Not long after Lu Zhizhang left Li Ye's office, Lai Jiayi came in carrying some things.
"Is Director Li busy? Have some sunflower seeds, have an orange."
"Oh? Sister Lai, what happy occasion is this? You even bought sunflower seeds?"
Li Ye watched Lai Jiayi generously set the seeds and fruit on his desk, unable to keep himself from laughing inside.
Lai Jiayi was not a generous person. She had never shared any snacks or fruit with her coworkers before. Now she had suddenly come smiling to his door—what little scheme could she possibly have that needed guessing?
She had always called Li Ye "Deputy Director Li" before, yet today she had dropped the word "Deputy."
Lai Jiayi casually pulled over a chair and sat across from Li Ye. With a chuckle, she said, "It's not exactly some great happy event. Secretary Niu called me over for a talk just now and asked whether I had the confidence to shoulder a heavier burden and participate in the Party committee member selection."
"Of course, I'm willing to contribute my share of strength to the unit. But I told Secretary Niu that I'm with First Branch Factory now, so I still needed to ask the First Branch Factory leadership what they thought. So..."
Lai Jiayi paused, then said with a smile, "So I came to discuss it with Director Li. If Director Li doesn't support me, I really won't have any confidence!"
Li Ye said in surprise, "That's great, Sister Lai! You've been at First Branch Factory for two years now. You've finally endured your way to a promotion?"
"A promotion? Where would I even be promoted to?"
Lai Jiayi froze for a moment, then hurriedly explained, "I'm only participating in this Party committee selection. I'll still be working at First Branch