Chapter 274

During the seven-day National Day holiday, Lu Fan became a 'nanny', meticulously taking care of his sister's daily life, allowing her to study in peace.

Every morning, as the first ray of sunlight streamed through the window, Lu Fan had already prepared a hearty breakfast.

At noon, Lu Fan would show off his skills, producing one delicious dish after another—braised pork, sweet and sour spare ribs, Kung Pao chicken… these home-cooked dishes were all Lu Yao's favorites.

In the evening, Lu Fan would prepare some light and tasty dishes, accompanied by a bowl of hot soup.

Every day on schedule, he would vary the menu and 'feed' them, prompting his sister and Li Zimeng to exclaim they had gained weight and lost their figures—but each time the dishes hit the table, the two would wolf them down.

It was rare for Lu Fan to personally take care of his sister, and he was busy to his heart's content.

Lu Yao was feeding on familial affection and warmth, her heart filled with warmth and satisfaction.

Li Zimeng was feeding on love and happiness, the corners of her mouth brimming with a sweet smile.

Happiness lies in the ordinary little things; it needs no fancy packaging, no earth-shaking feats—it must be nurtured, felt, and cherished with heart.

As for Lu Fan, happiness is the myriad lights of human dwellings—just one lamp shining for him is enough.

Besides food, Lu Fan also gave his sister some interview advice based on his work experience and recent policy directions.

Lu Fan's advice was highly 'practical', greatly enlightening Lu Yao.

On October 7, amid the reluctant gazes of Li Zimeng and Lu Yao, Lu Fan and Li Mingzhou returned to Yingjiang.

On his first day at work, Lu Fan went to the Municipal Discipline Inspection Committee to 'pay a visit', learning about the problems currently existing in each county and district, preparing for the inspection.

Municipal Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Wu Xiaohua personally brewed tea, and the two sat on the sofa chatting casually.

"Lu Fan, did Wen Long tell you? He has uncovered some clues of embezzlement and bribery by Le Xueyi in Ningyang."

Lu Fan replied: "He's your subordinate; he must observe work discipline, and I wouldn't ask randomly. Besides, if I wanted to know something, I wouldn't ask you."

Wu Xiaohua laughed: "What formalities between us brothers? I'd definitely not tolerate anyone else meddling in Discipline Inspection work, but you can do as you please!"

Lu Fan laughed: "Since you say that, I won't stand on ceremony! I want to recommend a talent to you—Liu Yixuan from the Personnel Bureau, who has held a Zhengke-level post for over five years. Could you let him rotate in the Municipal Discipline Inspection Committee and then be transferred to Anbao County?"

Wu Xiaohua thought for a moment and said: "I also face great staffing pressure—it's one radish per hole. Why not 'squeeze' one over from your Municipal Party Committee office to free up a spot?"

Lu Fan said: "That's reasonable; you first settle on the person, and as for the position I'll figure it out—but please don't recommend any 'old oil sticks', I couldn't stomach that!"

"Haha, rest assured, the Municipal Discipline Inspection Committee has no 'old oil sticks'—just look at what kind of unit we are!"

After a while, Wu Xiaohua added: "I reckon that United Front Work Department official is about to be transferred; I've gathered quite a few clues—he's truly capable of graft, and he plays it fancy; compared to him, we're practically living in vain!"

Lu Fan quickly said: "Old Wu, your thoughts mustn't 'turn the corner'—just envy, envy is enough!"

"Don't worry, I'm just sighing—after working in the Discipline Inspection Committee, I've really opened my eyes! Too many people appear bright and upright on stage, yet behind the scenes they're full of male theft and female prostitution, all kinds of corruption! Ah, after catching so many, there's no improvement at all—when will it ever end?"

"Old Wu, someone has to do the job, and we're all striving; anyway, I firmly believe things will keep getting better, and the country will surely develop toward fairness, integrity, harmony, and happiness."

Transfers between municipal-level units are quite simple as long as the two department heads agree.

That afternoon, the Municipal Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary dispatched the deputy director of the Letters and Calls Reception Room, Ma Desheng, over, with the paperwork to be completed later.

Lu Fan personally talked with Ma Desheng for a while, feeling this young man was relatively steady and spoke with propriety, so he let him follow him first, awaiting a position to assign duties.

For Ma Desheng, this was an unexpected joy—whether or not he had a post didn't matter; what could be better than having a chance to follow the leader?

On October 10, Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee Lu Fan led the Municipal Party Committee Inspection Group in beginning a county‑district investigation, focusing on implementing the various directives of Municipal Party Committee Secretary Li Mingzhou, as well as poverty‑alleviation work and key project construction.

This was Lu Fan's first intensive county‑district inspection; the secretaries and county chiefs all knew that his evaluation and opinions would be fed back directly to Municipal Party Committee Secretary Li Mingzhou, significantly affecting their work performance and future promotions or adjustments.

Therefore, each county and district carefully prepared, drafting detailed reception plans and inspection arrangements to welcome this big shot of the Municipal Party Committee Secretary!

The first stop was Anbao County, which Lu Fan headed straight for on purpose!

Back then, you casually toyed with me in Ningyang; today I want to see just how formidable your abilities, Le Xueyi, really are!

The first inspection point: the industrial park of Anbao County.

After getting out of the car, we saw Le Xueyi walking over with a beaming smile, followed by a large entourage of leaders—quite a formidable lineup!

"Secretary Lu, welcome to Anbao for inspection and guidance!", Le Xueyi expressed sincerely, after all the inspection team represents the Municipal Party Committee!

Lu Fan laughed and said: "To speak of guidance would be presumptuous; we're just coming down to see how well Secretary Mingzhou's directives have been implemented, sorry to disturb you, Secretary Le."

The two chatted and laughed amiably, giving no hint of deep hatred—yet each wished they could eat the other's flesh, sleep on their skin, and drink their blood!

Entering the industrial park, the committee chair began reporting: "Leaders, Anbao County is a typical resource‑based county; with the rapid development of the Anbao Industrial Park in recent years, it has become a new engine of Anbao's economic growth. As of now, the park hosts 83 enterprises, achieving an output value of 5.8 billion yuan in 2015, operating revenue of 6.06 billion yuan, tax payments of 260 million yuan, total profit of 344 million yuan, and employs over 1,900 people…"

This industrial park was single‑handedly built by Le Xueyi, who has constantly been shouting about creating a ten‑billion‑yuan industrial park; it is a must‑see point for higher‑level leaders visiting Anbao County.

But Lu Fan's coming to Anbao to 'pick faults' couldn't be without homework; he immediately interrupted the report, laughing: "Anbao County's industrial park ranks fourth in the city; you just said the park has 83 enterprises, yet at a glance it looks like fewer than 40 standard factory buildings—could you be falsifying things?"

The committee chair hurriedly explained: "Secretary, there are actually 38 enterprises inside the park, and another 45 outside but placed under park management!"

Lu Fan began to press the point: "You're putting all the county's enterprises under park management, which runs counter to the very idea of a park; doing this would put other counties at a disadvantage in evaluations. I think it's wrong—there should be as many as there really are; we must conduct work honestly, no falsification!"

Le Xueyi forced out a smile and explained: "Secretary, this is a work‑skill; basically all counties do it this way!"

Lu Fan nodded and said: "I'm not yet familiar with the situation in other counties, but I'll go check them out; I will report this issue to the Municipal Party Committee—bubble economics must not be tolerated; we must do solid work, one is one, two is two, absolutely no falsification!" His tone was gentle, yet every word carried a veiled warning.

Nitpicking to extremes—he's really become a fine‑toothed comb! Le Xueyi cursed inwardly, but still had to plaster on a smile.

Lu Fan found it interesting and continued: "Secretary Le, could you give me a true picture of the industrial park? How many enterprises are actually stationed there? What is each one's output value? What is the benefit per mu? Also, how many are operating normally? How many are zombie enterprises? Personally, I think that after spending so much money on the park, those enterprises with no economic benefit should be cleared out entirely, and genuinely good firms brought in to drive Anbao County's economic development."

Le Xueyi nodded from time to time, appearing receptive, because reporters from the Municipal Party Committee's Propaganda Department were filming and photographing—today's inspection would be on the news!

Finally, Lu Fan told the accompanying head of the Municipal Party Committee Inspection Office, Xia Li: "Coordinate with Anbao County and compile the park's true situation—absolutely no falsification!"

After having their fill at the industrial park, the inspection team moved on to the next point—Baiqu Village—to mainly examine the poverty‑alleviation campaign.

As they approached the county seat, Lu Fan saw several affordable housing blocks under construction and asked: "Secretary Le, are these subsidized homes built too far away? Would living here be inconvenient for the residents?"

Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban‑Rural Development raised the 'empty city' scheme for subsidized housing, criticizing that in some areas such housing is located in remote places, built literally where 'birds don't drop'; life is inconvenient, the complexes lack basic supporting facilities, let alone medical and commercial ones; quality hazards like 'fragile walls', 'leaky roofs', 'tilted buildings' are all too common, forcing demolitions and rebuilds, hence the notice 'On Strengthening Quality Management of Affordable Housing Projects' was issued—we dare not tempt fate!

Le Xueyi explained: "The construction of subsidized housing is mandated, but urban land in the county seat is tight; we have no choice!"

Lu Fan nodded and said: "Oh, I will reflect this phenomenon to the Municipal Party Committee—higher‑level policies must not be distorted; people‑benefiting measures need to be implemented on the ground! Inspection Office, note the problem!"

Le Xueyi really wanted to say: "Are you giving me face? Really taking a chicken feather as a command arrow? What are you even?"

Lu Fan felt gleeful inside—he couldn't stand you but couldn't get rid of you, so he was just teasing you!

When passing through the county seat, Lu Fan had the Coaster stop because he saw a scene of urban management enforcement.

He saw several urban management officers, without any discussion, directly 'snatch' the pole of a candied‑huckster onto their vehicle, and then, with an overbearing attitude, drive away several vendors selling balloons and toys.

Lu Fan didn't get out of the car, shaking their head and saying: "The Mingzhou Secretary often emphasizes that urban management law enforcement should be civilized, should provide smiling service, embody the city's warmth; only then does it better meet the public's expectations of urban management!"

Le Xueyi's face darkened as they personally placed a call to the Urban Management Bureau director.