52: Chapter 52 First Impressions

"You agreed so readily?" Qin Ruoxi raised an eyebrow. "Don't you want to ask about the compensation? Or discuss the terms?"

Xiao Bei chuckled, but the movement aggravated the wound on his chest, turning his smile into a grimace. "Hiss... what terms could I possibly discuss with Mayor Qin? Wherever you point, I will strike."

"Smooth talker." Qin Ruoxi glared at him, though she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes. "However..." Her voice suddenly softened. "The situation in Bishi Town is complicated. I'm not at ease with you going alone."

Xiao Bei was stunned. Sunlight shone on Qin Ruoxi's face from the side, outlining her delicate jawline. It was the first time he noticed that this decisive and swift female mayor already had a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes.

"Mayor Qin..." "I will send He Weijie, the deputy director of the Municipal Organization Department, to go with you. He is familiar with the local situation." Qin Ruoxi quickly returned to her professional tone. "Also, you must report your work directly to me every month. Do you understand?"

Xiao Bei straightened his back, but the sudden movement tugged at his wound again. "Understood! Ouch..."

"You..." Qin Ruoxi shook her head helplessly and reached out to steady his shoulder. "Don't push yourself when your injury hasn't healed."

With that, Qin Ruoxi stood up and adjusted her clothes. "Alright, I have a meeting later. You should rest for a few more days, finish the paperwork, and then report to Bishi Town."

"Understood, Mayor Qin. Take care."

After Qin Ruoxi left, Xiao Bei stood up and walked to the window, watching her graceful figure depart. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: With Qin Ruoxi's support, his future career advancement in the political arena would be much smoother.

However, the political arena is like a battlefield, filled with hidden dangers. To rise rapidly, one must be cautious in everything.

Three days later, Xiao Bei was discharged from the hospital. He then chose a beautiful, sunny day to head to Bishi Town to assume his post.

"Comrade Xiao Bei, have you fully recovered?" He Weijie, the deputy director of the Municipal Organization Department, stood at the gate of the Municipal Party Committee compound and asked with a smile.

He was in his early fifties, his hair combed meticulously, and his dark blue suit ironed without a single wrinkle. He looked like a carefully polished sculpture of a "bureaucrat."

Xiao Bei picked up his luggage. "I really don't deserve to have Director He come to see me off personally."

He Weijie took the luggage, his smile deepening. "Mayor Qin specifically instructed it. You are, after all, the young talent of our Canglan City."

The two walked out of the Municipal Party Committee gate one after the other. A black Passat was parked at the entrance, and the driver had already respectfully opened the rear door.

The car drove out of the urban area, and the scenery outside the window gradually changed from high-rise buildings to rolling farmland.

He Weijie took a stack of documents from his briefcase. "Comrade Xiao Bei, this is the basic situation of Bishi Town: a population of 36,000, governing 21 administrative villages, with the main industries being mining and agriculture."

He Weijie pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. "Of course, Town Mayor Ding Degui will introduce these to you in detail after you arrive."

Xiao Bei took the documents and flipped through a few pages. "Town Mayor Ding Degui... is he the current acting town mayor?"

"Yes, he's a veteran comrade who has worked in Bishi Town for over twenty years." He Weijie gave Xiao Bei a meaningful look. "After the former Bishi Town Party Secretary Wu Jingheng and Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan fell from power, he was promoted from deputy town mayor. He originally thought he could become the full-time mayor..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was already clear—Xiao Bei, this parachuted official, was blocking someone else's path.

As the car drove into the Bishi Town boundary, Xiao Bei noticed a brand-new sign standing by the roadside: "Welcome Superior Leaders to Bishi Town," with white characters on a red background, exceptionally striking under the sunlight.

"It seems this Town Mayor Ding Degui values our visit quite a bit." He Weijie chuckled.

At the gate of the Town Government compound, a dozen or so people were already lined up waiting. As soon as the car stopped, a slightly chubby middle-aged man with a beaming smile hurried up to greet them.

"Welcome, Director He! Welcome, Secretary Xiao!" Town Mayor Ding Degui's voice was very loud. "You've had a hard journey!"

He took a step forward to open the car door and enthusiastically shook Xiao Bei's hand. "Secretary Xiao, I have long admired your name! We have all heard of your heroic deeds in the city. You are truly young and promising!"

Xiao Bei's palm ached from his grip, and he forced a smile. "Town Mayor Ding Degui is too kind. I'm new here, so please offer me your guidance."

"Not at all, not at all!" Town Mayor Ding Degui waved his hands repeatedly and turned to introduce him to the crowd behind. "Comrades, this is our Bishi Town's new Party Secretary, Comrade Xiao Bei. Let's welcome him!"

Clap, clap, clap! Thunderous applause broke out. Xiao Bei noticed that the expressions of the cadres standing in the front row varied—some were genuinely welcoming, some were just going through the motions, and others were looking on with cold detachment.

Town Mayor Ding Degui introduced them one by one: "This is Deputy Party Secretary Town Mayor Sun Jiaming, this is Executive Deputy Town Mayor Deputy Secretary Xing Guoqiang, and this is Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Fang..." As each was introduced, Xiao Bei nodded in acknowledgement.

He deliberately noted each person's expression and reaction; this was something Qin Ruoxi had taught him before—"A person's first impression is often the most genuine."

After the introductions were finished, Town Mayor Ding Degui made a "please" gesture. "Secretary Xiao, Director He, the conference room is ready. Shall we have a brief introductory meeting first?"

In the conference room, two nameplates were placed in the center of the long conference table: "Xiao Bei" and "He Weijie." Town Mayor Ding Degui's own nameplate, however, was placed on the side, two seats away from the head of the table. A clever move of "advancing by retreating," Xiao Bei thought; it showed respect while maintaining distance.

The meeting proceeded very formulaically. He Weijie, representing the Municipal Party Committee, announced the appointment decision. Xiao Bei gave a short speech, which was nothing more than clichés about "uniting comrades" and "serving the people." Town Mayor Ding Degui expressed his determination on behalf of the Town Government, his words ringing loud and clear, yet lacking any genuine emotion.

After the meeting ended, Town Mayor Ding Degui enthusiastically proposed: "Secretary Xiao, Director He, I have arranged a simple meal at 'Jiangshui Tower' in town, to welcome Secretary Xiao."

Jiangshui Tower was the best restaurant in Bishi Town. In the private room, a watermelon carved into the shape of a phoenix was placed in the center of the round table, and six cold dishes had already been served around it.

"Secretary Xiao, please take the seat of honor." Town Mayor Ding Degui pointed to the main seat facing the door. Xiao Bei declined: "Director He is a leader from the city, so Director He should sit here."

He Weijie waved his hand with a smile: "You are the guest of honor today, so don't be polite." After some back-and-forth, Xiao Bei was still pressed into the main seat.

Town Mayor Ding Degui sat on his right hand side, with one seat in between, and He Weijie was on the left, sitting right next to him.

Three rounds of drinks later, Town Mayor Ding Degui's words began to flow more freely. "Secretary Xiao, I'm not bragging, but I know the situation in Bishi Town best." He patted his chest, his face already flushed. "I've been working here since I started in the nineties. I know exactly how many people are in which village and how many trees are on which mountain—I know it all like the back of my hand!"

Xiao Bei picked up a piece of steamed fish with his chopsticks: "That's perfect. I'm new here, so I will need to ask Town Mayor Ding Degui for plenty of guidance."