Chapter 11: The Phone Blew Up

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In He Shinian’s office stood four filing cabinets linked together, densely packed with folders. Each folder bore corresponding numbers, dates, and summaries of events.

Returning to his desk, he carefully examined these files one by one, following their chronological order and numbering.

Just then, a knock came at the door. Turning around, he saw Wang Dongge, who had greeted him with a cold face yesterday.

“Hello, Section Chief Wang,” He Shinian said politely, setting down the documents in his hand.

“Don’t call me that, Secretary He. Just call me Xiao Wang from now on. I’m no section chief. If anyone’s the chief here, it’s you,” Wang Dongge replied, his tone both sarcastic and mocking, clearly trying to trap He Shinian.

Becoming the Section Chief of Comprehensive Division One was almost a foregone conclusion for the secretary of the county party secretary—unless, like Wang Dongge, one was dismissed prematurely.

Pouring a cup of tea for Wang Dongge, He Shinian ignored the bait and said, “Since you’re here, shouldn’t we start handing over the work?”

Wang Dongge hadn’t expected He Shinian to easily dodge the trap and quickly agreed, “Alright, then let’s get the handover done.”

The so-called handover was brief; in just over ten minutes, everything was settled.

Afterwards, Wang Dongge took He Shinian to the Comprehensive Division One office, where they met Deputy Section Chief Meng Fan, who was currently in charge.

Meng Fan was cold and spoke in a faint voice when addressing He Shinian.

He Shinian sensed, much like Wang Dongge, Meng Fan neither welcomed nor accepted his arrival; there was even a hint of resentment or hostility.

Later, He Shinian learned that as the acting deputy section chief, Meng Fan naturally hoped to be officially promoted.

But with He Shinian firmly seated as the county party secretary’s secretary, Meng Fan’s hopes for promotion were indefinitely postponed.

After a tour of the division and introductions to colleagues, He Shinian took his leave.

Watching him leave, the ever-stern Meng Fan turned to Wang Dongge and asked, “Any plans from the county party office for lunch?”

Wang Dongge took a drag of his cigarette and smiled meaningfully, “Director Ou didn’t say anything.”

Meng Fan gave a slight hum but said no more.

There was an unspoken rule in the Ninghai County party office: when a new colleague joined, there was usually a modest welcome banquet.

But Ou Huasheng had skipped this altogether.

Perhaps in his eyes, He Shinian’s tenure as secretary wouldn’t last long, so he saw no need for fuss.

Back in his office, He Shinian glanced at the clock—it was exactly nine o’clock. He began organizing and familiarizing himself with the files in the cabinets.

At that moment, his phone rang.

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It was Lin Anyan calling.

He answered just as Lin Anyan spoke first. “Hello, leader.”

He Shinian glanced at the caller ID and asked, “Did you dial the wrong number?”

“No, I’m calling you, leader,” Lin Anyan replied with a sweet laugh, her voice dripping with charm.

He Shinian said, “Who’s your superior?”

Lin Anyan smiled, “Surname He, given name Shinian... Sorry, leader, I shouldn’t call you by your name.”

He Shinian cursed silently but said aloud, “Since when did I become your leader?”

“Hehe, you used to be my senior brother, now you’re my leader! May I ask if you’re free tonight? Please honor me with a dinner.”

A beautiful woman inviting him out made He Shinian excited, but he restrained himself and said, “Did Kong Zhengyou and Liu Dajin send you?”

Lin Anyan didn’t deny it. “Yes, they said they want to send you off as family.”

Recalling Liu Dajin’s odd expression yesterday and Kong Zhengyou’s sudden change in attitude, He Shinian felt a bit amused.

This feeling of being slapped in the face was strangely satisfying.

Naturally, he had to decline the dinner.

But he couldn’t let Lin Anyan think that success had made him arrogant.

Suppressing his small pride, He Shinian said, “It’s my first day on the job, with a lot to do. I’m not sure if I’ll have time, so I can’t promise.”

“I understand you’re busy, but I’ll be waiting for your call, leader.”

He Shinian was momentarily speechless.

Just two nights ago, Lin Anyan had decisively left his home, but today she was as docile as a lamb.

Such was the immense allure of power—even an old curmudgeon like him felt its pull.

He knew that even if Lin Anyan was willing to devote herself, what she truly sought was the power behind him, not him as a person.

Now, with a different position, his mindset had changed.

He had to cherish and protect his reputation, never risking small things for greater loss.

After hanging up with Lin Anyan, Qiao Yina’s call came in.

“Shinian, why has your phone been busy all this time?”

Perhaps frustrated by several busy signals, Qiao Yina sounded a little upset.

He Shinian explained, “First day at the county party office, too many calls.”

Qiao Yina sighed softly, understanding he was now a very busy man, and softened her tone. “My dad wants us to have dinner at home tonight to celebrate your promotion. My brother will be back too.”

He Shinian knew this was how things stood.

Knowing he had been promoted as the county party secretary’s secretary, it was no surprise that Qiao Hailin would seize the chance to bolster his own influence and possibly gain benefits.

Just days ago, Qiao Hailin had harshly scolded He Shinian for being useless and told him to leave Qiao Yina. How much time had passed?

If He Shinian hadn’t become the secretary, would Qiao Hailin have invited him to dinner?

The answer was no.

Even if He Shinian and Qiao Yina were a couple, he wouldn’t attend—at least not for now.

He had to maintain his dignity in front of the Qiao family.

With this in mind, He Shinian said, “I have a lot on my plate here. The county party office seems to have organized a banquet tonight, so I probably won’t make it.”

Qiao Yina, being an insider, knew that once he became secretary, his time would no longer be his own. She said, “I know you’re busy. I’ll tell my parents... Oh, and no matter how busy you are, don’t forget to eat, alright?”

“Got it. I’ll take good care of myself.”

No sooner had Qiao Yina hung up than calls and messages flooded in one after another, leaving He Shinian overwhelmed.

All the calls and messages were congratulations and dinner invitations.

He Shinian knew his new position meant he couldn’t ignore the calls, but by the end, just answering them made him want to vomit.

By afternoon, after charging his phone and turning it on, calls came pouring in again, and he was forced to keep dealing with them.

It wasn’t until almost quitting time that the calls finally eased.

Seizing the moment, He Shinian called Tian Mi and said, “Could you check if the colleagues in the department are free tonight? I want to treat everyone to dinner.”

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