Perhaps the idea of healthy competition within an organization was necessary seemed to be the norm but Ling Qingyu would rather not make her small team belonged to this category.
Working in harmony without clashes for a single ideal was more powerful than competition. Of course, competitiveness with one's own soul was better. Having not satisfied and attempting to overtake prior achievement was better in Ling Qingyu's opinion.
Don't race with others. Race against your inner self. In the long term, competing with others became more tiring but challenging oneself brought happiness and a healthy mental state.
Ling Qingyu was implicitly sending her message to Su Ruomei. Actually, after hearing Ling Qingyu state her position, Su Ruomei's heart warmed. The trust and care Ling Qingyu gave, made Su Ruomei satisfied with her current peaceful life.
The risks and suffering before she met Ling Qingyu were worth it. Su Ruomei's eyes teared up and swelled a little. She sniffled and rubbed her eyelids, taking deep breaths to calm her emotions. The saying confidantes could die for each other was not false when people's relation were closer than bloodlines.
Ling Qingyu gulped when Tang Ziyi and Yang Qingyue sent blaming looks. She didn't do anything. In fact, she showed huge support for Su Ruomei. Fortunately, Cai Ning only looked at her momentarily.
"Please, excuse my joke. I was being emotional." Su Ruomei recollected her composure. "In any case, after so long, Azi called me yesterday, hearing news of my recruitment."
Tang Ziyi, Cai Ning and Yang Qingyue transferred their wrath and became curious. Ling Qingyu's forehead creased and her lips twitched helplessly. She must be targeted among the girls. Alas, being strong sometimes brought disadvantages. Maybe she should also play as a crying helpless woman the next time.
If the other girls heard Ling Qingyu's thought, they would complain in dismay. Ling Qingyu's crying must be the biggest lie. She might cry but would never show. If one day she cried in front of others, something was indeed wrong.
Ling Qingyu: You girls are too much!
"Wait, she's about to quit her job in the military?" Ling Qingyu asked and covered her mouth after drawing annoyed glances.
Su Ruomei exhaled and said. "Yeah, she called me with a strange number. There was silence until I threatened to hang up, and then I heard sobbing." Su Ruomei sighed.
An irony for someone who taught others to seek dependence on men. When Azi tried to divorce, it became impossible. Despite her talent and strength as an aviation pilot, everything dimmed in front of a powerful background.
For high officials, they would never allow divorce on their records. Azi's situation turned bad. To eliminate her desire to divorce, Azi's pressure mounted.
With some petty excuses she was suspended as a pilot without salary. When she decided to quit to look for another area to work as pilot, her qualifications were revoked. Any possibility for her independence was cut off.
She could work as a waitress and in other services but she knew she would encounter problems soon. She was like a puppet, whose role was to wait for other's manipulation. As an orphan, what background did she have.
Even those who grew up together with her didn't have the strength to help and she wasn't willing to trouble them. As for friends in the military, because of repulsive behavior, none intervened or they were powerless too. Some might even be snickering behind her back.
Azi called for anyone she was familiar with in search for help. Some acted ignorance. Some delayed. With door closing, she was in despair until she discovered Su Ruomei's recruitment news of women especially from the military.
The sole purpose of isolating her and making Azi more dependable nearly succeeded. Of course, rather than Azi seeking for job, she sought for someone who would be on her side even if it meant a lie.
Su Ruomei couldn't help but remember Azi's disheartened words. "You can laugh me or mock me later but please don't in front of me. I hope you can listen me speaking. I wish for you to be on my side even if it's a lie. Just once."
Fate might have brought Su Ruomei and Azi together. From enemies to friends through numerous ups and downs.
Having heard Azi's experience, Su Ruomei's prior dislike transformed into pity, recalling her similar situation. Did she like Azi? No.
Had she forgiven her? No.
But does Azi deserved to be treated as such? Heck no.
Su Ruomei's strong premonition prompted her to act. Without more words, she invited Azi to her side, promising there would be a safe job, free from these bastards' hands.