Chapter 142: Li Ming's Report

  Xu Shaojie needed materials, almost all of which were typed out by Gu Xuejie. Moreover, Xu Shaojie did not need to proofread, ensuring that there would be no typos. Regardless of whether Xu Shaojie mentioned a time requirement or not, after receiving the materials, Gu Xuejie would always type them out, proofread, revise, and deliver them to Xu Shaojie in the shortest possible time. Calculating this, it turned out that Gu Xuejie visited Xu Shaojie's office more often than anyone else.

  Gu Xuejie has undergone a huge change, her demeanor and temperament have all changed. The taste of being unrestrained and wild has disappeared without a trace. Gu Xuejie saw Zhu Zongxiang, but Zhu Zongxiang seemed not to recognize Gu Xuejie and didn't greet her. Of course, Gu Xuejie was also as if she hadn't seen him. In this regard, Gu Xuejie can't learn to be smooth-tongued, she's not a figure in the official circle, and won't take the initiative to greet Zhu Zongxiang with a thick face.

  Xu Shaojie was a little afraid to see Gu Xuejie, but he couldn't avoid it. From Gu Xuejie's eyes, Xu Shaojie discovered danger. As the working hours in the municipal party committee office increased, Gu Xuejie gradually became clear about Xu Shaojie's experiences. To be strict, after Xu Shaojie graduated from university, his incredible experiences would make anyone surprised. Gu Xuejie knew that before Xu Shaojie went to university, his father had passed away, which was a heavy blow, but Xu Shaojie persisted and had such strong abilities. Gu Xuejie's views on men changed because of Xu Shaojie. She had no requirements for him, he helped her, almost pulling her back from the edge of collapse. Such a great kindness, Xu Shaojie didn't make any demands.

  Gu Xuejie knew that Xu Shaojie had a girlfriend, working in the provincial city with good conditions, but Gu Xuejie couldn't help her admiration for him. Every time she saw Xu Shaojie's evasive gaze, Gu Xuejie was captivated. Xu Shaojie was a real man, and Gu Xuejie didn't know how to choose in the future. As a typist in the municipal party committee office, they were all temporary workers at first, but after working for a period of time and performing well, they were all converted to formal workers. If they were converted to formal workers, Gu Xuejie understood that there would be a lifetime guarantee, because of Xu Shaojie's relationship, Gu Xuejie had a good relationship with Qiao Yurong and Huang Meng.

  As for Gu Xuejie's cleverness, Huang Meng felt inferior. After all, she had been honed in society and was very good at understanding people's intentions. Even Qiao Yurong, who was quite particular, couldn't help but praise her. Before long, Qiao Yurong brought up the topic of introducing a friend to Gu Xuejie, saying that the person still worked at the Public Security Bureau.

  Xu Shaojie is aware of his own troubles, and in this situation, it's best to avoid Gu Xuejie, but he can't seem to do so. This is the trouble he has brought upon himself. Xu Shaojie really wants to have a serious talk with Gu Xuejie, but he can't bring himself to speak up. When it comes to emotional issues, Xu Shaojie is no expert.

  "Director Xu, it's been a long time since we've met. I came specifically to visit you today. Is everything all right with Director Xu?"

  "County Magistrate Li, you've said this, I don't even know how to respond. Even if there are things going on, we still have to welcome you."

  "Hehe, Director Xu, don't mind me, it's just a habit from all these years, can't change my tone in an instant. That's just how I am, the more I'm with friends, the more casual I become."

  Xu Shaojie smiled, indeed it had been a while since he saw Li Ming, and didn't expect Li Ming to suddenly come visit. Li Ming was also very good at choosing the right time, as Director Ding was attending a standing committee meeting at the People's Congress for the whole day, so Xu Shaojie didn't need to accompany him. In his office, Xu Shaojie knew that Li Ming was familiar with the secretary's routine and knew when the secretary would be free and have time.

  "Director Li, I'll invite you for lunch this afternoon. Anyway, there's nothing much to do today and it's almost time to get off work. However, if you have other plans, that's a different story."

  "Director Xue, I've been searching for you everywhere. If I had agreed to have dinner with someone else, what kind of person would I be? Your words are problematic, and later you'll have to pay the penalty with wine."

  Li Ming was too familiar with the municipal party committee office, he had a cigarette in his mouth and sat casually on the sofa, from time to time someone came upstairs to greet him. Although Li Ming's interpersonal relationship in the municipal party committee office was not very good before, but now that Li Ming has been away for some time, people felt close to him when they saw him again. Moreover, many cadres in the municipal party committee office still felt a bit unfair about the arrangement made by the municipal party committee for Li Ming, thinking that he had been wronged.

  Li Ming smiled and greeted everyone one by one, with a very casual attitude. From Li Ming's attitude, Xu Shaojie couldn't see any arrogance in him before, which made him feel somewhat moved. It seemed that after understanding the truth, people could still change.

  It's not time to get off work yet, but Xujie and Liming have already left the office and gone straight to a restaurant. The two of them took a taxi, their opinions coincided, at this time, they need some peace and quiet. When in the office, it can only be idle chatter, it's impossible to discuss anything serious, there are too many people coming and going. Xujie knows that Liming must have something to say.

  "Director Xu, last time's forest fire, I was sweating for Chen Mubiao. Actually, it wasn't a big deal, just Chen Mubiao stood up to take responsibility, and it was just a warning penalty. Who knows, maybe Chen Mubiao will benefit from the disaster. I didn't expect the county committee to come out with such an investigation report. What does it mean? I'm not in charge of forestry, if it were me, I would definitely stand up and take responsibility for what should be taken. Later when the reporter came to investigate, I reminded Chen Mubiao, but he didn't think much of it, so I didn't say more."

  "Director Li, although this matter has passed, I think the discussion of the Shalong County Party Committee still has some problems and a taste of mixing mud. There must be someone responsible, at least the vice county mayor in charge of the government should come forward to take responsibility. The current accountability is generally directed at the government, Chen Mubiao is also, standing up to take what responsibility? The county mayor is the first person responsible, the vice county mayor is the person directly in charge, and the leaders of the county party committee are mainly macro-control."

  "Haha, great minds think alike, I see it the same way too, and that's what I told Chen Target, but he's got a strong sense of justice and responsibility, so I couldn't persuade him."

  "Director Li, you're familiar with the situation in Huaiyang City. Why don't you tell Chen more about it? This kind of heroic chivalry can get people killed. Don't be so impulsive in the future."

  "Director Xu, I don't think so."

  Li Ming's face turned somewhat serious, Xu Shaojie was slightly startled, and didn't know what Li Ming was thinking.

  "Secretary Chen is a man of temperament, and I admire this about him. My situation and position in Shalun County are clear to you - almost everyone wants to avoid me, no one wants to get close to me, and I have no power in my hands, not even dogs pay attention to me. But Secretary Chen doesn't care about these things, among the leaders of the county party committee and government, he is the only one who has a good relationship with me. I know there must be your reason for this, Secretary Chen has mentioned you many times, thinking that you have ability, and I also acknowledge it."

  Xu Shaojie's face turned red.

  "In the officialdom, we've all experienced many things and won't be so simple-minded. But sometimes I feel that we're too complicated, in how we look at people and things. Now I finally feel that if my interactions with someone become simpler, it means I've found a friend. My interactions with you and Chen Mubiao are like this. In the 5 years by Secretary Ding Yuan's side, I didn't cherish it, but now I won't be like before. So when Chen Mubiao stepped out to take responsibility, on some level, I think it's good, although my rationality tells me that this isn't right."

  Xu Shaojie was silent for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.

  "Director Li, a man dies for his ideals, and a woman's beauty is her virtue. This is a truth that everyone understands. What you said is not wrong. We have encountered too many things in the officialdom, so we yield to reality and make everything complicated. However, I don't think there's anything wrong with this approach. In any case, our priority in officialdom is self-protection. We can ensure our own hearts are pure, but can we control others' thoughts? The matter of Chen Mubiao indeed has some problems. County Magistrate Chen Dazhi is the first person responsible, and Chen Mubiao doesn't need to take main responsibility. But if you were the county magistrate and Chen Mubiao did this, I think it would be a different story. We all understand the meaning behind it and would rush to take responsibility, but would Chen Dazhi think so? Now that the matter is over, I'm afraid Chen Dazhi won't have any sense of gratitude."

  Li Ming's face regained its smile.

  "Director Xu, we're saying the same thing, just pointing in different directions. By the way, there's some interesting news from Shalong County, do you want to hear it?"

  "Haha, forget it, what does Salang County have to do with me? You and Chen are working in Salang County, you two should focus on learning from each other about the interesting things in Salang County and think about how to work well."

  "It can't hurt to listen, and who knows, one day you might become the county magistrate or party secretary of Shalun County."

  "County Head Li, are you cursing me? I've only been by Secretary Ding's side for a short time, just over a year, not even two years, how can you say it's so easy to get to the county and city?"

  Li Ming smiled and didn't say anything, probably because he trusted his own judgment.

  Two people were drinking when Xu Shaojie received a call from Ma Yaping. It turned out that Secretary Ding Yuanshuai was having dinner at the hotel and asked where Xu Shaojie was having dinner. Xu Shaojie hastily replied that he was eating outside, and after Ma Yaping asked about the location, she hung up the phone.

  "Director Xu, Secretary Ding is really concerned about you."

  "I seem to detect a sour tone in your words, I'm a bachelor, how can I compare with you? You have a wife, when you go home, you can eat hot meals, no one cooks for me, Secretary Ding doesn't care about me, then no one cares about me."

  Li Ming burst out laughing.

  "Director Xu, that's not right. I know Zhang Shaocai is your elder brother and he has such a big company in Huaiyang City. You can find him anytime for food."

  "My county magistrate Li, think carefully, Zhang's brother runs such a big company, usually busier than me, has time to take care of business, sister-in-law is in charge at home, specific things in the company need to be asked, two people every day are like fighting, no free time, they don't ask me to cook for them, I still go find them."

  Xu Shaojie thought of Zhang Xiaoyu, and his heart ached slightly because of the change in status, and due to his relationship with Tang Wanrou, Xu Shaojie couldn't often go find Zhang Xiaoyu anymore. Li Ming's face turned serious again, thinking that what Xu Shaojie said made sense.

  "Director Xu, this won't do. I've experienced such days before. The conditions back then weren't as good as they are now. If you're not careful, you'll go hungry. My salary wasn't high, and I couldn't afford to eat out. Now, although you don't lack food to eat, the meals at restaurants aren't nutritious. Home-cooked meals are still the best. When I have time, I'll get my family to cook some good home-cooked meals for you to eat more of and nourish your body. Your body is your own."

  "Thank you so much! I really don't get to eat home-cooked meals often."

  When Ma Yaping entered the room, Xu Shaojie felt a bit strange. Could it be that Secretary Ding had something to say? Xu Shaojie thought about how Ma Yaping had called him earlier and wondered if it was related to Secretary Ding having something to discuss. Li Ming saw Ma Yaping and stood up as well; the two were very familiar with each other and didn't need any formalities.

  When Secretary Ding Yuan came in, both Xu Shaojie and Li Ming were a bit dazed.

  "Haha, nothing much happened today, after dinner, I thought of going out for a stroll, didn't expect to run into you guys together, still drinking, huh? Didn't drink in the afternoon, feeling a bit awkward."

  Xu Shaojie and Li Ming couldn't help but understand the meaning, so they quickly got to work. Xu Shaojie called out to the waiter to add bowls and chopsticks, and re-served two dishes. Meanwhile, Li Ming searched for cups in the cabinet behind him, found some, and then poured out the white wine from the cups.

  "Xiao Li, it's been over a year in Salone County, you've done a great job, come on, let me toast you with a glass of wine."

  Li Ming hastily stood up, holding his wine cup with both hands and began speaking respectfully.

  "Director Ding, in the past I had many shortcomings, now thinking back, I'm still very ashamed. My work in Shalun County was average, and I wasn't able to bring glory to you. This cup of wine, I toast to you."

  Ding Yuan smiled, his smile somewhat relaxed, it was clear that he was really happy.

  Ma Ya-ping had already settled the bill in advance, Li Ming was the deputy county magistrate of Sha Long County, according to the rules, he should be received. After walking out of the restaurant, Secretary Ding Yuan did not take a car, so Secretary Ding Yuan and Li Ming walked ahead, while Xu Shao-jie and Ma Ya-ping followed behind. The car was temporarily parked in front of the restaurant for a while. Xu Shao-jie saw that Li Ming was reporting something to Secretary Ding Yuan, who nodded frequently, seemingly asking questions.

  Xu Shaojie understood that Li Ming must have been referring to the situation in Salong County, including Chen Mubiao's situation. These situations might not be clear to Secretary Ding Yuan, as Salong County was too special - it was Huang Haitao's hometown. On the surface, although they listened to the orders of the municipal party committee and government, in reality, Huang Haitao had the final say. Secretary Ding Yuan had to maintain a balance with Huang Haitao, so he couldn't possibly investigate Salong County's methods thoroughly. However, Secretary Ding Yuan must have been dissatisfied.