It was just past six in the morning, and the dormitory was already buzzing. Some students were washing up, others were chatting or heading to the basketball court. The room smelled faintly of soap, instant noodles, and the dampness of summer mornings.
The wine from this era really wasn't bad. Even the cheap kind, eight yuan a bottle, tasted decent. At least it wasn't fake. Zhang Hengtai didn't have a headache, only a dull sluggishness left behind.
Lying on his familiar bunk, he stared up at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting toward his upcoming internship.
The school had four available placements—two at the Municipal Party Committee and two at the Municipal Government. The first thing to confirm was his department. It had to be the municipal government, and his goal was clear: get close to Deputy Secretary-General Guo Mingyu. Next, he needed to make friends with the correspondents he remembered. As for the top leaders—he wasn't delusional. He was still just a student; knowing them and leaving a good impression would be enough.
In his past life, he had never understood how to build connections. He had been too proud, too wrapped up in his own ego. Opportunities had come and gone, yet he never learned how to seize them.....or create new ones. By the time he reached middle age, his youth was gone, and so were his chances.
It wasn't that he had no chances. He simply hadn't known how to grab them. Now, with forty years of life experience and a second chance, Zhang Hengtai refused to believe he couldn't make something of himself.
That thought jolted him awake. Energy surged through his body. He got up, washed quickly, and picked out a clean set of clothes. Sitting at the desk, he began filling out the internship application form carefully.
When he reached the line for "Application Department," he pressed his pen firmly onto the paper and wrote: Yingjiang Municipal Government Office.
His handwriting was clean and balanced, though still lacking refinement. It reminded him that he needed to practice more. In this era, computers weren't yet common, and most drafts were handwritten. Good penmanship could leave the right impression on the right people.
After double-checking every line, he picked up the form and walked straight to the Political and Educational Department.
The door to Director Xue's office was open. He knocked lightly and stepped in.
Director Xue looked up and smiled. "Ah, Zhang Hengtai. Come in. Let me take a look at your form."
Zhang handed it over respectfully.
"Hmm… not bad," Xue said as he skimmed through. "You've got quite a few honors here. I didn't realize you'd achieved so much."
Zhang chuckled lightly. "It's all thanks to your guidance, Director."
That line would never have come out of his mouth in his last life.
"Huh, what's gotten into you today?" Xue said with amusement. "You used to be so quiet. Now you're sweet-talking me? Looks like you're ready for the government office. Tell me, why there? The Party Committee's got more power, doesn't it?"
Zhang couldn't say the real reason, so he replied smoothly, "I've heard the Party Committee focuses more on theory, while the government's more hands-on. I'd like to gain some practical experience, even if my understanding's still shallow."
Xue tilted his head, curious. Because he'd known Zhang's father from their student days, he always paid extra attention to him. He could sense there was more behind those words. "So, Hengtai," he asked, "what are your plans after graduation?"
"I want to work in government," Zhang said plainly.
"Oh?" Xue raised an eyebrow. "We're a normal university. Most of our graduates become teachers. You want to enter politics? Sounds like you've got ambitions."
Yes, that was exactly what Zhang wanted. To gain power. To change his family's fate. To avenge his father. Whatever it took.
He smiled politely. "If I have the chance, I'd like to work in administration. Maybe there's room to grow there."
Xue nodded thoughtfully. "Well, it's not a bad dream. But remember, this internship is just that—an internship. Afterward, you'll likely return to your county and get a teaching post. If you want to switch careers, it's a long, complicated process. You need an accepting unit, an approval letter, and multiple signatures.....from the Education Bureau to the county magistrate. Without connections, it's tough. And even if you make it, getting past the deputy section level is where most people stall."
His tone softened as he spoke. The advice came from sincerity.
Zhang felt genuinely moved. In his last life, no one had ever given him guidance like this. "Thank you, Teacher Xue. I won't give up easily. Even if I end up a teacher, I'll still work hard. And if I ever don't understand something, I hope you won't mind me asking for advice often."
"Haha! You're my student, and your father was my classmate. Of course, I won't mind. Come to me anytime. As for the municipal government placement, don't worry. I'll hand it in this afternoon. You should hear back by Monday. It's just an internship....they'll respect the school's recommendation."
Maybe because graduation was near, Director Xue was more relaxed these days. His tone had softened; he even joked a bit. Zhang, now with decades of experience behind his smile, chatted with him easily.
Time slipped by. When he glanced at the clock, more than thirty minutes had passed—his longest one-on-one conversation ever with Director Xue.
Before leaving, Zhang asked casually, "Director Xue, I heard the school plans to set up an affiliated middle school soon, and some teachers might transfer there. Will you be going too?"
Xue didn't hesitate. "Most likely."
Zhang smiled faintly. "Then I suppose you'll be holding an important position there?"
Xue paused, gauging his tone. He was indeed aiming for the principal's position and didn't want rumors spreading. His face hardened slightly. "Don't pry too much. Focus on your internship. But if someday you find yourself working with the affiliated school for legitimate reasons, you can come see me. Just don't go around boasting or using my name. That kind of thing never ends well."
Zhang nodded quickly. "Understood, Director."
As he stepped out of the office, he could hardly hide his grin. He knew that in a few months, Old Xue would become the principal of the affiliated school. In his previous life, this man had played a key role in Zhang's political rise. He wasn't just a mentor .....he was Zhang Hengtai's first true benefactor.