Me! A high-ranking official!

It was almost lunchtime.

"Come on, come on, I'm so thirsty from talking." Zhao Jianguo put his arm around Liu Tao's shoulder and pointed outside: "There's a famous old-established mutton stew noodle shop on the street corner up ahead. It's on me. Let's eat and chat, and then we'll go find the landlord to sign the contract this afternoon..."

After finishing two bowls of mutton stew noodles, the heat of May made Zhao Jianguo's forehead covered in fine sweat. Liu Tao wiped her mouth haphazardly with a greasy tissue and was about to take out her phone to pay when Zhao Jianguo's phone suddenly vibrated as if it had gone crazy.

When I took it out, the screen displayed the name Guo Huaixing.

His brows furrowed instantly. He was now a marginalized figure, suspended from his post, burdened with a serious illness and a cuckold scandal. The next step would basically be dismissal from his public office. At this critical juncture, the government office director personally called. What was the difference between this and a death warrant? Had the county issued a notice regarding his punishment?

Although I now have more than 20 million yuan in my pocket and have long since become indifferent to this humiliating job that pays only 5,000 yuan a month, I have been a beast of burden in this compound for five years. When the moment comes that I am about to be kicked out, I still feel a bit choked up.

He took a breath and swiped to answer the call: "Director Guo."

"Jianguo, where are you?" Guo Huaixing's voice was unusually low on the other end of the line, revealing no emotion.

"Hey, sir, did you get the disciplinary action results for eating out in the old town area?"

On the other end of the phone, Guo Huaixing chuckled lightly: "Discipline what? It's a good thing. Go back to the office right now, and you'll know when you get back."

After saying that, without giving Zhao Jianguo a chance to ask any further questions, the phone slammed down.

He held up his phone, completely bewildered. Good news? What good news could a suspended clerk with AIDS and syphilis possibly have?

Although he had some doubts, he still turned to Liu Tao and greeted her: "Taozi, there's an urgent matter at work that requires me to go back. You can talk to the landlord about the shop this afternoon. Money is always available."

After saying that, he got on his half-new, half-old electric scooter and headed towards the county government compound under the blazing sun.

Back on the familiar seventh-floor corridor, Zhao Jianguo keenly sensed something amiss. The compound was unusually quiet today, a quietness that carried an eerie chill. The doors to the large offices outside were wide open, and the desks inside were empty. Even the old hands who usually liked to chat idly by the water dispenser were nowhere to be seen.

Only in the director's office at the end of the corridor, the air conditioning blew out from the half-open door, and the rhythmic sound of keyboard typing could be heard from inside.

He walked over and gently knocked twice on the door frame.

"Enter."

He pushed the door open and entered. Guo Huaixing was staring at the computer screen. Hearing the noise, he looked up and saw that it was Zhao Jianguo. Guo Huaixing immediately moved away from the keyboard and leaned back in the large boss's chair. His usually stern face actually managed to squeeze out a friendly expression.

"Jianguo's here, have a seat." Guo Huaixing pointed to the guest sofa opposite.

He was flattered and stood there stunned, even wondering if he had misheard. He had worked diligently in the government office for five years, writing materials day and night. Guo Huaixing had indeed treated him well, but that was the kind of good treatment a superior gives to a useful tool. When had he ever offered him a seat on the sofa?

He hesitated for a moment, then walked to the sofa and sat down, half of his buttocks touching the cushion. He sneered inwardly: Since things have come to this point, those with nothing to lose are not afraid of those with shoes on, so what else is there to care about!

Guo Huaixing opened the drawer, took out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, pulled one out and handed it over. He waved his hand, pointed to his body, indicating that he had quit.

Guo Huaixing wasn't embarrassed. He lit his own cigarette, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "Jianguo, I'm sorry to have troubled you these past few days."

Through the smoke, Guo Huaixing's tone revealed a deep sincerity characteristic of a leader.

He remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"Regarding your illness, the organization has investigated and clarified through various channels that it was Xu Qingqing's improper lifestyle and immoral private life that led to your passive infection." Guo Huaixing flicked his cigarette ash. "This point is clear. You are the victim. Although you contracted this disease, since you have no subjective fault, you naturally do not need to bear any disciplinary responsibility."

Hearing this, he nodded secretly. He had guessed this might be the result on the way here, but when the director actually said it, he finally felt relieved.

Although he is now wealthy, this official, clean record is extremely important to him. It is the foundation for his future conduct in society, and also a deep-seated attachment to his position within the system since childhood: "Thank you, Director, thank you for the organization's trust! I will definitely work hard and never let you down..."

"Hey, don't rush to express your opinion." Guo Huaixing raised his hand and pressed it down slightly, interrupting his pre-argued remarks.

The real drama is about to begin. He looked at Guo Huaixing, waiting for his next words!

"Although the nature of the matter has been clarified, but the founding of the nation..." Guo Huaixing leaned forward, forcefully stubbed out his half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray, making a harsh scraping sound. "You know better than I do that this place is a central hub, too sensitive. Every day you're dealing with county leaders, foreign guests, and classified documents. With your health condition, it's really not suitable for you to stay here any longer."

His heart tightened. Sure enough, this was a slap followed by a sweet treat; they were looking for an excuse to kick him out of the government office.

But Guo Huaixing changed the subject again, his tone suddenly becoming earnest: "But! This time you put aside your own family and made a real-name report against Cao Wenting, which is a great achievement. In addition, the organization has seen how diligently and hardworking you have worked in the government office for the past five years, and how many all-nighters you have stayed up. We can't let our comrades who have shed blood and sweat shed tears again."

Guo Huaixing picked up his teacup, blew on the goji berries floating on top, took a sip, and then slowly revealed his trump card: "Therefore, after deliberation by the county leaders, it has been decided to transfer you from the government office to the county culture and tourism bureau to serve as the deputy head of the industrial development section."

He was stunned on the spot, his mind racing.

Transferred to the Culture and Tourism Bureau? What kind of place is Linshui County? It's located on the vast North China Plain, with no famous mountains or rivers, and not even a notable former residence of a historical figure. In other places, the Culture and Tourism Bureau might be a big spender and a prestigious government office, but in Linshui County, it's a veritable cold palace! The county's annual work report doesn't even mention the development of culture and tourism.

Throwing him over there is basically announcing the end of his career and sending him to sit on the sidelines and retire.

But... the deputy section chief?!

I got promoted?!