Chapter 13: A Brilliant Counterattack

Lin Hao looked up and saw Sun Qian. The secretary’s room door was not allowed to be closed during working hours, so he could see him as soon as he looked up.

“Brother Lin, hope I’m not disturbing you?” Sun Qian offered a courteous, official pleasantry as he approached, holding a badge which he placed on Lin Hao’s desk. “Your access pass is ready, and your files have been transferred. You’re officially a member of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection now.”

“Thank you, Brother Sun. Sorry for the trouble,” Lin Hao replied with a pleased expression, pocketing the pass.

“We’re brothers, no need for formalities. By the way, the organization has arranged for you to be temporarily assigned to the Secretariat Department of our Fourth Office. If you have time at noon, let’s meet at the canteen so you can put faces to names. Since you’re on secondment, a grand welcome feast would be too flashy, but it’s good for the colleagues in the same department to get to know you—it’ll help with future cooperation.” Sun Qian waved his hand amiably.

Lin Hao understood Sun Qian’s genuine concern. Gu Yuejin, as Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, had countless matters to attend to daily, making it difficult for one secretary to manage everything.

Having his own team would make things much more convenient in the future. No matter how capable one was, everyone had their off days—leaders couldn’t be left waiting for their secretary to get better. Being a secretary wasn’t just about serving the leader but also learning how to manage people.

Lin Hao responded cheerfully, “Since that’s the case, I’ll willingly accept. Thanks to you and Director Ma for arranging everything.”

Indeed, Lin Hao recognized Ma Bo’s effort to curry favor here.

Sun Qian was close to him and placing Lin Hao in the Fourth Office would uphold the prestige of the top secretary in the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. Sun Qian was smart; in formal settings, he addressed Lin Hao respectfully as Secretary Lin, avoiding any direct or informal nicknames that might embarrass him. Using terms like “Little Lin” or “Section Chief Lin” would have been a slap in the face, though technically appropriate, as it was rare for a deputy section chief to hold such a senior secretary position.

This arrangement cleverly avoided awkwardness and, more importantly, helped Sun Qian solidify his position. He had been promoted to director of the Fourth Office to serve as Secretary Gu’s aide. Although that appointment hadn’t materialized, many would gossip about Ma Bo’s nepotism.

Having Lin Hao as a shield in the Fourth Office would make others tread carefully around the secretary and show some respect—killing two birds with one stone.

It had to be said that those who became directors of the General Office were all astute people, capable of hiding vast strategies within simple arrangements.

“Shall we go now? It’s about lunchtime.”

“Brother Sun, I’ll first get Secretary Gu’s meal from the canteen. Please wait for me a moment,” Lin Hao said, glancing at the time.

He was aware that Secretary Gu was accustomed to eating in his office, usually busy and reluctant to make others uncomfortable by dining in the canteen.

Typically, the canteen prepared special meals for several leaders, which the secretaries would then deliver.

The two headed to the canteen together; Lin Hao went to the small service window.

The cook there had already prepared the meal. Upon seeing Lin Hao, he immediately handed it over. The more meticulous the profession, the more careful the attitude.

People in the office might not yet recognize Lin Hao’s face, but the cooks and drivers certainly did.

“Secretary Lin, this is Secretary Gu’s meal box. Thank you for delivering it. Just bring it back when he finishes,” the head cook said cheerfully, his demeanor appropriate and kind.

This reminded Lin Hao of the university cafeteria servers, whose attitudes were worlds apart.

Of course, poor students could eat or not, as they had already paid the school. Wealthier students could get special meals, while those without connections or money had to endure.

But here was different. Although this too was contracted out and involved connections, any misconduct could be investigated immediately.

Meal prices were standardized, but no kitchen was without its tricks. Historically, the kitchen was where the most embezzlement occurred, and checks were strict.

“Thank you, Master Chef.”

“Oh, Secretary Lin, you’re too polite. Your meal is also set aside and waiting for you.”

This was an unspoken rule. Though secretaries held low ranks, their treatment was excellent—not only in terms of power and status but also in tangible benefits.

Lin Hao nodded and then delivered the meal box to Secretary Gu’s office. At that moment, Secretary Gu was engrossed in reviewing documents. Lin Hao quietly set down the lunch and left, closing the door behind him.

Back in the canteen, when Lin Hao returned with the food, Sun Qian was already leading people to sit around the table.

“Secretary Lin, this is the Secretariat Department of our Fourth Office—the place you’ll be leading once your secondment is formalized. Let’s get acquainted; it’ll make coordinating work easier later.”

Sun Qian had been thoughtful, deliberately not inviting other deputy directors or section chiefs to avoid embarrassing Lin Hao.

Higher-ranking officials were hard to mobilize; the newcomers were far more useful.

“Hello, Secretary Lin. I’m Zhang Qing from the Secretariat Department; just call me Xiao Zhang. You’ll be our direct leader from now on, so please take care of us.”

Lin Hao glanced at the excited young man. His eyes shone with ambition—good, such people could be useful.

“Secretary Lin, I’m Hu Yue. Nice to meet you. I heard you’re only twenty-six, just a year older than me—that’s impressive,” said Hu Yue, a sweet-looking girl with a soft, gentle voice.

The others then introduced themselves in turn. The Secretariat Department was small—only four people, all young.

Both Hu Yue and Zhang Qing had graduate degrees. Zhang Qing, 28, had worked for three years and was already a deputy section chief. Hu Yue had just been assigned to the Provincial Commission’s office. When she was formally ranked next year, she would become a fourth-level main staff member—solidly in the deputy section chief reserve.

The remaining two were likewise deputy section chiefs, except for Hu Yue.

This showed the Commission’s unique nature and rapid promotion pace.

Once Lin Hao passed his three-month probation, his formal appointment was guaranteed. He had already served two years as a deputy section chief, meeting the seniority requirement.

In other departments, it would take five or six years to secure such a position.

If Lin Hao stayed here, these would be his core team.

A great leader once said that going it alone was unwise; one must unite all possible forces to achieve victory.

Just as the group chatted warmly, a discordant voice suddenly rang out.

“Well, look at Director Sun—already cozying up to the new secretary. No wonder he was promoted to the Fourth Office before even becoming a secretary. His flattery skills are truly unmatched.”

Everyone turned to see a man in his fifties sneering at them, his face full of sarcasm and disdain.

Sun Qian frowned slightly and replied calmly, “Chen Tianlong, if you have grievances, take them to the leadership. My transfer to the Fourth Office was approved by the Organization Department. If you’re dissatisfied, you may file a formal complaint.”

Because of the Commission’s special nature, it had its own Organization Department, making procedures somewhat faster and simpler.

“Complain? To whom? Everyone knows you’re Director Ma’s favorite, playing factional politics with enviable skill,” Chen Tianlong sneered bitterly.

Sun Qian was annoyed but helpless. Sarcasm was common in the workplace, and as long as his words were not seriously wrong, no one could touch him.

Chen Tianlong then turned to Lin Hao. “Secretary Lin, truly admirable youth. We old-timers have spent most of our careers here without such opportunities. You, an outsider, just landed it all. Hey, you’ll have to look after us properly—you are the second-in-command, after all.”

The atmosphere instantly stiffened. Everyone could hear the venom in his words. Zhang Qing and the others looked indignant, ready to retort, but Lin Hao gently raised a hand to stop them.

Then he smiled humbly and said, “Director Chen, we all serve the people, just in different roles and divisions of labor. Leaders always consider the bigger picture. The canteen cooks work diligently without complaint, don’t they? Besides, we’re in the plains—no factions here.”

His calm and balanced response quickly defused Chen Tianlong’s resentment on a principled level.

“Heh, Secretary Lin’s tongue is sharp. But I wonder about your real ability. As the old saying goes, when lips have no hair, actions are unreliable. You’re still wet behind the ears, probably a liability to the leadership,” Chen Tianlong said, irritated that Lin Hao had skillfully countered his words.

He had hoped to provoke both men into a fight so leadership could see their lack of control—how could such people be promoted?

But his punches landed on cotton, leaving him frustrated and forcing him to taunt again.

“The Party and State have repeatedly advocated against relying on old experience. Now the capital is promoting younger cadres, and every province is learning and innovating. This proves the correctness of national policy to boldly appoint newcomers and break with the past. How could you not know?” Lin Hao retorted, silencing Chen Tianlong.

“I... I...” Chen Tianlong stammered, speechless.

Lin Hao then feigned realization. “I see—the propaganda materials must have not reached you, Director Chen. No matter, I’ll have someone deliver a copy for you to study. With your party spirit and awareness, I trust you’ll understand the national decision.”

“I... understand, understand!” Chen Tianlong gritted his teeth and grudgingly spoke before sulking away with his tray.

A potential conflict was cleverly averted by Lin Hao, earning admiring looks from those around.

It was thrilling, brilliant, utterly satisfying.

The group gained a deeper understanding of their new Secretary Lin. Earlier, they had wondered about the three deputy secretaries who were all deputy section chiefs, doubting Gu Yuejin’s choice of someone at a lower rank.

But after today, they could only say, the leader is truly a leader—his choice was undoubtedly capable and discerning.

Zhang Qing and the others silently took mental notes, preparing themselves for similar situations in the future.

As for Hu Yue, she saw Lin Hao as a prince charming—young, talented, calm, and knowledgeable—perfect for a girl’s ideal.

Sun Qian’s face showed unhidden delight, his gaze toward Lin Hao filled with admiration and gratitude. Thankfully, he had adapted in time last night to save face; otherwise, he would have been the one embarrassed.

“Secretary Lin, thanks again for today. Without you, it would have been a real headache,” Sun Qian said sincerely.

Lin Hao just smiled, waved his hand, and urged everyone to continue their meal.

Then, discreetly, he wiped the sweat from his palms—he had been nervous after all.