Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

The next morning, Li Dakang arrived at the Guangming District Petition Office with only his secretary, Xiao Jin, and a small entourage, without notifying anyone. He didn't go in directly, but stood not far from the entrance of the lobby, observing with a blank expression.

The scene before my eyes was almost exactly the same as what Xingzhi had imitated last night: in front of several low windows, people who came to handle matters or report problems were either bending over or standing on tiptoe, struggling to stick their heads and upper bodies into the windows, their postures awkward and laborious.

Most of the staff inside the window were sitting, some busy with their heads down, some drinking water and reading newspapers, and occasionally someone would talk to the crowd outside through the glass. Their voices came out through the loudspeaker, carrying a businesslike indifference and a hint of impatience.

Li Dakang's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, his anger rising like a volcano about to erupt. But he took a few deep breaths and forcefully suppressed his rage.

Li Dakang did not immediately lash out, but instead strode towards one of the newly opened windows.

Secretary Xiao Jin was startled and quickly followed. The staff member inside the window, seeing someone approaching, didn't even look up, but habitually knocked on the glass to indicate that they could speak.

Li Dakang didn't say anything. He went around to the back of the staff member and sat down in the empty chair.

The staff member looked up in surprise, and upon seeing the person who had entered, their face turned deathly pale. They were so startled they almost jumped out of their chairs. "Secretary Li...?"

"You go about your business," Li Dakang waved his hand, his tone indifferent. "I'll sit here and wait for someone."

The staff dared not continue their work and stood frozen in place, at a loss. The entire hall became quieter because of this small incident. Many people recognized the municipal party secretary who often appeared on television and whispered among themselves in surprise and uncertainty.

Li Dakang ignored all of this. He sat by the window, and from this angle, he could better appreciate the feeling of being superior and clearly separated. His face was expressionless, like an old monk in deep meditation.

Secretary Xiao Jin has already quietly notified the Guangming District Committee and District Government.

Not long after, Sun Liancheng, the district head of Guangming District, arrived, panting and covered in sweat. When he saw Li Dakang sitting inside the petition window, his heart skipped a beat, and he knew something was wrong.

"Secretary Li! What brings you here? If there's anything you need, just give me a call, and I'll go upstairs to report to you..." Sun Liancheng said with a smile, as he tried to walk towards the window.

Li Dakang raised his hand in a gesture of disapproval, without even turning to look at him, his gaze still fixed on the window. "No need to come in. Comrade Liancheng, you stay there, let's talk."

Sun Liancheng was taken aback, only then noticing the situation at the window. He couldn't very well bend over and peer out the window like the rest of the crowd, could he?

Sun Liancheng stood awkwardly outside the window, glanced at Li Dakang's expression, and then at the curious gazes of the surrounding crowd. He gritted his teeth and simply imitated what the crowd had done earlier, bending down slightly and bringing his face close to the window.

This position was quite uncomfortable for someone of Sun Liancheng's age and build, but he could only endure it.

"Comrade Liancheng," Li Dakang's voice came through the small window, clear and steady, "Any new ideas for the development of Guangming District recently?"

Sun Liancheng was uneasy, wondering what Li Dakang was up to. He could only bite the bullet and report, "Reporting to the Secretary, we are focusing our efforts on attracting investment, especially the major projects at Guangming Peak..."

"Projects are important," Li Dakang interrupted Sun Liancheng, "but more importantly, what is the purpose of our economic development? If GDP goes up and fiscal revenue increases, where will the money ultimately go?"

"This...of course, is to improve people's livelihoods and raise the living standards of ordinary people," Sun Liancheng quickly replied.

"That's right." Li Dakang nodded. "Improving people's livelihoods and raising their living standards shouldn't just be lip service or written in reports. It needs to be reflected in every little detail. For example, when people come to the government to handle matters, is it convenient? Is it smooth? Are they happy and satisfied?"

Sun Liancheng bent even lower, sweat beading on his forehead. "The secretary is right, we've been emphasizing service awareness..."

"A service-oriented mindset isn't something you emphasize; it's something you demonstrate." Li Dakang's tone remained calm. "I often say that we must be willing to serve the people like an ox. This humility doesn't mean looking down from a high position; it means truly bending down, settling down, and thinking about and solving problems from the perspective of ordinary people. Comrade Liancheng, have you ever experienced the feelings of ordinary people when they come to us for help?"

Sun Liancheng was in that position at the moment, his back aching and his face burning. He understood; Li Dakang had come today to give him a taste of what was to come.

Li Dakang didn't dwell on the window issue. Instead, he started chatting with Sun Liancheng about specific livelihood issues such as the renovation of old residential areas in Guangming District, the management of farmers' markets, and the balanced distribution of primary and secondary school education resources. He even inquired about the handling of several long-standing petition cases.

Li Dakang's questions were specific and detailed, and his demands were clear and strict.

Sun Liancheng could only maintain that uncomfortable posture, trying his best to answer. Sweat soaked the back of his shirt, and his calves began to ache and tremble.

The surrounding crowd watched quietly. The hall was so quiet that only Li Dakang's questions, Sun Liancheng's answers, and the occasional suppressed cough could be heard.

Time passed by, minute by minute, for a full hour and a half.

Sun Liancheng felt like his waist and legs were no longer his own, and his mind was also a little dazed from bending over for so long and being so tense.

Finally, Li Dakang stopped asking questions and slowly stood up. He glanced at Sun Liancheng outside the window, who was pale and almost unable to stand, said nothing, simply straightened his suit, then turned around and, accompanied by his secretary, left the petition office hall without a word.

Only after Li Dakang's car drove away did Sun Liancheng straighten his stiff and aching back, let out a long sigh, and his face looked even worse than before.

"District Chief, are you alright?" Only then did the director of the petition office dare to approach.

Sun Liancheng waved his hand, stretched his numb legs, and pointed at the low windows with a livid face, "This... which bastard designed this?! Huh?!"

The director of the petition office said with a bitter face, "District Chief Sun, this...this was designed according to the requirements of Vice Mayor Ding Yizhen. It was said that...it was designed to improve the efficiency of petitions, so that petitioners would not stay for a long time..."

"Ding Yizhen! That corrupt official! He embezzled and took bribes and ran away to live a carefree life abroad, leaving me with such a huge mess!" Sun Liancheng cursed angrily, no longer caring about his image.

Sun Liancheng finally understood why Li Dakang had held this experiential political inquiry today.

Ding Yizhen was promoted by Li Dakang, but he is also a stain on Li Dakang's reputation. Now, the terrible design left by this stain has made Sun Liancheng, the district head, lose face in front of the municipal party secretary!

"Change it! Change it right now!" Sun Liancheng roared.

"District Chief, this...this renovation requires money, the district needs to allocate funds..." the director of the petition office said with difficulty.

"Money?" Sun Liancheng's eyes widened. "That bastard Ding Yizhen squandered almost all the district's money. Where would we find the extra budget to renovate this?!"

Sun Liancheng took a few steps in frustration, looking at the eyesores of the windows, and then recalled Li Dakang's words and the torment of the hour and a half he had endured.

Sun Liancheng knew that this matter had to be resolved quickly and cheaply.

Suddenly, Sun Liancheng stopped and said to the director of the petition office, "Here's what I'll do! Go and get it done right now! Go buy a batch of small stools! The sturdy kind! And some fruit platters, the kind you use for casual entertaining!"

The director of the petition office was taken aback. "A small stool? A fruit platter?"

"That's right!" Sun Liancheng pointed to the windows. "Put a small stool outside each window! So that people can sit and wait when they come, and talk while they sit! Put a fruit platter on the windowsill, and put some rock sugar in it! Yes, just rock sugar! It's good for cooling down and soothing the throat in the summer. People can suck on one after talking for a while! It won't cost much!"

Sun Liancheng paused, then added, "You pay for these expenses first, then give me the receipts later. I'll cover it myself; no need for district reimbursement! Understand? Go do it right now! I want to see small stools and rock candy outside every window before I leave work today!"

The director of the petition office nodded hurriedly, "Yes, District Chief! I'll take care of it right away! I guarantee it'll be done before the end of the day!"