At nine in the morning, Ding Yun resigned as soon as she arrived at the company. The company had no choice but to agree, as she had entered civil service; the company couldn't possibly compete with the state for a person.
So, that part went smoothly.
Following that, of course, came the matters of terminating her lease and starting her new job.
Since Ding Yun was willing to forgo her deposit, the lease termination also proceeded very smoothly. Consequently, she successfully completed her onboarding by the following morning.
And she received her first assignment after joining.
To ensure the propagation of wild extinct animals.
Animal endangerment had levels. The most severe, of course, was extinction, generally referring to species no longer existing in the wild or in human breeding programs – they had completely vanished.
Hence, they were termed extinct.
Next was wild extinction. This level was also easy to understand: they could no longer be found in the wild, with only populations in human breeding programs or animal conservation centers remaining, numbering few and difficult to propagate. A single misstep could lead to complete extinction.
After wild extinction came critically endangered, and after critically endangered was endangered. Pandas, after years of protection, had been downgraded to the vulnerable conservation level, below endangered.
They didn't require immediate propagation efforts.
Given that extinct species could no longer be propagated, the urgent need for Ding Yun's assistance was with those species that were already wild extinct. Thus, her assignment by the Special Events Management Bureau was perfectly normal.
To avoid exposing her special identity,
And to ensure breeding bases would accept her.
The Special Events Management Bureau had even issued her a certificate as an expert in animal propagation.
This served to legitimize her presence.
The first species requiring Ding Yun's propagation assistance was the Yangtze giant softshell turtle, of which only four remained globally – two in China, a male and a female.
This disappointed Ding Yun, who had initially hoped to become a panda keeper. However, she accepted the mission readily and urgently reviewed and memorized relevant information to ensure she wouldn't be exposed.
Then, she proceeded to the Yangtze giant softshell turtle breeding base to start her job.
She began to pretend she truly possessed the ability,
But in reality, she used blessings to complete the task.
The result, of course, was successful. Before long, the female Yangtze giant softshell turtle, which had resisted conception despite years of efforts by a group of experts, became pregnant and was quite healthy.
At this point, Ding Yun had already intended to depart. Theoretically, as long as no accidents occurred afterward, the Yangtze giant softshell turtle and her offspring would be safe.
This would also allow her to efficiently move on to assist other breeding bases with their wild extinct species.
However, the breeding base was extremely concerned about the remaining experts' ability to safeguard the pregnant female Yangtze giant softshell turtle. Therefore, they earnestly invited Ding Yun to stay, offering her additional bonuses and rewards.
They hoped she would remain until the Yangtze giant softshell turtle gave birth.
And until the young turtles safely hatched.
Given their sincerity,
Ding Yun naturally couldn't refuse.
Thus, she smoothly stayed, and only after all fifty-odd young Yangtze giant softshell turtles hatched and survived healthily for a period did Ding Yun successfully extricate herself from the breeding base.
Following instructions, she proceeded to her next destination.
To assist in the propagation of other wild extinct species.
Of course, during this time, Ding Yun's online store business, which she managed herself, never ceased. After all, the number of wild extinct species requiring assistance and possessing breeding bases wasn't vast, and Ding Yun didn't need to bless them continuously. Blessing a species two or three times was sufficient.
The remaining blessings would be wasted if not used.
It was better to continue her prolific offspring business.
Overall, since joining the Special Events Management Bureau, Ding Yun's life had become much more comfortable than before. Not only was her working time flexible and relaxed,
But she also didn't have to work overtime.
There were no performance evaluations or clock-in requirements.
Simultaneously, holidays and breaks were even more frequent than statutory holidays, making her daily life incredibly pleasant.
She also had an excuse not to return home for Chinese New Year.
A simple call to report her safety and sending some money was enough.
How much less grief and fewer arguments she experienced throughout the year. While this life was somewhat less indulgent than pure enjoyment,
It was far better than the life of a corporate slave.
Furthermore, her mother, initially finding Ding Yun's absence for Chinese New Year difficult and displeasing, gradually came to appreciate the benefits of her daughter not being home.
When her daughter visited, bringing her partner, it was difficult for the conversation not to shift to her.
Talk of career, ambitions.
And why she wasn't married yet or didn't have a partner.
But when she didn't return and only sent a message about being busy with work, coupled with complaints about her boss being unreasonable and exploitative, the topic would naturally move on. Relatives and friends were more interested in discussing those who had returned for the holiday.
After all, there were plenty of people to chat with face-to-face.
Why insist on discussing the one who hadn't returned?
With relatives and friends not bringing it up, and others not mentioning it, Huang Haijuan wasn't as easily reminded of her daughter's unmarried status, nor did she become as anxious or angry. Even if she thought about it and became angry, due to Ding Yun's absence, they wouldn't argue as they couldn't see each other.
After all, one couldn't possibly call specifically to argue.
Therefore, in the year Ding Yun didn't return home, the mother and daughter had considerably fewer arguments. Their occasional phone calls were filled more with nostalgia and longing for each other.
It possessed a certain motherly affection and filial piety.
Unlike previous years, when they almost seemed to wish ill upon each other.
So you see...
Why do they say things afar are fragrant, while things near are foul?
It illustrates that some ancient sayings hold true.
After the New Year, He Wendong and his colleagues analyzed the sales of Ding Yun's "Prolific Offspring, Always Fortunate" online store.
They all felt she had significant untapped potential.
Perhaps they could assign her a few more tasks.
This would also allow her to contribute to the nation and its people.
Thus, on the morning of the tenth day of the first lunar month, Ding Yun received a video conference invitation from the Special Events Management Bureau. She looked with confusion at He Wendong, the only other person in the virtual meeting room besides herself, and asked:
"Big Brother, what are you doing so early in the morning?
And why is it just the two of us for a meeting? If you have something to tell me, just call me directly. Why bother with a meeting format? Aren't you comfortable unless we're having a meeting?"
Ding Yun's abilities were special, and she didn't need to worry about He Wendong firing her, so she naturally complained without restraint, her tone quite impatient.
"A meeting makes things more formal. I'm not looking for you for personal matters, but official business, which naturally requires a meeting!
I'm contacting you today mainly because there's a significant matter that benefits the country and its people, a great undertaking for the nation. It might be quite demanding and tiring, and you might even have to remain anonymous, unable to claim credit.
I wonder if you're willing to accept it!"
He Wendong offered a casual explanation before stating with great seriousness that he had a mission for the nation that he needed to entrust to her.