Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife

Chapter 850: Chapter 851: Provocation or Testing the Waters?

Qi Taiguo didn’t stay long at the Ning Family. After all, discipline was paramount, and even though he was taken by a superior, to avoid too much gossip, after receiving guidance from two Chiefs, Qi Taiguo was sent back.

"Father, what do you think of this young man?" As soon as Qi Taiguo left, Ning Gang couldn’t wait to ask Old Master Ning, "Is he promising?"

"People must inevitably experience setbacks and lows to grow. In my opinion, compared to the last meeting, he is more reserved and stable now." Old Master Ning took the tea cup, and Ning Gang pressed his hand. The old man’s age had caught up, and drinking tea at night made it harder to sleep. So he switched to a cup of warm water.

Seeing his son’s insistence, Old Master Ning went along and said, "When I met him before, he seemed like an extremely sharp sword, beneficial but also prone to harm oneself with the sword’s aura while injuring others. Now it seems he has retracted much of his sharpness and knows how to bide his time and energy. Let’s observe this training; if he can learn well, he should also become a sharp, reserved sword."

Ning Gang said, "Father, do you value him so much just because his wife and Xiao Si are partners?"

"As for you, you are too upright. Being fair and strict is good, but the officialdom is like a battlefield; without nurturing your personnel, how can you compete with others? I value him not just because of his wife but because of his capability. Eldest Son, a ruler’s first principle is to know how to use people. No king would complain about having too many capable people around. If so, they’re a fool. There’s no fear in having too many competent ministers; the key is knowing how to use them," said Old Master Ning. "Qi Taiguo is not yet thirty this year, and he has a long road ahead. As for you, you’re nearing fifty. Cultivate him now, and in the future, he will be a good aide to you and a strong support for Xiao Le."

Ning Gang was taken aback. Xiao Le was his only child, now twenty-two, studying at the military academy and set to graduate next year.

"Xiao Le, at the latest by next year, should enter the army. You’ll be able to oversee him for a few years, but what about ten years later? Twenty years later?" said Old Master Ning. "You must understand, in a family, relationships and connections are most important. It’s better to teach someone to fish than to give them fish. Helping Qi Taiguo now means he can assist future generations of the Ning Family later!"

"But..."

"But if he lacks talent, it’s no one’s fault but his own. However, if he is capable, wouldn’t it be a waste not to nurture him? So, help as much as you can within your power!" Old Master Ning stood up, saying, "I hope I haven’t misjudged him either. I’m old and don’t know how many more years I can keep a watch over things for you. Eldest Son, you need to work even harder!"

Ning Gang felt embarrassed, "Yes!"

"Help me upstairs!" Old Master Ning extended his hand.

Father and son went upstairs together, continuing their discussion, the echoes still lingering.

Meanwhile, when Qi Taiguo returned to the camp, Gao Linbing and the others pulled him aside for questioning, "Everything okay?"

"Everything’s fine, just met with an old friend." Qi Taiguo smiled.

At this moment, a young man walked over, deliberately glanced at Qi Taiguo as he passed by, and sneered, "Hmph, such a big parachute!"

The term "parachute" implied being dropped in from above, indicating Qi Taiguo was parachuted in.

Gao Linbing couldn’t hold back, "You..."

Qi Taiguo quickly pulled him, shook his head, and Gao Linbing had to stop, glaring at the man.

That man showed no concern, only deeply looked at Qi Taiguo, sneered, and left.

As for Qi Taiguo, his gaze was shadowed; he knew this person was valued by Jiang Conghe, named Wan Zhisen. Was this a deliberate provocation or merely testing the waters?