Chapter 4: Entered the Provincial Party Committee Compound

In the evening, Wang Jian stayed at Chen Yu's company. Chen Yu invited him to stay at his home, but Wang Jian felt it was inconvenient since Zhang Meilu was pregnant, so he slept in the company's office rest area for the night.

When he woke up in the morning, it was almost eight o'clock. A female employee who was coming to work opened the door and was startled to see Wang Jian. Wang Jian was also surprised and laughed, saying, "Sorry, did I scare you?"

"Almost, but it's fine. Are you a friend of Mr. Chen who came yesterday?" The female employee smiled slightly.

The female employee was young, probably a recent graduate like Wang Jian. Wang Jian remembered that he wanted to resign and start a business with Chen Yu, and asked, "How long have you been at the company? Is the pay good?"

The female employee started tidying up the office and replied, "I've been here for about two months, and I earn around 2,000 yuan a month."

Earning 2,000 yuan a month in the provincial capital wasn't much, but it would be considered a high income in Xianhe Township. Wang Jian stood up, went to the washroom, and washed his face. Standing in front of the mirror, he thought about what it would be like to stay and start a business with Chen Yu. Without any capital or investment, how would Chen Yu treat him, an old classmate? Would he pay him a salary? Or give him shares to motivate him to start a business together? He wasn't very confident. Although they were good classmates, when it came to economic interests, no one would be so detached.

After eating, Chen Yu came to the company and brought some breakfast for Wang Jian. Wang Jian finished it in a few minutes, and Chen Yu said angrily, "Wang Jian, I didn't expect Lin Feifei to be so heartless. Even if you break up, you're still classmates. I really wanted to scold her a few times!"

Thinking about what happened last night, Wang Jian felt a lump in his throat, especially when Lin Feifei turned to look at him with disdain as she got into the BMW. He would probably never forget that moment.

"Let it go. Confucius said, 'Only women and small people are hard to deal with.' What's the point of worrying about it? By the way, Chen Yu, I want to stay and work with you. What can I do to help?" Wang Jian formally asked Chen Yu.

Chen Yu sighed, then frowned and said, "Wang Jian, if you want to come here, I won't object. But to be honest, you're not suited for business; you're better suited for politics. You were the student council president in school, and you have a big brother's demeanor. You prefer broad strokes over details, which isn't suitable for the business world. Although you're starting at a lower level in a township now, I believe that as long as you work hard, you will have a bright future, and you won't be worse off than your classmates in the provincial capital."

After carefully listening to Chen Yu, Wang Jian pondered his words. When he first became a civil servant, he had such ambitions. But Chen Yu didn't know about his current predicament. He had tried hard but failed. Zhang Zeguang had directly expressed dissatisfaction with him, and after the county and city party secretaries left, they didn't remember him. The provincial leaders had praised him and then left, who knows what they were thinking? Maybe it was just for show. Although Chen Yu's words were well-intentioned, they might also be a polite refusal. What should he do?

"Chen Yu, you know me well. I don't know what to do now. Let me think about it!" Wang Jian forced a smile.

Chen Yu clapped his hands and said, "Alright, stay in the provincial capital for a few days, take a walk around, and relax. I'm busy, so I can't accompany you. If you need anything, just let me know. I think Zhao Yixuan seems to care about you a lot. You might want to talk to her."

Wang Jian thought Chen Yu's suggestion was good. Zhao Yixuan was now in the Provincial Party Committee, and it would be good to have a private conversation with her. Wang Jian looked up and said, "I'll call her and see."

When Wang Jian called, Zhao Yixuan was surprised. Although she had once been infatuated with Wang Jian, time had passed, and after graduation, she had more practical considerations, such as her workplace and family. Her feelings for Wang Jian had become more realistic. Still, she was very happy to receive a call from her former idol and said cheerfully, "Come to the Provincial Party Committee to find me!"

The Provincial Party Committee compound was mysterious to Wang Jian, just like the county government compound was when he was a child. After a series of complicated questions, Wang Jian finally entered the compound and met Zhao Yixuan, who was sitting in her office. She was surrounded by handsome men and beautiful women, which made Wang Jian doubt Chen Yu's claim that she had a special interest in him. In a sea of flowers, who would remember the wildflowers by the roadside in their hometown? Zhao Yixuan's willingness to let him into the Provincial Party Committee compound made him feel grateful.

Sitting in the office of the Provincial Party Committee, Wang Jian felt a lot of pressure. He didn't dare to move around, fearing that he might accidentally learn about confidential information and make it difficult for Zhao Yixuan to explain to her superiors. Zhao Yixuan just let him sit there while she was busy responding to her superiors and colleagues.

After sitting for a long time, feeling very uncomfortable, Wang Jian smiled bitterly at Zhao Yixuan and said, "Yixuan, maybe I should go out first and come back when you're done."

"Don't worry, I'll finish soon. Let's go for a coffee after that!" Zhao Yixuan organized the materials on her desk and walked out.

Sighing, Wang Jian had no choice but to sit down again. Bored, he picked up a file next to him. He did it unconsciously, and he had been very careful, but once he picked it up, he couldn't put it down. It was a document about the province's plan to strengthen the adjustment of the agricultural industrial structure. Wang Jian read it carefully and found that it was just a draft and not yet issued, making it a confidential document. However, he didn't intentionally try to read it, so it shouldn't count as stealing state secrets, right?

The content of the document excited Wang Jian. The Provincial Party Committee required all regions to strengthen the adjustment of the agricultural industrial structure, increase the proportion of cash crops, and improve farmers' income. It also provided tax and financial support, including interest-free loans and government subsidies, to farmers who were willing to grow cash crops. It also required regions to focus on the market and actively guide the public to grow cash crops, respecting the farmers' wishes and doing the work well. Xianhe Township was currently facing the need to adjust its agricultural industrial structure. Regardless of the development of industry and commerce, it was first necessary to help the farmers become wealthy.

Wang Jian read the document several times, hoping to memorize the content so he could explain it to the farmers when he returned. Although he didn't know if the township leaders would support his efforts, they might think he was causing trouble. If the farmers believed him and went to the township government for money, it would indeed be a problem.

Zhao Yixuan came back in, and Wang Jian put the file aside. She sat down at her desk, tidied her hair, and said to Wang Jian, "Let's go, I'm done."

Wang Jian stood up and walked out with her. It wasn't yet time to leave, so she must have taken a leave. They went down the stairs, with Zhao Yixuan in front and Wang Jian behind. The Provincial Party Committee compound was bustling with people and high-end cars, a stark contrast to the motorcycles and bicycles in the township.

As they walked out of the office building, Wang Jian suddenly noticed someone getting out of a car about ten meters ahead. He felt familiar with the person and kept thinking about it as he walked. Zhao Yixuan had already reached the person.

Blindly following behind, Wang Jian finally realized that the person was Zhao Bingzhi, who had come to Xianhe Township for a survey. However, Zhao Bingzhi clearly didn't remember him, as he didn't even look at him while talking to Zhao Yixuan.

"Uncle!" Zhao Yixuan's words shocked Wang Jian, who never expected her to be Zhao Bingzhi's niece.

"Xiaoxuan, is this your colleague?" Zhao Bingzhi finally noticed Wang Jian standing next to Zhao Yixuan.

"No, he's my classmate," Zhao Yixuan turned and looked at Wang Jian.

"Hello, Governor Zhao, my name is Wang Jian," Wang Jian couldn't miss this opportunity to introduce himself to Zhao Bingzhi.

"Good, good!" Zhao Bingzhi nodded, not paying much attention to Wang Jian.

"Governor Zhao, do you remember me? You once came to our place for a poverty alleviation survey, and I met you," Wang Jian said, seeing that Zhao Bingzhi still didn't remember him.

"You met me? Where are you from?" Zhao Bingzhi was surprised and looked closely, finding the person somewhat familiar but couldn't recall.

"I'm from Xianhe Township, Dongting County. You were there a little over a month ago," Wang Jian felt that Zhao Bingzhi had completely forgotten him.

This reminder made Zhao Bingzhi suddenly remember and said, "I remember now, you're the young man who spoke up at the meeting, right?"

"Yes, Governor Zhao, you have a good memory," Wang Jian said, leaning forward.

"Ha ha, young man, are you criticizing me?" Zhao Bingzhi laughed heartily.

After laughing, he asked, "So, did they adopt your suggestions?"

Wang Jian remained silent. If he said no, Zhao Bingzhi might think he had complaints. His silence would make Zhao Bingzhi realize the result.

"Ha ha, they didn't adopt them, did they? No problem, you need to be patient and keep trying. The provincial government will soon issue a document to focus on rural and agricultural issues. You have a lot of potential in your township," Zhao Bingzhi didn't criticize the local leaders for not adopting Wang Jian's suggestions but encouraged him to keep trying. The document he mentioned might be the one Wang Jian had read.

"I will, Governor Zhao," Wang Jian replied with enthusiasm, though he felt a bit disappointed.

"Alright, go on. Xiaoxuan, take good care of the comrade from the township," Zhao Bingzhi said and quickly walked away.

Watching Zhao Bingzhi's retreating back, Wang Jian felt another surge of excitement.