Chapter 8: The Scoundrel's Turncoat Ways

He Shinian noticed that Wang Dongge’s tone and attitude had changed, and he no longer seemed friendly. It was said that when Wu Yunqiu first arrived in Ninghai County, Wang Dongge had served as her secretary, but it had only lasted three months before she replaced him. As for the reason, He Shinian did not yet know.

"Whatever works, I'll follow Section Chief Wang's arrangements."

Wang Dongge suddenly spoke up: "I just remembered I have something else to attend to. How about this? Go back to your original department today, and when you officially start, we will handle the handover."

He Shinian glanced at Wang Dongge and confirmed his suspicions. Though he didn't understand why, Wang Dongge was clearly hostile toward his arrival.

"Fine. My handover at the previous department won't take long; I can officially start tomorrow!"

Stepping out of the County Committee compound, He Shinian let out a long sigh of relief, feeling so excited he nearly jumped. He knew that from today on, he was Wu Yunqiu’s secretary. He had to be careful in his speech and conduct, making sure not to let his success go to his head.

When he returned to the Land and Resources Bureau office, Liu Dajin was sitting at He Shinian’s desk with a cold expression, smoking and letting ash scatter all over the workspace. Seeing He Shinian, Liu Dajin slammed his hand on the desk, stood up, and barked, "He Shinian, do you have any sense of discipline or professional ethics left?"

"What's the matter?" He Shinian asked indifferently.

"Absent without leave, and your phone won't connect. Do you even want this job anymore?"

He Shinian remembered that he had turned his phone off to avoid being interrupted while meeting with the County Committee Secretary, Wu Yunqiu. Ignoring Liu Dajin’s tirade, he took out his phone and turned it on, finding several missed call notifications.

"Are you deaf? Did you hear what I said?" Liu Dajin showed no respect, pointing a finger directly at He Shinian’s nose and swearing loudly.

"Section Chief Liu, watch your tone. What kind of behavior is this, pointing fingers? Or was the slap you received yesterday not enough?" Seeing Liu Dajin’s rudeness, He Shinian retorted.

"You..." Liu Dajin’s face changed, but with so many people watching, he couldn't afford to back down. He continued to curse: "No request, no report, leaving your post without authorization—He Shinian, what exactly do you think you're doing? If you don't want to work here, get out and stop making a fool of yourself."

"I don't want to work here anymore. I'll pack my things and leave right now."

Liu Dajin was delighted. He straightened his back and said, "He Shinian, you're resigning? Come on, submit your resignation letter immediately; I'll approve it right now."

The office staff were shocked to hear that He Shinian was quitting and leaving. He Shinian gathered his belongings, not bothering to waste his breath on Liu Dajin—it was pointless. But Liu Dajin had no intention of stopping, continuing to mock him: "Hmph, He Shinian, you couldn't even get an audience at the County Committee, yet you were dreaming of transferring there? Keep dreaming! Bah!"

Just then, Kong Zhengyou appeared at the door with a grim face. Seeing him, Liu Dajin fawningly stepped forward and began to recount He Shinian’s "crimes" with added embellishments.

"He Shinian, no request, no leave slip, absent without leave, leaving your post without authorization—is this true?" Kong Zhengyou asked sternly.

Before He Shinian could explain, Liu Dajin chimed in: "Not only that, but he threatened me with resignation. Director Kong, if such a person remains in the Bureau, how can we maintain any efficiency? I suggest he be fired, or at the very least, demoted to a township office immediately."

"Resignation?" Kong Zhengyou said in a lecturing tone: "He Shinian, you are throwing a tantrum. You made a mistake, yet you cannot handle criticism and use resignation to threaten your superiors. I think Section Chief Liu is right; you are no longer suitable for the Land and Resources Bureau."

Seeing Kong Zhengyou backing him, Liu Dajin stood taller and scolded: "Exactly. Our Bureau doesn't need someone who lacks respect for leadership and professional integrity. I think the Land Office in Wangri Township would be a perfect fit for him."

He Shinian looked at the two of them as if they were performing in a circus. The news of his transfer to the County Committee must not have reached the Bureau yet, and he couldn't be bothered to explain. He had already packed his personal items and stood up to leave, but Liu Dajin blocked his path.

"He Shinian, you haven't finished your handover. You can't leave. Let me check your things; who knows if you're stealing important documents from the Bureau."

He Shinian’s gaze sharpened. "I am carrying my personal belongings. By what right do you check them?"

"By what right?" Liu Dajin sneered. "By the fact that this is the Land and Resources Bureau, and Director Kong is the Executive Deputy Director in charge of all matters here."

At this moment, Lin Anyan walked over and tugged lightly on He Shinian’s sleeve, whispering, "Senior brother, are you really resigning? Jobs are hard to find right now, don't be impulsive!"

Just then, the head of the Bureau office came running in, flustered, and whispered something in Kong Zhengyou’s ear. Upon hearing it, Kong Zhengyou’s expression changed drastically. He turned to the office head and asked, "Really?"

"Absolutely certain."

With that, Kong Zhengyou and the office head hurried away. Liu Dajin hadn't paid attention to what was said and continued to taunt: "He Shinian, you aren't walking out that door until you let me search you."

For a year, He Shinian had been targeted, humiliated, and sabotaged by Liu Dajin. Originally, after becoming the Secretary to the County Committee Secretary, he had wanted to stay low-key and leave without making a scene. But since Liu Dajin wouldn't let it go, he decided to give him a taste of his own medicine.

"Liu Dajin, if you want to stop me, are you afraid that the slap you got yesterday wasn't enough?"

Speaking of the slap, Liu Dajin was furious. "He Shinian, if you have the guts, try hitting me again today! I'll call the police immediately and have you locked up."

"Section Chief Liu, my senior brother hasn't done anything wrong. You truly have no authority to search his personal items."

These words warmed He Shinian’s heart slightly. Out of everyone in the office, only Lin Anyan was willing to speak up for him.

"Lin Anyan, you idiot, recognize who pays your salary and who you're working for! He Shinian hit me yesterday, and today I'm going to settle the score."

Lin Anyan’s face turned red; he wanted to say that Liu Dajin had deserved it yesterday—if it weren't for his foul mouth insulting people's parents, he wouldn't have been hit.

"Xiao Sun, call the police immediately. Tell them He Shinian is assaulting people," Liu Dajin ordered a young man nearby.

At that moment, Kong Zhengyou returned. His previously stern face had suddenly transformed into a beaming smile; the shift was so extreme he could have been an actor.

"Stop, Liu Dajin! What are you doing?"

Liu Dajin turned around, only to hear Kong Zhengyou roar: "You are all colleagues, why call the police? Liu Dajin, are you trying to blow things out of proportion? Besides, what happened yesterday was your own fault; you deserved to be hit."

Everyone in the room was stunned. Hadn't Kong Zhengyou been targeting He Shinian just moments ago? How could he change his attitude so completely upon returning? The speed of this face-turn was like a master of Sichuan opera mask-changing.

"Di... Director Kong, what is going on?" Liu Dajin was utterly bewildered.