kvmb Chapter 419 Seeking an Interview with Liu Lan (2)
Chapter 419 Seeking an Interview with Liu Lan (2)
Seeing this, Xu Damao felt a glimmer of hope in his heart. He was about to open his mouth to continue lobbying, but he saw Zhao Ze walking over from the side without him knowing when.
Zhao Ze's eyes were instantly attracted by the gifts on the table, his eyes flashing with greed, as if those gifts were already in his pocket. He turned to look at Liu Lan, with a teasing and calculating tone in his voice:
"Lanzi, Xu Damao is so sincere. What's wrong with you saying a few words to the factory director? Besides, you have some friendship with the factory director and Xu Damao. Isn't this a piece of cake for you?"
There was obvious utilitarianism and mercenary in Zhao Ze's words. His attitude was completely different from his previous indifference towards Xu Damao, as if he was instantly blinded by interests.
When Liu Lan heard this, she couldn't help but feel a surge of anger in her heart. She glared at Zhao Ze, with both anger and disappointment in her eyes.
She didn't expect that Zhao Ze would change his position for such a small profit, and she didn't expect that he would say such words in front of Xu Damao.
However, Liu Lan is a woman who knows the ways of the world and has a sense of propriety. Faced with Zhao Ze's sudden change of attitude and Xu Damao's earnest expectations, she knows that she must remain calm and not let her emotions control her reason.
So she gently closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and let the anger that was about to burst out circle in her chest for a few rounds before slowly calming down. When she opened her eyes again, they were calm and determined.
She turned around, looked at Xu Damao with a gentle but resolute gaze, and slowly said: "Da Mao, it's not that I don't want to help you. It's just that this matter is really much more complicated than you think.
The factory manager has his own principles and stance, and not just anyone can influence his decision. Moreover, even if I really speak up, it may not necessarily change anything.”
Having said this, Liu Lan paused slightly. She noticed that Xu Damao's face turned a little pale, and his eyes revealed a bit of disappointment and uneasiness.
But she did not soften her heart, and continued: "But, Damao, you have to believe that I, Liu Lan, am not the kind of person who will watch someone in danger and not help. If I can really help, I will definitely try my best. But right now, I really can't do anything."
Seeing this, Xu Damao quickly put away the disappointment on his face and put on a flattering smile. He walked quickly to Liu Lan, almost touching her shoulder, and whispered:
"Sister Lan, I know this is difficult. But in my heart, you have always been a capable, affectionate and righteous person.
As long as you are willing to help, even if it is just a nice word, I will be grateful. From now on, no matter what you need help with, I, Xu Damao, will definitely do my best to help you! I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
As he spoke, Xu Damao deliberately patted his chest to show his determination. His eyes were full of expectation and pleading, as if Liu Lan's words could decide his fate.
Although Liu Lan was full of the impulse to refuse, her eyes fell on Zhao Ze involuntarily. Zhao Ze was staring at the gifts brought by Xu Damao with shining eyes, holding the packaging tightly with both hands, as if he was afraid that they would suddenly disappear.
This scene made Liu Lan think about it. "Da Mao," Liu Lan's voice was gentle and firm. She slowly said:
"Since you are so sincere, I can help you try. But you have to understand that I dare not guarantee the factory director's success. Whether it will succeed depends on his own will."
At this point, Liu Lan paused and continued, "Whether it succeeds or not, you have to promise me one thing."
When Xu Damao heard this, his eyes lit up immediately, and he nodded repeatedly, as if he had seen the dawn of hope. "Sister Lan, tell me! Not to mention one, I'll agree to ten!" His tone was full of eagerness and gratitude.
Seeing this, Liu Lan raised the corners of her mouth slightly, outlining a meaningful smile. "If this doesn't work out in the end, you can't blame me.
After all, I have tried my best. Moreover, I hope you will stop pestering me in the future, after all, we all have our own lives. " Her tone was calm and serious, and every word struck Xu Damao's heart.
Xu Damao's face changed slightly when he heard this. He obviously didn't expect Liu Lan to put forward such a condition. But looking at Liu Lan's determined eyes and Zhao Ze who was watching him eagerly, he finally gritted his teeth and made a decision.
"Okay! Sister Lan, I promise you! As long as you can help me with this, no matter what the result is, I will not bother you again."
After Liu Lan said "That's settled," her gaze stayed on Zhao Ze for a moment. After confirming that he had no other objections or dissatisfaction, she nodded slightly.
Xu Damao and Qin Jingru exchanged helpless looks, as if they had expected such an outcome, but had to accept it nonetheless.
They were about to say goodbye and leave. Before leaving, Xu Damao deliberately cast a grateful look at Liu Lan, although that gratitude was mixed with some complicated emotions.
Seeing this, Zhao Ze immediately put on a smiling face, approached Liu Lan, and said with a hint of ridicule: "As expected of you as the director of our purchasing department, this is a great trick! You didn't offend anyone, and you achieved your goal at the same time."
Liu Lan frowned slightly when she heard this. She didn't like Zhao Ze's sarcastic tone, and she didn't like him using this tone on her even more.
So, she rolled her eyes at Zhao Ze, with a bit of dissatisfaction in her tone: "If you don't like it, I'll return the things right away and reject him at the same time? So that you don't have to make sarcastic remarks here."
When Zhao Ze heard this, his face immediately turned awkward. He smiled awkwardly, realizing that he might have gone a little too far.
So, he quickly changed the subject, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere: "Ah, Lanzi, look at my mouth, I really can't talk. The meal is ready, I'll go call my daughter to come out for dinner, let's eat first, and talk about other things after dinner."
As he said that, Zhao Ze hurriedly turned and walked towards the living room, as if he was avoiding Liu Lan's sharp gaze. Liu Lan looked at Zhao Ze's back and shook her head gently, feeling both helpless and sad.
......
Qin Jingru and Xu Damao walked out of Liu Lan's courtyard side by side. Qin Jingru turned her head to look at Xu Damao, her eyes full of anxiety and expectation. She asked softly:
"Da Mao, do you think Liu Lan... can really help us?" There was a hint of trembling in her voice, as if even she herself did not quite believe in this hope.
Hearing this, Xu Damao stopped and looked up at the blurry skyline in the distance, with a complicated look on his face. He shook his head slowly, with a bit of helplessness and self-mockery in his tone:
"Whether to help or not, we can only put our hope on her now. We have done everything we can, and the rest is up to God's will."
After saying this, he gave a bitter smile, which contained too much bitterness and unwillingness. He had never thought that one day he would need to ask for help from Liu Lan, whom he once looked down upon.
"Ah..." Xu Damao sighed, and this sigh seemed to weigh on his heart. He turned and looked at Qin Jingru, his eyes full of tenderness and apology:
"Jingru, you go back first and have a good rest. I have to go to work. There are still a lot of things waiting to be dealt with in the factory."
Qin Jingru nodded, her eyes slightly red. She knew how much pressure Xu Damao was under. She gently squeezed Xu Damao's hand to show encouragement:
"Da Mao, don't be too exhausted. I'll try to find a way and see if my parents have any connections that can help me."
Xu Damao looked at Qin Jingru gratefully, and a warm feeling surged in his heart. He patted Qin Jingru on the shoulder and told her not to worry: "Okay, go back and have a rest early. Don't worry too much, everything will be fine."
After saying that, Xu Damao turned and walked towards the bicycle parked nearby. He got on the saddle, pedaled hard with both feet, and the bicycle slowly drove away from the alley, leaving behind only a series of crisp bell sounds and Qin Jingru's gradually receding gaze.
Qin Jingru stood there, watching Xu Damao's figure disappear in the crowd, then she slowly turned around and walked towards the direction of Xu's house.