Meng Zhengguo was increasingly impressed by Cheng Jemin. After the small reservoir project application was successful, rumors began to spread that Director Chen liked to listen to his secretary's suggestions the most. This meant that Cheng Jemin was a special figure with considerable weight in front of Director Chen. He wouldn't easily offer advice, but once he did, it would always be adopted by Director Chen, leading to significant decisions. Such a person could not be underestimated.
"Brother, take a look at their self-criticism reports and see if they are profound enough. If not, make them rewrite them!" Meng Zhengguo said with a smile, waving the thick self-criticism reports in his hand.
Cheng Jemin took the reports without even glancing at them, casually placing them to the side and said lightly, "Director Meng, it must have been quite a struggle for them to write five thousand words in two hours!"
"It's you being too lenient, brother. Otherwise, they wouldn't get away with just a self-criticism report," Meng Zhengguo said, taking a sip of tea. "They really got off easy!"
Cheng Jemin smiled and refilled Meng Zhengguo's cup. "I believe they will learn from this lesson."
Meng Zhengguo looked at Cheng Jemin's calm expression and thought to himself that this young man was truly remarkable. Despite his youth, he showed no arrogance and acted with prudence and foresight. This time, it seemed like he was being magnanimous by letting Niu Deli and the other off, but he still held their self-criticism reports, which meant he could use them to discipline them at any time.
After the disciplinary action by the Discipline Inspection Commission, these two people wrote their self-criticism reports in a hurry. In the eyes of others, Cheng Jemin was even more magnanimous, raising the whip high but letting it fall lightly. This approach of combining toughness and leniency, achieving multiple goals at once, was something even Meng Zhengguo might not have thought of. Given his intelligence and administrative style, who else should be promoted? His future was bound to be bright.
"I believe this lesson will be greatly beneficial for their growth," Meng Zhengguo said, then added with a smile, "Brother, it's getting late. Don't go back. We couldn't drink to our heart's content at noon because of work, so let's get thoroughly drunk tonight."
"Brother Meng, I appreciate your kindness, but I only took one day off from my leader. You know, my time isn't my own. I'll come back another time!" Cheng Jemin took out a cigarette and offered it to Meng Zhengguo. "We have a long time ahead of us, and there will be many more opportunities to work together."
Although Meng Zhengguo felt a bit disappointed, he agreed with Cheng Jemin's words. They had already established a friendship, and with more frequent contact, there would be plenty of opportunities to drink together.
"Alright, let's have a good drink next time."
As soon as Meng Zhengguo left, Chen Tiekuan, his face flushed, quickly walked in. He picked up a teacup and gulped down the water, then said loudly, "Brother, this time it was really satisfying. That Niu not only gave me the project funds but also settled the money that should have been paid after the inspection!"
Seeing Chen Tiekuan's beaming face, Cheng Jemin suddenly felt a strange sensation. After a moment's thought, he said, "Tiekuan, if you want to grow your business, having a broad mind is very important."
Chen Tiekuan was taken aback but quickly understood. Looking at Cheng Jemin's calm face, he felt a sense of unfamiliarity. He had always thought he was more mature and steady than Cheng Jemin, but now he suddenly felt the gap between them had widened.
"Brother, you can rest assured. I know what to do!" Chen Tiekuan said, then added, "Brother, I've been running the construction site and the projects on my own, and it's been a bit overwhelming. I remember you mentioned that our elder brother is idle at home. What if I ask him to come and help me? I need someone I can trust!"
Cheng Jemin understood Chen Tiekuan's intentions. He was trying to send money to him indirectly. Before coming, Cheng Jemin had considered this, but now he felt less enthusiastic about it.
"If you consider me a brother, don't say such things!" Cheng Jemin shook his head and firmly refused.
Seeing Cheng Jemin's serious expression, Chen Tiekuan's eyes welled up. His brother knew everything and didn't want to share his money...
At the sign marking the boundary of Daoxuan County, Cheng Jemin waved goodbye to Meng Zhengguo, Chen Tiekuan, and the others. The scenery along the road quickly passed by, and Cheng Jemin felt a warm feeling inside.
Although his plan this time didn't seem to succeed, he knew that his relationship with Chen Tiekuan had taken a qualitative leap. If they were just good friends who sympathized with each other before, now they were brothers!
Moreover, this trip wasn't without its rewards. Holding the thick stack of money in his bag, Cheng Jemin felt even more comfortable.
Although the 40,000 yuan was a loan and needed to be repaid, it was the largest sum of money he had ever held. If he relied solely on his salary, it would take him twenty years to save up this amount without spending a penny.
With this money as startup capital, he felt more confident about doing things in the future. As a child from the countryside, Cheng Jemin had experienced the awkwardness of being short of money.
"Director Cheng, whenever you need the car, just give me a call," Xiao Hu, who couldn't stand the silence, chatted with Cheng Jemin.
Cheng Jemin knew that Xiao Hu had gained a lot from this trip. Not only was the trunk full of local specialties from Daoxuan County, but the two hours of mahjong in the afternoon had earned him more than two months' salary.
It was no wonder that Xiao Hu's opinion of him had greatly improved after this trip. However, Cheng Jemin, being a deep thinker, smiled and said, "Brother Hu, we haven't interacted much before, but today's chat has made me feel like we've known each other for a long time. If I need your help in the future, don't think it's a bother!"
"Oh, Director Cheng, you flatter me. I can't promise anything else, but I'll be there whenever you call!" Xiao Hu turned his head, his smile tinged with flattery.
Seeing Xiao Hu's expression, Cheng Jemin felt even more the importance of power. If he couldn't bring these benefits to Xiao Hu, Xiao Hu wouldn't be so polite to him.
While chatting with Xiao Hu, the car had already entered the city of Tianyuan. Looking at the dilapidated buildings in the city, Cheng Jemin thought of a passage in the black notebook about urban construction. This wasteland would become the central area of Tianyuan City, with house prices reaching tens of thousands of yuan per square meter.
"Director Cheng, where are we going?" Xiao Hu slowed down and asked softly.
Cheng Jemin was taken aback and immediately understood Xiao Hu's meaning. The car wasn't empty; it still contained local specialties worth over a thousand yuan. According to Cheng Jemin's usual temperament, he would have driven directly to his home, but now he thought of Director Chen.
Although this old leader was leaving, he couldn't let the relationship cool down. Besides, he had obtained these things under Director Chen's name.
"Do you know where Director Chen lives?" Cheng Jemin asked Xiao Hu softly.
"I know," Xiao Hu smiled, and the car drove lightly toward the No. 13 Middle School.
Before coming to the Water Resources Department, Chen Bingshan didn't work there. Although the department quickly prepared a residence for him, he still lived in the faculty housing of the No. 13 Middle School where his wife worked. When the car stopped at the faculty housing, the sky was gradually darkening.
Chen Bingshan's home was on the second floor, and the lights were on. Although Cheng Jemin was Chen Bingshan's secretary, he rarely visited Chen Bingshan's home. Looking at the dim light, a thought flashed through his mind: Cheng Jemin, you haven't been a very good secretary.
Putting aside this thought, Cheng Jemin took two boxes of local specialties from the trunk and walked confidently toward Chen Bingshan's home. He saw from Xiao Hu's face that he wanted to go in, but after a moment's hesitation, Cheng Jemin didn't say anything to Xiao Hu.
When he knocked on the door, Chen Bingshan's wife, Qin Nanju, opened it gently. Seeing Cheng Jemin standing outside, the forty-something Qin Nanju smiled and said, "Xiao Cheng, why are you here?"
"Big Sister Qin, an old classmate from the county brought me these two boxes of local specialties. I thought I'd bring them over for you to try," Cheng Jemin said with a smile, sounding very natural.
Qin Nanju glanced at the small boxes in Cheng Jemin's hands and said, "Oh, how thoughtful of Xiao Cheng. Come in quickly!"
Chen Bingshan's home wasn't very large, a three-bedroom apartment of about eighty square meters. After Cheng Jemin entered, Qin Nanju called out loudly, "Old Chen, Xiao Cheng is here!"
Chen Bingshan, wearing slippers, walked out of the bedroom. Compared to his stern demeanor at work, he now looked very relaxed. Seeing Cheng Jemin putting things down in the living room, his face showed a hint of surprise.
"Xiao Cheng, how did your business go?" Chen Bingshan asked softly after inviting Cheng Jemin to sit down.
Cheng Jemin replied respectfully, "Director, everything is done!"
"Good, that's good," Chen Bingshan took a cigarette from the pack, hesitated for a moment, and then threw one to Cheng Jemin. "I know you have a strong smoking habit. Come, have a cigarette."
From Chen Bingshan's expression, Cheng Jemin felt that he seemed quite pleased. As he stood up to light the cigarette for Chen Bingshan, a thought quickly flashed through his mind: Could it be that Chen Bingshan already knows something?
Just as his thoughts were racing, he heard Chen Bingshan take a puff of the cigarette and say, "Xiao Chen, I thought it was a bit of a waste for you to go to the countryside, but now it seems like it was a lucky break for you!"
PS: New book period, seeking recommendations and collections! Thank you all for your strong support. Quan Xiong has soared to the top, and I am extremely grateful! I bow to everyone in gratitude!