Chapter 22: Fang Zhiming is very arrogant

Fang Zhiming smoothly became the deputy township head of Xianhe Township, finally venting his frustration over Wang Jian's unexpected promotion to the director of the Party and Government Office. The township officials immediately changed their stance, keeping their distance from Wang Jian. The middle-level cadres no longer took Wang Jian seriously, believing that his promotion was merely a result of a leader's momentary enthusiasm and that he would soon be reassigned. Fang Zhiming, the youngest deputy township head, was seen as having a bright future.

As a member of the township leadership, Fang Zhiming was in charge of cultural, educational, and health affairs. Liu Yan somehow managed to get close to him and was soon transferred from the Party and Government Office to become the deputy director of the township education committee, becoming one of Fang Zhiming's subordinates. Only Wu Lei and Du Xiaobei maintained their friendly attitude toward Wang Jian. Under Fang Zhiming's pressure, Wang Jian faced unprecedented challenges.

"Fang Township Head."

"Fang Township Head."

"Fang Township Head."

Walking through the courtyard of the township government, Fang Zhiming basked in the greetings from all directions. People omitted the "deputy" in his title, making it sound especially pleasant to his ears. At such a young age, becoming a deputy township head, he was confident that becoming the township head was just a matter of time.

"Wang Jian, have you finished the report I asked you to write for the county government? If it's done, let me review it!" Fang Zhiming said to Wang Jian as he entered the Party and Government Office. He planned to request funds from the county government for the renovation of dilapidated school buildings. Since he was the nephew of Dai Changyong, Zhang Zeguang assigned this task to him, significantly boosting his status. Apart from the secretary and the township head, he was now above the other township committee members.

The Party and Government Office was generally responsible for writing materials for the top two leaders. Other committee members rarely needed any written materials, and if they did, they were usually minor and could be handled by themselves. However, Fang Zhiming, feeling favored by Zhang Zeguang and to deliberately humiliate Wang Jian, asked Zhang Zeguang to have the Party and Government Office write a proper report. Zhang Zeguang agreed without much thought.

Seeing Fang Zhiming come for the material, Wang Jian asked Du Xiaobei to hand it over. With Liu Yan gone, Du Xiaobei's workload increased. She was reluctant to write materials for Fang Zhiming, but Wang Jian advised her to prioritize the bigger picture and not to take such people seriously. Du Xiaobei smiled happily at this.

Wang Jian handed the material to Fang Zhiming, who quickly flipped through it and threw it on the table. Pointing at the material, he said arrogantly, "What kind of material is this? It doesn't highlight the key points and fails to fully convey the significance of renovating the school buildings. Are you just going through the motions in the Party and Government Office?"

Wang Jian's face changed, but he quickly regained his composure. He picked up the material and said calmly, "Deputy Township Head Fang, Du Xiaobei has put a lot of effort into this. We've written many such reports, and they are all written this way. If Deputy Township Head Fang has any innovative ideas, why don't you write it yourself and let us learn from you? We can follow your method in the future."

"Is this called putting effort? If I wrote it myself, what would be the point of having you? Wang Jian, as the director of the Party and Government Office, if your subordinates can't write well, you should do it yourself. This report needs to be rewritten, and you should do it. Do you understand? Finish it today, or don't blame me for criticizing you!" Fang Zhiming said, waving his hands.

"If you have the ability, write it yourself. Don't pretend to be smart in front of us!" Du Xiaobei, angered by Fang Zhiming's remarks, stood up and said.

Fang Zhiming immediately turned to her and said arrogantly, "Du Xiaobei, don't think I can't handle you. I have many ways to deal with you!"

"Try and see! If you have the ability, fire me! Just because you're a deputy township head, you think you're so great, but you can't control me!" Du Xiaobei stood her ground.

"A real man doesn't fight with women. I don't want to deal with you. Wang Jian, what do you think we should do with this material?" Fang Zhiming, unable to handle Du Xiaobei, turned to Wang Jian.

After observing for a moment, Wang Jian said, "Deputy Township Head Fang, this task was assigned by Secretary Zhang. According to procedure, we should hand the material to Secretary Zhang. If you want it, go to Secretary Zhang. Du Xiaobei, please hand the material to Secretary Zhang!"

Du Xiaobei quickly replied, "Sure, Director Wang, I'll take it right away!"

"Wang Jian, you... are deliberately not giving me face, right?" Fang Zhiming, caught off guard by Wang Jian's move, was at a loss.

"How could I not give Deputy Township Head Fang face? But the more you want it, the less you get it. If you want it, ask someone else!" Wang Jian said calmly.

"Hmph, you dare not give me face, we'll see about that!"

Fang Zhiming stormed off.

After Du Xiaobei returned from delivering the material, Wang Jian said with a smile, "Thanks, Xiaobei, for dealing with that arrogant deputy township head for me!"

Du Xiaobei chuckled, "Director Wang, I just can't stand people who act superior and put on airs. What's so great about him? I'm not afraid of him!"

"Ha, such people are clearly not very smart but pretend to be. It's really amusing. Anyway, let's not talk about him. Do you have time tonight? I'll treat you to a meal!" Wang Jian laughed happily.

"Sure, just the two of us?" Du Xiaobei asked happily.

"Of course, I won't invite anyone else!" Wang Jian winked.

"Director Wang, do you have something to tell me?" Du Xiaobei thought.

"Of course, I'll tell you tonight!"

"Can you tell me now so I can be prepared?"

"Why? It's just a meal!"

"Oh!" Du Xiaobei lowered her head and said nothing.

That evening, Wang Jian and Du Xiaobei entered a small restaurant in the township, not the Zui Xian Lou, to avoid drawing attention and spreading rumors.

Who knew they would run into Fang Zhiming and Liu Yan in the kitchen. Liu Yan and Du Xiaobei's relationship had also deteriorated. Liu Yan's behavior disappointed Du Xiaobei, and after a few words, they had a falling out.

"Wang Jian, what a coincidence, I was just looking for you. The material, I told Secretary Zhang, is not good enough. You need to rewrite it, and this time, you must do it yourself!" Fang Zhiming turned and saw Wang Jian, grinning maliciously.

Wang Jian didn't know if what he said was true. Zhang Zeguang usually didn't care about such trivial matters and would at most agree with a nod. But Fang Zhiming was using Zhang Zeguang's words to pressure him. He couldn't ask Zhang Zeguang about it, as it would make him seem petty.

"That's fine, just give me the original draft, and I'll revise it!" Wang Jian said, suppressing his anger.

"Rewrite it from scratch, the original draft is invalid!" Fang Zhiming was determined to make things difficult for Wang Jian.

Wang Jian thought for a moment and said, "If that's the case, Deputy Township Head Fang, use the original draft. We're leaving!"

He prepared to leave with Du Xiaobei, knowing that if Fang Zhiming didn't provide the original draft and Zhang Zeguang asked him, he would have a good reason to explain that Fang Zhiming was deliberately making things difficult.

"Come back, where are you going? I'm treating you to a meal today, let's eat together!" Fang Zhiming called out with ill intentions.

Fang Zhiming wanted to show off his authority in front of Liu Yan and trap Wang Jian into eating with him, then humiliate him at the table. Wang Jian knew that such a meal would be no good, and only a fool would accept his invitation.

"Sorry, we have other things to do!"

Wang Jian turned and left with Du Xiaobei, leaving Fang Zhiming to sneer and spit.

They entered another small restaurant and found a private room to eat.

Du Xiaobei had dressed up, sitting in front of Wang Jian with her usually tied-up hair now loose, emitting a pleasant fragrance. She looked at Wang Jian and flicked her hair, saying, "Fang Zhiming is really arrogant. I think he's deliberately making things difficult for you."

Wang Jian sniffed and said, "His arrogance isn't the real threat. The real danger is that he might plot behind the scenes. Remember what happened to Feng Guoqiang? That was his doing. He's also tried to undermine me."

Du Xiaobei, who initially thought Wang Jian was involved in Feng Guoqiang's incident, now realized that Fang Zhiming was the biggest beneficiary. People suspected that Fang Zhiming was behind Feng Guoqiang's downfall. Over time, Lu Fang couldn't keep his mouth shut and boasted about Fang Zhiming's schemes, which were almost exposed. However, Fang Zhiming seemed to take pride in it, neither confirming nor denying when asked.

Du Xiaobei nodded and said, "Director Wang is right. This guy is extremely arrogant. How could such a person be promoted to deputy township head?"

"Actually, I've analyzed this. Fang Zhiming isn't acting alone; he has a powerful backing, from the township to the county level. Therefore, he's not just working for himself but for the people behind him. If it were just Fang Zhiming, he wouldn't be a threat. His intelligence doesn't exceed ours, but the real danger is that he represents a group of people." Wang Jian said, frowning.

Du Xiaobei felt a deep chill after hearing Wang Jian's words and said, "Director Wang, you see things deeply. I know this guy. His college entrance exam scores were terrible, but he somehow got into a bachelor's program. Some say he had someone take the exam for him, spending tens of thousands. His intelligence is average, and without support, he wouldn't have the ability to become a deputy township head."

"Indeed, this is the reason why Xianhe Township has been unable to develop. The entire township is controlled by these people, who bully the people. How can it develop? Since I became the director of the Party and Government Office, no one has cared about the agricultural restructuring. I refused to collude with them and was marginalized. If this continues, what's the point of being in politics?" Wang Jian sighed.

Du Xiaobei, moved by Wang Jian's sentiment, said emotionally, "Director Wang, I know we have passion and ideals, but we are easily hurt. Survival of the fittest, to defeat our opponents, we must learn their methods. Don't be discouraged. You are very capable and will have opportunities."

"Thank you, Xiaobei. I didn't expect you to comfort me like this. From now on, don't call me Director Wang, just call me Jian." Wang Jian looked at Du Xiaobei with deep eyes.

Du Xiaobei blushed slightly and said, "Okay, I'll call you Jian!"

"Come, let's eat!" Wang Jian said, regaining his spirits.

Just as he was about to pick up his chopsticks, his phone rang. It was Wu Lei.

"Director Wang, something's wrong, where are you? Come back quickly!" Wu Lei's anxious voice came through the phone.