Capítulo 615: Chapter 615: Better to Set the Lone Wolf Free Than Keep Him Leashed
After sending the text message, Tang Li waited for about two minutes before typing: “I’m planning to go to sleep. You must be exhausted these days, rest early. PS: No more smoking before bed. [Heart]”
Once sent successfully, she stuffed her cellphone back beside the bed.
Song Baiyan was sitting in Tan Palace’s second-floor dining room, smoking, when he received the message. His fingers, holding the cigarette, slid across the screen, and as he read Tang Li’s teasing words, it seemed as if he could see a mischievous little figure prancing on the screen, a faint smile curving his lips mixed with a measure of endearment.
Seeing the content after PS, he hesitated with his hand but eventually snuffed out the half-smoked cigarette.
Ji Ming came to the dining room to find the gentleman ‘stealing a moment of leisure’ and saw that Song Baiyan had stopped smoking. He approached and placed a letter on the dining table.
“It was sent by the Minister of the Ministry of Justice this afternoon.”
Ji Ming explained: “It was placed in the secretary’s office; Secretary Guo just found it. When I ran into him at the stairwell, he asked me to bring it over.”
Song Baiyan picked up the envelope and saw the words “Resignation Letter”.
In the bottom right corner was Han Jifeng’s name.
The resignation of Han Jifeng couldn’t be said to be surprising, as there were already signs of it in the days before.
Involuntarily, Ji Ming glanced at his superior.
Song Baiyan’s expression remained unchanged. Without opening the envelope to check the resignation letter’s content, Ji Ming spoke out: “During your time abroad, Director Han frequently made contact with people from another political party, and such behavior is already stepping over the line.”
Song Baiyan was aware of Han Jifeng’s interactions with those on the other side and did not stop or warn him. This confused Ji Ming, but he couldn’t directly ask about it.
Song Baiyan seemed to know what was on his mind: “Are you hoping that I will hold on to the resignation letter and not allow the Ministry of Justice to approve his departure?”
Ji Ming affirmed.
Han Jifeng was in a hurry to resign, most certainly because he had found a better opportunity.
Although Ji Ming was only the President’s Chief of Security, after having followed Song Baiyan for many years since Father Song’s death, he was intuitively aware that “politics” was not as straightforward as military affairs.
People in politics are usually extremely calculating.
To Ji Ming, the simplest solution to Han Jifeng submitting his resignation letter was to temporarily find any excuse to prevent him from leaving.
For a politician, a few months could often determine the success or failure of a matter.
Song Baiyan, as the President, would not find it difficult to keep Han Jifeng.
Even if it meant quibbling, he could drag it out for a month or two.
Ji Ming added, “In a month’s time, the major regions will start electing senators.”
By then, every political party would have its corresponding slots.
It was obvious that Han Jifeng was resigning at this time with plans to run for election. In the United States, House of Representatives members generally return to civilian life after their term, but the Senate is different. The Senate acts as a talent pool for the administrative and judicial branches, with many of the candidates in each election cycle being former senators.
If Han Jifeng had ambitions, he would inevitably join the opposition party.
Song Baiyan’s affiliation with the previous President’s political party was already quite rare.
As such, the next President absolutely could not come from the same party as Song Baiyan, making Han Jifeng’s resignation, though seemingly unexpected, actually within reason.
A senator’s term is six years; if Han Jifeng missed this chance, he would have to wait another six years.
Besides—
There are many senators who have been re-elected for three or four decades.
For instance, that Councilman Lai Wenyan.
With Tianyi Group as his economic backing, he’s been winning every vote, glued to the seat of senator for 12 years with a tendency to hold onto it even longer.
An incumbent getting re-elected means one less spot for the rising stars.
Song Baiyan put the envelope back on the dining table: “Let the Ministry of Justice clear him and find a replacement as soon as possible.”
Afterward, Song Baiyan added, “Rather than keeping a lone wolf tied up by your side, it’s better to let him go; consider it doing him a favor. Whether he remembers it is one thing, and whether it is convenient for us is another. If we block his way out, with his temperament, as long as we don’t completely crush him, he could be a future threat.”
Han Jifeng is someone Ji Ming doesn’t know much about.
After hearing Song Baiyan’s assessment of him, Ji Ming couldn’t help but say, “Apart from his initial exposure of Xia Zhengguo, I haven’t seen any other strengths.”
Han Jifeng has visited Tan Palace a few times. Whether in conversation or reporting work, he could only be described as average; one couldn’t pick out faults in him, yet there was also nothing particularly praiseworthy.
“He intentionally conceals his skills; naturally, you wouldn’t notice.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Ming didn’t know what to say.
Song Baiyan instructed, “Have him come to see me tomorrow afternoon.”
The next day, Tang Li tidied up her dormitory and, taking only two sets of change clothes, headed for the Lai Family home with a compact luggage bag.
Coming out of the apartment building, she saw a figure squatting by the door.
As the other party turned their head upon hearing the door close,
Looking at Fu Si’s familiar, handsome face, Tang Li paused in her steps, almost failing to recognize him. Her gaze moved from Fu Si’s dyed black hair to his features; he seemed less rebellious, and with his lean figure, other than calling him a fresh-faced youth, Tang Li couldn’t think of a more fitting description.
When Fu Si saw Tang Li, he was visibly excited and then quickly reverted to his aloof demeanor, casting aside the twig in his hand and pursing his thin lips as he looked at her.
Seeing Tang Li walk away, he immediately followed: “Where are you going?”
“You say you’re off filming for months, hardly back for a break, and in no time, you have to leave again.” Having failed to maintain his gloomy and cool image, Fu Si quickly revealed his true nature: “I’ve been waiting outside since morning, haven’t had lunch, and only nibbled on a dry veggie pancake for breakfast. Now that I’ve seen you, you won’t even greet me.”
Tang Li replied: “Your nose is held so high, I thought you didn’t want to be bothered with me.”
“…That’s a prejudice.”
Fu Si concluded, then took Tang Li’s luggage bag: “I’ve never met a more heartless woman than you. That night, you didn’t even come after me to comfort me. You said you were busy filming, then ran off to the United Kingdom with another man.”
He said this with a slightly awkward pout, his eyes landing on Tang Li: “Wherever you’re going, it just so happens I’m heading out too; I can give you a ride.”
“I’m going back to my relative’s place.” Tang Li declined: “No need for you to give me a lift. Just return my luggage bag, please.”
“Forget it, I’ll take you anyway.”
Fu Si carried the luggage bag and headed toward the entrance of Wentan Garden regardless.
By the road outside Wentan Garden was a parked motorcycle.
As Tang Li approached, besides her luggage bag, there was a pile of books strapped to the back of the bike. Noticing her gaze, Fu Si looked somewhat abashed: “My finals are coming up soon. Could you help tutor me for a few days?”
“…” Tang Li.
Seeing her silent, Fu Si tentatively asked: “You don’t think I came here to pester you, do you?”
“…”
“Recently I’ve been busy teaming up for leveling, so I haven’t had much time to think about you.”