The door of the study was closed, and Liu Zhiwen and Liu Hong were inside. Cai Juanhua had seen such a scene before and knew that the father and son had something to discuss, so she didn't pay attention to it and continued watching TV in the living room. There wasn't anything good on TV, so Cai Juanhua thought about the furniture for Liu Hong and Zheng Yuxin's new home, which was being made by a carpenter. Cai Juanhua and Luo Ling had surprisingly similar opinions - they both thought that furniture made from Chinese fir wood was durable, aesthetically pleasing, and should be painted with putty powder. This had one major advantage: the furniture wouldn't have any strange smells, and as long as it was regularly cleaned, it wouldn't discolor and would become increasingly shiny. Thinking of this, Cai Juanhua couldn't sit still anymore, and she thought about going to find Luo Ling so they could go take a look at how the furniture was coming along.

  Cai Yuhua left quietly from the study, not wanting to disturb Liu Zhiwen and Liu Hong.

  "Dad, do you still remember Zheng Yuxin's good friend Tan Lingli?"

  "Hmm, I remember, is there something?"

  Liu Zhiwen couldn't forget Tan Lingli, the impression she left on him was too deep. Originally, Liu Zhiwen didn't know Tan Lingli, but Cai Juanhua and Luo Ling went to school to teach Xu Shaojie a lesson, which led to a big fuss. Liu Zhiwen asked Cai Juanhua about the whole thing in detail, including the letter, which made him feel shocked and frightened. Normally, people couldn't bear such humiliation.

  Later, Liu Zhiwen figured out what had happened, but he didn't know about Luo Ling's fake attitude towards Tan Lingli. He sensed that Tan Lingli was not a simple girl, she must have had other thoughts besides helping Liu Hong. After learning about her family situation, Liu Zhiwen concluded that Tan Lingli was thinking about the graduation assignment problem.

  Liu Zhiwen met Tan Lingli once, who looked ordinary but had very spiritual eyes, as if always thinking about something. From then on, Liu Zhiwen remembered Tan Lingli and had a bad impression of her. As someone with extensive experience, he thought that Tan Lingli was just a college student who hadn't entered society yet, and she played an extremely unglorious role in the matter between Zheng Yuxin and Xu Shaojie.

  The purpose of all this was to get assigned to a good job after graduation. The most crucial thing was that Tan Lingli and Zheng Yuxin were best friends, but for some unclear and intangible benefits, she betrayed her friend. Such people weren't worth befriending. Although similar situations often occurred in official circles, those benefits were real and tangible.

  Liu Zhiwen's tone was not good, and Liu Hong's heart began to drum. The courage that had been brewing for a long time was slowly disappearing. Liu Hong knew that because of the frame-up of Xu Shaojie, his father had a bad impression of Tan Lingli.

  "Dad, after Tan Lingli graduated, she was assigned to a reception office in Hanzhong District. Her work is very tiring. Last night, when I was having dinner with colleagues, I coincidentally met her and she asked me for help to transfer units."

  "Where does Tammy Ting want to transfer to work?"

  "Tan Lingli wants to transfer to work at Xilin City TV Station."

  Liu Zhiwen did not get angry, Xilin TV station is a good unit, I don't know how many people want to go in, Tan Lingli is a graduate of the journalism department of Xilin University, it's understandable to have such an idea, but why did Tan Lingli find Liu Hong, what qualifications does she have to make such a request, Liu Zhiwen wants to hear Liu Hong's explanation.

  Seeing his father without saying a word, Liu Hong plucked up the courage to speak.

  "Dad, Tan Lingli has helped me before, especially when Mom went to school to find Xu Shaojie. Tan Lingli knows all about it, I'm afraid she'll tell others and it won't be good for me, so I agreed to help her with something. You know what happened, now I can't handle Tan Lingli's transfer thing, so I have to tell you."

  "Liu Hong, I know about this matter, it's been so long ago, Xu Shaojie never said whether it was right or wrong from start to finish. Besides, you and Yu Xin are getting married soon, what's the point of Tan Lingli bringing it up now? Who would believe her? She's Zheng Yu Xin's best friend, doesn't she think about it before speaking out like that? Who would believe Tan Lingli? Liu Hong, it's better for you to be honest. You're still young, remember not to show off in front of older relatives, maybe you think your plan is successful but don't know that others can see through it at a glance. I'm your father and will point it out directly, would others do the same?"

  Liu Hong's heart was chilled, and the reason he had thought of with great difficulty was refuted by his father in just a few words. Liu Hong was somewhat flustered, if his father did not agree to handle Tang Lingli's transfer, he would be in big trouble.

  Liu Hong's flustered expression did not escape Liu Zhiwen. Thinking of Liu Hong's overnight absence, Liu Zhiwen made a connection and his expression turned serious.

  "Liu Hong, what exactly happened, tell me the truth."

  At this moment, Liu Hong's heart was filled with anxiety, wondering whether to tell the truth or not. In front of him was his own father, who had always silently helped him with his affairs without complaint. If it were anyone else asking this question, Liu Hong would have insisted on his original reason even if he were beaten to death. But in front of his father, Liu Hong wavered.

  A minute of silence felt so long, and suddenly Liu Hong knelt down in front of Liu Zhiwen, lowering his head and stuttering out the events that had occurred overnight, including how he and his colleague had eaten dinner, drunk deer antler wine, and suffered from unbearable bodily heat, and how he had had an affair with Tan Lingli, whose demand was to be transferred to work at the Xilin City TV station, and all matters would be settled with a single stroke. Of course, Liu Hong wouldn't mention that he had taken the initiative to make advances on Tan Lingli afterwards.

  Liu Zhiwen closed his eyes, his hands slightly trembling, clearly with immense anger in his heart. Liu Hong had finished speaking and remained kneeling on the ground. Liu Zhiwen did not ask him to get up and only spoke after a while.

  "Liu Hong, where did you go wrong? I don't want to say more because the mistake you made is too big. If it's not handled properly, you'll be ruined. You and Yu Xin have already gotten your marriage certificate, and what happened between you and Tan Lingli is a typical case of infidelity. In an administrative unit, the two things that are most taboo are economic problems and moral issues. If this gets exposed, you'll never be able to show your face again. You're wronging Yu Xin, wronging your family... Liu Hong, you're too naive! I can guarantee that what you're thinking about now is how to help Tan Lingli solve her work problems, but you haven't thought about why this happened. If you can't find the reason behind it, you'll suffer losses again in the future."

  Liu Hong looked up in shock and stared at Liu Zhiwen.

  "Tan Lingli's heart, I've seen it before. A girl from an ordinary family background can abandon her years of friendship with Zheng Yuxin for the sake of her future. What more for the adjustment of the unit? You must think carefully about this matter. If the girl really resists, based on my understanding of you, you still don't have the skills to succeed."

  Liu Hong suddenly felt a sense of fear. From childhood to adulthood, he had always thought himself to be excellent, although on the surface he appeared humble and yielding, but in reality, he was extremely proud. He never expected to be used by someone, especially after starting work, and being exploited by Zheng Yuxin's best friend. Xu Shaojie had once had such thoughts, but they were fleeting. Tan Lingli didn't need to pay such a great price, let alone when Liu Hong himself drank the deer antler wine. He even felt somewhat self-satisfied, possibly because he was too outstanding, and Tan Lingli also admired him, so she half-heartedly agreed. Liu Zhiwen's words completely shattered his thoughts. This world is too terrifying, for the sake of benefits, nothing can't be exchanged.

  "Liu Hong, you are the hope of our family. Your starting point now is much stronger than mine was back then. From a young age, you have been nurtured by our family. I hope you mature quickly. You need to know that as your status changes, you will encounter more and more things. But remember, when you can't control the situation, the only way out is to avoid it, no matter how great the temptation. However, you failed once. I don't want to comment on what happened between you and Tang Lingli. From this morning until now, you've been thinking for a whole day. Now, tell me all your thoughts. I want to see how much insight you have gained. Alright, stand up and sit on the sofa."

  Liu Hong sat on the sofa and thought for about two minutes.

  "Dad, I know I was wrong. I was used by Tan Lingli. I didn't expect her to pay such a big price. I understand now that in interactions between people, we always pursue benefits. The more you invest, the more you need to get back."

  "Uh, you're a Chinese major graduate, so you should be very clear about the principle of 'taking what you want but first giving what you have'. I don't need to explain it to you. Moreover, when you've done something wrong, how do you face it? You must remember to stay calm. Some things you can take responsibility for, some things you can't. Although I always teach you to make fewer mistakes, you can't avoid making mistakes altogether. What's important is that you learn from them and avoid similar mistakes in the future. Today, you admitted your mistake in front of me, and as your father, I'll try my best to help you solve it. But will others do the same? No one will. Your excuses are not convincing enough, and anyone with some experience can see through them. Moreover, your nervousness has already revealed your inner thoughts. In official circles, you must be able to remain calm like Mount Tai crumbling in front of you without changing color, or a deer leaping on the left without blinking an eye. No matter what, don't reveal your inner thoughts.

  When it comes to mistakes, anyone knows how to deal with and take responsibility for them. The key is how to handle mistakes that can't be taken care of. Take the thing with Tang Lingli, for example. Experienced people know there are only two ways to handle it: one is to drag it out and slowly seek a solution, or two is to clearly state your position and negotiate with Tang Lingli. Her demands are too high, so you need to lower them. This way, both parties can benefit. Don't think about swallowing the whole elephant in one bite or reaching the top in one step.

  I want to tell you that there's no free lunch in this world. Everyone does things for a purpose, except your parents who only want you to have a good life and make sacrifices for you unconditionally. Others won't do that.

  Finally, I want to tell you that when faced with responsibilities you can't take care of, don't admit them even if it kills you. Hold on tight and get through this difficult time, or else you'll fall into an abyss from which you can't escape."

  Liu Hong listened very carefully and did not miss a single sentence. These words could not be heard outside.

  "Tan Lingli's matter, I'll handle it. You must learn a lesson from this. When Yuxin comes back, be nice to her, absolutely cannot let this ruin the family. Yuxin is a good girl."

  Half a month later, Tan Lingli received her appointment letter and started working at Xilin City TV Station.

  When Tan Lingli received the transfer order, her colleagues at the sub-district office were very surprised. They knew about Tan Lingli's situation and wondered how this girl had managed to get transferred to work at the Xilin City TV station, which was a great unit, incomparable to the sub-district office. When leaving the sub-district office, her colleagues bid farewell to Tan Lingli and congratulated her. Tan Lingli smiled and couldn't hide her excitement.

  Tan Lingli's parents never dreamed that their daughter could work at the Xilin City TV station, they were not capable of making it happen. Tan Lingli's explanation was simple: her classmates helped her out, thanks to the relationships she had built in school. The old people knew that Tan Lingli and Zheng Yuxin were close friends, and they also knew that Zheng Yuxin's father was a high-ranking official, so they didn't suspect anything.

  The neighbors also came to congratulate, and Tam Ling Li's self-esteem was greatly satisfied.

  Tan Lingli entered the Xilin City TV station to work, first arranged in the office, the situation is vastly different, the TV station has money, good treatment, good working environment, Tan Lingli was quickly allocated a one-bedroom apartment, although on the top floor, but compared to the street office's treatment, it's simply the difference between heaven and earth.

  In just half a month, the situation has changed so much, Tan Lingli felt it was well worth it.

  That night, Tan Lingli returned to her dormitory. She had moved out of her family home and had a separate dorm room. After dinner at home every day, Tan Lingli would return to the dormitory to sleep. The bathroom and kitchen in the house were all well-equipped. After taking a bath, Tan Lingli sat in the living room when there was a knock on the door.

  After opening the door, Liu Hong appeared in front of her. Tan Lingli's expression was very calm, although she had achieved her goal, but Liu Hong was still a wound in Tan Lingli's heart.

  Liu Hong came in and didn't say anything, looking around the room. There was a small balcony at the front and back of the top floor. From the balcony, you could see far into the distance, and it still felt quite refreshing. Tan Lingli was sitting in the living room, not moving, wearing her pajamas after taking a bath. At this moment, Liu Hong entered the living room, pulled up Tan Lingli, and came to the balcony. An unexpected scene unfolded before Tan Lingli's eyes: Liu Hong pushed her against the balcony railing, with both of them facing outward. Without any courtesy, Liu Hong took off Tan Lingli's pants and directly entered her body. Tan Lingli felt a wave of dizziness but didn't dare make a sound, as there were people living downstairs.

  As Liu Hong's movements grew stronger, Tan Lingli felt a sensation she had never experienced before. When Liu Hong released himself into her body, Tan Lingli surprisingly felt a sense of satisfaction. The two of them were having wild sex on the balcony, and if anyone found out, no one would believe it.

  That night, Liu Hong did not leave, and Tan Lingli also acquiesced.