However.
Bluem was sowhat envious of Annesley.
Envious that he had landed a decent job.
Annesley joined a lobbying company under his forr boss at ERV, doubling his annual salary, and working closer to ho. ERV’s consortium ambitions were advancing quickly, practically a done deal.
Therefore.
It could be considered quite a good job—beneath a big tree, one finds shade.
"How long have you been here?" Bluem asked.
"Two years and three months."
"How do you feel about it?"
"Things are changing fast here, especially after Ling ca to power. It’s almost like a new scene every week. The locals are mostly friendly, and the security is much better than before—a rare sight in the world."
Bluem nodded, "I’ve heard. Certainly impressive."
Labor in mining fields could only happen under Ling’s regi. Sadly, the United States can’t implent it, nor enforce it. With the high cri rates in the U.S., without reforming the judiciary system, there’s no way to bring those rates down.
Procedural justice.
Plus, unscrupulous lawyers love exploiting loopholes.
It’s unfixable.
Chatting with the driver, Bluem arrived at the embassy. Yet again, he was greeted with a warm welco—but what’s the deal with the blend of sympathy and anticipation in your eyes? Bluem felt sothing was off.
After the welco.
After eting the departntal heads.
Sitting in Annesley’s chair.
After taking a look at the work environnt, Bluem summoned Annesley’s forr adjutant—a man who had served here for nearly ten years and who, per instructions from above, Bluem was to consult carefully.
Then.
The adjutant began to brief him on the "current situation" here, line by line.
"Since Ling took power, all Myanmar high-ranking officials we previously had good relations with have cut ties with us. They’ll speak on general matters but not on anything involving sensitive information—not a word."
"Anyone daring to speak has ended up in prison. We’ve received multiple warnings from Ling’s subordinates. CIA operatives entering Myanmar are imdiately deported upon action, and subsequently banned from re-entering."
"..."
"At present, our most reliable and fastest source of intelligence is just one thing—their ’Today’s News.’"
At this.
The adjutant’s face burned as if on fire.
Embarrassnt.
Such ’results.’
They had been relentlessly berated by their superiors innurable tis. Fortunately, the adjutant had a thick skin. Annesley’s resignation had taken the brunt of the bla.
After listening.
Bluem took a deep breath.
No wonder.
These things couldn’t have been conveyed before he took office. Now that he heard them, he finally understood what Annesley’s "sympathy" toward him was all about. For a long ti, Annesley had been stumbling around blind.
And yet the higher-ups still demanded results.
How could he not be frustrated?
"What about factions or groups that are close to us?"
"None."
Bluem: "..."
That "NO."
Did you really have to answer so bluntly? How did you not realize how disheartening that was?
"Is there no good news at all?"
"There is."
"Oh? What?" Bluem perked up.
"Day-to-day work isn’t too taxing." The adjutant added humorously, though out of necessity. With everything going awry, a typical day consisted of watching the news, filing materials, writing sparse reports, and enduring reprimands from superiors—a fragile mindset would lead to depression easily.
"..."
This counts as good news.
Are you joking with right now?
Fine then.
Let digest this first before asking more questions. Looks like I might not even be able to eat dinner tonight.
"You can leave now."
"Yes."
After turning around.
The adjutant’s eyes showed a trace of sympathy.
Having assisted Annesley for years, he knew better than anyone how "pitiful" Annesley had been—failing at everything, first to take the bla. Wait until you et Ling yourself; you’ll see just how difficult that man is to deal with.
...
The next day.
March 25th.
Bluem arrived at the Presidential Palace to formally present his credentials. For an envoy, this was the most important task upon assuming office. Only after presenting credentials to the head of state could he officially begin his duties with corresponding rights.
He also saw Ling.
But felt nothing much.
His first day on the job involved no discussions of interests. Soon after, he returned.
"Any large events I need to attend lately?"
"None."
"... Not even a U.S. company banquet or the like?"
"None."
"... Surely there’s sowhere I can show up just to make an appearance?"
"Tomorrow, Myanmar Environntal Technology Company is holding a press conference. I heard they’re announcing an important product, but no one knows what it is yet. They’ve invited many of our journalists; you could check it out."
"..."
When.
The first public event for an envoy after taking office turns out to be crashing soone else’s press conference.
"Were we invited?"
"No."
"Sigh... Forget it, as long as we have our country’s dia there." Bluem already missed life in Algeria. God, do I need to consult Annesley again?
Learn from him how to endure these boring days.
Otherwise.
Depression would be inevitable.
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