Chapter 20: The Trap

After a few days of handling the tasks assigned by Zhang Zeguang, Wang Jian sat at his desk to rest when he received a call from Yang Juncai, inviting him to dinner.

"Director Yang, if there's something, just say it. We don't need to be so formal!" Wang Jian tried to politely decline.

But Yang Juncai said, "Director Wang, do we only eat when there's something to talk about? We're just getting together to strengthen our bond. There's nothing else. If you don't come, it will be a loss of face for your brother!"

When it came to the issue of face, things got a bit serious. Although Wang Jian had been warned by Feng Guoqiang, he couldn't live in a vacuum and still needed to maintain a relationship with Yang Juncai.

"Alright, Director Yang, where are we eating?" Wang Jian asked.

"At Zui Xian Lou, come at seven o'clock sharp."

After hanging up, Wang Jian frowned. He wasn't afraid of eating at Zui Xian Lou; there were no bathhouses there, so no one could play tricks like last time.

He looked around the office; Fang Zhiming wasn't there. This guy was always absent, and Wang Jian couldn't control him. Zhang Zeguang didn't bother with him either, so he was the freest. Du Xiaobei and Liu Yan were out on business, and Wu Lei had just walked in.

"Wu Lei, are you free tonight?" Wang Jian suddenly thought of asking Wu Lei to accompany him. After observing him for a while, he found Wu Lei to be very steady and loyal. Taking him along for dinner would be good company, and since Wu Lei worked in the Party and Government Office, Yang Juncai wouldn't be unhappy.

Wu Lei smiled and said, "I'm free. What do you need, Director Wang?"

"If you're free, come with me to dinner at Zui Xian Lou. Yang Juncai is treating us. When we eat, help me drink more. I've been drinking too much lately and can't handle it anymore," Wang Jian said.

"That's no problem. Drinking too much is indeed not good!"

Wu Lei happily agreed.

After talking to Wu Lei, Du Xiaobei and Liu Yan returned from their business. Seeing Wang Jian, Du Xiaobei smiled and said, "We're done with our business!"

"That's great. Take a rest for a while!" Wang Jian smiled.

Du Xiaobei glanced at Wang Jian and sat down at her desk. Liu Yan quietly walked in and sat down without much acknowledgment of Wang Jian.

Actually, her thoughts had changed recently. She heard that Fang Zhiming was vying for a deputy township position and was doing very well. Outsiders said it was almost a sure thing. Although he had a setback last time, this time it might be different. Feng Guoqiang was out of the running due to his incident, and Wang Jian was still in his probationary period, so Fang Zhiming was the most likely candidate. This made her a bit regretful for her recent poor attitude towards him. She was constantly thinking about how to make amends, which made her less focused on the tasks Wang Jian assigned her. Fortunately, Wang Jian was magnanimous and didn't criticize her.

Wang Jian was about to go out when a young man suddenly appeared at the door, sticking his head in and asking, "Where is your Secretary Zhang? Our bureau chief wants to see him!"

"Who are you?" Wang Jian asked.

"I'm from the Finance Bureau. Our acting bureau chief wants to see your Secretary Zhang," the young man said with a hint of arrogance, typical of a county finance official.

Wang Jian didn't mind his attitude. He knew the acting bureau chief was Dai Changyong, and this young man was probably his subordinate, feeling superior in the township.

"Where is your bureau chief?" Wang Jian asked calmly, without the usual enthusiasm of a subordinate meeting a superior.

The young man seemed to realize his attitude wasn't good, and since he was here to ask for help, he needed to be more humble. He changed his tone and said politely, "Our bureau chief is outside. He wants to see Secretary Zhang. Could you help us?"

"I'm the director of the township Party and Government Office, Wang Jian. Have your bureau chief come with me," Wang Jian said as he walked out.

Hearing that he was the director of the Party and Government Office, the young man's expression changed. He thought he was young enough to be the deputy director of the Finance Bureau office, but this guy was even younger and in a higher position!

"Director Wang, my apologies. I'm Zhao Dongbo. Please take care of me," Zhao Dongbo said, extending his hand.

Wang Jian shook his hand lightly and walked out of the office. Zhao Dongbo went to call Dai Changyong, who then emerged from his car and asked, "Did you find him?"

"I found the director of the township Party and Government Office. He's coming over," Zhao Dongbo said as he opened the car door for Dai Changyong.

"Good, let him take us to Zhang Zeguang," Dai Changyong said, walking towards the office building.

Wang Jian greeted him. Seeing Dai Changyong, who was well-dressed and had a slicked-back hairstyle, he knew about his relationship with Fang Zhiming. However, Fang Zhiming wasn't around today, probably in the county.

"Where is your Secretary Zhang?" Dai Changyong asked, shaking Wang Jian's hand briefly, exuding a leader's aura.

"Secretary Zhang is in his office. Please follow me, Acting Bureau Chief Dai," Wang Jian said, leading Dai Changyong to Zhang Zeguang's office.

Zhang Zeguang opened the door and, seeing Dai Changyong, smiled and welcomed him in. Wang Jian then left.

In the evening, before seven o'clock, Yang Juncai called Wang Jian again. Wang Jian invited Wu Lei to join him for the dinner.

When they arrived, Wang Jian saw that many people were there, including Guo Qiang, all middle-level officials in the township.

After greeting everyone, Wang Jian took his seat. Yang Juncai insisted he sit at the head of the table, implying that Wang Jian was the highest-ranking official, but Wang Jian firmly refused. "All my brothers are here. How can I sit at the head? I'll sit at the bottom. Besides, I'm not feeling well and can't drink. Please don't force me."

"Director Wang, that won't do. If you don't drink, the others won't have fun!" Yang Juncai disagreed, pulling Wang Jian's hand and sitting down with him.

Everyone took their seats, with Yang Juncai at the head. After pouring the wine, he raised his glass and said, "Director Wang, the county is selecting young officials, and we all support you. We'll all vote for you!"

"Right, we'll all vote for Director Wang," the others echoed.

Wang Jian chuckled and said, "Thank you all for your support, but I've only been working for a short time and am still in my probationary period. I never thought about this promotion. However, I'm honored that you all think so highly of me. Here, I'll toast to all of you."

After saying this, Wang Jian raised his glass and toasted each of them. They all drank, and the conversation flowed.

After a few rounds, Wang Jian indicated he couldn't drink anymore. When someone poured him a drink, he passed it to Wu Lei, who drank it for him. This was when they realized Wang Jian had brought Wu Lei to drink for him.

Although Wu Lei drank some for him, Wang Jian still had to drink a bit. Gradually, he felt a bit tipsy. At this moment, the owner, Xinghua, appeared at the door, and Yang Juncai immediately called her over.

Xinghua saw Wang Jian, whose face was slightly flushed, and walked into the room. Yang Juncai waved her over, saying, "Come, Xinghua, let's all have a drink."

Xinghua extended her hand, took the bottle, and filled everyone's glasses. When she reached Wang Jian, she looked a bit embarrassed, remembering the incident with him. Although it had been some time, it was still awkward. Wang Jian, however, remained calm, declined politely, and let her pour the wine.

"I'll toast to Director Yang first!" Xinghua said, raising her glass with a smile.

"Why me first? Toast to Director Wang first," Yang Juncai disagreed, waving his hand.

Xinghua looked at Wang Jian, who stood up and said, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

Without waiting for their response, Wang Jian got up and walked out. Passing a room, he heard Fang Zhiming's voice. He was surprised because Fang Zhiming wasn't supposed to be in the township. Could he have returned? Listening more closely, he also heard Chen Hailong's voice. What were these two doing together?

Feeling suspicious, he went to the restroom, where he encountered a security guard from the police station. Neither recognized the other, and they both left after using the restroom.

Back in the room, Xinghua had already drunk with several people. She raised her glass to Wang Jian, and he had no choice but to drink.

Then, everyone took turns drinking with Wang Jian. Wu Lei eventually couldn't keep up, and Xinghua stayed to drink with them.

Wang Jian's tolerance was waning, and he seemed to be getting drunk. The others weren't much better, and Yang Juncai was particularly drunk.

Guo Qiang and a few others weren't too drunk and decided to leave. However, Yang Juncai couldn't walk, and Wang Jian was leaning on the chair, about to fall asleep. Wu Lei had run out to vomit.

Guo Qiang tried to help Yang Juncai out, but Yang Juncai couldn't hold it and almost vomited on Guo Qiang.

"Let Director Yang rest here to sober up. Xinghua, get a towel to clean him up," someone suggested.

Xinghua quickly got up to find a towel. Guo Qiang approached Wang Jian and whispered, "Director Wang, how are you? Do you want to rest here for a while before going back?"

Wang Jian opened his eyes, waved his hand, and didn't speak. Guo Qiang felt he was really drunk. The others had left, and when Xinghua returned, Guo Qiang gave her a nod. She nodded back and went to help Wang Jian.

"No, I still need to drink with Director Yang," Wang Jian said, pushing her hand away.

Yang Juncai also said, "Right, let's keep drinking, brothers!"

Just as he raised his glass, his hand trembled, and the glass fell to the ground, shattering. Xinghua looked a bit pained.

"Xinghua, Director Wang is drunk. Help him rest in a room. I'll help Director Yang," Guo Qiang said, going to help Yang Juncai.

"I want to drink more!" Wang Jian didn't stand up, and Xinghua couldn't move him.

"I'll help," Guo Qiang said, going over to help Xinghua with Wang Jian.