Chapter 2

i Zheng's voice: "Well! You're quite handsome, young man. Who are you Do you have a girlfriend Well now, finally we have a young one here. Smell this office, what kind of smell do these two old fellas...Today, the hall convened a general meeting of cadres. Deputy Director Wang from the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department led the team to announce the appointment of the new director. 。The former Director reached retirement, and Deputy Director Zhang assumed the position. 。The deputy director was formerly the office director, and he was promoted to deputy director several years ago, ranking last. 。This time, Mu Hua, who was originally the deputy director and concurrently the deputy secretary, has unexpectedly become the director. 。Whispers arose from the audience. The various department heads in the office seemed to have known about this all along. After all, Zhang Xinyue was the veteran head of the office, and he was always open and generous with his words, even more so now. 。Wen Yanqi pushed open Zhang Xinyue's office door holding a report. Zhang, the director, looked up and said, "Hello, Xiao Wen." Wen Yanqi smiled and bent over slightly, hurriedly greeting the director and presenting the report. 。Zhan Xinyue leaned back in her chair, flipping through the materials and occasionally picking up a pen to sketch a few lines. 。After a long pause, he put down the file, nodded and said, "Okay! Print it out. Have Zhenggang contact Governor Jin's secretary to see when they are available. We will go there as soon as possible to report." 。"Having said that, he looked at Wen Yanqi and said again, "Little Wen, come sit down."" 。Wen Yanqi lightly hopped onto the chair. 。The Head of the Chapter took a sip from his teacup, Wen Yanqi stood up to refill it. The Head of the Chapter accepted the cup and asked, "How have things been lately"Wen Yanqi said, "Not bad, not bad. The Secretariat has a new secretary named Li Zheng..." 。"The hall master looked out the window and said, 'Oh, how is it going'"Wen Yanqi said: "It's looking good. I talked to Yu Xin and we agreed that he should get familiar with the work as soon as possible and start using it." 。“Come on, hurry up! If we had trained you the way we did back then, you'd be right by my side.” 。The director's words seemed to have other meanings, and they resembled jokes made by Director Yu. Wen Qi was unsure how to respond. He couldn't afford to make light of the director, so he could only chuckle awkwardly and feign ignorance. 。Just as he was speaking, Yu Zhenggang strolled in, shaking droplets of water from his hair, and sat on the sofa, saying: "Divide the tasks among him, you still need to keep a close watch!"Wen Yanqi nodded in agreement. 。Yu Zhenggang took out a cigarette and lit one for Zhang Tingchang, then lit one for himself and asked Wen Yanqi if he wanted to smoke. Wen Yanqi could only say that he was still learning. 。Yu Zhenggang threw a lighter to Wen Yanci and smiled, "There's nothing to learn here, just light it up." 。After saying that, he leaned back on the sofa, speechless for a moment. 。Wen Yan, seeing the strange look on Qi Jian's face, feigned illness and left. 。On weekends, Wen Yanqi would habitually come to the office, turn on his computer. Recently, it just so happened that there was a lull in meetings, with summaries of the recent ones completed. At the start of the second half of the year, it was a rare time of leisure. 。Wen Yan inexplicably has been growing accustomed to spending more time in the office lately. Even after work, he would linger for a while. On weekends, he'd find himself unconsciously drawn back as well. Sometimes, even he would be confused and forget what day it was. He'd turn on his computer but find nothing to do. As he sat there lost in thought, his phone suddenly rang. 。"At a glance, it was Liu Shaogang's phone call. He answered it immediately. On the other end of the line, Liu Shaogang said, 'Leader, are you still working overtime on weekends' Wen Yanqi replied, 'Damn leader, even if nothing is happening, you can't always work overtime.'" 。,"Liu Shaogang said, “It’s fine, call up Wang Ning and go for a walk. You wait here, I’ll come pick you up.” 。Liu Shaogang and Wang Ning were childhood friends of Wen Yanqi and also worked in Mingdu. 。Liu Shaogang was doing work in the hospital that wasn't related to being a doctor. He was constantly on the phone, either putting out fires or handling minor affairs. 。As soon as the two met, Liu Shaogang received two calls and began pointing this way and that. 。Wen Yan said with a hint of sarcasm, “Liu Zong, you don't have to worry about it. It's the weekend, isn't it Just turn it off.”

Liu Shaogang replied, “Turn it off Even if you turn it off for me to see, it would be bothersome. But speaking of which, wouldn't it be even more bothersome if there were no calls”

"What do you mean by that"

Liu Shaogang said, "When you have many calls, the more people who remember you, the better. When you turn off your phone, your superiors can't find you. Others will have to do the work, but you'll be held accountable. Your superiors will remember this, and that's called not being politically savvy>>> 。"I feel uncomfortable when I'm busy, and even more uncomfortable when I'm free. It's just a few phone calls, so make them." 。Wen Yan chuckled and leaned back against the chair, as if talking to herself, "My heart jumped when I heard my phone ring. I didn't know what kind of message would come through on the other end. Actually, there was nothing special about it. It was either a request for materials or an invitation to return to the office." 。Since nothing's happening, I'll just stay in the office for a while longer. That way, no one will come looking for me. Logically, after all these years, I should be used to it, but hearing my phone still startles me. I set it to vibrate, but every time, I can still hear it. 。“You’re crazy!” Liu Shaogang laughed. The two met Wang Ning at Nanjing Agricultural University. 。Liu Shaogang was driving, but he kept muttering, "The roads are so much better these days, but the speed limits keep getting stricter and stricter. Look at this road, with so few cars, why do they have a 60 km/h limit in some areas It's ridiculous! Driving at such low speeds makes me sleepy, isn't that more dangerous The traffic police only care about fines. I heard that the building of the Public Security Bureau was built with money from the Traffic Police Corps. So, by now, all my fines must have contributed to a lot of tiles on that building." 。"It's fine, they gave me an invoice anyway," Wang Ning said slowly. Liu Shaogang laughed and replied, "Even with an invoice, I'm the one reporting it myself. It's just from my left pocket to my right pocket, isn't that just a lonely effort"Wang Ning said: “Shaogang always gets anxious about everything. When we come out to play, don’t get anxious. Besides, it’s better to take it slow. If you can’t handle it, just stop. It’s limited speed anyway. This Lanxi Valley has been planned well in recent years. Let’s take a walk. We rarely come to the countryside, and the scenery is all along the way." 。Wen Yanqi said, "That's right. Spending all day in Mingdu is either the office or meeting rooms." 。"Here's fine, Mr. Liu, stop the car. Let's get out for a walk and let those cameras wait for you." 。The three of them got out of the car and walked towards the path beside it. Wen Yanqi circled around the dust, trying his best to walk on the grass. However, Wang Ning said that Wen Yanqi was no longer a person who enjoyed worldly pleasures, and he jumped straight over it. 。Avoiding the small path, we passed through a grove of trees. Ahead lay a hillside covered in lush green grass, with several springs bubbling gently. The morning mist had yet to dissipate, and a few cows grazed leisurely, lifting their heads to glance at the three of us, wagging their tails before drooping them again lazily. A breeze blew past, bringing a touch of coolness, a stark contrast to the sweltering heat of Mingdu. 。The three of them unconsciously slowed their pace, and for a moment, no one spoke. 。Continuing forward, we discovered a winding stream flowing gently. Several ponds were nestled among the reeds, and clouds occasionally obscured the sun, creating glimpses of sunlight and shadow. 。Wang Ning sat on the stone beside him, leisurely saying: "The same clouds and lake water, placed here seem so relaxed and carefree, but in Mingdu they rush by like a whirlwind. Even the sound of the water seems louder, as if it wants to compete with you for time. Seeing this, I even feel lazy myself." 。Wen Yanqi patted the dust off his trousers and agreed, "It's all about mindset. When people are rushing forward, who cares about the scenery" 。As the mind goes, so does the landscape. 。Some people strive to embellish their lives, while others embrace a simple and tranquil existence. The most dazzling brilliance will ultimately return to serenity. 。Like Tao Yuanming, so simple and honest, not bending for five buckets of rice, there aren't many who retreat to the countryside. But sometimes when I see such scenery, I think, isn't a life in the countryside better Who would you have to compete with, who would you have to fight for In reality, it's all just yourself that you're vying against. 。But Zhenzhen made concessions, moved away, yet couldn't bear to let go of that heart. 。After all, he is just an ordinary person. 。Liu Shaogang said: "Places like this are becoming rarer and rarer. The last time I came, the scenery was still intact. Next time I come, who knows what it will become Maybe a fish pond, maybe a farmhouse with some wooden signs and strings of chili peppers and corn. As soon as a car from Mingdu arrives, it suddenly becomes a resort destination." 。Fortunately, Yan Qi is still an ordinary person after all. If he really decided to retire, he'd have to hurry up. Good places aren't easy to come by. 。Wen Yan laughed and said, "Where do I have that kind of luck!" Wang Ning had been sitting by the water, staring blankly, occasionally raising a parasol to look into the distance. The two of them beckoned Wang Ning back, but the downhill path seemed to get hotter the further they walked. They didn't realize that their shirts were already soaked with sweat. 。Entering the valley, one could faintly see a courtyard with white walls and gray tiles in the distance. 。Liu Shaogang then went on to say... 。Gradually walking closer, Wen Yan curiously said, “What place is this It's different from other farmhouses,” Liu Shaogang smiled and said, "This isn't a farmhouse resort, and the food isn't fake farm-style cuisine" 。"My friend used to work in the provincial government office, but later he saw through the worldly affairs and retired to the countryside. Opening this shop is purely for his own amusement." 。As they were speaking, they saw dozens of pear trees scattered about, their pear blossoms in full bloom. A path of small pebbles curved its way through them. 。It looked especially quiet, the gate slightly ajar, with the words "Guanyuan" inscribed above it. 。A tall middle-aged man stood at the door, greeting Liu Shaogang. 。Liu Shaogang pointed at Wen Yanci and Wang Ning, introducing, "Wen Yanci and Wang Ning, I've told you about them before..." 。“Of course, of course! Shao Gang has mentioned it many times.” 。Liu Shaogang then said to Wen Yanqi and Wang Ning, "Tan Yuan, Mr. Tan," Wen Yanqi hurriedly reached out and shook hands with 。Tan Yuan laughed and said, "Shaogang is just joking. Where's the General Tan Hiding in the mountains to make a living." 。"Wen Yanqi replied, "Tan Zong is being too humble. Nowadays, in the city, it's called 'making a living.' In the mountains, we pick and choose what to eat." 。"Tan Yuan laughed heartily, inviting the guests in." 。t's overused, even among peers or when villagers inform their village chiefs about matters. With local finances strained, there are more trips to provincial government offices seeking funds. They men...