Sun Zhewen sat on the edge of the sofa, feeling a bit nervous, unsure whether this was a good thing or a bad thing. His palms were slightly sweaty, and his heart was racing, as if he were awaiting an unknown judgment.
Liu Rumei finally put down her pen and looked at Sun Zhewen. Her gaze was sharp and scrutinizing, as if she could see through him. She asked, "You've been with the Women's Federation for six years. Do you think you've done a good job in those six years?"
Sun Zhewen straightened his back, trying to appear confident. "I think it's been okay. I've completed the tasks assigned by the leaders, and I've also participated in other work outside of my primary duties." He was secretly chuckling to himself; he was just about to say he also made tea, delivered water, and unblocked the drains.
Liu Rumei frowned, her eyes becoming even sharper. "What specific work have you done?"
Sun Zhewen quickly gathered his thoughts and replied, "I mainly assist the mediators in investigating cases when women and children's rights are violated, gathering evidence, contacting lawyers, and participating in mediation work. Sometimes I also write reports."
After listening, Liu Rumei was silent for a moment, as if she were thinking about something. Then she suddenly asked, "Do you feel like you're underutilized?"
Sun Zhewen was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "No, I'm not. Whatever the leaders want me to do, I do."
Liu Rumei chuckled, her voice carrying a hint of sarcasm. "Oh, stop flattering me. I just arrived, I don't know anything yet. I do have some impression of you, after all, you came first in the written exam. I didn't expect that after six years, you're still just a clerk."
Sun Zhewen's heart sank, a sense of unease washing over him. He knew this new chairwoman would be difficult to deal with. He tentatively asked, "Chairwoman Liu, do you have any opinions on my work?"
Liu Rumei said coldly, "It's not so much an opinion, but rather a feeling that you're wasting your talent. You came in first on the written exam, which proves you have ability, but why haven't you made any progress in six years?"
A wave of bitterness welled up inside Sun Zhewen, and he didn't know how to answer. He knew that in this unit, ability alone wasn't enough; connections and luck were also needed. He said in a low voice, "Perhaps I still need to learn more."
"The County Government Office needs people recently. Do you want to go? But you'll need to participate in the selection process," Liu Rumei said straightforwardly.
Sun Zhewen's heart sank. He had long heard that this selection was practically predetermined, and that participating would just be a formality. He couldn't help but shake his head with a touch of helplessness, "Chairwoman, I don't really want to go."
Liu Rumei frowned slightly, thinking to herself: This guy has gone soft here. He has an opportunity and he doesn't want to leave. Does he really want to retire here? Her tone carried a hint of incomprehension and persuasion, "Why? Isn't this an opportunity?"
Sun Zhewen gave a wry smile, "Even if I participate in the selection, will I even be chosen?"
Liu Rumei was silent for a moment, as if contemplating something, then said in a firm tone, "You can still try! What if the County Government Office takes a liking to you? You could even get promoted to a deputy section chief."
Sun Zhewen, hearing this, couldn't help but feel a little shaken, but he quickly regained his composure. He knew his situation well. He shook his head and said, "No need. Good luck like that won't fall on me."
Liu Rumei, seeing his stubbornness, didn't say more and sighed, "Alright, I won't force you. I just think this is a chance for you to get out. You are indeed a bit underutilized here."
Sun Zhewen muttered to himself, Did I block someone's path again? But I'm just a low-level clerk now, I shouldn't be in anyone's way, right? He still politely said, "Thank you for your concern, Leader. I'll go back first."
He had just left the office when Fang Ping pulled him aside. Fang Ping was an old employee of the office and usually took care of Sun Zhewen. She asked with a curious look, "What did the Chairman call you for?"
"She just asked if I wanted to participate in the selection. I didn't agree," Sun Zhewen replied honestly.
Fang Ping's eyes widened when she heard this, "Are you stupid? Such a good opportunity to get out, why didn't you agree?"
Sun Zhewen gave a wry smile, feeling a little sour inside, "Director Fang, do you think these good things can fall on someone like me, who has no power, no money, and no influence?"
Fang Ping was stumped. After a moment of silence, she sighed, "It is a bit difficult, yeah. But Xiao Sun, it's fine if you don't go. You're still young. Just wait for another opportunity. See if you can get promoted to a Senior Clerk or Deputy Clerk this year."
Sun Zhewen gave a wry smile, his heart pricked like a needle. It was going to be an uphill battle.
Back in the office, he wasted another day. After work, he still called Chen Qingyan. The call connected, but she didn't say anything. "Qingyan, I sent Li Zhiyan a message, but she didn't reply. I'll talk to her again later, okay?"
"Zhewen, if she doesn't agree, are you just going to give up?"
"No, I think she'll agree."
"No, I don't think she will."
"Why? She cares a lot about appearances. Forget about you two just getting married, even if she has a baby next year, you still might not be able to get a divorce."
"Really?"
"You don't believe me? Then don't get a divorce. Goodbye."
"Qingyan, I believe, I believe, I want to see you."
"I won't see you. How soon you get divorced is how soon we meet."
Sun Zhewen was really scratching his head. One moment Liu Rumei said Li Zhiyan wouldn't agree, and the next she wouldn't see him. How was he supposed to handle this? This was also Sun Zhewen's first experience with a woman's temper. "Qingyan, let's meet."
No response… Chen Qingyan hung up the phone directly. Sigh, it seems he could only wear her down and divorce.
He ate a bowl of rice with toppings outside before returning to Li Zhiyan's home. Entering the house, Sun Zhewen saw that Li Zhiyan hadn't returned yet, so he sat on the sofa, ready to wait for her to come back and talk about this properly. By 11 p.m., she still hadn't returned, so he could only go back to his room first.
In a state between sleep and wakefulness, he suddenly heard the faint sound of the front door opening and closing. He quickly opened his eyes, his ears perked up like a vigilant hound.
"Baby, let's do it tonight, I'll be careful." A man's voice, low and urgent, mixed with a hint of pleading.
His heart skipped a beat, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind. He held his breath, listening carefully. The man's voice became even more urgent, "Please, baby, just a few minutes, okay?"
"Are you crazy? Someone's home right now, be careful!" A woman's voice, laced with a hint of reproach, immediately cut off the man's pleading.
"Let's go back to the room and talk," the man said.
Then, the sound of their footsteps faded away, disappearing at the end of the hallway. Sun Zhewen tossed and turned in bed. Listening to the creaking of the bed frame and suppressed cries from next door, mixed with the sound of what sounded like slapping, he felt as if an invisible hand was squeezing his heart, making it impossible for him to fall asleep.