Chapter 345: Chapter 344: What Does That Have to Do with Me?

That night, as they were getting ready for bed, Xue Yue told He Lang about Feng Yujie’s promotion.

He Lang asked her, "The deputy team leader position is open now. You’re not interested?"

Xue Yue’s eyes darted. "Of course I am! Why wouldn’t I be? A soldier who doesn’t want to be a general isn’t a good soldier. It’s just... there are other people ahead of me. It’s not my turn yet. How long have I even been there?"

He Lang shook his head. "You can’t just look at it that way. If I were your boss, I’d look at who’s more capable. If someone has been sitting in the same position for eight years without any change, that says something is wrong with them. It shows they lack ambition. Even though you started late, you’ve participated in every single company event. I think you should try to go for it. You might just get it."

Xue Yue hesitated. She felt He Lang had a point. She should at least try. Even if she didn’t get it in the end, she wouldn’t lose anything.

The next morning, just as Xue Yue arrived at the office entrance, she ran right into Ding Ruzhi, who was also just getting there. Xue Yue barely recognized her.

Her big, wavy hair was now straight and pulled back into a high ponytail. The heavy, garish makeup was gone, and she was wearing a light blue top, jeans, and white sneakers. She had suddenly transformed from a glamorous siren into a pure, innocent-looking young woman.

While Xue Yue was still stunned, Ding Ruzhi walked up to her, tilted her chin up, and said haughtily, "Well? Do I still look old now?"

Xue Yue’s mouth fell open. She slowly shook her head, then gave Ding Ruzhi a thumbs-up.

’This is a total transformation! Dressed like this, anyone would believe she’s a college student.’

’But looking at her now, Ding Ruzhi does seem really young, probably only in her early twenties.’

"It looks good."

"Of course it does."

Ding Ruzhi smugly flicked her ponytail and walked into the office ahead of Xue Yue.

A little while later, Zhao Li arrived. She was carrying something, but Xue Yue didn’t get a good look before she saw her take it into the inner office.

From inside, they could hear Feng Yujie’s voice refusing whatever it was, followed by a lecture on company rules and regulations.

Zhao Li quickly came out looking crestfallen. The gift in her hand had clearly been rejected, and it seemed she’d gotten an earful too.

She sat down at her desk, her face flushed red. Just then, Ding Ruzhi decided to rub it in. "Tsk, tsk. Looks like your brown-nosing backfired, huh?"

Zhao Li just shot Ding Ruzhi a look. When she noticed her new style, she paused for a second but, mindful of her relationship with the minister, decided not to say anything.

A short while later, Feng Yujie called Xue Yue into her office.

"Sister Feng, you wanted to see me?"

Feng Yujie nodded and gestured for her to sit.

Feng Yujie looked at Xue Yue. "Zhao Li wants to be the deputy team leader. What are your thoughts on that?"

Xue Yue blinked. ’What does she mean, what are *my* thoughts?’

"Sister Feng, has it already been decided that Zhao Li will get the position?"

Feng Yujie shook her head. "Not yet."

Xue Yue raised her hand. "In that case, I’d like to throw my hat in the ring, too. Do you think I have a chance?"

Feng Yujie smiled at her words. "I was wondering why you hadn’t come to fight for an opportunity like this."

Xue Yue gave a sheepish grin. "So, Sister Feng, do I have a chance?"

Feng Yujie just looked at Xue Yue without saying anything, which made her quite nervous.

Then, Feng Yujie nodded. "To be honest, I’m more optimistic about you than Zhao Li. I have one vote for the recommendation, and I plan to give it to you. But the final decision comes from above, so I can’t make any promises. Go back to your desk and wait for the announcement."

Xue Yue was ecstatic to hear this. She nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you so much for your support, Sister Feng."

Feng Yujie waved her hand, signaling that she could leave.

Xue Yue suppressed the smile threatening to break out on her face and opened the door, only to see Zhao Li standing right outside, eavesdropping. Zhao Li nearly stumbled into the room, and Xue Yue frowned at the sight.

Feng Yujie saw her too, and her expression instantly darkened.

"Do you have that much free time on your hands?"

"No—no."

Embarrassed at being caught, Zhao Li gave them an awkward smile, scurried back to her workstation, and lowered her head.

Xue Yue stepped out and closed the door.

When lunchtime arrived, Xue Yue had just stood up to leave when Zhao Li quickly chased after her.

"Xue Yue."

Xue Yue stopped. "Yes?"

Zhao Li bit her lip and asked, "What did Sister Feng say to you?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Xue Yue glanced at her. ’Looks like she didn’t overhear my conversation with Sister Feng after all.’

"If you want to know, you can go ask Sister Feng yourself."

Zhao Li clenched her fists. "Are you also trying to compete with me for this position?"

Xue Yue gave her a strange look. "What do you mean, ’compete with you’? Everyone has the right to go for it."

Zhao Li said resentfully, "With your relationship with Vice Minister Zheng, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for promotion later even if you don’t fight for this one. But it’s different for me. I’ve been in this position for eight years. All my hard work is tied up in this place. If I miss this chance, it will be even harder for me to get promoted in the future."

Xue Yue looked at her coldly. "What does that have to do with me? And what’s wrong with my relationship with Vice Minister Zheng? If I get promoted, it will be because I earned it fair and square through my own efforts. Don’t make it sound like I rely entirely on connections."

Zhao Li mumbled, "I’m just saying, you just got here. You’re still young. You’ll have plenty of chances later on."

Xue Yue nodded. "Maybe you’re right, but I don’t want to pass up a single opportunity. Let’s compete fairly. No matter who gets it in the end, I’ll accept the result without any complaints."

"So you’re determined to fight me for it?"

Xue Yue just smiled. "Think whatever you want." Then she walked away.

Zhao Li stood there, glaring hatefully at Xue Yue’s back. Ding Ruzhi walked up to her and scoffed, "Honestly, you two. What’s there to fight about? The higher the position, the greater the responsibility, and the busier you get. Wouldn’t it be better to use this time for something else?"

Zhao Li shot her a sidelong glance. "What do you know?"

Ding Ruzhi shrugged and said nonchalantly, "You’re right, I don’t really get it. But in the few months I’ve been here, I’ve figured some things out. You’re what they call an old office slicker—you only go after the good stuff and give up whenever things get hard. Xue Yue, on the other hand, is kind of a fool, in my opinion. She takes on everything. I won’t comment on her ability, but if she keeps this up, she’ll definitely go further than you. Because you... you’re too calculating."

Ding Ruzhi had always been the type to say whatever was on her mind. She wasn’t afraid of offending anyone. After all, was there anyone in the Ministry of Commerce with a higher position than her uncle? Heh, nope. So she wasn’t afraid of a single soul.

Zhao Li was stunned by Ding Ruzhi’s little speech. She glanced at her, thinking she might have underestimated this pampered princess before.

"You also think I can’t measure up to Xue Yue?"

Ding Ruzhi waved her hand. "I never said that. I’m just saying, no matter which of you wins in the end, it will be well-deserved. Even if you don’t work as hard as Xue Yue, your seniority is undeniable. No one can argue with that."

Zhao Li felt a sense of relief. ’As long as I have a chance, that’s all that matters.’ She refused to believe that an eight-year veteran like herself could lose out to a newcomer who’d been there for less than two years.