Lunchtime.
Dong Xuebing had just stepped out of his office to go to the cafeteria when he heard the news of the Provincial Exchange learning program being brought forward to February. This time, their bureau will be going to Zhejiang Province, and there were only 10 places. Actually, exchange program was all bullshit. It’s actually an excuse to go on holiday. The Western District Branch Bureau will organize this program annually. Because the State Security was a specialized agency, they could not go overseas like other government agencies. They could only pick other provinces.
“Sister Chang.” Dong Xuebing called Chang Juan. “How were the spots assign last year? Our General Affairs Office gets to participate?”
Chang Juan thought for a while and replied. “We have not participated before. Those who get the spots were leaders, someone who had significant contributions to the branch, or......” Chang Juan’s voice became softer. “...... someone with connections or backgrounds. Err...... Chief Dong, maybe you might get a spot this year.” Who else in the branch had more contributions than Dong Xuebing this year? Connections? Chief Xiao Dong is close to all the leaders. Rank? Chief Xiao Dong is also now Deputy Section Chief rank. That’s why Chang Juan felt Dong Xuebing would surely qualify to get a place.
Dong Xuebing also felt the same way. But when he thought about his argument with Yan Lei, he was not that confident.
After Lunch.
Dong Xuebing went to Deputy Branch Bureau Xu Yan’s office. “Chief Xu, I am here to admit my mistake.”
Xu Yan, who was at her desk, replied without even looking up. “Your mistake? What can you do wrong?”
Dong Xuebing could sense Xu Yan was angry. He cleared his throat and replied. “Chief Xu. It’s like this. Secretary Xu had come to the General Affairs Office this morning and instructed a new girl to do some work. He did not say when he need the task to be completed and just gave Xiao Wang a document for her to type. But after 5 minutes, he returned and saw the task was not completed. He started creating a scene in the General Affairs Office and even made our new staff member cry. The words he used were indirectly scolding you and me. I do not understand why the General Affairs Department staffs have to be disciplined by him.”
Xu Yan raised her head and looked at him. “This is called admitting your mistake?”
“Errr...... I am at fault too. I admit that I should not be rush and clashed with him.”
Xu Yan put down her pen and looked at Dong Xuebing: “What did I say during the previous time when you fight with Secretary Yan? Don’t you understand the meaning of staying low? You just got your promotion, and now you got into trouble again. When are you going to change that foul temper of yours? Ah?”
Dong Xuebing smiled embarrassedly and helped Xu Yan pour a glass of water. “Yes, Mdm. You are right.”
Xu Yan knocked on her desk. “Is it that hard to get along with Secretary Yan? Even if you are unhappy with him, you should still give him face.” It’s because he was Dong Xuebing. If not, Xu Yan would not say so much.
Dong Xuebing felt being wrongly accused. “Chief Xu, I am not finding excuses. The fact is I also wanted to get along well with Secretary Yan. But this morning, when I am on my way to work, he came over and act like he is my leader, ordering me to do things. I can’t find words to describe his attitude. What did I do? I gave in and tolerated him. But he went to my office and started to shout at my subordinates. He is the one who did not give clear instructions. How can I let him do what he wants in my office? He is the one who did not give me face and wanted to find fault with me!”
Xu Yan stared him Dong Xuebing. “You are full of reasons!”
Dong Xuebing was groomed by Xu Yan and had helped Xu Yan complete many difficult tasks in return. He had made the General Affairs Department proud. Xu Yan trusted Dong Xuebing fully. What about Yan Lei? He was newly transferred to the branch and had no results at all. Furthermore, he clashed with Xiao Dong several times. It does not matter who was the right or wrong. Xu Yan already has a terrible impression of Yan Lei. Xiao Dong was young and immature. He was impulsive and rash. But Xiao Dong was capable. He could solve problems for the leaders. What about Yan Lei? No capabilities and immature. Everyone has biases. Xu Yan felt Yan Lei was too much in this incident. He was not suitable to be the leader’s secretary. He would offend all other leaders and will make his life difficult. No one would work with Yan Lei, and it will be difficult for Chief Zhen to lead the branch.
But Xu Yan still wanted to teach Dong Xuebing a lesson. “Stop talking about others. Why everyone else can get along well with Secretary Yan except for you? The problem lies in you too!”
“...... Yes. You are right.”
During the Branch’s Party Committee Meeting, Xu Yan had gone over to Zhen Anguo’s side. This was also Xiao Dong’s credit. During the calligraphy incident, Dong Xuebing had brought Xu Yan and Zhen Anguo closer to each other. This was also the reason why Xu Yan does not want to see Dong Xuebing fall out with Yan Lei. Dong Xuebing was her trusted aide, and Yan Lei was Chief Zhen’s, right-hand man. If they grudge between them was too big, both leaders will feel embarrassed. Just the incident in the morning was too hard for the leaders to accept. It’s unbecoming for them to bang tables and fight in front of the staff members.
“Think before you act in the future. Don’t be hot-headed and do whatever you like. You will regret if you are punished for this morning’s incident.” Xu Yan reached over and took a sip of the tea poured by Dong Xuebing. “Go back and reflect on your actions.”
Dong Xuebing was feeling uneasy. “Chief Xu, will Chief Zhen have a bad impression of me?”
Xu Yan replied: “You finally thought about this now? What were you thinking earlier? Chief Zhen’s secretary had clashed with you twice. You tell me, will he have a good impression of you?”
At the same time.
Yan Lei was in Zhen Anguo’s office.
“Chief Zhen. The General Affairs Office is too uncooperative. If this carries on, it will be hard for me to do my work.”
Zhen Anguo looked at Yan Lei: “What happened?” Zhen Guoan was newly transferred over and held the highest rank in the branch. That’s why he did not receive the news as fast as Xu Yan.
Yan Lei knew Zhen Anguo does not like to hear all these small matters. But he was too furious. “It’s that Chief Dong. Yes. I got to admit that he is capable and has outstanding results. But he has no respect for you and had ignored me. Earlier, I had asked staff at the General Affairs Office to type a document. They are too slow and could not even complete typing a simple document in half a day. I got mad and scolded that staff member. That Dong Xuebing suddenly came out of his office and started arguing with me. He says that this is the way they work, and I have no right to scold his people. He is unreasonable!”
Zhen Anguo frowned.
Yan Lei continued. “Chief Zhen, when have you seen me lose my temper? But that Dong Xuebing was too much. He does not have any respect for others just because he had achieved some results!”
“Are you telling the truth?”
“Yes. Many people saw what happened.”
This was the job of a secretary. A secretary might not be able to do his or her job well, but when it comes to creating trouble for someone else, it would be a piece of cake for them.
Zhen Anguo was a good leader. But no matter how good he was, he still has biases. Yan Lei also did not tell him the truth, and Zhen Anguo felt Dong Xuebing was too much. Yan Lei had worked for Zhen Anguo for years, and he had never seen Yan Lei losing his temper before. He thought Xiao Dong must have said something that pissed Yan Lei.
This Xiao Dong was too immature!
Zhen Anguo shook his head. He did not think too much this, as he still like Dong Xuebing’s capabilities. If not, he will also not support Xu Yan’s proposal to promote Dong Xuebing to Deputy Section Chief. Yan Lei told him this incident did not affect Zhen Anguo’s impression of Dong Xuebing much. Everyone has flaws. Young and impulsive? Just give him some punishments, and he will change for the better. Zhen Anguo also knew that Dong Xuebing had just started work, and that’s why he was rash and inexperience. He did not consider the impact of his actions. Zhen Anguo thought for a while and made up his mind in his heart.
......
Dong Xuebing was worried that he would leave a bad impression with Zhen Anguo. After leaving Xu Yan’s office, he went to Chief Zhen’s office.
Knock, knock. Dong Xuebing knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Dong Xuebing entered the office with a sad face. “Chief Zhen. I am here to admit my wrong.”
Yan Lei was also in the office. He was sorting the documents for Zhen Anguo. When he saw Dong Xuebing, he sneered.
Zhen Anguo did not ask Dong Xuebing to sit down and ignored him. He took a look at Dong Xuebing and continued with his work.
When Dong Xuebing was at Xu Yan’s office earlier, she was also writing something. That was because she treated Dong Xuebing as her own people. But Zhen Anguo was purposely making things difficult for Dong Xuebing now. Dong Xuebing was furious and looked at Yan Lei. It was not hard to guess. This bastard must have complained to Chief Zhen and most likely exaggerated the story. If not, Chief Zhen would not treat someone who had to help him greatly like this!
Yan Lei! This is not the end between us!
Dong Xuebing could only stand there and wait.
About 5 to 6 minutes later, Zhen Anguo lifted his head. “Xiao Dong. What is it?”
Yan Lei was standing by the side, looking at Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing gritted his teeth. “Chief Zhen, I apologized for what happened between Secretary Yan and me earlier. I was too rash.” He did not know what Yan Lei said to Zhen Anguo. But Dong Xuebing could not give any explanation and could only apologize, even though he felt he had done nothing wrong.
Zhen Anguo nodded. “I think both of you are in the wrong. You all are colleagues, and if there are problems at work, you all should settle amicably.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Yes. You are right.”
Zhen Anguo said. “Ok. Go back to work.”
Dong Xuebing hesitated for a while and left. He thought the matter was over. But before the end of the day, Dong Xuebing received a piece of terrible news.
The “Exchange learning program” name list was released. Dong Xuebing was not on the list. Dong Xuebing was not very surprised by this. After all, he and Yan Lei had fought. So, it’s normal for him to be left out. But the next moment, Dong Xuebing heard that Yan Lei was included as one of the participants!
Motherf**ker!!!
Dong Xuebing was furious. He banged his table in anger and went upstairs to look for Xu Yan in her office.
“Chief Xu, what does Chief Zhen mean by this?” Dong Xuebing did not beat around the bush. “He is doing this on purpose by not letting me go on this holiday. Even if this was because of the incident between Yan Lei and me, why is Yan Lei included? I am not the only one in the wrong this morning. I can’t be hiding in my office when Yan Lei is scolding me indirectly. This is not right! I will be in the wrong if I hide in my office when Yan Lei is scolding my people! He has no respect for me! What he did is not wrong? Chief Xu, I don’t mind being included in the list, but Yan Lei should not be included too. Why did Chief Zhen allow him to participate and not me? If you want to punish me by leaving me out, then Yan Lei should also not be included!”
Xu Yan looked at Dong Xuebing: “Sit down first.”
Dong Xuebing sat on the sofa panting. “Chief Xu, am I wrong for saying these?!”
If this were another incident, Xu Yan would surely reprimand Dong Xuebing. But she could not scold him now. When she heard Yan Lei was included as one of the participants, she frowned. She also felt Chief Zhen was too bias. Chief Zhen would not put in Yan Lei’s name, and all the participants were selected by the Party Committee. But Chief Zhen had the final say, and this was the problem.
Secretary Yan and Xiao Dong had just got into a conflict, and both should be punished. Xu Yan also felt Secretary Yan was being too much and should receive harsher punishment than Xiao Dong. But Chief Zhen did not punish Yan Lei and rewarded him instead. In this end, Dong Xuebing was the only one who got punished. Anyone in Dong Xuebing’s shoes would be furious!
Xu Yan felt Chief Zhen should not be so unreasonable. Why did he do this?
“Xiao Dong, did Yan Lei say anything to Chief Zhen?”
Dong Xuebing replied angrily: “He must have left out the part that he was shouting in my office and making my staff cry when he told Chief Zhen. I think he did not tell Chief Zhen the truth. When I went to look for Chief Zhen, Chief Zhen made me stand there for 5 to 6 minutes.”
Xu Yan frowned. This Yan Lei dares to play such tricks?!
“Chief Xu, I will go and look for Chief Zhen now! I want to explain it to him and let him be the judge!”
“Come back here!” Xu Yan stopped him. “This is already confirmed, and it’s useless no matter how you explain. Forget about this incident, and we will discuss this another time.”
Dong Xuebing was still mad. “Let him off like this? Chief Xu, don’t you think this is too much? You should also know about my contributions to the Branch over the past few months. I just want to ask, what had Yan Lei did to be included? Does he have any results? None! He only knows how to abuse his authority under Chief Zhen’s name! Now, he is allowed to go for this holiday, and I am left out? What would others think? Chief Zhen is too biased.”
Xu Yan also felt that Chief Zhen had only listened to one side of the story. But she could not say this. “Chief Zhen was the one who gave the approval for your promotion. What else do you want?”
Dong Xuebing was too angry and did not hold back his words: “My Deputy Section Chief rank is given by you. All Chief Zhen did was just nod. If it weren’t for you and Secretary Song helping me, I would not get my promotion even in 3 years. I only know you treated me well and not others.”
“Rubbish!” Xu Yan scolded, but she felt good. She and Song Shoujie had pushed for Dong Xuebing’s promotion. “Don’t be so calculative. Didn’t you just go to Zhejiang Province recently?”
Dong Xuebing replied angrily: “Going for a holiday myself is different from getting permission from the bureau to go for a holiday.”
Xu Yan gave Dong Xuebing a stare: “It’s exchange program! It’s not a holiday!”
“Yes. It’s exchange program. Those that are selected are the ones trusted by the bureau. How can someone without any contributions be selected, and someone like me, who had made significant contributions to the bureau, be left out? I am not trusted by the Bureau? Chief Xu, this is too disappointing!” Dong Xuebing was overcome by his anger. Zhen Anguo’s punishment to him was too harsh. A few days ago, he still thinks Chief Zhen was a nice person. But with Yan Lei sowing discontent, he hated him now.
Ring, ring, ring. The phone on the desk rang. Xu Yan waved her hand. “Ok. Just put aside this matter for the time being and go back to work.”
Dong Xuebing knew that after the list was confirmed by the Branch Bureau Chief, there will not be anymore changed. Xu Yan still has other matters to attend, and he left her office.
Xu Yan answered the phone. “Hello?”
“Chief Xu......” It was the guardhouse guard calling. “There is something I need to report to you. There are a few students outside our main gate blocking the entrance. They seem to be waiting for someone and are affecting people from entering and exiting the branch. I asked them to leave, but they ignored me.”
“Do they know what place this is?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Give a call to Director Li Qing and ask him to settle this!”
After hanging up, Xu Yan thought for a while before calling Zhen Anguo’s office. “Hello, Chief Zhen? I would like to speak to you about the Exchange program’s name list.”
Zhen Anguo replied: “Oh, what is it?”
Xu Yan paused for a while and said: “I think Chief Xiao Dong had made significant contributions for our branch. Shouldn’t someone like him be included in this program? We should not disappoint our staff! Chief Zhen, if there are no more spots left on the list, I don’t mind giving Xiao Dong my spot.” If it were someone else, Xu Yan would not bother to make this call. This is the government agency, and you must follow the orders of the higher-ups. But this concern Dong Xuebing and Xu Yan had to help.
Zhen Anguo was shocked to hear this. This Xu Yan treats Xiao Dong too well.
Zhen Anguo also has high hopes for Xiao Dong. If not, he would not punish him like this. He could have given a harsher punishment for banging table without reason at Yan Lei. “Chief Xu, Xiao Dong’s name was included in the initial list. But after some considerations, I took his name out. I know Xiao Dong is capable, but much other staff also wanted to participate in this program. Also, if there are any problems in the backend, someone had to solve it. Xiao Dong is capable and should do more. I think it would be best to let Xiao Dong remain in the bureau. He can settle any problems that arise in the backend.”
Xu Yan frowned when she heard this. The more capable you are, the more you should not be rewarded? People like Yan Lei, who had not made any contributions, should be rewarded? Capability and contributions should be rewarded! How can Xiao Dong do more just because he is capable?
Chief Zhen continued. “You should have heard about the incident in the morning. Xiao Dong is still too young and impulsive. This is a good chance to let him know that he should not bang tables at his colleagues.” This was the real reason why Chief Zhen did this. He wanted to nurture and discipline Dong Xuebing.
After putting down the phone, Xu Yan’s turned black. It takes two hands to clap. If Xiao Dong was immature, then Yan Lei is considered matured? He had scolded Xiao Dong’s staff in Xiao Dong’s office and is not regarded as impulsive? The one who is supposed to be included in the program is left out, and the one who is not supposed to be included will be going? Xu Yan was furious too. She thought even if Chief Zhen were biased towards Yan Lei, he would not do this. It must be Yan Lei who played some dirty tricks! Secretaries are the leaders’ mouthpiece and listening post. Yan Lei had twisted the facts for his own benefits!
......
Dong Xuebing stormed back to the ground floor and saw Yan Lei speaking to a few people.
“Brother Yan, congratulations.”
“Brother Yan, I heard the scenery at Zhejiang is beautiful. I didn’t have the chance to go there even once.”
“Secretary Yan, not anyone can participate in this annual exchange program.”
Yan Lei was smiling brightly: “It’s all because of the leaders thinking so highly of me.” Yan lei’s girlfriend is from Zhejiang province. Chief Zhen had wanted to omit Yan Lei’s name initially because of the incident between him and Dong Xuebing. But Yan Lei pleaded with him and told him about his girlfriend’s complains. In the end, Chief Zhen pitied him and included his name.
The group saw Dong Xuebing and looked at him with evil intentions.
Yan Lei was in a good mood as Chief Zhen had helped him get back at Dong Xuebing and removed Dong Xuebing’s name from the list. He had a smirk on his face as he looked at Dong Xuebing. Although he did not say a word, the smile on his face said everything!
Motherf**ker!
Dong Xuebing was infuriated!