Throughout the whole process, I seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, completely immersed in this mysterious and luxurious atmosphere.
After exiting the elevator, the view suddenly opens up. A towering double-eaved gate stands proudly. Above the door lintel, four glittering gold-plated characters - "Dragon Courtyard and Crane Shadow" - demonstrate its extraordinary demeanor.
The couplets on both sides, "Clouds rise from where the dragon rises, the pool reflects the moon in the courtyard", are written with vigorous brushstrokes, and the words seem to contain endless poetry and Zen.
Amid the mist, a strong scent of royal gardens wafted over, as if one had instantly traveled back to the prosperous ancient palace.
At this moment, a beautiful lady in an exquisite cheongsam walked out as if from a painting, with a graceful figure and light lotus steps, slowly approaching. She bowed slightly and saluted Yue Mingyuan and me. Her movements were extremely graceful, and her voice was as clear and pleasant as a nightingale: "Welcome Mr. Feng and the distinguished guests."
These brief words, in this quaint environment, are like the finishing touch, making the whole atmosphere more solemn yet warm, making people feel at home.
Yue Mingyuan nodded slightly, with a questioning look in his eyes: "Have the guests arrived?"
The beautiful lady in the cheongsam responded softly, "The guests from the Securities Regulatory Commission have not arrived yet, but Director Hu has arrived early."
After saying that, she turned around gracefully, swaying her waist, and led the way in front like catkins in the wind. Yue Mingyuan and I followed closely behind her and were led by her into an elegant private room named after the hexagram "Di Shan Qian" in the Book of Changes.
When you push open the door, the first thing that comes into view is an exquisite folding screen with gold-threaded and colored silk, on which is delicately painted a detail of "Night Banquet of Han Xizai". Every stroke is lifelike, as if bringing you into the bustling scene of that night banquet.
Walking around the screen, a strong breath of ancient charm hits you in the face, and the ancient Chinese-style decoration shows elegance and solemnity.
At this moment, a man with elegant temperament has stood up from his seat, smiling, bowing slightly, and greeting us with elegant gestures.
I looked closely and found that the person waiting here was Hu Haiyang, the younger brother of Hu Haitao, the propaganda minister of the county party committee, and the director of the High-tech Development and Industrialization Department of the Provincial Science and Technology Department.
Yue Mingyuan laughed heartily and said, "Sorry for keeping Director Hu waiting."
Hu Haiyang responded enthusiastically: "When President Feng called me, I rushed here as fast as I could, so as not to make my brother Hongjun wait any longer."
Yue Mingyuan patted my shoulder gently and said jokingly, "We are old friends, why are you still being so reserved?"
I quickly stepped forward to shake hands with Hu Haiyang, smiling with surprise: "I didn't expect to see Brother Hu here, it's really a pleasant surprise."
Hu Haiyang looked familiar and said, "I am a frequent visitor here. Today, Mr. Feng has someone from above to accompany him. He was afraid that he would neglect you, so he specially arranged for me to come and accompany you."
Yue Mingyuan continued, "You are from the same hometown, and you are old friends. Have some fun here today and relax. I have to go greet some leaders from the CSRC."
He paused for a moment, coughed, and then said, "Hongjun, you are going to lose this time."
I understood clearly that he was referring to the listing of Daxun Group.
I smiled along and said modestly, "Boss Feng is very capable, and we are convinced of our defeat."
Yue Mingyuan laughed: "Okay, you two brothers can chat about the past. I'll be leaving now. It's no good having good wine without beautiful women. Lu Yuting will come over later. This game of wine, sex and fragrance will be more interesting."
After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Hu Haiyang and I in the private room.
As soon as Yue Mingyuan left, Hu Haiyang enthusiastically took my hand and led me to sit at the dining table.
His expression showed a kind of intimacy of meeting after a long separation, and he said with a smile: "Brother Hongjun, it's been a long time since we went to the Provincial University of Technology together last time."
I nodded slightly, feeling the vicissitudes of time in my heart: "Brother, are you all right?"
The corners of his mouth curled up into a self-deprecating smile: "Alas, life is just hard work, and there is happiness in the hardship."
I couldn't help but reveal a trace of concern: "Brother, you come from a prestigious school and were selected. According to common sense, your career should be smoother and your position should be higher. How come you are still a director now?"
He patted my hand gently and said in a serious tone: "In this officialdom, there is no one in the court. Even if you have great ability, it is useless. Unlike you, you have already sat in this position at a young age. Back then, I relied on my seniority and worked hard until I was forty years old before I was promoted to deputy director."
As he spoke, a trace of bitterness could not help but well up in his eyes, a deep feeling for the injustice in the workplace, mixed with an indescribable indignation.
I couldn't help but feel sympathy, looking at his eyes full of vicissitudes and his prematurely graying temples, as if I could see through the unknown bitterness and struggle deep in his heart.
Ups and downs in the officialdom, everyone is working hard for that little bit of hope. He clings to Yue Mingyuan, just looking for that ray of hope in despair, and regards anything he grabs as a life-saving straw.
I asked softly, "Boss Feng, don't you want to help you?"
Hearing this, he lowered his voice as if afraid of being heard: "Brother, although I am the director, you know that the Science and Technology Department is not like those powerful departments and bureaus. I don't have the capital to sell myself. But he has helped me a lot. For example, the last time my brother was promoted to the Standing Committee, it was all Mr. Feng who worked hard behind the scenes."
His words, like clearing away the fog, solved a mystery that had been perplexing me. At that time, I wondered how Hu Haiyang, a small director who seemed to have no prominent power, helped his brother to become a member of the Standing Committee.
Now the mystery has been solved. It turns out that Yue Mingyuan was silently supporting him behind the scenes. I can't help but have a deeper understanding of the intricate web of relationships in officialdom.
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