Chapter 375: Gathering (Part 1)

*Chapter 375: Gathering (Part 1)*

The official official red-header document from the Provincial Party Committee regarding the appointment of the Chairman of the Shazhou Municipal Political Consultative Conference had not yet been issued. Consequently, rumors spread like wildfire, multiplying into various versions that grew increasingly absurd. With the Spring Festival approaching, many officials with sufficient influence seized this favorable opportunity to begin their networking activities.

To act was to risk gaining nothing—a clear opportunity cost. To remain inactive was to accept that no pies would fall from the sky. This, too, aligned with basic economic principles.

Hou Weidong, serving as the secretary to the Municipal Party Secretary, found his situation relatively straightforward. As long as Zhou Changquan was satisfied, his path in Shazhou would remain smooth and unobstructed.

“Weidong, this is Haiyang.”

Ji Haiyang was usually polite, but in his previous interactions with Hou Weidong, he typically introduced himself as “Ji Haiyang,” using his full name. By dropping the surname and using only his given name, he signaled a tone that was both equal and intimate. Hou Weidong had always respected Ji Haiyang, maintaining a demeanor of considerable deference in both language and attitude. “Secretary Ji, hello. How may I assist you?”

“Weidong, I wouldn’t dare to issue instructions to you.”

Hou Weidong replied sincerely, “Secretary Ji, you will always be my leader in my heart.”

“Before the Spring Festival, the Yiyang County Party Committee is holding a New Year’s Tea Party. I’d like to invite you to return and attend,” Ji Haiyang explained. “This event is specifically for Yiyang natives who have achieved success elsewhere, or comrades who have worked in Yiyang and attained distinction. The goal is to expand Yiyang’s influence and create a more favorable environment for its development.”

Hou Weidong smiled. “Secretary Ji, I hardly qualify as someone with achievements. Returning would merely be me padding the numbers.”

Ji Haiyang spoke bluntly, “Don’t be modest. In official circles, practicality is key. Your current position is more influential than that of a typical bureau director or bank president. Secretary Ma specifically instructed me to invite you back.”

“If Secretary Ji has asked, I will certainly return if my schedule permits.”

Ji Haiyang added, “Leaders such as Gao Zhiyuan from the city and Yi Zhongda from the province will also be attending. We have also invited corporate executives like Zhang Mushan and Li Jing. If you can manage to leave your post, you must come. It is all for the sake of Yiyang’s development.”

Hearing Li Jing’s name, Hou Weidong, despite having prepared himself mentally, still felt a momentary lapse in focus. Memories of Li Jing flooded his mind. When one completely loses a person, they tend to recall the happy moments of the past while consciously ignoring the unpleasant ones. Moreover, during their time together, Li Jing had always been mature, charming, and independent, leaving Hou Weidong with many beautiful memories.

“This is Li Jing’s choice. I should bless her.”

Although Hou Weidong remained rational, a pang of pain lingered in his heart.

Real life contained more than just love and romance. Those who sought death for love were usually protagonists in television dramas. In reality, after being abandoned by love, most people simply wiped away their tears and continued to live.

That evening, upon returning home, Hou Weidong sensed something unusual as soon as he entered. The curtains were drawn, a large red candle burned on the table, and the aroma of stewed meat drifted from the kitchen. Xiaojia walked out of the study, holding an apple half-eaten, her face radiant with happiness. She looked at Hou Weidong but said nothing.

Hou Weidong scratched his head, asking in confusion, “Is today some kind of anniversary?”

Xiaojia was a woman with a refined, bourgeois sensibility, always fond of cultivating romance. Her mind was filled with various significant dates: the day they first met, the day they first made love, their wedding day, birthdays, graduation day, and enrollment day. On these anniversaries, Xiaojia would always make the home atmosphere more romantic. If Hou Weidong forgot any of these dates, she would be angry.

Xiaojia chewed her apple slowly and said, “From now on, this day can also be considered an anniversary.”

Hou Weidong was still at a loss. “Just speak plainly. What anniversary is it? Save me the trouble of guessing.”

“I went to the hospital today,” Xiaojia said, pausing mid-sentence.

“What? Are you sick?”

Xiaojia put down the apple, stepped forward, and hugged Hou Weidong. “I’m pregnant. This is the best New Year’s gift.”

Hou Weidong was so happy he wanted to lift Xiaojia up, but she said, “Don’t bump the baby.” Hou Weidong dared not move rashly. Instead, he squatted down, pressing his ear against Xiaojia’s abdomen. “Hey, little one, can you hear your father? From now on, I will tell you stories every day and read Tang poetry to you, so you can grow up immersed in culture.”

Xiaojia said seriously, “I’ve heard that babies in the womb can hear their parents’ voices. You must stick to telling the baby stories every day.”

Hou Weidong recalled a joke he had heard at a dinner table and laughed. “Let me tell you a joke. One day, a pair of twins still in the womb started chatting. The older one said, ‘Our dad is so good; he brings us yogurt to drink whenever he’s free.’ The younger one nodded and said, ‘Uncle Liu next door is the worst. Last time he came, he brought some yogurt but took it away in a plastic bag.’”

Xiaojia sighed, “You men, what are you always thinking about?” The story reminded her of something, so she added, “I’ve heard that intercourse is possible during the first few months of pregnancy, as long as one is careful with positions. It’s actually quite beneficial for the pregnant woman.”

The next day at work, the driver, Ma Bo, noticed Hou Weidong’s high spirits and the smile on his face. “Brother Hou, joy brightens the spirit. Seeing you this happy, there must be good news.”

Hou Weidong had a good relationship with Ma Bo. “I’m going to be a father. I only found out last night.”

Ma Bo’s eyes twinkled. “That’s wonderful news. Find some time, and I’ll treat you to a celebration.”

With the Spring Festival approaching, the Yiyang County New Year’s Gathering was scheduled for ten days before the holiday, on February 6, 1999. Early in the morning, Ji Haiyang called Hou Weidong to invite him to the gathering. While on the phone, Hou Weidong double-checked Zhou Changquan’s schedule. “Secretary Ji, I’ll come over at ten o’clock, but I must leave by eleven. Secretary Zhou has many matters to attend to, and as his dedicated secretary, I have little freedom of action.”

Ji Haiyang expressed his understanding, sighing, “Every snake bites. Being a dedicated secretary is fraught with hardship. At the very least, you lack personal freedom and your own life. It can’t go on like this forever.” He then encouraged him, “The hardship is only for these two years. Once you get through it, a new world will open up.”

By 9:30 AM, Deputy Secretary Huang Zidi, Organization Department Minister Zhao Dong, and Secretary-General Hong Ang arrived punctually in the small conference room. They were there to discuss a batch of cadre appointments in advance. In Shazhou, following Zhou Changquan’s requirements, all cadre appointments had to first pass through the Organization Department, then be reported to the Municipal Party Secretary, and finally submitted to the Standing Committee.

These three checkpoints were designed to ensure the optimal allocation of cadres. In many other regions, the second step involved a Secretary’s Office Meeting, which the Mayor would also attend. However, the convention in Shazhou was that the Mayor did not intervene in personnel matters in advance. This was Zhou Changquan’s method.

Having followed Zhou Changquan for over half a year, Hou Weidong understood this implicitly: “As long as the Municipal Party Secretary controls the power of personnel appointments, he controls the overall situation. After all, everything ultimately depends on people for implementation. Controlling the people naturally means controlling the affairs.”

Precisely because Zhou Changquan held the power of personnel appointments so firmly, he enjoyed extremely high prestige among the Shazhou cadre team. His words were military orders, executed diligently by all. The phrase “Secretary Changquan said so” had become the best pass for getting things done in Shazhou.

Knowing Zhou Changquan’s habits, Hou Weidong knew that the Secretary would always make Huang Zidi, Zhao Dong, and Hong Ang wait in the small conference room for a while. Therefore, at 9:40 AM, Hou Weidong brought the invitation from the Yiyang County Party Committee and Government to Zhou Changquan’s desk.

Zhou Changquan looked at the invitation and smiled. “Go ahead. Yiyang is a place where you once fought. With the Spring Festival arriving, you should go back and take a look.”

Hou Weidong said, “I’ll leave at ten and be back by eleven-thirty.”

Zhou Changquan waved his hand dismissively. “That won’t do. It’s a gathering; you must stay for a meal, otherwise, the hosts will be offended. You can return at two in the afternoon.”

After Hou Weidong was transferred to the Municipal Party Committee Office, his father, Hou Yonggui, had a talk with him. The summary of his advice was simple: “Be an honest person. Do not play schemes and tricks in front of your leaders.” This was based on Hou Yonggui’s own life experience. When Hou Weidong was transferred to the Municipal Public Security Bureau, his father had offered similar parting words.

Hou Weidong deeply agreed with this advice. He had always been honest, candid, and loyal in front of Secretary Zhou Changquan. Paradoxically, this approach made him feel relaxed.

The Yiyang Spring Festival Gathering was grander than in previous years. Yi Zhongda from the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, Gao Zhiyuan, Director of the Shazhou Municipal People’s Congress, and numerous leaders, experts, and entrepreneurs from Yiyang were seated together. County Party Secretary Ma Youcai and County Mayor Yang Senlin were dressed in sharp suits, their hair slicked back with oil, and small red flowers pinned to their chests. The two appeared very close, chatting and laughing together.

Hou Weidong observed Ma Youcai and Yang Senlin carefully. He was surprised to find that they seemed genuinely intimate. When speaking, they leaned close, their heads almost touching. This body language left a deep impression on Hou Weidong.

Upon arriving in Yiyang, Hou Weidong saw that he had been assigned to the same table as Yi Zhongda and Gao Zhiyuan. He firmly refused. “I am just a low-level section chief cadre; I should not mix with department-level and bureau-level leaders.” He took his nameplate, which read “Hou Weidong,” and looked for a seat elsewhere. Ji Haiyang truly understood him and asked Ren Xiaowei to help adjust his seating, without making a special introduction of his identity.

Hou Weidong did not know anyone at this table. Looking at the names on the nameplates, he vaguely remembered them as former deputy county magistrates and entrepreneurs who had come from Yiyang. The people at the table were all in their forties, chatting happily together. They did not recognize Hou Weidong, and seeing his youth, they did not pay much attention. Hou Weidong was happy to have some leisure. He sat in the corner, watching the bustling hall, when suddenly, he saw Li Jing.

Li Jing looked a bit heavier. She was sitting with the CEO of Qingda Group, chatting and laughing.