After returning from Changbai Mountain, Chen Ziming found an evening to visit his father.
"An engagement?" Secretary Chen frowned slightly, idly playing with a string of wooden beads on his desk. After a moment's thought, he replied, "I have no objections. If you want to get engaged, the family will cooperate."
"I don't think it's suitable now," Chen Ziming replied instead.
Seeing the confusion on his father's face, he explained, "Whether they get engaged or not, he will never attain the position he desires."
"A man of his character must have many enemies in the shadows. You are also facing a critical juncture, and it is not appropriate to be too closely tied to him."
He then lowered his gaze and pondered further, "Besides, I don't want such an important matter to become a tool for him to exploit. Yueyue is still young; an engagement will only make her feel constrained."
"If we are to get engaged... it must be after I propose properly..."
The scene of the two of them in Changbai Mountain suddenly flashed in his mind, and a smile appeared on his face.
Secretary Chen cleared his throat twice, prompting, "You're going off-topic."
"Mhm, did Uncle Xu visit you?" he resumed a serious expression and asked in a low voice.
"He visited during the New Year and indirectly inquired. I only said I don't know Su Minghua well and am unsure of your intentions in seeking him out, but I am very fond of Yueyue and wish you would marry her quickly."
Chen Ziming chuckled, "Thank you for your cooperation, Dad. The Politburo will announce the personnel appointments soon, and Su Minghua will definitely seize this opportunity."
Secretary Chen pondered for a moment and replied, "Not getting engaged is the right decision. Su Minghua is a man of deep schemes. If you constantly indulge him, he will become suspicious instead."
"However," he added as a caution, "Director Su employs insidious methods. Once he recovers from this setback, he might seek revenge."
"I understand. Please don't worry, I will prepare in advance."
...
When Su Minghua learned that the Chen family was not considering arranging an engagement for the two children for the time being, he felt a slight unease.
But soon, he adjusted his mindset.
Mentioning an engagement was merely to add another layer of security. Whether it happened or not did not prevent him from becoming a popular figure within the ministry.
Political capital is always subtle and intangible, yet extremely sensitive.
Chen Ziming's two visits had sent a signal to those in the ministry.
A signal that he and the high-ranking Secretary Chen stood together.
With this, many opportunities would automatically present themselves, or he could seize them with a little effort.
For instance, the internal selection process for the Politburo this time.
To ensure stability, he also found an opportunity to discreetly probe Director Xu's intentions, and the answer he received delighted him.
Nothing goes perfectly smoothly. The Chen family's refusal to agree to the engagement had, on the contrary, made him relax his guard.
Some matters could now be put on the agenda.
On March 4th, at the Yuluo Street Police Station.
Chen Ziming was on night duty. After responding to a call, he saw Chi Yiran sitting in the lobby.
Ever since he learned of her affections, he had been avoiding her. Even during the New Year, he had only sent someone to visit her family.
Seeing her here again, he showed displeasure and ignored her, taking the apprehended individuals to the mediation room.
Chi Yiran seemed to have anticipated this, sitting quietly in her original spot, waiting patiently.
It wasn't until two in the morning that Officer Chen emerged into the lobby, followed by the people he had apprehended. He was quietly reprimanding them as he led them to the front desk to sign.
After those individuals left, he drank some water before looking at the seated Chi Yiran.
"Officer Chen." As their eyes met, Chi Yiran felt her heart flutter violently, and she couldn't help but smile as she stood up and called out softly.
Chen Ziming lowered his gaze, took a deep breath, and still walked over, asking in a low voice, "Is there something?"
"Yes, there is something," her voice was sincere and gentle, making one's heart soften.
"Speak," he said, raising his wrist to check the time, his voice devoid of emotion.
"It's my father's birthday today," Chi Yiran replied softly, glancing at the time on her phone.
A flicker of obvious surprise and moved emotion crossed the young officer's face, clad in his police uniform.
"It's his 50th birthday, and we're planning a small ceremony for him at home... You only sent someone to my house during the New Year, and my mother thought you still felt guilty. She wants to invite you to resolve any lingering resentment."
Her voice began to tremble slightly, and her eyes welled up with tears as she continued,
"I know you were unhappy with my actions before, and I have seriously reflected on them. Please rest assured, I will never do anything to threaten your relationship with Su Yue again."
"But this time... please do come. I believe my father... in spirit, would also wish for you to celebrate his birthday with us."
After saying this, a tear traced a path down her cheek.
Perfectly timed, a picture of poignant beauty.