Right path to power

"Xiao Lin, oh no, I should call you Director Lin, you'll be going back to the county this afternoon, and I'll take you to the county government office to start your new job at three o'clock."

"Minister He, if you address me like that, Liu Yun will definitely get angry with me. No matter what, you are my elder. Just call me Lin Xiao or Xiao Lin."

"Okay, I'll call you Xiaolin."

"Yes, and also, I can handle it myself at the county government. You don't need to make a special trip; it's too much trouble."

"It's alright. Besides, Minister Tang personally instructed me to go, so I have to go even more."

He Zhiqiang paused briefly before continuing, "Do you know? Secretary Huang cares a lot about you. A few days ago, he even called Minister Tang over to talk about your matter."

"Oh, really? Then I must thank Secretary Huang for his concern."

When Lin Xiao was suddenly summoned to the office last time, he guessed that Huang Zaichuan might have heard some rumors. Otherwise, the county party secretary would not have been so "helpful" for no reason. After all, even if he became the deputy director, he would only be a minor cadre at the deputy section level.

"Once we get to the county, there will be plenty of opportunities."

"Okay, I understand, thank you, Minister He."

After ending the call with He Zhiqiang, Lin Xiao got up to say goodbye to Yan Zhao and Kong Changgeng. The two were very enthusiastic and helplessly expressed that they did not expect Lin Xiao to take office so soon. They originally planned to hold a farewell party for him tonight, but they could only wait until after he took office to find time to get together.

Lin Xiao said he would arrange a time another day, but he had already made up his mind not to have dinner with them. More importantly, he could completely ignore them now.

This is not Lin Xiao being arrogant, but rather a response to all that has happened in the past.

As Lin Xiao went downstairs, she ran into He Saihua, and the two went to a corner.

He Saihua spoke first: "Xiao Lin, you really deserve congratulations this time."

"Thank you, Sister Hua."

"Don't be so polite with me. By the way, you're not leaving so soon, are you? I'll celebrate with you tonight."

"I'm sorry, Sister Hua, I've already received a notice from the county that I'll be going to my new post this afternoon. I'll be leaving soon."

"Why so soon? We'll have to reschedule for another day."

"Okay, thank you, Sister Hua, you..."

There were some things that Lin Xiao felt were best left unsaid, even though they were on the tip of her tongue.

"What do you mean, 'I'm fine'? Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine. You don't need to worry."

In fact, Lin Xiao's intentional or unintentional keeping of distance had made He Saihua completely understand one thing: it is really difficult for two parallel lines to intersect.

After that crazy thought of "borrowing a seed" flashed through his mind, although he felt it was very despicable at the time, the thought was planted in his mind. However, as he did not get a response and Lin Xiao became more and more valued, the thought gradually faded away.

If before today she still harbored a sliver of hope deep down, now she can accept the reality with equanimity.

He Saihua did have ulterior motives, but her concern for Lin Xiao was genuine. Perhaps later she felt that such a motivated and honest young man truly deserved her care as an older sister.

"Thank you, Sister Hua!"

"Oh, why are you being so sentimental today? Does it mean I won't see you anymore once you become a high-ranking official? Haha, I know you're not that kind of person. Alright, I won't take up any more of your time. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!"

"Thanks!"

The two then went their separate ways.

Back in the Party and Government Office, Lin Xiao picked up the backpack he had prepared earlier and addressed the group:

"Everyone, I'm leaving now. Goodbye!"

At this moment, the door to the inner office was pushed open, and Ding Shangkun's voice came out first: "Director Lin, please wait a moment, I have already arranged the car." Then, his men arrived at Lin Xiao's side.

Lin Xiao replied without turning her head, "Thanks, but it's not necessary."

Ding Shangkun's face immediately fell. He had been staring at Lin Xiao's position in the inner office, hoping to find an opportunity to salvage the bad impression Lin Xiao had of him, but Lin Xiao didn't appreciate it at all.

"Director Ding, this kid looks down on us country folk now that he's been promoted..."

Wu Di, standing to the side, pouted with displeasure, but he was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

"Shut up!"

Ding Shangkun's aura lingered in the office for a moment before he turned and glared fiercely at Wu Di.

Looking back now, he didn't have any prejudice against Lin Xiao at first, but later this guy kept stirring things up, which led him to become impolite to Lin Xiao without realizing it. Now he has essentially made an enemy that he shouldn't mess with.

"All you do is gossip about others all day. Can't you focus on your work and do it well? Director Lin doesn't use his official vehicle for personal purposes; that shows his high moral character and is a role model for us all. And you? You have nothing, so what are you talking about? Wu Di, let me remind you, stop causing trouble. If you can't do your job well, then quit and go home to hug your wife."

"Yes, yes, Director Ding's criticism is correct. I will definitely correct my mistakes in the future and focus on my work."

Wu Di's face turned pale instantly. He originally thought that Ding Shangkun was just putting on an act, but he didn't expect him to take it so seriously. After being scolded, he could only sincerely admit his mistake for the time being.

However, in his heart, he still grumbled contemptuously at Ding Shangkun: "That son of a bitch has no backbone at all. He can't do anything with that kid, so he just takes it out on me. He's a coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong. One day I'll show him what I'm made of..."

"What are you all standing there for? Don't you have anything to do?"

Ding Shangkun's words interrupted Wu Di's thoughts again. He trembled slightly, then picked up a document and looked at it with an air of importance, but his mind was still full of curses against Ding Shangkun.

Ding Shangkun returned to his office, but the sound of him opening and closing the door was very loud, as if he was afraid others wouldn't know he was sulking.

Lin Xiao arrived in the county town around noon. He had already contacted Liu Yun on the bus, and the two arranged to have lunch at a small restaurant.

This time, Liu Yun was also promoted, and just as Lin Xiao said, the "deputy" title in front of him was indeed removed.

"Are you really going to Beifeng Township?"

"So it wasn't your doing after all. I was thinking of treating you to dinner today, but never mind. Let's stick to our usual practice. It seems like it's your turn to pay the bill this time, so I won't stand on ceremony, hehe."

During the last test drive, he thought Lin Xiao was just saying it casually, but he didn't expect that he would be promoted and actually sent to Beifeng Township. Therefore, he believed that this was the result of Lin Xiao's connection with his uncle.

He had mentioned it to Lin Xiao after the announcement was made public, but he didn't expect that Lin Xiao would ask the same question again when they met today.

"You don't actually think I have that much influence with my martial uncle, do you? Besides, he just arrived, and I'm already trying to use his connections. What will he think? So, I really didn't believe you when you told me. What a coincidence!"

"That must be fate!"

"Yes, justice will surely be served, and darkness will eventually be swept away."

The two clinked their beverage bottles together, then each took a big gulp of their drink.

"This time, I'll first investigate the police station. How could a coal mine accident that resulted in deaths be covered up so tightly? I suspect that some people in the police station are involved."

Lin Xiao nodded and said, "That's right, we need to clean up the team, otherwise we won't feel comfortable using them. You should start looking for replacements. I'll talk to County Chief Gong at the county bureau, and we'll try to get a few more reliable comrades."

"I don't see any problem. The county magistrate doesn't manage personnel matters, but he controls the purse strings. If anyone doesn't cooperate, they'll cut off all funding. Let's see who still doesn't cooperate, haha."

Lin Xiao rolled her eyes, about to say something, but Liu Yun interrupted her first: "Look, isn't that your former white moonlight and that guy surnamed Jin?"

Lin Xiao turned her head to look in the direction Liu Yun pointed. Across the street, Fan Yuyan, wearing a light pink dress, was hailing a taxi with a stern face, while Jin Baolong beside her was smiling and saying something, but Fan Yuyan was indifferent to him.

"Do you remember last time, the guy surnamed Jin boasted that he was going to be promoted, but he's not on the list this time. I suppose Fan Yuyan made a mistake."

I reckon Fan Yuyan is kicking herself right now. She never imagined you'd be sent back to your hometown and then get promoted. What a pity, where in this world can you find a cure for regret?

"Alright, everyone has their own choices and should bear the responsibility for them. Let's eat, and let's not talk about him anymore."

Lin Xiao glanced at the two people across the street out of the corner of her eye, then shook her head and started eating again.

"And that Xie Tiancai, you treated him like a brother, but he treated you like dirt. He even boasted that his uncle would control you. Did he get his comeuppance this time? Oh, I almost forgot, I'm just adding some spice to our lively group chat, haha..."

Lin Xiao immediately understood, smiled, and continued eating what was in his bowl. He had no intention of stopping Liu Yun from doing anything.

Then, with a mischievous grin, Liu Yun took out her phone, first took a screenshot of the county party committee's appointment document, then opened the classmate group and sent the image out.