Chapter 4

Tan Yue, silent after answering the call, listened to Qi Xue's instructions. Her voice, matter-of-fact and devoid of emotion, conveyed the gravity of the upcoming event. The noise in the background hinted at the bustling environment on Qi Xue's end.

"Okay," Tan Yue responded calmly to Qi Xue's announcement that she would be in Jishui the next day. The formality of planning to obtain their divorce certificate was met with a straightforward acknowledgment from Tan Yue.

Qi Xue proceeded with the logistical details, instructing Tan Yue to take leave in the afternoon after completing the formalities. Once the divorce procedures concluded, she intended to return to Shanghai promptly. The exchange was pragmatic, lacking the emotional weight one might associate with such a significant life event.

As the call ended, Tan Yue extinguished his cigarette, contemplating the indifferent tone that marked the impending divorce. A sense of sympathy for the original owner crept in, imagining the desolation of a marriage devoid of genuine connection.

With a resigned sigh, Tan Yue began his walk home under the glow of streetlights. The recollections of the original owner's life weighed on him, prompting a hum of a melancholic tune.

The next day, equipped with his ID card, household registration book, and marriage certificate, Tan Yue found himself contemplating the looming competition for the Chief Planner position at the TV station. Amidst his reflections, he reviewed various children's programs from his previous life to glean inspiration for the impending competition.

In the midst of this, Xu Nuo, a fellow planner from an adjacent program, approached curiously. Observing Tan Yue engrossed in his thoughts and notebook, Xu Nuo questioned the unexpected ambition to compete for employment.

Tan Yue, unapologetically embracing his aspirations, affirmed his desire to vie for the Chief Planner position. Xu Nuo, startled by this unexpected shift in Tan Yue's career trajectory, couldn't help but express his surprise. The notion of two reputed "salted fish" contenders competing for a leadership role in the channel was a novel development.

Dismissive of Xu Nuo's skepticism, Tan Yue focused on his preparations. Amidst this, he approached Qin Aiguo, the Chief Planner for "Folk Talk," seeking approval for an early leave that afternoon.

In a moment of reflection, Qin Aiguo offered a word of advice to Tan Yue, expressing concern about his future. This concern, tinged with regret, hinted at the complexities of Tan Yue's situation—married to a high-earning wife, wrestling with societal expectations, and bearing the weight of a soft food reputation.

Tan Yue, recognizing the underlying message, acknowledged the sentiment and pledged to pay more attention to his work. Despite the differing perspectives, Qin Aiguo's attempt to guide Tan Yue hinted at a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by individuals within the organization.

As the afternoon approached, Tan Yue received a call from Qi Xue. Her straightforward announcement that she was waiting at the TV station's gate propelled Tan Yue into the next chapter of his life—a chapter marked by the formality of divorce and the pursuit of new aspirations.