Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

Gu Mingyuan's heart skipped a beat: "Okay, Secretary Wang, I'll go over at two o'clock this afternoon."

After hanging up the phone, he told Zhong Xiaoai, changed into a thick coat, and went out.

Wang Rucheng lived in a small building in the municipal party committee's residential compound, about a 20-minute drive away from Gu Mingyuan.

He parked his car on the side of the road, carrying a fruit basket—prepared by Zhong Xiaoai that morning, saying that one shouldn't go to a leader's house empty-handed—and rang the doorbell.

It was Wang Rucheng's wife who opened the door, smiling as she ushered him in: "Mingyuan, you're here. Old Wang is waiting for you in the study. I'll go pour you some tea."

Gu Mingyuan changed into slippers and walked into the living room. Wang Rucheng came out of the study, wearing a gray lounge sweater and holding a cup of tea. He looked much more relaxed than in the office: "You're here? Have a seat."

The two sat down on the sofa in the living room. Wang Rucheng's wife brought over tea and placed it in front of Gu Mingyuan. She also refilled Wang Rucheng's hot water and then went to the kitchen to busy herself.

The living room quieted down, with only the soft hum of the radiators echoing in the air.

Wang Rucheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said bluntly, "Governor Zhao has told me about Qian Huiren's matter. It's a good thing that he's come to his senses. However, the reason I called you here today is not for this matter."

Gu Mingyuan put down his teacup: "Secretary Wang, please speak."

Wang Rucheng leaned back on the sofa, his gaze fixed on Gu Mingyuan's face, his tone carrying a steady weight: "Before the end of the year, the province may launch a round of cadre adjustments, not only at the city level, but also at the provincial level."

"I heard that Yu Huabei is working on it, trying to put someone he trusts in the position of deputy director of the provincial development and reform commission."

Gu Mingyuan's heart skipped a beat: "Deputy Director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission?"

"Yes," Wang Rucheng said.

"This person is Lin Yuanshan. He is currently the deputy director of the Provincial Economic and Information Commission and is Yu Huabei's old subordinate."

"If he really becomes the vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, he will have a greater say in project approval and fund allocation."

"This will cause some trouble for our efforts to promote the integration of state-owned enterprises in Ningchuan and the subsequent restructuring in Wenshan."

Gu Mingyuan was silent for a few seconds, then quickly thought it over in his mind: "I've heard a bit about Lin Yuanshan. His business skills are average, but he has a wide network of connections. If he goes to the National Development and Reform Commission, he might hold us back in the approval process."

"So we need to do our work in advance," Wang Rucheng said.

"I plan to report this matter to Governor Zhao so that he is aware of it."

"Also, you need to be careful on your end. If Lin Yuanshan really gets in, you need to be extra cautious about projects that require approval from the Provincial Development and Reform Commission. Make sure the approval materials are solid and don't give anyone any reason to delay."

"I understand." Gu Mingyuan nodded.

Wang Rucheng picked up his teacup and took another sip: "There's one more thing, about the arrangements for Wenshan next year."

"The evaluation period for the motor has been over for almost three months. Although the province has scheduled the official adjustment for March next year, you need to get your work schedule in place in advance."

"You need to expedite the integration of state-owned enterprises in Ningchuan, and at the same time, you also need to pay attention to the follow-up work in Wenshan to ensure that things don't fall behind."

Gu Mingyuan nodded solemnly: "Secretary Wang, rest assured, I will keep a close eye on both sides."

The two chatted for nearly an hour, discussing everything from the movements of provincial officials to Ningchuan's economic targets for next year, from the progress of Wenshan's reforms to the details of state-owned enterprise integration. Despite the many topics, the pace remained steady.

Gu Mingyuan could sense that Wang Rucheng had called him here today not only to convey a message but also to encourage him—to let him know that the reformists had not relaxed their efforts.

When I left Wang Rucheng's house, it was already getting dark.

Winter dusk comes early; it was already twilight at 4:30.

He got into the car, but instead of starting it, he leaned back in his seat and went over what Wang Rucheng had said in his mind again.

Yu Huabei is also making arrangements at the provincial level. If Lin Yuanshan becomes the deputy director of the Development and Reform Commission, it will have a substantial impact on the reforms in Ningchuan and Wenshan.

He must prepare contingency plans in advance, and not wait until he is in a passive situation to think of a solution.

He started the car, drove out of the municipal party committee compound, and merged into the evening traffic on the streets of Ningchuan.

The streetlights were already on, casting warm yellow light in the gray-blue twilight. The branches of the roadside trees intertwined and overlapped in the light and shadow, like a flowing silhouette painting.

Sunday, May 11.

When Gu Mingyuan woke up in the morning, fine snowflakes were falling outside the window.

The snow was light, falling sparsely on the windowsill and melting at the slightest touch, but the sky was overcast, as if it were going to snow all day.

He stood by the window for a while, then came out after washing up. Zhong Xiaoai was cooking porridge in the kitchen. Steam was rising from the pot on the stove, and the air was filled with the unique fragrance of millet porridge.

"It's snowing." Gu Mingyuan sat down at the dining table.

"Hmm, the forecast says there will be light snow today." Zhong Xiaoai placed the bowl of porridge in front of him. "Do you have any plans for today?"

"I'm going to Wenshan this afternoon." Gu Mingyuan picked up a spoon and stirred the porridge. "Wegang has a batch of equipment that needs to be coordinated with the province for approval, so I have to go and take a look."

Zhong Xiaoai didn't ask any further questions, only saying, "Then be careful on the road, the roads are slippery in the snow."

"Okay, I understand."

After breakfast, Gu Mingyuan went back to his study to organize the materials he needed to bring in the afternoon, and then called Wen Gang's factory manager to confirm the meeting time.

After hanging up the phone, he sat at his desk, his gaze falling on the fine snowflakes outside the window. They were like countless tiny grains of salt, falling silently in the gray-white sky.

He thought that after this snow, winter would truly arrive.

After winter comes spring.

The reforms in Wenshan, the integration in Ningchuan, and his personal path were all slowly moving towards that spring.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, he changed his coat, picked up his briefcase, went out, got into his car, started the engine, and drove into the snowy streets.

Snowflakes fall on the windshield, then are swept away by the wipers, gathering and scattering, scattering and gathering again, like some kind of silent cycle.

He got on the highway and drove towards Wenshan.

There weren't many cars on the road. The road ahead stretched into the distance under the gray-white sky, and the fields on both sides were covered with a thin layer of snow, like a light gray velvet carpet.

He was driving, his mind preoccupied with the matter of Wen Gang's equipment.

If the equipment arrives on time, Wenshan Steel will be able to fully restore its production capacity by the beginning of next year, at which time Wenshan's reform achievements will be added to the list of solid figures.

He recalled what Wang Rucheng had said, Zhao Anbang's instructions, the sincerity in Qian Huiren's tone when she called that day, and Zhong Xiaoai's figure waiting for him to come home every night on the living room sofa.

The car was moving at a moderate speed, smoothly driving forward on the snow-covered highway.

The snow was still falling outside the window, fine and quiet, covering the fields, villages, and the faint outline of distant mountains.