Who wants to take the civil service exam after being reborn?

Chapter 563 Actually, Song Shiwei and I have never been separated.
September 14th is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunions.

Unfortunately, many people are unable to go back to enjoy the moon with their families due to work, health, accidents, and other reasons.

Chen was passive; he actually didn't really want to work.

Deng Zhi was proactive; she would be forced to go on blind dates if she went back to her hometown, so she preferred to stay and work overtime to have some peace and quiet.

In the morning, Deng Zhi arrived at the newspaper office as usual.

Aside from the colleagues on duty, there were only a few people coming and going, making the whole floor feel less crowded.

"Editor Deng, you're here so early even on holiday."

Occasionally, colleagues would greet her. Deng Zhi was the youngest column editor in the entire newspaper, which would be equivalent to a "deputy director" in the local administrative system.

"There weren't many cars on the road today, so it wasn't very congested."

Deng Zhi sipped her milk while casually flipping through today's morning paper.

Through the gaps in her drooping hair, her earlobes were round and smooth like polished pearls, but the familiar blue earrings were nowhere to be seen.

It seems that after realizing she had lost one, she simply stopped wearing it altogether.

But after watching for a while, Deng Zhi noticed something was wrong.

The layout was finalized yesterday, but it seems the content has been adjusted after it was released today.

"I remember this report about compassion in healthcare was originally on page B2, how did it get moved to page B3?"

Deng Zhi's hands moved faster and faster as she turned the pages, becoming increasingly certain that the layout had been altered.

Normally, the printing time for the morning newspaper is around 2 a.m., and it is completed before 5 a.m. The earliest batch arrives at the newsstand around 6 a.m.

Therefore, most of the time, once the content is finalized, it will not be changed. If there are any adjustments, it is usually due to major news or political interference.

Suddenly, Deng Zhi froze.

She saw a statement in a prominent position on page B1, and after reading it word by word, she was carefully digesting its contents.

A series of hurried footsteps came from outside the corridor. Lin Yunqi, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper, who should have been on holiday at home, also returned to his office.

He was carrying a briefcase, looking hurried and serious. When he looked up and saw Deng Zhi in her seat, his expression softened slightly.

"Xiao Deng, thank goodness you're here."

Lin Yun got up and, without saying much, immediately instructed, "I just received news that Secretary Zhu is going to visit an electronics factory this morning. You will lead the team, and I will be responsible for reviewing the photos in the manuscripts."

It's perfectly normal for leaders to extend holiday greetings to ordinary workers; as media reporters, we're used to it and can easily whip up a press release.

On the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Secretary Zhu visited local enterprises to carry out the "Caring for Frontline Workers and Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival Together" activity. Through visiting the production line, holding a symposium with employees, and distributing gifts, he extended holiday greetings to the workers who were sticking to their posts and delivered the care of the Party Committee and the government to their hearts.

However, Secretary Zhu is the top leader of the municipal party committee. Which giant company in Guangzhou is he going to personally visit?

“Tracing back to the electronics manufacturing plant.”

Lin Yunqi looked at Deng Zhi and said with deep emotion, "It's that familiar Su Hui. President Chen is stirring up trouble again. Even Secretary Zhu is going to support his little factory."

Secretary Zhu is a deputy provincial-level leader; someone of his rank wouldn't randomly choose a company to extend holiday greetings to.

There are only two types.

One type is the major taxpayers who make huge contributions to local finances.

Another type is of extraordinary significance; the purpose is not merely to offer condolences, but to send a special signal to the world.

For example, there is strong support from the government.

……

The "visit" was no different from usual; the procedures were the same, and the person in charge of receiving them was a man named Wang Youqing.

He looked like a burly man who didn't seem like an engineer working in the high-tech industry, but he was very good at greeting and seeing off people, always a step or two behind Secretary Zhu.

As Deng Zhi walked through the factory area, she gradually realized that the Suihui Electronics Manufacturing Plant was no longer a "small, run-down factory".

The area has expanded three or four times over the original Baohua Electronics Factory, and several metal factory buildings with a high-tech appearance have sprung up overnight.

Several other office buildings, which are not very tall but have glass curtain walls, are under construction.

The factory area has a flat ground, crisscrossing roads, an artificial lake being slowly excavated, and workers transplanting trees and soil, giving it a strange feeling of a renovated "Baiyun District People's Park".

Although Deng Zhi found it strange, shouldn't electronics factories focus more on technical research on production lines? Why spend so much money on these things?

But it's really photogenic!
Every shot is a masterpiece, giving the impression that a world-leading electronics manufacturer, having completed its technological accumulation, is now pursuing a sophisticated and high-class aesthetic with a touch of humanistic charm.

In short, the leaders were very satisfied, because although they didn't understand the technology, they praised the factory layout.

After the morning interviews ended, Deng Zhi returned to her office and finally had time to call Chen Zhe. Through her "younger brother's" wry smile and explanation, she finally understood the whole story.

"I never imagined it would be so complicated. The business world is dangerous at every turn."

Deng Zhi comforted her, "However, things are developing in a positive direction now. As far as I know, many newspapers have published your statement, and Secretary Zhu personally visited Suhui Electronics Factory this morning."

"I know all this."

Chen said on the phone, "But I can't go back now. I heard that Psion is furious. To prevent them from taking drastic measures, I have to stay in Hong Kong."

"Do your parents know you're in Hong Kong for the Mid-Autumn Festival?"

Deng Zhi asked.

“I have already told them.”

Chen smiled and said, "My dad didn't think anything of it, but my mom was a little sad. She said it was the first time the house had been so quiet during the Mid-Autumn Festival. She didn't even know who would eat the fried lotus root sandwiches. She was a little happier when she heard that my girlfriend was coming over."

"Is your girlfriend coming over?"

Deng Zhi had originally planned to give the lotus seed paste mooncakes and tea that her workplace had given her to Uncle Chen and Aunt Mao, and also to sit with them for a while.

Deng Zhi was simply acting as a junior, since she had been raised by Old Chen and his wife. Since she hadn't gone back to her hometown, she decided to bring some things to visit them.

However, since the other person's girlfriend was going to come over, he didn't presume to do so, so he said a few words and hung up the phone. At that moment, in apartment 302 of the Donghu North Courtyard residential complex, Mao Xiaoqin was making lotus root sandwiches in the kitchen, a dish that Chen Zhe loved to eat in high school.

Lotus root slices stuffed with minced meat, coated in flour, and then deep-fried in oil, result in crispy and delicious lotus root sandwiches.

The television was on in the living room, but no one was watching it. Chen Peisong was being directed to clean. Sunlight slanted across the floor tiles, and the leaves of the pothos on the windowsill swayed in the breeze.

It's as if life has stopped, taking its time, and turning each day into a subtle yet flavorful poem.

"Old Chen, you should also wipe under that coffee table."

Wearing an apron, Empress Dowager Mao hummed "Today is a good day" as she said, "When Yu Xian comes over later, don't let him think the house is all dirty."

"It's not like we haven't been here before, is it really necessary?"

Chen Peisong wiped the sweat from his forehead. His belly was already a bit big, so bending over to wipe the coffee table was even more strenuous.

"The past is the past, and holidays are holidays."

Mao Xiaoqin checked the time, then switched the cooked soup to "keep warm" mode, and said happily, "Once Xianmei arrives, the three of us will start eating right away!"

At this moment, Mao Xiaoqin almost forgot that she had a biological son who had been abandoned in Hong Kong.

“Xiao Yu still has her grandma and dad over there. This girl is diligent, she will definitely make sure to take good care of them.”

Old Chen joked, "They won't come that early."

"Anyway, I'm not hungry right now."

Empress Dowager Mao patted Old Chen's round belly: "You should eat a little later. You've been so busy since you changed jobs, but you haven't lost weight."

"Harmful!"

Old Chen looked worried when he heard this: "I'm busy, but my social engagements are also increasing. I was almost always at the dinner table when I was on a business trip recently. How can I lose weight?"

"Why don't you retire? For your health."

Mao Xiaoqin poked her head out of the kitchen and said seriously, "Our son has money now. He's busy running this research institute and that factory. Supporting you, his old man, shouldn't be a problem."

"Forehead……"

Chen Peisong was indeed somewhat tempted, but then felt he was too young, after all, he was not even 50 years old yet and was already "living off his children" at home.

Besides, at my age and with my experience, this is a good time to "take a chance" within the system.

"Forget it, I'll just decline any unimportant social engagements from now on."

Chen Peisong sighed: "Secretary-General Lin is going to give me more responsibilities again. If it really doesn't work out, I might have to leave and become a gatekeeper for Chen's factory."

"It's better to pick up and drop off his kids than to guard the gate for him."

Mao Xiaoqin rolled her eyes at her husband: "Can't you even tell what's important and what's urgent?"

The couple continued their intimate conversation until the sun began to set, casting an orange glow in the south-facing living room, filled with the warm scent of sunlight.

"No matter how time flies by, I only care about you..."

Mao Xiaoqin's phone rang.

If we were to say that the ringtone for many middle-aged men today is "I am looking up at the moon."

Middle-aged doctors or teachers like Mao Xiaoqin, who have received undergraduate education, would use songs by Teresa Teng or Tsai Chin as their ringtones.

Mao Xiaoqin wiped her hands, picked up her phone, and saw that it was her son calling. She turned to her husband and said, "He's probably telling me that Xiao Yu is coming over. It's earlier than expected; it's not even 5 o'clock yet."

"Hello~"

Empress Dowager Mao answered the phone happily.

"mom!"

But the son's voice was filled with unprecedented panic: "Are you home?"

"I'm at home."

Mao Xiaoqin said with a smile, "Your dad and I just did a thorough cleaning, and we're just waiting for your girlfriend to come over."

"..."

This is not a still image.

I waited for a good ten seconds, and Chen didn't move at all, but I could still hear his breathing.

It wasn't until Mao Xiaoqin realized something was wrong that she asked her son, who used to be obedient and well-behaved but was now neither, "What's wrong?"

"...Song Shiwei also wants to come and see you."

Chen said in a hoarse voice.

"Who?"

Mao Xiaoqin thought she had misheard.

This name only exists in my memory; it occasionally pops up, but I just shake my head and feel that we're not meant to be.

Life is already wonderful enough; one shouldn't be too greedy.

"I……"

On the other end of the phone, the son hesitated, seemingly finding it difficult to speak.

"Say it quickly!"

Mao Xiaoqin couldn't help but urge him on.

"Actually, Song Shiwei and I have never been separated!"

These words struck Mao Xiaoqin like a bolt from the blue, flashing into her mind in broad daylight.

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(End of this chapter)