Chapter 18: Accompanying the Secretary for a Jogging Inspection
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He Shinian noticed how Wu Yunqiu addressed Ou Huasheng. Instead of the usual "Director Ou" or "Comrade Huasheng," she called him by his given name directly. This indicated that Ou Huasheng’s withholding of petition materials without reporting upward had already displeased Wu Yunqiu.
Back in his office, He Shinian dialed Ou Huasheng's number and relayed Wu Yunqiu’s message. After hearing it, Ou Huasheng furrowed his brow and asked, "What’s the matter?"
He Shinian replied, "Secretary Wu only instructed me to convey this, without specifics."
"I understand," Ou Huasheng said.
Not long after hanging up, Ou Huasheng, stout and imposing, strode in. Passing by He Shinian’s door, he didn’t even glance his way but went straight inside. He Shinian knew Ou Huasheng was about to be reprimanded.
Sure enough, soon Wu Yunqiu’s scolding echoed from within.
“What? You didn’t have time to submit it?”
“The petitioners submitted the materials to the petition bureau, which couldn’t handle them, so they were passed to the county committee office two weeks ago. And you tell me you didn’t have time to submit them?”
Though a member of the county standing committee, Ou Huasheng’s face darkened under Wu Yunqiu’s sharp rebuke. He hastily explained, “It was an oversight on my part. I neglected this matter, and I take full responsibility.”
Wu Yunqiu said, “Petition work concerns people’s livelihoods. Anything related to the people’s interests is of utmost importance.”
“I don’t want to hear excuses, and you don’t need to explain. I have only one demand: the county committee office must promptly produce a handling proposal and submit it to me.”
Ou Huasheng finally managed to explain a few more words patiently. After promising to handle the matter properly, Wu Yunqiu left the office. His face was as dark as a pig’s liver, filled with displeasure.
Through the window, he cast a fierce glare at He Shinian.
He Shinian knew Ou Huasheng must have realized he was the one who submitted the petition materials to Wu Yunqiu. Yet since he had made his decision, he was unafraid of Ou Huasheng’s stare or possible retaliation.
Reentering Wu Yunqiu’s office, her complexion was much improved. After topping up her water, he was about to leave when she called him back.
“Shinian, it’s been a year since your retirement. How’s your physical condition?”
Although He Shinian didn’t understand why she asked, he stood at attention and replied, “Ready for inspection at any time.”
“Good. Tomorrow at six in the morning, come to the county committee courtyard. I’ll personally test you.”
“All right, Sister Qiu.”
Back home, Qiao Yina had already returned from work and prepared a table full of dishes. He Shinian felt a warmth of home that he had long missed.
After dinner, the two shared a passionate moment. Then Qiao Yina nestled against He Shinian’s strong chest, tracing circles.
“Shinian, as secretary to the secretary, do many people try to curry favor with you every day?”
That was true. Since becoming secretary, his phone and messages were incessant. Gifts were constantly arriving.
Of course, He Shinian knew these people had ulterior motives: to get close to him, to flatter him, hoping to build a bridge between themselves and the secretary.
“They’re not flattering me, but the power behind me,” he thought.
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Qiao Yina flipped over, pressing her full, round body against He Shinian’s chest.
“So, that means if you want, you could get many benefits every day?”
Hearing this, He Shinian ran his hand down her smooth waist and patted it gently. “Yina, a gentleman loves wealth but acquires it by proper means.”
“Some people will go to any lengths to give gifts. Remember, if anyone tries to give me gifts through you in the future, you must politely refuse.”
Afraid she might entertain such thoughts, He Shinian immediately shut down the idea.
“Oh!” Qiao Yina responded softly, puzzled but said no more.
The next day, precisely at six o’clock, He Shinian arrived at the county committee courtyard.
After Wu Yunqiu was assigned to Ninghai, the county committee arranged a suite for her at the committee guesthouse—over 140 square meters.
She felt living alone in such a large space was wasteful and somewhat excessive, so she chose a house in Phase 2 of the county committee courtyard behind the guesthouse—about 80 square meters.
“Shinian, very punctual!” Wu Yunqiu appeared behind him, dressed in a sleek black tracksuit.
He was surprised and shocked: surprised to see her in tight sportswear for the first time, shocked at how perfect her figure was.
“Sister Qiu, how are you planning to test me?” He Shinian smiled and stepped forward.
Wu Yunqiu held a black sun hat and said, “Today’s test is a 20-kilometer run to Nanping Town. We’ll go together.”
What?
He Shinian’s eyes widened. It wasn’t the 20-kilometer run that shocked him, but that she intended to run alongside him.
“Is that okay?” He Shinian grinned.
“Why, are you afraid?”
“Impossible. ‘Fear’ isn’t in my vocabulary.”
Wu Yunqiu smiled faintly, put on her sun hat, and ran out.
He Shinian wanted to say more but held back and followed half a step behind her.
He knew the route to Nanping Town well. Wu Yunqiu’s pace was neither fast nor slow, and her breathing was well controlled.
In endurance running, breathing rhythm is crucial. He Shinian was well versed in this and was surprised Wu Yunqiu was as adept.
Still, after ten kilometers, her pace slowed.
Taking the chance, He Shinian said, “I didn’t expect Sister Qiu’s fitness to be so well maintained.”
“That’s right,” Wu Yunqiu said with some pride.
“Sister Qiu, our trip to Nanping Town isn’t just for running, is it?”
“Of course not. We’re going to inspect the land mentioned in the petition materials. After all, no investigation means no right to speak.”
Just as He Shinian had guessed, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiang Weimin’s recent inspection and the petition case yesterday had drawn Wu Yunqiu’s attention to the land issue.
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Their conversation flowed freely even as sweat drenched them during the run.
At eight o’clock, they arrived at their destination: Goubei Bend.
Located west of Nanping Town and surrounded by mountains on two sides, the large hollow between the mountains is the land in question.
“This is it?” Wu Yunqiu asked.
He Shinian nodded, “Yes, right here.”
Nearby in the hollow, six or seven excavators, loaders, and many green-tarped earth trucks were parked.
Stones, tree roots, and other debris were gathered in piles, and protective barriers fenced the boundary.
According to the petition materials, villagers had yet to receive their land lease payments.
Why had Jinchang Agriculture Company already begun construction?
“Let’s go take a look.”
They walked along the somewhat uneven roadside toward the site.
Just then, He Shinian’s phone rang.
He glanced at Wu Yunqiu and said, “It’s Director Ou.”
No doubt, Wu Yunqiu had neither gone to the county committee nor informed Ou Huasheng; he must be calling to inquire about her whereabouts.
“Answer it!” Wu Yunqiu said calmly.
Unexpectedly, once connected, Ou Huasheng demanded, “He Shinian, where is Secretary Wu?”
He Shinian glanced at Wu Yunqiu and said, “Secretary Wu and I are out handling some matters.”
“What matters? How come I, as the county committee office director, don’t know?”
“And you, as Secretary Wu’s secretary, why didn’t you report in advance? This is a serious dereliction of duty.”
“Secretary Wu’s schedule is fixed daily. Your actions have disrupted the county committee office’s work and put them in a passive position.”
“You need to understand your role, department, and chain of command clearly. Don’t just keep your head down pulling the cart; learn to look up and see the road.”
He Shinian was about to retort but was interrupted by Wu Yunqiu, who gestured for the phone.
“I am Wu Yunqiu... Does the county committee secretary have to report every tiny detail to you?”
However, whatever was said on the other end annoyed Wu Yunqiu.
“Enough. Don’t blame Comrade He Shinian for this. I instructed him to keep it confidential.”
After hanging up, He Shinian quickly sent a message to the driver, Fang Jie: “Fang, I’ll send you a location. Drive over but don’t tell anyone else.”
On the other end, Ou Huasheng’s face turned ashen. At that moment, he saw the number one car in the county committee compound start the engine, preparing to leave.
He rushed over and questioned, “Fang Jie, why are you here? Where’s Secretary Wu?”
Fang Jie, who had always been indifferent and disdainful toward Ou Huasheng, and having received He Shinian’s message, scoffed, “How would I know where the leader has gone? Secretary Wu told me not to pick her up today.”
“Then where are you going now?”
“To wash the car.”
Ou Huasheng was furious, snorted, and left with a dark, thunderous face.