Nominal: Starting with an entrance exam for a PhD in Economics at Peking University

"Old Zhong's son is ambitious, so his expectations for his son-in-law are probably just that he has a clean background, is honest, and obedient. Who knew this guy would be so...impatient and clueless?" Han Shen shook his head.

"Then our little Qi, won't he also..." Lin Jingyi was a little worried.

“It’s different.” Han Shen said with certainty, “Xiao Qi is truly capable. Besides, do you think it’s child’s play for each faction to find a ‘political successor’? They have to go through a lot of observation and testing. How can you do what I do, just push your own junior to make contact as soon as you think he’s suitable? It’s precisely because he has a clean background and obvious potential that it’s worth my initiative.”

Lin Jingyi thought for a moment: "But all he did was offer a good suggestion, didn't he?"

“That’s no ordinary proposal.” Han Shen’s expression turned serious. “The concept of that ‘Guidance Catalogue for Industrial Structure Adjustment’ is insightful and has a holistic perspective. It stands at the level of modernizing the economic governance of the entire industry and even the country. This shows that he has strategic vision. While this is an excellent point, some technical cadres who have worked in the ministry for many years can also do it.”

He changed the subject, lowering his voice: "The key is that he was able to keenly grasp the subtle competitive relationship between the State Economic Commission and the State Planning Commission, and skillfully turn this 'potential threat' into a lever to drive things forward. That makes all the difference. The former shows that he can become an excellent 'capable official'; while the latter shows that he has the potential to become a capable 'minister' who can stand alone."

Lin Jingyi nodded thoughtfully.

Han Shen continued, "With his current level of understanding and ability, as long as he is given a little guidance, enough trust and information support, he can already provide me with feedback that exceeds my expectations. Such a person is worth betting on."

"So you 'sold' your niece?" Lin Jingyi glanced at him sideways.

"How can you call this 'selling'?" Han Shen chuckled. "In the end, it all depends on how well they get along. We're just acting as a bridge, providing an opportunity. Who can force matters of the heart?"

---

Meanwhile, Qi Tongwei returned to his dormitory, took a shower, and habitually sat down at his desk, preparing to continue studying the materials. However, tonight, the policy documents and economic data that usually attracted him seemed to be viewed through frosted glass; the words were clearly in front of him, but his mind kept drifting away.

Images flashed through my mind: He Qing's smiling, crescent-shaped eyes; the worry that welled up with tears when she heard about his injury; her lighthearted tone when she spoke of the Forbidden City.

He suddenly woke up with a start, realizing that he had unconsciously raised the corners of his mouth towards the air.

He shook his head vigorously, trying to dispel the images. "No, Qi Tongwei, what did you come back to be? It's to reach greater heights, to realize your ambitions, to make some real contributions, and to avoid repeating the same mistakes! How can you let romantic feelings distract you?" he silently admonished himself.

But another mischievous thought popped into my head: "After joining the ministry, will I have the chance to visit the 'sea' someday? The Forbidden City is right next to the sea... What should I wear to the Forbidden City next weekend? Not too formal, or I'll look too restrained; not too casual, or I won't take it seriously... She looks really good in white..."

"hey-hey……"

In the quiet room, a clear "smack" suddenly rang out!

Qi Tongwei slapped himself hard.

have a bee in one's bonnet!

---

The next day, Qi Tongwei arrived at the office with a faint shadow of fatigue around his head.

Ruan Lingling noticed him immediately and came over to chat: "Xiao Qi, didn't you sleep well last night? Look at those dark circles under your eyes."

Qi Tongwei nodded without changing his expression and said, "Yes, Sister Ruan, I was reading last night, and the newly arrived tea was probably too invigorating, so I brewed it too strong. As a result, I was extremely energetic after going to bed and didn't fall asleep until the middle of the night."

Ruan Lingling smiled and shook her head, saying some platitudes about taking care of one's health.

Not long after, the personnel department called and asked Qi Tongwei to come in for a talk.

Watching Qi Tongwei's departing figure, Ruan Lingling lowered her head, secretly spitting out a curse, muttering to herself:

"Still reading and drinking strong tea? You're probably too excited to sleep!"

"That kid...he's really well-informed."

Chapter 54 The Gift

While the Personnel Department within a national ministry may not hold the same absolute power over the appointment and removal of cadres as local organization departments, it is undoubtedly one of the core departments, managing key aspects such as the assessment, allocation, and promotion of personnel within its system.

This was Qi Tongwei's first formal interaction with the Personnel Department since joining the company, aside from his initial onboarding.

The conversation took place in a simple office. Sitting opposite me was a deputy director of the personnel department, surnamed Wang, who was polite yet meticulous.

The conversation was uneventful, consisting mainly of routine procedural communication: confirming basic personal information, briefly outlining the job requirements, emphasizing organizational discipline and integrity, and soliciting personal opinions and thoughts.

Qi Tongwei's answer was also proper and respectful, expressing his gratitude for the organization's training and his determination to adapt to the new position as soon as possible and work hard.

The whole process took less than twenty minutes and the atmosphere was peaceful.

After leaving the Human Resources Department and returning to the Industry Division office, Ruan Lingling approached like a cat smelling fish, her face beaming with a smile: "Little Qi, oh no, Director Qi, shouldn't we treat everyone to a celebration?"

Qi Tongwei chuckled and mumbled, "Sister Ruan, don't joke with me. It's nothing yet."

"Keep pretending!" Ruan Lingling lowered her voice and rolled her eyes at him.

Sure enough, the next day, a notice of proposed appointments was posted on the internal bulletin board of the Economic Commission, and Qi Tongwei's name was prominently listed as the proposed deputy director of the Industry Division of the Industrial Policy Department.

Now Ruan Lingling had even more reason to speak, and she moved closer to Qi Tongwei's table again: "Director Qi, is it a done deal this time? You have to treat us! You absolutely have to treat us!"

Qi Tongwei pointed to the public notice document and said with a wry smile, "Sister Ruan, it's the public notice period, so it's best to keep a low profile. Let's talk about it after the public notice period ends, okay?"

Ruan Lingling persisted: "You've been with our department for almost four months now, haven't you? How have your colleagues treated you? Haven't they been quite supportive? Asking you to treat them is a thank-you dinner to express your gratitude for their care, not a promotion banquet. There's nothing taboo about it!"

Qi Tongwei was a little exasperated by her logic: "Sister Ruan, why are you always fixated on this meal of mine?"

Ruan Lingling gritted her teeth, lowered her voice, and glared at him half-jokingly: "Because you lied to me about my cookies!"

Qi Tongwei knew, of course, that this was just a pretext. The real reason was that the position of deputy director had been settled, and Ruan Lingling needed to vent her resentment and disappointment at losing the competition. Giving him a "beating" was both a joke and a way to maintain a delicate balance of emotions.

But hosting a lavish dinner right now would be too conspicuous, so he could only promise repeatedly, "Okay, okay, Sister Ruan, once the public notice period is over, I'll definitely treat all my colleagues in the department to a nice meal. You can choose the place, alright?"

After much persuasion, the woman, whose mind was in turmoil, was finally calmed down.

---

The weekend was a beautiful autumn day. Qi Tongwei arrived early at the ticket office outside the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City and bought two tickets.

Before long, He Qing appeared in the crowd. She had changed her outfit today. She wore a light apricot-colored knitted cardigan over a white cotton shirt, a dark blue knee-length skirt, white socks, and brown leather shoes. Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, and she carried a canvas bag that looked slightly larger than her usual handbag.

She exuded a youthful, scholarly air, yet was also more lively than last time.

She spotted Qi Tongwei waiting at the agreed location at a glance, a smile blooming on her face. She jogged over, slightly out of breath, and asked, "Senior Brother Qi, have you been waiting long?"

"No, I just arrived too." Qi Tongwei smiled as he watched her run closer, sunlight dancing on her hair.

He Qing stopped in front of Qi Tongwei, calmed her breathing, and suddenly winked mischievously: "Senior Brother Qi, this is our second formal meeting. Did you... prepare a gift for me?"

Qi Tongwei was taken aback by the question and shook his head somewhat embarrassedly: "This... really not." He was only thinking about meeting up and hadn't considered this possibility at all.

"I knew it!" He Qing said confidently, then pulled a neatly folded item from her canvas bag like a treasure. "But I prepared something! Look, ta-da—this is a scarf I knitted for you! The weather is getting colder, and this is my first time knitting one, so you can't complain about it!"

She unfolded the scarf in her hand; it was a calm gray, the yarn was soft, but the stitches were noticeably uneven, and the style was the simplest basic design, even a bit...old-fashioned.

However, the color and texture do match Qi Tongwei's aesthetic.

"Lower your head, I'll put it on you and let you try it on," He Qing said enthusiastically.

Qi Tongwei obediently lowered his head slightly.

He Qing tiptoed, wrapped the scarf around his neck, and carefully tied a knot, her movements gentle.

"Alright!" She stepped back, examining her "masterpiece," and nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad, not bad. I knew it would suit you perfectly. It has a bit of... um, the steady and reliable air of an old cadre!"

She then raised her little face and said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Remember to prepare a gift for me next time we meet!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to feel that the scarf was not straight enough, so she naturally leaned forward and reached out to help him straighten the wrinkles at the collar.

This action brought her very close, and Qi Tongwei could smell the faint fragrance in her hair.

He Qing seemed to suddenly realize that this action was a bit too intimate. When she looked up, she noticed that there seemed to be passersby staring at her, and two blushes immediately appeared on her cheeks.

She abruptly withdrew her hand, turned to face the entrance of the Forbidden City, and said with a hint of barely perceptible panic in her voice, "Come on, come on, I'll take you to visit the Forbidden City! I've done my homework!"

Qi Tongwei looked at her slightly red, adorable ear tips, raised his hand to touch the soft, warm scarf around her neck, a smile spreading across his eyes, and followed her.

In the late 1990s, the Forbidden City was not as crowded with tourists as it would later become, giving it a more solemn and spacious feel as a royal palace.

The autumn sun shines through the ancient cypress trees, casting dappled shadows. The vermilion palace walls and golden glazed tiles, under the azure sky, exude a profound sense of history.

He Qing was indeed a competent "guide," choosing to tell interesting anecdotes or folk tales. For example, when they arrived near the Kunning Palace, she recounted the rumor that a certain Ming Dynasty emperor was afraid of his wife, describing it vividly with lively expressions.

Because he had previously catered to Gao Yuliang's interests and had indeed studied the history of the Ming Dynasty seriously for a while, Qi Tongwei had also specially reviewed some palace architecture and historical anecdotes for this meeting. At this moment, he was able to join the conversation and supplement some relatively reliable background knowledge from the perspectives of official system, etiquette, or architectural regulations.

The two chatted happily, one after the other.

---

Evening, at the He family's house.

He Shihong walked around the living room and asked his wife with some surprise, "Wanyi, where's the scarf my daughter knitted for me? I saw her knitting it for almost two months, and it looked like it was almost finished yesterday?"

Lin Wanyi was engrossed in watching TV and didn't even turn her head: "Oh, that one, she took it out today and gave it to Xiao Qi."

He Shihong's face darkened visibly in an instant. His lips moved, but in the end, it turned into a resentful, silent sigh, as if an invisible resentment was gathering above his head.

Just then, the sound of a key turning in the lock rang out, and He Qing entered the house humming a tune.

She looked up and saw her father's dark face. Her smile faded slightly, and she secretly cast a questioning glance at her mother.

Lin Wanyi suppressed a laugh and raised her hand to make a scarf-like gesture around her neck.

He Qing's eyes darted around, and she immediately put on her sweetest smile. She moved closer to her father, took his arm, and gently shook it: "Dad~ are you looking for a scarf? Um... after I finished knitting it, I realized my skills were terrible! The stitches were all crooked and it didn't look good at all! How could I give such an ugly thing to my handsome dad? So I... I just let Senior Brother Qi 'try it on' first, since he didn't mind. Now I have experience, right away! Right away I'll knit you a better one, a warmer one! I guarantee it'll be ten times better looking than that one!"

Looking at his daughter's smiling face, He Shihong couldn't bring himself to be stern. He could only sigh helplessly and say earnestly, "You've only met twice, and you're already so...so proactive. I'm afraid that he won't cherish things that are too easily obtained."

He Qing put away her joking expression and looked at her father seriously: "Dad, whether a person cherishes his lover or not is not entirely related to the 'price' he paid to get that love. What's more important is his character and temperament. In terms of character, I believe in Senior Brother Qi, and I also believe that Uncle would not harm me."

"That's hard to say..." He Shihong muttered.

“I am the most precious treasure in the world,” He Qing said lightly but firmly. “I will show him my feelings clearly. If he likes me too, he will naturally respond with his own feelings. If he doesn’t like me, what does it matter? I still have my mom and dad who love me the most in the world!”

She paused, her eyes gleaming with confidence: "Only things of poor quality need elaborate packaging to conceal them; only feelings mixed with too much calculation need the art of playing hard to get to maintain. I like him, so I want to be good to him, it's that simple."

"Well... there's no need to rush. Feelings can be cultivated slowly." He Shihong was still somewhat unwilling.

“I feel…” He Qing frowned slightly, thinking for a moment, “It seems like Senior Brother Qi’s heart is closed off. I need to be more proactive and put in more effort to pry open the door a crack as quickly as possible. If I go slowly, I’m afraid the door will close again. Dad, don’t worry!” She suddenly smiled, with a hint of smugness.

"Don't forget, your daughter has a second degree in psychology!"

P.S.: I'm really bad at writing romance scenes, so this part will be rushed through to get back to the normal plot.

Chapter 55 Heart-to-Heart Talk (Part 2)

This relationship seems to have developed too quickly, but it wasn't without clues.

Heroes are naturally inclined to win women's admiration; if these heroes also bear tragic scars, they are even more likely to evoke women's innate pity and protective instincts; and if this "tragic hero" also possesses a handsome appearance and ample emotional value, then the attraction he exudes is almost fatal.

In this era, although materialism had quietly begun to emerge, it was far from becoming as rampant and disastrous as it would be in later generations.

However, He Qing's upbringing and education did not leave much room for "money worship".

Her liking for him began with curiosity and admiration for heroic legends, was captivated by his handsome appearance, and ended with the ease and pleasure she felt when they spent time together.