Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen: Apricot Blossoms

Over several days, Wang Jian gradually adapted to his role as the director of the Party and Government Office, managing the office's affairs in an orderly manner. Although the director of the Party and Government Office had a dedicated office, Wang Jian did not use it, preferring to stay in the Party and Government Office with everyone else to show that he was close to his subordinates. Therefore, Feng Guoqiang remained in his original office without moving out.

Having emerged from the confusion of the past few days, Feng Guoqiang felt it necessary to show goodwill to Wang Jian. In the political arena, there are no permanent friends or enemies, and he and Wang Jian were not enemies. With the new director of the Party and Government Office in place, should the previous director not congratulate him and show support for his work? Feng Guoqiang felt it was very necessary.

One evening, Feng Guoqiang proactively called Wang Jian and said, "Director Wang, are you free tonight? Let's get together."

Feng Guoqiang had once been Wang Jian's superior, and his words still carried weight. He did not use a fawning tone, and by calling Wang Jian to gather, he clearly showed his attitude. Wang Jian could no longer act superior and quickly responded, "Sure, I'll follow your arrangements, Deputy Mayor Feng!"

Feng Guoqiang was the assistant to the township head, but now people called him Deputy Mayor Feng. Calling him Assistant Feng sounded too awkward, and Wang Jian also called him Deputy Mayor Feng out of respect, which naturally pleased Feng Guoqiang.

Wang Jian walked out of the Party and Government Office as the sky began to darken. As he walked through the courtyard, some people greeted him, "Director Wang, is there something you need?"

"Ha ha, just a bit of business. I'll treat you to a meal another day!" Wang Jian replied with a smile, making many empty promises. After all, it was to please others, and no one would take them seriously.

But those who heard it were very happy and would tell others that the new director of the Party and Government Office was capable and likable, unlike Feng Guoqiang, who acted superior. This was an intangible political asset.

As he was walking, Feng Guoqiang called again. Wang Jian said he would be there soon and hurried to Zui Xian Lou, a restaurant not far from the township government compound.

The owner, Xinghua, stood at the counter, stretching her waist. She was not familiar with Wang Jian and stared at his handsome face when he arrived. It was said that Xinghua's husband was impotent, and their child was conceived through artificial means. People usually came to Zui Xian Lou for Xinghua's sake, and she naturally looked down on the men from the countryside, favoring the township officials. The township officials, in turn, wanted to enjoy some "freshness," so they always dined here.

Wang Jian knew Xinghua's name but did not know her real name. He felt she was very beautiful, charming, and flirtatious, somewhat like an apricot blossom in full bloom, which might be the origin of her name.

At that moment, Xinghua stared at Wang Jian and saw him about to go inside. She swayed her hips and approached, "Comrade, who are you looking for?"

"Oh, I'm here to see Deputy Mayor Feng!" Wang Jian stopped and replied.

Xinghua immediately smiled and said, "You're looking for Director Feng, right? Please come in!"

Xinghua's figure was very slim, unlike that of a restaurant owner. As Wang Jian followed her, he felt a surge of hormones, his eyes drawn to her firm, rounded buttocks. He thought to himself, no wonder Zui Xian Lou does such good business; the view is indeed appetizing!

"Director Feng, a young man is here to see you!" Xinghua opened the door and smiled at Feng Guoqiang, who was sitting at the main table.

Wang Jian stood behind her and saw that it was not just Feng Guoqiang; there were about five or six people, including Yang Juncai, the head of the finance office, and the heads of the civil affairs office and the economic management station, all key figures in the township. Some had called him, but he had refused, while others, like Yang Juncai, had not called, probably out of embarrassment, as he had not taken Wang Jian seriously before. Feng Guoqiang had specifically invited these people, showing both his influence and giving Wang Jian face. Others could not get Wang Jian to come, but Feng Guoqiang could, further demonstrating his influence.

"Director Wang, come in quickly!" Feng Guoqiang stood up and waved, and the others also stood to welcome Wang Jian.

Xinghua turned to leave, but Yang Juncai called her back, "Ms. Xing, come over!"

"What is it?" Xinghua, seeing the financial god of the township call her, naturally did not dare to be rude and walked over with a smile.

After the crowd escorted Wang Jian to the seat next to Feng Guoqiang, Yang Juncai stood and said, "Ms. Xing, let me introduce you formally. Don't call him wrong. First, our Director Feng has been promoted and should now be called Deputy Mayor Feng. The young man you mentioned is indeed young, a recent university graduate, but you can't call him a young man. He is our new director of the Party and Government Office, Director Wang. Remember that? Don't get it wrong in the future. To show sincerity, go and toast Director Wang first!"

"Okay!" People who drink like a lively atmosphere, and Yang Juncai's introduction livened things up. The crowd clapped, and Feng Guoqiang sat there with a smile, thinking that Yang Juncai was really good at stirring things up.

Xinghua, a seasoned woman, understood immediately and smiled as she walked forward, picked up a glass, and poured wine for Wang Jian and herself.

"Director Wang, I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you earlier. Let me toast you!" Xinghua raised her glass, showing a dimple as she smiled at Wang Jian.

Seeing this, Wang Jian felt he had no choice but to drink. Instead of passively responding, he decided to take the initiative.

"Let's do this. Yang Brother was the introducer, so this glass should be toasted to the introducer, right? Ms. Xing, we can't just drink by ourselves. Let's toast Yang Director together!" Wang Jian redirected the attention to Yang Juncai.

"Okay!" The crowd saw Wang Jian take the initiative to mention the introducer, making it seem like a matchmaking session, adding a layer of ambiguity. They thought that although Wang Jian was a recent graduate, his courage and confidence were no less than theirs.

"What's okay? Don't cheer! If I am the introducer between Director Wang and Ms. Xing, I'll drink, but if not, I won't!" Yang Juncai, being experienced, would not easily give in.

"What kind of relationship?" The crowd laughed and asked.

"Do I have to say it so clearly? Director Wang is a recent graduate and has a thin skin. Don't push me, okay?" Yang Juncai asked deliberately.

"Ha ha!" The crowd burst into laughter.

"Brothers, whatever the relationship, Yang Brother is the introducer, right? We should toast the introducer, right?" Wang Jian smiled and said to everyone.

"Right! Old Yang, don't refuse to give face to Director Wang and Ms. Xing!" The others enjoyed seeing Yang Juncai in a bind and urged him.

Xinghua's face turned red. She knew they were just teasing her. She raised her glass and said, "I'll toast Director Wang and Director Yang. I'll finish my glass first!"

Xinghua drank her glass in one go, and Wang Jian, impressed by her boldness, also drank his.

"Old Yang, it's your turn!" The crowd called out.

Yang Juncai had no way out. If he refused, he would ruin the mood and show no respect to Wang Jian. He stood up and said, "How about this? If Director Wang and Ms. Xing drink a toast, I'll finish my glass."

"Director Yang, what are you saying! Director Wang is a recent graduate, and we don't do that!" Xinghua's eyes were slightly dazed as she glanced at Wang Jian and said coyly.

"Ha ha! It's just a toast, right? Director Yang wants us to drink, and I agree. But we should respect Ms. Xing, right? If she toasts and Director Yang doesn't drink, it would be disrespectful. I've already finished my glass, so let's hear from Deputy Mayor Feng!"

Wang Jian's words were unexpected, showing more openness than Xinghua, without the usual hesitation of a newcomer. This made the middle-level officials present look at him with new respect, no longer seeing him as a naive young man. They realized they needed to take him seriously and not just symbolically interact with him.

After speaking, Wang Jian sat down. Feng Guoqiang, seeing Wang Jian mention him, felt that Wang Jian respected him greatly. He smiled and said, "Old Yang, Director Wang has already drunk, so don't refuse. Director Wang doesn't have a girlfriend yet, so let's skip the toast."

The others also supported Wang Jian, urging Yang Juncai to drink. Seeing his former allies turning to Wang Jian, Yang Juncai, though reluctant, had no choice but to say, "Okay, I'll drink, but Director Wang agreed to the toast, and Ms. Xing, do you agree?"

"Director Yang, how about I drink a toast with you?" Xinghua, feeling that Wang Jian was a university graduate and had shown respect, picked up her glass and offered to drink a toast with Yang Juncai. The crowd cheered, "Great! Director Yang, you'll have to drink two glasses!"

Yang Juncai, having set himself up, did not expect Xinghua to turn against him and had to swallow his pride, saying, "Okay, I'll drink a toast with Ms. Xing, I like it!"

Xinghua was just being polite, and Yang Juncai drank two large glasses. Wang Jian felt that Yang Juncai's drinking had a hidden agenda, likely due to Fang Zhiming not becoming the director of the Party and Government Office. However, since Yang Juncai was Zhang Zeguang's man, Wang Jian stood up and toasted him again.

Feng Guoqiang was fair and impartial at the dinner, not making Wang Jian drink too much. Wang Jian was humble and considerate to everyone, showing a commanding presence. This made Feng Guoqiang feel that Wang Jian was much better than Fang Zhiming. Even if Fang Zhiming had become the director, he might not have been able to manage the office. Feng Guoqiang regretted not recognizing Wang Jian's potential and missed the opportunity to cultivate a relationship with him.

"Alright, let's all raise our glasses to toast Director Wang's promotion!" At the end of the dinner, Feng Guoqiang proposed a toast to Wang Jian, making Wang Jian feel honored.

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End of the chapter.