Chapter 400: The Game (Part 2)

Hou Weidong only realized why he had felt a sense of unease once Guo Lan settled into the chair opposite him. Since he had first met her, she had always worn her hair short. Today, however, the Guo Lan sitting across from him sported a neat, shoulder-length bob. While this style certainly enhanced her feminine charm, it left Hou Weidong feeling slightly unaccustomed.

He asked, "Guo Lan, are you planning to grow your hair out?"

Guo Lan hadn’t expected Hou Weidong to bring this up so suddenly. She maintained her composure and replied calmly, "I just wanted to change my hairstyle. I can’t keep wearing short hair forever." Inside, however, she wondered, How did he notice my hair? Years ago, after dancing with Hou Weidong at the dance hall behind the back gate of Shazhou College, she had decisively cut off her beautiful long locks to sever her emotional ties. The length of her hair held symbolic significance deep within her heart.

"In common parlance, changing one’s hairstyle signifies a change in mood. By that logic, Guo Lan must be planning to start dating," Hou Weidong speculated silently as he observed her new look.

Having worked in the same office with her before, he knew she disliked the smell of cigarette smoke. He stood up and pushed open two windows, saying, "The people from the Municipal Party Committee Office are writing articles; their smoking habits are intense. There’s nothing I can do about it."

Seeing his thoughtfulness, a thread of tenderness stirred in Guo Lan’s heart. After sitting down, she gently stroked her hair, waiting for Hou Weidong to speak. Her hands, accustomed to playing the piano, were slender, agile, and delicate. Hou Weidong caught the sight of her fingertips brushing through her hair in his peripheral vision and found himself reluctant to look away.

Xiao Jin was a new recruit to the Municipal Party Committee Research Office this year, having gone straight from the school gate to the government office gate. Full of ambition and the sharp edge of a newcomer, he had long been aware of the beautiful woman in the Organization Department but had never had the chance to interact with her, often passing her by in the hallways.

Although he wouldn’t say he was drooling over this woman with her delicate features and exceptional temperament, he certainly harbored a fondness for her.

Today, he had been paired with Guo Lan in a working group. He felt an inexplicable excitement, which made him talkative. He said casually, "The procedural rules for the Standing Committee meetings are too simple. I’ll just search online first, then post in a few community forums. There are experts everywhere on the internet; they’ll have it sorted out in no time."

Hearing such typical student language in the Municipal Party Committee Office surprised Hou Weidong. He raised his head in astonishment and exchanged a glance with Guo Lan. The meaning in their eyes was nearly identical.

Xiao Jin continued speaking confidently, "We are in the information age. The Municipal Party Committee Office should establish a local area network to facilitate information sharing. For instance, our group could work entirely online—transmitting materials, editing documents. It’s fast and convenient. Why do we need to sit here for meetings?" He smiled and added, "Of course, having a beautiful sister like you here is an exception."

Hou Weidong had graduated in 1993, while Xiao Jin graduated in 1998. It was only a five-year difference, yet those five years created a generation gap. In terms of experience, Hou Weidong had gone directly to Qinglin Town, the most remote township in Yiyang, upon graduation. There, for inexplicable reasons, he had been assigned to Shangqinglin, a village with no road access. From Shangqinglin to the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee Office, Hou Weidong had fought his way through every obstacle, exhausting his mental energy. Moreover, he had served under Zhu Yan and Zhou Changquan, both of whom were shrewd and formidable figures. Subtly influenced by them, his behavior and thinking patterns were vastly different from those of a fresh graduate.

Hou Weidong said aloud, "That’s a good method." But in his heart, he thought, Whose son is Xiao Jin? Through what connections did he enter the Municipal Party Committee Research Office? Those who went directly from school to key departments of a prefecture-level city usually had connections. He secretly guessed at Xiao Jin’s background. The municipal government offices were full of hidden talents; one could not afford to be careless.

After the three young people chatted for a while, Hou Weidong turned serious. "Let’s get back to business. The rules for the Standing Committee meetings were personally assigned by Secretary Changquan. The formation of the leading group was arranged by the Secretary-General. Time is tight, and the task is heavy. We need to complete this in the next few days. I have drafted a preliminary outline. The procedural rules are generally divided into four parts: first, the scope of discussion; second, the procedural rules; third, the principles of discussion; and fourth, discipline and supervision."

"Guo Lan is an expert from the Organization Department, so you will write the scope of discussion and the procedural rules. Xiao Jin studied law, so you will write the principles of discussion and discipline and supervision."

Guo Lan gently brushed her bangs, silently accepting this arrangement.

Xiao Jin, with the impulsive nature of youth, spoke bluntly, "Director Hou, I’ll handle the principles of discussion. Since you are the leader, you should handle the discipline and supervision part." Hou Weidong replied half-jokingly, half-seriously, "Xiao Jin, are you haggling over work assignments given by Director Zhou?" Xiao Jin chuckled, "The Research Office has clear divisions of labor. Each person manages their own section and sweeps the snow from their own doorstep."

Guo Lan, sharp and perceptive, thought to herself, "Each person manages their own section" implies that the Research Office leadership doesn’t supervise him closely. Xiao Jin still has this college student attitude. I wonder how many setbacks he will endure before he wakes up.

She advised gently, "Xiao Jin, this arrangement is correct. We will each write two sections, and finally, Director Hou will compile the draft."

Seeing Guo Lan’s eyes, clear as autumn water, Xiao Jin’s youthful vigor seemed to vanish instantly. He said, "Alright, I’ll write the principles of discussion and the discipline and supervision sections."

Hou Weidong had only spoken to test Xiao Jin. He truly had no desire or energy to argue with the young man. Seeing that Guo Lan had persuaded Xiao Jin with a single remark, he thought, One thing conquers another.

The three discussed the content of the procedural rules in detail. At the end, Hou Weidong handed a file bag to each of Guo Lan and Xiao Jin. "These are relevant documents from other regions that I have collected. They are all related to the procedural rules and can serve as references."

Xiao Jin flipped through the documents. "Tch. You didn’t bring these out earlier, making us two rack our brains." Unconsciously, he had grouped Guo Lan into his own camp.

Hou Weidong stood up and began packing his notebook. He said, "I didn’t bring them out because I was afraid you would form preconceived notions."

Guo Lan already had a clear idea. She said, "Director Hou, I’ll head down now. With the tone set earlier and these materials, the first draft will be ready soon." Hou Weidong replied, "I’ll write down my email address for you. Once you finish, send the materials directly to my email. If any revisions are needed, I’ll contact you."

With the business concluded, the three walked out. Hou Weidong asked casually, "How is Professor Guo’s health?" Guo Lan replied, "Still the same. He reads every day, and my mother insists on accompanying him for walks."

"Sigh. If only my father hadn’t fallen ill. This illness is irreversible; we can only maintain his health with great care." Talking about her father’s illness, Guo Lan expressed some regret.

At the stairwell, Hou Weidong specifically instructed Xiao Jin. "Xiao Jin, I’m entrusting this to you. It would be best to have the first draft ready within three days. We need to submit this material within a week."

Xiao Jin said, "This procedural rule has the same efficacy as laws and regulations in Shazhou. How can it be completed in three days? Even if it is done in three days, I can’t guarantee the quality."

Although Xiao Jin’s words made sense, Hou Weidong felt uncomfortable hearing them. He said, "You are only writing the first draft. Director Zhou and the Secretary-General will review it later. Besides, with those ready-made materials, three days should be sufficient." Hou Weidong thought to himself, If he can’t produce it in three days, I’ll have Zhou Biao replace him.

As they went downstairs, Guo Lan said to Xiao Jin, "This procedural rule is a major matter for the Municipal Party Committee Office. Secretary Zhou, Secretary Huang, and the Secretary-General are all paying close attention. You are new to the government offices; this opportunity is not easy to come by. You must seize it." Her heart softened. Seeing that Xiao Jin did not take the Deputy Director of the Committee Office seriously, she spoke up to remind him.

Xiao Jin had passed the entrance exam for the University of Political Science and Law with excellent grades. He was eloquent and often participated in speech and debate competitions in college, winning first prize several times. His confidence was high. Moreover, his uncle was Zhang Jiare, a former Standing Committee member and Organization Department Minister of Shazhou. In his heart, he truly did not regard Zhou Biao, Deputy Director of the Research Office, or Hou Weidong, Deputy Director of the Committee Office, as high-ranking leaders. He treated them as equals, handling matters in a friendly manner.

Zhou Biao knew Xiao Jin’s character well and was quite annoyed. He deliberately assigned him to work under Hou Weidong to create some friction and use the opportunity to teach him a lesson.

Xiao Jin, of course, was unaware of such hidden dangers. He said to Guo Lan, "This isn’t really a big opportunity. We two write the draft, and Hou Weidong integrates it. The credit goes to him, while we do the hard work. People are all the same. If I were Secretary Zhou’s secretary, it would require just as much effort."

Seeing that Xiao Jin still retained the spirit of commenting on state affairs and writing passionately from his college days, Guo Lan said, "Xiao Jin, these words should not be spoken casually in the government offices. You will understand this gradually in the future. You must hurry with this matter and do not be careless."

Xiao Jin had a fondness for this quiet and beautiful woman from the Organization Department and knew her words were well-intentioned. He said, "Thank you for your concern, Sister Guo." His eyes twinkled, and he added, "Sister Guo, are you free tonight? I’d like to treat you to dinner and discuss the work at hand."

Guo Lan smiled. "Forget it. Let’s talk another day. I have something to do tonight."

After assigning the tasks, Hou Weidong did not idle away his time. By intuition, he did not fully trust the overly confident and clever Xiao Jin. That evening, after Xiaojia had gone to rest, he went to the study. His first consideration was the principles of discussion.

"Adhere to emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts. In accordance with the strategic deployment of the Lingxi Provincial Party Committee, closely integrate with the reality of Shazhou, and carry out work creatively." This clause mainly borrowed the authority of the Provincial Party Committee to enhance the authority of the Municipal Party Committee.

"Adhere to the principle of democratic centralism. All major matters within the responsibilities of the Standing Committee must be decided according to the principles of collective leadership, democratic centralism, individual deliberation, and meeting decisions." This clause clarified once again that major matters must be decided by meetings.

This set of procedural rules had to be publicly released without leaving any handles for criticism, yet it also had to realize Zhou Changquan’s intentions. The wording required careful design, a task that only Hou Weidong could complete.

The next afternoon, Guo Lan called to say the first draft was finished and had been sent to his email.

After reading Guo Lan’s first draft, Hou Weidong felt it was satisfactory. He invited Guo Lan to Conference Room 5.

"This draft is very good, but the details still need refinement. For example, we need to clarify the speaking order of the Municipal Party Committee Secretary." Hou Weidong added a clause to the draft: "The Municipal Party Committee Secretary will, in principle, speak last on each agenda item, scientifically consolidating the discussion opinions, proposing decision-making plans and suggestions, and submitting them to the meeting for voting."

"Also, the method for initiating Standing Committee meetings should be clarified. This must be initiated by the Municipal Party Committee Secretary. The role of the team leader is specific and clear, and this must be expressed in the document…"

Guo Lan thought to herself, I previously only thought Hou Weidong was a man of action. I didn’t realize his theoretical foundation was also so profound. The points he pointed out are all critical.

The days in Qinglin