6: Chapter 6 People Leave, Tea Grows Cold

Xiao Bei was shaken upon hearing this, instantly understanding Director Yan Jinghui's intentions.

Although the Archives Bureau is nominally a municipal-level unit, it is actually a marginal department; the work is usually leisurely, and it has almost no real power.

Director Yan Jinghui is trying to banish him there, to completely distance him from Qin Ruoxi, and even from the core of the Municipal Government Office.

"Director Yan, I have always worked at the Municipal Government Office. I am not very familiar with the operations of the Archives Bureau, so I fear I would be unable to handle the role."

Xiao Bei's tone was calm, but his eyes had turned cold.

Director Yan Jinghui smiled and said:

"Little Xiao, young people need more training. Although the work at the Archives Bureau is leisurely, it is also very important. You going there is a good opportunity to settle down and accumulate experience; perhaps you will have the chance to be transferred back in the future."

Xiao Bei sneered inwardly. Director Yan Jinghui's words sounded high-minded, but in reality, he was just trying to kick him out.

"Director Yan, I feel that I still have a lot of work to complete at the Municipal Government Office. Being transferred to the Archives Bureau now might not be appropriate."

Xiao Bei continued in a lukewarm, indifferent tone.

The smile on Director Yan Jinghui's face gradually faded, and his tone became cold:

"Little Xiao, this is a decision from the organization. You must obey the arrangement. Besides, the work at the Archives Bureau also serves the city. How can you be so picky?"

Fury burned in Xiao Bei's heart, but he knew he could not lash out at this moment.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions, and said slowly:

"Director Yan, since it is a decision from the organization, I will obey the arrangement."

Seeing Xiao Bei concede, Director Yan Jinghui's face brightened with a smile again, and his tone became amiable:

"That's right. Little Xiao, rest assured, although the work at the Archives Bureau is leisurely, it is very meaningful. Once you go there, work hard, and if there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely transfer you back."

Xiao Bei sneered inwardly, but his face remained impassive as he responded faintly:

"Thank you for your concern, Director Yan. I will work hard."

Director Yan Jinghui nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand:

"Alright, go and prepare yourself. Go report to the Archives Bureau tomorrow."

Xiao Bei stood up, took one long look at Director Yan Jinghui, and then turned and walked out.

When Xiao Bei returned to the office and pushed the door open, the noisy chatter instantly died down.

A dozen pairs of eyes in the office turned to look at him in unison; some held sympathy, some schadenfreude, and others, indifference and detachment.

He said nothing, walking straight to his desk to start packing his things.

Folders, notebooks, pens—item by item, he placed them neatly into a cardboard box.

The office was so quiet that only the sound of him packing his things remained, as if everyone were holding their breath.

"Hey, did you hear that Xiao Bei is being transferred to the Archives Bureau?"

In the corner, a female colleague lowered her voice and said to the person beside her.

"Isn't that so? A place like the Archives Bureau—going there is equivalent to being marginalized."

Another male colleague curled his lip, his tone filled with disdain.

"Isn't he usually quite capable? Why was he suddenly transferred?" someone asked curiously.

"What good is being capable? If you offend the leadership, no matter how capable you are, you have to step aside."

An older colleague sneered, his tone full of mockery.

"Shh, keep it down, don't let him hear."

Someone warned.

"So what if he hears? He's leaving soon anyway, what can he do to us?"

The older colleague said dismissively, his voice actually getting louder.

Xiao Bei listened to these discussions with no expression on his face, continuing to focus on packing his things.

He knew that some people were just like this: smiling to your face while secretly gossiping about you behind your back.

Now that Xiao Bei was being transferred, they were naturally happy to watch the spectacle.

"Old Xiao, are you really transferring to the Archives Bureau?"

A familiar voice came from behind him.

Xiao Bei turned around to see a young man with an honest face standing behind him, wearing a look of concern.

The young man was Wang Yunfei, one of the few colleagues in the Municipal Government Office who had a good relationship with him. They often worked overtime together and occasionally ate together.

"Yeah, I'm reporting there tomorrow."

Xiao Bei nodded.

"How did this happen? Weren't you doing just fine?"

Wang Yunfei frowned, clearly feeling very puzzled by the matter.

"It's an arrangement from the organization; there's nothing I can do."

Xiao Bei said faintly, with no emotion in his tone.

Wang Yunfei was silent for a moment, then patted Xiao Bei on the shoulder and said with a smile:

"Are you free tonight? I'll treat you to a meal, consider it a farewell for you."

Xiao Bei was stunned for a moment, then smiled:

"Sure, I have nothing else to do anyway."

"It's a deal then. I'll wait for you downstairs after work."

After Wang Yunfei finished speaking, he turned and returned to his seat.

Xiao Bei continued packing, but felt a trace of warmth in his heart.

In this office, there was at least one person willing to lend a helping hand when he was down on his luck.

After packing, Xiao Bei carried the cardboard box and walked out of the office.

Just as he reached the door, he heard a burst of whispering from behind him.

"Look, he's leaving already? How the tides turn. Just a few days ago, there were rumors that Director Yan was going to promote him to deputy section chief."

"Hmph, that's what happens when you offend the leadership. No matter how glorious you were before, now you still have to leave obediently."

Xiao Bei's footsteps paused, but he did not turn back.

He knew these people were nothing but fence-sitters—they would lean whichever way the wind blew.

He took a deep breath and strode out of the office.

After work, Xiao Bei waited for Wang Yunfei downstairs.

The two of them walked into a small restaurant, ordered a few dishes, and opened two bottles of beer.

"Xiao Bei, don't take what those people said too much to heart."

Wang Yunfei raised his glass and said to Xiao Bei.

Xiao Bei smiled and clinked glasses with him:

"I'm already used to it. Isn't the workplace just like this? When you're gone, the tea cools."

"It's good that you can think that way."

Wang Yunfei took a sip of beer and continued, "Actually, I think your transfer to the Archives Bureau might not be a bad thing. Although it's leisurely there, it's also a good place to settle down and reflect. Once the heat dies down, you might still have a chance to transfer back."

"I hope your words come true."

Xiao Bei smiled, though he understood in his heart that after being transferred this time, it probably wouldn't be so easy to return.

The two chatted as they ate, moving from work topics to life, and the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed.

Wang Yunfei was a talkative person, telling jokes from time to time that made Xiao Bei laugh out loud.

"By the way, Old Xiao, have you thought about why you were suddenly transferred? I don't see any reason for it at all."