128: Chapter 128 Visiting Wang Ling's Home

In the evening, Sun Ning carried two bottles of wine and a set of cosmetics to Wang Ling's home.

Ever since his last visit to Zhu Zihao's home, he had asked Shang Rou to get him a few sets of cosmetics for emergencies.

And sure enough, they came in handy today.

Since it wasn't off-duty time yet, Sun Ning thought he had arrived quite early.

He hadn't expected someone to arrive even earlier than him.

"Comrade Li Shusheng!"

Sun Ning quickly placed the gifts in the entryway and hurried over to shake hands with Executive Deputy Mayor Li Shusheng.

"Haha, Township Head, you didn't expect me, old Li, to show up, did you?"

"Haha, I was wondering why Comrade Wang Ling was being so mysterious; turns out it was a surprise she prepared for me!"

Executive Deputy Mayor Li Shusheng had always wanted to transfer to the county seat.

Later, Secretary Xue Hongtao granted his wish and arranged for him to be the Deputy Director of the County Agriculture Bureau.

"I hadn't expected it either when Comrade Wang Ling called me. Let me, old Li, be the first to congratulate you, Township Head, on your promotion!"

"What are you saying? If it weren't for your strong support back then, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today."

"That's true, it's just more comfortable working under the Township Head."

"What's wrong? Is work not going smoothly now?"

"No, it's just that I'm used to the Township Head's work style, so suddenly being idle feels a bit strange."

"That's actually quite good. You've worked your whole life, it's time to take a breather."

After hearing what Executive Deputy Mayor Li Shusheng said, Sun Ning didn't say anything more.

Being idle within the system is not a good thing.

If you are very idle, it proves you have absolutely no power.

However, Executive Deputy Mayor Li Shusheng had never approached him proactively, and Sun Ning couldn't just step in to help him either.

Unless Executive Deputy Mayor Li Shusheng asked.

Furthermore, it was Executive Deputy Mayor Li Shusheng who had wanted to return to the county all along; perhaps he liked this atmosphere.

There are plenty of cases where bestowing too many favors actually invites resentment.

Sun Ning isn't his father; he can't cater to his every whim.

"Haha, when you get old, you just like to reminisce about the past."

Seeing that the expression on Executive Deputy Mayor Li Shusheng's face didn't look like complaining, Sun Ning felt relieved.

Truth be told, Executive Deputy Mayor Li Shusheng was getting on in years; the position of Deputy Director of the Agriculture Bureau was perfectly fine—why stir up more trouble?

He could just save that goodwill for the younger generation, right?

The two of them had been chatting in the living room for a bit, but the host was still nowhere to be seen.

Sun Ning asked curiously, "Where are Comrade Wang Ling and her husband?"

"Her husband hasn't transferred over yet, he's probably on his way. Wang Ling went out to buy pig's head meat."

Uh!

What is this damn sense of shame about?

Sun Ning felt that this particular craving for food would haunt his entire career.

Before long, Wang Ling returned, and accompanying her was Zhu Zihao.

Seeing the order of their arrival, Sun Ning couldn't help but feel suspicious.

What? Are those who have been in the county seat longer allowed to leave work early?

Seeing that Sun Ning had already arrived, Wang Ling apologized profusely for being rude.

Sun Ning said, deeply touched, "Comrade Wang Ling, you are very thoughtful."

In fact, Sun Ning had already guessed it when he saw Executive Deputy Mayor Li Shusheng.

Seeing Zhu Zihao arrive, Sun Ning became even more certain that Wang Ling was not just hosting him alone.

In fact, this was also a silent form of support.

Wang Ling had called over all the old team members from Mishui Township to tell Sun Ning that even though they had come to the county seat, there were still people cheering him on.

Zhu Zihao was also very excited.

His days after coming to the County Bureau had not been easy.

His former immediate superior had become his subordinate, and the leaders who had previously targeted him were now all committee members, and he even ranked higher than them.

Logically, his former immediate superior should have supported him.

But human hearts are hard to predict!

Whether out of jealousy or hatred, his former immediate superior was insincere and disobedient.

That former leader kept tripping him up at committee meetings.

They say that being one rank higher can crush you, but Zhu Zihao truly hadn't felt that at all.

He now missed Mishui Township very much.

Back then, Sun Ning bore the pressure from above, and he could focus on his work without any worries.

Sun Ning looked at the excited Zhu Zihao with a smile and asked, "Zihao, how is work lately?"

Before Zhu Zihao could say anything, Wang Ling complained from the side, "He has it the hardest; everyone in their bureau bullies him because he lacks seniority."

Seeing this, Zhu Zihao quickly nudged Wang Ling.

Wang Ling glared at Zhu Zihao.

"I'm going to cook."

After saying that, Wang Ling ducked into the kitchen.

Zhu Zihao looked sheepishly at Sun Ning, "I just arrived at the County Bureau not long ago, and many tasks are being pushed forward gradually."

Look at that; they say the environment can change a person, forcing a tough guy to learn how to speak in bureaucratic jargon.

Sun Ning couldn't help but find it amusing.

"You, just tell me what it is. It's not like I can go over there and help you settle everything one by one."

Sun Ning was right; he couldn't help Zhu Zihao with everything.

Isn't this situation a form of training in itself?

It's manageable at the County Bureau for now, but how would he get along with those people when he goes to the Municipal Public Security Bureau or the Provincial Department later?

As for Zhu Zihao's predicament, he was actually happy to see it happen.

But that didn't stop Sun Ning from offering him advice.

This is the difference between having someone to teach you and not.

"You worked in criminal investigation before, and you were a squadron leader, right? Do you have some loyal subordinates?"

"How is your relationship with those two deputy brigade leaders?"

"At any time, when you encounter such situations, you have to win over some, suppress some, and divide some."

"Remember, you are the leader, you have a say in personnel matters, and you successfully maneuvered Station Chief Ding Jun into a leadership position."

"With these, it's enough for you to establish a foothold in the County Bureau."

"Once you have some say, just focus on your work and ignore the chaos in the bureau."

In fact, Sun Ning knew what problems Zhu Zihao was facing without him having to say it.

That's why he analyzed it specifically for Zhu Zihao.

It wasn't that Zhu Zihao couldn't think of these methods.

It's just that he was the type who led troops in charges, and it was hard for him to change his mindset overnight.

So Sun Ning would help him change his mindset in advance, shifting from a general to a commander.

Executive Deputy Mayor Li Shusheng also offered a few targeted pointers from the side.

After all, Executive Deputy Mayor Li Shusheng was older, and working in the government was much more complex than the simple public security system.

For a while, the three of them chatted animatedly in the living room.

By the time Deputy Secretary Cui Xiaotian arrived, the three had already changed the subject and started reminiscing about the glorious years of the past.

Seeing the gifts in Deputy Secretary Cui Xiaotian's hands, Sun Ning joked, "Party Secretary Cui is knowingly breaking the law here; I wonder what the punishment should be!"

Since Deputy Secretary Cui Xiaotian had aligned himself with him, their relationship had become even closer.

Especially after Deputy Secretary Cui Xiaotian had bluntly stated that he would target whoever Sun Ning told him to, there were no more barriers between them.

Relationships are like that; if you are willing to be the sharp sword in my hand, then I will keep you by my side.

"Following the Organization Department means progress every day. If I didn't bring gifts, I'd be afraid Comrade Wang Ling would have complaints about me!"

Wang Ling, who had just come out of the kitchen to greet the guests, heard Deputy Secretary Cui Xiaotian joking.

She retorted crossly, "A dog's mouth can't spit out ivory!"

Wang Ling's personality was always fiery and straightforward; she never let herself lose in a verbal sparring match.

Seeing that the group was even more harmonious than they had been in Mishui Township, Sun Ning couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Perhaps they were just huddling together for warmth.

It's just that he was the center of it all.

For a moment, Sun Ning felt that his shoulders were carrying quite a heavy burden.