Chapter 925

One week later, the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee.

The meeting room was filled with smoke, and more than a dozen people sat on either side of the long table. Lin Dongfan sat to Wang Qigang's left, turning a pen in his hand, his face showing no expression.

Today's agenda was light, but the atmosphere was a bit more subtle than usual.

After a few routine agenda items were finished,

Wang Qigang cleared his throat:

"Comrades, there is one more matter. Over at the Tax Bureau, Old Zeng is getting older and in poor health; he has voluntarily proposed to step back to a secondary line. The bureau chief's position is vacant, and we need to find a suitable candidate."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the entire room.

He then continued:

"I have considered it and recommend Comrade Wan Xiaoqing from the Tax Bureau. Comrade Wan Xiaoqing has worked in the Tax Bureau for ten years, is familiar with the work, has rich grassroots experience, and also has a good mass base. He is a suitable candidate."

The meeting room fell silent for a few seconds.

Executive Vice Mayor Meng Qinghe spoke first: "Wan Xiaoqing? Is she the daughter of Comrade Wan Yan?"

"Yes." Wang Qigang nodded: "Old Wan spent his whole life in the Civil Affairs Bureau, diligent and conscientious, a good comrade. I've also looked into his daughter; she's indeed not bad."

Meng Qinghe echoed: "I know Old Wan; he's indeed a good comrade. His daughter shouldn't be far off; I agree."

The other committee members subsequently voiced their support, basically all in agreement.

Lin Dongfan's hand, which had been turning the pen, paused for a moment.

He glanced at Wang Qigang.

Wang Qigang wore a gentle smile, the picture of conducting business impartially.

Lin Dongfan then glanced at the others present; a few lowered their heads to read documents, a few had flickering eyes, but none voiced opposition.

In the silence,

Lin Dongfan recalled Wan Yan lying in the hospital bed, and also remembered Chu Lingxi's words from last night: "Old Wan is quite good; my father spoke highly of him."

Wan Yan had once helped Chu Jinsong; that is a fact.

Chu Jinsong had also instructed before his departure to take good care of the veteran comrades. Now Wang Qigang's promotion of Wan Xiaoqing is well justified and procedurally proper; if he opposed it, it would seem deliberate.

Moreover, even if he opposed it, he might not be able to stop it.

Since Wang Qigang dared to propose it, he must have already done the groundwork.

Lin Dongfan set down his pen: "I agree."

Wang Qigang glanced at him, as if everything had been expected all along, his smile deepening: "Good, then it's settled. After the meeting, the Organization Department will proceed with the procedures and issue the appointment as soon as possible."

The Standing Committee meeting ended, and Lin Dongfan returned to his office.

Xiao Chen followed him in and asked cautiously: "Mayor Lin, regarding the Tax Bureau appointment…"

"Just follow the procedure."

Lin Dongfan had no interest in discussing this further.

Xiao Chen nodded and withdrew.

Lin Dongfan stood by the window, lit a cigarette, his heart a mix of emotions. He couldn't help but admit that Wang Qigang had played this move quite cleverly.

Wan Xiaoqing is Wan Yan's daughter, and Wan Yan was an old subordinate of Chu Jinsong.

Wang Qigang's sudden promotion of Wan Xiaoqing both gave face to the veteran comrade Wan Yan and earned a good reputation for looking after veteran comrades, while also making it hard for Lin Dongfan to object—truly killing two birds with one stone.

As for what Wan Xiaoqing will do after taking office, that is a story for later.

Lin Dongfan exhaled a puff of smoke.

He recalled the message Gao Yicheng had sent him last night—Wan Xiaoqing had been getting close to a boss named Chen Junseng, their relationship ambiguous.

Who does Chen Junseng belong to?

Does he have any connection with Wang Qigang?

Does Wan Xiaoqing know what scheme Wang Qigang is hatching?

None of these are certain.

But one thing is certain: Wang Qigang would not promote someone without reason who has no connection to him.

Lin Dongfan stubbed out his cigarette, picked up the phone: "Captain Gao, keep an eye on Wan Xiaoqing for me. Let me know promptly of any developments after she takes office."

"Understood."

On the other end of the line, Gao Yicheng responded with an affirmation.

……

At the same time, the Tax Bureau.

When Wan Xiaoqing received the notice from the Organization Department, she was in the office reading documents.

On the phone, the staff member politely informed her that the Standing Committee had already approved the nomination; once the procedures are completed, she can be formally appointed.

After hanging up, she stared blankly for a few seconds.

Then she smiled.

She smiled happily.

Ten years.

She had finally waited for this day.

She stood up, walked to the window, and watched the bustling street below.

The sunlight was just right, warm on her face.

She thought of her father's dispirited face, and of how he had spent his whole life in the Civil Affairs Bureau without achieving anything.

"Dad, do you see this?"

"Your daughter is now the bureau chief."

"I didn't rely on you; I relied on myself."

That excited feeling turned into a swollen confident smile, all appearing on Wan Xiaoqing's face. She returned to her desk and began packing up.

This office will soon be taken over by someone else.

Halfway through packing, her phone rang.

It was Chen Jiansheng.

"Xiaoqing, have you heard that the Standing Committee approved it?"

"You're pretty well-informed."

Wan Xiaoqing beamed with joy.

Chen Jiansheng said, "Let's celebrate tonight? The usual place."

Wan Xiaoqing thought for a moment: "All right. But today we have to drink something good."

Chen Jiansheng laughed: "Fine, open a good bottle of wine."

"See you tonight."

After hanging up, Wan Xiaoqing continued packing, unaware that a pair of eyes outside the window had been fixed on her every move.

At 7 p. m., in an upscale residential complex in East City.

Wan Xiaoqing leaned on the sofa, holding a glass of red wine, a faint flush on her face.

Chen Jiansheng sat beside her, looking at her: "Xiaoqing, have you really decided?"

"Decided what?"

Wan Xiaoqing glanced at Chen Jiansheng.

Chen Jiansheng said, "Wang Qigang's side has impure motives. He promoted you, surely with an agenda. As for the Mortal Group's affairs, it's better not to take them on; if you do, it'll be trouble."

"I know, but there's nothing to fear," Wan Xiaoqing said dismissively.

She took a sip of wine.

She then threw out another question with interest: "Chen Jiansheng, you lack social experience. Based on what you've said before, do you think Lin Dongfan is a formidable figure?"

"Formidable, what about it?"

Chen Jiansheng answered almost without thinking, as if he already had a deep understanding of Lin Dongfan.

Wan Xiaoqing then asked: "Is Wang Qigang a formidable figure?"

"He is too."

Chen Jiansheng still answered without hesitation.

Wan Xiaoqing laughed: "Two formidable people fighting—what do I, a small figure caught between them, have to fear? Whoever wins, I won't lose."

Chen Jiansheng smiled but didn't respond.

Wan Xiaoqing muttered: "If Lin Dongfan wins, I'm just doing my job by the book, find no fault, he can't touch me. If Wang Qigang wins, I'm his promoted subordinate, I have merit. Either way, I won't lose."

"Xiaoqing, your mind is sharper than I thought."

Faced with the overconfident Wan Xiaoqing, Chen Jiansheng kept his thoughts to himself, burying all his ideas and opinions deep inside, since speaking would be useless.

A stubborn person simply won't listen to any advice.

Wan Xiaoqing smiled confidently again: "Otherwise? What do you think I've relied on to endure ten years?"

She said.

She raised her glass and drained it in one gulp.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

In her proud, springlike gaze, however, burned a flame of desire—not ignited by love, but by power.

Chen Jiansheng could see that Wan Xiaoqing aspired to be a figure like Wu Zetian, but unfortunately she lacked both Wu Zetian's broad-mindedness for employing people and her discerning wisdom.