Chapter 13

Tian Keming's face was completely red with embarrassment, his face turning green with anger. He pointed at Chu Tianshu and said viciously, "Chu Tianshu, you have guts. We'll see who comes out on top." With that, he left the office without even bothering to close the door, slinking away in defeat.

The crowd scattered in a hurry, disappearing in a few seconds, and the corridor returned to its usual tranquility.

On the surface, the confrontation seemed to end in a draw, but everyone knew that Chu Tianshu was the real winner.

In almost every office, people were praising Chu Tianshu's heroic act of protecting Liu Chunna.

However, as the victor, Chu Tianshu felt no joy at all.

After such an intense confrontation, Chu Tianshu knew he couldn't escape being exiled.

Liu Chunna followed Chu Tianshu back to the office and softly said, "Tianshu, thank you!"

Chu Tianshu smiled and said, "Chunna, take care of yourself from now on." Then, without looking back, he turned and rushed out of the office building.

Walking alone on the street, the hot wind blew, and the pleasure of his victory quickly faded, replaced by a sense of loneliness, disappointment, and helplessness.

His stomach began to rumble, and Chu Tianshu realized he hadn't had lunch. He turned a corner and headed toward a fast-food restaurant in a small alley, but after a few steps, he saw Fan Yibing sitting by the window, eating with relish.

Wasn't this guy supposed to be shopping with his girlfriend?

Chu Tianshu stopped in his tracks and suddenly realized: before leaving work, Fan Yibing must have delivered the newspaper to Tian Keming's office and heard what was happening inside, but he didn't dare to expose Tian Keming's misdeeds, so he found an excuse to send Chu Tianshu away.

Feeling betrayed by those around him, a wave of sadness washed over Chu Tianshu.

He quickly turned and walked back onto the main street, his heart feeling as if it were weighed down by a heavy stone, making him feel extremely depressed.

Wandering aimlessly, his mind was in chaos. As he walked, he thought about how he would spend the next year in the countryside and whether he would be able to return to the office after that.

After a while, his phone beeped. Chu Tianshu took it out and saw a message from Liu Chunna: "Tianshu, where are you?"

Looking at the time, it was already two o'clock. He had been wandering the streets for over an hour without realizing it.

Feeling disheartened, Chu Tianshu didn't want to go back to work. After all, he would be sent to the countryside after May Day, and no one would care if he skipped the rest of the day.

Lifting his head, he looked at the buildings along the street and realized he had walked about five or six bus stops, from Shengli Road, where the SASAC was located, almost to the People's Square in the city center.

Chu Tianshu had already typed "People's Square" on his phone but then deleted it.

What was the point?

If he replied, Liu Chunna would definitely ask, "Why are you at People's Square? Why aren't you at work?"

How could he answer that?

Should he tell her that he was wandering the streets like a headless fly, worried about his impending exile?

That would damage the heroic image he had just established in front of Liu Chunna.

Putting his phone back in his pocket, Chu Tianshu suddenly didn't know where to go. He stood on the street, looking like a lost child who couldn't find his way home.

Back when Chu Tianshu first joined the SASAC, he was full of ambition. He celebrated with Wei Shijie that night, vowing to work hard for his bright future and career advancement, hoping to return to the provincial capital as soon as possible.

But ideals are full, and reality is harsh.

Two years had passed, and Chu Tianshu was still busy with miscellaneous tasks in the General Affairs Department, his enthusiasm and passion unfulfilled. He was constantly called by Tian Keming and scolded for being brainless, leaving him feeling frustrated and helpless.

Now, things were even worse. He hadn't even become the head of the General Affairs Department and was about to be exiled to Nanshan County, which was even more remote than Xishan County. The thought of it made him feel even more desolate.

Standing in the shade of a newsstand, Chu Tianshu was lost in thought when his phone beeped again. This time, the message was from Fan Yibing.

"Brother, thanks for your help. I'll treat you to drinks tonight."

Brother? Was a brother meant to be betrayed? Drinks? Could he even enjoy them?

If Fan Yibing had said this in person, Chu Tianshu would have punched him without hesitation!

Chu Tianshu replied coldly, "I'm not in the mood today. Don't make yourself miserable."

To his surprise, Fan Yibing quickly replied, "Brother, I'm sorry. I owe you a drink."

After working together for over a year, Chu Tianshu knew that Fan Yibing was a very proud man. Otherwise, with his diligence and education, he wouldn't have been suppressed by Tian Keming in the General Affairs Department.

What did such a man value the most?

Face!

Chu Tianshu's reply had given Fan Yibing no face at all.

But instead of being angry, Fan Yibing apologized to Chu Tianshu.

This showed that he still considered Chu Tianshu a brother and felt guilty.

Chu Tianshu calmed down a bit.

Was it wrong for Fan Yibing to choose to escape to protect himself?

When he first heard the commotion in Tian Keming's office, hadn't Chu Tianshu also thought about running away?

If you chose to be a hero, you shouldn't complain when danger came.

Thinking about this, Chu Tianshu felt relieved and replied to Fan Yibing, "It's okay, let's drink another day."

Just as he was about to put his phone away, another message came, this time from Liu Chunna.

"Brother Tianshu, you replied to Xiao Fan but not to me. Why?"

Chu Tianshu smiled bitterly, not knowing how to respond. He stared at his phone for a while, then continued wandering aimlessly.

Passing a coffee shop, he caught the scent of coffee and suddenly felt very hungry, remembering he hadn't had lunch. He walked in, ordered a cup of coffee and some snacks, and sat there, lost in thought.

Feeling frustrated and depressed, Chu Tianshu couldn't help but think: who in this city was worth his affection?

Suddenly, he thought of Wei Shijie. The unlucky call during the meeting had come from him. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his legs and dialed Wei Shijie's number.

Damn, it was busy!

Chu Tianshu threw his phone on the table, but it started ringing: "Warm spring breeze blows, peach blossoms bloom..."

"Bro, what's up? Are you bored out of your mind?" Wei Shijie answered cheerfully.

Chu Tianshu grabbed his phone, "Impressive, how did you know I was bored?"

"Come on, you wouldn't think of me if you weren't bored. What's up? I'm busy."

"Didn't you say you'd take me to the Dream Bar to celebrate your promotion tonight?"

"Come on, you weren't in the mood, so I changed the plan."

Chu Tianshu was getting impatient, "Cut the crap, are you coming or not?"

Wei Shijie was even more impatient, "Sorry, I'm really busy."

Chu Tianshu cursed, "It's just a deputy section chief. Act like a national leader? Do you think you're handling a million things a day?"

Wei Shijie lowered his voice, "Hehe, you're right. I'm actually busy with a 'chick' right now."

"What do you mean?" But Chu Tianshu immediately understood from Wei Shijie's laugh and cursed, "Old Wei, you're amazing. You're doing it in broad daylight."

Wei Shijie put on a helpless tone, "Bro, I'm handsome and have a bit of status, so girls like me. I can't help it."

Damn! Chu Tianshu almost choked with anger.

Chu Tianshu said angrily, "Old Wei, I've told you many times, a gentleman loves beauty but should get it ethically. Don't mess up and come to me for help."

"Don't worry," Wei Shijie said quickly, "I'll introduce you to one later."

Chu Tianshu said sourly, "Forget it, go ahead and enjoy. Take it easy, don't exhaust yourself."

"Sure thing, see you later." Wei Shijie hung up.

Comparing himself to others really made him angry.

Chu Tianshu sighed deeply and threw his phone back on the table.

Feeling depressed.

Wei Shijie was getting promoted, buying a house and a car, and had a line of girls waiting for him. What about him?

No hope of promotion, no way to get rich, and he couldn't even dream of buying a house or a car.

How could he bear it? They were both handsome guys from the same dorm, but why was the gap so big?

Chu Tianshu had wanted to vent to Wei Shijie, but it only added to his troubles.

With no one to turn to in this city, Chu Tianshu regretted refusing Fan Yibing's offer. A drink might have numbed his pain a bit.

His phone flashed on the table.

Another message from Liu Chunna: "Brother Tianshu, I'm sorry. It's my fault, and you should hate me."

What was she talking about?

Chu Tianshu smiled silently but didn't reply.

"Brother Tianshu, if you don't reply, I'll submit my application for the 'village stay' program."

Why was she doing this? If the result was the same, why offend Tian Keming?

Liu Chunna might seem timid, but when she was serious, she could do anything.

Chu Tianshu couldn't afford to ignore her and quickly replied, "Chunna, I don't hate you, really. Don't do anything foolish."

Liu Chunna asked, "What are you doing? Why aren't you at work?"

Chu Tianshu replied, "I have something to take care of and won't be back this afternoon."

Liu Chunna asked, "Can I meet you after you're done?"

Chu Tianshu replied, "No need, I might be busy late."

Liu Chunna replied, "No matter how late, I'll wait for you."

Chu Tianshu replied, "I can't. I have plans with a classmate tonight. You know, he's called me several times, and I can't keep pushing him off."

Liu Chunna replied, "Okay, call me after you're done. Have a good time."

Have a good time? How could he have a good time? Chu Tianshu smiled bitterly and quickly typed a reply.

Sitting there, feeling dejected, the waiter thought this customer was heartbroken and stood far away, not disturbing him.

He didn't know how long he had been sitting there when dusk began to fall.