The Beauties Help Me Become the No.1 Official
Chapter 201 This World is Not Kind

Chapter 201: Chapter 201 This World is Not Kind

Neon lights flickered in the night as Lin Fan sat in the passenger seat with his eyes closed.

He had been drinking, so naturally, Li Huizhen had to drive, and in the quiet car, neither had spoken a word.

"The staffing issue is resolved, but you don’t seem happy," she said.

Somewhat sobered up, Lin Fan opened his eyes and lit a cigarette he took from the center console.

"I am happy... it’s just that what we did to Cai Shuli tonight, was it too much? After all, we’re in the business of faces, and Director Bai even deformed her surgically enhanced nose so much that it might have lasting effects even after another surgery."

Recalling the image of Cai Shuli pleading on her knees, Li Huizhen couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pain.

"Do you still have time to worry about others? If it hadn’t been for Director Wang, you would have been assigned to the midnight news tomorrow. Do you think if I didn’t have these connections, she would have just been talking tough and not really plan a program to slander me? Let me tell you, she definitely would have. She would ruin my career to regain her influence in her family. Does someone like that deserve forgiveness?"

Lin Fan took a drag from his cigarette and scoffed, "The world isn’t kind. If you don’t have absolute power, it’s best to keep your sympathy to yourself because if we were in a disadvantaged position, they would not let us off easily. Just think about it, she and you started at the TV station in the same year. Why does she have a staff position and you don’t? Is it really just because of work performance?"

"I’m sorry, I’m just too soft-hearted. But we really owe Director Wang big time this time. Last time Director Luo was giving me trouble, you must have asked him to sort it out too, right? I can’t believe how close you’ve gotten to him."

Old memories flooded back, leaving Li Huizhen with a sigh. The wicked should get what they deserve.

"It’s all just a facade. Tonight was our first meeting, so how could we be close? It’s all because of the ’tiger skin’ I’m wearing. They’re just looking at Mayor Zhu’s face. As long as Zhu Defu holds power in Jiangning, he’s like an Emperor. The one they really don’t dare to offend is only Zhu Defu, and even the seat I have today was Zhu Defu’s spot."

Lin Fan shook his head with a smile, "So don’t listen to what others say, but watch what they do. Officialdom is the most realistic place. They only care about the person behind me, and once Zhu Defu falls, they won’t give me a second glance."

"Is officialdom really that cold?"

Li Huizhen looked at Lin Fan in surprise; the state of their conversation just now didn’t seem like it was their first time meeting.

"Not just in officialdom, the world is just that cold. Like today, we had to ’adjust’ Cai Shuli’s face because as long as she’s around, you’ll never be able to replace her. The time she’s healing is your best chance to shine. There’s only room for one, and you can’t climb up without stepping on others. With me behind you now, the positions others beg for, to me, are just a matter of a few words."

Lin Fan flicked the cigarette butt out of the window, cradling his head in his hands as he looked at the traffic in front of him, "One must keep kindness, but not to everyone. Be ruthless to those beneath your feet so they can never rise again. Is that what they call class solidification?"

"I don’t understand class or no class, I just know that you’re changing so much I almost can’t recognize you."

Li Huizhen bit her lower lip; the way Lin Fan had acted was definitely not his normal self.

"Society won’t change for you, so if you want to succeed, you need to change yourself. Like the Cai Family challenging me seems to bring a lot of trouble, it’s also my chance to network using Zhu Defu’s reputation. Otherwise, Mayor Zhu could have just issued an administrative order, and there’d be no need for me to live this drunk and dreamy life."

Lin Fan took a deep breath, "But for me, it’s a rare opportunity not only to relieve Mayor Zhu of some worries but also to make connections with heads of various departments in the name of Zhu Defu. After all, the more you mingle, the better you can cooperate. This is the best time for me to expand my network, so I must drink at every meal this week."

"Okay, I really hadn’t thought that you’d be so scheming. Now it seems I was just too naive."

Li Huizhen had her eyes opened wide at Lin Fan’s way of thinking.

"It’s good to be naive; I wish I could go back to those carefree days, but clearly, back then I couldn’t protect anyone. So even if I long for it, I won’t go back. Like you said, one only knows the worth of something once it’s obtained. Now that I’ve gained enough power, I can’t just let it go."

Lin Fan rolled down the window, letting the cool night breeze play with his hair, bringing a little clarity to his woozy state.

"So where are we heading now?"

Li Huizhen looked ahead at the crossroads, one leading to Lin Fan’s residence, the other to the City Hospital dormitory building, unsure where he intended to sleep tonight. Upon hearing her question, the corners of Lin Fan’s mouth curled into a mischievous smile.

"Let’s go to Hui Fang’s dorm. I quite like sleeping in bunk beds."