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A month later, Comrade Weiguo, the Mayor of Gaoqiao Town in Annan County, was appointed as the Vice County Head of Annan County. In addition to overseeing the Business Bureau and the Economic Planning Committee, he also took charge of Commerce, Sports, Culture, and Education, which were previously under the purview of the dismissed Vice County Head.
Under normal circumstances, a vice county-level official would not have a secretary. However, in practice, there was always a staff member from the County Office assigned to assist a sitting Vice County Head.
Huang Zonghua, the County Office Director, approached Vice County Head Mao for his personnel preferences. To his surprise, Mao did not even glance at the roster and said directly, "Director Huang, I’ve heard that there’s a young man named Zhang Qiang in the Education Committee who is quite impressive. He was specially recruited by our county. Why don’t we borrow him for a trial period? If he performs well, I’ll speak with the Secretary and the County Head to formally transfer him. If he doesn’t fit in, we can send him back."
Understanding the unspoken message after three years in his position, Director Huang promptly arranged for the necessary procedures.
Zhang Qiang was from neighboring Huangchuan County. His family could be described in one word: "poor." However, he had always been determined to succeed. From elementary school through middle school and high school, he consistently ranked among the top three in his class. Upon graduating from Jinan Normal University, he caught the attention of recruiters from Annan County during a campus hiring event. The recruiting teacher appreciated his overall qualities, and Zhang was moved by Annan's eagerness to attract talent.
He joined the Annan County Education Committee and was appointed as the head of the Human Resources Supervision Division just over a year later—a position that many of his peers still stuck in ordinary clerical roles envied.
However, his good fortune did not last long. After starting a relationship with Ouyang Xiaxue, everything changed. Director Kuai Jianghao began to make things difficult for him at every turn. Eventually, under the guise of "training young talent," he was reassigned to a post at Xipo Store Township.
While it was all part of work—one could not complain about organizational arrangements—Zhang soon realized that he was merely being sidelined at Xi Po Dian. His skills were going to waste; this was his greatest sorrow.
Later on, he learned some of the underlying reasons from his girlfriend Ouyang Xiaxue. This passionate girl first shared her family background and her conflicts with her father but simultaneously encouraged him and expressed her faith in his abilities and future.
At the beginning of his career, Zhang's income was low and he had to support his family. Xiaxue bought him clothes and secretly sent money home in his name! She even risked her relationship with her family for him! When her parents used their connections to send him to Xi Po Dian, she told him, "Don’t lose heart; I’ll send you there. I… I’ll give you my all!"
That night, he cried on her shoulder as she tenderly wiped away his tears, held him close, kissed him deeply, and whispered in his ear: "Come on, let me give you a child!"
She also spoke about Mao Na and Xiao Qiu and mentioned Hu Ruoyun's song "Plum Blossom Melody," softly murmuring in his ear:
“...
In this mortal world there are those who love deeply,
Do not mock those who are foolishly devoted.
If not for a chill that seeps to the bone,
How could plum blossoms scent the air?
What is love in this world?
It binds life and death together...
…”
So, no matter the circumstances, he decided he would never let her down!
During this time, no one told him what to do, nor was there anything for him to handle. He wandered around, observing what the nearby villages raised and planted, what the locals liked and lacked, as well as the local customs and traditions.
As time passed, the villagers began to share everything with this cultured and approachable "scholar."
One day, as night fell, he was at the home of Liu Tiechui, enjoying a meal. The villager enthusiastically served him soup while saying, "Cadre Zhang, could you please talk to the higher-ups? The levies and allocations are just too much... There’s plenty of grain in the fields, but prices aren’t rising. Everyone is struggling with these costs; it can’t go on like this!"
At that moment, he could barely take care of himself; he could only listen to their grievances.
Suddenly, he heard someone shouting from outside the courtyard: "Tiechui, is Cadre Zhang at your place? Hurry up and send him back to the Town Government; there’s a call for him!"
On the other end of the line was Director Kuai Jianghao, whom he despised deeply. However, this time he didn’t hear Kuai’s sarcastic tone or arrogant demeanor; instead, there was a hint of caution in his voice: "Xiao Zhang, the bureau has discussed it. You have great talent; a short period of training is all you need... Now they’ve decided to transfer you back! A car will come for you tomorrow morning; pack your things tonight!"
What was going on? How could this old fox let him off so easily?
The next morning, the bureau's only official vehicle arrived. The driver, Qin Ming, usually reserved for senior officials, cheerfully helped Zhang Qiang load his belongings into the trunk.
No one had come to see him off when he arrived, but this time the Town Chief came out specifically to bid farewell: "Xiao Zhang, this is also a place where you once worked; make sure to come back and visit when you have time!"
His heart warmed at those words.
In the car, driver Qin Ming said something puzzling: "Little brother, you've endured hardships and are finally seeing rewards; don’t forget your brother when you get up there!"
Confused, Zhang Qiang could only respond vaguely.
The car barely stopped at the bureau before Director Kuai opened the door and got in. He told Qin Ming: "Hurry up; we need to go to the County Government. We can't keep Vice County Head Mao waiting!"
Upon arriving at the County Government Compound, an office staff member was already waiting downstairs. Leading them upstairs, Huang Zonghua came out to greet them: "Director Kuai, please wait in the reception room for a moment; I’ll take Xiao Zhang over." He didn’t even give Zhang Qiang a chance to report his work directly to the county head.
Inside Vice County Head Mao's office, everything felt new. Huang Zonghua led Zhang Qiang in and went to refill Mao's cup with water. Zhang Qiang stood up: "Director Huang, let me do it."
Vice County Head Mao said to Huang Zonghua: "Old Huang, you have plenty of tasks on your plate; I’ll chat with Xiao Zhang for a bit. You don’t need to waste time here."
Huang Zonghua left and closed the door behind him.
Vice County Head Mao noticed Zhang Qiang seemed a bit uneasy and smiled kindly at him: "No need to be nervous; we’re just having a casual chat."
Zhang Qiang pursed his lips and nodded slightly.
Vice County Head Mao took off his glasses and leaned back comfortably in his chair: "Let’s start with something personal; I’m Mao Na’s father. I’ve heard about your situation from her and personally sympathize with you."
"Regarding official matters," said Mao Na, "you are considered quite capable. However, given the current situation, it's no longer suitable for you to stay in the Education Committee. I've just taken office and need someone to assist me with my work.
So, I would like to bring you on board for a trial period. If it works out, we can formalize your transfer. If you’re just someone who can serve tea and chat, I will send you back.
What do you think? Are you willing to come and give it a try?"
After taking a sip of tea, she added, "Regardless of whether you stay or not, when you marry Ouyang Xiaxue in the future, I will definitely contribute to your wedding."
Zhang Qiang did not hesitate at all: "I’m willing to give it a try. If you find me unsuitable later on, you don’t need to push me out; I’ll leave on my own. No matter who has the upper hand over me then, I won’t have anything to say!"
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