Chapter 2327

At this very moment, Deputy Factory Director Liu Lijuan was concentrating on organizing a document—a document that would serve as the key material for her work report to Zhou Andong.

If she hadn't happened to run into Zhou Andong at the dinner party last night, or if she hadn't attended the dinner with Shi Guoqiang and Hu Dajun at all, she would absolutely not have declared her stance so quickly, even if she had already made up her mind to side with Zhou Andong. After all, in the complex environment of the Woolen Mill, maintaining a wait-and-see attitude and acting cautiously was the wise course of action.

However, she had run straight into Zhou Andong at Shi Guoqiang and Hu Dajun's dinner. Under these circumstances, she could no longer afford to wait and see. Even if she waited just one more day to report her work tomorrow, Zhou Andong likely wouldn't easily believe in her sincerity. Even if he accepted her, she would inevitably be marginalized, which was definitely not the outcome she desired.

Therefore, since things had developed to this point, since there was no room left for choice, and since she had decided to take a side, Liu Lijuan naturally wouldn't let herself become a marginalized person.

She didn't need to become the factory director's confidante, but she had to become a core member. Because only by becoming a core member could she get a bigger share when it came time to divide the spoils.

Conversely, if she were reduced to being marginalized, let alone getting a share of the fruits, she probably wouldn't even get a sip of soup in the end. So, no matter what, she had to exhaust every means to make Zhou Andong believe in her sincerity and ability, thereby ensuring she could stand firm in this power struggle and ultimately obtain the greatest benefit.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

A light knock on the door sounded. Liu Lijuan didn't even lift her head, just responding casually: "Come in!"

With a slight creak, the door was slowly pushed open, and the secretary, Bai Wenlu, walked in. She was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with short hair cut to her ears, looking very capable and efficient.

"Factory Director!" Bai Wenlu said softly: "The factory office just called to notify that a general meeting of all factory cadres will be held at ten o'clock at the Cultural Center."

Liu Lijuan frowned slightly, shifting her gaze from the document to Bai Wenlu: "Who is presiding over the meeting?"

"Factory Director Zhou!" A flash of doubt crossed Bai Wenlu's eyes: "This notice was just issued, and it's already nine-thirty; time is very tight."

Liu Lijuan's expression changed. She subconsciously raised her wrist and glanced at her watch; the hands clearly pointed to nine-thirty-two. Zhou Andong suddenly announcing a general cadre meeting must have some purpose.

But no matter what Zhou Andong's purpose was, with the meeting at ten, there clearly wasn't enough time to go report her work now. Especially since she didn't know the content of the meeting; if it involved adjustments to her assigned work, the situation would be completely different after the meeting.

The second hand ticked away, and Liu Lijuan stared at her watch, motionless. After about two minutes, Liu Lijuan finally made up her mind. She took a deep breath, stood up, quickly picked up the document on the table, and walked toward the door without hesitation.

"I'm going to report my work to Factory Director Zhou. You take a few people to the Cultural Center to help set up the venue."

Bai Wenlu's body stiffened suddenly, an expression of unbelievable shock appearing on her face. She stared straight at Liu Lijuan's back with wide eyes, but her reaction speed wasn't slow. She quickly adjusted her state and replied in as calm a tone as possible.

"Okay, I'll go now."

Bai Wenlu followed her out of the office. The moment she turned to gently close the door, her heart was in turmoil. Her mind kept replaying what Liu Lijuan had just said, especially the phrase "going to report work to Factory Director Zhou."

It was normal for a deputy factory director to report work to the factory director, but at this moment in the Woolen Mill, it was very abnormal.

What did this mean? Bai Wenlu knew very well in her heart that it meant the leader had decided to take a side, and had chosen Zhou Andong.

As Liu Lijuan's secretary, Bai Wenlu naturally knew about Shi Guoqiang and Hu Dajun's plans.

Last night, the leader had even attended Shi Guoqiang and Hu Dajun's dinner, but who could have thought that in just one night, the leader would choose to side with Zhou Andong? This was too sudden; one could say there hadn't been a single sign.

While Bai Wenlu felt very confused and shocked, she also couldn't figure out why Liu Lijuan would make such a decision, but as a secretary, she had to firmly support her.

Because from the day she became Liu Lijuan's secretary, she had already been labeled. The two of them would prosper together or suffer together; if Liu Lijuan, the leader, gained power, she, as the secretary, would naturally soar. If the leader lost power, she would naturally be cast into hell.

Zhou Andong checked the time, then lit a cigarette, preparing to walk over to the Cultural Center once he finished it. At this moment, the office door was suddenly knocked.

Gu Bing looked at Zhou Andong and said with a smile: "There aren't many people who can knock on your office door. Guess who it is?"

Zhou Andong rolled his eyes at Gu Bing and shouted: "Please come in!"

When the office door was pushed open and Liu Lijuan walked in, all three of them were stunned for a moment.

Zhou Andong and Gu Bing hadn't expected it to be Liu Lijuan, and Liu Lijuan hadn't expected the Secretary to be in the Factory Director's office as well.

"Secretary, you're here too!" After being stunned for a moment, Liu Lijuan immediately reacted and greeted him with a smile.

A smile also appeared on Gu Bing's face instantly: "It's Comrade Liu Lijuan. You're here to report work to the Factory Director, right? Fine, you two talk; I'll head to the Cultural Center first."

Zhou Andong nodded. After Gu Bing left the office and closed the door, Liu Lijuan placed the document in her hand on the desk in front of Zhou Andong.

"Factory Director Zhou, I'd like to report to you on the work situation during this recent period."

Zhou Andong had a warm smile on his face. He stood up and personally poured two cups of tea for Liu Lijuan, placing them on the coffee table: "Comrade Lijuan, don't stand; sit down and talk."

Liu Lijuan was stunned for a moment. She hadn't expected Zhou Andong to be so polite to her, and even pour her tea personally. This made her very suspicious: was this still the decisive and unreasonably domineering Zhou Andong from yesterday?

"What are you still standing there for? Sit," Zhou Andong said with a smile, then sat down.

Liu Lijuan took a secret breath and sat down opposite Zhou Andong: "Factory Director, I want to first report to you the situation regarding my attendance at Shi Guoqiang and Hu Dajun's dinner last night."

She said "report" instead of "explain," directly placing herself in the position of a subordinate. Zhou Andong naturally heard this; a faint smile appeared on his face, then he took out a cigarette, lit it, and leaned back casually.

"Go ahead!"