The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

Her short, neat hair was like a breeze gently brushing over the mountain peaks at dawn, without a hint of excess.

Each strand exuded an unadorned natural beauty.

Stray strands lay softly on her forehead, forming a harmonious contrast with the glasses perched on her nose—her eyes behind the lenses were deep and bright, as if perceiving the essence of everything in the world, yet inadvertently revealing a kind of aloofness that kept people at a distance.

When she shook hands with Chen Fang.

It was merely a brief touch.

Then she quickly withdrew her hand.

Not sure if it was a mistake.

In that moment, Chen Fang actually caught a glimpse of disgust in her eyes.

There was another more obvious detail.

Everyone stood in a line.

Almost shoulder to shoulder.

Except on Li Xuan's side, people on both sides kept at least a fist's distance from her, as if afraid to get close.

After the welcome ceremony at the entrance concluded.

Everyone entered the auditorium of a building on the left.

First, Li Yunzheng announced the appointment of Chen Fang.

Then, City Secretary Tang Guozheng and Li Yunzheng each spoke, emphasizing the next steps in Shangqing City's organizational work.

At four o'clock, the meeting ended.

Tang Guozheng initially wanted to persuade Li Yunzheng to stay overnight, but since Li Yunzheng mentioned he had a meeting the next morning and insisted on leaving, there was no further persuasion.

After the meeting concluded.

After giving a few instructions to the Secretary of the Municipal Committee, Su Shangcheng, Tang Guozheng left in a hurry.

None of the attending leaders proactively approached Chen Fang for a chat; they left the meeting room in groups of two or three.

Su Shangcheng approached Chen Fang and said, "Secretary Chen, Secretary Tang had to leave urgently and asked me to take you to the office and also help arrange your accommodation."

"Then I'll trouble Secretary Su,"

Chen Fang said.

On the way to the Disciplinary Committee's office floor from the auditorium.

Su Shangcheng did not engage in conversation with Chen Fang.

Even when the two were in the elevator, Su Shangcheng remained silent.

The office area of the Shangqing City Disciplinary Inspection Committee is located on the sixth floor of the main building.

Chen Fang's office has a direct elevator, designated for leadership use only, inaccessible to others.

Upon opening the office door.

Su Shangcheng said, "I've already informed Comrade Chen Changxing from the Disciplinary Committee Office about the specific arrangements; he'll be here shortly. If you have any issues, you can call me, and I'll address them."

"Alright, thank you, Secretary Su."

After expressing his gratitude,

Chen Fang noted that Su Shangcheng merely nodded and left immediately.

You should know,

when welcoming at the entrance, Su Shangcheng appeared quite enthusiastic.

With Li Yunzheng's departure,

his entire demeanor seemed to change.

Being new, Chen Fang naturally didn't pay much attention.

The office's decor was relatively new.

The desk, sofa, and bookcase seemed recently replaced, showing no signs of use.

A flower pot sat on the windowsill, seemingly withered roses inside it.

"Secretary Chen, I must apologize, truly sorry, I've cleaned the office three or four times but forgot about this plant. I'll remove it right away."

A medium-sized middle-aged man hurried in.

The face was familiar from the entrance encounter.

This was the Director of the Shangqing City Disciplinary Committee Office, Chen Changxing.

"Did Secretary Xu leave this?"

Chen Fang inquired.

Chen Changxing nodded somewhat guiltily.

Said, "Secretary Xu enjoyed tending to flowers and plants. Originally, there were many in the office, which I've moved out. I overlooked this pot on the windowsill; it was careless of me."

"It's alright, leave it. When I find the time, I'll tend to some plants myself."

Chen Fang said.

Chen Changxing hesitated for a moment.

But ultimately followed Chen Fang's request.

Standing upright, he said, "Leader, I've placed all the Disciplinary Committee members' dossiers on your desk. Additionally, about your accommodation, Secretary Su has briefed me; here are the keys."

He finished speaking.

Just about to produce the keys,

Chen Fang waved him off, saying, "No need, I'll handle the accommodation myself, no need to trouble the organization. Please help me invite the three Deputy Secretaries over for a chat."

With a chuckle, Chen Changxing replied, "Secretary Chen, you've just arrived today, must be tired from the long drive, and it's near the end of the workday. How about we schedule the talk for tomorrow?"

"No worries, I'm not tired. Please call them over,"

Chen Fang said from the sofa.

Chen Changxing remained where he stood, without moving.

Chen Fang was taken aback.

Asked, "What's the matter, Director Chen? Is there some difficulty?"

"No, no,"

Chen Changxing waved his hands repeatedly.

A troubled expression appeared on his face.

Chen Fang seemed to sense something.

Suddenly got up, walked straight to the desk, and declared, "Alright, since Director Chen doesn't wish to help, I'll make calls one by one."

"Secretary Chen, Secretary Chen..."

Chen Changxing quickly stepped forward.

Standing respectfully, he clasped his hands nervously and said haltingly, "Secretary Chen, it's not that I don't want to help. You're the leader; whatever you instruct, I'll fulfill. It's just... it's just that the three deputy secretaries aren't on site; they... they all have matters to attend to..."

"They have matters? What matters?"

Chen Fang asked.

Unable to hold back,

Chen Changxing said dejectedly with his head down, "All three have taken leave."

"All on leave? When did they request leave?"

Chen Fang quickly inquired.

Having reached this point, there was nothing left to hide.

With a sigh, Chen Changxing explained, "All three requested leave this morning, saying they had family matters..."

"So, all three requested leave because of me?"

Chen Fang suddenly realized.

He asked Chen Changxing.

Chen Changxing dared not answer.

Waved his hand, saying, "No, no, Secretary Chen, please don't misunderstand. It might just be coincidental that they had matters to attend to, thus the leave..."

Given the situation,

Chen Fang saw no need to insist further.

After all, the issue didn't lie with Chen Changxing, he said, "Alright, since they're on leave, let's discuss this tomorrow. Later I'll give you a name to liaise with the Organization Department, to have someone transferred here to serve as my secretary."

...

After Chen Changxing left,

Chen Fang slumped onto the sofa.

Reflecting over the entire sequence of events upon his arrival in Shangqing City that afternoon.

Having been mentally prepared beforehand,

he wasn't overly concerned with the current developments.

If breaking the stalemate were that simple,

Shangguan Shoudong likely wouldn't have assigned him here.

The accommodation issue, Zhong Xiqian had already arranged before his arrival.

Cansen Group had a branch in Shangqing City.

Despite its small scale, arranging housing was easy.

After work, Chen Fang hailed a cab, and upon reaching the address Zhong Xiqian provided, he was taken aback.