Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
This road is blocked; I must find a new way out. I need to find someone with more power than Kong Zhaohua, someone who can persuade him to contract out the mountains and forests.
The Mayor has this authority, and the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee also has this authority.
Yang Chen thought for a while and decided to approach Secretary Chen Danian as a way out, because Secretary Chen Danian came from Hualin and has feelings for it, making him easier to persuade.
But a new problem arose: how could he meet Secretary Chen Danian? It was already difficult to meet the Deputy Mayor; meeting the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee would surely be even harder. He couldn't just wait outside Secretary Chen Danian's house, especially since he didn't even know where it was.
Just as Yang Chen was at a loss, he suddenly thought of someone. His university classmate Xu Wei worked at City Television Station, and he had seen her reporting the news on TV multiple times.
Xu Wei had a wide network at the television station; perhaps she could help him meet Secretary Chen. Xu Wei was a prominent figure in college, known as the campus belle, with countless admirers.
Although Yang Chen and Xu Wei were in the same class, they weren't very familiar with each other and hadn't seen each other since graduation, nor did he have her contact information. Yang Chen asked a few classmates he was on good terms with and managed to get Xu Wei's phone number.
However, it was too late to call; Yang Chen was afraid of disturbing Xu Wei's rest and decided to call her the next day. The next day, after having breakfast, Yang Chen returned to his hotel and dialed Xu Wei's number, but it rang for a long time without being answered. He tried calling twice more with no response.
She must be busy, Yang Chen thought, so he decided to try again around noon. Unexpectedly, just before ten o'clock, Xu Wei called him back.
"Hello, who is this?" Xu Wei's melodious voice came through the phone.
Yang Chen felt a bit nervous and cleared his throat before saying, "Hi, Xu Wei. This is Yang Chen. I wonder if you remember me; we were university classmates."
"How could I forget an old classmate!" Xu Wei raised her voice slightly, sounding excited. "Yang Chen, what made you think of calling me? I saw you on our urban area news program not long ago."
"News program?" Yang Chen didn't recall being on any urban area news.
"The special report on your Hualin County's Ling River Project. Our city station sent people down to interview there, and you appeared in it."
Yang Chen indeed made a brief appearance during the interview for the Ling River project but only flashed by behind Tai Man. He was surprised that Xu Wei noticed him and remarked, "No wonder you're in journalism; your eye for detail is sharp! If I hadn't looked closely, I wouldn't have even recognized myself!"
"Maybe it's because you were too dazzling. Even though you just flashed by in the crowd, you were still the most eye-catching one, which is why I recognized you at first glance."
"Hahaha..."
Yang Chen laughed heartily, "You're a journalist, smooth-tongued; I can't argue with you."
"Yang Chen, you didn't call me for no reason, did you? Is there something you need my help with?" Xu Wei's tone carried a hint of pride and dissatisfaction.
Yang Chen admitted, "I'm currently in Anping, and I do have something I'd like to ask you for help with."
"You’re in Anping?" Xu Wei's voice was filled with excitement as she eagerly asked, "Where are you? I'll come find you during my lunch break."
"How about I come find you instead?"
"That works too. Just wait for me downstairs at City Television Station. I'll come out as soon as I'm done. I'm about to have a meeting here, so if your matter isn't urgent, we can discuss it when we meet."
Yang Chen agreed, "Alright, let's talk when we meet."
Initially, Yang Chen felt a bit anxious, worried that after so many years without contact, Xu Wei might have forgotten him. He was surprised by how enthusiastic Xu Wei was, like an old friend they hadn't seen in ages.
Yang Chen searched for the address of City Television Station and headed over.
Around noon, Xu Wei called to say she was coming downstairs after learning that Yang Chen was already waiting below.
Before long, Yang Chen saw Xu Wei approaching in a purple suit and silver high heels.
The Xu Wei before him was completely different from the one he remembered; the Xu Wei in his memory always wore her hair in a high ponytail and floral dresses.
As Xu Wei walked up to the stunned Yang Chen, she said, "What's wrong? Can't recognize your old classmate?"
"It's not that I can't recognize you; it's just that you've changed so much since school—you're so capable and composed now, walking with such confidence."
"You've changed too; you're much more charming with your words now. Back in school, you were always buried in your studies; I hardly spoke to you because you seemed so aloof," Xu Wei complained.
Yang Chen quickly explained, "That wasn't aloofness; I was just a bit dull and awkward back then. I've become more experienced after working in the government for a while."
"I heard you've been promoted to a department head now. Maybe one day I'll be interviewing you; just don't refuse when that time comes."
"Then I need to work harder to be worthy of your interview."
As they chatted casually, they arrived at a restaurant near the television station.
After ordering their meals, Xu Wei asked, "So tell me, what do you need my help with? If I can assist in any way, I definitely will."
"I want to meet Secretary Chen; do you have any way to arrange that?"
Xu Wei took a sip of water and casually replied, "Which Secretary Chen? It wouldn't be Secretary Chen Darnian, would it?"
"Yes, that's the one."
"Cough..." Xu Wei coughed from choking, glanced around, and asked in a low voice, "You aren't planning to report to Secretary Chen, are you? Did something happen?"
"No, I have some matters that only Secretary Chen can help me with. But I can't get into the Municipal Party Committee Compound, so I have to think of other ways."
"Isn't it against the rules for you to meet with the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee without going through the proper channels?" Xu Wei asked with concern.
"I'm just trying to get the Secretary to look at a project; it's not against the rules," Yang Chen briefly explained about the forest contracting matter.
Xu Wei suggested, "I think you should avoid approaching the Secretary because whether or not you succeed, it will offend Mayor Kuang."
Yang Chen intended to use Secretary Chen to pressure Kong Zhaohua. Regardless of success, the news would reach Kong Zhaohua, making him uncomfortable and likely leading to future troubles for Yang Chen.
The small shoes of the Deputy Mayor are not easy to wear!
Yang Chen knew he was digging a pit for himself; if things went wrong, he could end up buried in it. Yet he solemnly said, "I know, but I'm doing this for Hualin's development and for the villagers of Minhua Village where I grew up. I have no regrets!"
Even if Mayor Kuang truly wanted to make things difficult for him, he would accept that challenge.
Xu Wei sighed, "You've really changed; you've become someone I find unfamiliar yet admire even more. I admired you back in school."
"Admired me?" Yang Chen looked puzzled.
Xu Wei nodded and said, "No matter how noisy it got in the classroom, you always seemed unaffected; nothing could influence you."
Comment 0 Comment Count