Chapter 354: Reporting on Work
Shen Jiangnan heard the disappointment in Cheng Yuan’s voice and said mysteriously, "Xiaoyuan, don’t you worry. No one’s going to look down on you! Just wait and see. I guarantee I’ll get this handled for you without a hitch!"
His interest piqued, Cheng Yuan asked with a grin, "Uncle Shen, don’t keep me in suspense! How exactly are we going to solve this?"
Shen Jiangnan said with a grin, "Xiaoyuan, do you remember what Director He said? He wants to transfer one of his own people to Luocheng to serve as the City Lord. The process is already underway, so I’m sure they’ve already caught wind of it in Luocheng! As long as this new City Lord gives the word, Han Kaiyuan won’t dare to disobey."
"Uncle Shen, do you have the new City Lord’s phone number?"
"I do. Take this down: Ni Zhenjiang, phone number 130-xxxxxxxx. You can just contact him yourself."
"Thanks, Uncle Shen."
Cheng Yuan turned his head and gave Wu Xiuli a victory sign. "Mom, I found a connection. This thing with Uncle is in the bag."
Under Wu Xiuli’s disbelieving gaze, Cheng Yuan dialed Ni Zhenjiang’s number. The call connected quickly, and a puzzled voice came through, "This is Ni Zhenjiang. How did you get my personal cell number?"
"Uncle Ni, hello. This is Cheng Yuan."
Ni Zhenjiang’s voice instantly became much more enthusiastic. "Ah, Young Master Cheng! My superior already spoke with me. The whole reason I’m being promoted to Luocheng is to support you! From now on, I’m your man. Just point the way, and I’ll follow!"
Cheng Yuan’s pupils contracted slightly. ’I didn’t realize I was this important to He Hongting!’
Ni Zhenjiang was taking a very humble stance, so Cheng Yuan certainly wasn’t going to act like his superior.
"Uncle Ni, you’re being too kind. You are my elder, and I am a junior. We must respect the proper order of things!"
Ni Zhenjiang was in a great mood after Cheng Yuan showed him so much respect. He proactively asked, "Young Master Cheng, is there something you called me about?"
"Uncle Ni, when are you coming to Luocheng? I’d like to throw you a welcome dinner!"
"I’ve already arrived in Luocheng. My colleagues are throwing a welcome banquet for me. I was wondering if Young Master Cheng would be willing to grace us with his presence?"
"I think I’ll pass. I feel a bit out of place eating with you leaders—too many formalities! By the way, Uncle Ni, my uncle, Wu Renqing, currently works at the Construction Bureau. He’s a section chief, and his qualifications are all in order. He’s hoping to contribute more to the development of our Dragon Country."
"Wu Renqing from the Construction Bureau, right? I’ve made a note of it."
"Then thank you, Uncle Ni!"
Cheng Yuan hung up and gave Wu Xiuli an "OK" sign. "Mom, it’s handled! With this next round of promotions, Uncle is sure to move up. I’m going to tell Aunt the good news right now!"
Wu Xiuli quickly grabbed Cheng Yuan. "Xiaoyuan, you’re too naive! You can’t tell them yet. It’s fine if it works out, but what if it falls through? How would you explain that? You could turn a good deed into a disaster, and your aunt would end up blaming you."
"Alright, then."
...
「Construction Bureau.」
Wu Renqing waited apprehensively outside Deputy Director Niu Jishui’s office to be seen.
A few days ago, for some unknown reason, Director Gao was suddenly transferred to the Tourism Bureau. Anyone could see that this was a demotion.
The various deputy directors were all vying for the director’s throne, each displaying their own Divine Techniques.
Over the past few days, rumors had been circulating in the Construction Bureau that Deputy Director Niu’s chances were the best and that he was the most likely candidate for the next Director.
As a result, many people were lining up to "report on their work" to Deputy Director Niu.
Wu Renqing had already been waiting in line for a full hour.
Finally, the colleague ahead of him came out, beaming, looking like he’d had a very fruitful meeting.
This only made Wu Renqing even more nervous.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
Wu Renqing knocked gently on the door.
"Come in."
Wu Renqing cautiously pushed the door open, closing it gently behind him. With his back slightly hunched and a fawning smile plastered on his face, he minced his way to the desk for a truly shameless display of flattery!
"Congratulations on your upcoming promotion, Director Niu! You’ve secured the Director’s seat."
A faint smile appeared on Niu Jishui’s face, but he spoke very seriously, "Old Wu, nothing’s set in stone yet. You shouldn’t speak so carelessly!"
Wu Renqing’s smile became even more fawning. He placed an envelope on the desk and pushed it toward Niu Jishui.
"Director, I came to report on my work. These are the work materials I prepared. Please, take a look."
Niu Jishui pinched the envelope. He was quite satisfied with the "work materials" Wu Renqing had prepared, but he couldn’t accept it.
Wu Renqing had often boasted about his great relationship with Mei Xing’an, and that was a bit of an issue.
Before Director Gao was transferred, Mei Xing’an had always gone directly to Director Gao for business, never giving him, the deputy director, a second thought.
He never even saw so much as a piece of fruit during the holidays!
This really pissed Niu Jishui off!
And now, Niu Jishui finally had his chance!
Niu Jishui had already decided: as soon as he secured the director’s seat, he would launch a strict investigation into Xing’an Group! If any problems were found, they would be dealt with severely! There would be no mercy!
Niu Jishui asked with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, "Old Wu, I hear you have a good relationship with President Mei of Xing’an Group?"
Wu Renqing, unaware of the conflict between Niu Jishui and Mei Xing’an, decided to use the connection to his advantage. "President Mei and I are as thick as thieves. If Director Niu ever has any real estate needs, just come to me. I can get you a 40% discount!"
Hearing this only made Niu Jishui even more pissed off.
When he was buying a house for his son in a good school district, Mei Xing’an had been a total miser, insisting that a 5% discount was the absolute lowest he could go!
And yet, Wu Renqing could get a 40% discount?
Heh...
With a cold expression, Niu Jishui pushed the envelope back. "Old Wu, since your relationship with Mei Xing’an is so good, why bother coming to report your work to me? You should know, Mei Xing’an has never once come to report his work to me."
WHOOSH!
Wu Renqing’s face went deathly pale. He knew his attempt at flattery had just backfired spectacularly.
’Oh god! How am I going to fix this?!’
Wu Renqing forced an awkward laugh. "Director Niu, I truly want to rally behind you, to accept your leadership, and to carry out your instructions to the letter. I hope you..."
Before he could finish, Niu Jishui cut him off mercilessly.
"Old Wu, don’t bother with pledges of loyalty. I only care about actions. I’ll... give your matter some consideration. You can go back now."
Wu Renqing’s expression froze. ’Did I just try to be clever and end up shooting myself in the foot?’
Not only had he failed to seize the opportunity, but he had also accidentally offended Niu Jishui!
’Once Niu Jishui takes power, is he going to purge me?’
But there was nothing Wu Renqing could do. He could only turn and leave the office, utterly dejected.
Niu Jishui shot an icy glare at Wu Renqing’s retreating back. In his mind, he had already signed Wu Renqing’s death warrant.
Suddenly, Niu Jishui’s phone rang. He grabbed it, looked at the screen, and his expression instantly became fawning!
The call was from Wang Kai, the secretary of the new City Lord, Ni Zhenjiang.
"Secretary Wang, what are your instructions?"
"Director Niu, my superior asked me to inquire... do you have a colleague at the Construction Bureau by the name of Wu Renqing?"
Niu Jishui’s mind reeled. He knew perfectly well that Wang Kai wasn’t just asking for no reason. Wu Renqing had caught the attention of the higher-ups!
’He’s about to take off!’
He had to salvage his relationship with Wu Renqing!
Without a moment’s hesitation, Niu Jishui began to sing Wu Renqing’s praises, as if he wasn’t the same person who had just been giving him the bureaucratic runaround!
"Secretary Wang, Wu Renqing is an incredibly diligent colleague. I think very highly of him! Colleague Wu Renqing is absolutely someone worth investing in and developing!"
"Good. I will report this to my superior exactly as you’ve said."