Chapter 5: The Realities of Officialdom
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After waiting for half an hour with no sign of him, Shi Nian He simply picked up the newspaper on the table and began to read. Hours slipped by in the blink of an eye. By half past five, there was still no sign of Director Ou Huasheng’s return, and Shi Nian’s mood grew somewhat irritable.
At that moment, Mi Tian returned and, upon seeing Shi Nian, was slightly surprised. “Oh, you’re still here?”
Shi Nian wanted to say, I’ve been drinking tea all afternoon, holding in the urge to pee, and haven’t seen anyone—how could I leave?
“I’ve been waiting for Director Ou.”
Mi Tian sighed softly. “Sorry, they’re still in a meeting. You probably won’t get to see him today. Why don’t you come back tomorrow?”
Shi Nian felt a bit disheartened but smiled and asked, “Alright, what time should I come tomorrow?”
Mi Tian thought for a moment. “How about you leave me your number? When Director Ou is free tomorrow, I’ll give you a call.”
After bidding farewell to Mi Tian and leaving the county committee compound, Shi Nian felt a bit downhearted. He instinctively took out his phone and glanced at it.
Since yesterday, not a single call or message from Qiao Yina had come through.
She never behaved like this before.
What happened after I left last night?
Riding his bicycle, Shi Nian aimlessly wandered through the streets and alleys of Ninghai County.
Suddenly, he felt a strong desire to drink.
But sadly, he realized he had no one to drink with.
In the end, inexplicably, Shi Nian found himself riding down to the foot of Qiao Yina’s apartment building.
Just then, a graceful figure in a long dress appeared in his sight—slender and elegant, with a subtle charm.
Qiao Yina?
Where is she going?
She walked toward a black Tiguan parked not far away.
At that moment, the car door opened, and a man stepped out.
Dressed in a suit and tie, looking every bit the gentleman—wasn’t this Feng Anping?
With an ingratiating smile, Feng Anping opened the passenger door and invited Qiao Yina in.
He gently closed the door, circled around, got into the driver’s seat, started the car, and drove off.
Shi Nian’s gaze darkened.
They’re already together so quickly?
No wonder Qiao Yina didn’t contact me last night or today—so that’s how it is...
His mood plummeted.
Just then, his phone rang. Without looking, he answered coldly, “Speak.”
“Senior Brother, what’s wrong? Who offended you? It’s me, An Yan!”
Shi Nian instinctively glanced at the caller ID and softened his tone a bit. “Nothing. What’s up?”
“Senior Brother, have you eaten? If not, let me treat you to a meal.”
An Yan Lin joined the Land Resources Bureau a few months after Shi Nian, both assigned to the Land Use Division.
They shared the same superior, Da Jin Liu.
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She was one of the few at the bureau who never mocked Shi Nian.
Feeling he shouldn’t burden An Yan with his mood, Shi Nian eased his tone. “I just want to drink.”
...
By the Ning River, at the Yunding Fengxiao Restaurant, private room on the second floor.
An Yan Lin had dressed up specially today.
Her wavy hair carried a faint sweet scent of perfume.
A fashionable dress outlined her slender waist, and her light heels accentuated her legs with graceful poise.
“Senior Brother, what’s wrong? You look quite gloomy.”
An Yan was curious.
The bureau was already abuzz with news that Shi Nian was going to work at the county committee.
Shouldn’t he be happy?
Why the sour face?
Shi Nian naturally wouldn’t confide to An Yan about Qiao Yina getting into Feng Anping’s car like some tragic heroine.
“Nothing. Pour the wine.”
An Yan glanced at Shi Nian but didn’t press further.
She ordered a bottle of the local specialty, a strong “braised pot” liquor, along with some simple home-style dishes.
She poured two cups of wine and raised hers. “Senior Brother, congratulations on your promotion. You’ll have to look out for your junior sister from now on!”
An Yan’s outfit and her sweet smile made her look charming and tender.
“Promotion? Promotion to what?”
An Yan thought Shi Nian was deliberately withholding information and clinked her cup with his.
Taking a sip, she said, “Everyone at work is saying Director Ou summoned you and that you’re about to transfer to the county committee office. You’re going to rise through the ranks in no time.”
Shi Nian gave a bitter smile. “Who did you hear that from? I don’t even know myself.”
“Never mind who says it. Just promise me, if you do get promoted, you must help your junior sister, let me stick by you.”
An Yan graduated from a 211 university, came from a well-off family, and carried herself with grace and charm.
She had many admirers within the system, including second-generation officials.
If she wanted to climb the ranks, it would be much easier than for Shi Nian.
But she seemed indifferent to those suitors.
Instead, she got along reasonably well with Shi Nian, who had a military background, though only just that—reasonable.
She maintained a safe distance with careful control.
Yet today, she was smiling sweetly and gently, like a docile kitten, enough to distract any normal man.
Shi Nian didn’t take it seriously, responding casually, “Alright, I promise. If I ever get promoted, I’ll look after you.”
“That’s settled then. No backing out, or you’re a little dog.”
Shi Nian truly wanted to drink today. The bottle of 53-degree local liquor, 750ml.
An Yan had a sip, but the rest was downed by Shi Nian.
Despite his high tolerance, drinking on an empty stomach with a heavy heart made him feel slightly intoxicated after just one bottle.
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“Senior Brother, are you drunk?”
“Yeah, a little.”
“I’ll take you home.”
Seeing Qiao Yina get into Feng Anping’s car had deeply upset Shi Nian.
Encouraged by the alcohol, he tentatively placed his hand on An Yan’s waist.
She didn’t pull away.
“I don’t want to go back.”
Hearing this, An Yan froze, a rosy flush spreading across her cheeks.
In the end, she still saw Shi Nian home and laid him on the bed.
She sat by the bedside, watching him.
Shi Nian closed his eyes slightly, one hand slowly resting on An Yan’s slender waist.
Her soft curves responded to his touch.
An Yan twisted her waist and asked, “By the way, Senior Brother, how was your meeting with Director Ou at the county committee office? What position did he assign you?”
Shi Nian smiled ruefully, stammering, “I spent the afternoon drinking tea at the county committee office. My bladder nearly burst, and I didn’t even catch a glimpse of anyone.”
At this, An Yan’s almond eyes widened, and she instinctively pushed his hand away.
“Senior Brother, no way! Everyone’s saying you’re going to be secretary to the newly appointed county party secretary, Wu Yunqiu.”
“Secretary to the county party secretary?”
Shi Nian laughed bitterly before adding, “In the past ten years, the secretary to the county party secretary also served as deputy director of the county committee office, a deputy section-level post. I’m just a second-level clerk—what qualifications do I have?”
“I heard when Secretary Wu first came to Ninghai, the county committee assigned her a secretary, but she wasn’t satisfied and recently wanted to replace them...”
“I thought maybe you were the lucky one!”
“Even if the county party secretary changes secretaries, they’re most likely chosen internally. I’m just a nobody—there’s no way such good fortune will fall on me.”
Despite the alcohol, Shi Nian’s mind still retained minimal clarity.
An Yan was silent, watching Shi Nian, lying on the bed with eyes closed.
She instinctively avoided his grasp and then suddenly stood up.
“Well then, Senior Brother, get some rest. I’ll leave now. Bye.”
Without looking back, she turned and left.
Learning that Shi Nian wouldn’t be secretary to the county party secretary, An Yan’s mood sank.
Her attitude shifted; the earlier teasing vanished, replaced by a safe distance.
Though drunk, Shi Nian’s heart remained sober. He saw right through her little game.
After she left, he opened his slightly reddened eyes.
Even if she were willing to yield tonight, it wasn’t to Shi Nian the person.
It was to the power Shi Nian might one day possess.
Such is the reality of officialdom.