The Path of Power

Chapter Two: Leaving the Capital

"Natalie , you seem unhappy today. What happened?" Laura noticed that Natalie was in a bad mood during the meal. She didn't want to ask because Ethan was there, but as soon as Ethan left, she hurriedly asked.

"Sigh!" Natalie sighed and walked closer to Laura. "Dad called today and insists that I go back to Lincoln City to work after graduation. I originally planned to stay and work at National Media Network . Aunt, why don't you persuade my dad to let me stay in Washington?"

Laura has always been Natalie 's idol, and she has always hoped that she could become a news anchor on The Evening Report on National Media Network like her aunt.

“I thought something serious had happened. With your dad’s personality, how could he listen to me? Besides, your brother isn’t around your parents most of the time. Now that you’ve graduated from university, you should stay with them. And you can do any job you like. There’s Oregon State TV and Lincoln News Channel, you can go to either one.”

"Auntie, but I can't bear to part with you." Natalie 's eyes reddened.

“Silly girl, transportation is so convenient now. It only takes half a day to get from Lincoln City to Washington. If you miss your aunt, just come and see her.” Laura hugged Natalie tightly, her eyes also moist.

Laura and Natalie 's father, Daniel Green, is the daughter of General Walter Green, had served in the U.S. Army during the Cold War era, General Green is now eighty years old and retired. His son, Daniel Green, followed in his father’s footsteps, building his career over decades of service, and now commanded a regional army group headquartered near Lincoln City, Oregon.

Natalie 's brother, Lucas Green, also served—he was a battalion commander in a Special Operations unit based in Silverport, a coastal city in southern Oregon. Because of the job, he rarely came home.

Their daughter is studying far away, the couple eagerly awaited her return home as she was about to graduate. However, their daughter wanted to stay in Washington to work, which Daniel Green absolutely refused to allow. He firmly insisted that his daughter return to Lincoln City after graduation. Although Natalie was reluctant to leave her job, she had no choice but to return to Lincoln City after graduation.

Ethan returned to his dormitory, which Prof, Harold had arranged for him after he was admitted to graduate school. It was a single room for one person, furnished with a single bed, a wardrobe, a bookcase, and a desk. Ethan felt very content upon moving in; he no longer had to squeeze into a dormitory with eight other people and could finally study in peace.

Tonight, Ethan and Prof. Harold finished off a bottle their drinks. Ethan drank most of it himself, and although his alcohol tolerance was decent, he felt slightly tipsy. Lying on the bed fully clothed, he thought about graduation and how his job was basically secured. Although it wasn't in his hometown of Riverton City, he was working for the provincial government of Oregon State, a neighboring economically powerful province, which was quite good. He hadn't been home for over three years and wondered how things were back home. His parents were both over fifty; his father had retired early last year due to the poor performance of the township-run enterprise, and his mother tended three acres of land. His younger sister was twenty-one and had been working for a year as an inspector at the Maple Chemical Plant in Riverton City. He'd heard on the last phone call that she was dating. Thinking of his family, a warm smile appeared on Ethan's face. His parents had worked hard their whole lives to support his education, and his sister had given up her own university dream. Now that he had graduated and started working, he would definitely take good care of his parents and his little sister. As Ethan thought about this, he made a silent vow.

The next morning, Ethan arrived at Prof.Harold's office as agreed. On Prof.Harold's desk was a file folder. Prof.Harold picked it up and handed it to Ethan: "Your degree certificate, diploma, and letter of introduction for reporting to the Oregon State Party Committee."

"So fast!" Ethan exclaimed in surprise.

"After your thesis defense yesterday, I instructed the Academic Affairs Office to process your degree certificate and diploma first. The letter of introduction has just been issued. You will report to the Oregon State Party Committee in ten days. I remember you haven't been home for three years, so this way you can have time to go home and visit."

Ethan took the file and nodded: "I don't know when I'll be able to see you again and hear your teachings. I wonder if you have any other instructions for me."

Prof.Harold sensed the reluctance in Ethan's voice and felt a surge of relief: "Your entry into the Oregon State Party Committee marks your entry into officialdom. As is customary, with your doctoral degree, you'll be appointed to the deputy section chief level. Your calm and composed personality is well-suited for a career in government. Once you're there, you must maintain a low profile and never flaunt your high academic qualifications. In all your dealings, integrity is fundamental; you must always keep yourself clean and upright. I have nothing else to give you, but here's a book by Alexander Hamilton for you. You must study it diligently. Alexander was not only a great scientist but also a very wise politician. Some things can't be accomplished simply by having ambition; you must reach a certain level before you can realize your aspirations."

Ethan took the book and opened the title page. On the title page, Prof.Harold had written eight characters: "Upright and conscientious." Looking at these eight characters, Ethan lowered his head and pondered.

Prof.Harold looked at him with a smile: "Alright, stop thinking about it. You need to keep learning and experiencing it in your future work."

"Teacher, I will remember your words."

"Alright, you should go back and pack your things. I've already asked the office to book your flight back to Riverton City for tomorrow. Go pick it up at the office later. I won't keep you here any longer. I have a meeting tomorrow and can't see you off. Have a safe trip." Prof.Harold stood up from his chair and extended his hand to Ethan.

Ethan gripped Prof.Harold's hands tightly, his voice choked with emotion. "Teacher, please take care of yourself too." Since becoming Prof.Harold's student, Prof.Harold had not only taught and guided Ethan academically, but also, knowing Ethan's impoverished background, had openly and secretly taken care of him in every way. He had arranged a job for him and even prepared his departure plane ticket—truly considering everything for him. Prof.Harold absolutely deserved the title of "mentor."

After leaving Prof.Harold's place, Ethan went to the school office to pick up his plane ticket and returned to his dormitory. Ethan didn't have much luggage, which was easy to pack; he only had a few changes of clothes, but a lot of books. Some were textbooks, some were gifts from Prof.Harold, and some were bought from secondhand bookstores. Ethan took a dozen or so books that he might need for work, and gave the rest to his junior classmates in the same major, also as a way of saying goodbye to them. Because Ethan's books contained extensive reading notes, they were very popular with the junior classmates, who fought over them.

In the past two years, Ethan has not only solved his living expenses problem by serving as Prof.Harold's research assistant, but has also saved about five thousand dollar. Thinking that he will be going home tomorrow, Ethan went to the street in the afternoon to buy some vacuum-packed Beijing roast duck, Poria cocos paste and other for his parents and sister.

Since the flight was at 9:30, Ethan, carrying a backpack and a suitcase, took two buses to the airport early the next morning. It was Ethan's first time flying, and checking in and checking in took quite a while. Extremely thirsty, he went to the airport shop to buy a bottle of mineral water, but was shocked by the price. "Too expensive! It's only 1.5 dollar outside, but 10 dollar here! Never mind, I heard there's coffee, juice, cola, and many other drinks on the plane. I'll wait until boarding." Thinking this, he turned and walked away with his head down. Perhaps stimulated by the outrageous prices at the airport shop, Ethan was preoccupied with what to drink after boarding and didn't pay much attention to what was ahead. "Bang!" He bumped into someone. Instinctively, Ethan reached out to steady the person he bumped into, but his outstretched hand touched something soft. Looking up, he exclaimed, "Oh dear!" He had bumped into a young woman, and his hand was touching her breast. This is a girl around twenty years old, and a beautiful one at that. She is wearing tight jeans and a white silk shirt, with her hair in a ponytail. Her skin is fair and delicate, and her face is beautiful. She is indescribably fresh and lovely.

Ethan's hand recoiled as if electrocuted, and he hurriedly apologized, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

"ah!"

"Smack!"

The girl raised her hand and slapped Ethan hard across the face.

"You...you scoundrel!"

The beautiful woman was blushing and looking panicked as she stared at Ethan, one hand covering her chest.

Her scream and the sound of her hand hitting Ethan's face immediately drew the attention of everyone around. The men glared at Ethan, some with a hint of schadenfreude, while the women silently condemned him with disdainful looks. The older women sighed and shook their heads at Ethan, expressing their regret that he was beyond redemption.

Just then, the announcement for boarding came over the loudspeaker. The beautiful woman gave Ethan a disdainful look, then turned and left.

Once the main character left, the onlookers gradually dispersed, pointing and whispering about Ethan as they left.

Ethan touched his burning cheeks, feeling both amused and exasperated. "I've really embarrassed myself this time," he thought to himself.

"Wait a minute!" The announcement was saying that the flight to Riverton City was about to take off. Oh dear, I was so confused by the slap that I didn't even notice the boarding announcement. Ethan hurriedly ran towards the boarding gate.