HomeDream of Golden YearsChapter 1399: You'll Become Superior and Subordinate

Chapter 1399: You’ll Become Superior and Subordinate

Fang Shizhong sneered:

“Could Zhou Cheng interfere with my promotion opportunity?”

He recalled how Zhou Cheng had shamefully left for advanced studies two years ago.

At that time, Zhou Cheng refused to apologize, causing much discussion in the unit. Fang Shizhong hadn’t expected Zhou Cheng would use two years of academy training to avoid public opinion – others went for advanced studies to get promoted, but Zhou Cheng was purely escaping disgrace, right?

Despite these thoughts, Fang Shizhong was still uneasy. He coughed twice: “You watch our daughter alone, I’ll go to the office to ask around – we should welcome Squad Leader Zhou back anyway.”

He deliberately emphasized “Squad Leader Zhou.”

Gao Fei’s match with Fang Shizhong came through a unit leader’s introduction. Now that they had a child together and life was becoming more stable, that same leader had hinted to Gao Fei’s family that Fang Shizhong’s unit might soon promote a deputy battalion commander.

If Fang Shizhong was interested, he should prepare early.

This was a favor to Gao Fei’s family, but whether Fang Shizhong could be promoted depended on his work performance over the past year and recognition from above.

With Zhou Cheng gone, Fang Shizhong seemed the only promising young candidate – not promoting him would be unreasonable.

At this crucial moment, Zhou Cheng’s early return from the academy made Fang Shizhong anxious despite his outward disdain. Even without Gao Fei’s urging, he couldn’t sit still.

At the leader’s office, Fang Shizhong immediately spotted Zhou Cheng.

Well, after more than a year, Zhou Cheng hadn’t lost any limbs, just gotten darker, adding a mature masculinity… annoyingly still handsome! As for Fang Shizhong, now over 30, he’d been sharing his wife’s postpartum meals this month. The leftover chicken soup and pork trotters had caused his once-defined abs to merge into one mass.

Fang Shizhong took a deep breath, trying to hide his belly.

“Zhou Cheng’s back?”

Fang Shizhong sucked in his stomach while greeting with a smile.

The belly could be temporarily hidden, but how could he hide his rounded face?

Seems Old Fang’s been living well lately.

After a year and a half, Zhou Cheng viewed their former “conflict” with mature eyes – it was truly trivial. With time, it wasn’t even worth mentioning!

The round-chinned Captain Fang struggling to hold in his stomach amused Zhou Cheng, who greeted him naturally without any attitude:

“Old Fang, long time no see! The leaders just told me you had a daughter last month, congratulations.”

Heh, you’re congratulating me, but must be so jealous inside!

Previously so proud about having a girlfriend, what’s the big deal?

Hadn’t Fang Shizhong surpassed him, marrying first and having a daughter first? Though Gao Fei had a girl, due to current family planning policies, they didn’t have a second child. Not having a son disappointed Fang Shizhong’s family, though he quite liked his soft little daughter.

Zhou Cheng was still single!

Haha, Fang Shizhong couldn’t help laughing, which made him lose control of his stomach.

No longer bothering to hold it in, he tried networking with the leader:

“Sir, now that Zhou Cheng’s back, will we still be partners? I thought he was studying for two years – why’s he back early?”

Being of equal rank, they were natural partners. Fang Shizhong’s tone showed concern and confusion about Zhou Cheng’s early return.

The two leaders exchanged glances, and Leader Li shook his head:

“Old Fang, I know you and Zhou Cheng share deep comradeship. Seeing you so harmonious now makes us happy – it’ll help Zhou Cheng’s future work. The unit and I personally trust your work attitude completely! Before you came, we were just saying Zhou Cheng returned half a year early due to excellent performance at the academy… As for future work arrangements, there’ll be changes. Though the official appointment hasn’t come down yet, you’re no outsider, Old Fang, so I can tell you in advance – you and Comrade Zhou Cheng will change from colleagues to superior and subordinate!”

The deputy battalion commander promotion was real!

Leader Li spoke so directly – how could it be false?

But his words confused Fang Shizhong.

First, Zhou Cheng wasn’t sent back but graduated early with excellence, which annoyed Fang Shizhong.

Second, Leader Li was too vague – in their superior-subordinate relationship, who would be superior and who subordinate?

Yet Leader Li said the unit completely trusted him, Fang Shizhong.

Fang Shizhong was bewildered.

After briefly chatting with Zhou Cheng, he hurriedly left.

The other leader looked disapproving: “Old Fang’s an honest man, why beat around the bush?”

Leader Li felt embarrassed. Someone had leaked news about a deputy battalion commander promotion – true news, but the promotion was prepared for Zhou Cheng.

Everyone knew this – why else would Zhou Cheng graduate early?

Merit deserves recognition.

They’d just been discussing this with Zhou Cheng. The official appointment would come in a few days, promoting Zhou Cheng from squad leader to deputy battalion commander, making him a notable young cadre in the system. Additionally, the Foreign Trade Ministry was organizing a business delegation to America, comprising state enterprise CEOs and ministry leaders. Some leaders particularly concerned with security had specifically requested Zhou Cheng lead several people to accompany them.

Leader Li was asking if Zhou Cheng wanted to decline, saying others could go when Fang Shizhong arrived.

How could they directly tell Fang Shizhong he had no chance as deputy battalion commander – it was Zhou Cheng’s?

Old Fang was good except for being slightly petty, so Leader Li could only hint indirectly.

Better than Fang Shizhong making a scene – that would be ugly.

After Fang Shizhong left, Zhou Cheng resumed the previous topic: “Leaders, I’m willing to follow orders and accompany the delegation abroad.”

No joke – promotion opportunities were rare, and chances to visit America even rarer.

Could his good looks have caught the ministry leader’s attention, requesting him specifically?

These were opportunities Zhou Cheng had fought hard for, the results of his efforts – how could he give them up?

He worried the political commissar might refuse on his behalf, which would be truly troublesome.

Fang Shizhong walked slowly back to the dormitory.

Inside, their daughter was crying, Gao Fei comforting her, and seeing him standing there helplessly, she scolded him.

Fang Shizhong frowned, “I saw Zhou Cheng, he wasn’t sent back early – he graduated early with excellence. Leader Li just told me something I can’t figure out… What do you think he meant?”

Gao Fei forgot about comforting their child, her eyes reddening with urgency:

“You simpleton, can’t even understand what people say – Zhou Cheng is being promoted to deputy battalion commander!”

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