The clear and gentle sunlight bathed the earth, and after the rain, the air was faintly fragrant, making everything seem infused with a scent and a breath of freshness. Cheng Jemin stood in front of the office building, watching the Audi car drive away slowly, and he let out a light sigh of relief.
In the past, he would have definitely followed Chen Bingshan to the provincial government, but this time, he stayed behind, citing the need to familiarize himself with the speech. What Chen Bingshan was doing at the provincial government was not important to him. His top priority now was to make the most of this morning, which was crucial for his future.
This rural assistance program had a total of nine votes. Although he had secured Chen Bingshan's vote, he still needed the votes of others to get the job done.
Entering the corridor, Cheng Jemin did not return to his own office but headed toward the office of the Construction Management Department. The Construction Management Department was on the second floor, and a few people were working in the large office. Seeing Cheng Jemin enter, almost everyone stood up, and the deputy director, who was sitting by the window, greeted him with a smile: "Director Cheng, welcome to our office for inspection and guidance."
This deputy director was at the deputy department level, while Cheng Jemin was just a small clerk. The reason for such courtesy, Cheng Jemin, who had almost memorized the diary, understood very well—it was because of Director Chen.
"Hehe, you flatter me. You are the leader," Cheng Jemin shook hands with the deputy director and smiled, "Is Director Wang here?"
"Brother, I recognized your voice. Come, I just got some pre-Qingming Longjing tea, come and taste it!" Wang Zhongyang, in his forties, walked out from the inner room with a smile.
Wang Zhongyang was not tall but gave an impression of being sharp and efficient. When Cheng Jemin first joined the Water Resources Department, Wang Zhongyang was very cold to him. However, after becoming Director Chen's secretary, whenever he met Cheng Jemin, he became as warm as a flame.
Cheng Jemin always felt this warmth was a bit excessive. But thinking about the future events recorded in the diary, he felt this warmth was necessary.
"Director Wang, I came for your Longjing tea."
"Oh, I've heard that Little Cheng can read the minds of leaders, I didn't believe it, but now I see I underestimated you!" Wang Zhongyang said with a half-joking tone.
"Director Wang, I've also heard that you can read the minds of your subordinates. Working under you is a blessing because you know exactly what they think and hope for!"
Cheng Jemin's flattery was subtle, and it made the usually stern Wang Zhongyang laugh heartily. As they talked, they entered Wang Zhongyang's small office.
After a young clerk poured tea for both of them, the door was closed. Cheng Jemin took a sip of the tea and felt the faint fragrance permeate his senses.
"Brother, this Longjing tea was brought by an old classmate from Hangzhou. It's very authentic. When you go back, take a box with you. You work hard for Director Chen, and drinking tea will help you stay alert," Wang Zhongyang said, taking a box of tea from a small cabinet and continuing, "Drinking tea is much better for your health than smoking."
"Thank you, Brother!" Cheng Jemin smiled, took a cigarette from his pocket, and offered it to Wang Zhongyang, "Director Wang, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Brother, if you really consider me a brother, don't say 'favor.' I have a weakness for loyalty and will do anything for a friend, but I am more than willing to help a brother," Wang Zhongyang said solemnly, took a deep puff of the cigarette, and patted his chest with enthusiasm, "What kind of relationship do we have? If I can help, I will do my best. If I can't, I will find a way. Just tell me!"
Cheng Jemin quickly smiled, "Director Wang, Brother, your words are truly heartwarming. Since you are a straightforward person, I'll be direct. This afternoon, the department will hold a competitive speech for the rural assistance program. Have you received the notification?"
"Yes, I have. So, who are you helping?" Wang Zhongyang thought Cheng Jemin was going to ask for something big, but this was a small matter, so he spoke with more confidence.
"No one asked me to speak for them. I'm here to speak for myself," Cheng Jemin said, looking at Wang Zhongyang and smiling.
Wang Zhongyang was surprised and gave Cheng Jemin a curious look, "Brother, why are you thinking about this? Although the position is at the deputy department level, it's just a matter of time for you, isn't it?"
"Brother, I didn't plan to take this position. Last night, I had dinner with a leader from the Organization Department, and the leader said that this task doesn't conflict with my current work. Since the leader said so, we should follow the party's guidance, right?" Cheng Jemin spoke tactfully, but his meaning was clear.
Wang Zhongyang was taken aback but quickly understood. He was jealous of this young man's good fortune and marveled at the fast track to success that being a leader's secretary provided.
In the political arena, there are always more people than positions. This young man was indeed greedy. He was already Director Chen's secretary and now wanted to take the rural assistance position. Wasn't he trying to have his cake and eat it too? Although he was inwardly resentful, he nodded and said, "The Organization Department leader must see great potential in you. The grassroots is not only a stage for achieving great things but also a place to build a solid foundation."
After a moment of hesitation, Wang Zhongyang added, "Brother, why didn't you discuss this with Director Chen in advance? If you had, it would have been a simple matter of a word from him. Now, the department has already decided on Pang Xiaoguang for this position, hasn't it?"
"Director Chen just heard about this. He thinks I've been with him for a long time and haven't had the chance to work at the grassroots level," Cheng Jemin said calmly, though he was a bit nervous inside. As a competent secretary, he had never misrepresented his boss's intentions before.
Wang Zhongyang looked at Cheng Jemin, stubbed out his cigarette, and smiled, "Brother, it seems Director Chen has high hopes for you. Don't worry, I won't let you or the director down."
Cheng Jemin finally felt relieved and smiled more naturally, "Thank you, Brother!"
After a few more words with Wang Zhongyang, Cheng Jemin left his office. The box of Longjing tea was wrapped in a file bag by Wang Zhongyang. Watching Wang Zhongyang wave goodbye, Cheng Jemin felt a growing sense of heaviness in his heart.
Now, the only way out he could think of was not easy. He had secured Wang Zhongyang's vote, but what about the others? Cheng Jemin felt the road ahead was tough.
The department had already made a decision on this matter. Could he still get the highest number of votes? Director Chen probably didn't tell him this news to let him try and then give up. But in matters concerning his future, could he give up?
Clenching his fists, Cheng Jemin walked toward the office of the director of the office. There was no turning back now. Since he had come this far, he had no other choice.
When he left Feng Changhai's office, the file bag in Cheng Jemin's hand had been replaced with a black plastic bag. Inside was not Longjing tea but Yunnan Pu'er tea.
Feng Changhai was even more enthusiastic than Wang Zhongyang after hearing his request, showing a willingness to do anything for a brother. However, in the diary that Cheng Jemin had almost completely believed, this person had never mentioned his name in three housing allocation decisions.
Being able to call these powerful people brothers was mainly due to the halo of being Director Chen's secretary. Now, this halo would only last for three more days. After that, these people would see him differently.
After replacing the Pu'er tea with Maojian tea, Cheng Jemin sat in his office. He drank the Maojian tea, but his eyes were fixed on the black diary. The diary was blank, but Cheng Jemin's mind was filled with words.
After half a morning of effort, he had successfully secured four votes, including those of Director Chen and three other directors. In a competition with seven participants, getting four votes was almost a significant advantage. However, Wang Zhongyang's words left him uncertain.
If the department had already made a unified decision and the other five votes all went to one person, his chances of getting the position were almost zero. Even if he tied with the chosen candidate, his chances of getting the position were slim.
Now, he was fighting for a slim chance. If he failed, he would have no chance in the future. He had already approached the three directors participating in the competition, and the other five votes were in the hands of the department leaders.
If he were the secretary of the department head Li Zhonghua, the other leaders might give him some face, but Chen Bingshan was just the deputy head, and because of his strong personality, he didn't get along well with many leaders.
According to the diary, his future in the department was closely tied to this matter.
Who should he approach for this vote? The department head Li Zhonghua? The thought barely formed in his mind before Cheng Jemin dismissed it. As the head of the Water Resources Department, Li Zhonghua would not overturn the department's decision. After all, he had to maintain the authority of the department, and Cheng Jemin had no leverage to make him do so.
What about the others? Faces flashed through Cheng Jemin's mind, but he quickly rejected each one. Although they often praised him, Cheng Jemin knew it was just habitual flattery. Their friendship was not enough to make them give him strong support.
Pacing back and forth in his office, Cheng Jemin felt helpless, unable to come up with a good plan. After all, these people were at a higher level than him.
The phone rang urgently. Cheng Jemin picked it up and heard Pang Xiaoguang's voice, "Brother Cheng, it's almost time to leave. How about we go for hotpot?"
"Almost time to leave?" Cheng Jemin looked at the clock on the wall. It was already eleven, and in half an hour, the office would be empty. Time was running out.
After a few casual words, Cheng Jemin hung up. His mind was racing. He had to secure Zhao Huazhong's vote!
PS: Thank you, dear readers, for your unwavering support. Your encouragement is what keeps me going. We are now second in our category and tenth overall. I hope you will continue to support me, and I promise to work hard and write the best stories to repay your kindness!