Qiao Nan submitted her assignments earlier than Deng Wenchang. It proved that she was faster than Deng Wenchang.

  Qiao Nan arched her eyebrows and smiled at Deng Wenchang, whose pen roughly slid across the table. “Comrade Deng, don’t be in a hurry. Although we have the same amount of work, perhaps there is a difference in the nature of the work. Your task might be more complicated than mine. As you must know, I did not go for overseas studies and I did not have a master’s degree. I admit that I am lacking in all these.”

  Before Deng Wenchang came up with the high-sounding and unrealistic excuses, Qiao Nan ‘kindly’ helped him come up with excuses. To Qiao Nan, this was not the first time that she heard them.

  Initially, Deng Wenchang felt that he had valid reasons. But now that Qiao Nan beat him to saying them, the same words seemed to sound awkward coming from Qiao Nan’s mouth. It was as if he refused to admit defeat and came up with excuses for himself. “Qiao Nan, don’t be too smug. What matters is the work attitude. Being fast is useless. You can’t afford to make any mistakes here. Don’t tell me that you don’t know that the first and foremost requirement in the ministry is to be cautious?”

  She should not be smug that she completed the assignments faster than him.

  It would be disastrous if she made mistakes. Her colleagues would have to redo the work then. This was akin to increasing the workload and adding trouble to other people. By then, he would see if Qiao Nan could laugh like now.

  “Tell you what, I will make a copy of my completed assignment and give it to you. If you finish your work, can you help me do a check?” Qiao Nan was not surprised that for people like Deng Wenchang, no matter what she did, he would be full of doubts and want to find the chink in her armor.

  Since Deng Wenchang wanted to find the chink in her armor, she was not afraid of giving him her work and letting him do a check. She should see if he could spot any mistakes in them.

  \r \r \r

  “There is no need for me to do a check. The minister can tell at one glance if there are any mistakes.” Deng Wenchang was not willing to waste any time on Qiao Nan. He only wanted to make things difficult and embarrassing for her. But he was not willing to lose out to Qiao Nan in terms of the amount of work that they did. He did not want to look as if Qiao Nan was hardworking whereas he skived.

  “Minister, I am almost done with my work. You can go ahead to give me other assignments.” He wanted to do a better job than Qiao Nan and complete more assignments than her. He must defeat her in all aspects.

  Qiao Nan smiled lightly. Nevertheless, she still made a copy of her completed assignment out of ‘good intention’. Deng Wenchang finally completed his assignment by the time Qiao Nan was done photocopying her work. “Comrade Deng, congratulations. We are at the same starting line again.”

  Qiao Nan did not feel the least scared at the thick stack of work assignments.

  She was not afraid of competing with Deng Wenchang.

  Back when she devoted all her time to her school work and reading books, she was used to doing even more assignments than the tasks that she was given now.

  Since Qiao Nan had no intention of giving up, Deng Wenchang had to continue with his work. He did not even have the time to take a breather or to smoke. He could only work as hard as Qiao Nan. Qiao Nan was a student, and she was used to this type of lifestyle. It was different for Deng Wenchang. He had graduated more than a year ago. When he was in college, he no longer completed his assignments by hand. Besides, now that he was working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were computers in the office. He was used to typing on the computer.

  As a student who came back from overseas studies, he was very familiar with the computer and had a fast typing speed. This was one of the main reasons why he was confident of having a strong foothold in the ministry.

  Now that he was competing with Qiao Nan, Deng Wenchang had to use the basic method of writing nonstop with his right hand and a pen.

  Qiao Nan looked energized and enthusiastic. It was as if she had drunk ten bottles of Red Bull. Deng Wenchang’s hands felt so sore and painful that he could no longer write.

  The veterans in the department witnessed the scene and one of them walked to stand next to He Yi, giving him a thumbs-up. “All of us in the department know that Comrade Xiao Deng is arrogant and proud. Comrade Xiao Qiao must be very capable to be able to make him suffer. Old He, tell me honestly. Where did you get such a good comrade from? The young lady might be young, but she is not delicate at all.”

  Compared to Deng Wenchang, she was even more able to withstand hardships. She was the industrious and hands-on type.

  He Yi felt particularly proud. She was his little junior. Since they had the same master, she must be capable. All these years, his master had the same good judgment as back in his younger days. Back then, his master also made a good judgment when he chose him as his disciple. “That’s without a doubt. Comrade Xiao Qiao might be young, but she was a Peking University student and she is awarded a scholarship yearly. If not for the special situation at home, Comrade Xiao Deng would not be the only person in the department who has gone on overseas studies. Comrade Xiao Qiao rejected the offer to go on a sponsored overseas study.”

  The colleague was surprised. “She is that capable?” His child wanted to go for overseas studies but did not do as well in the exams and had to pay for overseas studies. The expenses for one year were very costly. He and his wife could feel the pinch. The school fees and the cost of the books were alarmingly high. They had yet to factor in the living expenses. But no matter how expensive it was or the impact it had on their savings and living expenses, they only had one child. They hoped that the child would be successful and make them proud in the future.

  They had no other choice but to fork out the money.

  Unlike their situation where they had to fork out the money by themselves, the school was willing to sponsor Comrade Xiao Qiao, yet she refused to go. “What is her family situation? It is a golden opportunity. Why did she give it up? It is such a pity. As the elders, we all hope that the children will make something of themselves. It is impossible that one would stop them from developing and learning.”

  They were willing to fork out their own money to send the child for overseas studies. It was beyond reason that one would refuse to go when one was being sponsored.

  He Yi knew about his colleague’s situation. He smiled as he patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. Even if Comrade Xiao Qiao did not go for overseas studies, she is just as capable. Look at our generation. After the special period, who would be able to go for overseas studies? Aren’t they fearful?”

  His master was the exception. He was brave and daring. Although it was during the special period, he still went overseas to study without any hesitation.

  While other people were suffering, his master concentrated on his studies. He became a knowledgeable man who was very proficient in a foreign language within that precious ten years. He was a rare talent. After he returned to the country, he had an edge over others and he had a strong foothold in his field of expertise.

  Until today, He Yi still admired Lin Yuankang for his decisive and swift actions back then.

  Other people wasted ten years of their lives, while Lin Yuankang used the ten years to enrich himself and reached a state where other ordinary people could not attain. What was important was that his knowledge and skills were able to keep up with the times and he would never fall behind.

  After listening to He Yi, the colleague pursed his lips sullenly, not making further comments.