Ning Ge looked at Qi Taiguo in astonishment. He really had changed, now using connections to maneuver.
In the past, Qi Taiguo relied solely on himself, climbing up through grit and determination. Even with connections like Ning Ge and Ning Gang, he never asked for favors.
For the first time, he wanted to use connections to shift his position.
Had Qi Taiguo conformed to the world now?
"I always thought your pride would hold, that you'd never ask for something like this," Ning Ge said.
Qi Taiguo took out a cigarette, offered one to him, lit one for himself, and said, "In the past, I disdained this. I thought relying on one's own skills was best. But over the years, so much has happened, and I've realized that for a grassroots soldier like me, reaching the top is nearly impossible. You either need support from a wife's family like Jiang Conghe or use connections to get by..."
