102: Chapter 102 Work Group Chat

"I was just passing by and thought I'd ask about the education funding for the Development Zone."

Xiao Bei pretended not to have seen what just happened.

Director Zhou Dawei wiped the sweat from his forehead:

"This... County Magistrate Xuan has already made arrangements, and the funds will be in place next week."

"So fast? Has the budget review already been completed?"

"County Magistrate Xuan said it's a special case, and construction in the Development Zone cannot be delayed." Director Zhou Dawei's eyes flickered.

Xiao Bei nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

As he left, he heard Director Zhou Dawei lower his voice and say to his subordinate: "Quick, post the photo from just now into the group chat, with the caption: 'Working overtime to review education funding, ensuring every cent is used where it's needed.'"

Returning to his office, Xiao Bei found Team Leader Zhang Yining organizing the filing cabinet.

She had her back to the door, moving very slowly, clearly waiting for him.

"County Magistrate Xiao,"

She turned around, her voice very soft, "I've discovered a strange phenomenon."

"What is it?"

"The registered address for Rainbow Garment is in the Development Zone, but there's no factory there at all. I checked the actual production address, and it's a dilapidated small workshop in the suburbs."

Xiao Bei's eyes lit up: "Interesting. Keep investigating; see where their products are actually coming from."

Team Leader Zhang Yining nodded, and while pretending to hand him a document, she slipped him a note: "Be careful, County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu might have sent people to monitor you."

Just then, Xiao Bei's phone rang again.

In the work group chat, County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu sent a long message: "@Everyone, recently it has been discovered that some comrades have an incorrect attitude toward work and lack initiative. All leading cadres are requested to report their daily work in the group chat before getting off work, with proof in the form of photos to leave a record. Secretary Ma emphasizes that we must put an end to the phenomenon of 'all talk and no action'!"

Xiao Bei sneered; this was clearly directed at him.

He had rarely posted work photos in the group over the past few days, which had already aroused County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu's dissatisfaction.

"It seems we'll have to play along with their little performance," Xiao Bei said to Team Leader Zhang Yining.

Over the next few days, Xiao Bei also began to "actively" participate in this performance of formalism.

He deliberately complicated simple tasks and then took photos to post in the group:

"Personally reviewing the education budget for the Development Zone, ensuring every cent is spent where it counts!" — The image was of his desk piled high with documents.

"Conducting field research on the status of rural education, engaging in in-depth exchanges with grassroots teachers!" — The image was a group photo of him and several veteran teachers at the entrance of a village primary school.

It even went as far as: "Waking up early to study the latest policy documents, improving theoretical proficiency!" — The image was a close-up of him standing in front of a bookshelf holding a book.

After these photos were posted, they predictably drew a wave of likes and flattery.

County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu even specifically @-ed him:

"County Magistrate Xiao's work is solid and worth learning from!" The words were laced with sarcasm, and she didn't forget to add a leader-specific emoji — three thumbs-up emojis.

On Friday afternoon, Xiao Bei deliberately posted an even more exaggerated photo:

He was standing in front of the water dispenser holding a cup, with the caption: "Personally pouring water for visiting members of the public, practicing the principle of 'serving the people'!"

The group chat went silent for a few minutes, and then people started cautiously liking the post.

County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu didn't reply, but half an hour later, Xiao Bei was called to Secretary Ma Wendong's office.

"County Magistrate Xiao, sit."

Secretary Ma Wendong wore a smile, but his eyes were cold, "Are you adapting to your work lately?"

"Thank you for your concern, Secretary Ma, I am working hard to adapt." Xiao Bei remained neither humble nor pushy.

Secretary Ma Wendong nodded: "It's a good thing for young people to have drive, but you must also pay attention to methods. For example, this work group is for communicating important work, not... a place to post about pouring a glass of water."

Xiao Bei pretended to have a sudden realization: "Secretary Ma is right to criticize; I had a misunderstanding. I saw everyone posting various work photos and thought this was a unique working method of the county."

Secretary Ma Wendong's expression changed slightly: "Form should serve content; you cannot put the cart before the horse. County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu posts those photos to urge everyone on; you need to learn to distinguish between them."

"Understood, I will be careful in the future." Xiao Bei nodded, pretending to be sincere.

Leaving Secretary Ma Wendong's office, Xiao Bei ran into County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu in the hallway.

She was wearing an exquisite suit, her hair tied back in a meticulous low ponytail, and was using her phone to snap photos of her subordinates at work.

"Busy, County Magistrate Xuan?" Xiao Bei initiated the greeting.

County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu turned her head, a fake smile on her face: "County Magistrate Xiao, I hear you've been very 'active' in your work lately."

"Just learning from you, County Magistrate Xuan."

Xiao Bei said with a smile, "By the way, I checked the products from Rainbow Garment; the quality is indeed not bad, but the price is a bit high."

County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu's smile froze on her face: "What do you mean by that, County Magistrate Xiao?"

"Nothing, just that I think it's a bit strange that school uniforms costing 580 a set are made of ordinary polyester fabric."

Xiao Bei feigned confusion, "Logically, eco-friendly fabric shouldn't feel like this."

County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu's gaze turned dangerous: "County Magistrate Xiao, corporate bidding is always open and transparent. If you have questions, you can reflect them through proper channels."

"Of course, I was just speaking off the cuff."

Xiao Bei smiled, "By the way, I plan to go to the Development Zone tomorrow to look at the site for the new school. Would you like to join me, County Magistrate Xuan?"

"I have a meeting tomorrow." County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu said coldly, turning and walking away.

Returning to his office, Xiao Bei found an extra envelope on his desk.

Opening it, he saw several photos — images of him and Team Leader Zhang Yining talking in a teahouse, as well as the backs of them walking into the government residential compound together.

On the back of the photos, it was written in red ink: "Mind your own business."

Xiao Bei burned the photos and stood by the window, deep in thought.

The threat had been laid bare before him, but he was instead even more certain — Rainbow Garment was the breakthrough point.

In the evening, Team Leader Zhang Yining sent an encrypted message: "Discovered that Rainbow Garment is actually OEM production, sourcing goods from Guangdong, with a cost of less than 50 yuan per set."

Xiao Bei replied: "Keep investigating, find the shipping invoices and the real ledger."

Putting down his phone, Xiao Bei looked out the window at the County Government building.

In the night, that building appeared exceptionally dignified, yet also exceptionally hypocritical.

He knew that beneath this glamorous exterior, countless unspeakable transactions were hidden.

And what he had to do was tear away this disguise layer by layer.

The next morning, the work group chat started flooding with messages right on time.

County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu posted a photo of herself working late at night, with the caption:

"For the development of Jinhe County, no matter how bitter or tiring, it's worth it!"

Xiao Bei smiled and also posted a photo — a close-up of the "Regulations on Disciplinary Actions within the Party" spread out in front of him, with the caption:

"Conscientiously studying Party disciplinary rules and regulations, being a clean and honest cadre!"

Team Leader Zhang Yining walked into the office carrying a stack of reports, closing the door behind her.

A sly smile played on her lips as she turned her phone screen toward Xiao Bei: "County Magistrate Xiao, I've made an interesting data analysis."

On the screen was a self-made spreadsheet, detailing the dynamics of the work group chat from last week.

Following County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu's name was a startling string of numbers: an average of 23 @-mentions of all members per day, 142 work photos posted, and 588 likes received...