National Tide 1980

Since Peng Yuan became Director Huo's secretary, he has never done anything as inexplicable for a leader as he did today.

You know, Director Huo's schedule is almost full every day, even New Year's Eve is no exception.

However, this afternoon, Director Huo neither attended the China-Serbia University Student Association nor met with the embassy staff who returned from the GDR to report on their duties.

Instead, I ran here in person and met a young man working in a foreign-funded enterprise alone in the car.

Isn't this too abnormal!

Especially considering Director Huo's special request for the way to meet, and the fact that the leader didn't say a word along the way.

Peng Yuan could feel that his boss attached extraordinary importance to this meeting with Ning Weimin.

But in the more than a year he had been following Director Huo, whether during work hours or in private, he had never heard a single word about this person from his boss.

This is why?

Since he didn't have much information about the whole matter, Peng Yuan could only speculate on the mystery from Director Huo's words asking him to summon Ning Weimin.

Well, since this young man knows Director Huo's daughter Huo Xin, is there any emotional involvement between the two?

It's not impossible for a handsome man and a beautiful woman to be of the same age.

But hasn’t Huo Xin already studied abroad? Why did Director Huo still meet him alone?

Could it be...then this kid has gone too far!

No wonder Huo Xin was so panicked when I mentioned him and the leader just now. He was not afraid that Director Huo would crush him into a scumbag.

Hey, giving birth to a daughter is the most troublesome thing. How will the leader deal with it?

Of course, no matter what, this kind of thing is always taboo for subordinates.

It's best to always pretend to be stupid and never show any abnormality in front of the leader...

It should be said that as a secretary, Peng Yuan has quite strong professional qualities.

The most competent thing about him is that he understands the word "measurement".

Therefore, even if he is furious in his heart, he will never behave like a melon-eater.

Even though he was sitting in Maxim's restaurant sipping coffee, he didn't discuss the boss's privacy with the driver, Xiao Li.

He just looked at Santana across the street through the large glass window on the second floor, always paying attention to the needs of the leader and quietly waiting for the leader's call.

Compared with him, the driver Xiao Li seemed to be incapable of holding back and was not taking advantage enough.

As soon as he sat down at the outrageously expensive Maxim restaurant, he kept talking and commenting on the decoration of this high-end restaurant.

He also took advantage of others' unpreparedness and secretly lifted the cloth covering some oil paintings to see the "secrets" hidden underneath.

And no matter what tea cakes the service staff brought them.

This guy actually took all the orders without any care and ate and drank with peace of mind.

However, as soon as the people in the restaurant saw that he had finished eating, they would continue to serve him up.

So this guy enjoyed it even more, and he didn't care about his image like a glutton.

He even tried to persuade Peng Yuan with his big mouth that was full of food and kept throwing out the dregs.

"Secretary Peng, why don't you eat? After sitting here for a long time, you just drank two cups of coffee. What's so good about the bitter soup? Come here, it's a French pastry. The pastry is full of cream and it tastes great. Well, it’s not comparable to the cream cakes in our store. Try this again, it’s real chocolate sauce, not the fake ones sold by Yili..."

(Note: In the early 1980s, in response to the surge in international chocolate raw materials, domestic Yili invented cocoa butter substitutes to satisfy the market. Also because the material supply was not abundant, in the past, almost all milk flower cakes in non-staple food stores were made of egg whites. , made from plant protein and sugar. It will harden after being stored for a long time. This is the peculiarity of the times, and it is a temporary expedient made out of desperation, not cutting corners.)

Peng Yuan couldn't help but be polite.

"You come here, you come here. I don't like sweets very much."

As a result, this person didn't understand the polite words at all, and instead laughed at his restraint.

"Hey, you're just too thin-faced and can't show off your face. Actually, what's the point? It's free if you don't eat, and it's free if you eat. I've been working in our restaurant for five years, and I've worked with Huo Si before Two leaders. We know what is going on here. Maybe it’s because I asked Huo Si for something to entertain us like this. Maybe there won’t be this store after passing this village, so why should we treat ourselves badly? To be honest, this is just a small thing. Yeah. Maybe I'll have to take some with me when we leave. If you don't believe it, just wait and see..."

Peng Yuan smiled and said he believed it, but his heart was full of pity.

No wonder you have changed so many leaders. I'm afraid you won't last long here at Huo Si.

But having said that, Peng Yuan didn't have much time to think about the bleak future of driver Xiao Li today.

Because across the road, the long conversation in the car became more and more strange, making people unable to figure it out.

He looked at his watch. It was already nearly an hour, but Director Huo hadn't finished talking to the young man yet.

You know, under normal circumstances, Director Huo would not spend such a long time even if he attended public events of various embassies and receptions held by the European Department.

Peng Yuan had never seen Director Huo chat with a young man for such a long time.

Is it so troublesome for Director Huo to deal with the matter of his female lover?

By the way, could it be that the young man named Ning also has some background?

Otherwise, he is so young and looks like a rich and wealthy man.

How can I work in such a multinational foreign-funded enterprise and even have my own independent office?

It seems that the position is not low, and Pierre Cardin Company probably also chose him because of his family background.

Well, maybe, if that's the case, maybe it makes sense. Director Huo will inevitably have some concerns.

No wonder he adjusted his state so quickly just now. This is not a skill that ordinary people can master. It is usually the children of powerful people who were trained by their parents...

Peng Yuan is indeed a smart person, but people who are too smart will always make mistakes.

For example, after all his blind speculation, Ning Weimin became a powerful son with a noble background, someone behind him, and who would probably marry the Huo family in the future.

This made him feel deeply envious and somewhat unbalanced.

You must know that he was able to work in the foreign affairs department only after passing several levels of political examination, foreign language, interview and defense, and psychological tests before he achieved his wish.

But that's it, I worked in logistics for three years and worked in foreign affairs for two years before I could enter the office and do executive work.

Now being able to become Director Huo's secretary and enjoy department-level treatment is all indispensable to luck, good luck, ability, education, and qualifications.

It's not easy for him to reach this point.

What about others?

He is destined to be a prince by birth.

Even if I struggle for another twenty years, I may not be able to see other people’s backs.

Fate is so unfair, how could he not be jealous!

But he couldn't show this jealousy on his face. This is the tragedy of a little person.

But then again, this also led to him having a new understanding of Ning Weimin.

He couldn't help but re-evaluate Ning Weimin's energy in his heart.

You cannot seriously think about the various impacts this person may have on your own personal interests.

Just like that, slowly, another hour passed.

It was nearly five o'clock in the afternoon, not to mention that the driver, Xiao Li, could no longer eat or drink.

The boy was feeling sleepy in his chair and just wanted to take a nap.

Even Peng Yuan lost interest in freshly ground coffee and his mouth felt sour.

Fortunately, finally, the rear door of the Santana across the road opened.

Through the large glass window on the second floor, Peng Yuan watched Ning Weimin wave to Maxim's doorman and said a few words.

Soon, the guard turned around and ran back.

After a while, he came to the second floor to deliver the news and told Peng Yuan that they could go back.

So Peng Yuan and Xiao Li did not dare to delay any longer, and hurriedly left the store with the respectful gifts from Maxim's service staff.

Unexpectedly, Director Huo at this time. The attitude toward Ning Weimin was completely different from the beginning. It had completely changed.

The stern smile and cold demeanor have long since disappeared, replaced by a warmth and kindness as bright as the sun.

Even before parting, Director Huo took the trouble to remind Ning Weimin.

"...The social environment in developed countries is very complicated. Before you go out, it is best to learn more about the relevant conditions. Especially the relevant regulations for foreigners engaged in business operations in Japan. If you really do not have the channels to understand these conditions, come to me. , I will try my best to help you think of a solution..."

"On how to eliminate the negative influence of foreign culture and how to attract talents who have studied abroad to return to work in China, your ideas are somewhat interesting and inspiring to me. But it is a serious matter, so I will think about it again and hold meetings to discuss it. Maybe I'll have to talk to you again after some time..."

"As for giving gifts, don't be impatient. Send a batch of samples after the festival. Choose a few varieties that you are most optimistic about. The price should not be too high, and the quality should be better. I will let you know and fight for it for you. This kind of thing involves a wide range of things and the procedures are complicated, so it will take time to settle it down..."

"Okay, that's it. One last thing to advise you, after all, we are socialism, not capitalism. It is easy to hit the ceiling when you engage in business. If you change your mind and are willing to go to a social center, you can call me at any time. …”

After all these words were said, Director Huo did not forget to instruct his secretary,

"Peng Yuan, write down the phone number of my office and your contact information and give it to him."

Think about the profound meaning contained in these words, and then look at Director Huo's attitude towards Ning Weimin as he treats his nephew.

Peng Yuan was so envious that he almost couldn't help it, and he became more and more sure of his judgment.

For this reason, his attitude naturally changed.

Not only did he follow the leader's instructions, he also wrote down what should be written and gave it to Ning Weimin.

He also politely asked Ning Weimin for his contact information.

As for the business card Ning Weimin gave him, he put it into his arms very carefully and put it away.

The most amazing thing is that before leaving, driver Xiao Li's prediction came true, and they really didn't go back empty-handed this time.

Maxim's doorman unexpectedly delivered three more pieces of bread in paper bags and a large Black Forest cake in a box.

Obviously, this is also Ning Weimin's arrangement. Everyone has a share of the bread, and the cake is exclusive to Director Huo.

Ordinarily, there is nothing strange about it.

But Peng Yuan knew that Director Huo rarely accepted such personal gifts.

But this time, he didn't even refuse. He just nodded and allowed Ning Weimin to have these things put into the trunk.

Naturally, Peng Yuan couldn't help but think of Pian Pian again, and regarded this move as Director Huo's special favor for Ning Weimin.

In short, Peng Yuan, who had returned to the passenger seat, had decided to try his best to build a good relationship with Ning Weimin from now on.

After all, they can help each other in many ways.

Although considering that the children of powerful people are generally arrogant, if I rush to show my favor in such a hurry, I will inevitably suffer a disadvantage and be looked down upon, and I cannot demand absolute equality.

But if he doesn't even have this bit of city power and magnanimity, then how can he continue to move up? It's not him Peng Yuan.

I have to say that a slight difference can make a huge difference. Sometimes things in this world are indeed very strange.

Just like many misunderstandings that can be explained clearly in one sentence, they end up getting deeper and deeper due to various erroneous factors.

Mu Yong doubted that Peng Yuan's interpretation was completely wrong, and Director Huo's good impression of Ning Weimin was entirely due to another reason.

In fact, I was sitting in a speeding car, looking out the window at the winter street scene in Beijing.

Director Huo's mood was far less joyful than what he showed just now.

I'm afraid I have to say that I feel a little depressed and disappointed.

Because he didn't really understand it until he saw this with his own eyes today.

Why did Director Duan, who was responsible for investigating Ning Weimin for him, put in a good word for this kid and persuade him to stop deliberately targeting this young man?

You don’t know if you don’t talk about it, but you will be shocked when you talk about it.

This guy actually provided a lot of alternative suggestions for his work.

Such an eloquent person, such a unique talent, is simply a genius.

No wonder it can do so many incredible things.

Needless to say, it would be extremely useful to have someone under his command.

But it's a pity that everyone has his own ambitions, and this boy was actually unmoved by his solicitation.

Unfortunately, he couldn't say that this kid was worthless, nor could he force him to intervene.

Because what that boy wants to do is not only very noble and beneficial to the country, but it is also too special and important.

If it were another person to take over his affairs, let alone do it, he might not even be able to figure out why he did it.

Now Director Huo really feels a little sorry for his daughter, having passed by such an outstanding person.

The only thing that made him happy was that he was sure that Ning Weimin's future achievements would be greater than he originally expected.

As long as this kid doesn't forget today's promise, it will be a very useful boost to Huo Xin's future.

But this point can be said to be the least successful part today.

To put it bluntly, this commitment, which is maintained entirely by verbal agreement, requires a sense of guilt and gratitude to maintain the memory.

But today, the kindness he showed to Ning Weimin was essentially rejected.

So how can we ensure that people can still fulfill their contracts after decades?

He must find another way to show mercy.

And it must be of enough weight that Ning Weimin cannot refuse and never forget it.

Suddenly, something moved in his heart, as if he remembered something.

He couldn't help but open his briefcase, took out the investigation materials that Director Duan had given him in batches, and rummaged through them.

Gradually, his brows relaxed, and even a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Immediately afterwards, he gently patted the back seat of the co-pilot, and while comparing the information in his hand, he gave instructions to Peng Yuan.

"There is something extra that you should take some time to do after the New Year. DC District, Wei Jia Hutong...well, there is an 'Ancient and Modern Cultural Association'. There seems to be a theater building where their office is. Go check them out. , see where it belongs and tell me the result as soon as possible."

Although this order seemed a bit abrupt, Director Huo was quite satisfied.

Peng Yuan didn't say anything nonsense. He turned around and just smiled, then decisively took out his notebook and started writing.

"Yes, I noted it down."