And it was precisely because of this, Chairman Song, who was in his early fifties, had a head full of white hair. He even appeared a tad older than Nian Chusheng who had yet to retire in the army, even though Nian Chusheng was a bit older than he was.
After all, by the time Gu Qingjiu appeared he was already over fifty, and at that moment, he was around 56 or 57.
There was fatigue written all over his face.
Nian Chusheng also knew that, and his heart ached seeing Chairman Song in this state. He patted the latter on his shoulders and no longer greeted him in a distant manner. “Old Song, take it easy. Even if you want to retire, you’ve got to give them a satisfactory reply before you retire. Some of the old higher-ups aren’t as open-minded as the old leaders. Don’t take it to heart.”
Other than coming with Chairman Song to the international competitions together, Nian Chusheng wasn’t on familiar terms with Chairman Song in private.
There were too many factions in politics, making for complicated relationships.
Such private ties were rare.
After all, since they had been acquainted for a few years now…
Nian Chusheng couldn’t help but feel sympathy towards Chairman Song seeing him in such a situation.
Chairman Song let out a bitter chuckle. “Old Nian, I wish for that too. But this time, I don’t have great confidence. Regardless of whether the outcome is good, I’m still going to retire. Even if I don’t do it myself, the higher-ups in the association will probably urge me to retire.”
Regardless of how high your office rank, so long as you’re not standing at the peak…
And so long as you’re not one of the older batches of higher-ups who helped build up the country in the early days…
Although these people might appear powerful on the surface, they were in fact pushovers in the eyes of others.
“How can you not feel confident seeing our score? Old Song, you’re scared after being oppressed for so many years! Let me tell you, this time, not only do we have hope, we have rather high hopes.”
The US team score was only 14 points, while the China team had 22 points.
In terms of individual scores, Gu Qingjiu’s stood above the rest. If even then he still felt there was no hope, Nian Chusheng would then be the silly one.
It was indeed tempting looking at the points.
Chairman Song’s gaze flickered as he looked, and a look of anticipation surfaced in his eyes.
“I only hope to be able to produce perfect results this time!”
If not, should they lose the competition and let Cruff win three times consecutive, he would become the butt of jokes.
“Surely we will.”
Nian Chusheng patted his shoulders once more and reassured him.
Just then, two people entered the viewing area.
This time, Helian Niancheng was entering with someone.
Sometimes, Nian Chusheng couldn’t help but sigh with emotion about how some people were born to be god’s favored ones.
Regardless of how arrogant he was, everything went smoothly for him.
Because he had the capital.
He had heard of the reason behind Helian Niancheng’s exile when he was in the Empire.
Although the reason was indeed not because of Helian Niancheng, his method of handling that matter felt like tyranny on a certain level.
He was too decisive in meting out the death punishment.
Moreover, that was his uncle’s son.
But then again, this was other people’s business, so Nian Chusheng wouldn’t be a nosy-parker and say anything about this.
He watched as the duo entered, and when their gazes met, both parties gave a slight nod.
Helian Niancheng and Huo Yingcheng sat down together, and Huo Yingcheng started chattering beside him. “Major-general, why did you think of asking me to come along this time?”
As he spoke, he then noticed the points situation.
He instantly let out a gasp. “Qingjiu is quite fierce!”
He had long felt that this lass was capable of great things. Now, looking at how the American ace sharpshooter Cruff was suppressed miserably, could it be that the China team would finally turn things around this time?
A calm reply from beside him succeeded in making Huo Yingcheng shut up. “Well, just look at whose wife it is.”