39: Chapter 39 The Feeling of Being Moved

As soon as the meeting began, after Secretary Man Chaojian introduced the attendees, he invited the expert representatives to share their views.

This tactic was called "first impression is the strongest." They were, of course, in support of the new proposal. Their interpretation was highly professional, combining theory with practice, and they presented a wealth of domestic and international case studies, which served as an excellent guide.

Subsequently, Secretary Ji Xuewen and several other County Party Secretaries and officials at the division-chief level also shared their thoughts and insights, explicitly stating their support for the new proposal.

Secretary Man Chaojian did not give Executive Vice Mayor Zuo Youfa and his supporters a chance to speak, directly calling upon several representatives and committee members instead.

Because the construction of the bridge had not yet gone to tender, and there was no news about which company would implement it, these business owners all felt they had a chance to secure the project. Naturally, the higher the budget, the better, so they all expressed their support.

Even Shen Meizhu, in whom Executive Vice Mayor Zuo Youfa had placed high hopes, expressed a neutral stance.

Executive Vice Mayor Zuo Youfa was furious.

Three hours later, the discussion concluded smoothly and successfully.

After the meeting, Secretary Man Chaojian called Zhang Huaijing into his office, smiling as he invited him to take a seat. He said, "Huaijing, your idea was excellent; the results were immediate. This discussion meeting further clarified doubts, expanded the influence of the new proposal, and won the approval of more people. With the hype from the news media, it will be even more deeply rooted in people's hearts."

"Then let's strike while the iron is hot and convene the Standing Committee meeting next week," Zhang Huaijing said.

"What about Zhaodi..."

"She will support you, Secretary," Zhang Huaijing said with full confidence.

"Good!" Secretary Man Chaojian flashed a smile like a Maitreya Buddha.

"And what about the Commander?" Zhang Huaijing asked.

"I have already handled it; he will attend," Secretary Man Chaojian said, rubbing his round belly. "As for Minister Wan, let's both think of a way."

If the Minister of the United Front Work Department also supported the new proposal, with 7 out of the 11 Standing Committee members in support, the passing of the new proposal would be just around the corner.

"Minister Wan and Secretary Ji Xuewen have a good relationship," Secretary Man Chaojian noted meaningfully.

Zhang Huaijing gave an acknowledging "Oh" but said nothing.

The next morning, Secretary-General Fang Yuan sent Deputy Secretary-General Lin Jinsong to see Zhang Huaijing. He handed over a document listing five candidates with brief biographies, asking him to choose one comrade to serve as his Secretary.

He knew the first four names, though he couldn't quite place some of them, or had only met them once.

Previously, when Cui Liming was writing materials at the County Party Committee Office, although he was low-key and rarely socialized, he had interacted with these counterparts at the Municipal Party Committee Office.

Yet, Zhang Huaijing had to pretend not to know any of them.

However, the fifth name caught his attention: Secretary Chen Ran.

He was Cui Liming's high school classmate. Although he was two grades ahead of Cui Liming, the two were quite familiar because they often played soccer together.

He even attended Cui Liming's funeral.

Secretary Chen Ran is 28 years old this year. After graduating from university, he passed the exam for the Haizhou Municipal Party Committee Publicity Department. After working there for over two years, he was transferred to the Municipal Party Committee Office and is currently the Deputy Chief of the Inspection Division.

Lin Jinsong placed him last, and his biography was only two lines long; he was clearly just there as a filler, otherwise, there wouldn't be enough candidates to make five.

The ones before him were either from the Comprehensive Division or the Secretariat, and there was also one from the Organization Department.

In terms of seniority, academic background, and connections, they were all superior to Secretary Chen Ran.

For Zhang Huaijing, apart from Lu Waner, he was actually quite resistant to keeping any of Cui Liming's acquaintances by his side. He worried that he might inadvertently reveal Cui Liming's traits, causing suspicion.

Secretary Chen Ran was honest, had a strong sense of responsibility, and possessed decent emotional intelligence, making him quite suitable to be a Secretary.

Being a leader's Secretary requires one not to be too rigid, yet not too flexible either; loyalty, reliability, and competence are what matter most.

Zhang Huaijing did not like secretaries who were too clever.

The idea that a Secretary should be the ears of the blind, the eyes of the deaf, the mouth of the mute, and the legs of the mad—it was all too utilitarian.

Additionally, Secretary Chen Ran's parents were laid-off workers, and his family background was not very wealthy. He was currently married, his wife was a hospital nurse, and they had a two-year-old child; his family life was simple and his emotions stable.

After listening to Lin Jinsong's detailed introduction of the first two candidates, Zhang Huaijing pondered for a long time before tapping his finger on the last name: "Let's go with this one."

"Secretary Chen Ran?" Lin Jinsong felt a bit surprised, as the resumes of the previous candidates were all more impressive than his. "He has good writing skills and is reliable and hardworking, but he is a bit slow of speech, not very flexible, and his interpersonal relationships are just average."

"Just him," Zhang Huaijing said lightly, leaving no room for argument.

Lin Jinsong felt a lump in his throat but had to swallow his words.

That afternoon, Secretary Chen Ran arrived.

Secretary Jiang Tao brought him in; next week, he would be transferred to the Municipal Party Committee Reception Office.

Seeing Secretary Chen Ran, Zhang Huaijing felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.

He was of medium build, on the thin side, with a slightly dark complexion and wearing myopia glasses; he looked a bit nervous and reserved.

He did not know that the young Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee before him was actually his good friend Cui Liming. He said, "Hello, Secretary," and then didn't know what else to say.

Zhang Huaijing looked at him with a smile. "Little Chen, you first follow Secretary Jiang Tao to familiarize yourself with the work. Little Jiang, you guide him well over these next two days."

Both agreed, and seeing that the leader had no further instructions, they left the office.

Near the end of the workday, Secretary Chen Ran knocked on the door and came in to ask for instructions: "Secretary, Lu Waner from the Organization Department is here to deliver a confidential document and would like to report the specific details to you in person."

"Let her in."

A moment later, Lu Waner, wearing a snow-white chiffon dress, floated in, graceful as a fairy. The familiar scent of lily of the valley drifted in with her, carrying a soft, milky fragrance.

Seeing the tenderness in Zhang Huaijing's eyes that only lovers have, her small face involuntarily flushed a light red.

"Hello, Secretary Zhang." Lu Waner placed a red folder labeled "Confidential" in front of him. "Minister Wang Ximeng instructed me to bring this for your review and signature. It contains positive and negative examples of the advanced nature of Party members, and it has been revised according to the suggestions you made last time..."

"Good, let me see." Zhang Huaijing took the folder and lowered his head to read.

This was a relatively important internal document. Previously, Minister Wang Ximeng would deliver it personally, especially when explanations were needed—what if a section chief or staff member couldn't explain it clearly? Not to mention that Lu Waner was a novice who had only been transferred there for two days.

Zhang Huaijing naturally understood the little scheme in Minister Wang Ximeng's heart and secretly sighed at how clever she was, deliberately arranging for Lu Waner and him to meet and interact more.

With his mind on other things, he lost focus while looking at the document. After a long while, he regained his concentration and suddenly looked up: "Little Lu, you sit for a moment; I won't be that quick."

"Then I... shall I wait outside for you?"

"It's fine, you sit."

Lu Waner sat down on the chair opposite him, slightly lowering her head. She didn't dare to look at the leader directly, but she kept observing him out of the corner of her eye.

She felt a bit flustered.

Women all have a sixth sense; she could feel that Zhang Huaijing liked her, a romantic attraction. And there was an indescribable sense of familiarity and closeness about him that made her want to avoid him, yet she couldn't help but want to get closer to him.

But he was the high and mighty Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, and so handsome and charming; how could he possibly like a Cinderella like her?

She was both afraid and filled with an inexplicable anticipation.

Anticipation for what? She didn't know either.