Chapter 4: The County Committee Wants to See Me
Although puzzled, He Shinian still nodded and followed Kong Zhengyou out, entering his office.
Kong Zhengyou closed the door behind him and, unusually, flatteringly invited He Shinian to sit down and even brewed tea for him—something that had never happened in the past year and seemed utterly impossible.
He Shinian widened his eyes in surprise.
“Comrade Shinian, what is your relationship with Ou Huasheng, member of the County Party Standing Committee and director of the County Party Office?” Kong Zhengyou asked.
He Shinian was taken aback. He had heard of Ou Huasheng and knew him by name, but there was no way Ou Huasheng knew him.
“Director Kong, I do not know Director Ou,” He Shinian answered honestly.
Kong Zhengyou then looked at He Shinian meaningfully and said, “Just now, the County Party Office called our office and informed me that Director Ou wants to see you.”
“See me?”
He Shinian grew even more confused. He and Ou Huasheng had no connection whatsoever. Why would Ou Huasheng summon him?
From the standpoint of rank, Ou Huasheng was a deputy division-level cadre and a member of the County Party Standing Committee.
He Shinian, aside from his military background, was nothing more than an ordinary second-level clerk.
For He Shinian, being summoned by a County Party Standing Committee member was an immense disparity—it felt like being overqualified.
From Ou Huasheng’s perspective, it was like using anti-aircraft artillery to swat a mosquito—far beneath his status.
No matter how he looked at it, the situation seemed impossible. He even suspected Kong Zhengyou was joking.
But jokes should have limits; joking about the County Party Office director was hardly something one would do unless they had lost all patience with life.
“Director Kong, did Director Ou mention what this is about?” He Shinian asked calmly.
Kong Zhengyou replied, “He didn’t say. In any case, you’ll find out once you get there.”
...
What He Shinian didn’t know was that shortly after he left the Land Bureau, the office was thrown into chaos.
“What? He Shinian is being transferred to the County Party Office?”
“Yes, and possibly to serve as a secretary for some leader?”
“Impossible. Who told you that? He’s just an ex-soldier. What qualifications does he have to be a secretary? Can he write speeches? Does he understand bureaucratic etiquette?”
“Heh, as long as the leader likes him, none of that matters. Just eat your food and worry less.”
“He’s just jealous because someone else got lucky!”
...
None of their gossip escaped the ears of Liu Dajin.
He was not only frustrated but his face burned with anger.
Despite apologizing earlier, he had utterly offended He Shinian.
If He Shinian were truly transferred to work at the County Party Office, dealing with Liu Dajin would be as easy as an old monk eating tender tofu.
Meanwhile, He Shinian was completely oblivious to the office turmoil. Riding his bicycle, he had already arrived at the gates of the County Party Committee.
After a year at the Land Bureau, this was He Shinian’s first time at the County Party Committee.
At the entrance, he was stopped by the guard.
“Stop. What business do you have here?”
He Shinian politely replied, “Hello, comrade. I’m here to see Ou Huasheng, director of the County Party Office.”
The guard frowned and said, “Then call him. I need to confirm.”
He Shinian didn’t know Ou Huasheng personally and had no phone number.
“I’m an employee of the Land Bureau. I was notified today that Director Ou wants to speak with me, but I don’t have his number. Here are my ID and work permit; you can check them.”
The guard glanced suspiciously at his documents, then handed them back.
“Sorry, without phone confirmation, I can’t let you in.”
He Shinian was dumbfounded. Were the County Party’s guards really this arrogant?
Feeling displeased but keeping calm, he patiently explained, “Director Ou really summoned me. If you don’t believe me, you can call the County Party Office to confirm.”
“That’s your problem. We don’t handle that.”
The guard’s haughty attitude left He Shinian at a loss.
With no other choice, He Shinian finally dialed Kong Zhengyou’s number.
Fortunately, Kong had his number. Upon receiving it, He Shinian called immediately.
To his surprise, a woman answered, her voice pleasant: “Hello.”
“Hello, I’m He Shinian from the County Land Bureau. I heard Director Ou wants to see me. I’m at the County Party Committee entrance. Could you inform the guard to let me in?” He Shinian said politely.
“Oh, so you’re He Shinian. I know you. Here’s what we’ll do: give the phone to the guard, and I’ll speak with him.”
He Shinian was a bit stunned. How did this young woman know him?
Though puzzled, he politely handed the phone to the guard.
The guard took the phone with a stern face, clearly displeased.
But upon hearing the voice on the other end, his expression instantly changed to a smile, bowing slightly.
“All right, all right... I understand. I’ll let him in now.”
After hanging up, the guard returned the phone with both hands, now wearing a friendly smile instead of his earlier stony demeanor.
“It’s confirmed. You may enter.”
---
He Shinian couldn’t help but marvel at the majesty and charm of power.
Once inside the County Party compound, he felt momentarily lost.
The building was U-shaped—grand, elegant, and imposing. Though built in the mid-1990s, renovations and upgrades had maintained its dignified aura.
How wonderful it would be to work here.
Just as He Shinian wondered where to go, someone approached.
He stopped the person and asked, “Comrade, hello. Could you please tell me how to get to Director Ou’s office in the County Party Office?”
“Go up here. It’s the farthest office on the right on the second floor.”
He Shinian thanked him and climbed the stairs. Upon reaching the second floor, a faint scent of perfume greeted him.
He instinctively turned his head and saw a fair-skinned, pure-looking young woman.
She wasn’t in work attire but wore a modest light blue knee-length dress.
Though young, her full chest stood proudly.
Her skin was as fair and delicate as a peeled lychee, giving her an undeniable beauty.
“Oh... are you Comrade He Shinian?” the woman said softly upon seeing his upright posture and sharp eyebrows.
He Shinian was surprised and replied, “Hello, I am He Shinian... and you are?”
“Hello, I’m Tian Mi, from the Comprehensive Section One. I just spoke to you on the phone.”
Sweet?
“Come with me. I’ll take you to Director Ou’s office. They have a temporary Standing Committee meeting, so it might be a while.”
Following Tian Mi into Ou Huasheng’s office, He Shinian admired the grandeur.
“Have some tea and sit down. I have work to finish, so I’ll leave you here,” Tian Mi smiled and left the room.
He Shinian sipped the tea and looked around the office.
He noticed not only its grand style but also that the placement of office supplies and decorations seemed unique, perhaps reflecting feng shui principles.
Director Ou was particular about feng shui?
That was He Shinian’s first thought.