Chapter 19: The Report

May 11, 2005, Wednesday, clear skies—this day held special significance for Li Xiuyuan and, indeed, for his entire family.

Li Jianguo and his wife rose early, preparing breakfast for their son. By half past seven, they were already urging Li Xiuyuan to leave the house.

“Remember to obey your superiors at work, keep your eyes on your tasks, maintain good relations with colleagues, take losses as blessings, and don’t fuss over small matters…” Li Jianguo earnestly advised his son before he stepped out.

Li Xiuyuan listened, a mixture of amusement and incredulity stirring within him. His father’s simple philosophy wasn’t wrong, but it was outdated—a relic of another era. Such advice might have held weight in the seventies or eighties, but in the modern world, if you took “taking losses as blessings” literally, you’d only find yourself endlessly exploited.

Still, Li Xiuyuan refrained from arguing; this was a clash of generations and perspectives, and there was no need to be stubborn. After all, his father meant well.

“All right, I understand, Mom and Dad. It’s just going to work, not kindergarten—I don’t need to be escorted,” Li Xiuyuan joked.

His parents relaxed, their worries easing a little.

Li Xiuyuan headed downstairs and stepped outside. Looking up, he saw a cloudless sky bathed in bright sunlight—a fine day indeed.

Their home was not far from the county government offices; a short bus ride of less than ten minutes would take him there.

The imposing gates of Huangyuan County Government stood before him. This was the heart of Huangyuan County, the source of directives governing the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands.

Li Xiuyuan had passed these gates before, but this time, standing at the threshold, he felt something different. Crossing inside marked the official start of his career in public service.

He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and strode toward the government compound. Yet, as he reached the guardhouse, he was stopped.

“What business do you have here?” The elderly guard, wary and suspicious, eyed him as if he might be a stranger’s relative.

“I’m a newly appointed civil servant this year, here to check in and start work at the county government.” Li Xiuyuan produced his reporting notice from his bag. The guard’s gaze softened as he examined the bright red seal of the Personnel Bureau on the document, and a smile spread across his face.

“All right, go ahead. The government office is on the third floor of the building, second office on the left. You’ll know once you get there.”

“Thank you, sir,” Li Xiuyuan said gratefully.

He entered the compound. Above the administrative building hung the solemn national emblem. Climbing the steps, Li Xiuyuan felt an inexplicable reverence stirring within him.

It reminded him of a line from a television drama he once watched: “No matter how large an enterprise is, it cannot hang the national emblem on its door. But any first-level government, no matter how small—even a township government—can proudly display the national emblem above its entrance.”

Such is the allure of power.

Li Xiuyuan proceeded into the building, heading to the third floor. People bustled past him; he stepped aside to let them through.

Outside the second office on the left, a plaque read “County Government Office, General Affairs Section.” The door was open, revealing seven or eight desks inside.

Li Xiuyuan gently knocked, drawing the attention of those within. Then he quietly introduced himself, “Hello, everyone. My name is Li Xiuyuan. I’ve just been assigned here to the county government office.”

“Li Xiuyuan?” A young man, about his age, stood and scrutinized him for a moment. “Director Pang mentioned this. I’ll take you to meet him.”

“Thank you,” Li Xiuyuan replied politely.

“No problem. From now on, we’re colleagues.” The young man led him down the corridor.

“What’s your name? How should I address you?” Li Xiuyuan asked cautiously.

“My surname is Wang—Wang Zhitao.”

“Nice to meet you, Brother Wang,” Li Xiuyuan said, committing his first colleague’s name to memory.

Soon they arrived at the office marked “County Government Office Director’s Office.” The door was ajar. Wang Zhitao knocked softly before pushing it open and ushering Li Xiuyuan inside.

The office was modest but neatly arranged, exuding a simple dignity. Flags and ornaments on the desk added to its air of authority, inspiring a certain solemnity.

A middle-aged man in his forties sat behind the desk, wearing plain glasses. Though unassuming in appearance, his gaze was sharp and penetrating.

“This is Director Pang. Li Xiuyuan has come to report to our county government office,” Wang Zhitao introduced.

Li Xiuyuan stepped forward, placing his reporting notice on the desk.

Director Pang’s face broke into a faint smile as he examined the document. “Xiuyuan, I knew you were coming and have been waiting for you. Our county government office has much work and heavy responsibilities. In the future, we’ll be counting on young people like you.”

Pang Zhifeng’s words carried warmth, kindness, and expectation. A newcomer might be moved by this and think the director held them in high regard.

In reality, this was their first meeting. Such remarks were routine from leaders to any new employee.

Li Xiuyuan remained composed but feigned humility and gratitude, nodding repeatedly. “Thank you, Director Pang. I will work diligently, learn from my colleagues, obey leadership’s instructions, and not disappoint your expectations.”

“Mm,” Pang Zhifeng nodded in approval, then handed back the reporting notice and said slowly, “For now, you’ll stay in the General Affairs Section. Let Zhitao take you to report to Section Chief Qu and see how he assigns your tasks.”

“All right, thank you, Director Pang.” Li Xiuyuan followed Wang Zhitao out of the office. They had spent less than two minutes inside, exchanging only a few words.

But Li Xiuyuan understood. Director Pang was head of the county government office, a section-level cadre. Meeting him at all was quite fortunate. In a township, where the equivalent would be the party secretary or mayor, new employees might not get such an audience.

Moreover, Pang Zhifeng was likely a member of the county government’s party leadership, ranking above other section-level leaders. To be recognized by name was, indeed, a privilege.