Chapter 43: A Smile Concealing a Dagger

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Li Xiuyuan’s worries were indeed justified. After Luo Yi took Li Xiuyuan away, Qu Hui returned to his office, pondering for a long time but still unable to grasp the meaning behind Luo Yi’s sudden appearance and action. If Luo Yi had any connection with Li Xiuyuan, he should have made it clear on Li’s very first day at work. And if it was a recently established connection, the way he showed support this time was unusual.

If there was no relationship, why would Luo Yi personally come and take Li Xiuyuan? It was clearly for him. But if there was a relationship, Luo Yi didn’t behave as if they were close at all.

Qu Hui was baffled and decided to report to his superior, the government office director, Pang Zhifeng. Pang, having dealt with Luo Yi for many years, was quite familiar with him. After hearing Qu Hui’s report, he pondered for a moment and said, “Don’t take this matter too seriously. That old Luo probably doesn’t intend to put much effort into protecting Li Xiuyuan. Otherwise, things wouldn’t have gone this way. I suspect Li Xiuyuan must have pulled some strings, just asking for a favor.”

If Luo Yi truly wanted to protect Li Xiuyuan, he would have come to see me first, invited me to a meal, discussed things with me, and only then attended to Li Xiuyuan. But the fact that Luo Yi went straight to assist Li Xiuyuan actually indicates he wasn’t going to exert much effort—just a casual favor.

In the bureaucracy, relationships and networks come in different tiers. Who you know isn’t as important as how much effort they’re willing to invest for you. Many people exchange greetings and appear familiar but distance themselves when trouble arises, not making things worse being the best outcome.

Some relationships only allow for small favors; expecting those people to go to great lengths or take risks is impossible.

Only the last kind—those with real shared interests—will truly help you when you need it.

“Director, what should we do now?” Qu Hui asked bitterly. A higher-ranking official can easily suppress a lower one. Luo Yi is deputy director; even if it’s just a casual favor, it makes things difficult for Qu Hui.

Pang Zhifeng glanced at Qu Hui and said, “Wait and see for now. We have to give Old Luo face—after all, he was promoted by County Head Zheng. We can’t afford to offend him seriously. Let’s wait about half a year. When the time is right, we’ll find an opportunity. Meanwhile, give Director Luo due respect; let him participate in whatever work he should. Don’t leave him out in the cold.”

The County Head Zheng Pang mentioned is the current top official of Huangyuan County Government. Because of this connection, Luo Yi can securely hold the position of first deputy director at the county government office.

Of course, Pang Zhifeng’s own position as director also implies he has powerful backing.

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Qu Hui nodded. Half a year was something he could wait for, but he feared there might be unexpected changes during that time. Li Xiuyuan looked young but was no pushover. Within just half a month on the job, he had already managed to covertly connect with Deputy Director Luo. How things would unfold in the coming six months made Qu Hui uneasy. It might be better to replace him altogether, and the most suitable candidate for the county government office was Wang Zhitao.

Wang was simpler to deal with if they wanted to remove him, but he had been on the job for over a year and had become permanent staff. Without a proper reason, it would be hard to get rid of him. If a conflict arose, it would become troublesome.

For now, Qu Hui decided not to consider this option. He would watch Li Xiuyuan’s moves first, and if Li became too troublesome, then Wang Zhitao would be his backup.

“Achoo!”

Far away in the countryside, Wang Zhitao, working with Li Boyang on a project, sneezed. He had no idea that Qu Hui was already considering him as a backup because Li Xiuyuan was so difficult to handle and that people were still speculating about Li’s connection with Luo Yi.

“Brother Li, how come Xiuyuan, who just started working a few days ago, is already linked up with Director Luo?” Wang Zhitao asked curiously.

Li Boyang smiled and countered, “How do you know they only just connected?”

Wang Zhitao snorted, “I’m not stupid. They had to have a preexisting relationship. Look at Wu Yiyi’s case—she was looked after from day one at the office. Xiuyuan didn’t even get a glance from Director Luo on his first day. Clearly, this connection is recent.”

“Ha, that’s true,” Li Boyang nodded.

“Brother Li, you still haven’t told me how exactly Xiuyuan got connected with Director Luo?”

Li Boyang shook his head with a wry smile. “You think I know? Xiuyuan keeps his mouth sealed tight. He never told me anything.”

“Yeah, he’s really tight-lipped,” Wang Zhitao sighed. “When we chatted, he was always sighing, worried that Section Chief Qu would get rid of him, looking utterly helpless. Yet behind the scenes, he was secretly forging ties with Director Luo.” Wang Zhitao added, “When we get back, we have to have dinner together. I’m going to ask him properly how he managed to connect.”

Li Boyang listened but said nothing. “You think he’d just tell you? Silly kid, you’re the simplest one in the Comprehensive Section.”

Li Xiuyuan may look unremarkable, but he had deftly defused threats from Qu Hui, spoke flawlessly, and handled affairs sharply. Wang Zhitao was just a bit luckier.

If Wang had been in Li’s position, he might still be clueless about the situation. When Qu Hui made his move and Wang got transferred, he’d be completely baffled.

But Li Xiuyuan had the ability to quickly open up the situation and find solutions.

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Of course, Li Boyang also believed that if Li Xiuyuan had Wang Zhitao’s background and had started working a year earlier, even with Wu Yiyi’s family connections, she might not have gotten the chance to become Deputy County Head Gu’s secretary.

Connections were one thing, but ability was equally important in a place like the county government office. Only those with talent could seize opportunities.

Staying in the county government office meant unlimited potential for a young, new officer. But being kicked out usually meant you were stuck—without connections, you were done.

At noon, Li Xiuyuan had a decent meal with Pang Zhifeng and experienced his first official social engagement. Since he was new, Luo Yi didn’t make him drink, so he abstained.

By two or three in the afternoon, Li Xiuyuan returned to the office. The first thing he did was go to Qu Hui’s office.

Qu Hui knew Li had left in the morning and expected him to report back after finishing his tasks. Though Qu Hui was no saint, rules mattered in the bureaucracy.

“Xiuyuan’s back. Sit down, have some tea. How was it following the leader? Did you learn anything from Director Luo?” Qu Hui’s tone had done a complete one-eighty from before.

Li Xiuyuan felt a surge of emotion. If his uncle-in-law Song Limin had seen this scene, he’d probably be amazed. The gatekeeper at the entrance was nothing compared to Qu Hui’s own cunning.

Li Xiuyuan reported dutifully. Qu Hui smiled throughout, but the more he smiled, the more wary Li became. A biting dog doesn’t bark; Qu Hui’s smile hid a dagger. Li didn’t believe Qu Hui would give up. This was only a temporary compromise under Luo Yi’s pressure.

If Li couldn’t find a way to completely suppress Qu Hui and Pang Zhifeng within half a year—making them wary or even exacting a price—his fate would be even grimmer.

“Xiuyuan, starting tomorrow you’ll be officially assigned some tasks now that your probation is over. No problem, right?”

“No problem. Thank you, Section Chief Qu,” Li Xiuyuan replied with a smile, though deep down he knew there was no turning back. He had to keep moving forward.

Within six months, he must find a way to subdue Qu Hui and Pang Zhifeng, maybe even make them pay. He no longer wanted to live such an uncertain, perilous life.