Chapter 18: Ladies First

Just one computer—was that really all she needed to solve the problem?

The tech staff remained skeptical. After all, having been in the system for so long, it was hard not to become a little out of touch.

The industry had evolved quickly, and it was entirely possible they’d fallen behind by more than a few steps.

With a mindset open to learning, many employees in the control room gathered around to watch.

Gu Yao sat in front of the computer, her fingers flying across the keyboard. Using the MVC framework, she quickly rebuilt a virtual library. Within five minutes, she had constructed a simplified user model.

It was a lightweight setup, but fully functional. More than enough to handle the current scenic spot simulation.

She pressed Enter.

Set up the account and password. Logged in.

Imported the backup data, ran the code, and debugged.

Once she confirmed everything was working properly, she switched to the front-end display.

Mission accomplished.

Gu Yao stepped away from the workstation and left the rest of the time to her county committee colleagues.

The others stood there frozen, completely unresponsive.

The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

Time itself seemed to pause for a long moment.

Until a deep voice from the back of the crowd broke the silence.

Secretary Zhou spoke: “Let the capable do more. Let’s begin.”

The capable one…?

The young woman’s gaze met the senior official’s across the sea of heads. His expression held a faint, approving smile.

She blushed slightly.

Maybe this was what they meant by “a hero will eventually find her stage.”

She was, after all, a student of Beijing University—she couldn’t very well bring shame to her alma mater.

Comrade Gu was a little too modest.

Otherwise, back when she was about to graduate, why else would President Chen Jinnan have gone to such great lengths—personally writing her a letter of recommendation, even inviting her to his home—only for her to remain firm in her decision to return to Qionghai?

Just like Section Chief Xu once said—

“She’s such a good kid… but chose the hardest road to walk.”

No family backing. No powerful connections. No matter how outstanding she was, how far could she really go?

Everyone in the system said: It’s not knowledge that changes your fate—it’s power.

Gu Yao couldn’t agree.

In this world, there were far too many things she couldn’t accept.

Before the county head could launch into another round of praise, she quickly cut in with a fast, “I’m going to the restroom,” then vanished like a puff of smoke.

Behind her, gentle laughter faded into the wide, empty hall.

—

About five minutes later.

When she came out, she saw Director Shen standing in the corridor, on the phone.

Her mother’s earlier reminder echoed in her mind, stirring a faint sense of unease.

When it came to adult relationships, how should the younger generation step in?

Be direct—or take the roundabout approach…?

What a dilemma.

Just as she was lost in thought, Shen Peng ended the call and turned around—only to find his niece staring blankly into space. He chuckled. “Why are you standing there looking silly? Too embarrassed to go back in?”

The girl shook her head and walked toward him.

After a brief hesitation, she asked about her cousin’s school life. “Second year of high school is tough. Is she coping okay? Is her health holding up?”

The more Shen Peng listened, the stranger the question sounded.

He cut straight through her roundabout phrasing and sighed, “You’re trying to ask about me and your aunt, aren’t you?”

She gave a soft “Mm.”

“Teacher Shen is very worried about you two.”

Gu Yao murmured, “But when she calls, you always avoid the topic, so she sent me to ask in person.”

It wasn’t that he was trying to hide anything.

He just didn’t know where to begin.

“We’ve come to a private agreement—for now, we won’t talk about divorce, at least not until your cousin finishes her college entrance exams.”

And after that?

The answer was self-evident.

The two of them were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn’t realize the control room tour had ended.

The county head was escorting Secretary Zhou down the hallway. As they passed the corner, fragments of Shen Peng and Gu Yao’s conversation drifted out through the slightly open door.

Director Shen getting divorced?

Everyone was stunned.

It was widely known that the couple was famous in the office for being affectionate.

Of course, with the top leader present, no one dared bring it up—no matter how curious they were. It just wasn’t the right time or place.

—

Thus, the two-day trip came to a busy, bustling end.

The inspection trip to Nanning wrapped up smoothly by the afternoon of the second day.

Due to certain official duties requiring attention, a few officials took the Coaster van ahead of the others. Secretary Zhou and his aide Xu Mo, however, departed later.

Unexpectedly, Gu Yao was also asked to stay behind.

She was confused.

Xu Mo kindly offered an explanation: “It’s about the project system reform—Secretary Zhou has a few questions for you.”

Hearing that, she immediately straightened up in full alert.

Oh no, not this again…

Well, even if she guessed right, she didn’t have a choice.

Only with a positive mindset could she stay fearless.

When getting into the car, Xu Mo gave a small cough and motioned with a tilt of his head, signaling her to sit in the back.

Why?

Gu Yao stood stiffly outside the front passenger seat, silently protesting.

Through the half-lowered window, a certain top official said in a calm voice, “It’s fine.”

The implication: sit wherever you prefer.

But soon enough, Gu Yao regretted her decision.

For nearly an hour of the drive, she had to keep turning her head to answer the man’s questions.

The topic was system upgrades—and among everyone in the Economic Planning Division, she probably had the most authority on the matter.

So, she made a point of being especially thorough with her answers.

Unfortunately, her neck paid the price.

It felt like it was going to snap.

After a restroom break at a service area, she walked back while rolling her shoulders and stretching her neck. Seeing this, Xu Mo chuckled. “There’s still about eighty kilometers to go. Want to keep sitting in front?”

Uh…

She hesitated a few seconds, then decisively shook her head.

Sure, sitting next to the big boss was stressful—but constantly turning around to talk was physically exhausting. It was torture.

Her silly, conflicted look made Xu Mo laugh out loud.

Just as he was about to joke further, he looked up—and suddenly locked eyes with the man in the distance, who was still on the phone.

Was it just his imagination, or did that gaze carry a faint chill?

Secretary Zhou seemed displeased.

Could something have gone wrong in the city?

But if that were the case, wouldn’t he have known by now? Xu Mo realized, belatedly, that no matter how carefully he calculated things—he had failed to factor himself in.

The call lasted ten minutes.

Once finished, Zhou Zhengliang pocketed his phone and walked back toward the vehicle. As he passed the girl, his eyes flicked to her briefly. He said in a low voice, “You look tired. Seems you didn’t sleep well in the Nanning hotel either.”

Gu Yao gave a sheepish smile, eyes tinged with faint grievance.

She didn’t dare complain aloud.

She was tempted to beg him to go easy on her with the questions. It was draining—mentally and physically.

When Xu Mo opened the rear door for him, Zhou Zhengliang’s gaze again fell on the girl beside him. His tone, noticeably gentler, carried a hint of amusement: “Ladies first.”

The young comrade quickly stepped forward.

“You first, sir.” She made a polite gesture of deference.

No subordinate should get in before a superior.

Gu Yao prided herself on her manners.

But in the next second, she was met with a gaze that was unreadable.

Calm. Unbothered.

And yet, deep within those eyes, was an unmistakable pressure—firm, unyielding.

“……”

After a few seconds of awkward standoff, she obediently climbed into the car.

She didn’t really understand what had just happened.

But when someone outranks you—not just by one level, but several—you don’t argue.

Surprisingly, the remainder of the journey didn’t involve any work talk.

The car was so quiet, and she was too nervous to strike up small talk. Gradually, she started to doze off, almost slipping into a dream right there in the backseat.

She didn’t know how much time had passed.

Until the car merged onto the G2 Ring Expressway. Under the blue sky and white clouds, vast fields of green lotus ponds spread out before them, stretching endlessly.

Gu Yao jolted awake, energy rushing back to her body.

In midsummer, lotus blossoms were in full bloom.

The boundless scenery, like a fairyland, instantly transported her to another world.

So beautiful.

In the window’s reflection, a face full of awe appeared—lips slightly parted, completely spellbound.

Zhou Zhengliang turned his head, eyes quietly settling on the girl’s expression.

Focused. Gentle.

She was looking at the flowers.

But the one watching her… had no interest in the scenery at all.