Chapter 84: Chapter 43: Each with Their Own Agenda
Old Qian was just planning to sneak away when he encountered this situation. After greeting everyone, he claimed he had a matter to attend to and left for a while. This time, Gao Xue’e didn’t stop him.
Luckily, He Kao was also delayed at the bank for some time, so Old Qian still managed to catch up.
Regarding the matter of being promoted to vice president, Qian Guran was naturally aware of it himself and saw no need to brag.
Without discussing his background as a sorcerer, he was also Dr. Chunhua, with ten years of work experience, proficient in business, a genuine expert-type talent. If he hadn’t resigned from the design institute, he would’ve been promoted to deputy director there this fall.
Given his credentials, if he wasn’t after the Hidden Moth Object, would he have jumped ship to this project team and become Gao Xue’e’s subordinate just for fun?
The last time he had a candid conversation with Lin Qingshuang and He Kao, it meant he had already dispelled his previous thoughts, especially after hearing the Earth Master’s orders; he didn’t ponder it any longer.
Originally, to conceal his motives, he worked very actively and diligently, frequently took the initiative to work overtime, and was even willing to help colleagues with extra tasks... but later, he started to slack off.
There is another way to lie flat better, but it’s typically unattainable for most people, and that’s promotion.
When he initially applied for the job, he naturally used his connections to ensure he could smoothly enter the company. The headquarters had intended for him to be vice president of a branch company; he requested to first familiarize himself with business at the grassroots department.
He, unlike He Kao, didn’t have a three-month probation period; his three months were considered a transition period, and now he’s just getting back on track.
A Tier Three Zongheng Scholar from the Qi Observation Sect, even with minimal connections, would have a network of relationships far stronger than ordinary people. His recent activities have resulted in this promotion; furthermore, the arrangements were not difficult, given his outstanding qualifications.
Huang Xiaopang worked until regular closing hours before rushing back to Pugang Town. During this time, he sent He Kao a message, but He Kao hadn’t replied. Just as he reached the doorstep, he unexpectedly encountered He Kao’s cousin, He Shan.
From He Shan, Xiaopang learned that He Kao had also returned to Pugang Town, so he said hello at home before rushing to He Kao’s house to knock on the door.
He Kao was surprisingly mingling with Old Qian, and he was still unaware that Old Qian had been promoted!
Huang Xiaopang: "Did you lose your phone? Didn’t you see the messages in the work group? You didn’t even reply to my messages!"
Since entering the bank, He Kao had kept his phone in silent mode in his pocket and hadn’t thought to check it until now. The work group was lively, almost entirely discussing Qian Guran’s promotion to vice president.
With a long holiday coming soon, the whole department wasn’t present, and tonight was certainly unsuitable for a team-building event. President E suggested organizing a farewell banquet for Qian Guran on the last day of the long holiday, which is the evening of October 7th.
Qian Guran only then thought to check his phone and indeed received a message from Gao Xue’e requesting whether he could attend the farewell banquet on the evening of the 7th. Old Qian replied that he would definitely have time and expressed his thanks.
Gao Xue’e not only sent a message to President Qian but also specially left a private voice message for He Kao, a few long voice messages.
She specifically told He Kao that Old Qian was promoted and reminded He Kao that he must attend the evening on the 7th and hinted that he had the best relationship with President Qian in the department. He should continue to demonstrate himself and strive for more opportunities.
It was apparent that President E’s tone was filled with surprise and a rare sense of relaxation and pleasure. He Kao was somewhat puzzled; Old Qian’s promotion made President E so happy, wasn’t she always quite annoyed with Old Qian?
In a moment of realization, He Kao suddenly understood!
Recently, President E had been in a bad mood and always carried an inexplicable sense of anxiety, which according to Huang Xiaopang, worsened since Old Qian joined the team.
It now appeared to be typical workplace anxiety.
The saying of optimization at 35 for employees in large firms has circulated society for a long time. Whether true or false, the existence of the rumor represents a certain phenomenon.
President E is thirty-two this year, with definite professional capability, but nearly no hope of short-term promotion, and she’s most worried about someone replacing her and being eliminated.
Huang Xiaopang provokes her daily, which President E can tolerate because Xiaopang poses no threat.
Don’t be fooled by Old Qian’s persistent smiles; President E grows more uneasy as she observes him. In terms of credentials and ability, even being a deputy supervisor wasted Old Qian’s talents. Once the transition period ended, he was likely to replace her as the supervisor...
Finally, today the shoe dropped; the concern transformed into joy as Old Qian directly became vice president, and the vice president would manage the project group’s business.
At least to outsiders, Old Qian and He Kao had the best relations within the department, he always paid attention to and cared for He Kao, private friendships outside work seemed quite good too.
As for why it gives this impression, the reason need not be elaborated.
Figuring these out, He Kao also understood why President E previously looked at him with a hint of resentment, like a little puppy raised turning away to run with someone else.
President E’s attitude had taken a complete turn, and her appreciation for He Kao had leveled up... Turns out he knew early on about Old Qian’s significance, the advantage was sought timely and benefited him!
While He Kao browsed through his phone, Qian Guran asked, "Xiaopang, why did you come?"
Huang Xiaopang: "He Kao’s cousin Xiaoshan asked me to find out what things He Kao brought home."
Qian Guran: "Cousin? Oh, I’ve seen her before, why didn’t she ask herself?"
Huang Xiaopang raised a brow: "Because she knows I have the best relationship with He Kao!"
The old district of Pugang Town is such a small place that no noise can remain hidden. Upon He Kao’s returning home, his aunt’s family soon heard of it, and they’re eager to know what Zhou Du had left behind all those years ago.
But recently, they’re bit apprehensive of He Kao, hesitant to actively inquire. He Shan’s temperament differs slightly, seeing Huang Xiaopang back, she tasked Xiaopang to inquire instead.
Qian Guran straightforwardly revealed: "The matter of He Kao’s father having a safe deposit box at the bank is known to everyone in town?"
Xiaopang: "I can’t say the entire village, but many in the town know. He Kao asked his uncle to handle the paperwork, and the news utterly leaked... What things are there?"
Qian Guran: "It’s right on the table; go have a look by yourself."
Huang Xiaopang sprinted over to examine the items, exclaiming while viewing: "These two... so weighty! Could they be solid gold? Ah, the property deed for Guanliu Mansion... such large area, it’s enough for marriage even!"
Qian Guran just helped He Kao organize the documents but left the paperweight and property deed out. Since these items couldn’t be hidden and shouldn’t be hidden, failing to present them would raise suspicion.
Intentionally deposited in a bank safe box, unless it’s something valuable, the entire town wouldn’t believe it, confirming the appearance of an observer’s expectations.
The property deed on its own is known by some folks; hiding it equals implying He Kao hid something.
What’s more significant is that the gold bars and the deed seem like things a father would leave purposely for his son.
Regarding those documents, insist they don’t exist, and thinking from the father leaving his son point, their nonexistence feels normal. They aren’t wealth; they’re trouble, and no father would leave such trouble for his son.
Old Qian watched Xiaopang’s shock with direct sighs. He searched this small building, saw those fireworks and firecrackers, later heard about incidents at He Kao’s home, the prohibited items vanished when the police came knocking.
Associating it with He Kao’s background, if not the Hidden Moth, whoever could it be? Then Liang Kai went missing, and a blast occurred in his apartment, which Old Qian covertly investigated, with the explosive materials being black powder from the firecrackers.
Who has such good relations with He Kao, thoroughly understands his family situation, and risks exposure to aid him... besides Xiaopang, Qian Guran couldn’t imagine anyone else.
Although he had guessed something, the current Old Qian didn’t want to know more; he acted as if he knew nothing!
This fat boy hides quite deeply, indeed... His gaze sweeps over Xiaopang, without any suspicious item on him, especially considering the eye-stabbing string of beeswax in his pants pocket. Although Xiaopang earns decently, could he not wear something better?
Old Qian had guessed Xiaopang’s secret; Xiaopang likewise guessed many things He Kao did. And He Kao keenly noticed Old Qian’s peculiar reaction when mentioning Bada Group’s Chairman, Gu Yunteng.
Nevertheless, Old Qian shouldn’t be malicious but worried for He Kao, believing he couldn’t afford to provoke Gu Yunteng... This trio, each harbored thoughts, understood many things, and played along by ignoring evident truths.
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