Hearing Guo Huizhang leave, Lu Weimin shook his head and chuckled to himself. This young man had only been in the government for a year longer than himself, but he already exuded an air of authority, acting like the leader of Class 3-2. However, this was not entirely a bad thing. If a few capable individuals emerged from Class 3-2, it could enhance the class's cohesion. Otherwise, everyone would be mediocre and forget about their classmate bonds.
After work, Lu Weimin took leave from his boss and walked straight to the street. At six o'clock, the sun had not yet set, casting a bright light on the four main streets of Nantang County. Tan Cheng Hotel, run by the county supply and marketing cooperative, was located at the intersection of East Street and South Street.
The six-story building stood tall in Nantang. The first and second floors were for dining, while the third floor housed the Night Shanghai Dance Hall, the most fashionable and upscale dance hall in Nantang. The two-yuan admission fee was not something everyone could afford. The fourth, fifth, and sixth floors were the hotel's guest rooms, not rated as any particular star level, but they were among the best in Nantang. Apart from the Nantang Hotel, which was established after the county government guesthouse was reformed, this place best represented Nantang's standards.
Nantang County was not much different from other county towns, with a typical cross-shaped center. From this center, several similar but less bustling crossroads extended, forming a grid-like pattern. The Nantang County Party Committee and County Government compound was on Dongwai Street, facing south and backed by the north, a typical government layout.
It took only a few minutes to walk from the county government compound to Tan Cheng Hotel, which was the busiest time in Nantang County. Government officials and staff were hurrying home from work, buying ingredients for dinner along the way. Vegetable vendors were selling their last bit of produce, and the cured meat and cold cuts shops were bustling. A half-pound of pig's head meat, a half-pound of peanuts, and a half-pound of Liyang Daqu liquor were what many in Nantang considered the ideal life in a communist society.
As Lu Weimin walked, he was immersed in a complex and unique emotion. Nantang was both familiar and unfamiliar to him. Twenty-one years ago, he started his career here, spending the first three years in the countryside. In 1993, he had the opportunity to transfer to the county Youth League Committee, but he only stayed for two years before finding a way to transfer to the provincial Youth League Committee, which marked the beginning of his political career.
The Nantang County he saw now was still the same. If history did not change, the old appearance of the county would not begin to transform until 1999, with the renovation of the old city, including the four main streets, starting and continuing until 2003, when a new Nantang County gradually took shape.
As Lu Weimin entered the lobby of Tan Cheng Hotel, he heard a burst of lively laughter from inside. It seemed that the other classmates had arrived early, while he was just on time.
"Why hasn't Lu Weimin arrived yet? Huizhang, you, the county secretary's secretary, have already arrived, so is he that busy?" A somewhat rough and wild voice said, "Or is he trying to put on airs?"
"Da Jun, don't say such things; it hurts feelings. Weimin just started as Secretary Shen's secretary, and there's an adjustment period. When I came back last year, it was the same. He must be busy getting familiar with his work. Your father is a leader, so you should know that being a secretary is not easy. Leaders have high expectations and many tasks. If you don't know the basics, leaders will have a poor opinion of you, and you'll feel the pressure. So, let's be understanding," Guo Huizhang defended Lu Weimin.
"Heh, Huizhang, you're so considerate. We haven't seen Lu Weimin for a few years. He went to Changzhou for high school and college, but why didn't he stay in Changzhou? Did he come back to Nantang because of some problem?" The rough voice was rather presumptuous, "Or is it that he thinks dedicating himself to Nantang's development is more valuable and meaningful than staying in Changzhou?"
"Zhang Jun, don't make wild accusations. Though we haven't seen Weimin for a few years, he's not that kind of person. What problem could there be?" A clear female voice chimed in, "Look at you, judging others by your own low standards. Lu Weimin hasn't even arrived, and you're already bad-mouthing him."
"Hey, Shu Ya, what do you mean? Is Lu Weimin so special to you? What am I saying? He did get into a key university, and his father works in Changzhou. Why did he have to come back to Nantang after graduation? Is it because he thinks dedicating himself to Nantang's development is more valuable and meaningful than staying in Changzhou?" The rough voice added a mocking tone, "If that's true, I, Zhang Jun, would really have to bow to him."
"You!" The girl called Shu Ya was clearly quite upset by the rough voice and couldn't find words to respond, making the atmosphere in the private room somewhat tense.
"Ha, I, Lu Weimin, am not that noble. I came back because my household registration is in Nantang. But I don't like what you said, Da Jun. It sounds like you're mocking me," Lu Weimin entered the private room, his tone calm but with an air of authority, "After all, I am from Nantang. Even if I wanted to come back to work here, it's not a big deal, right?"
The room was arranged with two tables, with about ten classmates. Most of those sitting at Guo Huizhang's table were those who felt they were doing well or had good family backgrounds. Zhang Jun was sitting to Guo Huizhang's left. Lu Weimin remembered him well, knowing that his father was the deputy director of the county supply and marketing cooperative and that he had always been arrogant in class.
Lu Weimin's entrance had a commanding presence, and the robust young man sitting next to Guo Huizhang was momentarily stunned. Seeing Lu Weimin walk in confidently, greeting everyone and subtly retaliating without showing any respect, he felt a surge of anger.
"Lu Weimin, today is Huizhang's treat, and he invited everyone to gather. He said you came back to Nantang, and this is a welcome for you. Everyone is here, but you are late. Is that a bit too much? Or do you think that since you're in the county government, everyone should wait for you?"
Zhang Jun's words were still blunt and rude, but they had a clear intention to unite everyone against Lu Weimin, even subtly provoking the relationship between Guo Huizhang and Lu Weimin.
"It's now a few minutes past six. The county office closes at six, and I'm new here. Can't you understand why I left on time? I can't let my old classmates think I'm unreliable by being late on my first day, right?" Lu Weimin ignored the other person, smiling faintly and half-joking, "If I can't keep my job and have to come to my old classmates for meals and a bit of money, I'm sure you'd find it annoying, right?"
Early morning writing, brothers, develop the habit of voting early, it's good for your health!