Chapter 923

Two days later, the Finance Bureau.

Director Zheng sat in his office, with a freshly approved document in front of him. The first installment of funds for the Cloud Peak Mountain Villa supporting project could be disbursed today.

It was a full week faster than he had expected.

He picked up the phone, intending to inform the Urban Construction Bureau, then put it down.

His fingers tapped the desk, and he suddenly recalled something—this money could be approved so quickly because the staff in several departments had voluntarily worked overtime, clearing the backlog of reviews ahead of schedule.

When did the Finance Bureau people become this proactive?

He summoned the office chief: "Old Liu, everyone's been working with great vigor lately."

"Director Zheng, you didn't know?" Lao Liu smiled: "It's been spreading around the bureau that Mayor Lin Dongfan highly appreciates our work. From now on, good projects will prioritize our people."

Director Zheng stared for a moment: "It's spreading? Who started it?"

"No one knows, but everyone's talking about it." Lao Liu laughed easily, thinking, You think I'm stupid? Even if I knew, I could still talk about it.

Director Zheng waved his hand, signaling Lao Liu to get lost.

Leaning against the chair back.

Director Zheng was again a bit absent-minded.

When Wang Qigang used to head the bureau, there was no such atmosphere. Back then, everyone would procrastinate as much as possible, since doing more or less made no difference.

How long has Lin Dongfan been here, and already the wind has shifted?

He recalled the gaze Lin Dongfan had when they talked that day—not a warning, not a threat, just a calm look, as if looking at an old friend.

Such a gaze makes one unable to sit still more than any pressure.

"Sigh!......"

Director Zheng let out Along sigh, picked up the phone, and dialed Old Ma at the Urban Construction Bureau: "Old Ma, the supporting funds have been approved; you can start anytime."

"So fast? Old Zheng, you're impressive."

Old Ma's voice sounded quite pleased.

Director Zheng gave a bitter smile: "It's not me being fast; it's the people below. These kids in our bureau now work harder than anyone."

Old Ma fell silent for a second.

He replied: "Same here. Those rectification projects used to drag a month without surprise; now they're done in a week. The staff below even proactively ask me if there's anything else they need to coordinate."

Both fell silent.

After a few seconds, Old Ma lowered his voice to negotiate: "Old Zheng, you say, shouldn't we..."

He didn't finish, but Director Zheng understood the meaning.

Director Zheng sighed: "Old Ma, don't overthink it; just do your job. We're here to work, not to take sides."

"You're just pretending."

Old Ma hung up directly, annoyed by those who act like a whore yet pretend to be pure.

Of course...

Director Zheng, who knew Old Ma's temper like the back of his hand, realized at the moment the phone was hung up that he was being looked down on, but it didn't matter to him.

"..."

At the same time, in the Municipal Party Committee building, Wang Qigang's office.

Secretary Xiao Zhang entered with a briefing: "Secretary Wang, this is last week's departmental work summary."

Wang Qigang took it and flipped through casually.

He turned to the Finance Bureau page.

His gaze froze.

It read: The Finance Bureau efficiently completed the initial fund approval for the Cloud Peak Mountain Villa supporting project, ahead of the regular process by one week, earning affirmation from the municipal government.

He then turned to the Urban Construction Bureau page.

It similarly contained the heartfelt content: The Urban Construction Bureau actively cooperated with Mortal Group to complete various rectifications, with multiple projects meeting standards ahead of schedule.

Wang Qigang set the briefing down: "Old Zheng and Old Ma, you've been quite proactive lately."

As he made this comment, Wang Qigang's face bore a faint smile, but Secretary Xiao Zhang was so nervous he dared not speak, for it was a smile of anger.

"Being proactive is good; proactive work is a good thing!"

Wang Qigang laughed and laughed, then his face grew much graver. He picked up his tea to drink, only to find it cold. Xiao Zhang hurriedly brewed a hot cup, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Wang Qigang closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair to compose himself, and again thought of Wan Xiaoxing.

In this era of surging undercurrents.

Some are watching the wind direction.

Some are watching the situation.

Some are wondering who will laugh last.

In short, since Zheng Congwen was arrested and Cheng Fang taken by the Discipline Inspection Commission, Wang Qigang's political image has also plummeted.

Now, in some people's eyes, Wang Qigang is a man who can't even protect his own wife.

And who else could he safeguard?

Having been reduced to a bare commander by Lin Dongfan, even the Provincial Party Committee gives him no face, abandoned by all... such heartfelt remarks constantly drift into his ears from time to time.

"No one usable, so I'll raise someone up! If you think you can ride on my Wang Qigang's head to shit and piss, you Lin Dongfan are still too tender!"

Wang Qigang secretly sharpened his knife.

The admonishments from Provincial Party Committee Secretary Jiang have long been tossed behind his back by Wang Qigang.

In Wang Qigang's view—people contend for a breath, Buddhas for a stick of incense! If this foul air in his heart isn't vented, this work cannot be done.

At three in the afternoon, a private restaurant in the west city.

Wan Xiaoxing arrived on time for the appointment.

She deliberately changed into a newly bought suit and applied exquisite makeup; she kept checking herself in the makeup mirror, confirming everything was perfect, before pushing the door open.

In the private room, Wang Qigang was already waiting.

"Xiaoqing, you've come? Have a seat." Wang Qigang was very enthusiastic.

Wan Xiaoqing sat opposite, her posture dignified and smile proper: "Secretary Wang, what matter can't be discussed at the office? You chose this place."

"I just invited this beautiful lady out for a cup of tea—surely that's no mistake?" The easygoing Wang Qigang personally poured Wan Xiaoqing a full cup of tea: "The Longjing here is good; try it."

"Thank you, Secretary Wang."

Wan Xiaoqing lifted her teacup and took a gentle sip.

She praised it: "Indeed, not bad."

Wang Qigang looked at her with a smile, then suddenly shifted the topic: "Xiaoqing, your father is a retired senior cadre; his past leaders have all spoken highly of him. How is his health lately?"

"Pretty good."

Wan Xiaoqing knew nothing about her father's discharge from the hospital; it had always been her older brother and sister-in-law taking care of him, and she rarely stayed at home.

Wang Qigang smiled with relief: "Old Master Wan is in good health, so I can relax. By the way, how many years have you worked at the Tax Bureau?"

"Almost ten years."

Wan Xiaoqing is thirty-three years old this year.

In fact, Wang Qigang already knew her work record like the back of his hand; ten years ago, Wan Xiaoqing had just graduated from college and smoothly entered the Tax Bureau, where she has remained ever since.

Wang Qigang nodded: "Ten years is not a short stint. You're familiar with the work and lively, so why haven't you been promoted?"

"Secretary Wang…"

Wan Xiaoqing's smile froze for a second.

She then forced a joke: "You really hit the sore spot—it's not that I haven't met a Bo Le. I'd like to move up, but I need someone willing to give me a boost."

"Do you think I look like a Bo Le?"

Wang Qigang straightened his official bearing, put on an extremely affable smile, and let Wan Xiaoqing appraise him.

Being the child of a cadre family, Wan Xiaoqing showed no nervousness even when facing the vice‑ministerial Wang Qigang; mainly, she was confident in her looks.

Wan Xiaoqing put on a look of startled flattery: "Secretary Wang, you wouldn't be teasing me, would you?"

"Work matters shouldn't be joked about," Wang Qigang said, dropping the pretense and speaking directly: "Xiaoqing, I intend to recommend you as director of the Tax Bureau. Do you have the confidence?"

"The Tax Bureau… director?!"

Wan Xiaoqing's heart skipped a beat; this time she was truly startled! She was only a section‑level official, yet he was proposing to jump her straight to the bureau's top post—was this the allure of power?

Unbelievable!

Usually supremely confident, Wan Xiaoqing now forced an awkward, weak smile: "Secretary Wang… this… the surprise you've given me is too great; I really have no mental preparation at all…"

"No rush, you can think about it first."

Wang Qigang slowly sipped his tea, then added: "The work at the Tax Bureau is simple if you call it simple, complex if you call it complex; the key lies in how you do it."

Wan Xiaoqing read between the lines and probed: "Secretary Wang, do you have any instructions?"

"It's not really an instruction," Wang Qigang laughed, "but I hope you will do this: once you take office, you must show decisive and vigorous work vigor. For some enterprises, if they ought to be investigated, investigate them; don't follow certain units' habit of watching people's faces before acting, lest you betray the organization's trust in you."

"Secretary Wang, I understand."

Wan Xiaoqing met Wang Qigang's gaze, nodded, and all her timidity vanished.

Wang Qigang smiled satisfactorily: "All right, that's settled. I'll nominate you at next week's Standing Committee meeting. When you go back, get ready for the promotion."