"It's quite unfair. He's a college student, after all," Chu Lan said from the side.
Hearing Chu Lan repeatedly refer to herself as a college student, Secretary Shi's expression darkened. Then, thinking about Secretary Hao's matter—he hadn't heard a thing—he asked, "When did this happen?"
"Right now. Brother-in-law, you didn't know, did you?"
Secretary Shi said, "I'm always with Mayor Chen, so where would I get this information?"
But he had a bad feeling. Secretary Hao hadn't discussed this with Mayor Chen. What did that mean?
In his mind, Chu Hong's matter wasn't a big deal; it was just an opportunity. But Secretary Hao's attitude was a big deal. Even if he was about to retire, he could still offer his opinions to the higher-ups regarding who should succeed him. The higher-ups wouldn't listen to Secretary Hao entirely, but they would definitely consider his opinions.
"Alright, I understand."
Chu Hong didn't care what he was thinking. She felt wronged that her brother-in-law only said one thing about her, given how serious her situation was. "Brother-in-law, you can't just abandon me. I'm in a bind. Everyone in the office is ostracizing me. I don't have any important work to do, and I have to avoid any good opportunities. How will I ever get a promotion?"
Secretary Shi was currently preoccupied with Secretary Hao's matter, and hearing her still agonizing over it, she said impatiently, "So what do you want? Promotions are based on one's own abilities. Aren't you a college graduate? Get promoted through your own efforts. I've helped you to the best of my ability. What if Mayor Chen just doesn't think much of your writing skills?"
"Impossible. Why didn't Mayor Chen look down on me before?"
"That's because I've been helping you the whole time, not giving anyone else a chance," Secretary Shi explained impatiently.
Chu Hong recalled what Su Yu had said before: her brother-in-law didn't want her to write anymore. So, did Su Yu being able to write mean that her brother-in-law had given Su Yu a chance, but wasn't willing to give herself one?
She held back from asking until now, but she couldn't hold it in any longer. They hadn't helped her at all, and instead, they were trying to hinder her future.
Perhaps without her brother-in-law, she, a college graduate, would have had an even better career.
She said in a cold voice, "Brother-in-law... are you worried that I will take your place, so you are deliberately guarding against me and not letting me stand out?"
Secretary Shi opened his eyes wide and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Chu Lan said anxiously from the side, "Hong Hong, how could you say such a thing? Your brother-in-law isn't that kind of person. You should apologize to him right away."
"..." Chu Hong remained silent.
Secretary Shi laughed in exasperation, "You and I are worried you'll take my place? With your abilities?"
Hearing Secretary Shi's disdainful tone, Chu Hong couldn't hold back any longer. "What's wrong with me? I'm a college graduate, after all. I just didn't have the opportunity. Otherwise, I could have been the mayor's secretary. Brother-in-law, when you were Mayor Chen's secretary, you were just a nobody clerk, weren't you? You didn't even have the qualifications I have now."
"..." Secretary Shi was so angry he couldn't speak. He took a few deep breaths; if it weren't for the patience he'd developed over the years working with a lack of secretaries, he would have slammed his fist on the table and smashed things.
He pointed at his wife and said, "Did you hear that? This is your family's college graduate. Now that she's successful, she looks down on everyone. I helped her get into college. Now that she's graduated, she thinks she's better than everyone else, huh?"
Chu Lan quickly comforted him, "Honghong is still young and doesn't understand. Lao Shi, don't be angry with her."
"Why are you angry? I don't have that kind of power. She's a college student, how could I dare to do that?"
Chu Lan glared angrily at her younger sister, "Honghong, quickly apologize to your brother-in-law! He's been so good to you, how could you treat him like that?"
Chu Hong was starting to regret her words, not because she regretted what she had said, but because she felt she shouldn't have spoken her mind, which had led to trouble for her brother-in-law.
However, she also had her own pride. Now that she was out there, it was too late for regrets, and there was no need to repeat her mistakes.
She stood up with a stern face, picked up her bag, and said, "I'm not doing anything anymore. I'll make a name for myself from now on."
He finished and left.
"Oh Honghong, why are you leaving? We haven't finished talking yet!" Chu Lan said anxiously, her forehead covered in sweat.
"Let her go. After raising her for so many years, she's turned out to be an ingrate!" Secretary Shi roared from his seat at the table.
Chu Lan said, "Old Shi, she was just saying that in anger. Can't you help her out?"
"Help me? I'm not helping." He had just been thinking of mentioning it to the secretariat, but now it seemed pointless. It would be a waste of his connections to help an ungrateful wretch; he wasn't about to do anything foolish. "Others warned me before, but I didn't believe them. Now it seems they really are eyeing my position!"
...
Two days later, Su Yu's file was on Secretary Hao's desk.
Secretary Yan, who was watching from the side, was secretly pleased. No wonder Song hadn't helped before; he was clearly confident.
Secretary Hao glanced at it, but didn't say much. He knew Director Zhou's character well enough. The person he chose should be quite good. "Alright, this comrade is the one. Have him come over next week to hand over the reins to Yan."
Director Zhou quickly agreed and then left the office.
Secretary Hao tapped the table. "Yan, once you hand over the reins to this comrade, you can step down. Don't feel burdened; I'll still be here for a few months, and I'll have to guide you."
"I will definitely work hard and be a good cadre who works for the benefit of the people."
"Hmm." Secretary Hao smiled with satisfaction.
Secretary Hao nodded. After Director Zhou returned, he immediately informed Su Yu, telling her to prepare.
Su Yu readily agreed, saying confidently, "I will definitely not let our secretariat down."
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