Chapter 2

### Chapter 2: Snatching People

What's going on?

Could it be that the reincarnation described in those popular web novels in China has actually happened to me? Although Chen Geng has always worked at Wolf Castle, many of his friends, classmates, and teachers are still in China, and he has never lost touch with them. In his spare time, he would read some web novels for entertainment, and he was familiar with the concept of "reincarnation," which he had always dismissed as ridiculous: How could such a good thing as a life reset actually happen? But now, it seems that this absurd scenario has indeed happened to him.

Fortunately, Chen Geng has a strong mental fortitude. Although he feels both amused and frustrated by his situation, he doesn't show it... Hmm? His headache seems to have lessened a bit?

...

Chen Hongjun, with a red face and ears, was being scolded by Teacher Ma, his head hanging low, unable to utter a word.

While feeling guilty for his son, he was also filled with regret and self-blame: All of this was his fault. If his son suffered any long-term effects because of him, how could he face his son and family?

The gazes of his son's classmates made him feel even worse, as if being cut by a thousand knives. He understood what those looks meant: Even tigers don't eat their own cubs. Just because your son didn't choose a job according to your wishes, you resort to violence? Does your son have no freedom at all?

The 1980s in the People's Republic of China was an era that revered freedom. People who had just come from the 1970s were crazy about pursuing "freedom," and the tradition of "making the younger generation more successful" had been passed down for thousands of years. Not only did Chen Hongjun not push his son forward, but he also held him back, and in the end, even resorted to violence. This was something the elite students in front of him could not accept.

"Father," looking at the red-faced, guilty, and self-blaming Chen Hongjun, Chen Geng spoke up, "Don't blame yourself. This time, it was actually my fault."

When Chen Geng spoke, everyone in the large ward was stunned. Chen Hongjun, who was immersed in guilt and self-blame, suddenly raised his head, looking at Chen Geng with disbelief, his lips trembling as he said, "Son, you... you don't hate your father?"

"How could I? You are my father," Chen Geng laughed lightly, then turned to Teacher Ma and his dorm mates to explain, "My father's unit hasn't been doing well these past two years. He just wants me to go back and help him..."

Before Chen Geng could finish, everyone's faces showed understanding, and they had already pieced together the whole story in their minds: Chen Hongjun wanted his son, an elite student, to go back and help his unit, but Chen Geng, the third son, was unwilling. In a moment of disagreement, Chen Geng's military father resorted to violence...

However, they fully understood Chen Geng's actions and didn't think his choice was wrong: Who were they? Students from the Automotive Engineering Department of Huqing University, the elite of the automotive engineering industry in the People's Republic of China. So many national ministries, First Auto, Second Auto, and Third Auto were eagerly waiting for them to join. How could they let Chen Geng's father, an elite, go to a barely maintained military repair factory?

What a waste of talent!

No one could be more insulting than that.

Neither Chen Geng's classmates nor his teachers could accept the idea of Chen Geng, an elite, wasting his talent in such a "small, broken factory." It was a huge waste of talent!

"Comrade Chen Hongjun, although I understand your feelings, I absolutely do not support your actions, especially the fact that you resorted to violence, even against your own son,"

Understanding the situation, Teacher Ma's attitude towards Chen Hongjun softened. Anyone would admire someone who was willing to sacrifice their own son for the best job, but as Chen Geng's teacher, he still had to say what needed to be said.

Pointing at Chen Geng and his dorm mates, Teacher Ma said emotionally, "You can't just think about the poor situation of your unit. Think about how many units and key projects across the country are eagerly waiting for them to contribute their strength. Not to mention First Auto, Second Auto, and Third Auto, the Ministry of Aviation Industry, the Ministry of Aerospace Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade... even the State Council, all these units are waiting for them. You have received many years of education; you can't just think about your own small family and ignore the larger national interest."

In the 1980s, "dedication" and "sacrificing the small family for the greater good" were mainstream values. Chen Hongjun, a senior official, could not bear being accused of not sacrificing his small family for the greater good, even if it wasn't a political issue. His face turned red, and he waved his hands, stammering, "That's not what I meant, I just..."

But Teacher Ma, as a counselor, relied on his eloquence and wouldn't let Chen Hongjun finish his sentence.

"I know what you mean, Chen Geng is your son, and it's natural for a son to follow his father's arrangements," pointing at Chen Geng, who was still lying in bed, he said excitedly, "But do you know that Chen Geng has been interning and training with teachers on the Volkswagen Santana project since his third year? His outstanding performance earned high praise from the German side. Additionally, he learned fluent German in his free time. The leader from the State Council who came to recruit specifically requested that Chen Geng join. Tell me, would Chen Geng make a greater contribution to the country by working at the State Council or by returning to your military repair factory?"

"Um... um..." Chen Hongjun stammered, unable to say anything. No matter how stubborn he was, he knew that the contribution Chen Geng could make at the State Council would definitely be greater than at his small unit.

Before Chen Hongjun could finish stammering, someone pushed open the ward door and asked politely, "Is Chen Geng here?"

Who is it? Who is looking for me?

Chen Geng tried to see clearly, but the crowd around the bed blocked his view.

"Who are you?" Teacher Ma asked politely.

"Oh, I'm from the Ministry of Mechanical Industry," the person respectfully introduced himself, "Teacher, I came to ask Chen Geng if he is willing to work at the Ministry of Mechanical Industry."

A person from the Ministry of Mechanical Industry came directly to the ward to recruit? Chen Hongjun was stunned.

He knew that college students were the true elite, but this scene still gave him a huge shock: The high-ranking national ministries were so... eager for talent, even recruiting directly in the ward?

Before Chen Hongjun could react, the person had already come to the bedside, smiling at Chen Geng, who was trying to sit up, and asked, "Is this Chen Geng? Chen Geng, let me introduce myself. I am the director of the General Office of the Ministry of Mechanical Industry, responsible for recruitment at Huqing University. How about coming to work at the Ministry of Mechanical Industry?"

Chen Geng finally saw the person clearly. He was a man in his early 50s, wearing a white short-sleeved的确良shirt, with the hem tucked into his pants. His gray hair was neatly combed, a typical appearance of a mid-to-high-level official in a central ministry.

Swallowing, Chen Geng said, "I..."

Before Chen Geng could say whether he was willing, a voice thundered from outside the door, and the person quickly entered the ward, "You old Wang! I said you were up to no good when you sneaked away earlier, and I was right, wasn't I? Yes, this is Chen Geng, right? Chen Geng, I am Old Cao from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for recruitment. Are you willing to work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

First the Ministry of Mechanical Industry, then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If Chen Hongjun was shocked when Old Wang came in, he was now completely stunned.

Facing the sudden interruption by Old Cao, Director Wang was furious, jumping up in front of Chen Geng like a mother hen protecting her chicks, "Director Zeng, there's always a first come, first served. You came late, and Chen Geng has already agreed to work at the Ministry of Mechanical Industry."

After saying that, he turned to Chen Geng and loudly said, "Chen Geng, let me tell you about the benefits of working at the Ministry of Mechanical Industry. You are a much-needed college graduate in our ministry. We will provide you with housing as soon as you report for duty, guaranteeing a two-bedroom apartment within a year. Not only will the unit help you find a partner, but you can also apply for a three-bedroom apartment when you get married. Our canteen is famous among all units, and the chef used to prepare state banquets. There's a delicious braised pork every day, and you can have as much as you want..."

Chen Geng was fine, as he didn't lack meat, but the dorm mates gathered around the bed were drooling at the mention of "braised pork": Braised pork every day... wow...

"Old Wang, which of the major ministries in Beijing doesn't have these benefits?" Before Director Wang could finish, Director Zeng from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sneered and rudely interrupted him, then smiled brightly at Chen Geng, "In addition to these, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers many opportunities to travel abroad. You get extra allowances when you go abroad and can bring back things that are rare in China for your family...

By the way, Chen Geng, you not only speak English, but I hear your German and Russian are also good, right? A top university graduate who can speak multiple languages is exactly the kind of high-level talent we need in the diplomatic field. If you join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you will definitely be a key focus for development..."

Before Old Cao could finish, another voice came from outside the door, "Is Chen Geng from the Automotive Engineering Department, the one who speaks Russian, English, and German, here?"

Clearly, another person had come to snatch him.

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