Chapter 37: Analysis

After drinking together on a couple of occasions, the three men, all of whom were outcasts in the General Affairs Division, gradually grew closer. Li Boyang began to open up about some events from the past.

Qu Hui had started working two years before him, but after Li Boyang joined the unit, he performed exceptionally well. At that time, the General Affairs Division and the Secretarial Division were still separate, and both men were part of the latter. When the position of Chief of the Secretarial Division became vacant, both had a shot at it.

As it happened, a senior leader who admired Li Boyang intended to transfer him to serve as his personal secretary. Had that gone through, the promotion to Chief of the Secretarial Division would have been a natural next step. In truth, that position was nothing grand—it was merely a section-level post—but at the critical moment of competition, Li Boyang was anonymously reported for alleged moral misconduct. Although the matter was cleared up, the opportunity had already slipped away, and Qu Hui became the Chief of the Secretarial Division. Later, when the two divisions merged into the current General Affairs Division, Qu Hui became its chief.

"Actually, even if there is no hard evidence, you can figure things out by looking at who benefits," Li Boyang said. He looked at Wang Zhitao and Li Xiuyuan and added, "You two have heard the rumors these past few days, right? There’s going to be a promotion for a Deputy Chief in our division. Don’t you think Huang Wei is itching to stir up trouble for you?"

Wang Zhitao’s face darkened; he hadn't expected this to be tied to the Deputy Chief position.

"Xiuyuan is the newcomer, and I’ve long since given up hope—I'm just coasting until retirement. Of the three of us, you are the biggest threat to Huang Wei," Li Boyang analyzed.

Wang Zhitao frowned. "That can’t be right. There are plenty of other competitors in the office—Old Zhu, Sister Zhang, Sister Yang, and Wu Yiyi. Any one of them could be a rival."

"Haha, that’s where you’re wrong. First of all, Old Zhu and Sister Zhang have no chance. Look at their ages compared to Qu Hui’s. How could he manage a deputy who’s old enough to be his parents?"

Li Xiuyuan nodded in agreement. While Li Boyang’s words were sharp, his analysis made sense. If Old Zhu or Sister Zhang were ever going to be promoted, it would have happened by now. In the bureaucratic system, if you reached that age without holding any office, it was usually for one of two reasons: either you didn't want the promotion—like Old Zhu and Sister Zhang, who wouldn't want to work under a young man like Qu Hui anyway, preferring the comfort of their seniority—or you had offended someone and were being held back by leadership.

"What about Sister Yang and Wu Yiyi?" Wang Zhitao asked.

"Wu Yiyi might have had a chance if she weren't serving as Vice County Magistrate Gu’s secretary. But now that she is, it’s unlikely. The Vice Magistrate is a newcomer and needs to maintain a certain image. If this promotion were delayed by half a year, it would be hers without a fight. But right now? It’s unlikely, unless she’s willing to quit her post as the secretary. But that’s impossible. Spending a few years with a leader is a path to a better future than a deputy position in a General Affairs Division, which isn't even a full section-level rank. It’s barely a sub-section post; only a careerist like Huang Wei would care about it."

"As for Sister Yang, I can't get a read on her. There are many rumors, but she was transferred from a township, and I don't know the specifics. I advise you not to dig into it."

Li Boyang continued, "So, Zhitao, don’t you see? Huang Wei has to target you. As for targeting Li Xiuyuan and me, that’s just collateral damage. We’ve been marked by Qu ever since, and he’ll kick us out the moment he gets the chance."

Li Xiuyuan felt depressed. "Forget it. After all this analysis, we’re in worse shape than Zhitao. He only risks losing a promotion; we risk being kicked out entirely."

"It doesn't matter," Li Boyang said with a shrug. "I’ve seen through it all these years. If Qu dares to mess with me, I’ll raise hell."

Li Xiuyuan couldn't afford that attitude. Li Boyang was fearless because of his tenure, but Li Xiuyuan was still a trainee. How could he possibly fight back?

Meanwhile, Luo Tao arrived at the home of his older brother, Luo Yi. They shared a close bond, and since it was mealtime, they sat down to eat and chat. Over tea, Luo Yi looked at his brother and asked directly, "You’re here for something, aren't you? Out with it."

Luo Tao explained his request, downplaying it as a trivial matter—just a little favor for a newcomer. He assumed his brother, a Deputy Director, could handle it easily. To his surprise, Luo Yi shook his head. "Tao, I won't be attending that dinner. You’ll have to decline for me."

"What?" Luo Tao was stunned.

Luo Yi explained, "It’s not that simple. You don’t understand the situation in the Government Office. Li Xiuyuan’s case is complex. It’s not just a matter of doing a favor. The Chief of the General Affairs Division dislikes him, and that Chief, Qu Hui, is a man of Director Pang. If you help him, you offend Qu Hui. The real issue isn't Qu Hui, but the fact that Director Pang is backing him. On the surface, Qu Hui is trying to oust Li, but behind the scenes, Director Pang is turning a blind eye."

Luo Tao’s eyes widened. Luo Yi continued, "To be honest, the connection is too distant. If this were family, I’d fight for them against anyone, including Director Pang. But Li Xiuyuan is just the nephew of a junior high classmate you haven't seen in years. It’s too remote to justify getting involved."

Luo Yi was clearly unwilling to intervene, but Luo Tao persisted, recalling his good impression of Li Xiuyuan.

"Brother, isn't there any flexibility? I gave him my word, and he’s been so respectful. If I back out now, how can I face people? He hosted the dinner at the Jinxin Hotel—that’s high stakes for a small request."

Luo Yi sighed, acknowledging his brother’s dilemma. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Fine. I won't go to the dinner, but I can subtly ensure he stays in the Government Office for a while longer by having Qu Hui delay his move. As for his future, he’s on his own. I won't directly confront Director Pang for his sake."

"That’ll do," Luo Tao said. "But how will you handle it?"

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't," Luo Yi retorted. "Just pass my message along personally. Don't leave any trail behind, and I won't admit to any of this if it gets out."