Shen Fei put so much effort into trying to keep Chen Fei, partly out of her personal desire.
However, due to the corporate executive's decision, though her father was the vice president, he couldn't say much, and despite her best efforts, she still failed.
In human life, disappointnts are common.
"I'm actually quite accustod to my current job."
With a job that provided at, fish, and even beasts, and a decent salary to boot, Chen Fei was genuinely well-suited to it. After serious consideration, he ultimately chose to turn down the offer from Northern Weapons Industry Group.
Despite the life-threatening risks, harshly speaking, life is fraught with dangers everywhere, even hiding at ho couldn't guarantee true safety.
Since arriving in this world, no one had managed to live and then return to it after death.
Surviving was fate, and so was not surviving. Since it was all fate, one must accept it.
"Didn't you plan on working at your uncle's company? The compensation at National Defense Star must be better than a military contractor's, right?"
Shen Fei felt that with Chen Fei's capabilities, he should belong in a larger corporation and not stick with a private military contractor.
Even if not at Northern Weapons Industry, National Defense Star was a very good choice, especially since it was run by his own family.
"If I had studied aerospace or chanical processing, even industrial accounting, perhaps I would consider my uncle's company. But I studied economics, a completely different field. I truly understand how different they are and it's been hard enough getting the hang of this line of work. I really don't want to change now, nor do I have the energy to spare," Chen Fei thought for a mont. He figured he was the type to seek stability, to stick to one trade and love it, rather than hopping around like a monkey. He continued explaining, "Unless going down a crooked path, my uncle generally doesn't interfere with us juniors' education and careers. Actually, family businesses have their pros and cons, and I'd rather not get involved."
Fortunately, the Chen Family's generation was mostly decent, with none straying into shady practices, and their capable and well-connected uncle never had to worry about them.
Because he had studied quite a few economics cases, Chen Fei opposed making the company a family business, naturally he wouldn't jump blindly into a pit. Let Little Shanzi, the heir, deal with the headaches of running National Defense Star.
What with ddling aunts and uncles, and ludicrously distant relatives, it was better than the infighting in Central Enterprises, where at least there was procedural fairness and competition was within the rules. Internal family conflicts didn't care about these things, freely resorting to unpleasant tactics without any lower limits.
Thus, family businesses often didn't end well. The larger they got and the more relatives joined, the more tragic their downfall. They often lasted only a generation, sotis two, and rarely survived the third.
Moreover, Chen Fei discovered his tal Elental Psychic Power only after joining the Aircrew Base. If his uncle and National Defense Star knew about his industrial-grade ability, they probably wouldn't let him simply mingle with military contractors.
"Your uncle really has an open mind."
Shen Fei thought that Chen Fei's uncle, the chairman of National Defense Star, must be a very enlightened person.
In contrast, Northern Weapons Industry seed rather petty, hesitant and fearful of assuming responsibilities.
It was also understandable. The managent of a Central Enterprise endured much like downtrodden wives, constantly criticized by not one but many stingy mother-in-laws. If the wife perford well, it was expected; if not, she might be dismissed. A lifeti's contribution earned just enough for retirent, and that was all, hence they often endeavored to avoid faults rather than to achieve rits, like a lazy monk only ringing the bell when required.
Of course, it was only slightly better than the miserable citizens who struggled with birth, upbringing, age, and death.
"Uh, yes, my uncle aims for bigger things and doesn't sweat the small stuff."
Chen Fei was taken aback and then nodded vigorously.
If there was any pettiness, the Chen siblings who had relentlessly bullied Little Shanzi every sumr would have been hung upside down under lampposts long ago, returning from vacation only to be beaten to cries within days.
Of course, Chen Shan was quite mischievous himself, a hyperactive kid who couldn't stay still for a second and got beaten deservedly.
"Your sister is in university in the North, right?"
Changing the subject from the unpleasant topic, Shen Fei shifted her focus to Chen Fei's younger sister.
She had heard before that Chen Fei's younger sister, Chen ng, as a trainee, was studying at Northern Industrial University. Her sponsoring entity, Henghai Tactical Weapons Group, was also a Central Enterprise but had no competitive relations with National Defense Star, so they didn't consider the Chen Family's background and admitted her just the sa.
Although Northern Industrial University and Northern Weapons Industry Group were not in the sa city, they weren't too far apart either; taking a Mobile Base Vehicle would cut the travel down to a maximum of five hours.
"That's right, I'm planning to go there the day after tomorrow."
Having finished preparing the vegetables, Chen Fei spoke as he began to cook, sparks flying on the induction cooker, the exhaust hood roaring.
"I'm off tomorrow, perfect for spending the day with you here, and you should co over for dinner in the evening."
Shen Fei also started working on the induction cooker, skillfully frying the fish. Since it was always a workday, she wanted to seize the opportunity to have als with Chen Fei when they weren't working overti.
"Sounds good!"
Chen Fei responded naturally.
Both were skilled cooks, and as they stood side by side at the stove, they often instinctively ford a kind of remarkable understanding.
Soon, they had prepared four dishes. After all, there were only the two of them, and making too much would an leftovers.
"Dinner's ready, Little Bird, call 'Ah Mao' out."
Chen Fei found a bowl and threw in so defrosted rib at before placing it on the floor.
The Shadow Wolf was easy to feed, not picky and content with at. Storage at, scraps, and chicken carcasses all suited its needs, and it ate dog food as well.
"Jiu!"
Little Bird called out to the shadow at Shen Fei's feet.
The Magical Beast Shadow Wolf quickly dashed out, following the scent of the at towards its prepared bowl and started gobbling it up.
If it was even a mont slow, Little Bird's "Light Burst Flash" would break its Shadowing Skill in an instant, causing it to fall out embarrassingly.
Both being Third Rank, Little Bird of the Light Elent dominated the Dark Elent Shadow Wolf, leaving it without the spirit to fight back.
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The administrative center of Northern Weapons Industry Group was located in a small economic district town, not densely populated, with just over six hundred thousand people, bordered by industrial and agricultural zones.
To et the basic cultural and recreational needs of over 600,000 people, there were so tourist attractions, including parks, farm stays, forest wetlands, fitness centers, and skating rinks. They just weren't very famous. On holidays, the places might see a bit more footfall, but usually, they were fairly deserted, and so attractions didn't even bother collecting entrance fees.
Fortunately, Chen Fei had a Mobile Base Vehicle, and Teacher Shen directed the way. They treated it like a camping trip, roaming and exploring wherever they went without worrying about finding a place to rest and have lunch.
After wandering around for the whole day and picking up so local specialties, the Mobile Base Vehicle drove into the executive villa district of the Northern Weapons Industry Group as the daylight began to fade.
In small places, housing prices were not expensive, each executive had their own villa, which really didn't cost much, even being cheaper than Chen Fei's big brother's wedding house. Moreover, ownership of the villas wasn't transferred until after retirent.
In a sense, these villas were like stock options, only vested upon official retirent. If the executives were held accountable for anything or changed jobs, they still had to give back the benefits of living rent-free. Getting such benefits wasn't that easy.
The Mobile Base Vehicle parked right next to the Shen family's villa's outer yard, blocking the entire chest-high short wall.
The lights inside the villa glowed brightly, seeming like Shen Songling and his wife were waiting for their return.
"It's just my dad and mom here, no one else."
Shen Fei took Chen Fei's hand as they got out of the vehicle, heading towards her family's courtyard.
The villa wasn't large, just two and a half stories along with a basent. For a family of three who didn't employ a housekeeper, it was more than sufficient, even big enough to house a grand piano.
"Jiu!"
Xiao Jiu followed them out.
It didn't go into the self-heating nest prepared by Chen Fei, but instead snuggled into Chen Fei's dad's jacket pocket, only its little head sticking out.
This clever little creature always found the best spots.
They walked along the snow-cleared cobblestone path straight to the villa's main door.
Upon opening the door, warm air rushed towards them, with room temperatures at least above 25 degrees Celsius. The thick clothes they were wearing were too much, and there was a coat rack right by the door where one could hang coats, down jackets, and scarves.
"Dad, Mom, I'm back!"
Shen Fei yelled.
"You're back! Little Chen is here too!"
The kitchen was bustling, and Shen Songling, wearing an apron, poked half his body out of the kitchen door, sizing up the two of them.
Ah... From the Chen Family Gate!
"Hello, Uncle Shen!"
Previously, he had called him Director Shen.
"Little Chen is here, co sit down, the al will be ready soon."
An elegant woman also peeked out from the kitchen, her eyes smiling at Chen Fei.
When their daughter brought a friend ho, both Father Shen and Mother Shen would cook together, carefully preparing a family feast.
"Hello, Auntie!"
Chen Fei quickly greeted her.
No wonder Teacher Shen's cooking skills were so good—it was a family tradition.
"Jiu!"
The Pure Light Sparrow that had popped out of the pocket suddenly beca active, flying around the living room, probably fed up with staying in the Mobile Base Vehicle. Now, it hopped to the chandelier, pecking here and there, clearly in high spirits.
The shadow under Shen Fei's feet flickered, and the Shadow Wolf erged, finding its way to its familiar dog mat and settling down—it was off work now and just the right ti for a break.
After dinner, they might even watch so TV, as long as her dad didn't fight over the remote control.
"Ah Mao" was living a pretty good life, with its own nest, knowing how to use the toilet, bathe itself, watch TV, and tidy up its belongings.
"Oh right, I almost forgot!"
Chen Fei smacked his forehead as if he had just rembered sothing.
"Forgot what?"
Shen Fei, who was bringing slippers to Chen Fei, was puzzled.
"How could I arrive empty-handed."
Chen Fei gestured to Little Bird.
"Jiu?"
Little Bird imdiately flew over, landing on his shoulder.
"Bring out a bottle of wine, any wine will do!"
"Jiu?"
"Wine!"
Teacher Shen was utterly confused. What were this man and bird talking about?
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