93: Chapter 93 Arranging a New Secretary

Xiao Bei stared at this message for a long time, finally making up his mind to call Su Yun.

"Hello?"

Su Yun's voice carried a hint of fatigue, yet it remained clear.

"Su Yun, I have something I want to discuss with you in person."

Xiao Bei could hear his own heartbeat. "Are you free to come out? I'll come find you right now… I'll wait for you at the teahouse on Friendship Road."

There was a two-second pause on the other end of the line. "Now?"

"Yes, it's something very important."

"Alright, then I'll go straight to the teahouse and wait for you in half an hour."

After hanging up, Xiao Bei realized his palms were sweating.

He had never imagined that one day he would feel so anxious about how to explain a job transfer to a girl.

...

In the teahouse's private room, Xiao Bei ordered a pot of Cloud Mist Tea, a specialty of Beijiang County.

Amidst the swirling tea aroma, he recalled the scene of the first time he met Su Yun here.

Back then, she was still being coerced and manipulated, but now she had become the softest place in his heart.

The door was gently pushed open, and Su Yun walked in.

She hadn't had time to change out of her professional attire, and her long, beautiful hair was curled into waves that reached her waist.

Although her face still bore the fatigue of work, it couldn't hide the exquisiteness of her features.

"In such a rush?"

Su Yun smiled and sat down. "What's the matter that's so mysterious?"

Xiao Bei poured her a cup of tea. "Drink some tea first; you look very tired."

Su Yun took the teacup and keenly sensed that something was wrong with Xiao Bei. "What happened? Was it today's meeting…"

"I've been transferred."

Xiao Bei looked directly into her eyes. "I'm going to Jinhe County to serve as the Executive Deputy County Magistrate, and I have to report within three days."

The teacup trembled slightly in Su Yun's hand, and a few drops of tea splashed out.

She set the cup down, remained silent for a few seconds, and then, unexpectedly, smiled.

"This is a good thing; the Executive Deputy County Magistrate is a very important position."

Xiao Bei was stunned. "Don't you think it's sudden?"

"Of course it's sudden."

Su Yun took a deep breath. "But with your ability, you would eventually step into a more important position. It's just…"

Her voice dropped. "I didn't expect it to be so soon."

The private room fell silent for a moment, with only the faint sound of the tea boiling.

"The situation in Jinhe County is very complicated."

Xiao Bei weighed his words. "Party Secretary Ma Wendong is Mou Zhengping's senior fellow apprentice, and the entire leadership team is solid as a rock. This transfer is actually because someone wants to transfer me away from Bishi Town."

Su Yun frowned slightly. "Because of the Development Zone?"

"Yes, and the anti-corruption case in Bishi Town."

Xiao Bei gave a wry smile. "I've moved too many people's cheese."

"Then what do you plan to do?"

"Obey the organization's arrangements."

Xiao Bei's voice was firm. "Be upright and honest, and work diligently…"

Su Yun suddenly reached out and placed her hand over Xiao Bei's. "I believe you can do it."

Xiao Bei felt a warmth in his heart and reached out to hold her slender fingers. "Su Yun, I…"

"Don't say it."

Su Yun shook her head gently. "I understand. Work is important; you go."

"But we just…"

Xiao Bei couldn't continue.

They had never explicitly confessed their feelings, but they had long understood each other without needing words.

"Xiao Bei,"

Su Yun looked him straight in the eyes. "I am not that kind of little girl who needs you to be by her side every moment. You have your ambitions, and I have my career. A temporary separation won't change anything."

Xiao Bei felt a wave of warmth wash over his chest. "Thank you for your understanding. However, Jinhe County is a two-hour drive from here, so meeting might not be as convenient."

Su Yun smiled mysteriously. "That's not necessarily true."

"What do you mean?"

"I have a college classmate who is the station head at the Jinhe County TV station. Last month, she asked if I was interested in going there to be the director of the news department. I've been putting it off for a long time and haven't agreed yet…"

Su Yun blinked. "Maybe this is an opportunity?"

Xiao Bei was both surprised and happy. "You're going to transfer to Jinhe?"

"It's just under consideration."

Su Yun withdrew her hand. "Don't get happy too early; I haven't decided yet."

Xiao Bei couldn't help but grin. "Then I must perform well in Jinhe County and strive to gain a firm foothold as soon as possible, to create a good working environment for you."

The two looked at each other and smiled, and the atmosphere in the private room immediately lightened.

When they left the teahouse, the night was already deep.

Xiao Bei insisted on walking Su Yun back to her residence.

The two walked side by side on the quiet street, the streetlights casting long shadows of them.

"Actually, I'm quite worried about the situation in Jinhe County."

Xiao Bei said in a low voice. "Mayor Qin said the water there is very deep."

Su Yun stopped and looked at him seriously. "No matter how deep the water is, there's always a way to wade through it. You are not fighting alone."

Xiao Bei felt a warmth in his heart and suddenly had the urge to pull her into his arms.

But he just nodded gently. "With those words from you, I have confidence."

Returning to his dormitory, Xiao Bei had just finished washing up when his phone rang.

It was a call from Qin Ruoxi.

"Little Xiao, are you asleep?"

"Not yet, Mayor Qin."

"Regarding your transfer, there are some things that are not convenient to talk about over the phone."

Qin Ruoxi's voice was very low. "Come to my office early tomorrow morning, come alone."

Xiao Bei's heart tightened. "Alright, I understand."

After hanging up, Xiao Bei stood by the window, looking at the rolling mountain silhouettes in the distance.

Jinhe County was behind those mountains, and he didn't know whether thorns or opportunities awaited him.

But at this moment, thinking of Su Yun's words, "You are not fighting alone," a surge of unprecedented strength welled up in his heart.

The phone screen lit up; it was a message from Su Yun: [Are you home? Rest early. PS: I just sent a message to my classmate, asking about the situation at the Jinhe TV station.]

Xiao Bei's lips curled up unconsciously, and he quickly replied: [Just got home. You too, don't stay up late editing footage. PS: Thank your classmate for me.]

After sending the message, Xiao Bei lay on the bed, but his mind was exceptionally clear.

No matter what kind of situation awaited him in Jinhe County, at least he knew that there was one person who would walk side by side with him there.

The next morning, Xiao Bei arrived at the Municipal Government building half an hour early.

The hallway was empty, with only a cleaner mopping the floor.

He stood still in front of Qin Ruoxi's office, straightened his shirt collar, and knocked gently.

"Come in."

Qin Ruoxi's steady voice came from inside.

Pushing the door open and entering, Xiao Bei discovered that besides Qin Ruoxi, there was also a young girl standing in the office.

The girl was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with shoulder-length short hair, wearing a simple navy blue suit.

Although she wore black-rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose, they couldn't hide her intelligent appearance, and the whole person exuded a composure that didn't match her age.

"Xiao Bei, you've come at just the right time."

Qin Ruoxi looked up from a pile of documents. "Let me introduce you; this is Team Leader Zhang Yining, your new secretary."

Xiao Bei was stunned. "A new secretary?"

"Team Leader Zhang Yining just graduated from Peking University with a postgraduate degree in Administrative Management, but during her university years, she was specially approved to intern in my office for two years. Her abilities are very strong."

Qin Ruoxi looked at Xiao Bei meaningfully. "Since I can no longer influence where you go, I'll just add one more person. Team Leader Zhang Yining will go to Jinhe County with you."