Chapter Thirty: Farewell to Western Prefecture

The technical training for the new employees at Company C concluded on schedule. Zheng Yutong, Director of the Project Planning Department, and Hu Wenqiang, Director of the Engineering Management Department, accompanied Technical Director Qi Guosheng to the graduation ceremony, where the job placements for the twenty trainees were announced.

Qin Ke, leading his group, had identified a flaw in the technical proposal provided by Company C to G Bank and immediately proposed an alternative. Following his recommendation, Company C reached an agreement with G Bank: the aggregation layer equipment would be replaced with the C7200-F model instead of the original C7200-G. While the total quote remained unchanged, Company C agreed to extend the equipment warranty for G Bank by two years. This move satisfied the client's performance requirements while securing over one million yuan in profit for Company C.

As the highest-achieving trainee, Qin Ke was promoted by one rank on the spot by Qi Guosheng, resulting in a salary increase of 4,000 yuan. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the G Bank project, he received an additional 4,000 yuan raise, totaling a one-time increase of 8,000 yuan. Qi Guosheng also rewarded the other contributing members of the fifth group—Tao Jianmin, Fu Sichen, and Jin Chen—with a 2,000-yuan salary increase each, while maintaining their current ranks.

Upon hearing the decision, the three women were overjoyed, immediately embracing and congratulating Qin Ke. Thus, Qin Ke, who was promoted and given a raise as soon as he joined, became a legend within Company C, a story told by many for years. Even long after he left the company, no one had managed to break his record.

Ultimately, Qin Ke was recruited into the Project Planning Department under Director Zheng Yutong. Fu Sichen also joined the same department to continue working with him, while Tao Jianmin and Jin Chen chose the Engineering Management Department.

Qin Ke immediately shared the good news with Bian Xiaoqi, who happily exclaimed, "If I don't need to work when I get to Beijing, you can support us both."

"Xiaoqi, that is absolutely no problem," Qin Ke replied readily.

In the Project Planning Department, Qin Ke quickly settled into his role. Zheng Yutong required him not only to complete his own work but also to review the technical proposals created by others. Although his daily workload doubled, he never uttered a word of complaint.

Fu Sichen’s desk was right next to Qin Ke's. She could observe his every move and, enjoying the advantage of proximity, frequently sought his advice on technical issues. Qin Ke would always set aside his own work to assist her without reservation, which made her increasingly fond of him and dependent on his presence.

One day after work, Qin Ke invited Lin Haidong to dinner. When Fu Sichen discovered this and saw that Lin Haidong had gladly accepted, she immediately insisted on joining. Remembering that Fu Sichen had previously treated him to Quanjude roast duck, Qin Ke agreed.

Qin Ke bought two bottles of Luzhou Laojiao and invited them to the Meizhou Dongpo restaurant to enjoy Sichuan cuisine. Based on his experience eating with Bian Xiaoqi, he ordered six authentic dishes.

Raising his glass, Qin Ke said, "Haidong, let’s have a drink. Thank you for your immense effort in recommending me to Company C."

Lin Haidong smiled and said, "Qin Ke, you were promoted and got a raise as soon as you started; you should definitely be the one treating us. Congratulations!"

Ignoring Qin Ke’s advice, Fu Sichen drank the liquor as well. She raised her glass and said, "Don't forget me. With Supervisor Qin's help, I got a raise too. Thank you, Supervisor Qin."

Lin Haidong immediately teased, "Then classmate Fu should treat us next."

"Treating is no problem at all. Anytime, as long as you are free," Fu Sichen replied readily.

After they clinked glasses and finished their drinks, Lin Haidong remarked, "However, Qin Ke, you should take it easy. A tree that stands taller than the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

Qin Ke understood what Lin Haidong meant and smiled. "I just arrived, didn't I? I can't really refuse the work Director Zheng Yutong assigns me. Let me work for a while and see how it goes."

Knowing how hard Qin Ke worked every day, Fu Sichen felt indignant on his behalf. "Supervisor Qin, I see you doing the work of several people every single day. While it’s true that the capable deserve more work, this is too much. Zheng Yutong is practically working you like a donkey."

"Classmate Fu, while we are young, working a little harder won't hurt us. We should put in the effort, talk less, and do more. Once we have enough experience to handle any client proposal, it won't be too late to voice our own ideas. That’s when others will truly be convinced by our abilities," Qin Ke insisted.

"I think some people in the Planning Department are quite mediocre, even worse than a newcomer like me. They are just coasting," Fu Sichen pouted.

"Classmate Fu, Qin Ke is right. We must first make ourselves strong. You are smart and will surely succeed. I have faith in you," Lin Haidong said with a smile.

"Then I’ll need Supervisor Qin to look after me, though I’m afraid he might not want to," Fu Sichen said, eyeing Qin Ke.

"Qin Ke is my old classmate; I know his character well. Don't worry. Even if he doesn't help others, he has to help you. If he doesn't, I’ll hold him accountable. Isn't that right, Qin?" Lin Haidong laughed.

"Classmate Fu, for the sake of my old classmate, I wouldn't say 'no' anyway," Qin Ke replied, seeing how much Lin Haidong liked Fu Sichen and was going out of his way to help her.

"Thank you both. I definitely won't let you down. Come, let’s have another drink." Fu Sichen was deeply touched by their willingness to help.

"Classmate Fu, when we have time, we should go visit clients with Haidong. It will help us better understand their current needs and anticipate new problems that might arise during engineering implementation. This will help us provide better technical proposals and avoid mistakes. Haidong, what do you think?"

"Qin Ke, that’s a great suggestion. I’d be happy to be of service," Lin Haidong immediately agreed.

"I agree with Supervisor Qin’s proposal as well. Don't leave me out when the time comes," Fu Sichen added, fully endorsing the idea.

The three chatted quite congenially, and the first bottle was soon empty. Fu Sichen was in a great mood and showed no signs of intoxication. Lin Haidong opened the second bottle and filled their glasses again.

"My family has a car. Why don't we go for an outing in the suburbs this weekend?" Fu Sichen suggested.

"I have time, and I can drive," Lin Haidong agreed first, then looked at Qin Ke.

Qin Ke did not hesitate and smiled. "I don't drive, so Haidong will have to do the driving. Since we still have the 3,000 yuan reward from Director Qi, we should invite Tao Jianmin and Jin Chen along as well."

And so, the three agreed to go on an excursion to the outskirts of Beijing the following weekend.

The second bottle was finished. Although Fu Sichen had drunk less, she was starting to show signs of intoxication.

Lin Haidong was about the same height as Qin Ke, sturdy, and an excellent conversationalist, which made him quite attractive to women. He already had a high tolerance for alcohol, and being with Fu Sichen put him in such high spirits that he appeared completely sober. Seeing him holding Fu Sichen’s hand and talking incessantly, much to her amusement, Qin Ke realized his old classmate was "drunk not on wine, but on the person."

As they left the restaurant, Qin Ke excused himself, saying he had other matters to attend to, and asked Lin Haidong to see Fu Sichen home. Lin Haidong readily agreed.

The next morning, when Fu Sichen woke up, her mother entered her room and said with a smile, "Sichen, you're awake? That young man who brought you home last night was very nice and very considerate. You threw up all over him, but he didn't mind at all; instead, he kept apologizing to me for not taking better care of you. I’m quite impressed with him. You should invite him to dinner sometime to show our gratitude."

"Mom, what happened last night?" Fu Sichen shook her head hard, but she couldn't recall anything. She had blacked out.

"My silly girl, you were truly drunk. I couldn't move you, so he helped me get you into the bathroom," her mother said.

"What?" Fu Sichen was horrified. She quickly reached under the covers and realized she was naked. "Mom, why did you let him take my clothes off?" She thought it was Qin Ke who had brought her home, and her face turned crimson as she buried her head under the