The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

Sitting across from Xiao Xiao.

Chen Fang was still somewhat restrained.

Xiao Xiao's beautiful eyes kept sizing up Chen Fang.

This made Chen Fang even more uncomfortable.

"You practice Chinese medicine?"

Suddenly, Xiao Xiao asked.

Chen Fang was startled.

He asked in confusion, "Deputy Mayor Xiao, how did you know?"

Xiao Xiao smiled enchantingly, and that smile caused a slight stir in Chen Fang's heart.

"Never mind how I know, just tell me if you truly know Chinese medicine, okay?"

Chen Fang paused, then replied, "I know a little."

Xiao Xiao stretched out her hand, rolled up her sleeve a bit to reveal her wrist, and said, "Then take my pulse for me and see if there's anything wrong with my health?"

Chen Fang had no choice.

He could only extend two fingers, gently placing them on Xiao Xiao's fair wrist.

Even though she was in her forties.

Her skin was softer than that of most young girls.

After a long contemplation.

Chen Fang slightly opened his eyes.

He turned to look at the leaders sitting in front of him, bearing an expression that hinted at difficulty in breaking the news.

"What's the matter? Is there a problem?" Xiao Xiao asked.

Chen Fang thought for a moment, took out paper and pen from the bag he carried with him, and swiftly wrote down three characters: "Menopause."

Upon seeing these three characters.

Surprise flashed in Xiao Xiao's eyes.

Then she nodded slightly.

Chen Fang quickly crumpled the piece of paper into a ball and stuffed it into his bag.

During the whole trip.

The two of them didn't speak again.

Soon.

The cars from the city and the county stopped in front of the entrance to the elementary school.

At the main entrance, comrades from the County Education Bureau had already arrived.

Just like at the entrance of the county government building, the leaders got out of their cars and received another enthusiastic welcome.

"Director Chen, hello, my name is Qi Hui."

Chen Fang didn't recognize anyone he was seeing, and while he was still confused, a middle-aged man came up, nodding and bowing as he extended his hand.

The approaching man looked to be in his thirties, with tight features, and when he smiled, it was even somewhat sleazy.

Qi Hui?

The Deputy Director of the Education Bureau?

Chen Fang firmly grasped the man's hand and said, "Good to meet you, Comrade Qi Hui."

"Director Chen, after waiting for what felt like an eternity, we've finally awaited your arrival. With you here, our Education Bureau can truly have a solid backbone."

When it came to flattering.

Clearly, Qi Hui was more adept at it.

Chen Fang smiled and replied, "You're too modest, Director Qi. I'll be counting on you for a lot of support in the future."

"Oh, Director Chen, what are you saying? We're all family here. Come on, let's go inside," Qi Hui said.

A group of people.

Surrounded the leading figures, Xiao Xiao and Pan Youde, at the forefront.

Because Li Xiaomin had other matters, he did not accompany the inspection.

At the entrance of the teaching building.

The main leaders of the elementary school were also waiting respectfully.

Again, there were handshakes and polite exchanges.

As the head of county education, Chen Fang naturally received considerable compliments from the principal and vice-principal.

During a handshake.

Suddenly, a familiar face approached.

It was Pi Yanping.

His face beamed with a smile as he said to Chen Fang, "Director Chen, about what happened yesterday, I really am sorry. I owe you an apology."

Chen Fang smiled.

He replied, "Director Pi, don't forget, you were the one who told me there would be absolutely no reconciliation."

"This..."

Pi Yanping's face darkened.

But Chen Fang had already moved on to the next person.

After the welcome ceremony.

Accompanied by school leaders, everyone visited classrooms where teaching was ongoing, as well as the school's newly constructed library and cafeteria.

During the visit.

Xiao Xiao called Chen Fang over to her side.

She lowered her voice and asked, "What do you mean by 'menopause'?"

Chen Fang replied calmly, "Deputy Mayor Xiao Xiao should be very familiar with her own body. If I haven't diagnosed the pulse incorrectly, you've been without menstruation for over a month now, right?"

She was even able to deduce the timing.

This came as a surprise to Xiao Xiao.

She nodded slightly and asked, "I'm only forty years old. Why would menopause come so early?"

"There are many reasons for this, such as excessive psychological stress, chronic anxiety, lack of exercise, and so on."

"Which one is it for me?"

"Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes inspection, listening, inquiring, and palpation; just by feeling the pulse, it's impossible to make an accurate diagnosis. If Deputy Mayor Xiao Xiao truly believes in Chen, we can conduct a thorough evaluation after the research concludes."

Chen Fang answered.

Xiao Xiao nodded her head, asking eagerly, "Is there still a chance for recovery?"

Chen Fang thought for a moment and said, "You've just stopped menstruating, which means that menopause has just started, and the bodily functions haven't changed yet. It should still be reversible, but a detailed examination is necessary to determine the specific condition."

"Okay."

Xiao Xiao agreed with a sound.

Her anxiety dissipated in an instant.

She forced a smile and joined the others on the tour.

The tour ended.

The group then majestically proceeded to the school's auditorium.

The auditorium was already decked out with lights and decorations.

Above the stage, a banner was hung, reading: Warmly welcome senior leaders to visit and provide guidance.

On the stage.

There were four nameplates in total.

They belonged to Deputy Mayor Xiao Xiao, Deputy Director Xu Ting of the Municipal Education Bureau, Vice County Chief Pan Youde, and Deputy Director Qi Hui of the County Education Bureau.

As a bureau chief,

Chen Fang surprisingly had no seat on the stage.

Nor in the audience.

The front row was occupied by the leaders who had come with Xiao Xiao.

The second row seated the leadership of the county education bureau.

The third row was taken by the leadership of the Seventh Primary School.

Chen Fang was not in any row.

It seemed no one noticed this detail.

As the school had arranged, all the leaders took their seats one after another, with Chen Fang standing to one side, seemingly invisible to everyone else.

"Director Chen, do you have a moment?"

Suddenly, someone patted him on the shoulder.

He turned around.

It was none other than Qi Hui.

"What's up, Director Qi?"

Chen Fang asked in surprise.

"Could you step aside with me for a moment?"

Qi Hui gestured towards the outside of the conference room.

Not knowing what to expect, Chen Fang followed him out.

With about ten minutes to go before the meeting started, Qi Hui pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Chen Fang, saying self-deprecatingly, "I'm a heavy smoker, Director Chen, please forgive me."

Chen Fang chuckled and replied, "No problem, I might not smoke often, but I'm not one to refuse."

Qi Hui lit the cigarette for Chen Fang.

After taking a deep drag, he said, "Director Chen, I heard about the incident with Director Pi from the Seventh Primary School's academic affairs office yesterday. How do you plan to handle it?"

Chen Fang was stunned.

He looked sharply at Qi Hui.

The previously meek Qi Hui now had a sly smile on his face.

"What's your opinion, Director Qi?"

Chen Fang asked.

With a slight smile, Qi Hui said, "Director Chen is new here and hasn't even started work yet, but you've already had a conflict with your subordinates. If this gets out, it could affect you. So, my suggestion is to downplay the big issues and dismiss the small ones. I'll arrange for Director Pi to apologize over a meal with Director Chen. Give me some face, and we'll consider the matter closed."

"Give you face? Does that mean, Director Qi, that you have a good relationship with Director Pi?"

Chen Fang asked.

Qi Hui let out a cold laugh and said, "I wouldn't say we have a good relationship; it's just that I've worked in Jinde County's education system for more than a decade. I'm fairly familiar with everyone. As for the consensual matters between men and women, it's not necessary for Director Chen to make a mountain out of a molehill, right?"

"What if I don't accept?"

Chen Fang asked with a smile.

Qi Hui was taken aback.

He hadn't expected Chen Fang to respond like this.

Flicking off the ash, he said, "Is Director Chen really not considering the work that lies ahead? Jinde County isn't Changming County. As far as I know, Director Chen doesn't seem to have any leaders who can 'provide shelter' here, right?"

If what came before was a negotiation,

The latter part had become a threat.

In Qi Hui's view,

Chen Fang could be a bureau chief at his young age because he was formerly the secretary of the County Party Secretary.

He had the backing to be fearless in Changming County.

But it wouldn't work in Jinde County!