Chapter 4: A Turn for the Better: Promoted to Deputy Section Chief!

The interview ended.

Tang Ye walked out of the elevator and bumped right into Shao Jinbo.

"Aren't you on vacation? Why have you come to work?"

Judging by Shao Jinbo's reaction, he did not know about Tang Ye getting injured while saving someone.

"I received a notice and just finished the interview."

"Interview? What interview?" Shao Jinbo's heart sank.

"Secretary to the Municipal Party Secretary. You work in the Secretariat, surely you know about this? I was quite surprised myself, why was I asked to interview? Could it be that Director Yang put in a good word for me?"

Provoked, Shao Jinbo turned pale, clenched his fists, and ground his teeth with a creak.

"How did the interview go?" Shao Jinbo asked subconsciously.

"I gave it up!" Tang Ye smiled faintly.

"Why?" Shao Jinbo found it hard to believe!

Gave it up?

Even a duck that had reached his mouth could be turned away!

If that were really the case, this guy was truly like a wild boar unable to appreciate fine bran.

"I'm off! When you organize the class reunion, don't forget to notify me." Tang Ye couldn't be bothered to waste breath on Shao Jinbo.

He already had plans for Pinghu Town; going to Pinghu Town suited him better!

Shao Jinbo only felt his brain buzzing, his face burning hot!

His own resume had been weeded out in the first round.

Tang Ye had obtained the opportunity to interview for the Secretary to the Municipal Party Secretary, yet he had voluntarily given it up!

He was too good at putting on an act!

Impossible, this was absolutely impossible!

He was convinced that Tang Ye was definitely trying to fool him!

Several days later.

The truth came to light!

The Hanzhou Municipal Committee issued the "Notice Regarding the Appointment and Removal of Seconded Official Comrade Tang Ye."

—"After research, it has been decided to appoint: Comrade Tang Ye as Deputy Town Mayor of Pinghu Town, with a secondment period of one year. August 2005."

Cheng Lin called at the first opportunity.

"Congratulations, Deputy Town Mayor Tang."

Tang Ye was polishing his leather shoes and his hands were busy.

He could only tilt his neck to wedge the phone against his shoulder and said modestly, "Sister Lin, you're teasing me."

Cheng Lin rested her chin in her hands and smiled happily, "Only a year, and you've already been promoted to Deputy Section Chief. Although the process was twisty, it can be considered a turn for the better."

Tang Ye recalled the various encounters of the past year and was filled with emotion, saying with relief, "Thanks for the encouragement, Sister Lin. Actually, I don't have many ambitions. Whether I get promoted or not doesn't matter. I just want to be a worldly person, greedy for money and lustful, yet filled with integrity."

Cheng Lin couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing, "You're already greedy for money and lustful, yet you still want to be filled with integrity? I think you are... just daydreaming!"

After hanging up on Cheng Lin, Tang Ye felt that his relationship with her had undergone a subtle change.

Before, it was a superior-subordinate relationship; now that he had left the Old Cadre Bureau, it seemed they were closer.

After tidying up the room, Tang Ye had just laid down on the bed when he received a call from his mother.

His mother, Qin Lan, was a Regional Manager at a pharmaceutical company.

His father, Tang Yu, was the Neurosurgery Director at Hanzhou City First People's Hospital.

"You are going to Pinghu Town for a secondment?"

Qin Lan had been on a business trip at the Yunhai headquarters during this time and learned of her son's job transfer from Tang Yu.

"Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. Being a local tyrant in a township is quite fun." Tang Ye feigned a relaxed tone.

Qin Lan knew that Pinghu Town was a poor town. Her son had entered officialdom, and she and her husband had no ability to provide any resources; otherwise, he wouldn't have been met with cold shoulders so frequently.

"You're grown up now, your wings are stiff, and you don't tell me anything. You didn't even tell me when you were injured before!"

"Wasn't I afraid you'd worry? It wasn't like I was terminally ill or unable to take care of myself. I'm jumping around now, do I look like a patient?" Tang Ye hurriedly explained.

Qin Lan let out a soft sigh, "You make it sound easy! It took experts from the province to pull you back from the gates of hell. Your father is also outrageous; when such a big thing happened, he helped you hide it from me."

Tang Ye felt Qin Lan's low mood and hurriedly tried to appease her, "Who else but you is the woman we love most? We just didn't want you to worry."

"Don't push yourself so hard. If work isn't going well, then just resign. I can afford to support you," Qin Lan said seriously.

Tang Ye rolled over and chuckled, "If I ever really hit rock bottom, I'll definitely go back and live off my parents."

Qin Lan knew her son's personality: rational and motivated, but sometimes prone to getting stuck in a rut and being stubborn.

"By the way, have you met any girls recently?"

Tang Ye said with a smile, "People have introduced some, but they don't think much of me."

Qin Lan disagreed, "We're in no rush! Choosing the wrong husband ruins a lifetime; marrying an unworthy wife ruins three generations. Standing at different heights, you see different scenery."

Tang Ye was caught between laughter and tears, "Other people's mothers urge their children to get married, hoping to hold a grandchild soon. Your perspective is quite fresh!"

Qin Lan curled her lips confidently, "You are so outstanding, would I be afraid of you remaining a bachelor? My only worry is that you are too outstanding and might hurt too many girls."

Tang Ye had black lines all over his face, "You overestimate me."

Qin Lan warned him with unusual seriousness, "Protect yourself well. I don't allow you to risk your life again next time."

Tang Ye laughed jokingly, "Mom, don't worry, there won't be a second time. If there is a next time, just twist my head off and use it as a stool!"

Qin Lan was caught between laughter and tears, "You're starting with your nonsense again!"

One week after the notice of his temporary post was issued, Tang Ye arrived in Pinghu Town accompanied by staff from the Personnel Section of the Municipal Party Committee Office and the County Party Committee Organization Department to attend the inauguration ceremony.

Before taking office, Tang Ye arrived in Pinghu Town early to conduct visits and investigations, sorting through the local, deeply entrenched spheres of influence.

The Town Party Committee Secretary, Xu Yiping, had a nickname: "Old Softshell Turtle of Pinghu," known for being calculating, shrewd, and extremely guarded.

Because of Xu Yiping's protection and indulgence, the Xu Clan acted quite arrogantly in Pinghu Town.

The inauguration ceremony concluded.

Facing the entire Town Party Committee leadership in attendance, Party Committee Secretary Xu Yiping said with a smile, "Comrade Tang Ye has come from the Municipal Party Committee Office for this temporary post, and he is a top talent from Qiongjin University. I suggest he be put in charge of industrial economy, industrial investment promotion, the service industry, market supervision and management, and other such work. I believe Comrade Tang Ye will use his own resources to bring vitality to Pinghu Town."

"I submit to the organization's arrangements!"

Tang Ye remained calm on the surface, but he had his own plans in mind.

Pinghu Town's economy ranked at the bottom of the entire city; having him take charge of the industrial economy seemed like putting him on the fire to be roasted, but in reality, it was also providing him with an opportunity to achieve results.

The next day, the Town Government held an enterprise symposium.

As a new official taking office, it was only right for Tang Ye to meet with the heads of the core enterprises in the town.

Xu Yiping also hoped to use the meeting to test the depth of Tang Ye's abilities; would an official sent from the Municipal Party Committee Office for a temporary post just be a mere figurehead?

Before the meeting began, Tang Ye brushed past a woman at the entrance of the restroom.

Although he did not see her face, his first reaction was that she had a good figure, especially her two legs, which were slender and long.

Tang Ye glanced at the washbasin and hurriedly called out to her, "Wait, you dropped something..."