Right path to power

Guan Tong, who had been glancing sideways at Lin Xiao, said with a half-smile after he finished his call, "Secretary Lin is really busy with official duties."

"I'm sorry, Director Guan, but a leader is very interested in the investment project in Chinese medicinal herbs and called specifically to inquire about the details."

"Yeah?"

Guan Tong's expression changed slightly. Holding her wine glass, she looked doubtful and then said, "Secretary Lin, you seem a bit slick tonight. I haven't really seen any sincerity from you."

Seeing this, Gong Lei immediately raised his glass, stood up, and said with a smile, "Director Guan, I toast you. Your visit to Fengshan County is the greatest support for us. Fengshan County is a major agricultural county with a good foundation for the cultivation of Chinese medicinal herbs. I believe your inspection this time will be very fruitful. Of course, we also ask Director Guan for your help."

Guan Tong smiled and said, "County Chief Gong, you're too kind. I'll say it again: investment is not a game. We will conduct a comprehensive assessment after on-site inspections. Finally... excuse me, I need to take this call. It's our boss; he's probably asking for my opinion..."

The phone was on the table, and the caller ID was easily visible. After putting down her wine glass, Guan Tong picked up the phone with a smile and answered, "Mr. Fang, what can I do for you?"

Her voice surprisingly carried a hint of coquettishness, which gave everyone goosebumps, but her two subordinates seemed completely used to it.

"Guan Tong, if you don't want to work here, just say so now, and I'll replace you immediately," Fang Jianyu, the CEO of Dejiyuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., angrily rebuked over the phone.

Guan Tong looked completely bewildered, her face already flushed red, but she still forced a smile and gestured to Gong Lei before getting up and walking outside the private room to continue her phone call: "President Fang, what exactly did I do wrong? Tell me, and I'll correct it immediately. But please don't get angry, or you'll hurt your health, and then I'll..."

At this moment, her smile had become alluring, as if CEO Fang Jianyu were standing in front of her with lustful eyes.

However, an angry voice still came from the other end of the phone: "Guan Tong, stop talking nonsense to me. Didn't you just arrive in Fengshan County for an inspection? How did you offend the person in charge, Lin something? Are you putting on airs again? Don't you have eyes? You dare to offend anyone?"

Guan Tong was stunned. She finally understood why Fang Jianyu had lost his temper with her for the first time. It was because of a mere secretary—Lin Xiao.

Telephone?

Could it be related to the phone call he just made?

"Mr. Fang, I didn't offend him. I'm already in Fengshan County, and their county magistrate is here too. I'm having dinner with them, and I've even had quite a bit of alcohol."

Guan Tong sounded quite aggrieved, pouting on the other end of the phone, "I haven't even done a formal investigation yet, of course I can't just agree to their investment right away. You can't criticize me for that, can you? If you do, how are we supposed to get our work done?"

Fang Jianyu sighed and said in a deep voice, "Well... let's not talk about that now. What I want to tell you is, don't think that just because you and I have 'that' thing, and I trust you, you can rest easy. Let me put it this way: Director Jiang of the Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau has already called me specifically to inquire about the Fengshan County matter. He emphasized that this Lin... his name is Lin Xiao, right? He's a key figure, so the investment needs to be finalized as soon as possible. He also said that provincial leaders are paying attention to this matter. Now, you should understand the importance of this matter, right? Also, we're about to be nationalized, so don't blame me for getting angry. You can figure out the rest yourself. In short, put away all your little temper tantrums and don't cause me any more trouble, understand?"

Guan Tong clearly hadn't expected that a grassroots investment project could attract the attention of provincial leaders, so she said sweetly, "Okay, President Fang, I understand. I will implement the investment in Fengshan County as soon as possible. When I return to the provincial capital, I will give you a proper and detailed report."

"Good that you understand. You're a smart person. You should know that once our state-owned enterprise reform is completed, the Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine will be our superior authority. We must implement the instructions and requirements of our superiors. Even if our investment in Fengshan County goes down the drain in the future, we still have to do it, and we must do it well. Otherwise, how can we explain to our leaders? Without the support and approval of our leaders, how can we sit still?"

"Okay, I understand."

After ending the call, Guan Tong composed herself and returned to the private room with a smile on her face once her expression returned to normal.

"I apologize for keeping you all waiting. Our General Manager Fang is very concerned about this inspection and called specifically to inquire about the situation. I reported to him the enthusiasm and sincerity of Fengshan County, and he asked me to make sure the inspection is done well."

Guan Tong smiled and explained, then raised his glass and stood up to say to Gong Lei, "County Chief Gong, I toast you. It's clear that you are a good leader who is wholeheartedly dedicated to doing practical things for the people. I admire you very much."

Upon hearing this, even Gong Lei felt a little flattered. Before this, he had been somewhat displeased. After all, he was the head of a county, a powerful department-level cadre. He had already lowered his stance and taken the initiative to please a section chief from a near-state-owned enterprise, yet he was still ignored. Anyone would feel resentful in his situation.

Unexpectedly, after Guan Tong returned from the phone call, she suddenly became much more enthusiastic, and her entire attitude was completely different from before.

Although Gong Lei didn't know the reason, since the other party was there to invest and their attitude had softened considerably, he could only be more enthusiastic. So he quickly got up, clinked glasses with Guan Tong, and drank it all in one gulp.

That wasn't all. Guan Tong poured herself another glass of wine, then turned to Chu Mingjing, toasted him, and downed it in one gulp.

Then, she refilled her glass, smiled, and approached Lin Xiao, saying, "Director Lin, I'd like to toast you!"

Upon hearing the change in address, Lin Xiao sneered inwardly.

"Director Guan, please!"

After finishing, Guan Tong said with a smile, "Director Lin, I heard from you before that you were in charge of the pilot project for planting Chinese medicinal herbs in Songmao Village. The ideas and plans were very comprehensive and in line with the local conditions. The work was done very practically."

Although the final decision on whether to invest will depend on a comprehensive evaluation by the company, I personally am very optimistic about the prospects.

"It's fate that brought us together for this inspection trip to Fengshan County. Therefore, I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation in the future."

Lin Xiao listened to this nonsense with a smile on her face, while muttering to herself: "A woman's words are deceiving. She changes her attitude faster than turning the pages of a book. If Director Jiang hadn't called your General Manager Fang, would your attitude have become so good?"

Of course, it's enough to keep this in mind. Everything is for the sake of investment. As long as the investment goes smoothly, a few twists and turns in the process are not important.

Just as Lin Xiao was about to raise her glass to clink glasses with Guan Tong, the phone on the table rang.

Deputy Secretary-General Cao—the name on the caller ID was immediately caught in Guan Tong's excellent eyesight, making her heart skip a beat.

How could this lowly county magistrate's secretary possess such astonishing power?

Not only did Jiang Yuanping, the director of the Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, call him personally, but even Cao Xuedong, the deputy secretary-general of the provincial government, contacted him personally. If they had known he had such connections earlier, they wouldn't have made such a blunder.

"Director Lin, please answer the phone first. Don't keep the leader waiting."

"I'm sorry."

Lin Xiao said politely that placing the phone on the table earlier was both unintentional and intentional, but the desired effect had been achieved.

Lin Xiao walked to the side and answered the phone: "Hello, Secretary-General Cao."

"Xiao Lin, how's the investment attraction for medicinal herb cultivation in Fengshan County going?"

"Thank you for your concern, Secretary-General. The investment inspection team from Dejiyuan Pharmaceutical has arrived in Fengshan, and we are having dinner with them now."

"Oh, that's great. This Dejiyuan Pharmaceutical Company is quite large-scale and is about to complete its state-owned restructuring. In particular, it has been vigorously promoting the cultivation of Chinese medicinal herbs in recent years. So, you should seize this opportunity and strive to create a new model that suits local characteristics. If anything happens, please keep in touch. If you need my coordination, just let me know."

Lin Xiao was well aware of what was going on behind the scenes, but he still smiled and said, "Thank you, Secretary-General. Director Jiang also called just now. This is all thanks to your attention and support."

Please rest assured, sir. We will seize the opportunity to ensure the investment project is implemented, and we will certainly live up to your expectations. I will keep you informed of any new developments.

"Okay, then I'll wait for good news. You go ahead with your work, goodbye."

"Goodbye, Secretary-General!"

Seeing that Lin Xiao had hung up the phone, Guan Tong brought her pink face, which was covered with rouge and powder, closer. Immediately, a rich fragrance wafted into Lin Xiao's nostrils.

The fragrance came rather abruptly, making Lin Xiao feel somewhat uncomfortable.