Chapter 11: The Diplomatic Secretary Lin

“Director, what are you doing here?”

Before the man could speak, Jin Yuan took the initiative to speak first. Then, he grasped He Fei’s hand excitedly and said, “Director He, are you here to testify against Lin Hao as well? That’s great! With your testimony, this kid is definitely finished today.”

“That’s right, Lin Hao, just wait to go to prison.” Zhang Nan was ecstatic inside. After all, he had a small arrangement with Director He, so he was sure He Fei would side with him.

Lin Hao immediately smiled to himself. He saw the materials in He Fei’s hand—it must be his files. He guessed He Fei must have been stunned when he found out about this.

Sure enough, the next moment, He Fei quickly shook off their hands.

“Are you two crazy? Who said I came with you? Don’t drag me into your foolishness. I’m here to deliver some files to Secretary Lin. And why are you slacking off instead of working? Playing truant? Do you still want this job or not?”

They were utterly dumbfounded.

Zhang Nan and Jin Yuan stood frozen on the spot, completely confused by He Fei’s sudden change of attitude.

It was He Fei who had informed them that Lin Hao had no backing. Previously, when they made things difficult for Lin Hao at the bureau, He Fei tacitly approved it.

Just last night, they were all joking and laughing together—how could things turn so sour today?

More importantly, He Fei was close to retirement and generally wouldn’t lose his temper. Was he feeling unwell today?

“Director He, didn’t you say last night that you would…” Zhang Nan almost blurted out.

“Shut up! I was sleeping at home last night. What are you talking about? Zhang Nan, if you don’t want the job anymore, I can make it easy for you.” He Fei snapped, his face darkening as he glared at Zhang Nan with a threatening look.

Only then did Zhang Nan realize his mistake and fell silent. But he was still incredulous—why was Director He showing such respect to Lin Hao? And what was that about Secretary Lin just now?

His mind was too slow to catch up immediately, but Jin Yuan, as the office director, had some insight. Gradually, he realized the truth and looked at Lin Hao in shock, his mouth agape.

He swallowed hard and his legs began to tremble. Good heavens, what kind of person had he provoked?

He Fei handed over the files with a smile and said, “Secretary Lin, here are your files and materials. Director Sun asked me to deliver them.”

“Just give them to me. I was the one who called you,” Sun Qian now stepped forward to take the materials.

“Greetings, Director Sun.”

He Fei smiled warmly at Sun Qian and respectfully bowed his head slightly. Although they were both directors, and he was the top official at the bureau, Sun Qian worked at the provincial government compound, in the Discipline Inspection Commission—the department He Fei feared most.

“Lin, brother, do you want me to help you handle this?” Sun Qian patted Lin Hao’s shoulder and asked.

“Actually, I do need Brother Sun to call the Petition Office and the Cadre Supervision Office for me. I’m new here and not familiar with the procedures. If they come to report me and I handle it myself, it might spread rumors about abuse of power.” Lin Hao smiled at Sun Qian.

“Understood. Gentlemen, please follow me.” Sun Qian looked at the three men with a playful tone.

Among them, the highest-ranking was the Director of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, but he was nothing special. Since they had decided to back Lin Hao, they wouldn’t hesitate now. Two fools from the Housing Bureau and a supremely clever secretary to the provincial Discipline Inspection Commission—anyone with a normal brain would know whom to choose.

“Oh dear, it’s all a misunderstanding. Director Sun, these two fools must have been half-asleep and confused today. This matter can’t be handled by formal procedures.” After Sun Qian spoke, He Fei immediately waved his hand and showed a terrified expression.

Despite being a principal director, he behaved with such humility—truly laughable.

If Jin Yuan and Zhang Nan still didn’t understand what was going on, they might as well not bother staying in their positions; they wouldn’t even be able to grow sweet potatoes at home.

The only reason He Fei would lose face and abase himself so much was because Lin Hao had risen rapidly and gained the favor of a powerful figure—linked to the title “secretary.”

Both men trembled inwardly. Could it be that Lin Hao was the secretary to a provincial Discipline Inspection Commission standing committee member?

No, probably not a standing committee member—that would be too high. Maybe the deputy secretary of the commission?

Just thinking of this made their breathing quicken, and they dared not speculate further.

As for the commission secretary himself—that was beyond their imagination. That figure ranked within the top five in the province and could even rival the third-ranking official, a true heavyweight. How could Lin Hao, just a deputy section chief, possibly hold such a position? Impossible.

“Director He, this isn’t appropriate. Since someone has reported the matter to the Discipline Inspection Commission, it must be handled according to procedure. Otherwise, our commission’s reputation could be damaged. Thank you, Director He, for still thinking of me, your old subordinate, and personally delivering the files. If you like, I can see you downstairs.” Lin Hao smiled gently without any arrogance.

For a secretary to a leader, controlling emotions and being tactful is paramount. Even if he had secured the position, he wouldn’t openly lose his temper.

Otherwise, he would gain a reputation for bullying others, which would be unwise.

Besides, oppression need not be accompanied by anger—that is the way of street thugs.

Indeed, Lin Hao’s words left He Fei unable to raise his head. His face was filled with panic, and sweat beaded on his forehead.

If Lin Hao had scolded him outright, He Fei could have accepted it. But these subtle words struck straight at his heart.

Don’t look down on Lin Hao as just a deputy section chief, even though He Fei was a principal director and ranked much higher.

The saying goes, even a low-ranking official outside the prime minister’s door can wield influence. Lin Hao was close to the core power circle in the province and could affect the fates of officials like He Fei, even those at the department level.

Especially since He Fei had corruption issues—once exposed, it would be disastrous.

Sometimes the same message, delivered in different ways, can have completely different effects.

Some people ruin their tasks, but if a secretary says they have done their utmost with courage, it resonates very differently in the leader’s mind than simply saying the task was botched.

This is the art of language. Those seeking to curry favor with their leaders can use the secretary as a mouthpiece, mixing personal grudges. Naturally, someone will handle the matter for them.

After all, you never know if the secretary’s words are truly their own or the leader’s, and there is no way to verify—only to comply.

If one had a clean record, it would be easier. But He Fei was tainted and vulnerable to investigation.

And there was much more to it. One could say the secretary and the leader formed a composite entity—the title of second-in-command was not given lightly.

“Secretary Lin, we were wrong. We were just confused, half-asleep, and caused this misunderstanding. Please don’t take it to heart. We’ll leave immediately.” Jin Yuan said shakily, his body trembling.

He wished this were just a dream, but a sharp pinch reminded him that this absurd scene was indeed real.

Yet he could not understand how Lin Hao, a mere deputy section chief, had suddenly transformed into the leader’s chief secretary.

“Director He, please handle this matter as you see fit. I will inform my comrades at the Discipline Inspection Commission. I have other matters to attend to now—the secretary is arriving soon, and I must prepare.” Lin Hao turned and left, leaving behind a graceful silhouette.

Watching Lin Hao’s departing figure, He Fei wanted to say something but hesitated.

“Director He, this…”

“You two fools! Don’t you know Lin Hao is Secretary Gu’s secretary at the provincial Discipline Inspection Commission? He’s one of the top five chief secretaries in the entire province, and you dare provoke him? Worthless! Just wait until you’re finished.” He Fei left in a huff, determined to find a way to make amends.

That idiot Tang Simin even got the intelligence gathering wrong—what a waste.

The two left behind were utterly bewildered. What had they just heard?

Secretary Gu? The provincial Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary?

At that moment, their minds felt ready to explode. Lin Hao had truly leapt from deputy section chief to chief secretary of the provincial Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary!

Heavens, how could such an absurd thing be real? Such a thing was unimaginable even in their wildest dreams, yet it had become reality.

Recalling their past conflicts with Lin Hao, both men felt their hearts race and legs weaken, convinced their lives were over.

“You bastard, you’ve ruined me.” Zhang Nan’s vision blurred, nearly fainting.