In his previous life, he followed his mother's teachings, conducted himself with humility, and handled matters with caution. He never took any crooked paths and was known in the office as an honest man and a model of dedication. But in officialdom, honest people are always praised but rarely promoted. Although he was well-liked, his career advancement was exceptionally bumpy.

Every year, he was nominated for Outstanding Party Member and Model Worker, never missing a single selection. Yet when it came to crucial moments for promotion, he was always left out. His peers with similar qualifications became section chiefs, while he remained a senior staff member; by the time he finally made it to deputy section level, others had already crossed the threshold to deputy county level, and the gap only widened.

Later, Brian Perry gradually realized a truth: in this life, his setbacks all stemmed from being too honest. Being honest itself wasn't the problem—the key issue was having no background. And because he was honest, he wasn't good at currying favor or seeking powerful patrons, so the outcome was predictable.

But by the time he understood this, it was already too late. Age waits for no one; after 35, approaching forty, he had already missed the golden age for promotion.

Thinking of this, Brian Perry couldn't help but sigh softly.

The past was gone. Fortunately, he now had a chance to start over, and he decided to take a life path completely different from his previous one.

At this moment, Grace Carter from the upstairs apartment next door had just taken a shower at home, changed into a clean, fresh T-shirt and denim shorts, and was about to head out.

Her mother, Linda Foster, poked her head out of the bedroom, frowning, “Xiaoying, you just got back, and now you’re going out again? You’ve already been assigned to teach at No. 2 High School, shouldn’t you start preparing? When school starts, how will you teach your students?”

Grace Carter was Brian Perry’s high school classmate, though her grades were a bit lower than his. She attended the provincial normal university and, upon graduation, was assigned to Xinan No. 2 High School, the city’s top school, which was quite good.

This had to do with her father, Paul Carter. Paul Carter was the Party Secretary of Xinan Machinery Factory. Although he was just a state-owned enterprise leader, he had some connections and played a crucial role in his daughter’s job assignment. Otherwise, Grace Carter would have had at least a 90% chance of being assigned to a district or even a rural school.

“Mom, I’ve already graduated from college, why are you still nagging me? There’s no rush about work, there are still two months left. I’m just going out to hang out with some classmates,” Grace Carter said coquettishly, heading for the door.

Linda Foster snorted, “You little rascal, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to—I’m telling you, that Brian Perry is not suitable for you. I absolutely oppose you being with him!”

Grace Carter retorted unhappily, “What’s wrong with Brian Perry? He’s been outstanding in both character and academics since he was a kid, and he’s a top university graduate! Besides, Brian Perry and I are just ordinary classmates. What are you talking about?”

“Do you think I can’t see through your little schemes?” Linda Foster walked out of the bedroom, her face covered with cucumber slices. “Ordinary classmates? As soon as you graduated, you started asking about Brian Perry. Brian Perry came back yesterday, and you waited downstairs just to say a couple of words to him, then took a bus ride around the city… Do you think your mom is stupid?”

As soon as Linda Foster said this, Grace Carter’s pretty face immediately turned red.

“What’s the use of being a top university graduate! Without connections or backing, he’ll just end up being assigned to the countryside in the end,” Linda Foster glared. “I’m doing this for your own good. Besides, he only has a mother, and their family’s situation is so poor. Our families are not a good match…”

Before Linda Foster could finish, Grace Carter pushed the door open and slammed the security door shut with a bang.

“You…” Linda Foster stomped her foot hard, and the cucumber slices on her face fell off with a plop.

Grace Carter quickly went downstairs and arrived at the bottom of the Perry family’s building.

She hesitated for a moment downstairs, but still went up.

She did have feelings for Brian Perry. Back in high school, those feelings were already quite strong. But at that time, Brian Perry was completely focused on his studies, was a top student at school, had strict family discipline, and was very opposed to early romance.

Later, Brian Perry was finally admitted to a top domestic university, while Grace Carter only got into a top provincial normal university, and they ended up far apart. However, even though they weren’t together, the thoughts in Grace Carter’s heart never faded.

She was a striking beauty and a talented writer, so she naturally had no shortage of admirers in college. But every time, Grace Carter would compare them to Brian Perry, and in comparison, Brian Perry’s many strengths were magnified in her heart.

After graduating from college, she happened to hear from Evan Morris that Brian Perry still didn’t have a girlfriend, and her feelings were immediately rekindled.

At the door of the Perry family, Grace Carter composed herself and knocked gently.

Evan Morris opened the door and, seeing Grace Carter, smiled, “Oh, it’s Xiaoying! Come in, please!”

Evan Morris was the cashier at the machinery factory and lived in the same residential area, so they were naturally familiar. Besides, Grace Carter had always been respectful to Evan Morris, calling her Aunt Meng from afar every time they met.

“Aunt Meng, is Brian Perry home?” Grace Carter blushed and asked softly.

Evan Morris smiled, “He’s here. Yuanzheng, Xiaoying is here.”

Brian Perry came out of his bedroom. He had just changed clothes and was about to go out. Seeing Grace Carter, he was quite surprised.

“Grace Carter? Did you need something?”

Grace Carter’s pretty face turned even redder.