Chapter 74: Gods Fighting (Part 4)

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The next day, classes officially began at 8:30 a.m. Minister Liu, the Organization Department Minister of the County Standing Committee, delivered the opening mobilization speech.

Minister Liu was a northerner, tall and imposing. His speech was crisp and resonant, carrying a natural authority. The students in the Young Cadres Training Class were all backbone personnel from various regions—in other words, ambitious young people with promising futures. In a sense, their career trajectories were in Minister Liu’s hands. Consequently, as Minister Liu spoke, every student in the class listened with rapt attention. The only sounds in the hall were his booming voice and the rustle of fountain pens scratching against paper.

Hou Weidong remembered clearly that Liu Kun’s sister, Liu Li, was dating Minister Liu’s son, Liu Jiangtao. Given Minister Liu’s dignified appearance, his son was likely handsome as well, making him a suitable match for Liu Li.

While Hou Weidong’s mind wandered, his hand did not slow down. He quickly jotted down points one, two, three, and four.

After finishing his mobilization speech, Minister Liu left the classroom accompanied by the Party School Principal. As soon as the Organization Department Minister departed, a buzz of conversation erupted in the room, like a swarm of takeoff flies.

The first lecture was delivered by the Vice Principal of the Party School, titled "Re-reading 'The East Wind Brings Fragrance to the Garden.'" The content focused on Deng Xiaoping’s Southern Tour speeches. Hou Weidong had already taken a specialized course on Deng’s Southern Tour during his university years, taught by Vice Dean Ji Daolin. The Party School Vice Principal was stout, with cheeks that seemed to bulge outward. He lacked any scholarly demeanor, looking more like a small restaurant owner. While his lecture was passable, his eloquence and knowledge fell far short of Ji Daolin’s.

Finding the lecture dull, Hou Weidong began to look around. Suddenly, he spotted a familiar figure in the corner of the front row. Liu Kun was wearing a navy blue suit, taking notes with a serious expression.

Hou Weidong thought, Why is he here? But he quickly understood. As a staff member of the County Government Office, it was perfectly normal for Liu Kun to attend the Young Cadres Training Class. Seeing Liu Kun’s earnest demeanor, Hou Weidong felt like laughing. Back at the university, this guy would always skip political theory classes or read novels instead. Now, he was putting on glasses and pretending to be a serious scholar—a chicken wearing a snake’s skin, trying to look dignified.

When the class ended, a young woman walked onto the podium. She spoke gracefully and confidently: "My name is Guo Lan. I work in the Comprehensive Cadre Section of the Organization Department. I will be serving everyone during this Young Cadres Training Class."

The sight of a beautiful woman instantly revived the spirits of the lethargic students.

Hou Weidong’s heart skipped a beat upon seeing Guo Lan. It wasn’t due to her beauty, but because she looked strangely familiar, though he couldn’t recall where he had seen her before.

Guo Lan had delicate features, a pretty and charming face, and short hair that made her look energetic. After her opening remarks, she smiled slightly and said, "Minister Liu has high hopes for this Young Cadres Training Class. He hopes everyone will study seriously. Therefore, I will take attendance every day. The attendance records will eventually be reviewed by Minister Liu. Since you are all backbone personnel of your units, I believe you will abide by the discipline."

After her final remarks, the morning session ended. Hou Weidong intended to greet Liu Kun, but he saw Liu Kun bowing his head and leaving in a hurry.

At noon, Hou Weidong and Ren Lindu lay on their beds, chatting idly. Hou Weidong had been pondering where he had seen Guo Lan but still had no leads. He asked, "Ren Lindu, you know everything. What’s the background of this Guo Lan?"

Ren Lindu chuckled, "Guo Lan is also a university graduate from this year. She’s the 'flower' of the Organization Department. The young people in the Yiyang County Party Committee and Government are always watching her. Why are you asking? Don’t even think about such good fortune."

Hou Weidong retorted, "We work in townships. Does that mean we are a class lower than those in the County Party Committee and Government? Why can’t I pursue her?"

"Yesterday at the dinner table, you said you had a girlfriend. Why are you changing your mind? Is it because you see something in the bowl while eating from the plate?"

Hou Weidong explained, "I just feel that Guo Lan looks familiar, but I can’t remember where I’ve seen her. I’m just curious."

Ren Lindu sighed, "Those assigned to government organs have a much higher starting point than us, who were sent to townships. It won’t take long for them to become section chiefs or deputy section chiefs. In townships, the best you can hope for is a deputy position. Comparing people only leads to frustration. And those students sent to the provincial level? It won’t take long for them to become division chiefs or deputy division chiefs. When they are transferred out from provincial organs, they become county magistrates or party secretaries at a young age. This is called 'the pavilion near the water gets the moon first.' Damn it, only we township cadres are the unluckiest."

Hou Weidong had been inexplicably sent to Shangqinglin, far from the sight of town leaders, making his career prospects even gloomier. He pretended to be carefree, saying, "All roads lead to Rome. Who knows who will go further?"

Ren Lindu suddenly had an idea. He said to Hou Weidong, "We must transfer to the city as soon as possible. Staying in a township for too long is really not a good thing. I have a plan. Guo Lan is from the Organization Department. Let’s find an opportunity to treat her to a meal and build a relationship first."

In the afternoon classes, some people began to be absent. Liu Kun did not appear either.

After the teaching session ended, Guo Lan appeared at the classroom door. She counted the heads and said, "There should be 45 people today, but only 40 are present. Five comrades are absent. Today’s attendance sheet will be signed by the instructor and then submitted to the department for archiving."

As soon as she finished speaking, murmurs arose below. A cadre sitting to Hou Weidong’s right whispered, "Party School training is always like this. We are all backbone personnel of our units, so it’s inevitable that some will have things to attend to. Why is Guo Lan so rigid? She must have just graduated from school." A cadre in the row ahead turned around and added, "She’s treating a feather as an imperial decree."

Guo Lan seemed to have anticipated everyone’s reaction. She smiled slightly and said, "Please don’t blame me. This is the requirement of Secretary Zhao and Minister Liu. Secretary Zhao personally instructed that since this is a Young Cadres Training Class, strict discipline must be enforced. If I have offended anyone, please understand and forgive me."

With that, she calmly left the classroom.

Ren Lindu nudged Hou Weidong with his elbow and said, "Let’s go to the office together and invite Guo Lan to dinner." Hou Weidong hesitated, saying, "We are not familiar with Guo Lan. I don’t know if she will agree." "Let’s go. We’ll know only after trying."

The two left the classroom and went to the office. Ren Lindu didn’t hesitate for a moment; he pushed open the office door. Inside, three or four teachers were chatting and laughing. Guo Lan was sitting at her desk, writing something. Ren Lindu walked up to Guo Lan without changing his expression or beating his heart, saying, "Guo Lan, I have something I want to discuss with you privately."

"What is it?"

Ren Lindu said seriously, "Can we go outside?" Guo Lan hesitated for a moment but still stood up. Hou Weidong followed behind Ren Lindu. He admired Ren Lindu’s courage and thick skin, thinking, Ren Lindu is indeed a social expert. No wonder his information is so well-connected.

At the door, Guo Lan saw Hou Weidong following behind. A trace of surprise suddenly flashed in her eyes. She looked at him several times before asking Ren Lindu, "Excuse me, what is the matter?"

When Ren Lindu entered the office, he had a serious, business-like attitude. But at the door, he immediately put on a smile. He said calmly, "My name is Ren Lindu, from Lishan Town. This is Hou Weidong, from Qinglin Town. We were both recruited through public exams this year. The Organization Department is the 'natal home' of cadres. We have many things to say to our natal home."

Guo Lan smiled and said, "I also graduated this year. Please feel free to speak, no need to be polite." Ren Lindu’s demeanor was extremely friendly, as if he and Guo Lan had been old friends for years. He said, "Tonight, Hou Weidong and I would like to treat you to dinner. Two handsome guys inviting you—you can’t refuse, right?"

Seeing Ren Lindu’s natural and generous manner, without any pretense, Guo Lan smiled and said, "Since two handsome guys are treating me, I won’t be polite."

The three left the Party School and got into a taxi. Ren Lindu said, "Let’s go to Zhiwei Restaurant in the South City. The decoration is nice, and the food is authentic."

Zhiwei Restaurant was doing good business. The three found a small table by the window. Ren Lindu asked for the menu, studied it carefully for a while, and then ordered three main dishes: toothpick rabbit meat, pearl glutinous rice ribs, and pickled pepper baby fish. He also ordered pea tip soup, red chili stir-fried牛皮菜 (beet greens), and Mapo Tofu. When the dishes arrived, arranged on the small table, they were colorful, fragrant, and delicious, stimulating their appetites.

The three were of similar age and had similar experiences, so they quickly broke the ice and began chatting and laughing.

Handsome men and a beautiful woman, exquisite delicacies, chatting about everything under the sun—what could be more enjoyable?

Guo Lan seemed to ask casually, "Hou Weidong, are you still with the Shangqinglin Working Group?"