Right path to power

Although he had already secured his position as Liang Weiwang's secretary, Xia Shengwen knew in his heart that Liang Weiwang trusted Lin Xiao far more. Therefore, when Lin Xiao sent him a message inviting him for tea, he was initially pleasantly surprised, but immediately agreed.

Changyuan Teahouse.

"Kobayashi, over here."

Xia Shengwen was sitting by the window. When he saw Lin Xiao walk in, he stood up and waved to her. Lin Xiao smiled and waved back. The two shook hands and then sat down.

Sipping their rich tea, the two began chatting about Liang Pan's trip to Fengshan County.

This is a very relevant and common topic.

As they chatted, Lin Xiao started talking about her work.

"These past two days, the county has been conducting a special inspection of the entire education system, mainly focusing on illegal fees for summer tutoring and the hygiene of school canteens. We originally thought these were the most basic things in schools, but some problems are just not clear until they are investigated. Once we do investigate, we find that they are all shockingly serious issues."

Especially regarding the cafeteria's hygiene, it seemed like there was something to negotiate. They even encouraged a classmate of mine who works as a secretary in the provincial education department to pressure me. But this concerns the students' health; how could I possibly ignore it?

Xia Shengwen smiled slightly and said, "Xiao Lin, wait a moment, I'll make a call and ask about the details."

Lin Xiao smiled and gestured for him to make himself at home.

"What's your classmate's name?"

"Yan Yifan."

Lin Xiao had her own reasons for specifically inviting Xia Shengwen out for tea and mentioning Yan Yifan's matter.

"Hello, Director Shi, this is Shengwen. I'd like to ask you about something. I heard that a leader in your department is preparing to change his secretary, and they've reportedly already tentatively chosen a young man surnamed Yan... Haha, to be honest, Director Shi, I don't know him well. I just heard from colleagues at the grassroots level that he's arrogant and bullies others... No, no, I'm just asking around, I really don't mean anything by it. What? You mean tonight? Wait a moment, let me ask my buddy..."

Xia Shengwen covered the phone and whispered to Lin Xiao, "Director Shi from the Provincial Department of Education said we should have a get-together tonight. You don't have any other plans, do you?"

"I'm preparing to go back..."

"Anyway, there's nothing much going on this weekend. And since you've come all the way to the provincial capital, don't rush back. You should definitely have a few more drinks tonight."

Xia Shengwen gave a wink, released his grip on the phone, and said, "Director Shi, we're fine tonight, just the two of us... Okay, okay, that's settled then. See you later..."

After hanging up the phone, Xia Shengwen said, "That was Shi Jiajian, the director of the office of the Provincial Department of Education. You happen to be doing inspections in the education system, so it's good to get to know him. Also, you don't need to worry about your classmate surnamed Yan. Even if he becomes a formal secretary, he can't represent the leaders. Someone like him who doesn't even understand the most basic rules of officialdom will only ruin his own future."

As the secretary to the vice governor, serving the leader well is the top priority, but at the same time, it is also about using this position to expand one's network as much as possible. The higher the level, the more subtle the relationships between people become, and power does not necessarily play a decisive role. Instead, the intimacy between people becomes the key factor.

Therefore, whether you actively seek to "climb the social ladder" or consciously try to get closer to someone, expanding your network is one of the advantages of being a leader's secretary!

For Lin Xiao, dealing with people from the provincial department would be inevitable in his future work, and having more acquaintances would likely open up more avenues of opportunity, especially since Xia Shengwen had already made arrangements.

Actually, he was thinking about something else entirely. He wondered if Yan Yifan would cry if he knew that he had dug a huge pit for him with his boss.

So, since we're already here, let's just make the best of it!

Around 5:30 pm.

Xia Shengwen and Lin Xiao took a taxi to Hongfuxin Restaurant, a long-established restaurant in the provincial capital. It was reasonably priced and the food was good, so it always had good business, as evidenced by the cars parked in front of the restaurant.

As soon as the two entered the hall, a slightly overweight middle-aged man greeted them with a smile.

"I'm sorry, Director Shi, for keeping you waiting." Xia Shengwen quickly took two steps forward and shook hands with the other party.

"Section Chief Xia, you're too kind. I just arrived too," Shi Jiajian said with a smile.

Then, Xia Shengwen began the introductions: "Director Shi, this is Lin Xiao, the deputy director of the Fengshan County Government Office in Quanzhou. Xiao Lin, this is Director Shi from the Provincial Department of Education."

"Director Shi, hello, nice to meet you, please take care of me." Lin Xiao took the initiative to extend her hand.

Shi Jiajian was taken aback for a moment after hearing the introduction, but seeing Xia Shengwen's polite manner towards Lin Xiao, he understood something and also shook hands with Lin Xiao politely.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the group went upstairs to a private room.

"Section Chief Xia, it's been a long time since our two departments got together. It's the weekend, so we must have a good time tonight."

Upon entering the private room, Shi Jiajian greeted Xia Shengwen with a beaming smile, then turned to Lin Xiao with a smile and asked, "Director Lin, you are truly young and accomplished. You are already the director of the county government office at such a young age. You young people really give people great surprises. I should keep in touch with you young people more often in the future, so that I won't age too quickly, haha."

Upon hearing these words, one could tell they came from a seasoned veteran, and the constant smile on his face was like a gentle breeze.

Lin Xiao quickly smiled and said, "Director Shi, you're too kind. Just call me Xiao Lin or Lin Xiao. You're only a few years older than us, which is an age more precious than gold."

"Haha, thank you for your kind words, Master Lin... no, I should call you Little Lin... since that's the case, then you don't need to call me Director anymore. I am indeed a few years older than you, so just call me Brother, how about that?"

"Then I won't stand on ceremony, Brother Jian."

"Yes, don't be so polite. This is how it should be between us. As the saying goes, meeting is fate, and being friends is friendship. Let's sit together happily and enjoy a drink."

After exchanging pleasantries several times, Shi Jiajian first offered a toast, and then he asked Xia Shengwen to offer one as well.

He offered the third cup to Lin Xiaoti.

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Lin Xiao had no choice but to raise his glass and say, "Thank you for your warm hospitality, Brother Jian, and thank you for your care, Brother Xia. I'm really lucky, haha..."

Just then, the phone on the table suddenly rang.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a call from teacher Liang Weiwang.

Lin Xiao immediately said, "Excuse me, I need to take this call first."

After sitting up straight, Lin Xiao picked up the phone and answered, "Teacher..."

Upon hearing this, Xia Shengwen involuntarily sat up straight and held his breath, just as if his boss were talking to him on the phone.

Upon seeing this, Shi Jiajian, who was standing to the side, immediately showed a look of confusion on his face.

"Lin Xiao, that kid..."

Liang Weiwang said that Liang Pan seemed like a different person after returning, especially towards Lin Xiao, and told Lin Xiao to communicate with Liang Pan more often if she had the chance.

"That kid is somewhat clever, but some of his ideas are too far-fetched, so you'll need to guide him more in the future..."

Lin Xiao smiled and said, "Teacher, Liang Pan is actually very thoughtful. He has his own ideas, doesn't blindly follow authority, and has his own pursuits. I think that as long as he does everything with his heart and doesn't do anything wrong, then we should let him do it. When we were in Fengshan County, he talked to me a lot about his future plans and ideas, which were full of sunshine and positivity, and therefore full of positive energy. I believe that once he gains different insights in the outside world, his future is promising."

"Haha, I hope so. It seems I've found the right mentor for him." Liang Weiwang seemed very happy.

The master and apprentice chatted for a few more minutes before ending the call.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiao subconsciously glanced at everyone and saw that they were all sitting upright. She couldn't help but laugh and said, "Sorry, it was my teacher calling."