Chapter 225

Because Zhang Ju was in the car, Li Shanshan also sat quietly the whole time, occasionally stealing a sideways glance at Zhao Desan. Her heart, already inclined toward him, was wide open, waiting for his capture.

Upon arriving at the Coal Building and getting out, Li Shanshan and Zhao Desan followed Zhang Ju into the Coal Hotel, one on her left and one on her right. This posture was just like Zhang Ailing's right-hand men.

The auditorium was already decked out in festive decorations, with banners and well-wishes for the New Year's party hung up. In the front row of reserved seats, nameplates for the various leaders were placed on the tables. Zhang Ailing found her seat, slightly toward the middle, and sat down. Zhao Desan and Li Shanshan sat together in the row behind her.

The main crowd had not yet arrived, and the auditorium was empty, so Zhang Ju turned around to chat with Zhao Desan and Li Shanshan.

After a moment, Wang Anguo walked over with a smile to Zhang Ju's right, sat down with one seat between them, and chuckled, "Zhang Ju, you've arrived early."

"Mm, Old Wang, what did you go out to handle this morning? It seems you weren't at the Bureau," Zhang Ailing asked with a faint smile.

"Oh, I had a little matter at home. I didn't give you a heads-up, Zhang Ju, my apologies," Wang Anguo said with a chuckle.

"It's fine. Regardless, you are a Deputy Bureau Chief; there's no need to report such a small matter," Zhang Ailing said with a light laugh, then turned to instruct Li Shanshan: "Xiao Li, go pour a glass of water for me and Deputy Bureau Chief Wang."

"Understood." Li Shanshan stood up to go pour the water.

Wang Anguo turned his head, saw Zhao Desan, and said with a kindly smile, "Yo, Xiao Zhao, you've arrived early too. Have the other staff from the Bureau not come yet?"

Zhang Ailing said, "The car couldn't fit everyone, so Xiao Zhao came in my car."

"Oh." Wang Anguo's fleshy face was piled with a hypocritical smile. He turned to Zhao Desan and said, "Xiao Zhao, your treatment is quite good, riding in Zhang Ju's private car now. Since Zhang Ju thinks so highly of you, you must work hard and perform well."

Zhao Desan smiled obsequiously and nodded mechanically: "You are right, Leader."

Zhang Ailing thought about the matter of transferring Zhao Desan to a different position and said, "Old Wang, I think this young man, Xiao Zhao, is quite good. He has a lot of drive in his work. Staying in the Logistics Department isn't good for his development, and the Bureau is also grooming talent. Which department do you think would be better to transfer him to?"

Wang Anguo glanced sideways at Zhao Desan, smacked his lips, and with a look of difficulty, said, "Zhang Ju, this matter is not easy to handle. You see, the staffing for every department in the Bureau is currently complete, and all are organized according to the city's prescribed personnel system. Besides, isn't Xiao Zhao doing quite well in the Logistics Department? For a young person, having more time to train and temper oneself is also good."

"That is also true." Seeing that Wang Anguo had no intention of transferring Zhao Desan, Zhang Ailing found it inconvenient to say more. She turned to Zhao Desan and said, "Xiao Zhao, then you should just continue to train in the Logistics Department for now. If you have the ability, the leaders of the Bureau will naturally consider promoting you. As Old Wang said, it does a young person no harm to train a bit; it will only benefit your future development."

From Zhang Ailing's gaze, Zhao Desan saw that she was temporarily a bit helpless, but this was not something to be rushed. As long as he relied on her, he would eventually rise to the top. Thus, he smiled lightly and said, "What Deputy Bureau Chief Wang says is correct. I am quite happy working in the Logistics Department. I will train my ability to handle affairs first, heh heh."

Wang Anguo turned back and chuckled, "Comrade Xiao Zhao has a very high level of awareness. My transferring you to the Logistics Department was precisely for this purpose. After all, although you worked very hard as a secretary, it wasn't quite suitable. Don't hold a prejudice against me just because I transferred you away."

"Leader, look at what you are saying. Your painstaking efforts are all for my own good," Zhao Desan said with a kindly, flattering smile.

Zhang Ailing was a smart person. Seeing these two appearing harmonious on the surface but surely cursing each other's ancestors in their hearts, she also had some prejudice against Wang Anguo's long-standing style. Moreover, that old guy had been coveting her position as Bureau Chief. If it weren't for her husband, Li Changping, serving as Deputy Minister of the Organization Department at the Provincial Committee, she reckoned her position would have long been snatched away by this old, cunning fox. On one hand, she helped Zhao Desan because she felt this young man was very adept at handling people and affairs, and his drinking capacity was impressive, making him suitable for the officialdom. On the other hand, this guy Zhao Desan could satisfy her lonely body and mind, bringing her pleasure. If only he could stay by her side as a personal secretary—but a female leader could not use a male secretary; she did not want to break this traditional rule of the Yuyang City officialdom.

Those who can reach the top are all shrewd people with flexible minds. Even if they are like fire and water, they appear harmonious on the surface; secret maneuvering is the true contest. Every detail and every small matter could be an opportunity for the other side to exploit. Zhao Desan had a clever mind and was very smooth in his conduct; he clearly possessed the potential to be an official. As for his official career, it would depend on how he utilized the resources in his hands and the people around him.

"Old Zhang, Old Wang, you have both arrived." A bright, masculine, and magnetic voice rang out.

Zhang Ailing and Wang Chunqing simultaneously recognized this as the voice of Deputy Mayor Yu. They hurriedly stood up, pulled back their chairs, and went to welcome him.

"Deputy Mayor Yu, you are also quite early," Zhang Ailing said with a smile as she walked to his side.

"Deputy Mayor Yu, please, take a seat." Wang Anguo pulled back the chair in the very center, and Yu Yinliang sat down.

Zhang Ailing said happily, "It is truly an honor for our Coal Bureau that Deputy Mayor Yu could take time out of his busy schedule to come and see the New Year's party organized by our Bureau." ===== CHAPTER 226 =====