Chapter 84

"Talking back, I don’t think I’m any worse than anyone else, but when it comes to you, I always end up on the losing side. Fine! I won’t argue with you anymore. This time I came to tell you that the Xu Chunming father and son have been caught. Besides that, I have two more things to inform you. One, Rat and the others have already spread the news of your return to everyone. This weekend happens to be the fifth anniversary of our high school graduation. Everyone has decided to hold a reunion in the provincial capital. We’ll go together to attend the reunion."

"Another thing is that I heard your wife is going to be transferred to Chengguan Town as the deputy secretary. And because of the video scandal, I’ve been blessed in a way. According to my old leader, I might be appointed as the police chief of Chengguan Town. However, it won’t be finalized until the city bureau chief, Wang, approves the transfer. When the time comes, you’ll have to ask your wife to look out for me." Wang Hu, hearing Wu Potian’s teasing, knew that arguing with Wu Potian would only end in his own misfortune. He wisely chose to admit defeat and explained the real reason for his visit.

The matter of the class reunion had been mentioned by Chen Hao and the others during dinner the night before, but Wu Potian didn’t expect it to be settled so quickly. However, at this moment, he was more concerned about Wang Hu’s job situation. He looked at Wang Hu seriously for a long time before smiling and asking, "Hu Zi! If it’s just these messages, you could have just called me. There was no need to rush over here. I think you have an ulterior motive! Don’t you police have a saying? Confess and be lenient, resist and be strict! You’d better be honest with me!"

Wang Hu knew that with Wu Potian’s shrewdness, it was impossible to deceive him. He laughed awkwardly and said with a grin, "You know me too well, Potian! You’re like a worm in my stomach. You guessed exactly what I was thinking."

"The situation is like this: After the video scandal, our leader found out that I and your wife are classmates. Although the leader said they would promote me, you know how the political scene in China works. Before the official documents are issued, verbal promises mean nothing. In our government agencies, promotion isn’t just about ability; it’s about relationships. As long as the leader says you’re capable, you’re capable. If the leader says you’re not, no matter how outstanding you are, you won’t have a chance. Now, this opportunity is right in front of me. Whether I can advance or not depends on whether you’re willing to help me."

Wu Potian had never worked in a government agency and didn’t understand the intense competition and the superficial relationships among colleagues. Many times, for a chance to advance, colleagues who were once as close as brothers would turn against each other.

Hearing Wang Hu’s words, Wu Potian was confused. He asked, puzzled, "Hu Zi! You said your leader wants to promote you to the chief of the bureau. How does this have anything to do with me? I’m not your police chief or the city secretary. What can I do to help you? Don’t tell me you want me to ask Xiaoqing for help?"

Wang Hu, seeing his thoughts guessed by Wu Potian, felt his face burn. But thinking about the imminent position of bureau chief, he couldn’t afford to be too proud. He pleaded, "Of course it’s related, Potian! You know, if the chief of the Chengguan Bureau does a good job, they are usually promoted to deputy chief of the city bureau. If I can get this position, I believe with my abilities, I can definitely advance further in a few years. So, this time, you must help me out!"

Wu Potian, hearing Wang Hu’s response, was already certain of Wang Hu’s intentions. Without hesitation, he refused, "Hu Zi! If it were any other matter, I would definitely help you wholeheartedly. But I can’t help you with this. I don’t want our relationship with Xiaoqing to be tainted by unnecessary things."

Wang Hu and Wu Potian had grown up together since childhood, and he knew Wu Potian’s character very well. He knew Wu Potian would refuse him. But thinking about the imminent position of bureau chief, he couldn’t bear to give up. He pleaded, "Potian! I know this is difficult for you. If I had any other way out, I wouldn’t have asked you. If you’re willing to help me, my promotion to bureau chief is a sure thing. If you don’t help me, not only will I not be promoted, but I might even be punished."

Wu Potian was very surprised when Wang Hu mentioned the possibility of punishment. He stared at Wang Hu seriously and asked, "Hu Zi! If your leader wants to promote you, why would they punish you? Are you joking with me?"

In Wang Hu’s mind, convincing Wu Potian to help him wasn’t easy. But thinking about the bureau chief position within reach, he couldn’t afford to hesitate. He explained, "Potian! Because of the video, the leader knows that I and Lin Xiaoqing are classmates, and even that we have a good relationship. My promotion is based on my relationship with Lin Xiaoqing. If the leader finds out that our relationship is just average, what do you think they will think of me?"

"Potian! I know this is difficult for you. At first, I thought about calling Lin Xiaoqing myself, but thinking about her personality, I hesitated. Although Lin Xiaoqing often contacts me to get information about you, if I ask her for help, she might not even recognize me as a classmate."

Seeing Wang Hu’s pleading expression, Wu Potian realized that Wang Hu had changed. He was no longer the simple, straightforward Wang Hu he once knew. Instead, he had become a bureaucrat obsessed with power, willing to do anything to achieve it. However, no matter how much Wang Hu changed, Wu Potian knew their brotherly bond remained unchanged. But asking him to violate his principles for this matter was very difficult. Wu Potian fell into deep thought.

Seeing Wu Potian’s silence, Wang Hu continued, "Potian! Lin Xiaoqing usually gives people the impression of being distant, but when you’re around, she shows a different side. This matter is difficult for anyone, but not for you. If you’re willing to talk to Lin Xiaoqing, she will definitely agree. Potian! Whether I can advance or not now depends entirely on you."