The next day.
In the morning,
The sun had risen, but its rays didn’t penetrate the room. The sunlight was still low, typical of winter, and there was no warmth to be felt at all.
Dong Xuebing was staying on the second floor. After waking up, he checked the ti; it was still early. However, he didn’t have breakfast at ho. After washing up, he dressed and went out. He ca down just as it was eight o’clock, the ti he had arranged with his driver, Xiao Wang. But when he got downstairs, he noticed that Xiao Wang’s car was already parked there. He didn’t know how long it had been there, but Xiao Wang was intently watching the corridor of Dong Xuebing’s building. As soon as he saw Dong Xuebing co out, Xiao Wang quickly got out of the car to greet him, then walked around to open the car door for Dong Xuebing, holding it respectfully.
“After you, sir.”
“You’re early.”
“No, I just arrived, too.”
“Ha ha, let’s grab so breakfast first.”
“Sure, let’s go to that place on the west side of the county committee compound.”
“Sounds good. I don’t know; you choose wherever you think is tasty.”
After getting in the car, Xiao Wang drove out of the neighborhood, taking Dong Xuebing to a breakfast stand. This wasn’t just any roadside stall; it was a reasonably legitimate setup with a storefront. Warm steam wafted out, carrying the delicious sll of buns.
Dong Xuebing got out of the car.
But the driver, Xiao Wang, didn’t move.
Dong Xuebing smiled and said, “Co on, Xiao Wang, let’s eat together.”
Xiao Wang hesitated for a mont, then reluctantly replied, “Alright,” and got out to follow Dong Xuebing inside.
This was near the county committee compound, and a few civil servants from the governnt were also there for breakfast. As soon as they saw Dong Xuebing, they recognized him and stole a few glances but didn’t greet him. They felt their rank was too low to approach him.
Dong Xuebing noticed this but said nothing. He and Xiao Wang casually sat at a table, called over a waiter, and ordered breakfast.
After eating, Dong Xuebing returned to the office.
At 8:40 AM.
Inside the county committee compound, in the secretary’s office.
When Dong Xuebing entered, Su Yan was already there, sweeping the office with a broom. Looking towards the desk, Dong Xuebing noticed that Su Yan had moved all his belongings, and everything was spread out on the desk in the outer office. He was already in work mode.
As soon as the door opened, Su Yan heard it and turned to look. “Good morning, Secretary Dong.”
Dong Xuebing smiled, “Good morning. Why are you busy sweeping the floor? Isn’t there a cleaning staff for that?”
Su Yan chuckled awkwardly, “I had nothing to do, so I just swept a bit.”
Dong Xuebing nodded slightly. “Did the newspapers arrive?”
“Yes, today’s morning edition.” Su Yan imdiately put down the broom, turned around, and handed Dong Xuebing several prepared newspapers, “One from our county, one from the city, and one from the province.”
Dong Xuebing replied with a nod. “Any important news?”
Su Yan said, “I skimd through them; nothing much.”
Dong Xuebing said, “Alright, I’ll return to my office. If anyone looks for , let them in if they should, inform of anything important, and keep out those who shouldn’t co in. You can decide how to handle it.” Dong Xuebing realized he couldn’t teach Su Yan every detail or specific task; it was up to Su Yan to figure things out. Moreover, when he comprehended things independently, he would rember them more vividly. Dong Xuebing had learned this way himself.
Su Yan appeared a bit pressured. “Understood.”
Dong Xuebing smiled at her and said, “Don’t be so nervous. Just keep the sa mindset you usually have at work. There will always be an adjustnt period. Don’t worry; I won't criticize you even if you make a mistake. Hehe.” After saying that, he turned and entered the inner office, closing the door behind him.
Inside the room.
Once seated and putting his things in order, Dong Xuebing picked up the newspapers. The county and city morning editions reported on his appointnt, featuring a sowhat silly photo of him from his ID card. He wasn’t too satisfied with it. As for other news, Dong Xuebing didn’t see anything particularly important, so he tossed the newspapers aside. After checking the ti, he casually looked through so docunts and files ng Hani had given him yesterday.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
No one had co to see him.
Dong Xuebing glanced at the clock again, and his eyes narrowed. He increasingly sensed an uncomfortable atmosphere regarding the situation in the county. Everyone seed indifferent to his appointnt, rely watching and waiting for the situation to evolve, without any proactive moves. Dong Xuebing understood this; the city or province didn’t welco him, he was young, and his personality wasn’t the best. Plus, he had gotten into trouble in his first days in Jiaolin County, so it was natural for everyone to have their reservations. From any angle, County Mayor Zhang Dongfang held a significant advantage. Therefore, apart from ng Hani, not everyone had co to express their stance or intentions regarding Dong Xuebing.
With this thought, Dong Xuebing chuckled. He had made plans yesterday but hadn’t anticipated the situation's complexity. This only strengthened his resolve.
Knock, knock.
Soone was at the door.
Dong Xuebing said, “Co in.”
Su Yan opened the door and peeked in. “Director ng is looking for you.” Seeing Dong Xuebing nod, Su Yan stepped aside to let ng Hani in.
“Secretary,” ng Hani said.
Dong Xuebing replied with an “Mm-hmm,” prompting her, “What’s up?”
ng Hani said, “The proposal for the deputy director of the county committee office has gone through the organization departnt. When do you plan to hold the county committee eting? This proposal needs to be discussed in the standing committee.”
Dong Xuebing tapped his fingers on the desk and suddenly smiled. “There's no ti like the present. Let’s hold it today—right now. Sister ng, please notify everyone that we’ll convene the county committee eting at ten this morning.”
ng Hani was taken aback. “That’s in an hour!”
Dong Xuebing replied matter-of-factly, “Yes, just go notify them. Don’t ntion anything else; say I want to greet everyone on my first day at work.”
Upon hearing this, ng Hani understood that other matters were likely involved. Telling others it was to greet them implied there was more behind it. She hadn’t expected Dong Xuebing to call a standing committee eting today. At least he should get familiar with the work and the situation before joining such a eting. Even if a eting was necessary, it could have been a casual get-together or a private chat with so county leaders he could contact for a preliminary discussion.
It felt too abrupt to dive straight into a standing committee eting. ng Hani thought it was too sudden and lacked preparation.
But Dong Xuebing's smiling expression indicated that he had already decided.
So, ng Hani didn’t say anything further. She responded, hesitated montarily, and slowly walked out to notify the other county leaders.
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