When Lin Yuankang asked him to look after his little disciple, he had told He Yi clearly. “Your little junior is just an intern. She doesn’t receive a single cent. Hence, don’t go overboard. A slave driver doesn’t have a good image. Please don’t be one. Those three little disciples of mine are just one-year-old babies. They are very sticky to their mother. I will make whoever makes them cry cry. Understand?”
How could ‘old love’ be compared to ‘new love’?
Although He Yi had always been a disciple that Lin Yuankang was proud of, to the current Lin Yuankang who had three adorable little disciples, all the other disciples had to move aside. They could cool off at any place that they wanted to. Well, they were not as precious to him as the little disciples now.
Lin Yuankang had made himself so clear. He Yi would not dare to go against his master’s words.
This was the actual reason that everyone, except for Qiao Nan and Deng Wenchang, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had to work overtime on the day before. Qiao Nan and Deng Wenchang could go home early.
He Yi had to ‘release’ his little junior to go home to take care of the little disciples. Similarly, Deng Wenchang, who was also an intern, received the same treatment as Qiao Nan. He Yi could not bring himself to let Qiao Nan go off and keep Deng Wenchang behind.
Furthermore, Deng Wenchang was only an intern and was not really that important. He had already released the important one. The not-so-important one had to go to.
After the crisis was resolved yesterday, He Yi wanted everyone to unwind a little. As the minister, giving treats was a must-have social practice. It was also a good way to bond and interact with his subordinates.
The minister was giving a treat. Who would dare decline or not give him any face?
Others dared not make He Yi lose face. It was different for Qiao Nan. He Yi dared not force Qiao Nan to comply. “If it’s not convenient, don’t force yourself.” The children were the most important. Otherwise, his master would deal with him.
He was also a father. Furthermore, many ambitious youngsters wanted to acknowledge him as their master. He was already of this age. It would be too embarrassing if he were to be chided by his old master.
Fortunately, he only had to take care of one little junior. He definitely could not endure it if there were a few more of them.
Before her ‘biological’ senior, Qiao Nan did not beat about the bush. She was well aware that with the presence of such a master like Lin Yuankang, she could do away with some social norms as long as she did so in an appropriate manner. “Thank you, minister. I’m really not available. I have something to attend to at home.” At the mention of the situation at home, Qiao Nan thought of Er Bao, who was acting strangely yesterday.
Although one night had passed and there was nothing wrong with Er Bao, it was hard to predict a child’s situation. Qiao Nan was afraid that Er Bao would have a relapse again.
Once she got off work, Qiao Nan only wished to go home and take care of her three children. As a mother, she did not want to be the last one to know if Er Bao had really taken ill.
“Sure.” He Yi had expected this answer. It was normal that his three little disciples could not leave their mother as they were only one year old.
Qiao Nan expressed that she was not attending. Deng Wenchang was aware that he was not so ‘qualified’ to attend. However, He Yi had made the invitation personally. Deng Wenchang felt that it was also a good thing to show face and let the seniors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs know the existence of a youngster like him in the department.
Until now, He Yi was not willing to formally accept him as his disciple.
He Yi was the minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Of course, it would be best if he could be his disciple. However, what if he could not?
He had finally joined the department after much difficulty. He could not possibly be inflexible and stubborn. If he could not gain He Yi’s favor, he could change his target and settle for the second best. He could observe if there was a chance for him to learn from other seniors.
Deng Wenchang firmly believed that He Yi did not look up to him because He Yi was not his lucky star. As a wunderkind, he would definitely be able to meet the lucky star in his life. Thereafter, he would rely on his own ability to progress and move forward.
Without second thoughts, the ambitious Deng Wenchang accepted the invitation and expressed that he would definitely attend the event.
Afraid that he would get the time and venue wrong, Deng Wenchang wrote down the details in front of He Yi. He even let He Yi take a look at the details to confirm them. “Thank you, minister.”
He Yi had a deep and firm look in his eyes. He gave an indifferent smile. “Fine, arrive earlier. Don’t be late.”
Given this kind of celebration party, it was not an issue for him to attend if Deng Wenchang had a ‘senior’ to bring him along. However, Deng Wenchang had not found a master that would lead him into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He would not gain anything even if he attended the event.
It was certainly good for youngsters to have their own thoughts and ambitions. However, it would not be a good thing if one was too high profile and proud.
More haste less speed, haste makes waste. True enough, he had guessed it correctly. That child of the Deng family was overconfident and too proud. If he were to take in such a disciple, it would mean that he would have one more son to teach and guide. Although he did not have a son, he had a daughter.
He was so busy that he did not even have time to guide his own daughter. How could he possibly waste his time and energy on someone else’s son?
He did not wish to raise another son. He was also not willing to clean up someone’s mess if Deng Wenchang were to create any problem. He did not want to foolishly draw much trouble for himself.
Regarding these matters, He Yi would not teach Deng Wenchang. If Deng Wenchang could sort out his own thoughts, he should give him a phone call tonight to express that he would not be attending the event. If Deng Wenchang did not understand and insisted on slapping his own face to fight for a chance to shine, he would not stop him. After all, he and the Deng family had some connections.
Deng Wenchang was striving for progress. He was not going to help, but he would also not hold him back or deny him such an opportunity.
“Mom, how is Er Bao during the day? Is he okay? Did anything happen?” Once she left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qiao Nan completely cast the work matters aside. She always remembered that she was a mother and asked about her children whenever she spoke.
Miao Jing was carrying Er Bao. She was both angry and amused. She lifted Er Bao higher. “See for yourself. Little lad, you’re not wrong at all to say that he’s too mischievous. He’s so young but already knows how to be moody.”
After one day, Miao Jing finally understood why Er Bao was suddenly unhappy and listless such that he appeared unwell.
Having said that, all the credit still went to her daughter-in-law. “Nan Nan, do you know? After you left the house for work today this morning, many neighbors visited us to congratulate me.”
“Congratulate? Did any happy things occur in our family again? Sister Zhai Hua is finally getting married?”