225: Chapter 225: The Background Revealed Without Waiting

Lately, Ling Yun's days had not been easy.

Their faction originally had the support of Master Wang Sen, and its members included Deputy Party Secretary Liu Yu and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission Yuan Hui.

However, all of them had fallen from power and ended up behind bars.

Ling Yun had no choice but to keep a low profile and act with extreme caution. When Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin took office, he caught wind of some news; according to a friend in the provincial capital, Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin might be the only son of Secretary Pei Yuantao, a Provincial Party Standing Committee and the Municipal Party Secretary of the provincial capital.

Upon receiving this news, his dormant heart gradually began to burn with excitement, and he suddenly saw a glimmer of hope.

He thought to himself that since Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin had just arrived, what he needed most were allies. If he were the first to pledge his loyalty, could he perhaps latch onto Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin's coattails? After all, the man was the son of a Provincial Party Standing Committee, possessing an incredibly powerful background.

With this in mind, he knocked and entered, having timed his visit perfectly—only twenty minutes remained before the end of the workday.

If they hit it off, he could invite Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin out for a few drinks after work to strengthen their bond.

“Secretary Pei, I am the Head of the Organization Department, Ling Yun. I hope I'm not disturbing you.”

Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin had a slight impression of him; they had met and shaken hands during the cadres' meeting that morning and at lunch.

He hadn't expected the first person to visit him to be a member of the County Party Standing Committee and the Head of the Organization Department.

Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin was the Deputy Party Secretary, assisting the County Party Secretary in managing party building and personnel matters. Organizational work was one of the areas under his leadership. If the Head of the Organization Department became one of his own, his influence over personnel appointments would be significant.

“So it's Director Ling. Please, have a seat.”

The two brewed some hot tea and sat on the sofa, engaging in a relaxed conversation.

At first, Ling Yun was quite formal, starting with a report on organizational work. However, as they grew closer, laughter broke out from time to time, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

By five o'clock in the afternoon, as people began to leave work, Ling Yun felt the timing was right and asked tentatively.

“Secretary Pei, since you've worked in the provincial capital for a long time, I assume your family is there as well?”

Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin gave Ling Yun an appreciative look. Even if he hadn't asked, Pei Lin was already planning to find an opportunity to reveal his family background.

Only by revealing his background could he better attract others to his side and quickly build his own team.

As the son of a Provincial Party Standing Committee and the Municipal Party Secretary of the provincial capital, why should he have to work under the leadership of a young man like Qin Chuan?

He had been looking for a chance to reveal his background, and Ling Yun's question was exactly what he wanted. He immediately replied without concealment.

“My father is Secretary Pei Yuantao, a Provincial Party Standing Committee and the Municipal Party Secretary of the provincial capital!”

“Ah!”

Ling Yun let out a cry of feigned surprise, followed by a look of awe. “Incredible! You're actually Secretary Pei Yuantao's son? I knew it; I felt you were extraordinary the moment we met. Truly, a tiger father does not beget a dog son!”

This flattery hit exactly the right spot for Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin.

He laughed heartily and then reminded him, “Director Ling, I hope you won't spread this around. It wouldn't be good to cause a stir.”

“Of course, of course,” Ling Yun nodded repeatedly.

In truth, he didn't think so. Having spent many years in the system, he understood perfectly that this wasn't Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin's actual intention.

If he truly wanted to keep it a secret, Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin wouldn't have revealed his family background without hesitation. His eagerness and lack of refusal showed that his real intention was to make his background known to everyone in the county.

After revealing his background, Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin wanted Ling Yun to take a side, so he said, “Director Ling, I've just taken office and am not yet familiar with organizational work. I'll need your full support.”

Ling Yun immediately understood that this was a call for him to declare his allegiance. He promptly replied, “Rest assured, Secretary Pei. I will certainly carry out organizational work under your leadership.”

“Good, good.” Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin patted Ling Yun on the shoulder with satisfaction and gave a warm invitation. “Director Ling, it feels like we're old friends. Why don't we find a place to have a drink and chat?”

Ling Yun had intended to invite him for drinks anyway and was delighted that Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin shared the sentiment. “Secretary Pei, I'm familiar with the area. I know a great spot. Let's head over now.”

“Alright, let's go then.”

The two stood up and left the office together, laughing and talking as they walked down from the office building. This scene was witnessed by many who hadn't yet finished work.

Some more sensitive observers thought to themselves that Director Ling and Secretary Pei had joined forces so quickly; there would surely be some interesting developments ahead.

The next day.

At around ten in the morning, Qin Chuan sat in his office reading the newspaper, with no immediate plans to leave.

According to official etiquette, a new Deputy County Party Secretary must come to report to the top leader—himself—upon taking office.

It was understandable that he hadn't come yesterday afternoon, but if he still hadn't shown up by this morning, that would be interesting.

Shortly after he finished reading the Jiangnan Daily, his secretary, Xia Hai, knocked and entered. He refilled the teacup on the desk with boiling water and then whispered.

“Leader, yesterday afternoon, just before the end of the workday, Director Ling Yun went to Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin's office. No one knows what they discussed, but they left together laughing and talking to go have drinks and dinner. And just now, I saw Director Ling Yun go to Secretary Pei's office again.”

Oh? Such a thing happened?

After a brief moment of surprise, Qin Chuan smiled.

This Ling Yun had been in a state of 'lying flat' for a while, staying out of trouble and showing sufficient respect. He had even hinted at wanting to align himself with Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan had originally intended to observe him for a bit longer. If he had truly changed his ways, there would be no harm in letting him remain as the Head of the Organization Department.

It seemed he had been too merciful. The man had been faking it all along; as soon as Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin took office, he defected on the very first day.

“I see,” Qin Chuan nodded. “Notify Xiao Peng. We'll go take a look at the New Energy Factory in a bit.”

“Understood.” Xia Hai withdrew to inform the driver to prepare the car.

By the time they returned from the New Energy Factory site, which was preparing for construction, it was already past eleven in the morning. Not long after Qin Chuan sat down, County Mayor Sheng Huaian knocked and entered.

“Secretary, a rumor has already started spreading. Have you heard it?”

“No, I just got back from the New Energy Vehicle Manufacturing Base. I don't know anything yet.”

County Mayor Sheng Huaian said, “I don't know who started it, but word is that Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin is the only son of Secretary Pei Yuantao, a Provincial Party Standing Committee and the Municipal Party Secretary of the provincial capital.”

Of course, Qin Chuan had known this for a long time, but he feigned surprise. “Really? If that's true, then our new Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin has a very powerful background!”

“Indeed,” County Mayor Sheng Huaian nodded. “I suspect it's likely true, and that Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin leaked it himself. With others adding fuel to the fire, it won't be long before it spreads throughout the official circles of Wanshun County.”

This was a reasonable deduction.

Qin Chuan nodded in agreement and inquired, “Where is Deputy County Party Secretary Pei Lin? He doesn't seem to be in his office. Does anyone know where he went?”