Chapter 207: New Journey

Back at the county government, Secretary Li Junwu's office was filled with many department heads, all overseeing areas under Lu Fan's charge.

The Spring Festival holiday arrives tomorrow, and they are hurrying to pay New Year's respects to the leaders.

Health Bureau Director Li Daqiang was the first to enter; he had completely adjusted his demeanor, combining familiarity with respect, which made Lu Fan feel very comfortable.

After only a few words, Li Daqiang reached into his pocket, but Lu Fan stopped him, "Director Li, you know the nature of our relationship, so don't do that!"

Although Lu Fan smiled, his attitude was unusually resolute; Director Li read the cue, understood Lu Fan's bright future, and took out an archive folder from his bag, laughing, "During the New Year I can't come empty‑handed; you have to have a smoke!"

Now Lu Fan no longer declined, because he knew well that social favors are as ordinary and necessary as eating and sleeping; if someone tries to stay completely detached and spotless, they will only be gradually excluded from the circle.

After all, people live in the world and cannot truly be isolated; therefore, sometimes it is necessary to accept a bit of social etiquette.

Next, several Deputy Directors of the Education Bureau came in one after another to pay New Year's respects; envelopes were absolutely not accepted, and Lu Fan took the chance to assign them some tasks.

For the entire morning, Lu Fan was busy handling New Year greetings.

In the afternoon, leaders from the Quality Supervision Bureau, Science Association, Meteorological Bureau, Sports Committee, and Science and Technology Bureau came in for a round.

Finally, Cultural Bureau Director Wang Shuo Xu finally appeared! Upon entering, he warmly said, "The New Year is just around the corner; I'm here to wish Lu County a happy New Year! May Lu County have a joyful New Year and smooth work!"

Lu Fan's expression remained unchanged, and he smiled, "Director Wang, you're being too courteous! Same to you!"

"Lu County, our Cultural Bureau this year…"

Lu Fan interrupted, "Director Wang, it's the New Year; after a year of work everyone's tired, let's not talk about work!"

Director Wang Shuo Xu gave an awkward smile and said, "Alright, after the New Year I'll report on work. Lu County, I haven't prepared anything for the holiday; this is a small token from our Cultural Bureau!"

Looking at the envelope before him, Lu Fan smiled and pushed it back, "Director Wang might not know me well; I'm embarrassed, please take it back. As long as it doesn't delay work, that's fine!"

"Lu County, it's really not much, just a small token!"

"Director Wang, there may be some unhealthy trends in the county, but we can't just go with the flow. In work, if the Cultural Bureau needs it, I can support to the best of my ability, so let's drop this routine!"

Listening to the tone and seeing Lu Fan's unusually firm stance, Director Wang Shuo Xu didn't force it, merely took back the red envelope and exchanged a few polite words.

Lu Fan's principle is: if you respect me an inch, I'll return a foot; if you treat me worse than jade, I'll regard you as dung. With so many subordinate units, his focus isn't on culture; a tiny Cultural Bureau is dispensable!

On the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, Lu Fan's home was unusually lively; Yang Minghao, Du Wenlong, Liu Jin Zhu, Xia Li, Su Xiaoyi, and even Ceng Ming, who works at Yingjiang Prison, arrived. The seven brothers drank heartily, celebrating Lu Fangu's promotion.

Now everyone has passed the basic deputy division‑level hurdle, which in Ningyang is considered young and promising.

The power of example is boundless; in the new year, everyone will follow Lu Fan, the 'lead sheep,' and strike toward higher goals!

After the gathering, Ceng Ming was the last to leave, subtly indicating that the offending driver Ji Luhui, for violating regulations, fighting and causing trouble, was deemed more serious and received an additional two‑year sentence.

Lu Fan patted Ceng Ming's shoulder and said only, "Brother, thanks!"

On the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, high school classmates arrived: Deng Junchi from the Municipal Organization Department, Huang Xiaoyu from the Municipal Public Security Bureau, Wang Mengen from the Municipal Education Bureau, Zhu Jianglin from the Municipal Human Resources Bureau, and the contractor Wu Heng. They drank from about three in the afternoon until seven or eight at night before dispersing, all coming to celebrate Lu Fan.

In junior high they were naive; university is only a half‑step into society. Pursuing scholarships, grants, and class officer positions introduced conflicts of interest, so interactions became more utilitarian, and under the drive of profit, friendships ceased to be pure.

High‑school classmates stay together purely out of mutual appreciation; few engage in scheming, and their bonds remain relatively pure, without much impurity.

While drinking, everyone expressed blessings for Lu Fan, discussed their recent lives, and shared amusing anecdotes from work and daily life, creating a warm, harmonious atmosphere.

On New Year's Eve, the bitter cold wind cut through as Lu Fan took his sister back to Langcha Village to tend his parents' graves.

The siblings knelt before their parents' tombs, eyes filled with endless sorrow and longing.

Lu Yao whispered softly, "Dad, Mom, brother has been working hard and is now Deputy County Chief! I'm about to be a senior in college; don't worry, brother and I are living well."

The cold wind blew, and Lu Fan silently thought, "Please rest easy, Mom and Dad; I will shield my sister from the storm and ensure the damned get their deserved punishment!"

The cold wind struck Lu Fan's resolute face; at that moment he murmured, "Dad, Mom, please rest assured, I will protect my sister from the elements and keep her safe. Moreover, those who once harmed us, I will not easily forgive them; they must receive the punishment they deserve!"

Arriving at Uncle's house, Aunt hurried to prepare lunch; both younger brothers were there.

During conversation, Uncle, with a worried brow, said, "Lu Fan, your two younger brothers have graduated from college, but their civil service exams are far off, and they still have no prospects!"

After thinking, Lu Fan asked, "Lin Xuan, Lin Fang, are you confident about taking the public or institutional exams? If so, I'll register you; you can attend a training class earnestly. As long as you have perseverance, one, two, three, or even five years is fine—keep studying until you pass!"

Lu Lin Xuan replied without hesitation, "Brother, Dad, I want to try again!"

Lu Fan nodded and said, "Uncle, Lin Xuan, you don't need to worry; just go to Yingjiang, I'll arrange the training class."

Lu Lin Fang said, "Brother, I'm not cut out for studying, so I won't take the exam. After the New Year I plan to go to Chang'an to see if I can find a suitable job."

Lu Fan said, "Uncle, nowadays administrative and institutional positions all require exams; there's no room for maneuver. Here's the plan: after the New Year I'll try to use connections to see if Lin Fang can be placed in a municipal state‑owned enterprise. If that fails, Lin Fang will have to fend for himself."

Uncle said gratefully, "Lu Fan, I'm really sorry; these two grown‑up 'turtles' are still a burden on you!"

"Uncle, the family doesn't speak two different languages; as long as I have the ability, I'll definitely help my two younger brothers."

After lunch, Lu Fan and his sister returned to Ningyang to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner.

In Langcha Village, several brothers from the Le family all returned home for the New Year.

During the New Year's Eve dinner, Le Xue Yi and Le Xue Zhi were sadly set at a separate table.

Le Xue Zhi shouted, "Big brother, second brother, that damn Lu Fan actually became Deputy County Chief; you should worry about it, otherwise, who knows, in a few years he might crawl over your heads!"

Le Xue Ren frowned slightly, saying nothing.

Le Xue Yi, the second brother, said, "Big brother, a deputy county chief in his twenties won't become the next Hong Tao, will he? I think we must stay vigilant!"

Le Lin, the family patriarch, looked at his son and said, "Xue Ren, you're the eldest; now that you're Municipal Party Secretary, you must be aware of risks. I see the Lu family's wolf brat as a vengeful person. Remember the old saying: never be without caution; if you strike a snake and don't kill it, you'll be harmed by it!"

Le Xue Ren said, "Father, I'm stationed out of town, so I can't intervene in Yingjiang affairs. You don't need to worry about this; just enjoy a peaceful life!"

Le Lin sighed and said, "Don't I just want you brothers to be fine? In any case, you must never take this lightly; if a good chance arises, it's best to strike it down in one blow!"

On the first day of the New Year, Lu Fan visited Han Xuyang's home to pay New Year's respects; Hall Director Han Guishan also returned to see his parents, and Han Xinpu came back as well, inevitably sharing a drink.

On the second day of the New Year, the Education Bureau's Deputy Secretary, Deputy Director, and station office directors came to Lu Fan's house for a visit, naturally exchanging cups of wine.

On the third day of the New Year, Lu Fan returned to Yingjiang because County Chief Bian Jide hosted a banquet at home. Attendees included Executive Deputy County Chief Hao Qiang, Standing Committee Deputy County Chief Mi Xuwen, Deputy County Chief Guo Tongyu, and the Government Office Director. It was evident that the county government leadership team was united and combative.

After three consecutive days of drinking, on the fourth day Lu Fan finally rested; he couldn't drink any more, declined two more banquets, and stayed home to recuperate.

On the fifth day, Lu Fan attended two events: one hosted by Baishu Bay Township Chief Cui Mingliang, attended by several old colleagues; the other organized by Health Bureau Director Li Daqiang, with a few county department leaders.

That's the custom in Ningyang: before the Spring Festival holiday ends, different circles hold gatherings daily.

He endured until the seventh day of the New Year and finally returned to work!

On February 25, Lu Fan accompanied County Chief Bian Jide to the county's Education Bureau, Health Bureau, Finance Bureau, Agriculture Bureau and over ten other departments, visiting numerous cadres and staff while inspecting post‑holiday attendance.

During the visit, Bian Jide extended New Year greetings to the cadres and workers. He hoped that all departments and units would strictly observe work discipline, promptly end vacations and refocus, staff would be in their posts, and greet the new year's work with vigor and a positive attitude, creating a good start for the county's work in the new year.

In the afternoon, Lu Fan convened a recentering meeting at the Education Bureau. He emphasized that all cadres and staff of the unit must keep their duties in mind, plan ahead, fulfill responsibilities, focus on key work—especially the senior high and junior high graduating classes—and launch the year's endeavors with enthusiasm.

In 2015, Lu Fan finally entered a new stage of life.

He clenched his fists, eager to try, his heart full of anticipation and hope for the future.

Lu Fan, full of confidence, vowed to give his all in the post of Deputy County Chief and achieve something noteworthy!

No matter what difficulties and setbacks he encounters, he will never give up easily; he will prove his worth through concrete actions.

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