Niu Deli was filled with endless sighs. People often say it's better to offend a gentleman than a small person. In this small county, one cannot afford to offend either. The place is small, and so is the vision; even a gentleman can turn into a small person. Niu Deli originally thought that the police station chief, Zhao, was his loyal supporter, ready to charge wherever he pointed. Now, as soon as something happened, his true colors were revealed. Looking at his angry expression, he seemed ready to kill him!
"Director Li, hello, this is Niu Deli from the Transportation Bureau. Do you have time now? I need to report something to you." Niu Deli, in his forties, used to be full of confidence, but now he called himself "Little Niu" and wished he could lick the ear of Director Li from a distance.
The person he called Director Li had some dealings with Niu Deli in the past. In fact, Niu Deli had done some favors for him. Although Director Li didn't want to get involved in trouble, he couldn't ignore it and had to lower his voice, "Niu Deli, how can I say this? You're in your forties, and you still act so irresponsibly? I must remind you, Director Meng said the Discipline Inspection Commission is getting involved!"
Niu Deli was so scared that his legs went weak. He quickly pleaded, "Oh, Director Li, I was blind to the mountain. I'm so regretful now. Can you please talk to Director Meng? Once we cover it up, we can handle it internally later!"
"This is not easy... Niu Deli, if the matter is stuck with Director Meng, I will definitely speak up for you. The problem is that even Director Meng can't make the decision. The leaders of the Water Resources Department are very angry about this, you know!" Director Li lowered his voice, "County Party Secretary Gao met with them yesterday. You've caused such a big mess. If it's just thunder and no rain, how can we explain it?"
"Oh, Director Li, you're a senior. Give me some advice. What should I do now?" Niu Deli thought it was really a bad year. He had detained a contractor and caused a big problem! It seemed that even money couldn't solve this issue now.
"Niu Deli, as the saying goes, the one who tied the bell must untie it. I think you should go to the Water Resources Department immediately. If they don't pursue it, the matter can be smoothed over." Director Li added, "The Discipline Inspection Commission people are already here. Hurry up."
Hearing the dial tone, Niu Deli hung up the phone in disappointment.
"Director Niu, do you have any connections in the Water Resources Department?" Zhao Qingyi asked impatiently.
"No. If I did, I wouldn't be here begging for help!" Niu Deli sighed and asked hopefully, "Chief Zhao, you have a wide network. Can you think of any other way?"
"There's no way. I've already called Director Chen, and he scolded me without a word, telling me to quit if I can't handle it. You see, what kind of trouble you've caused me..." Zhao Qingyi felt frustrated and wanted to kick Niu Deli, but they were now in the same boat, and it was more important to work together than to blame each other.
Niu Deli was very angry at being scolded by Zhao Qingyi, but he knew that Zhao Qingyi was dragged into this because of him, so he couldn't be too harsh.
"Old Niu, it seems we can only break through this by dealing with that person!" Zhao Qingyi thought for a moment and sighed.
Niu Deli asked impatiently, "Who are you talking about?"
"The contractor who asked you for money. If he can say a good word for us, the Water Resources Department might be easier to handle." Zhao Qingyi gritted his teeth and said, "Director Cheng at the Water Resources Department has no grudge against us. The crux of the matter is with the contractor. Let's do it this way, and we'll see how it goes!"
Niu Deli nodded. He had also thought of Chen Tichuan. However, he had already caused Chen Tichuan a lot of trouble, and going to him now would be like slapping himself in the face.
"Old Niu, whether we can get through this depends on you!" Zhao Qingyi patted Niu Deli on the shoulder and shook his hand.
Niu Deli nodded and said, "Chief Zhao, I understand. I'll do whatever it takes, even if I have to kneel and apologize."
"Yes, that's not shameful. As long as we can resolve this, kneeling is no big deal." Zhao Qingyi added, "Old Niu, they are from the Discipline Inspection Commission. I can't stand up to them, and you should consider it too!"
Zhao Qingyi couldn't stand up to the Discipline Inspection Commission, and Niu Deli's situation was even worse. If they got serious, he would be finished!
His pager suddenly rang. Niu Deli looked at the message and quickly dialed the number. As soon as the call connected, he heard a loud voice, "Niu Deli, what the hell are you doing? I don't mind you not making me look good, but why do you keep causing trouble? I'm telling you, if you don't resolve this, you can forget about being a section chief!"
At the bureau, Niu Deli was just a section chief, but even the deputy directors usually spoke to him politely. The only person who could scold him was the top boss.
Seeing the top boss, who used to value him, so angry, Niu Deli panicked. He had worked hard to get this position, and he had been both successful in his career and in making money. If he lost this position, he would lose everything. He quickly assured the boss that he was already thinking of a solution and asked the boss to rest assured.
"Don't give me excuses. I want results, not the process!" The boss hung up the phone angrily.
Damn, when they need me, everything is fine, but now that something happened, they all treat me like a plague. How shameless! Niu Deli, full of resentment, quickly dialed the pager number again and said urgently, "Call the XX number several times and tell them I'm waiting outside. Please ask Manager Chen to come out."
After hanging up, the room became even more oppressive. Neither he nor Zhao Qingyi wanted to speak, and the room was soon filled with smoke.
Five minutes later, there was no sign of movement at the door. Zhao Qingyi opened the door and looked at the empty corridor, saying softly, "Director Niu, did you get the pager number wrong?"
Niu Deli looked at Zhao Qingyi and then checked the number on the paper. The number matched the one he had called, but he was still unsure and called again three times.
Ten minutes passed, and Chen Tichuan still didn't appear. However, the phone rang again. It was a friend of Niu Deli, telling him that the deputy secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission was already at Director Meng's room.
Hearing this, both of them realized they couldn't wait any longer. Zhao Qingyi, anxious, looked at Niu Deli and said, "Old Niu, who does Chen Tichuan have a good relationship with? Call them and get Chen Tichuan to come out!"
Niu Deli didn't hesitate. He knew it wasn't the time to be proud. As he dialed a number, he saw Chen Tichuan come out of a room not far away through the door crack.
"Chen Tichuan, come here quickly!"
Niu Deli, ignoring his pride, quickly opened the door. However, Chen Tichuan wasn't coming for him.
"Go after him!" Just as Niu Deli hesitated, Zhao Qingyi pushed him from behind.
Niu Deli reacted and ran after Chen Tichuan. Usually, Director Niu walked slowly and gracefully, but now he didn't care about his image.
"Director Niu, where are you going?" A colleague who was on good terms with Niu Deli smiled and greeted him.
In the past, Niu Deli might have put on a show and chatted, but now, with the problem at hand, he had no time for that. He ran in the direction Chen Tichuan had gone without a word. However, the familiar environment of the small hotel wasn't helpful, and Chen Tichuan disappeared in a flash.
Seeing the closed doors everywhere, Niu Deli felt like cursing. But he didn't dare. This was the small hotel, and any room might have a county leader. He was already in enough trouble; if he offended other leaders, it would be like an old man taking poison to end his life.
When Niu Deli, dispirited, returned to his room, he saw Chen Tichuan coming out from another direction. This time, Niu Deli felt like he had discovered a new continent and ran after Chen Tichuan frantically.
The colleague who had greeted him earlier saw Niu Deli, out of breath, and asked again, "Director Niu, where are you going?"
"To the restroom." Niu Deli, in no mood to chat, said, "I need to go, we'll talk later!"
Seeing Niu Deli run like a flash, the colleague muttered to himself, "This old Niu just went to the restroom and is running so fast again. Is there something wrong with him? Ha, karma, see if you can still eat alone!"
Niu Deli, ignoring the colleague's comments, rushed to Chen Tichuan and grabbed his shoulder, "Manager Chen, you must help me this time!"
The eager look in his eyes made Chen Tichuan feel like they had a deep friendship.
But, do we have such a deep relationship?
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