Chapter Twelve: Entering the Game (Part Two)

Zhang Maolin came back to his senses and surveyed the surroundings. Only then did he realize that Bian Zecheng was no longer in the room.

“Zecheng, Ze—”

Suddenly, Zhang Maolin became aware that it was inappropriate to address someone by their real name in such a setting, so he fell silent and quietly sat by the tea table, once again admiring it carefully.

The side door of the private room opened, and all the lights on the ceiling suddenly brightened.

Of course, all these changes were merely Zhang Maolin’s intuition. At this moment, he was still bowed over, intently examining what he considered a very exquisite tea table.

“Hey, where did you go? Did you run off to Wuxi to get some Longjing tea?” Zhang Maolin teased Bian Zecheng without turning around, unaware that another person was standing beside Zecheng.

“Secretary, I want to introduce you to a friend. Look who’s here!” Upon hearing Bian Zecheng’s prompt, Zhang Maolin slowly turned his head.

Under the gleaming crystal chandelier stood a towering man nearly two meters tall: a very short crew cut, a broad, square face tinged with black and red, and a crisp light blue suit…

“Big brother, how have you been?” Before Zhang Maolin could react, the burly man extended his hand proactively.

“Oh, isn’t this my old friend Liu Dong? How come you’re here? Zecheng, could it be that you—?” Zhang Maolin was instantly bewildered. He stared unblinkingly at Bian Zecheng, his mind racing to piece together Zecheng’s strange behavior moments ago.

“I’ve been friends with Director Bian for a long time!” Liu Dong said naturally with a smile.

“Boss Liu specially invited you today! As for me, I’m just a typical deaf ear—a mere ornament. If you find me in the way, I can pack up and leave anytime, haha,” Bian Zecheng winked and made funny faces at Zhang Maolin.

“Since Brother Liu came all this way, why all the mystery? You could have just come to my home, much easier to talk and more peaceful!” Zhang Maolin seemed to chide Zecheng.

“Big brother, it was my idea to invite you here. I was afraid my own humble status wouldn’t be enough to persuade you, so I asked Director Bian to step in. I mean no other intention—just that I haven’t seen you in a long time and truly missed you. Coincidentally, this teahouse is run by a friend of mine from Zhejiang, very authentic and full of regional flavor. So I invited you both to come experience the atmosphere, enjoy some genuine Longjing tea, and catch up. Haha.”

“Oh, such a trivial matter turned into a complex mess all because of Zecheng,” Zhang Maolin muttered.

—Hahaha…

The three shared a knowing laugh in unison.

Just as they settled in, several heavily made-up waitresses sashayed over with model-like grace, carrying abundant trays of dried fruits and fresh fruit.

…

After whispering to Bian Zecheng, Liu Dong immediately stood, pressing firmly on Zecheng’s shoulder before turning to the bartender.

“Big brother, I heard that Manager Wang at your city branch might be facing changes soon?” Liu Dong quietly asked Zhang Maolin amid their small talk.

“Oh? I haven’t heard. Brother, are you interested in such matters too?” Zhang Maolin said, cracking pistachios with a puzzled look.

“If this news is true, how would you feel about it?” Liu Dong pressed on.

“Feelings? Haha, none whatsoever. Changes in cadre positions are matters for the provincial branch to consider. Besides, I doubt the reliability of this news. Our Songyang City branch still has many unresolved issues. Even if Manager Wang intends to leave, he’d have to first clear up this mess completely,” Zhang Maolin explained.

“Heh, actually, it’s quite the opposite. Without this mess, he might not be able to leave at all!” Liu Dong’s tone was resolute.

“Eh? Brother Liu, you came all the way back to Songyang just to discuss something that doesn’t concern you?” Zhang Maolin’s gaze lingered on Liu Dong’s handsome, confident face.

Liu Dong smiled faintly but said nothing. He turned and spoke to Bian Zecheng, who was chatting with the bartender at a distance:

“Hey, buddy, have the ‘tea girls’ we requested come out yet? No rush, we can wait. Only those girls, no one else! Just hang tight there…”

Bian Zecheng turned and gave Liu Dong an OK sign with his fingers.

Once sure Zecheng wouldn’t return to the previous seat, Liu Dong sat down on the leather chair to Zhang Maolin’s right. He turned his head and lowered his voice:

“Big brother, I’ll say it again—my life was given by Zhang Bo! All these years, I’ve carried a heavy heart but never knew how to express it to you properly!”

Liu Dong’s expression was visibly emotional.

“That’s all in the past. Brother, why do you keep holding onto it?” Zhang Maolin replied calmly.

Liu Dong’s tone was firm.

“Oh? Really? Then what do you mean—”

Zhang Maolin didn’t continue. He quietly observed the other man. The revelation Liu Dong hinted at exceeded Zhang Maolin’s expectations. Yet he found it hard to believe that, with the year’s end approaching, the provincial branch would reshuffle the Songyang City branch’s leadership, especially replacing the top position. Such a move would be extremely detrimental to meeting the region’s operational targets.

“Big brother, I have an unworthy request to make, and it depends entirely on your personal attitude!” Liu Dong said earnestly.

“Oh? What’s so important that you care so much?” Zhang Maolin asked.

“Timing, geography, and harmony—all in your hands! Don’t you want to bring your official career to a perfect conclusion?” Liu Dong countered.

“I’ve never thought about such a thing. Given my abilities and age, promotion is nearly impossible! I appreciate your goodwill, brother. Thank you,” Zhang Maolin answered.

“In this world, it’s only a matter of whether you act or not—there’s no absolute ‘can’ or ‘cannot.’ No need for formalities between us! I’m waiting on just one word from you. If you nod, I’ll take care of everything else,” Liu Dong vowed.

“Heh, you? What can you do? I know you have money, but promoting a division-level cadre, especially the city branch manager, requires the provincial branch’s personnel department to go through a highly stringent process, and then the provincial party committee must discuss and approve the nomination. This process is very tight and thorough—no outsider can interfere. So what kind of ‘arrangement’ are you talking about?!” Zhang Maolin deliberately made himself crystal clear, feeling that Liu Dong’s words were somewhat outlandish and even reckless.