Chapter 922: Wind Direction

At seven in the evening, at the dinner table of Chief Zheng of the Finance Bureau, the atmosphere was a bit more subdued than usual. His wife served the last dish, and as she sat down, she glanced at him.

"What's wrong today? You came home with a stern face."

Chief Zheng picked up a bite with his chopsticks, but didn't respond.

His wife continued to nag: "I heard you approved the supporting funds for Cloud Peak Mountain Villa pretty quickly? Did Secretary Wang say anything about it?"

Chief Zheng put down his chopsticks.

"'What are you talking about? It's normal work; what does he have to say?'"

His wife pursed her lips.

"'Normal work? You think I don't know? Secretary Wang is also someone who holds grudges. With you cooperating so much with Mayor Lin this time, can he let you get away with it?'"

Chief Zheng remained silent for a few seconds.

"'I'm doing my job, not acting as his lackey.'"

His wife stared for a moment, then said nothing more.

After finishing the meal, Chief Zheng sat alone in the study, staring blankly at the approved document on the desk.

That day, Lin Dongfan came to talk with him, didn't say anything heavy, just chatted about family matters and asked about his son's studies abroad.

As he was leaving, he patted him on the shoulder: 'Old Zheng, keep up the good work.'

Just a few words like that.

It left his feelings churning for several days.

He recalled how Wang Qigang had 'looked after' him over the years—when promoting, he never thought of him; for key positions, he never assigned him; but whenever something came up, he was the first to think of him.

This time, regarding the fund approval, Wang Qigang's side remained silent, while Lin Dongfan personally inquired several times.

He wasn't urging, just asking about progress and difficulties.

This attitude made people even more uneasy than being pressed.

He picked up his phone and called Chief Ma of the Urban Construction Bureau: 'Old Ma, are you asleep?'

"'No, can't you sleep either?'"

On the other end of the line,

Chief Ma's voice from the Urban Construction Bureau also sounded quite awake.

Chief Zheng gave a wry smile: 'I can't sleep; do you think we've taken a side this time?'

"'What side? It's just normal work; Secretary Wang hasn't said not to do it.' Chief Ma replied."

Chief Zheng sighed: 'Old Ma, we both know deep down. Secretary Wang might really not be able to hold out this time.'

Chief Ma didn't respond.

After a while, he said: 'Go to sleep; we still have work tomorrow.'

"'Mm.'"

After hanging up, Chief Zheng looked out at the dark night outside the window and suddenly felt that some things might really have changed—the wind direction in Wuzhou is shifting.

Meanwhile, at the Municipal Party Committee compound, Secretary Wang's home.

Secretary Wang sat in the study, with an internal briefing placed before him.

It listed the number of times each department had reported work to the municipal government over the past month—Finance Bureau, Urban Construction Bureau, Planning Bureau, Environmental Protection Bureau, and so on; the list was long, the numbers high.

They were far more than he had expected.

He set the briefing down, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

Secretary Xiao Zhang stood nearby, not daring to breathe loudly.

After Along while, Secretary Wang opened his eyes: 'Lately, has Chief Zheng been getting close to Lin Dongfan over there?'

Xiao Zhang replied softly: 'Not exactly close; they just have more work-related contact. After all, the supporting funds for Cloud Peak Mountain Villa are being reviewed by his side.'

"'Normal, it's just work.' Secretary Wang nodded, lifted his tea cup, took a sip, set it down, and asked: 'What about Old Ma?'"

Xiao Zhang answered: 'On the Urban Construction Bureau's side, they've also been quite proactive in cooperating with Mortal Group. Several rectification items were completed ahead of schedule.'

Secretary Wang smiled, a little coldly: 'Being proactive is good; proactive work is a good thing.'

Xiao Zhang dared not respond.

Secretary Wang waved his hand: 'All right, you may go.'

Xiao Zhang, feeling as if pardoned, hurriedly retreated.

Only Secretary Wang remained in the study; he rose and walked to the window. Outside, Wuzhou's nightscape blazed with lights, far more prosperous than when he first arrived.

Over these past three years or so, how much painstaking effort he has put in here—only he knows.

But now the wind direction has shifted.

Those who once gathered around him are beginning to look elsewhere.

He doesn't blame them.

In officialdom, who doesn't look out for themselves?

But he is unwilling to accept it.

Just admit defeat like that?

He recalled Deng Chunning's words: 'Stay steady, don't act rashly.'

Stay steady!

Almost no one is left usable; he's been reduced to a bare commander by Lin Dongfan—how can he stay steady?

Secretary Wang took a deep breath, turned back to his desk, opened the thick address book, and flipped through it page by page, his gaze stopping on a woman's name.

Wan Xiaoqing!

The youngest daughter of retired Tax Bureau official Wan Yan.

He remembered, this young lady had worked at the Tax Bureau for nearly ten years, her work was good, she was lively, but she had never been promoted.

He also had an impression of that person, Lao Wan.

He had once followed Chu Jinsong in work, but only when nearing retirement did Chu Jinsong recommend him for vice bureau-level treatment. He had been honest and diligent his whole life, yet never gained any benefits.

His daughter Wan Xiaqing should be different, she is an ambitious woman.

Wang Qigang picked up the phone, dialed a number, and said: "Help me make an appointment with Wan Xiaqing from the Tax Bureau, tomorrow, find a quiet place."

……

The next morning.

Lin Dongfan went to the hospital to visit an old comrade.

Though called an old comrade, they were actually a group of veteran cadres who had once worked under his father-in-law Chu Jinsong.

During Chu Jinsong's tenure in Wuzhou, these people had contributed a lot. Now some have retired, some are ill; whenever Lin Dongfan has free time, he goes to see them.

The veterans' ward is on the third floor of the inpatient building; the corridor is quiet, with occasional nurses pushing carts passing by.

Lin Dongfan had just come out of the ward when he saw a familiar figure approaching.

An elderly man sat in a wheelchair, his hair white, his face deeply wrinkled as if carved by a knife. Beside him, a white-clad nursing aide was pushing him slowly forward.

Lin Dongfan froze for a moment, then hurried forward: "Lao Wan? What are you doing here?"

Wan Yan lifted his head, a glint flashing in his cloudy eyes: "Mayor Lin? Oh, Mayor Lin, why have you come?"

"I came to visit a few old comrades, you are..."

Lin Dongfan grasped the old man's hand.

Wan Yan smiled warmly: "Just an old ailment, I'm staying a few days. My blood pressure is high, my heart isn't great either, the kids insisted I come. Actually I think it's nothing serious; staying at home would be fine."

Lin Dongfan nodded with a smile: "Since you're here, take good care of yourself; health comes first."

Wan Yan held onto his hand and wouldn't let go: "Mayor Lin, I heard that the Cloud Peak Mountain Villa project is about to resume work?"

Lin Dongfan said: "Soon, once the supporting funds are approved, we can fully resume work."

Wan Yan smiled with relief: "Good, good, resuming work is good. Back when your father-in-law was in Wuzhou, he kept this project in mind. Now you've taken it over, it's also a fulfillment of merit."

Mentioning his father-in-law Chu Jinsong, a warm feeling welled up in Lin Dongfan's heart.

As for Wan Yan, he had often been mentioned by his father-in-law.

Back then, Wan Yan served as chief of the Civil Affairs Bureau, honest and diligent, not striving, not grabbing; he worked his whole life without further promotion. Before Chu Jinsong was transferred, he arranged for Wan Yan to be placed in the CPPCC, securing him vice bureau-level treatment. At the time, this was still talked about, with people saying Chu Jinsong was looking after his old subordinates.

But Lin Dongfan knew that someone like Wan Yan was the genuine sort who actually gets things done.

Not striving, not grabbing, not causing trouble, not complaining; doing whatever the organization assigns. Before retirement, the organization gave him a vice bureau-level treatment, which was considered compensation.

The old man chattered on about many things, all stories from when he worked alongside Chu Jinsong.

Lin Dongfan listened patiently, occasionally responding with a few words.

After chatting for over twenty minutes, the nursing aide reminded that it was time to return and rest; only then did Wan Yan loosen his grip: "Mayor Lin, you go about your business, I won't take up your time."

"Lao Wan, take good care of your illness; I'll come see you again another day."

Lin Dongfan waved goodbye.

Thinking about the people in Wuzhou's various departments, if everyone were like Lao Wan when he was in office—just focusing on work, disdainful of fighting for power and profit—then being mayor would be wonderfully satisfying.