Chapter 365: Old Tricks (Middle)

It was a long-standing habit of Hou Weidong’s to keep work matters out of the home. The affairs that circulated within the offices of the Municipal Party Committee often determined or influenced a person’s destiny. Therefore, Hou Weidong was even less willing to turn official business into small talk, even though such gossip was always the most popular topic among colleagues.

He had only hinted at the situation to persuade Xiaojia. “Liu Dazhi is currently acting as the head in his capacity as deputy director. It is difficult for him to transition from a deputy role to a principal one. As for me, I am merely a newcomer to the Municipal Party Committee Office. I have no say with Secretary Changquan, so meeting him would be of little use.”

Xiaojia looked troubled. “Liu Dazhi is the Executive Deputy Director of the Construction Commission. He has been very supportive of me in the past. He is an influential figure in Shazhou. If he invites us to dinner, it is a sign of respect. Besides, one friend is one more path. As long as we do not make any improper promises, there should be no problem.”

Hou Weidong thought for a moment. “Alright. If there are no other arrangements tomorrow, we will join them for dinner.”

Upon hearing this, Xiaojia happily called Liu Dazhi back. Watching her relaxed demeanor while on the phone, Hou Weidong sighed with a sense of irony. “It truly is thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. The world is unpredictable. Back in the day, when Liu Dazhi led the Shazhou Construction Commission team to Yiyang, officials from all levels of Yiyang personally welcomed them. I could only stand aside and smile foolishly. Now that I have gained some footing, I find myself debating whether to accept a dinner invitation from him.”

He asked, “Does this make me a petty person who has suddenly risen to power?”

Xiaojia replied, “Since you moved to the Committee Office, I have always felt uneasy. If we were to offend Secretary Changquan one day, we would never have a chance to rise in Shazhou.”

Although Xiaojia harbored some worries about her husband’s work, Hou Weidong’s transfer immediately allowed her to experience the ancient tradition of a wife sharing in her husband’s glory.

The next morning, as soon as Xiaojia arrived at her workplace, Director Li from the office walked over with a smile. “Section Chief Zhang, you’re here so early. I remember you live in the Xinyue Building. It must take you about forty minutes to walk here. Taking the bus is too troublesome.”

Xiaojia laughed. “Walking every day is good for health. It saves me the cost of a gym membership.”

Director Li chuckled along. “Xiaojia, you are quite good at keeping secrets. I heard your husband is serving as Secretary Changquan’s secretary.”

Xiaojia thought to herself, There is no wall that does not leak wind. Eventually, the people at the unit will find out. She admitted honestly, “Hou Weidong has been transferred to the Municipal Party Committee Office for less than a week.”

Director Li clicked his tongue. “I have worked in this office for twenty years. I may not have many other skills, but I know how to judge people. The secretaries for Secretary Changquan have always been chosen from the best of the best. I dare to bet that within ten years, your husband will become a municipal-level leader. You must look after us common folk in the future.”

After Director Li left, Xiaojia was called into the office by Director Zhang Zhongyuan.

Except for occasional jokes during drinking sessions, Zhang Zhongyuan was usually very serious. However, when he called Xiaojia into his office, he was unusually gentle and kind. “I heard Hou Weidong has been transferred to the Municipal Party Committee Office. I plan to invite Secretary-General Hong to dinner in the next couple of days. I will invite Secretary Hou to join us as well, so we can make friends.”

Zhang Zhongyuan had previously served as the County Magistrate of Linjin County and had worked alongside the current Secretary-General, Hong Ang. Their relationship was quite good. When the Landscape Bureau was established, Zhang Zhongyuan became its head.

He had been at the Landscape Bureau for over two years. During this time, Hong Ang had served half a term with the new County Magistrate, and the relationship between the County Party Committee and the County Government remained harmonious. In an environment where conflicts were common among county leadership teams, Hong Ang’s performance was impressive. Secretary Changquan had praised Hong Ang several times at expanded meetings of the Municipal Party Committee. Soon after, Hong Ang became a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and the Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee.

Because Zhang Zhongyuan had worked with Secretary-General Hong Ang, their good relationship made it easy for him to invite Hong Ang out for a meal.

After leaving Zhang Zhongyuan’s office, Xiaojia was visited by Director Xie a short while later. Since they were good friends, their interaction was naturally warm and intimate.

At 8:30 AM, Hou Weidong accompanied Secretary Changquan to the Southern New District. They did not disturb anyone else. They parked the car in a hidden spot at the entrance of the new district and walked in.

Secretary Changquan asked casually, “You served as the Director of the Yiyang Development Zone. What are your thoughts on the Southern New District?”

Hou Weidong followed Zhou Changquan’s gaze toward the scattered high-rises in the distance. “When I was with the Yiyang New Management Committee, I visited all the development zones in the province. I agree with Wang Hui’s viewpoint in the Lingxi Daily. The flaw in the Shazhou Development Zone is that the planning lags behind and is highly arbitrary. This has led to a lack of clear development strategy for the Southern New District.” Through his interactions over the past few days and his analysis of recent speech drafts, he sensed that Zhou Changquan was dissatisfied with the Southern New District. He boldly criticized the development zone, which was also his genuine assessment of the area.

Zhou Changquan said, “Your evaluation is quite sharp.”

Hou Weidong replied, “I dare not hide anything from you.”

Zhou Changquan suddenly became interested. “The Lingxi Daily has high praise for the New Management Committee but is critical of the Shazhou Development Zone. Let’s go to the Yiyang New Management Committee to take a look.”

Half an hour later, the car arrived at the Yiyang New Management Committee.

Although it was November, the weather was exceptionally good, with high visibility. The twelve high-rise buildings of Jinggong Group and Bugao Company stood out clearly in the autumn sunlight. The last time Zhou Changquan visited Yiyang, the foundations for Bugao’s projects were still being laid. Seeing these completed buildings now, he immediately felt a visual impact.

Although only a week had passed since he left, Hou Weidong felt a complete change. He had completely stepped out of the Yiyang context and viewed Yiyang and the New Management Committee from a detached, superior perspective. He introduced, “The Provincial Development Bank has invested over a billion yuan in the New Management Committee, primarily in infrastructure construction. The road system is now in place, and urban pipe networks are arranged along these roads. These roads naturally divide the land into neat blocks. Following this system, the entire new city is orderly.”

Zhou Changquan nodded. “No wonder the Lingxi Daily ranks the Yiyang New Management Committee in the top three development zones in the province. It certainly has its merits.”

Hou Weidong followed Zhou Changquan to the front of the Jinggong Group’s residential complex. As they approached the gate, a security guard in uniform walked over. “Sir, if you wish to view the apartments, please go to the sales office. You must wear a safety helmet to enter.”

At that moment, the construction team boss walked out of the gate. He recognized Hou Weidong at a glance and greeted him happily as he approached. “Director Hou, long time no see.”

This construction boss had come from Lingxi. He never watched the Shazhou TV channel, so he only found the older man in front of Hou Weidong somewhat familiar but did not recognize him as the big boss of Shazhou. The technician following him was also from Lingxi and had never seen Zhou Changquan.

Hou Weidong signaled to Secretary Zhou Changquan with his eyes. Zhou Changquan said, “Do not introduce me. Let’s just go in and look around.”

Wearing safety helmets, the construction boss followed behind Hou Weidong, chatting non-stop. He complained, “Director Hou, you were doing so well at the New Management Committee. Why did you transfer? For the past six months, many township construction bosses with poor qualifications have flooded into the New Management Committee. The construction quality is poor, the appearance is ugly, and most are single-unit buildings. In a few years, the entire New Management Committee will drop several grades in quality.”

Inside the residential area, decoration and landscaping work were underway. The scale of the central courtyard matched the level of the Xinyue Building. Hou Weidong thought to himself, Li Jing is a natural businessman. This project is quite well done.

Li Jing happened to be coming down the stairs with two or three people. As she descended, she had a premonition that something was about to happen. Stepping out of the doorway, she looked up and saw Hou Weidong and Zhou Changquan. She was startled and hurried over, her face blooming with a smile as she faced Zhou Changquan. “Secretary Zhou, hello. Welcome to inspect Jinggong Group.”

Hou Weidong quickly introduced, “Secretary Zhou, this is Li Jing, the Chairman of Jinggong Group.”

At that moment, Li Jing was wearing the Jinggong Group uniform, which concealed her slender figure, giving her a more healthy and rustic charm. Zhou Changquan had never expected the Chairman of Jinggong Group to be a young, beautiful woman. He nodded. “Your Jinggong Group is quite capable. This residential complex is nice.”

Zhou Changquan stood with his hands behind his back in the central courtyard, listening to Li Jing’s introduction. He said, “Chairman Li, I am just looking around casually. I will be leaving soon. Please go back to your work. I do not wish to take up more of your time.”

Li Jing insisted on seeing Zhou Changquan to his car. As she shook hands with Hou Weidong, she lightly scratched his palm with her little finger twice, her eyes soft as water.

After touring the Yiyang New Management Committee, it was already 9:40 AM. The car got on the highway. Zhou Changquan remained silent in the car. Back in the office, he shook hands with Zhao Lin and then instructed Hou Weidong, “Tomorrow, have the leadership team of the Southern New District, the Construction Commission, and Mayor Bu come to Conference Room Two of the Municipal Party Committee. The Southern New District will report on their recent work.”

Zhou Changquan was a workaholic, with a very full schedule for the day. By the time Hou Weidong drove him home, night had fallen. Hou Weidong got out of the car in the Municipal Party Committee compound, pretended to work in the office for a while, and then secretly went downstairs. He took a taxi to the Shazhou branch of Jinggong Group.

Standing at the back door of the company, he felt quite hesitant. Previously, when Xiaojia was far away in Shanghai, staying here had not caused him much psychological burden. Now, with Xiaojia waiting at home, he felt tormented.