14: Chapter 14 It turns out it was Secretary Xiao!

Although Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu had drunk too much, facing a leader like Bureau Chief Xie, he instinctively reined himself in a bit and said, bracing himself: "Bureau Chief Xie, I am Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu of the Municipal Government Office's First Comprehensive Division. I am treating my colleagues to dinner today, but when we were checking out, your secretary insisted on cutting in line, which caused the dispute."

Bureau Chief Xie snorted coldly: "Ma Hongqiu? Never heard of you. A mere deputy division chief, and you dare to shout and scream here?"

Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu was so overwhelmed by Bureau Chief Xie's aura that he could hardly breathe, but he still forced himself to say: "Bureau Chief Xie, I... I am just following the rules. First come, first served. That's not wrong, is it?"

Bureau Chief Xie waved his hand impatiently: "Enough, stop with the nonsense here. Little Liu, hurry up and get the invoice issued, we are leaving."

Secretary Liu Zhiyuan glanced at Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu triumphantly and turned to the waiter: "Quick, issue the invoice for me. Don't waste our Bureau Chief Xie's time."

Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu was so angry his face turned blue, but he dared not say anything else and could only watch helplessly as Secretary Liu Zhiyuan cut in line.

Just then, Xiao Bei walked down from upstairs with Jiang Wenxin, Ruan Lu, and others, happening to witness this scene.

Xiao Bei frowned and walked over quickly.

"Brother Ma, what's going on?" Xiao Bei asked.

Seeing Xiao Bei arrive, Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu felt as if he had found his backbone and said quickly: "Section Chief Xiao, you came just in time! I was just trying to pay the bill normally, but Bureau Chief Xie's secretary insisted on cutting in line."

Xiao Bei walked to Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu's side, looked at Bureau Chief Xie calmly, and nodded slightly in greeting: "Hello, Bureau Chief Xie. I am Xiao Bei from the Municipal Government Office. The matter just now might be a misunderstanding. Section Chief Ma has had too much to drink and spoke a bit impulsively. I hope you can forgive him."

Bureau Chief Xie frowned and looked Xiao Bei up and down, his tone still carrying a hint of arrogance: "Xiao Bei? Never heard of you. Which department are you from?"

Seeing this, Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu quickly interjected: "Bureau Chief Xie, Section Chief Xiao is the new secretary promoted by Mayor Qin. He just started today, and we are holding a welcome dinner for him."

Upon hearing the name "Mayor Qin," Bureau Chief Xie's expression changed instantly, and his previously arrogant demeanor immediately toned down significantly.

He looked back at Xiao Bei, his tone noticeably softened: "Oh, so it is Mayor Qin's secretary. My apologies, my apologies."

Xiao Bei smiled slightly, his attitude remaining humble: "You are too kind, Bureau Chief Xie. I am just someone running errands for Mayor Qin."

Bureau Chief Xie waved his hand, a smile spreading across his face: "Not at all, not at all. Section Chief Xiao is young and promising. To be chosen by Mayor Qin, you must have real talent. The matter just now was because my subordinate was ignorant and offended you. I apologize to you on his behalf."

After speaking, Bureau Chief Xie turned his head and glared at Secretary Liu Zhiyuan, saying sternly: "Little Liu, hurry up and apologize to Section Chief Xiao and Section Chief Ma!"

Secretary Liu Zhiyuan did not expect such a sudden reversal, and his face turned pale instantly.

He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said with a hint of panic: "Section... Section Chief Xiao, Section Chief Ma, just now I failed to recognize your importance and offended you both. Please, as great men, do not hold a grudge against a petty person like me. Forgive my rudeness."

Seeing Secretary Liu Zhiyuan in this state, Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu's anger subsided for the most part, but he still snorted coldly and did not respond.

Xiao Bei smiled and said in a gentle tone: "Secretary Liu, you are exaggerating. We are all colleagues. It was just a small misunderstanding; it's fine now that it's cleared up."

Seeing Xiao Bei's generous attitude, Bureau Chief Xie breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said: "Section Chief Xiao is truly magnanimous. Today's incident was our fault. Another day, I will host a dinner to treat you all as an apology."

Xiao Bei waved his hand and said politely: "Bureau Chief Xie, you are too kind. I will treat you another day."

Bureau Chief Xie laughed heartily and patted Xiao Bei on the shoulder: "Good, it's a deal! Section Chief Xiao is young and promising; we should communicate more in the future."

Xiao Bei nodded and smiled: "Definitely, definitely. Bureau Chief Xie is a senior; I hope for your guidance in the future."

Bureau Chief Xie nodded with satisfaction and then glared at Secretary Liu Zhiyuan again: "What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and move aside, let Section Chief Xiao and the others pay first!"

Secretary Liu Zhiyuan quickly nodded and bowed as he moved to the side.

Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu and the others saw this scene and sighed inwardly, not expecting that a single word from Xiao Bei would cause such a drastic change in Bureau Chief Xie's attitude. Indeed, the status of the Mayor's chief secretary should not be underestimated.

Seeing the matter resolved, Bureau Chief Xie said to Xiao Bei: "Section Chief Xiao, we will be leaving now. Let's meet another day."

Xiao Bei smiled: "Alright, take care, Bureau Chief Xie."

After Bureau Chief Xie left with Secretary Liu Zhiyuan, Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu let out a long sigh of relief, patted his chest, and said: "Section Chief Xiao, thanks to you coming down, otherwise I really wouldn't have known how to end this."

Xiao Bei smiled and said in a relaxed tone: "Brother Ma, in the future, when you encounter such things, don't go head-to-head with them; it's easy to get the short end of the stick."

Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, I've noted that. But Section Chief Xiao, your aura just now was truly amazing. Someone as arrogant as Bureau Chief Xie immediately cowered the moment he heard you are Mayor Qin's secretary."

Ruan Lu smiled from the side: "Of course. Our Section Chief Xiao is the Mayor's chief secretary; who would dare not give him face?"

Zhang Jiaming also echoed: "Section Chief Xiao, you really brought honor to our division today!"

Xiao Bei waved his hand and said modestly: "Everyone, don't say that. The First Comprehensive Division is one family. Alright, it's getting late, we should disperse."

Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu said quickly: "Right, right. Everyone has had a lot to drink today, so go back and rest early. Section Chief Xiao, another day I will treat you to a meal separately to properly thank you."

Xiao Bei smiled: "Brother Ma, no need to be so polite. Let's all work hard together in the future and just do our jobs well."

Everyone nodded, and the atmosphere was relaxed and happy. Walking out of the hotel, the night breeze brushed against their faces, and everyone's mood relaxed significantly.

Xiao Bei looked up at the sky and secretly made a resolution in his heart: Since he had taken this position, he must stand firm and absolutely not let anyone find any dirt on him. At the same time, he realized that the network of relationships in the officialdom was intricate, and only by constantly improving his own abilities and connections could he navigate this circle with ease.

Jiang Wenxin walked to Xiao Bei's side and said softly: "Section Chief Xiao, shall I take you back?"

Xiao Bei smiled, shook his head, and said: "No need, I'll just take a taxi myself. You all go back and rest early too."

Jiang Wenxin nodded, a slight blush appearing on her face, and said in a low voice: "Then be careful on the way, see you tomorrow."

Xiao Bei nodded: "See you tomorrow."

After watching everyone leave, Xiao Bei stood by the roadside, took a deep breath, and felt the tranquility of the night. He knew that his official career had just begun, and there were more challenges waiting for him in the future. No matter the outcome, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and keep moving forward.

The next day, Xiao Bei officially began his day as the Mayor's secretary. His secretary office was next to the Mayor's office. When officials came to visit Mayor Qin Ruoxi, they all had to be reported by Xiao Bei first, and after receiving permission, he would lead them in.

Xiao Bei sat in the secretary office, organizing the documents in his hands, but his mind was calculating the schedule for the day. As Mayor Qin Ruoxi's secretary, he had to be absolutely serious about work arrangements to ensure that every detail was flawless.

Knock knock! Just as he was looking down at the documents, the office door was gently knocked.

"Please come in."