Chapter 884: Lai Juncheng's Probe

Su Yang escorted Guo Haiyan to the nearest hotel; after leaving the hotel, he sat on the steps at the hotel entrance, his mind unable to calm for a long time.

A municipal party committee secretary of a prefecture-level city now appeared utterly desolate and sorrowful.

Actually, his rank hadn't changed; he remained a bureau-level leader, merely having been transferred to the CPPCC.

Compared with those who had already been sent away to drink tea, his fortune was a thousand, even ten thousand times greater.

At the very least he still had retirement benefits, and at the very least he could enjoy his twilight years surrounded by children and grandchildren for the rest of his life.

Yet he also saw resentment and indignation in Guo Haiyan's eyes.

This resentment and indignation were not his own; they must have come from his superiors.

If his superiors could hold on, if they could keep their positions, then although he could not escape being transferred away, he might not end up in a placid CPPCC post; he could possibly be promoted one level and retire early to a secondary line, such as the provincial people's congress or the provincial CPPCC.

That's how officialdom is: wanting to do good is hard, wanting to see a good deed through to the end is hard, and being able to do it without external interference is even harder.

Finally, to finish this matter without being tripped up or sabotaged behind the scenes, and to receive the honor one deserves, would be as difficult as climbing to heaven.

In this short span of less than half a year, he had experienced enough.

In the past, this was something he dared not even imagine; but what of it?

Had he not been assigned to Huatian Town, had he not by chance saved Zhou Ruohan in Huatian Village, had he not shared a life‑and‑death rescue with Fang Jingwen, he would most likely now be stuck in some remote corner.

Even though Guo Haiyan saw him as someone capable and well‑backed, he could not withstand someone like Zhang Jiangbo targeting him.

Earlier he did not follow up on Guo Haiyan's remark; otherwise he would really have wanted to say: "You hit the nail on the head—no matter how outstanding you are, or how strong your connections appear to others, there will always be someone standing in your way."

Lai Juncheng's phone ring broke Su Yang's train of thought.

"I was asking where you went, kid? Why haven't you come back after all this afternoon? I see you haven't had enough to drink—let's have another round; I haven't drunk freely in ages."

Su Yang said, "Brother Lai, I just escorted Secretary Guo to the hotel and am coming back now; I'll definitely keep you company until we're drunk today."

After returning, they drank another half jin, and by then both were completely high.

Su Yang probed, "Brother Lai, Uncle Huang has been in our province for half a year now, right? If there are personnel changes in the province, could he advance this time?"

Lai Juncheng set down his wine cup, his previously slightly drunk eyes instantly clearing: "I don't know about that either; anyway, the boss has been busy lately, and just two days ago he went to Jingcheng."

"Oh, of course—this time he went to Jingcheng for a meeting that was originally supposed to be attended by Governor Zhao, but Zhao didn't go, so he went in his place. He went alone, and after the meeting he likely has some private matters to attend to. Have you heard any rumors? Whatever information you, kid, can dig up is basically reliable; otherwise, tell me what you've heard."

Su Yang really wanted to slap himself hard at that moment; Old Zhou's words still rang in his ears, and his habit flared up again.

He said, "How would I know? Because I saw you didn't give Secretary Guo a straight answer just now—that means his matter definitely can't be settled. If so, that indicates there should be personnel adjustments in the province. Don't think I'm just a low‑ranking county‑division official and don't understand these things."

Lai Juncheng sized Su Yang up and down: "I really don't know whether you're telling the truth or pulling my leg; I seriously suspect you might have learned some inside information and are trying to pump me for it here."

Su Yang said, "I wouldn't dare; in front of Brother Lai I don't have all those twists and turns."

Some things can be said, some things really cannot be said.

At least Lai Juncheng probably still doesn't know about Secretary Sha and Governor Zhao's affair.

If he found out, it would inevitably lead to a second, then a third person knowing, which would be highly detrimental to the province's overall situation.

Not to mention the province—even a change in the top post of a city would set countless people restless, diverting their work thoughts entirely to networking, advance preparation for ingratiation, and making connections.

Lai Juncheng saw that Su Yang genuinely seemed unaware, so he said: "Whether there will be personnel changes in the province is still up in the air; even if there are, they'd happen in the second half of next year. The boss has been in the province too short a time; in the executive vice‑governor post he probably lacks sufficient seniority—but anything is possible. By the way, you and Ruo Han are to hold your wedding at Spring Festival; I wonder if I'll get an invitation then?"

Su Yang felt a bit embarrassed; Lai Juncheng had indeed looked after him, and Lai Juncheng's desire to go to Jingcheng for his wedding was really just about wanting to make some connections.

But he still spoke frankly: "Brother Lai, my wedding will certainly invite you, but the Jingcheng side has no say at all—even what I and Ruo Han say doesn't count; I can only accept whatever arrangement is made."

Lai Juncheng laughed heartily: "Fine, sincere. I'm just saying that—if I can get a slot, arrange it for me; if not, forget it. I guess my boss will have to see whether I qualify to attend."

Having said that, Su Yang suddenly realized—this Lai, the chief secretary, was probing the scale of his wedding banquet. How could that be? Uncle Wang and the Zhou family are old family friends; they would certainly invite Uncle Huang over.

"As for other guests, I truly don't know; for now I can only do extra work ahead of time, hoping to secure a longer break over the Spring Festival."

Lai Juncheng said: "Of course, if you work wholeheartedly, I'll approve a month's leave for you, and no one can criticize you. With the Spring Festival approaching, do you have any thorny work problems? If so, I can help you solve them."

Su Yang said: "There's nothing major now—just some personnel issues in the counties, and then the overall signing ceremony for the investment promotion drive; if possible, I'd also like to invite Uncle Huang to attend, though I don't know whether he'll have the time then."

Lai Juncheng laughed: "You little slippery fellow—you could go tell the boss yourself, but it's just a matter of a sentence; instead you're giving me this chance, so I'll accept your favor."

When Su Yang returned to the guesthouse to sleep, he separately sent messages to Zhaikai and Xu Liguo.

The messages were identical, consisting of only four characters: "What is sought can be expected."

These four characters seem to say nothing, yet in fact they say everything.

After sending that message he went to take a shower; by the time he came out, texts and calls were about to blow up his phone.

He first called Xu Liguo back: "Director Xu, I was just in the shower and missed your call; I hope you'll forgive me."

Xu Liguo couldn't wait to say: "Old brother Su, is what you said really true?"