Let them offer their loyalty!

From the moment Liu Xiongyuan started talking with Elder Wang, Qiu Tu's attention had been entirely focused on the two men without a moment's distraction.

So, when Elder Wang looked towards Qiu Tu, Qiu Tu bowed slightly, and once again respectfully addressed him, "Elder Wang."

Seeing this, Liu Xiongyuan also timely stopped his talk, and stood aside, leaving this last bit of time to Qiu Tu and Wang Guochuan.

Wang Guochuan's gaze was like a deep pool, quietly resting on Qiu Tu.

After a moment, he nodded slightly, then offered a faint appraisal, "Not bad."

Having said this, he looked back at Liu Xiongyuan and spoke, "Xiongyuan, about that Deputy Speaker matter of yours, I'm still discussing it."

"There's substantial resistance, you should be prepared for it." Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire

"Huang Shangzong is adamant about not wanting to work with you, and the higher-ups have to consider his opinion after all."

"But... as long as the list isn't published, everything is still uncertain, so the effort that can be made still should be made."

After speaking, he paused, then reminded, "As for Yan Chen... you should pay more attention to him."

"If he really succeeds in advancing to a Fourth-order Cataclysmic, there's a good chance he might ultimately come out on top."

Hearing Elder Wang's words, Liu Xiongyuan said carefreely, "Elder Wang, fortune favors me if I get it, destiny otherwise."

"The moment I chose to avenge my son over becoming the Deputy Speaker, I was already prepared."

"The only thing I feel sorry about is you. My caprice this time has ruined your arrangements in Dongye State, likely causing many of our plans to come to naught, and the goal of changing the entire Sanctuary's political ecology may have to be postponed again because of me."

"I... apologize to you, and to our faction."

Hearing Liu Xiongyuan's words filled with self-reproach, Elder Wang didn't offer him any solace.

He just quietly watched Liu Xiongyuan and said, "If you are morose, suffering, self-reproaching, it means you are living in the past; if you are anxious, perplexed, wandering, it means you are living in the future."

"Only when your heart is truly at peace, will it mean that you are living in the present...."

"These years, you have been constantly morose, suffering, it means you have never walked out of the past."

"I will not comfort you that your choice this time was right, after all, your impulsiveness indeed ruined years of our efforts."

"I only want to tell you that you've been living in the past for 10 years now, do not let the next 10 years still be lived in the past."

"Look forward, don't dwell on the past nor be anxious about the future, calmly face the present."

"Whether you lose or win, whether Bureau Chief or Deputy Speaker, devote yourself fully to the development of Dongye State."

Listening to Elder Wang's calm yet powerful words, Liu Xiongyuan bowed respectfully, and replied, "Yes!"

After his instructions to Liu Xiongyuan, Elder Wang spoke indifferently, "Alright, I have another meeting next, so I won't chat with you two any longer."

Hearing his words, Liu Xiongyuan reminded, "Please take care of your health."

"I know..." Elder Wang nodded faintly, then he terminated the communication amid the salutes of Liu Xiongyuan and Qiu Tu.

The communication was not long, just 13 minutes.

And in those 13 minutes, Elder Wang only glanced at Qiu Tu twice, then assessed him in three words.

However, Qiu Tu didn't feel neglected at all.

What status was Qiu Tu? In one of the dozen cities within several Planning Areas of the Eighth Sanctuary, he was just a junior deputy head in the Political Department of the Investigation Bureau in Xinjie City.

Although he counted as a bigwig within the Investigation Bureau and wielded significant influence and power in Xinjie City.

He was far behind Elder Wang.

If one needs a direct comparison, it's like... if the Sanctuary held a high-level meeting, Elder Wang would be the one sitting in the first row.

And Qiu Tu... would be the one learning from in front of the television....

With such a stark contrast in status, Qiu Tu had already designed his persona according to his experiences from a previous life before this conversation: an understudy who knew his place, was sensible and aware of his status.

Thus, during the exchange between the two bigshots, Qiu Tu remained silent.

He didn't try to assert himself or butt into the conversation.

After all, standing out in front of real bigshots isn't necessarily a good thing.

These bigshots have seen too many talented individuals, and unless you are a rare genius, a simple few words won't amaze them or leave them in shock. Otherwise, you will most likely be tagged as "frivolous" or "not stable enough."

And if there are mistakes in what you say, it's even more disastrous. The first impression is almost certain to be negative.

So... when facing such real bigshots, "hiding one's clumsiness" is actually the wisest strategy.

And at that moment, while Qiu Tu was thinking this, Liu Xiongyuan came back to his senses. He gently patted Qiu Tu's shoulder, then smilingly said, "You did quite well, kid."

"I heard you've always been high-handed in Xinjie City; I thought you'd seize the moment to show off."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu responded with a straight face, "Slander! That's slander!"

"Was it Agent Liu who said this? I demand a face-to-face confrontation!"

Qiu Tu handled interpersonal relationships with great discernment.@@novelbin@@

In the presence of someone like Elder Wang, who was an incredibly high-level figure, Qiu Tu didn't speak up, merely demonstrating his stability.

But, with someone like Liu Xiongyuan, where the level difference wasn't that big, who had a frank personality, and with whom he had a somewhat close relationship, Qiu Tu's behavior was much more natural and unrestrained.

As expected, Qiu Tu's remark made Liu Xiongyuan burst out laughing with a "haha."

Liu Xiongyuan patted Qiu Tu's shoulder again and said, "Not bad, not bad, I'm finding you more and more interesting."