Chapter 371

Tong Xuelu sighed and said, “Oh, I see. Here I was quite confident that I could win if I join this competition. That way my restaurant would be able to level up. I guess I was being too naïve.”

Minister Lin’s curved sarcastically. She sure was naïve.She really thought that just because she was good at cooking, she would be able to enter into a culinary competition?Tong Xuelu sighed again, “I guess I hadn’t thought it all through. Even if I could win, the restaurant would still need to be remodeled and our headcount will go from 2 to 4. And our payroll will also go up as well.”The sarcastic look froze on Minister Lin. All of a sudden, all of his attention was shifted to the extra headcount.His wife had been very naggy lately as was relatives from his side of his family. They would ask him from time to time to help place them.Just how was he supposed to do that?The number of positions at the Commerce Department was set, unless someone was fired. Even so, he might not necessarily had the authority to place someone.Every single position at a government establishment were eyed by many. There was no shortage of people waiting to take the role.He was but a minister of the Commerce Department. He did not outrank all those above him.Nevertheless, if the restaurant under him was being upgraded and its headcount went up, he would be able to make certain arrangements.Tong Xuelu stood up and said, “Just forget what I have said, Minister Lin.”Having said that, she reached out to take away the proposal from Minister Lin.Low and behind, Minister Lin gripped onto her proposal and wouldn’t let go.Tong Xuelu made a baffled look. “What’s the matter, Minister Lin?”Minister Lin looked slightly awkward. He cleared his throat, “I thought about it some more and what you have suggested isn’t entirely impossible. Why don’t you leave your proposal with me for the time being?”Tong Xuelu pretended that she didn’t notice Minister Lin’s unease and said in a delighted tone, “Do you mean it, Minister Lin? If Minister Lin likes the idea, I am sure we can make it happen!”Minister Lin’s lips curved upward a little. “I think so. Let me get back to you later.”Truth was, he was 90% there but, as he had just denied her, he felt awkward to change his tune right away.Tong Xuelu said appreciatively. “Thank you, Minister Lin. I’ll wait for your good news then.”Walking out of the office, Secretary Zhuo paid Tong Xuelu back the fabric tickets that she had borrowed from Tong Xuelu. “Thank you so much for helping me picked out the outfit last time. Everybody said I looked totally different from before!”Tong Xuelu smiled and accepted the fabric tickets. She then handed over to Secretary Zhuo a small bag of beef meatballs.Secretary Zhuo was smiling from ear to ear.Tong Xuelu’s lips also curved as she watched Secretary Zhuo smiled.The best relationship in a business relationship is a symbiotic one.If you want benefits from someone, you must first offered up some benefits for them to take.That way they would want to help you out willingly.Minister Lin did not give her a definitive answer earlier, but she felt 99% confident that it would happen.Entering into the competition. √***It took Wen Rugui a few extra days after his return from the experimental base to his research center to finish up everything that he needed to.After they had completed their assignment, Dean Zhuang gave them three days’ time off.Wen Rugui walked so fast that he could stir up a breeze when he received his time off notice.He packed up right away to head over to Capital City.The thought of being able to see Tong Xuelu shortly softened even his look.It had been 29 days and 10 hours since he had last seen her.He wished he could see her right this moment.Seeing that Wen Rugui was about to take off, Zhou Yan quickly helped onto him, “Rugui, it’s my birthday tomorrow. You hadn’t forgotten about that, had you?”Wen Rugui was taken aback a little and nodded apologetically. “I’m sorry. I did forget. Happy birthday.”Having said that, he wanted to pull his hand back and take off.Zhou Yan gritted his teeth. “I can’t take any time off, so I will have to stay at the base for my birthday. But I had it all planned out already. You, me, and Qimin will head over to the government-operated restaurant tomorrow and have ourselves a big meal!”“I am heading back to see my girlfriend.” Wen Rugui shook his head and then added. “But I will bring a gift back to you.”Meaning, I don’t care if you are taking me out to a big meal. My girlfriend is more important than a meal at the government-operated restaurant.“……”Zhou Yan watched as Wen Rugui walked away. He felt that his gum was sore.Low and behold, Zhou Yan saw Huang Qimin holding a big travel bag when he turned around.Zhou Yan was stunned. “Huang Qimin, don’t tell me that you are leaving too.”Huang Qimin nodded apologetically. “I need to go see my girlfriend as well. I will make it up to you after my return.”Time off didn’t come by easy. Of course he needed to go visit his girlfriend.All he could say was that he was sorry about Zhou Yan’s birthday.One might take a knife for one’s buddy, but one can stab one’s buddy for their girlfriend.Zhou Yan’s face was dark like the bottom of a pan instantly. “…………”Those two ungrateful jerks!Wuwuwu, he wished he could visit his girlfriend too.