12: Chapter 12 The Youth League Committee's Intervention

President Chen Bing thought he had already attached enough importance to it. After seeing off Yang Chengliu that day, he had stayed up all night to call together a few trusted subordinates and drafted a personalized training plan for outstanding undergraduates.

He put Xu Weidong's name at the top and added a personal note.

"Recommend equipping him with an academician-level mentor, include him in the integrated bachelor-master training program, and prioritize him for national-level research projects."

He thought this was the highest level of courtesy, until First Secretary Shen Hao arrived a few days later.

First Secretary of the Reserve Army!

When President Chen Bing was greeting him at the entrance of the Administrative Building, he was still calculating.

The official purpose of First Secretary Shen Hao's visit was to research the grassroots Youth League building work in universities. This topic wasn't particularly special; several key universities had arranged similar inspections.

But when he walked into the reception room and saw that only he was on the list of accompanying personnel, with no leaders from the Education Work Committee, his heart skipped a beat.

First Secretary Shen Hao was under fifty, with jet-black hair and an affinity on his face typical of someone who had worked in youth affairs for many years.

He shook President Chen Bing's hand, said a few polite words with a smile, and even casually spouted platitudes about how Civil Engineering University was a century-old prestigious school that had sent a large number of talents to the national construction.

President Chen Bing responded while secretly guessing what this young ministerial-level cadre was up to.

The work report lasted forty minutes. First Secretary Shen Hao listened very carefully, taking notes from time to time, and occasionally asked an expert question or two.

The proportion of Youth League dues collected, the staffing of club advisors, and the procedures for recommending excellent students for Party membership were all routine topics.

President Chen Bing gradually relaxed. After the report ended, staff came in to change the tea.

First Secretary Shen Hao picked up his blue and white porcelain teacup, gently blew away the floating leaves, and suddenly said: "President Chen Bing, among your new students this year, are there any particularly outstanding seedlings?"

President Chen Bing's hand holding the teacup paused slightly. This sounded too familiar.

"Yes."

He put down the teacup, trying to make his tone sound natural.

"We admitted a batch of very outstanding students this year."

"For example, Liu Zixuan from the School of Economics and Management is the top science student in Xishan Province. Lin Weiwei from the School of Architecture won the first prize in the National Middle School Student Art Exhibition..."

First Secretary Shen Hao smiled and interrupted him: "What about the School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering?"

President Chen Bing's heart sank a little. Was the target that obvious?

"The School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering also has good seedlings."

"There is a student named Xu Weidong who had excellent college entrance examination scores and has been very active since enrollment."

"He is currently participating in the selection for the University Student Union."

"Xu Weidong."

First Secretary Shen Hao repeated the name, as if savoring something.

"I know this child."

First Secretary Shen Hao paused, his smile deepening.

"His father, Comrade Xu Tianhua, is a name I have heard often."

"When I was working in Hanzhong Province, Comrade Xu Tianhua was the Municipal Party Committee Secretary."

President Chen Bing did not respond; he was waiting.

"The reserve army needs to replenish fresh blood."

First Secretary Shen Hao put the teacup back on the table. The movement was very light, but the sound of the porcelain touching the table was exceptionally clear.

"We have been looking for young comrades with good comprehensive quality and strong political stance."

"For a child like Xu Weidong, with a good background and high quality, if he can be absorbed earlier, it will be a good thing for the organization and for him personally."

President Chen Bing weighed his words and then said: "Does First Secretary Shen Hao mean..."

"I heard that your University Youth League Committee is undergoing a change of term?"

First Secretary Shen Hao did not answer directly but asked about other things instead.

"Yes, the change of term is at the end of the year."

"Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze is doing a good job, but the team still needs to be younger."

First Secretary Shen Hao's tone was like idle chatter, yet also like assigning work.

"For a good seedling like Xu Weidong, we can consider making an exception."

"Enter the Youth League Committee in the freshman year, be a department minister first to familiarize himself with the situation."

"Transfer to deputy secretary in the sophomore year, and then move to the student federation in the junior and senior years."

"After graduating, send him to the grassroots to train for two years, and he will be a very mature cadre."

First Secretary Shen Hao spoke lightly, as if it were just a casual mention.

President Chen Bing was a little surprised to hear this. Entering the Youth League Committee as a minister in freshman year, and becoming a deputy secretary in sophomore year.

According to the conventions of Civil Engineering University, the student deputy secretary of the University Youth League Committee is usually served by a junior student. It's already good for a freshman to enter a department, not to mention deputy minister, let alone a full minister.

And the path that First Secretary Shen Hao mentioned was clearly the specification for training reserve cadres.

"First Secretary Shen Hao has considered it very thoughtfully."

"Our university will definitely cooperate actively."

First Secretary Shen Hao smiled and didn't say anything more.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the freshmen having military training on the playground downstairs.

"President Chen Bing."

First Secretary Shen Hao had his back to President Chen Bing, his voice suddenly filled with emotion.

"The competition in universities has become increasingly fierce these years."

"In the end, what people are fighting for is talent."

"Everyone wants good seedlings, but whoever can give early and give accurately will be able to stay ahead."

First Secretary Shen Hao turned around, his gaze gentle yet sharp.

"You know this better than I do."

President Chen Bing was silent for a few seconds, then said: "First Secretary Shen Hao, I understand."

First Secretary Shen Hao nodded and did not mention Xu Weidong again.

He picked up his briefcase, smiled, and said he had delayed President Chen Bing for too long and it was time to go back.

President Chen Bing sent him all the way downstairs, watching the black sedan drive out of the school gate, fading into the shadows of the sycamore trees in the autumn day.

He stood there for a long time. Yang Chengliu had been here, and First Secretary Shen Hao had also come.

One was the head of the education system, the other was the leader of the reserve army.

Within just one week, they both personally inquired about the training of a freshman who had just enrolled.

President Chen Bing suddenly realized that what he thought was enough importance was actually far from enough.

Should he do a straight bachelor-master-doctoral program?

Lock him completely into their chariot?

When Xu Weidong came out of the Student Activity Center, it was already dark.

The second round of the University Student Union office lasted an entire afternoon: leaderless group discussions, situational simulations, document writing.

After three rounds of assessment, most people looked tired.

Yang Liqun was waiting for him at the door, and when he saw him come out, he immediately approached.

"How was it?"

"Not bad."

Xu Weidong moved his wrist and said: "How about you?"

"The second round of the External Relations Department passed, waiting for the final interview notice."

Yang Liqun grinned: "Want to treat you to dinner tonight to celebrate?"

"Another time, I'm a bit tired."

The two walked side by side. Just as they left the main gate, a figure suddenly blocked them.

"Student Xu Weidong, is it convenient to talk for a few minutes?"

It was a young man in his early thirties, wearing thin-rimmed glasses and a dark blue jacket. His tone was gentle but carried a kind of undeniable certainty.

Xu Weidong didn't know him, but from the school badge on the other's chest, he could tell he was a teacher.

"You are..."

"Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze."

The other party took the initiative to reach out and said politely: "May I take ten minutes of your time?"

Yang Liqun left tactfully. Xu Weidong followed Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze to the side corridor of the activity center, where there were a few benches. The autumn night wind was already a bit chilly.

"How did the second round feel?"

Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze didn't get straight to the point, chatting first.

"It was okay. The seniors were very professional."

Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze nodded and said: "Minister Hao Yi mentioned you to me, saying that your writing foundation is solid and your thinking is clear. You are one of the new people with the highest comprehensive quality this year."

Although Minister Hao Yi was a Student Union cadre, Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze was the direct leader of all student organizations at Civil Engineering University.

The chairman and vice-chairmen of the University Student Union basically had to be vetted by him, so it was not difficult to ask Minister Hao Yi about things.

Xu Weidong thanked him politely without saying much. He was waiting for the other party to reveal his true intentions.

Sure enough, Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze changed the subject: "The University Student Union office is a good platform, but to be honest, the growth cycle is too long."

"A freshman becomes a member, and by sophomore year, you don't know if you can become a minister. It's even harder to become a chairman by junior year."

"After four years, there aren't many opportunities to truly take charge."

Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze looked at Xu Weidong and said sincerely: "Have you considered coming to the University Youth League Committee?"

Xu Weidong was slightly startled. Is this right?

"We are adjusting the team and need to supplement a batch of young students with potential."

"For someone with excellent comprehensive quality like you, we can make an exception."

"My idea is for you to come to the Organization Department as a deputy minister first. Familiarize yourself with the situation this semester, and become a full member next semester."

"If you perform well, we can consider you for deputy secretary in your sophomore year."

Deputy minister?

Become a full member?

Deputy secretary?

These words hit Xu Weidong's ears, each meaning an unconventional speed of promotion.

"Teacher Xiao Ze..."

Xu Weidong weighed his words and then said cautiously: "I have only been enrolled for two months and lack experience. I'm afraid..."

"Experience can be accumulated."

Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze interrupted him: "But some traits cannot be accumulated."

"The environment you grew up in and the kind of influence you have received—not everyone can have these things."

He said it very subtly, but Xu Weidong understood.

This wasn't because he was so outstanding; it was because his surname was Xu, and his father's name was Xu Tianhua.

Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze was still talking about the platform advantages of the University Youth League Committee, the specific work of the Organization Department, and future development paths.

His tone was enthusiastic and sincere, like every teacher who cherishes talent.

But Xu Weidong knew how much of this "cherishing talent" was aimed at himself, and how much was aimed at the father behind him.

"Of course, you don't have to reply now."

"Go back and think about it carefully. Just give me an answer before next week."

Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze stood up, about to say goodbye, when a voice suddenly came from the other end of the corridor.

"Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze, what a coincidence."

Xu Weidong looked in the direction of the voice. The person who came was around fifty, with graying hair, a thin face, and a suit worn strictly according to the rules.

Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze's smile froze for a moment, then quickly returned to normal: "Director Li Lei."

Director Li Lei, Director of the Academic Affairs Office of Civil Engineering University.

Although his ranking among school leaders was not high, he was in charge of key departments such as undergraduate training, student status management, and teaching evaluation.

Director Li Lei walked over, nodded to Xu Weidong first, and said: "Student Xu Weidong, hello."

Then he turned to Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze: "I was just looking for you. There are a few places in that countersigned document about credit recognition from last week that need to be communicated with you."

Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze's smile remained unchanged: "Director Li Lei, right now?"

"Urgent document."

Director Li Lei pushed up his glasses and then said: "The school office meeting is going to discuss it tomorrow."

Having said that, Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze could not refuse.

He turned to Xu Weidong, his tone still gentle: "Then let's talk another day. Think about it carefully."

"Thank you, Teacher Xiao Ze."

Xu Weidong stood up and watched the two walk towards the Administrative Building one after the other.

A freshman who had just turned nineteen, without doing anything, had already been drawn into this invisible game.

His phone vibrated, and Wei Yingying sent a text message: "The club recruitment here at Renmin University of China is so lively. I signed up for the Arts and Culture Department of the Student Union. How about you?"

He looked at the text message for a long time without replying.

It wasn't that he didn't want to say it, but he didn't know how to say it.

Say that I am being scrambled for by various forces because I am my father's son?

Or say that I have become some kind of bargaining chip before I have even proven myself?

He put his phone in his pocket, stood up, and walked slowly to the dormitory.

The lights in Zijing Apartment were on, and Yang Liqun's loud voice came from the fifth floor.

He pushed the door open, and everything was as usual.

Yang Liqun was playing games, Zhang Xun was reading, and Sun Ming was doing advanced mathematics problems.

Yang Liqun smiled: "Back? Did you eat?"

"Ate."

Xu Weidong put down his schoolbag and sat in his chair.

In the distance, the lights on the third floor of the Administrative Building were still on.

In President Chen Bing's office, a few more lines of comments were added to the training plan with Xu Weidong's name on it.

Director Li Lei had just finished reporting the situation of "meeting" Youth League Committee Secretary Xiao Ze. President Chen Bing nodded without speaking.

That was a really fast move!