Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1253 - Chapter 1253 Chapter 1207 Age is the Biggest Obstacle

Chapter 1253: Chapter 1207: Age is the Biggest Obstacle Chapter 1253: Chapter 1207: Age is the Biggest Obstacle “Zhenbang, have you finished the call? What did President Qiao say?” Nie Zhenbang hung up the phone, and Dong Wan approached from behind. Her tone was gentle, her expression concerned.

For Dong Wan, Nie Zhenbang felt guilty. She was a woman who, with her prestigious family background, could have had her pick of partners from the families of Jingcheng had she wished. Yet, Dong Wan chose a path filled with thorns. He might not have experienced the bitterness personally, but he could imagine it.

Abroad, those endless days and nights, how Dong Wan and Li Lixue made it through was likely unknown to them both. Until now, the Dong family had significant issues with both him and Dong Wan.

A relationship that doesn’t receive the blessing of family is undoubtedly painful for a woman.

In the face of the three women, Nie Zhenbang had many feelings of shame and guilt. If only he had been more decisive on matters of the heart, perhaps the current situation would have never arisen.

He reached out and hugged Dong Wan’s shoulders, pulling his lover into his arms as they looked out at the night scene of Jingcheng. Firecrackers could be heard everywhere, and from time to time, fireworks burst into the sky. Nie Zhenbang said with a smile, “President Qiao’s idea is for me to visit each family in the next few days, like the Yang family and the Dong family.”

Hearing this, Dong Wan’s expression changed. As a member of a prominent family, she was quite aware of some of the inner workings of the system.

“Zhenbang, what do you think President Qiao is preparing to do? Why would he want you to visit each family at this time? Is he preparing for something in the future?” Dong Wan speculated.

She couldn’t help but speculate. Currently, whether you look at Nie Zhenbang’s positions or his standing within the Party, he had essentially reached the limit for a local cadre. In terms of local experience, Nie Zhenbang was no less competent than those in their fifty-threes and fours; in fact, he may be even more outstanding.

Having been based in WangHai, walked the halls of the San Gong Ban, then governing Bashu and founding Huaxia Group, followed by leading positions in Hongjiang River and Longxi, his total local experience amounted to nearly ten years. This was quite extraordinary within the system.

At this juncture, to advance further would not be decided by one or two individuals. First and foremost, there must be a unanimous consensus among the central core leadership.

Of these, Nie Zhenbang was confident about President Qiao’s support. As for support from other senior officials, he wasn’t even sure about President Mu. At present, the issue standing in front of Nie Zhenbang was not his qualifications, but his age.

This year, Nie Zhenbang was nominally forty-four. Four years later, he would be forty-eight. If he took over at that time, he would only be fifty-six.

According to several regulations for the retirement of national leaders, they can retire after the age of sixty-five and must retire at seventy, except under special circumstances. These so-called special circumstances refer to situations such as national turmoil or war.

However, the current state of the nation is peaceful, the people are living and working happily, and although the international situation is complex, Huaxia Nation has a powerful stand and significant influence in international affairs. Such exceptional cases are practically non-existent.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang’s situation was awkward, indescribably awkward. To move up? By the time he would be fifty-six, and even after serving for eight more years, he would only be sixty-four. For the subsequent leader, that would be just perfect, and everyone could accept it. But for the next term, everybody would be considering what to do with Comrade Nie Zhenbang by the end of his term when he would only be fifty-six. Retirement? There are no such rules. To continue in the central core team would put others in an uncomfortable position.

“It’s hard to say. We can’t fathom President Qiao’s thoughts. This time, I guess the hope is not too high. It seems the most likely is to wait four years and then enter the central government, taking up a deputy position in the State Council–that would be the best outcome. To go in this year is probably unlikely,” Nie Zhenbang said calmly.

It is valuable to have self-knowledge. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang indeed had entertained thoughts of advancing his career. Having been in the government for decades, engaged in political struggles and intrigue, having poured out one’s heart and soul, isn’t it all for that ultimate glory?

Yet, while it’s natural to have ambitions, one must also be clear about their own capabilities. If one doesn’t even understand themselves, their mental state will become restless, and a bit more severe would be distortion. That could lead to irreversible damage.

“How come I haven’t seen you two, seems like you’re enjoying a little world of your own,” came An Na’s voice.

Nie Zhenbang and Dong Wan turned their heads together and smiled at An Na. After so many years together, they understood each other quite well. They both knew that An Na was merely teasing; it had nothing to do with jealousy.

“An Na, Wan and I were just chatting. It’s a nice thing to do on New Year’s Eve, to look at the night scene,” Nie Zhenbang said with a laugh.

But Yang Anna waved her hands and said, “Go on, chat away. I’m off to sleep.”

In Nie Zhenbang’s family, the atmosphere was pleasant. There was quite an understanding among the three women. They had a shared life and emotions, such as nights under one blanket, but also had individual moments of communication between two.

Every woman longs for a unique love of her own. Looking back at the current situation, perhaps there was a bit of impulsion involved. But now that things had progressed to this point, no one had mentioned backing out. When it came to loving Nie Zhenbang, the three women were all in agreement. He was a man who had captured their hearts deeply and indelibly.

So, in everyday life, the three women also had their little schemes and arrangements, like these secretive moments just for two. Each of them had her fair share. The others would also tacitly steer clear.

Once Anna left, Dong Wan looked at Nie Zhenbang and said, “Age is right there, it’s an impassable chasm. What are you planning to do?”

“What to do?” Nie Zhenbang chuckled lightly and slowly said, “Pay a visit, of course. President Qiao has his reasons for such arrangements, and it’s within our capabilities. A loyal heart and preparations in both hands, I guess.”

In front of Dong Wan, Nie Zhenbang had nothing to hide. To say he didn’t desire that was impossible. Anyone in a position to act now would not wish to wait until later–that was his stance, his attitude.

“That’s also a way, I think since the chief said so, he must have his thoughts and plans. Maybe, you could break another record,” Dong Wan nodded and said.

Breaking records within the system was nothing unusual for Nie Zhenbang by now. That was why Dong Wan remarked as such. Although she couldn’t fathom the profound implications behind President Qiao’s arrangements, what needed to be done still had to be done.

The chief had spoken. If you, on the other hand, were to lose your ambition, it wouldn’t just be squandering his efforts. It would definitely affect his impression of you. However, that was something Nie Zhenbang could never fathom doing.

Looking at Dong Wan beside him, Nie Zhenbang felt unusually emotional and said in a low voice, “Wan, these years have been hard on you.”

That sentence made Dong Wan’s entire being tremble. A simple phrase, yet it sparked all the hardship Dong Wan had endured over the years. With tears in her eyes and a smile, she said, “Why bring this up during the New Year festivities?”

Nie Zhenbang, however, held Dong Wan tightly and whispered, “Wan, let’s take a walk in the garden. Even though there’s no moonlight, and it’s quite cold, I want to walk with you.”

The Nie family’s spacious courtyard included a garden in the backyard. Pavilions, terraces, and open halls, all designed and built to perfection.

In this regard, Nie Zhenbang was willing to put in the effort and had spent a considerable amount of money. Though not large in size, the garden gave off an exhilarating feeling.

Upon reaching the garden, Nie Zhenbang turned on all the lights. The lamp posts adorned with red lanterns created an exceptionally festive atmosphere on such a night.

Walking through the garden, Nie Zhenbang held Dong Wan gently as they sat down in the arbor within. Celebrating the New Year in such cold weather wasn’t exactly the ideal time for a garden stroll, but Nie Zhenbang and Dong Wan were enjoying it thoroughly.

Looking at Dong Wan, Nie Zhenbang said earnestly, “Wan, what I said is true. You have given up too much for me, and I deeply regret it. This time, I want us to visit your father the day after tomorrow together.”

Here, the father Nie Zhenbang referred to was naturally Dong Wan’s father. The old gentleman was almost 70 years old and had already retired. Although Dong Wan’s family was not at the pinnacle of power, they were scattered throughout military and government circles, holding substantial authority. While seemingly weak, this power was quite significant. Securing support from the Dong family would undoubtedly benefit Nie Zhenbang greatly.

“Going home?” Dong Wan hesitated, “Zhenbang, that doesn’t seem right. You know, my elder brother and the others, they already have preconceptions about you…”

There were things Dong Wan left unsaid. The biggest issue her brothers had with her partner was that Nie Zhenbang hadn’t given her a proper status, making the Dong family the butt of jokes in their circle.

For an ordinary family’s children, it might not matter, but Dong Wan was the daughter of the prestigious Dong family, a lady of wealth. Being someone’s mistress was akin to slapping the Dong family across the face.

When Dong Wan’s father was alive, he left a will saying not to obstruct Dong Wan’s choices. The Dong family had been abiding by that, albeit with an attitude of indifference.

Now, with Nie Zhenbang accompanying Dong Wan, it was sure to be a warlike confrontation. One could imagine how Dong Wan’s brothers would treat Nie Zhenbang.

“Wan, I understand what you’re saying. Let me put it this way, if I can make this decision, it means that I’m prepared for it. Being with me, I can’t give you much. Sometimes, I even wish we could go back to the moment when I took you for a motorcycle ride. If it weren’t for that incident, perhaps nothing would have happened between us. But that’s just a ‘what if.’ I hope that I can give you a family to return to,” Nie Zhenbang spoke up.

In that moment, Dong Wan threw herself into Nie Zhenbang’s arms, holding him tight. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on . Your support is my greatest motivation.)