Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

The lingering effects of the last day of 1993 had not yet faded when the busyness of 1994 was already upon us.

Just after New Year's Day, the Pingzhou Municipal Party Committee and Government entered the final sprint stage of their year-end work.

Summary meetings, assessment meetings, reporting meetings, brainstorming sessions... all sorts of meetings followed one after another, and documents piled up on the desk like snowflakes.

As the youngest deputy director of the Municipal Government Office, Gu Mingyuan not only has to participate in city-wide summary work, but also be responsible for the annual assessment of his assigned area, as well as take care of the finalization and acceptance preparation of the airport project. Working more than eight hours a day has become the norm for him.

"Director Gu, this is the third draft of the municipal government's annual work report. The secretary-general requests that you review it again, especially the sections on economic development and key projects."

"Comrade Mingyuan, the Provincial Development and Reform Commission will be inspecting the construction of key projects the day after tomorrow. We need your review of the report materials for the airport project."

"Deputy Director Gu, the annual assessment data for the urban construction system has been released. Several indicators are not in line with the targets set at the beginning of the year. We need you to coordinate with the relevant departments to explain the situation."

In the office, the sounds of telephones ringing, knocking on doors, and requests for instructions and reports were constant.

Gu Mingyuan handled all matters in an orderly manner.

On his desk, there were documents waiting to be reviewed on the left, processed materials on the right, and a work notebook spread out in the middle, densely filled with daily work highlights and to-do items.

On the afternoon of January 10, Gu Mingyuan attended the annual work summary and brainstorming meeting chaired by Pei Yihong.

At the meeting, the vice mayors and secretaries-general took turns speaking, summarizing the achievements of the past year, analyzing existing problems, and looking forward to the work in the new year.

Gu Mingyuan was not originally qualified to speak, but Pei Yihong insisted that Gu Mingyuan also speak.

Instead of speaking in generalities, Gu Mingyuan used detailed data and specific examples, drawing on his experience in urban construction and transportation, to illustrate his points.

"Distinguished leaders, in the past year, under the correct leadership of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, our city has made breakthrough progress in infrastructure construction."

"Among them, the airport project took only one year from conception to completion of the main structure, creating the Pingzhou speed."

"At the same time, we are also keenly aware of the problems in our work: First, the preliminary feasibility studies for some projects were insufficient, leading to adjustments during implementation. Second, the synergistic effect between infrastructure construction and industrial development has not yet been fully realized. Third, there is a mismatch between urban management and the pace of construction, with an emphasis on construction over management still existing..."

"In the new year, I suggest focusing on the following tasks: First, taking advantage of the airport's opening, plan and construct an airport economic zone to truly transform transportation advantages into economic advantages. Second, promote the upgrading of urban infrastructure towards refinement and intelligence. Third, explore the establishment of a full-process supervision mechanism for key projects to improve investment efficiency..."

His speech was well-organized, summarizing achievements, analyzing problems, and offering practical suggestions, which earned frequent nods of approval from the leaders present.

In his concluding remarks, Pei Yihong specifically mentioned: "Comrade Mingyuan's speech was excellent, demonstrating the depth of thought and pragmatic style that young cadres should possess."

"Some of our comrades only talk about achievements when summarizing their work, but dare not discuss problems."

"They only talk slogans when planning work, but can't come up with any concrete measures."

"This kind of behavior is unacceptable!"

"In the new year, we should follow Comrade Mingyuan's example and see both our achievements and our shortcomings."

"It has both a macro-level perspective and micro-level implementation measures."

After the meeting, Pei Yihong specifically asked Gu Mingyuan to stay behind.

"Mingyuan, what are your plans for the Spring Festival? Are you going back to your hometown?" Pei Yihong asked with concern.

"Yes, Secretary Pei, we're preparing to take Xiao Ai and the child back to Lincheng for the New Year. My parents are also in Pingzhou, so we can go back together," Gu Mingyuan replied.

"Of course, the elderly long for family reunion." Pei Yihong nodded.

"You've done a fantastic year, but it's been incredibly tough."

"Take a good rest during the Spring Festival and spend some time with your family."

"By the way, shouldn't you also go and visit your in-laws?"

"I plan to spend the Lunar New Year in Lincheng, and then go to Beijing around the fifth day of the Lunar New Year to visit my parents-in-law."

"Okay, all arranged." Pei Yihong took an envelope out of the drawer.

"This is the New Year's money I gave to Pengpeng, I'm giving it to you in advance."

"Please give my regards to Comrade Xiao Ai and wish her a good rest."

Gu Mingyuan quickly declined, "Secretary Pei, how can you do this..."

"Why can't it be done?" Pei Yihong said sternly.

"I'm Pengpeng's elder, shouldn't I give him some New Year's money? Take it! That's an order!"

Seeing Pei Yihong's feigned seriousness, Gu Mingyuan felt a surge of warmth in his heart and respectfully accepted the envelope: "Then... I will thank Secretary Pei on behalf of Pengpeng."

"That's right." Pei Yihong smiled.

"There's one more thing. The province may hold a provincial economic work conference after the Spring Festival. You should prepare to give a speech on behalf of Pingzhou, focusing on your thoughts on how the airport project can drive regional development."

"This is a platform to showcase Pingzhou, and also to showcase yourself. Make the most of it."

"Yes! I will prepare carefully!" Gu Mingyuan replied solemnly.

As I left the municipal party committee building, the city lights were already on.

Gu Mingyuan looked at the envelope in his hand, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Secretary Pei's care and cultivation of him had long transcended the superior-subordinate relationship; it was more like the care and expectations of an elder for a younger generation.

Back home, Zhong Xiaoai was packing her luggage.

Two large suitcases sat in the living room, filled with gifts for relatives back home—local specialties from Pingzhou, clothes for the children, and nutritional supplements for the elderly…

"You're back?" Zhong Xiaoai looked up, her forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.

"I'll tidy up, you sit and rest." Gu Mingyuan quickly took the clothes from her hands.

"It's okay, the doctor said that I should do some light exercise after giving birth." Zhong Xiaoai wiped her sweat.

"Where's Pengpeng?"

"I just finished feeding her, and she's asleep now," Zhong Xiaoai said, pointing to the bedroom.

"My parents went to the supermarket to buy some snacks for the journey."

Seeing his wife's improved complexion, Gu Mingyuan felt much relieved.

After giving birth, Zhong Xiaoai recovered quickly under her mother-in-law's meticulous care. Although she was slightly plumper than before her pregnancy, she gained a touch of maternal gentleness.

"Secretary Pei gave Pengpeng a New Year's gift." Gu Mingyuan handed the envelope to his wife.

Zhong Xiaoai opened it and exclaimed in surprise, "So much? A thousand yuan! This..."

"Please accept Secretary Pei's kind offer," Gu Mingyuan said.

He also asked me to give you his regards and wish you a good rest.

Zhong Xiaoai's eyes reddened slightly: "Secretary Pei is too good to us."

"Mingyuan, you must work hard and not let him down."

"I know." Gu Mingyuan put his arm around his wife's shoulder.

"It's almost done tidying up. I'll take care of the rest. You go check on Pengpeng."

Late at night, Gu Mingyuan was still in his study preparing report materials for after the Spring Festival.