The three months of training time seemed to pass by in a flash, but it was as fulfilling as a season of ploughing in the fertile soil of knowledge. Immersed in the ocean of knowledge every day, the collision of thoughts and the nourishment of theories make me feel that time passes quickly and every day is filled to the brim.
During this period, in addition to the time I accompanied Xiaomei back home, I also went back home on Xixi's birthday to accompany my daughter on an important day in her growth.
At the end of the training, I was awarded the title of "Outstanding Student" for my outstanding performance. This honor may seem like just a certificate or a false name, but it actually plays a vital role in my future career advancement.
On the first day of work back in the development zone, I had just sat down at my desk when I heard a knock on the door. I subconsciously guessed that it was probably the office director Xiong Jifei who came to report on his work and show his loyalty. So I raised my voice and shouted, "Come in!"
The door slowly opened, and the person who appeared in front of me surprised me. It was Chen Mengzhao! I stood up in surprise, subconsciously took a few steps forward, and blurted out: "Reporter Shen, why are you here? Do you have an interview assignment?"
The corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a sly smile, and said: "Please don't call me reporter Shen anymore, you should call me Secretary Shen. Oh, no, you are the secretary, I should be the deputy secretary of the working committee now."
I was stunned on the spot for a moment. My hand that I stretched out to shake hands was suspended in mid-air for a moment, not knowing whether to move forward or backward. The situation was a bit awkward. She was very calm and took the initiative to reach out her hand, gently shook my hand, and said, "Why? Don't you welcome me?"
I ignored her joke and turned to the door and shouted, "Xiong Jifei!"
Xiong Jifei ran all the way and rushed into my office quickly. Before he could stand still, I pointed at Chen Mengzhao and asked, "What's wrong with her?"
Xiong Jifei hurriedly explained: "Oh, reporter Shen was sent by the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department to take up a temporary post. He is now the deputy secretary of the Development Zone Working Committee, in charge of party building, publicity and organization work."
Hearing this, I slammed the table and shouted angrily, "Such a big thing has happened. The situation is about to change. Why didn't you even call me? You just let me stay in the dark?"
Xiong Jifei looked embarrassed and stammered, "You said that before you went to the provincial party school, and we'll talk about family matters when you come back. And... Secretary Shen, oh no, Deputy Secretary Shen also didn't let me tell you in advance."
I glanced at Shen Mengzhao, who was watching leisurely and coldly, and suppressed my anger, and said to Xiong Jifei: "Secretary Shen is here, has the welcoming banquet been held?"
Xiong Jifei quickly replied: "No, not yet. Since you were not here, the ceremony has never been held."
I nodded and ordered unhappily, "Tonight at 5:30, we'll have mutton hotpot at the restaurant your wife runs to welcome Secretary Shen. None of the team members will be present."
Xiong Jifei smiled and answered straightforwardly, "Yes!"
I looked towards Chen Mengzhao and saw a faint smile on her lips, watching my series of "performances" with great interest. I asked her out of the blue, "Do you like spicy food?"
She frowned slightly, thought for a moment and said, "A little bit, a little spicy is still acceptable."
I immediately turned to Xiong Jifei and said, "Tell your wife to use the spiciest soup base in Chongqing."
Xiong Jifei hesitated for a moment, but quickly responded: "Yes, I'll call now."
I waved my hand and continued, "Don't worry, it seems that Secretary Shen has work to report to me. Go get a notebook and come over to make a record."
After hearing this, Xiong Jifei turned around and ran out quickly, leaving Shen Mengzhao and I in the office. The atmosphere was subtle and tense.
I forced a smile on my face and said as calmly as possible: "Secretary Shen, please sit down."
She sat down calmly without any hesitation, staring straight into my eyes, and said slowly, "I came here just to give you a brief update. There's nothing serious to report. Do you think it's necessary to take minutes of the meeting?"
I waved my hands, looking serious and responding solemnly: "That won't do. As the saying goes, one person's actions are for personal gain, and the other person's actions are for the public good. What's the big deal about us talking privately behind closed doors? If it gets out, people will inevitably gossip about it, which will have a very bad impact."
As he was speaking, Xiong Jifei hurried back with a notebook in his arms. He sat down respectfully on the sofa with his back straight.
I coughed lightly, cleared my throat, and said, “Secretary Shen, please feel free to say anything.”
She nodded slightly, her tone calm: "Then I'll be frank. If I've offended you in any way, please forgive me, Secretary Guan."
I raised my hand in a pretentious manner and replied, "Speak freely, there is no guilt in speaking, you don't have to worry."
She sat up straight, her expression serious. "First of all, I want to make some suggestions to Secretary Guan. Take what happened just now as an example. It is not difficult to see that you have always been paternalistic, arbitrary and authoritarian. This runs counter to the lively and happy democratic style that our party has always adhered to. Director Xiong is the director of the general office of the Party Working Committee and the Management Committee, not your personal housekeeper. I sincerely hope that you will treat your comrades with more kindness, more patience and less toughness in the future."
Hearing this merciless accusation, I caught a glimpse of Xiong Jifei's eyes widening instantly, with disbelief written all over his face. The hand holding the pen stopped in mid-air, and he completely forgot to record.
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