Chapter 2564: Advance to Attack, Retreat to Defend!

Zhou Andong turned around, walked over to the sofa, sat down heavily, then leaned back comfortably, propping up his legs in a relaxed manner.

If it were anyone else, if the leader hadn't invited them to sit, they would have to stand honestly; even if the leader had offered a seat, they would only dare to sit on the chair beside, never as boldly as Zhou Andong, sprawling on the sofa.

Moreover, smoking—what kind of guts does it take to dare smoke in the leader's office? Even if the leader offered a cigarette, one would have to accept it meekly and absolutely dare not puff clouds in the leader's office.

But Zhou Andong is different—he not only dares to smoke in the leader's office, he lights a cigarette without hesitation and shamelessly pockets the leader's cigarette and lighter—what kind of person does this?

Zhou Andong raised his hand to check his watch; it was almost ten, and the teachers would soon arrive, which lifted his spirits and made him prick up his ears. Just then, the office door was knocked.

Wang Wentian shouted without looking up: "Come in!"

Kong Jie pushed the door open and entered; he first glanced at Zhou Andong, then said to Wang Jianmin: "Mayor, the three principals of the woolen mill's affiliated school, leading over thirty staff members, are blocking the main gate, demanding to see municipal leaders."

"What?" Wang Jianmin sprang to his feet, turned to look out the window, and indeed saw a group of people at the gate, causing his expression to shift.

"What do they want?" Zhou Andong also stood up, his face turning grim, and snapped: "Is there anything that can't be told to me?

If I can't resolve it, I can go to the leader for help. These three principals, leading over thirty staff members to block the gate—are they trying to rebel?"

Wang Jianmin looked at Zhou Andong; now he had nothing left to misunderstand—these staff members were surely brought by this brat. As for the purpose, even thinking with one's toes could figure it out—it must be Shi Guoqiang and Hu Dajun.

Sun Baocun has been suppressing this matter all along, and Zhou Andong naturally wouldn't accept it, so he incited the staff to cause trouble at the municipal government to pressure them. But now that he knows it's Zhou Andong behind it, he isn't the slightest bit anxious.

"Speak up—how do you want to handle them?" Wang Jianmin sat down, smiling at Zhou Andong: "If the outcome doesn't satisfy you, you little brat will have bitter fruit to eat."

Zhou Andong widened his eyes, stared straight ahead, gritted his teeth, and squeezed out from between his teeth: "Leader, please rest assured—if they can't give me a reasonable explanation, I will show absolutely no mercy and drive them all packing home."

Having said that, Zhou Andong stormed out angrily. As he stepped out of the office, he still seemed fuming, and with a casual swing, he shoved the door shut with a bang—so loud the whole office seemed to tremble. The force of the slam reveals just how furious he is.

Standing nearby, Kong Jie's eyes twitched—has Zhou Andong taken the wrong medicine or been kicked in the head by a donkey? He's not thinking straight. You can't control your subordinates, let them run to the municipal government to cause trouble—this is your own responsibility.

You're holding in anger with nowhere to vent—you should go find those troublemakers to release it on. What's the point of slamming the leader's office door? Those who know understand it's because you're angry over the woolen mill school staff causing trouble.

Those who don't know might easily misunderstand, thinking the leader did something excessive to you. In that case, wouldn't the leader be unfairly smeared black and drenched in filth by you for no reason?

But he only thinks these thoughts in his heart—some things dare not be said. First, the leader hasn't said anything, yet you're chattering away on the side—then your role as secretary is over.

As a secretary, you are the leader's closest, most trusted confidant—never rely on favor to act arrogantly. You must understand what to say, what not to say, whom you can provoke, and whom you cannot.

Never think that because the leader trusts you, you can freely stir up gossip in front of them. Even if you take a dislike to someone and want to whisper in the leader's ear to give them trouble, you must still assess the situation, the occasion, and the leader's mood.

If you cannot read the room or observe expressions, you certainly won't last long as a secretary—no leader will tolerate a gossip-mongering secretary, no matter how capable.

Take Zhou Andong, for example—he is a party cadre, but unlike other party cadres. First, Zhou Andong has his own enterprise, and moreover, he is the nation's richest man.

Second, Zhou Andong serves as director of the woolen mill, a specially appointed position at the central level—he needs no political achievements, no need to climb the ranks. For him, promotion is naturally better, but if he can't rise, he returns home to be a tycoon—truly achieving "advance to attack, retreat to defend," so he fears no offense.

Therefore, don't say Zhou Andong merely slammed the leader's office door—even if he shattered all the windows in the leader's office, before the leader expresses an opinion, he must keep his mouth shut tight.

Even uttering one extra word would cost him points in the leader's presence and still offend Zhou Andong. This kind of inside-outside-no-person behavior—smart people like Kong Jie would absolutely never do.

"Mayor!" Kong Jie asked: "Should I go out to check?"

"No need!" Wang Jianmin waved his hand: "You go out first."

"Understood!" Kong Jie turned, walked to the door, gently pulled it open, stepped out, and then gently closed it behind him.

Wang Jianmin, one hand rubbing his still slightly aching temple, the other reaching for the phone on the desk, dialed Hu Guanghui's office number. Soon, a familiar voice came through the receiver.

"Comrade Jianmin, you're calling me—is it because of the incident at the main gate?"

"Exactly!" Wang Jianmin said helplessly: "Not long after I arrived at the office this morning, Zhou Andong came rushing over, still holding a half-written reform plan for the woolen mill.

He said he wanted me to take a look, and if anything needed improvement or supplementation, to speak up freely. At the time I thought this brat was a night owl breaking in—surely no good news. This half-written reform plan was merely his excuse to come find me.

But the problem is, I can't figure out what medicine this brat is selling from his gourd—asked him, and he wouldn't say. Eventually, I got too lazy to ask—after all, it's him coming to me with something; let's see who can outlast whom. But who would have thought that in my standoff with Zhou Andong, I ended up drawing the woolen mill school staff over instead."

Hu Guanghui chuckled: "Originally I was a bit worried, but since Zhou Andong is here, let him handle it."