offer."

He put down what he was holding and sat down next to Ye Wenxi.

He was also curious as to why these people had come, including some from the art academy.

But this is Ye Wenxi's business. If she wants him to stay, he will stay; if she hadn't spoken up, he would have left.

He has to respect her wishes.

Lu Weidong showed the utmost hospitality.

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the food in the cafeteria is much better than usual.

He ordered almost every kind of meat dish and dumpling with various fillings from the cafeteria, filling more than a dozen lunchboxes with both food and vegetables.

The long conference table was almost completely covered.

"Everyone, eat first, we can talk business after we finish eating," Ye Wenxi said warmly.

Everyone took a few bites with their chopsticks to fill their stomachs.

Li Yuejin put down his chopsticks, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then got straight to the point.

"Comrade Xiao Ye, the reason we're here today is actually to make a difficult request."

Ye Wenxi was already prepared, but he remained outwardly calm.

"Director Li, please speak."

Li Yuejin put down his teacup and straightened his posture.

"The three of us have come here today to ask you to come out of retirement."

"Coming out of seclusion?" Ye Wenxi smiled.

"What you're saying? I'm just a clothes maker."

"Haha, Comrade Ye, you're too modest. You're more than just a clothes maker."

Deputy Director Chen took over the conversation, took out a stack of things from his briefcase, and spread them on the table.

These are sales figures for the new packaging products from the food factory.

The above records six food packaging designs that Ye Wenxi participated in designing.

Over the course of this month, average sales have increased several times over.

Ye Wenxi knew about this, but she remained calm about it, simply looking up at Li Yuejin and waiting for him to continue.

"Comrade Ye, we have something we'd like to discuss with you."

Li Yuejin cut to the chase and presented his conclusion first.

"Regarding the last time we invited you to be a 'design consultant'."

"Ever since you told us you planned to take the college entrance exam to pursue further education... we've been wondering how we could help you, Comrade Ye?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Wenxi and Lu Weidong's eyes lit up.

Li Yuejin keenly observed this scene, and without beating around the bush, he quickly continued:

"We have communicated with Dean Wang repeatedly."

"Our provincial art academy has specially approved a study spot for our municipal light industry bureau."

"Comrade Ye, would you like to consider it? We can give you this spot."

"As long as I can take on this 'design consultant' role before graduation, that's fine."

Li Yuejin quickly added, "Don't worry, it'll be as we agreed before: no fixed office hours, no performance evaluations. Just offer your suggestions whenever it's convenient."

Ye Wenxi remained unmoved after saying this.

Because the advanced studies at this time and the university you get into through the college entrance examination are completely different things.

She knew very well that her further education in 1979 was recommended by her work unit and approved by the school, allowing her to attend classes and learn skills at the university.

The final certificate issued is a certificate of completion for further study, which only counts as learning experience and does not count as academic qualification.

Those who enter through the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) are regular full-time university students, and upon graduation receive a university diploma, which is a formal academic qualification recognized by the state.

The class hours are different, the status is different, the graduation certificate is different, and even what will be recorded in the future file is completely different.

What she wanted was to actually go to university, get a degree, and change her immigration status, not just learn a trade for a short time.

Further education simply cannot meet her real needs.

But look at Li Yuejin's expression...

There was a hint of a smile and an unwavering confidence in his eyes.

Ye Wenxi simply opened his mouth:

"Director Li, is there anything special about this training opportunity?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuejin, Wang Mingyuan, and Liu Jianguo all laughed.

Their laughter was indeed significant, successfully attracting Ye Wenxi's attention.

This shows that they put their efforts in the right direction.

They laughed at Ye Wenxi for his keen observation of what was unusual about this place.

The fact that they mobilized so many people and came without prior notice shows that they have absolute confidence in this plan and proposal.

"have!"

Li Yuejin raised his eyebrows and eyes excitedly.

He looked at Wang Mingyuan: "Dean Wang, what do you say?"

Wang Mingyuan chuckled and took over the conversation.

"Comrade Ye Wenxi, this 'advanced training'... it's more accurate to call it 'advanced training'..."

He paused, his gaze behind his glasses steady and bright.

"It's more accurate to say that it's using the guise of continuing education to actually conduct full-time studies."

"The only one who is specially approved is that you can study full-time courses as an advanced degree, with flexible class schedules. As long as you pass the exams, you will receive a formal diploma upon graduation."

These words hit Ye Wenxi's head, and her eyes widened in surprise.

But even more shocking than her was Lu Weidong!

You can get a degree without studying full-time.

This means she doesn't need to separate from him anymore.

For the first time, Lu Weidong couldn't hide his gaze from outsiders.

He subconsciously turned to Ye Wenxi, looking at her profile. His eyes held a mixture of relief, burning desire, and a hint of expectation that he himself was unaware of.

Ye Wenxi had recovered from her initial shock and hadn't yet noticed Lu Weidong's expression.

"Dean Wang, are you telling the truth?" Ye Wenxi asked, somewhat incredulous.

"Hahahaha..." The three laughed even harder.

"Here, I need to correct what Lao Li said."

Wang Mingyuan pointed at Li Yuejin with one finger.

"Our special approval is not, as he said, 'for the Light Industry Bureau'."

"To be precise, it's only for Comrade Ye Wenxi, who is on temporary assignment at the Light Industry Bureau."

"Hahahaha... Yes, yes, yes, it was a flaw in my statement." Li Yuejin wasn't angry and waved his hand with a smile.

Ye Wenxi was unaware of this.

Li Yuejin's primary purpose in establishing contact with the Academy of Fine Arts in the previous two months was to find someone who could replace Wenxi in commercial design, so that they could at least continue to move forward and not stop there.

This opportunity allowed the faculty and students of the Academy of Fine Arts to learn about Ye Wenxi's skill level.

Her bold and unconventional designs, her keen market insight, and her precise grasp of commercial logic...

Irreplaceable.

"Dean Wang, you know me too?" Ye Wenxi was direct, without beating around the bush.

Wang Mingyuan didn't stand on ceremony: "That's right!"

"To be precise, we've been learning from you for a long time."

Ye Wenxi suddenly realized.

Food factories want to double their sales, art academies want to bring practical experience into the classroom, and the Light Industry Bureau wants to reform its model...

When the three groups met, the focus and the point of discussion were all on her.

It's amazing that they were able to unite and come up with this plan.

"How about it, Comrade Ye? Would you like to consider it?" Liu Jianguo interjected.

Ye Wenxi snapped out of her thoughts and finally noticed Lu Weidong's gaze.

She turned her head and met his eyes.

In that instant, she understood everything.

His relief, his burning passion, his expectations.

And that little bit of caution...

He was afraid she would leave, but he didn't dare to ask her to stay.

They were afraid she would fly too high, but dared not reach out to stop her.

He feared that his own selfish desires would become a hindrance to her.

There were so many unspoken words hidden in those eyes: I'm willing to let go for you, but... do you know how reluctant I am to let go?

Ye Wenxi's heart skipped a beat.