Chapter 75: Gods Fighting (Part 5)

Chapter 75: Gods Fighting (5)

Hou Weidong looked surprised. "How did you know I was assigned to the working group?"

"The Ministry attaches great importance to the ten publicly recruited graduates. Under Minister Liu’s arrangement, Minister Xiao and I conducted a special investigation into their career development. We arrived in Qinglin Town in September."

Ren Lindu asked, "Have you been to Lishan Town? What is the town’s opinion of me?"

Guo Lan smiled playfully. "Personnel matters are subject to confidentiality rules, so I dare not speak freely. I can only say that Secretary Zhao is quite satisfied with the overall situation."

If the overall situation was satisfactory, it implied there were also unsatisfactory aspects.

Hou Weidong thought of his own predicament. He certainly belonged to the unsatisfactory category. His mood grew somewhat depressed, and he spoke little, merely eating his food while letting Ren Lindu display his eloquence in front of Guo Lan.

Guo Lan’s eyes occasionally swept over the silent Hou Weidong. She had already recognized him at the door of the Party School office earlier. He was the same young man she had encountered in the dance hall in August.

June 2nd of that year had been Guo Lan’s most sorrowful day. Just as she was actively preparing for her postgraduate entrance exams, she received a letter from her long-time boyfriend, who was in the United States. The letter was short, only one page long. In it, he bluntly proposed a breakup, offering no reason.

Guo Lan had always been a strong-willed girl. Deeply in love, she had cared little for propriety and called him on an international long-distance line. On the other end, he stammered, unable to explain clearly. Only when pressed did he finally say, "America is not heaven, but hell. I am studying and working part-time simultaneously. Life is too difficult here—far beyond what you could imagine back home. I am currently living with a girl from Beijing. I truly love you, so I do not wish to deceive you. Let us break up."

Reading about it in a letter felt shallow; hearing it directly from his voice turned Guo Lan’s disappointment into despair. After hanging up, tears streamed down her face, and her mind went blank. She sat motionless for the entire afternoon, unable to emerge from the depths of her grief. That night, a sudden impulse to let loose struck her, and she went to a newly opened dance hall behind Shazhou College.

When the music started, a man of decent appearance invited her to dance. However, as soon as they stepped onto the dance floor, he tightly embraced her. Although Guo Lan had wanted to let go of her inhibitions, when the moment actually arrived, she was terrified. She pushed the young man away with force, maintaining her distance.

For the second song, a handsome young man extended an invitation. To her surprise, they moved with remarkable默契 (tacit understanding). During the slow dance, Guo Lan even cried in this young man’s arms. After weeping, her sorrow seemed to diminish along with her tears.

Guo Lan’s father was a teacher at Shazhou College, and their home was within the campus. After leaving the dance hall, she returned home through the back door. She sat in the dark with the lights off for the entire night. The next day, she wiped away her tears and cut her beautiful long hair into a short style, symbolizing the severing of emotional ties.

She felt grateful toward the handsome, silent young man she had met in the dance hall. His presence, whether intentional or not, had comforted her in her grief, allowing her to bravely step out of the emotional quagmire.

Since then, Guo Lan had subconsciously kept an eye out for the young man from that night. The Organization Department had wide contacts, and she often visited various units, yet she never saw him. It was as if she had searched everywhere in vain, only to find him effortlessly. In the Young Cadres Training Class, this young man appeared suddenly, like Lin Daiyu falling from the sky.

Guo Lan’s short hair had drastically changed her appearance. Her mother did not recognize her at first glance. Although Hou Weidong felt she looked familiar, he could not connect Guo Lan with the long-haired woman from the dance hall. However, Guo Lan had memorized Hou Weidong’s face, so she recognized him immediately.

Guo Lan was observant. By noticing Hou Weidong’s expression, she realized he had not recognized her. She buried this secret deep in her heart. After all, two strangers embracing warmly that night was an embarrassing matter.

Ren Lindu’s witty remarks often made Guo Lan laugh uncontrollably. Even Hou Weidong, who had been eating continuously, found himself laughing several times.

As the pleasant dinner was coming to an end, Guo Lan said seemingly casually, "The township merger project was carried out two years ago. After two or more townships merged, the number of cadres increased relatively, making placement difficult. One of the important purposes of the working groups established in various places was to accommodate these cadres. Hou Weidong was assigned to the working group. If he does not return to the town soon, it will be unfavorable for his future development."

Guo Lan had struck a nerve. Hou Weidong said helplessly, "After I reported to Qinglin, I was assigned to the working group. It has been over four months now. A while ago, Town Mayor Qin was preparing to transfer me to the Family Planning Office, but for some reason, it fell through."

Guo Lan, working in the Organization Department, was well-informed. She vaguely knew of the conflict between Zhao Yongsheng and Qin Feiyue. She hinted subtly, "You should report your work to Secretary Zhao more often." Remembering something, she asked, "Liu Kun from the Government Office is also a graduate of Shazhou College. Do you know him?"

Hou Weidong replied indifferently, "Liu Kun and I are both from the Political Science and Law Department." He did not wish to reveal his relationship with Liu Kun to Guo Lan. Guo Lan spoke with hidden meaning, "Since you are from the same department, Hou Weidong, you should keep in touch with him. He works in the Government Office, has connections at home, and is well-informed."

After eating and drinking their fill, Guo Lan did not let them see her off. She took a taxi home, while Hou Weidong and Ren Lindu walked back to the Party School.

"I noticed that Guo Lan cares about you quite a bit," Ren Lindu said. He was very flexible in handling interpersonal relationships and had keen observational skills. From Guo Lan’s last few remarks, he sensed a tone of concern.

Hou Weidong scoffed, "You two were chatting and boasting all evening. How did that turn into her caring about me?"

"Guo Lan and I were talking about campus anecdotes. We didn’t mention work at all. Although she spoke less with you, her final words of advice carried a tone of concern. It was significant."

Hou Weidong snorted. "That’s just sympathy for the weak. You and Yang Liu have both obtained official positions, while I am still struggling in the remote mountains. That is Guo Lan’s sympathy for a loser."

Ren Lindu said with interest, "Liu Kun. I’ve heard of him. He is Secretary to County Mayor Li. Recently, he has been accompanying County Mayor Ma on transportation projects. He is a rising star among the graduates of our class. Next year, I will treat everyone. You invite Liu Kun out."

Hou Weidong wanted to refuse from the bottom of his heart, but seeing Ren Lindu’s eager gaze, he said, "Alright. Before class tomorrow, I will go get him."

Ren Lindu considered for a moment and said, "Let’s arrange it for the evening. We will have dinner together, then go dancing. Let’s invite Yang Liu and Qin Xiaohong as well."

Hou Weidong now understood why Ren Lindu was so well-informed. He was the typical type who became familiar with people easily and was good at building relationships. Hou Weidong thought to himself, "With Ren Lindu’s personality, he will surely be valued sooner or later. In this regard, I am indeed inferior to him."

The next day, Hou Weidong arrived at the classroom early. There were only a few people inside. He stood outside smoking. After waiting for a while, he saw Liu Kun walking over leisurely.

"Liu Kun."

Seeing Hou Weidong, Liu Kun looked somewhat surprised. "Hou Weidong? What are you doing here?"

The students admitted to this Young Cadres Training Class were all backbone members of their respective units. Originally, the ten publicly recruited graduates were not included in the plan. However, when the proposal was submitted to Secretary Zhao, he specifically added a sentence: "Include this year’s publicly recruited graduates in the Young Cadres Training Class."

Liu Kun’s admission was also due to pulling strings through Minister Liu. When entering the class, his mother had specifically instructed him to sit in the first row, reasoning that sitting in the front would leave an impression on the teaching leaders. Therefore, Liu Kun arrived at the Party School early and secured a seat in the first row. In the afternoon, County Mayor Li had business to attend, so Liu Kun did not come, and thus he had not seen Hou Weidong on the first day.

Seeing Liu Kun’s expression, Hou Weidong felt a slight discomfort in his heart. Do I not belong here? he thought. Keeping his expression natural, he stated the facts plainly, "I don’t know what happened. I received the notice and came over. Only after arriving did I learn that all ten publicly recruited graduates were participating in the Young Cadres Training Class."

Liu Kun thought to himself, Hou Weidong’s luck is truly good.

The two chatted briefly outside the door. Continuously, people greeted Liu Kun.

Hou Weidong did not wish to talk much at the door. He said, "Tonight, I will treat you to dinner. We classmates haven’t gathered together for a long time." Liu Kun indeed had matters to attend to, so he made an excuse, "County Mayor Li is going to Linjiang County this afternoon, and I need to accompany him. Let’s talk another day."

It was not until the next day that Hou Weidong managed to invite Liu Kun out. Ren Lindu treated them to the meal. After a few drinks, Liu Kun began sharing secrets about the government offices. The three of them chatted and laughed happily.

Time in the Young Cadres Training Class passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, ten days had gone by. Due to their shared experiences, the ten publicly recruited graduates became very familiar with each other quickly. Ren Lindu fully utilized his organizational skills and naturally became the liaison for the publicly recruited graduates.

Hou Weidong was in the worst position among the publicly recruited graduates. Ren Lindu had become the Deputy Secretary of the Town Youth League Committee, Yang Liu had become the Chairwoman of the Town Women’s Federation, and another had become the Deputy Director of the Party and Government Office.

This made the competitive Hou Weidong very dissatisfied.