Chapter 226: The New Unit (Part 2)

Chapter 226: The New Unit (Part 2)

Hou Weidong hung up the phone and continued sipping the special-supply liquor Zhang Jun had gifted him. Although it wasn’t exactly top-tier vintage, the taste suggested it wasn’t genuine Maotai from the official factory. While the whole nation seemed to be drinking Maotai, the authentic factory output was strictly limited. Given Zhang Jun’s status, he wouldn’t have had access to true Maotai special supplies, and whether such "special supplies" even existed was itself a question.

After the meal, Hou Weidong said to Zhou Yongtai, “I have something to attend to this afternoon, so I won’t be staying.”

Zhou Yongtai remained smiling. He habitually adjusted his glasses and said, “Director Hou, you’ve worked hard enough at the New Management Committee. It’s time to relax. The Science and Technology Commission rarely has urgent matters. Feel free to rest. I’ll handle the minor issues, and I’ll call you if anything major arises.” He added humorously, “The Commission hasn’t seen any major events in years.”

Xiao Ning, the Office Director, proactively offered, “I’ll go hail a taxi for you.”

Hou Weidong had had quite a bit to drink and didn’t feel like driving. He followed Director Xiao Ning out of the restaurant. A taxi was already waiting beside Xiao Ning. Xiao Ning pulled ten yuan from his leather bag and handed it quickly to the driver, then turned to Hou Weidong and said, “Director Hou, get some good rest.” After Hou Weidong got into the car, Xiao Ning handed him a thin card with both hands. “This is the Commission’s contact list.”

Once the taxi started moving, Hou Weidong took the small plastic card and glanced at it. None of the six people in the Commission had mobile phones; they all used pagers. He thought to himself, “From now on, I just need to check the message logs to know which units are doing well and which are struggling.”

Entering the campus of Shazhou College, thinking of Xiaojia who had rushed back from Shanghai, the sourness in his heart slowly dissipated. As he walked to the small pavilion by the main road, he saw Professor Guo’s wife accompanying Professor Guo exercising inside. Patients with cerebral blockages needed to exercise their impaired limbs, otherwise muscle function would atrophy. So, whenever the weather was clear, Professor Guo’s wife would accompany him for walks around the campus.

Seeing Hou Weidong, Professor Guo’s wife greeted him warmly. “Xiaojia is very diligent. She just got back from Shanghai and is already washing blankets and sheets for you at home. You should hurry to Green Garden to buy some vegetables, fruits, and some good food to take back.” Professor Guo added from the side, “The girl is sensible. We’ve only met her once, yet she thought to bring us gifts.” The professor had aged significantly; age spots had suddenly multiplied on his face.

Xiaojia’s gift was modest—just some Shanghai-made candies—but the sentiment behind it was heavy. Both Professor Guo and his wife were delighted.

After Hou Weidong left, Professor Guo’s wife watched his retreating figure with a hint of envy. She said to her husband, “Little Hou is a good boy. He has achieved success in his career and is a good person. Why doesn’t our Lanlan have such luck?”

Thinking of this, she anxiously urged her husband, “When Lanlan comes back, you must persuade her. Don’t let her keep dwelling on the past. That heartless man isn’t worth her sadness. Old man, this is a big matter. Don’t be careless. She listens to you. You must find time to call her.”

Professor Guo said, “Lanlan is my daughter. How could I not worry about her lifelong happiness? But you must never mention that man in front of her, or she will be upset.”

Professor Guo’s wife sighed beside him.

Professor Guo comforted her, “Old woman, don’t be too anxious. Lanlan told me she intends to marry; she just hasn’t found the right person yet.”

“Sigh, a daughter is her mother’s heart’s flesh. If she doesn’t marry, how can I not worry?”

When Hou Weidong entered the apartment, he immediately saw the sheets drying on the balcony and heard the washing machine humming in the bathroom. He called out, “Wife, come out quickly. Let your husband have a look at you.”

Hearing the door open, Xiaojia ran out from the bathroom. She stood at the doorway, tilting her head to examine her husband. “Your complexion looks good. Much better than I imagined. I thought you’d look like a frost-bitten eggplant.”

Hou Weidong looked at Xiaojia’s hair. “When did you change your small waves into big waves?”

“I did it before coming home. It’s the most popular style in Shanghai right now,” Xiaojia replied casually. Then she added, “I wanted to come back for a long time. Coincidentally, the school was holding an event, and our class had a performance, so they wouldn’t approve my leave. When I heard you were transferred to the Science and Technology Commission, I worried you might not take it well. Seeing you in high spirits puts my mind at ease.” Although she had expressed these views, Xiaojia always felt that hearing was not as reliable as seeing. Seeing her husband’s good complexion today, she finally felt somewhat relieved.

Hou Weidong knew why Xiaojia had rushed back. He deliberately downplayed it, saying, “There is no distinction between high and low in revolution; we all serve the people. Besides, being transferred to the Science and Technology Commission isn’t like being exiled to Ningguta. Rest assured, your husband is a comrade with strong will, not a flower in a greenhouse. This small matter won’t knock me down.”

“Sister Zhou heard about your situation and suggested you transfer to Yiyang quickly.” As he spoke, Hou Weidong pulled Xiaojia into his arms. Xiaojia melted into the warm embrace, but she said, “Wait a moment, let me take off my apron.” When Hou Weidong’s hands started to wander, Xiaojia added, “Don’t rush. I’m still washing the blankets.”

Hou Weidong was already three parts drunk, and his desire was now soaring. He acted shamelessly, saying, “Hurry and comfort your husband’s wounded heart with your body.”

Xiaojia said, “Cheesy,” but her arms tightened around Hou Weidong’s neck.

When the two finally got up from bed, it was already two in the afternoon. Xiaojia’s stomach let out a loud rumble. Hou Weidong was surprised. “Haven’t you eaten?” Xiaojia, now like a dependent little bird, nestled in Hou Weidong’s arms and said, “I was a bit hungry, but you came back and I forgot.”

Hou Weidong thought of Xiaojia rushing from Shanghai to Yiyang and still being hungry. He was truly moved. He rolled over and said, “I’ll accompany you out to eat.” Covering herself, Xiaojia said, “I don’t want to go out. Just make some noodles.”

“Wait a moment, I’ll get you something good.” Hou Weidong quickly dressed. He bent down and kissed Xiaojia’s nose. “I’m going to buy a salted duck. I’ll be back soon. Wait for me obediently in bed.”

In Yiyang, the best salted duck was in the North City. Hou Weidong took a taxi from the school gate, picked up his Bluebird car from Liang Bifa’s courtyard, and headed straight for the North City. The North City was Yiyang’s oldest commercial district and the location of the old county yamen. Traditional handicrafts in the city were concentrated here.

There were always people at Zhang Yazi’s stall. Hou Weidong used iron tongs to select a salted duck that looked good. The stout, dark-skinned boss lady, like an ancient swordsman, skillfully chopped the duck, full of brine and spices, into uniform pieces.

Two men in black uniforms, urban management officers, suddenly appeared in front of Zhang Yazi. One said, “Zhang Yazi, we told you to move over there. Why are you back on the main street? Setting up stalls on main and secondary roads is strictly prohibited.” Zhang Yazi said, “I’ve been selling here for over ten years. Why am I suddenly not allowed to?” The man impatiently said, “Just leave when told. Why so much talk? If you don’t leave, we’ll confiscate your stall.”

Another urban management officer, with a gentler face, said, “Old Zhang, move quickly. Officials from the county are coming here for inspection soon. If you don’t leave, we’ll get scolded. Please cooperate.”

Zhang Yazi muttered, “I pay fees to sell here. Why can’t I sell here just because officials are coming?” Seeing the other urban management officer glaring at him, and fearing he might really confiscate the stall, Zhang Yazi reluctantly stopped his business.

As Zhang Yazi was packing up, three cars drove over and stopped about a hundred meters from Hou Weidong. Several people got out, all of whom were Hou Weidong’s acquaintances: County Mayor Yang Senlin, Government Office Director Liu Kun, Construction Commission Director Zhang Yajun, State Housing Bureau Director Xiao Bing, and Yao Qiang from Lingxi Construction Company. They stood by the street, walking and looking at the street, pointing and discussing something about a cluster of old houses.

Hou Weidong thought to himself, “Judging by their demeanor, the county government definitely wants to develop the North City. This demolition work is going to be massive.”

When Zhu Yan was Party Secretary of Yiyang, he faced the choice of building the South Suburb or demolishing the old city. Considering the workload of demolishing the old city was too large, he chose to draw the newest and most beautiful patterns on the blank paper of the South Suburb. Hou Weidong had supported the South Suburb plan from the bottom of his heart.

When the group turned and walked toward Hou Weidong, he didn’t want to meet them in this situation. He slipped into a small grocery store. The business seemed poor; the owner was reluctant to turn on the lights, making the interior very dark, a sharp contrast to the bright storefront next door.

“This situation is only temporary. If I want to, I can transfer away anytime.” Having joined the Science and Technology Commission, Hou Weidong had left the center of power in Yiyang and been marginalized in the local political circle. If this had happened before, he would likely have been invited to join them. Now, he could only watch this group of powerholders coldly from the darkness. Naturally, he felt resentful, so he constantly comforted himself.

The supermarket clerk was a young, chubby girl with typical baby fat. Standing beside Hou Weidong, she curiously looked at the people outside and said to him, “That person looks like Yang Senlin. I’ve seen him on TV.” Hou Weidong hummed in acknowledgment but didn’t respond. The clerk was talkative. “I heard from the neighborhood committee propaganda that this entire area is going to be demolished. The demolition compensation is three hundred yuan per square meter.” She clicked her tongue. “Houses in the South Suburb are selling for seven hundred yuan now. The North Gate is still an urban area; the housing price should be at least four or five hundred yuan. If the demolition compensation isn’t raised, the neighbors will definitely refuse to move.”

Hou Weidong said, “After demolishing the old houses, resettlement housing will definitely be built. You don’t necessarily have to take money. You can choose between taking money or taking housing.”

“I heard the smallest resettlement apartment is sixty or seventy square meters. Some families now live in thirty or forty square meters. They’d have to pay a difference of thirty yuan per square meter. Based on the prices here at the North Gate, let’s say five hundred yuan, they’d have to pay fifteen thousand.”

The clerk said indignantly, “The residents at the North Gate are mostly unemployed or laid-off workers with no income. No family can come up with fifteen thousand. Besides, we’re living well here. Why should our houses be demolished for developers? The government demolishes the houses, and the land value jumps several times. Those officials are so fat their butts are dripping oil.”

By the street, Liu Kun was wearing a suit, his hair neatly combed, his demeanor much more沉稳 (steady) than before. He stood behind Yang Senlin with State Housing Bureau Director Xiao Bing, talking continuously. The group stood by the street for a while longer. Yang Senlin turned and spoke with Yao Qiang for a bit, then the group got into their cars, turned left and right, and disappeared at the North Gate.

When Hou Weidong came out of the supermarket with two packs of sunflower seeds, the salted duck vendor had magically set up his braised meat stall again. The two urban management officers were sitting by a shop smoking. They dealt with these small vendors every day. Unless there was a special occasion, they wouldn’t deliberately make things difficult for those they managed.

Zhang Yazi had no customers for the moment. He proactively went over to offer cigarettes to the two urban management officers. The three chatted and joked for a bit. When a customer came to buy duck, Zhang Yazi quickly returned to his post.

Driving back to Shazhou College, Hou Weidong felt somewhat depressed.

***

Chapter 226: The New Job (Part 1)

Xiaojia had returned to Yiyang this time with the intention of persuading Hou Weidong to leave. So, while in Yiyang, she went to Shazhou and found Su Mingjun, the Executive Deputy Director of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee Organization Department. Given the special relationship between their families, they went straight to the point.

Su Mingjun had long considered Hou Weidong’s situation. He said, “There is no problem with Weidong transferring back to Shazhou. However, you’ll have to endure some hardship first. You’ll take a leisurely position in the secondary leadership of the Shazhou Development Zone, such as Union Chairman or Youth League Secretary. You are so young; opportunities will definitely arise. I will also keep an eye out for you.”

Xiaojia felt this plan was acceptable and signaled Hou Weidong with her eyes.

Hou Weidong directly rejected Su Mingjun’s suggestion. “The Shazhou Development Zone currently has one director and four deputy directors. Everyone who gets into the Development Zone has background. The chance of waiting for an opening there is slim. I don’t want to go there for now.”

When he was Director of the Yiyang New Management Committee, he had exchanged views with the Shazhou Development Zone several times. Although the Shazhou Development Zone was a prefecture-level city’s development zone, its development intensity was not as strong as the New Management Committee. The head of the Shazhou Development Zone had led his team to the New Management Committee to learn from them twice. At that time, Hou Weidong and Director Old Deng of the Development Zone were peers, chatting happily. Now, being transferred to the Shazhou Municipal Development Zone as a deputy in the secondary leadership was something his ego couldn’t accept.

Su Mingjun pondered and said, “Transferring from a county to Shazhou City is possible, but getting there in one step is difficult.” He asked, “Although personnel transfers in the Municipal Party Committee and Government are no longer restricted, one usually has to start from the most ordinary cadre position. Guo Lan was originally a Section Chief. When she transferred to the Department, she still had to start with trivial tasks like wiping tables and sweeping floors. Are you willing?”

Hou Weidong chuckled. “Well, I’ll have to think about that.”

If this had been when he first graduated, or when he was Deputy Town Mayor in Qinglin Town, Hou Weidong would have been willing to start over at the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee and Government. But after becoming Deputy Director of the County Party Committee Office and then Director of the New Management Committee, meeting only high-level leaders and big bosses, going back to be a low-level clerk in the Municipal Party Committee and Government would be face-losing. He also felt it was unfair.

Su Mingjun had guessed this. He said seriously, “Weidong, if you want to develop quickly, it’s best to go to Maoyun. Secretary Zhu is the third-in-command in charge of organization and personnel. He is much stronger than me, the Deputy Director of the Organization Department. If you go to Maoyun, wait a little while, and you can strive for a deputy position in a county under Maoyun. It’s much better than staying in Shazhou.”

Hou Weidong nodded. “Then I’ll listen to Secretary Zhu. I’ll lie low in Yiyang for a while and wait for Secretary Zhu’s call.”

Xiaojia thought of Sister Zhou’s promise. She thought to herself, “With a Prefectural Secretary and a Deputy Secretary backing him in Maoyun, it is indeed easier to develop than in Shazhou. But if my husband transfers to Maoyun, I will eventually have to transfer there too.” She was working very smoothly at the Shazhou Garden Management Bureau. If she transferred to Maoyun, she didn’t know what would happen. She was quite hesitant.

Xiaojia had originally returned from Shanghai to Yiyang to persuade Hou Weidong to leave, so he wouldn’t suffer indignities at the Science and Technology Commission. Now she finally understood that her husband, having been used to being a leader, was fundamentally unwilling to be an ordinary soldier. This was the principle of “better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.” Moreover, working in the Municipal Party Committee and Government might mean being just an ordinary hair on the tail of a phoenix.

Back at Xinyue Building, Hou Weidong said, “This experience has taught me a lesson: entrusting one’s fate to someone else is dangerous. There are too many variables. It seems I must master my own fate in the future.”

Xiaojia sighed. “Can one really master their own fate in the Lingxi political circle? Unless you are the Provincial Party Secretary or Governor, you always have to seek protection from the upper levels.”

Hou Weidong said, “Then I’ll strive for the goal of becoming Provincial Party Secretary and Governor.”

Xiaojia had only taken three days off, using one day for travel. Hou Weidong called Zhou Yongtai and gave himself two more days off. The two, reunited after a short separation, put unpleasant matters behind them and enjoyed a holiday that wasn’t officially a holiday.

After seeing Xiaojia off, Hou Weidong rested at home for another day before going to work.

Sitting in the Science and Technology Commission office for half a day, Hou Weidong asked Director Xiao Ning to find the Commission’s responsibilities. Xiao Ning rummaged through a pile of file bags for a long time but still couldn’t find the Commission’s responsibilities. Seeing Hou Weidong’s half-smiling expression, Director Xiao Ning’s face turned red. He said, “The responsibilities are in the bag. I was looking for materials a few days ago and messed up the files.”

Hou Weidong wasn’t angry. He said, “Take your time. Bring it to me when you find it.”

As soon as Hou Weidong turned away, Director Xiao Ning ran like the wind to the Personnel Bureau office. During the institutional adjustment the year before last, the Personnel Bureau had issued a document on staffing, which included the Science and Technology Commission’s work responsibilities. As expected, he easily found the Commission’s work responsibilities at the Personnel Bureau. After photocopying them, he happily delivered them to Hou Weidong.

“The responsibilities were right here in the files at hand. I just didn’t see them earlier,” Director Xiao Ning said, unwilling to admit he had found them at the Personnel Bureau, so he told a small lie.

Hou Weidong didn’t mind this. After receiving the responsibilities, he casually said, “The Science and Technology Commission is, after all, the county’s technology department, a gathering place for intellectuals. Although current conditions are poor, the files shouldn’t be this messy.”

Although he spoke softly, Director Xiao Ning felt his face stung. He argued, “When I took over the office, it was even messier than now. All documents were piled in the file cabinets, impossible to search. Only after I arrived did I start putting them in bags.”

Hou Weidong’s remark had been casual, but hearing Xiao Ning’s response, he收起 (put away) his smile. He said, “File management is the foundational work of a unit. It’s not complicated, but it’s important. Director Xiao Ning, go buy some specialized file folders. Organize the office staff to sort out the files as soon as possible. If you’re unfamiliar with this work, I can ask colleagues from the Archives Bureau to help. No problem, right?”

Director Xiao Ning could only say, “Director Hou, I’ll go handle it right away.” Hou Weidong criticized Xiao Ning on his first day of formal work, which made Xiao Ning extremely unhappy. Back in his office, he slammed file folders violently.

After Director Xiao Ning left with a sheepish smile, Hou Weidong couldn’t help but think of Yang Liu. Back at the New Management Committee, Yang Liu had managed the office in perfect order. The New Management Committee had many documents, minutes, and contracts each year. Whenever Hou Weidong needed them, she could always produce them immediately. This Xiao Ning was far inferior, and more importantly, his attitude was bad. He didn’t recognize the office’s problems but instead shifted the blame to others.

Hou Weidong formed a slight negative impression of Director Xiao Ning.

Hou Weidong still carefully reviewed the Science and Technology Commission’s responsibilities. Although he hadn’t willingly become the Commission Director, he didn’t intend to be an ignorant official. Understanding responsibilities was the most basic work.

The Yiyang County Science and Technology Commission had eleven responsibilities. The first was to implement the Party and state’s science and technology policies, organize the implementation of national science and technology laws and regulations, coordinate with relevant departments to formulate local implementation opinions, and supervise and inspect their execution.

The last was to handle other tasks assigned by the District Party Committee and District Government.

After pondering the responsibilities for a while, he studied the Commission’s 1997 “Work Points” and “Work Summary,” as well as the 1997 final accounts and 1998 budget tables. He spent the entire morning reading calmly and gained a general understanding of the Commission’s work.

At eleven o’clock, he went to Zhou Yongtai’s office. Zhou Yongtai was wearing reading glasses and reading a newspaper. Seeing Hou Weidong enter, he smiled. “I came to the door earlier and saw you reading documents seriously, so I didn’t disturb you.” Hou Weidong sat opposite Zhou Yongtai and said, “You are an old director with many years of experience. The Commission’s situation isn’t great. Let’s chat casually.”

Zhou Yongtai had nothing else to do. Since the top leader was willing to come and understand the situation, he was quite happy. He said, “We’ve discussed this issue internally in the Commission many times. The primary problem is that local government leaders don’t pay enough attention to the science and technology department. This manifests as loud thunder but little rain. Science and technology funding is severely insufficient. The Commission is famously poor. This also leads to a lack of internal motivation among science and technology management cadres. Excellent talents are unwilling to come to the Commission, resulting in lower personnel quality. The proportion of people who understand management and have broad knowledge is small.”

Hou Weidong nodded. “The Commission’s office furniture is from the Revolutionary Committee era. Although I used to work in this building, I never imagined the Commission was in such a state. Also, it’s a joke that a prestigious Science and Technology Commission only has one computer in the typing room.”

Zhou Yongtai laughed indifferently. “This isn’t unique to our Yiyang Science and Technology Commission. All county-level Science and Technology Commissions in Lingxi are similar.”

He continued, “The second problem is that most county-level Science and Technology Commissions have few economic entities themselves. They lack self-sustaining capabilities, which is one of the main reasons for the Commission’s economic poverty. Also, our Commission’s information network is not sound. There is a lack of information sources, and transmission and service methods are backward. Information is poor and closed off. Many useful domestic and international information resources are not fully utilized, while local information cannot be released quickly.”

After chatting with Zhou Yongtai for a while, Hou Weidong gained some insights. He looked at his watch and said, “Let’s go eat lunch together. Have some revolutionary small wine. I’m treating you personally.” To make Zhou Yongtai more relaxed, Hou Weidong didn’t drive and didn’t go to the usual Chongqing Jianghu cuisine restaurant or Yiyang Hotel. He found a small eatery with decent taste, ordered a few home-style dishes, and a bottle of Yiyang Red wine.

After drinking a few cups, Zhou Yongtai’s tongue became loose, and his face turned red. He stammered, “Director Hou, I know you were framed. Everyone in the Yiyang County Party Committee and Government knows this. Actually, being at the Commission is quite nice. County leaders rarely interfere in this area. The work isn’t heavy, and the pressure isn’t great. It’s just that there’s less profit.”

Zhou Yongtai proactively clinked glasses with Hou Weidong. “Less profit is fine. Eat worse, wear worse, live a leisurely life, and you can live several more years.”

Hou Weidong hadn’t expected Zhou Yongtai to change so much after drinking. He didn’t plan to drink anymore. But Zhou Yongtai grabbed the cup and drank proactively. After a few more cups, his head drooped onto the table.

Seeing Zhou Yongtai motionless, Hou Weidong could only smile bitterly. Helplessly, he paged Director Xiao Ning.

A few minutes later, Director Xiao Ning called back. “Director Hou, this is Xiao Ning. I was in the car earlier and couldn’t return the call. Is there anything?”

“Director Zhou is drunk. Where is his home? I need to take him back.”

Director Xiao Ning laughed. “Director Zhou is famous for falling after three cups. At the welcome banquet that day, he controlled himself to only one cup, which is why he didn’t fall on the spot. After three cups, even cold water won’t wake him up.”

Hou Weidong asked again, “Where is Director Zhou’s home? I’ll take him back.” Xiao Ning smiled and said, “In the residential compound built by the County Government, Building 7, Unit 2, 4th Floor. There’s a name on the door.”

At this moment, Hou Weidong couldn’t help but recall his time as a secretary and office director. Whenever a leader had an issue, he would always arrive at the fastest speed and try his best to serve the leader. But this Director Xiao Ning, facing the unit’s top and second-in-command, had such a careless attitude. This puzzled Hou Weidong. Recalling his first meeting with Director Xiao Ning, he had been very enthusiastic. He thought to himself, “Xiao Ning’s attitude indicates that the unit leaders lack authority. However, his attitude toward me seems to be changing.”

Hou Weidong thought to himself, “I’ll observe Xiao Ning for a while longer. If he really doesn’t know his place, I don’t believe I can’t handle him.”

At this time, Director Xiao Ning was drinking and eating at the Yiyang Hotel. At eleven in the morning, the County Government Office had notified the office directors of all departments of the County Party Committee and Government to attend a meeting to arrange specific work, such as how to divide water and electricity fees. After the meeting, the County Government Office hosted several tables at the Yiyang Hotel.

Liu Kun, the Government Office Director, was the highest-ranking attendee. Naturally, he sat at the head of the table, surrounded by others like stars around the moon. Director Xiao Ning, observant and alert, quickly grabbed a good seat next to Liu Kun.

Director Xiao Ning had known Liu Kun for many years. When Liu Kun first arrived at the County Government Office, Xiao Ning was already the Office Director of the Science and Technology Commission. The two had some interaction. Over the years, Liu Kun rose to become the Director of the County Government Office, while Xiao Ning remained the Office Director of the Science and Technology Commission.

As they were eating, Hou Weidong’s page came through. Director Xiao Ning, of course, didn’t know the intricate relationship between Liu Kun and Hou Weidong. He showed off slightly, saying, “Since Director Hou came to the Commission, he pages me for everything.”

Liu Kun was truly pleased that Hou Weidong had been transferred to the Commission. Hearing Xiao Ning’s showing off, he said in a low voice, “Hou Weidong is a figure with high skills. Director Xiao Ning, you must serve him carefully. If he’s unhappy, he might make you step down. Previously, Director Yi Zhongcheng of the New Management Committee, at the slightest disagreement, had Hou Weidong exiled to the Research Office.”

Director Xiao Ning had heard of this incident. Seeing Liu Kun’s schadenfreude when mentioning Hou Weidong, he试探 (tested) the waters. “How did Hou Weidong get transferred from the New Management Committee to the Commission? It’s like jumping from a pile of rice to a pile of chaff.”

Liu Kun said, “Hou Weidong used to follow Zhu Yan closely and offended many people. Now that Zhu Yan is gone, his days aren’t easy.” Speaking of this, he smiled with a hint of mockery. “Hou Weidong was the Director of the New Management Committee. Being a Commission Director is definitely no problem for him. Under his leadership, the Commission will surely undergo earth-shaking changes.”

Director Xiao Ning understood Liu Kun’s attitude. He said, “For a unit like the Commission, it doesn’t matter who runs it. Unless there is a large injection of funds.” Knowing Liu Kun’s family connections, he raised another glass, his face smiling almost to the point of distortion. “Director Liu, does the Government Office need anyone? I’ve worked in the office for several years. I’m competent enough to be transferred here to do odd jobs.”

Liu Kun just smiled and didn’t answer.

At this time, people began to toast Liu Kun one after another. Director Xiao Ning hurriedly found a moment to go to the outer hall and returned Hou Weidong’s call. Although Hou Weidong was marginalized in the county, he was now Director Xiao Ning’s direct superior. So, Director Xiao Ning still had to handle him carefully. He had originally wanted to go help Hou Weidong, but with Liu Kun eating there, he didn’t want to miss this good opportunity to connect with Liu Kun.

Hou Weidong was very dissatisfied with Director Xiao Ning’s behavior. He supported the drunken Zhou Yongtai out the door. Standing at the entrance, the taxis that usually swarmed around suddenly disappeared. Just as he was waiting, Zhou Yongtai vomited. The mess was conspicuous on the relatively clean street, and passersby all looked on. Facing such an embarrassing situation, Hou Weidong considered himself unlucky. Seeing the mess on the ground was indeed glaring, he dragged Zhou Yongtai back into the small restaurant, put him to sleep on a chair, and borrowed the restaurant’s broom to clean up.

The smell of alcohol mixed with food and gastric juice was particularly foul. Hou Weidong suppressed the urge to vomit and started cleaning the street.

“Director Hou, why are you sweeping here?” A Mitsubishi car stopped abruptly beside Hou Weidong. Then a pair of high heels appeared in front of him. Hou Weidong saw Yang Liu get out of the car. He said, “My colleague got drunk and vomited here. I’m wiping up the mess.” Seeing Hou Weidong holding a broom, Yang Liu almost started crying. She quickly turned aside and handled the mess.

Hou Weidong said, “You came at the right time. I was waiting for a taxi. I don’t know where all these cars went. Commission Director Zhou is still lying in the restaurant. I helped him out. Your car came just in time.”