As a secretary, one must be well-versed in the rules of the political game to avoid the risks of power struggles. However, the personal dependency relationship between a secretary and a leader makes it difficult for the secretary to escape the dilemma of "success and failure both stemming from the same source." Cheng Jemin knew this. His current success in the Water Resources Department was undoubtedly due to Director Chen's support. But what if Director Chen were transferred? The future would be predictable.
This society is so pragmatic. Whether it's the supremacy of officials, businessmen, or academics, it ultimately comes down to the supremacy of people. Humans are social beings and will never be social without forming factions. Cheng Jemin had long been branded by Director Chen.
If Director Chen did not transfer, he might continue to climb the political ladder step by step. But if Director Chen were transferred, this place would become his political Waterloo!
Thinking about the content recorded in the diary, Cheng Jemin felt a chill. He couldn't sit still. A voice kept questioning his soul: "Cheng Jemin, are you going to live a mediocre life as written in the diary?"
"No, I can't!" Cheng Jemin shivered, stood up from his seat, and thoughts kept flashing through his mind. For him now, the best choice would be to prevent Director Chen from being transferred. But that seemed like a pipe dream, too presumptuous. Even Director Chen himself couldn't stop it. After all, inter-provincial transfers are not decided by the provincial party committee's organization department; there must be a higher authority.
What if he told Director Chen about this? Would Director Chen believe the notebook? Even if Director Chen believed it, what are the chances of changing the course of events?
Thoughts kept emerging and were quickly self-denied. Cheng Jemin felt frustrated, a strong sense of defeat welling up inside him. Although he knew the direction of events, he could only watch helplessly as history unfolded.
Perhaps soon, everything in the diary would be replayed: after having a child, he would have to let his mother from the countryside sleep on the floor to take care of the child; when his father was seriously ill, he would have to watch him lie on an extra bed in the hospital corridor.
Cheng Jemin shuddered, clenching his fists tightly. He must make Director Chen's transfer a new starting point for his political life; he must be reborn from the dead!
A light knock on the door, and a slender woman walked in gracefully. She had smiling eyes, a fair complexion, and a pointed chin. Before she even reached Cheng Jemin, a flattering smile appeared on her alluring face: "Director Cheng, are you busy?"
Although Cheng Jemin was Director Chen's secretary, his position was still a clerk. After all, he had only been in the unit for half a year. Director Chen had the intention to promote him but needed to let him gain some experience. However, his position was so crucial that most people in the department called him Director Cheng.
Cheng Jemin always kept a distance from this flirtatious woman. Although she wasn't bad-hearted, she had a lot of romantic affairs. Her biggest personality trait was being promiscuous, often giving you an ambiguous look that made you restless. Such a woman, Cheng Jemin dared not provoke.
"Oh, it's Section Chief Zheng. Please sit down quickly." As he stood up to offer her a seat, Cheng Jemin thought about the diary's records about this woman. Although brief, he felt the warmth and coldness of human relationships.
"What's with all the formalities? Haven't I told you to call me Sister Zheng?" The woman rolled her eyes, her beautiful eyelashes flashing with a hint of mischief and dissatisfaction. She raised her white, tender fist as if to hit him, but when she got close, she pulled back: "I know you like writing, so I brought you an extra diary that the office ordered for the leaders. It's of good quality!"
Looking at the black leather notebook Zheng Yuanhong handed over, Cheng Jemin's face turned pale. This notebook was so similar to the one he saw last night; it was almost the same.
"Little rascal, what are you looking at?" Seeing Cheng Jemin staring at her, Zheng Yuanhong instinctively looked down at her chest, playfully hitting his shoulder.
Cheng Jemin instinctively dodged: "Sister Zheng, don't let others misunderstand!"
"I'm not afraid. It's just that people will say we have a thing."
Cheng Jemin said, "But the problem is, it's not true. That would make me carry the black pot!"
Zheng Yuanhong smiled at Cheng Jemin, speaking without restraint: "So what if you carry the black pot, Director Cheng?"
Cheng Jemin waved his hands: "Sister Zheng, I don't have the spirit to carry the black pot!"
Zheng Yuanhong pressed on: "If you don't have the spirit, I'll do it for you!"
Cheng Jemin was moved by Zheng Yuanhong's generosity. He knew she liked him, but he dared not and would not take that step. Politicians are far from romantic. They can talk about self-expression, but in reality, they suppress and kill their individuality at all times. There's nothing that can be done freely.
"Alright, I won't waste your precious time. I'll go now!" Seeing Cheng Jemin guardedly avoiding her, Zheng Yuanhong's flirtatious eyes glanced at the manly Cheng Jemin, then left with a lingering look.
Closing the door, Cheng Jemin's attention returned to the black leather notebook. No wonder the notebook he found last night started from today.
Putting down the notebook, Cheng Jemin prepared to go to Director Chen's office. Just as he was about to leave, his eyes fell on a document, which read "Speech for the Rural Support Competition."
Pang Xiaoguang said he would give a speech today for the Rural Support competition. Cheng Jemin's thoughts were suddenly opened. With Director Chen gone, he, a mere clerk, had no way to compete with Deputy Director Zhao, who would become the acting director. Not to mention Zhao, even those who wanted to kick him while he was down, he couldn't handle.
At this time, going to support the countryside was not bad. It would not only get him out of the是非漩涡 (vortex of trouble) here but also get him a promotion. Cheng Jemin didn't usually care about this deputy position, but now it was his only choice in the next three days. Moreover, the diary mentioned that those who went to support the countryside were all promoted upon their return.
However, this position was highly sought after, and the competition was intense. Not to mention Pang Xiaoguang, but the other competitors also had some background. Moreover, this matter had been arranged for half a month, and the others had already lobbied. It would be difficult for him to suddenly join the competition.
But he had no other choice; he had to take a chance! Thinking of this, Cheng Jemin thought of the judges for this speech. Besides the deputy directors, there were the office director and heads of several departments.
The most favorable vote for him would be from Director Chen, but Director Chen didn't know he was leaving. As his secretary, if he suddenly told him he wanted to leave, how would Director Chen view him?
Lighting a cigarette, Cheng Jemin fell into deep thought. By the time he finished the cigarette, a complete idea had formed. Although the idea was risky, he had no other choice.
Director Chen's office was not far from Cheng Jemin's. After cleaning the office, the 40-something Chen Binnan strode in.
"Xiao Cheng, I have to go to the provincial government at 9 a.m. today. Remind me at 8:30," Chen Binnan said, placing his briefcase on the table and speaking in a deep voice to Cheng Jemin.
Cheng Jemin agreed and quickly placed Chen Binnan's teacup in front of him. After reporting some work as usual, he showed a hint of difficulty on his face.
As a leader, reading people's expressions is almost a necessary skill. Although Chen Binnan was domineering, he was relatively gentle with his subordinates. He looked at Cheng Jemin and asked curiously, "Xiao Cheng, do you have something to say?"
"Director Chen, I..." Cheng Jemin hesitated, showing a hint of difficulty.
"Speak up!" Chen Binnan waved his hand, speaking in a tone that brooked no argument.
Having anticipated Chen Binnan's reaction, Cheng Jemin spoke softly, "Director, I want to report my thoughts. ... I've been very conflicted these past few days. The province is calling for young cadres to support rural development, and I think it's an opportunity. You know, I'm a rural boy, and I hope to apply what I've learned."
Chen Binnan's face softened. After years in the political arena, he had seen many people. He had seen many young people who schemed and plotted to climb the ladder, but Xiao Cheng was like a clear stream. In his view, Cheng Jemin's thoughts showed that the boy hadn't forgotten his roots.
In today's society, there are few young people like Xiao Cheng who are willing to endure hardship before enjoying the fruits. It seemed that choosing this boy as his secretary was a wise decision.
Chen Binnan's smile made Cheng Jemin feel relieved. He spoke more smoothly, "Director, in the past six months, you've been my teacher. I've learned a lot from you. Honestly, I really want to stay with you."
This was absolutely sincere. Thinking about his future after Chen Binnan left, as recorded in the diary, Cheng Jemin felt even more grateful to Chen Binnan.
"Director, if only I could stay with you. This time, it's not that I want to leave you, but that you are leaving! I must find a way out for myself!"
Seeing the expression on Cheng Jemin's face, Chen Binnan became even happier. As a leader, who wouldn't want their subordinates to feel honored to follow them? He felt he could understand Xiao Cheng's thoughts.
This honest young man, who was both reluctant to leave and eager to apply his knowledge to help his hometown. Although Chen Binnan thought Cheng Jemin's choice was politically naive, who hasn't been young? When he, Chen Binnan, graduated from university, didn't he and his classmates shout slogans, vowing to root themselves in the grassroots and contribute to rural development?
"Xiao Cheng, since you have this idea, go for it! Whether the organization selects you or not is not important; at least you won't regret it. Rest assured, I will support you."
After saying this, Chen Binnan picked up his cup and started drinking. He thought this young man needed to be tempered. He would give him a chance. Even if it was just a formality, at least he wouldn't have any regrets.
"Thank you, Director." Cheng Jemin's heart was filled with joy. Chen Binnan's smile made him realize that although Director Chen wouldn't do much to help, he had taken the first step.
There were nine votes in this selection, and now he had one!
PS: New book uploaded, hoping for the support of readers. Your every click, recommendation, and collection can汇聚成江河, encourage me to make steady progress. I will put my heart into the writing. Thank you all for your support! I bow to you all.