Colorful years

The predicament of Zhang Cong and his wife living apart was resolved satisfactorily within just six months. This turning point was not only due to Zhang Cong's outstanding work ability, but also inseparable from his deep friendship with Minister Yan.

In the early days of the city's establishment, Zhang Cong, thanks to his outstanding performance and close relationship with Minister Yan, was able to almost get whatever he asked for. The establishment of the Municipal Party Committee's Publicity and Liaison Department provided him with an important platform to showcase his talents.

With the normal operation of the Municipal Party Committee's Publicity and Liaison Department, relevant directly affiliated management agencies, such as the Lecturers' Group, the Federation of Industry and Commerce, and the Federation of Social Sciences, were also established one after another.

Considering his wife Wang Li's professional background, Zhang Cong's first plan for transferring her to work in Dayong was to have her take charge of the preparation work for the lecturer team.

Wang Li was originally a lecturer in the Xiangxi Prefecture Party Committee's Lecturers' Group, with an excellent reputation for her teaching skills, outstanding professional abilities, and strong organizational skills. Transferring her to lead the preparatory work for the lecturers' group was a natural progression.

If she performs exceptionally well, she is expected to be appointed as the director of the lecturer group, becoming a division-level leader. Minister Yan expressed her full support and high expectations for this.

However, Wang Li unexpectedly refused this arrangement. Whether she was out of her mind or had grown tired of living in poverty, she resolutely refused to work for the lecturer group and instead strongly requested to work for the economic regulatory department.

Faced with his wife's insistence, Zhang Cong had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask Minister Yan for help again. Transferring Wang Li to the lecturer group, a department directly under the Publicity Department, was a simple matter for Minister Yan. However, transferring her to the economic department required seeking help from leaders of other departments, inevitably involving dealing with their opinions.

Because the person was Zhang Cong's family member, Minister Yan didn't say much and once again offered his help. Fortunately, as a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, once Minister Yan spoke up, the leaders of other departments couldn't refuse.

Ultimately, Wang Li successfully transferred to the Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Price Bureau. This department wielded immense power, overseeing market access for businesses, supervising their market behavior, and managing the pricing of various goods and services—its power was truly boundless.

Wang Li quickly adapted to her new position. With her intelligence and hard work, she soon established herself in the Industry and Commerce Bureau and became a key member of the department.

Wang Li's transfer not only resolved their long-distance relationship but also brought new opportunities to their careers. Zhang Cong's work in the Municipal Party Committee's Publicity and Liaison Department continued to progress steadily, while Wang Li's outstanding performance in the Industry and Commerce Bureau significantly improved their family's financial situation. Their joint efforts gradually put their lives back on track, and the future was full of hope and possibilities.

A family reunion is a joyous occasion, but the housing problem stands like a mountain in their way, the first challenge they must overcome on their own.

Like Cinderella, a small county town transformed overnight into the capital of a prefecture-level city. Numerous newly established municipal agencies sprang up like mushrooms after rain, and a flood of staff poured in, instantly overcrowding the mountain town.

Zhang Cong, who used to work in the county's publicity department, made full use of his accumulated network of contacts to actively seek help. He contacted his former colleague, Lao Yang, who is now the director of the Yongding District Construction Committee, and told him about his current predicament.

Upon learning of Zhang Cong's predicament, Director Yang offered assistance without hesitation, stating that the quality inspection station could arrange a small three-bedroom apartment for him. The rent for this apartment would be exactly the same as that for other station employees, making it a very cost-effective solution for Zhang Cong.

And so, Zhang Cong and his family happily moved into their new home and began a brand new life. At first, everything seemed so beautiful and warm, with family members caring for each other and living in harmony.

But as time went on, problems gradually surfaced. Because Zhang Cong devoted so much energy and time to his work, he neglected family matters and couldn't give his family enough care and companionship. Gradually, his wife became dissatisfied with him, and their relationship grew increasingly strained.

During that period, Zhang Cong was indeed extremely busy. As a key member of his unit, he single-handedly took on the heavy workload of six departments within the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department.

Every day, he had to handle a large amount of documents and materials, organize various meetings and activities, and coordinate relationships with various parties. In addition, he also shouldered the important responsibility of preparing for the Dayong Daily, and every step, from the initial planning to the later implementation, required his meticulous management.

What put him under even more pressure was that he had to personally handle those crucial press reception tasks to ensure everything went perfectly.

The workload was far beyond imagination; Zhang Cong often felt overwhelmed and wished he could be like Sun Wukong, plucking a hair from his head and conjuring ten versions of himself to help.

The so-called eight-hour workday was just a hollow slogan to him. Every morning, while the city was still immersed in the tranquility before dawn, Zhang Cong would rush out of his house to begin his long and busy workday. He would work until the night was deep and the stars were twinkling, and it was often after 10 p.m. before his exhausted figure would appear at his doorstep.

At that time, their lovely daughter, Nannan, was just over two years old, a time of innocence, liveliness, and activity, and she had already entered the kindergarten.

However, because both husband and wife are busy with work, family life inevitably becomes somewhat chaotic. Especially for the wife, Wang Li, who is neither good at cooking nor has any interest in learning to cook, this household chore.

Lunchtime became a time for the couple to find their own way to eat. As for dinner, if Zhang Cong could get off work on time and rush home to cook, that was fine; but if he was unable to get away from work and couldn't come home in time to cook, then the mother and daughter had no choice but to eat out and find a restaurant to have a simple meal.

Initially, Wang Li was quite understanding and supportive of her husband's high-intensity work schedule and frequent overtime and business trips.

Whenever Zhang Cong receives an important reception task that requires him to go to the scenic spot, or when he is away on business for several days and cannot return home, and coincidentally Wang Li is also away on business, she will tirelessly take her young daughter with her, just so that the child will not be left alone at home without anyone to take care of her.

Although these days were full of hardships and difficulties, the family supported and understood each other, which made it a bittersweet time.

However, as time went on, Wang Li's dissatisfaction gradually accumulated. She began to complain about Zhang Cong's neglect of the family, and even openly expressed her dissatisfaction with her husband on some occasions. Although Zhang Cong realized the seriousness of the problem, he always struggled to find a suitable solution in balancing work and family.

Once, Zhang Cong worked overtime for a week straight, and when he finally got home exhausted, it was already late at night.

In the living room, Wang Li sat quietly on the sofa. Under the lamplight, her face was etched with fatigue and dissatisfaction. A hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes, and her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something.

Zhang Cong gently pushed open the door, and the moment he saw Wang Li, a wave of guilt washed over him. How he longed for a gentle greeting, for a cup of hot tea offered by his wife! Yet, reality left him feeling utterly disappointed.

Wang Li suddenly stood up, her voice filled with anger and accusation: "Have you ever thought about this family? Is your work really more important than your family?" Her gaze was fixed on Zhang Cong, as if she wanted to see right through him.

A surge of anger ignited in Zhang Cong's heart. His eyes widened, and he roared, "You need to understand, I'm busy with work every day!" His voice was exceptionally loud in the quiet night, as if it could shatter the entire room.

Wang Li's body trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes. Her expression was filled with pain and helplessness; she didn't know how to face this situation.

Seeing Wang Li's tears, Zhang Cong's anger gradually subsided. He realized that his attitude had been somewhat excessive, so he took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.