Chapter 15: Nonsense

After Lin Hao entered the office and set down his belongings, he poured a cup of tea and then carefully arranged the documents on the leader’s desk to begin his report.

“Secretary, these are the tasks to be handled this afternoon. Team Leader Zhou has already scheduled an appointment; she should arrive around three o’clock.”

Gu Yuejin flipped through the papers in his hand while Lin Hao went to tidy up the lunchbox.

“Who organized this retired cadres’ event? Didn’t we already have one in March? Why is it coming up again?” Gu Yuejin’s expression darkened as he glanced over the retired cadres’ plan.

He was not fond of these superficial activities.

But since everyone else was doing it, he couldn’t afford to be an outlier.

“It was arranged by the newly appointed Director Chen Tianlong. The retired cadres have all signed the joint letter, and the date has been set,” Lin Hao reported in detail after finishing his cleanup.

“This is nonsense. They went ahead without approval from above? Besides, events like this should be the responsibility of the General Office. Why is it being pushed onto me?”

Gu Yuejin’s words were right on point. Such social gatherings were usually handled by logistics, since they required a budget. Unless there were special circumstances, Gu Yuejin didn’t have the time to approve these things.

But now that the materials had been submitted, along with a batch of signatures from senior comrades, passing the buck risked hurting their feelings.

Normally, this wouldn’t cause trouble, but it was difficult to prevent political adversaries from stirring up trouble.

“Secretary, I also bear some responsibility. I had a disagreement with Director Chen in the cafeteria earlier. When I was leaving, Director Ma reminded me, and that’s when I discovered this document,” Lin Hao confessed fully. Facing the leader, he knew honesty was the best policy.

So many people had seen what happened in the cafeteria. Even if he remained silent, Secretary Gu would find out. It was better to take the initiative and bring Ma Bo into it, showing sincerity.

Hearing this, Gu Yuejin seemed to understand the situation.

His tone was laden with disappointment: “Chen Tianlong was previously reprimanded for disciplinary issues. This transfer was supposed to be his last chance to save face, but it seems he hasn’t reformed at all.”

Lin Hao’s heart jolted.

He had originally thought Chen Tianlong’s transfer was merely to make room for Sun Qianteng, who lacked connections. Now it was clear that wasn’t the case.

Yet during the cafeteria incident, Sun Qian hadn’t been mentioned even once.

A sense of loss welled up inside Lin Hao, an ineffable feeling. He was still somewhat young, and an old hand in the political arena would have been unfazed.

Bonds forged by interests are never deeply rooted. Only young men like Hu Yue and Zhang Qing cling to loyalty.

---

“Just handle this as you see fit. Have the General Office draft the budget and plan. Don’t worry too much about it,” Gu Yuejin said, returning to his paperwork, his mood steady.

One must admit, these vice-ministerial leaders truly have remarkable composure. Lin Hao knew he still had much to learn.

“Then I’ll take my leave for now. Call me if you need anything.”

“Good.”

After returning the lunchbox to the cafeteria, Lin Hao headed to the General Office and found Ma Bo.

“Secretary Lin, do you have any instructions from the leader?” Ma Bo asked with a smile, remaining seated.

“Director Chen Tianlong’s department submitted this plan for retired cadres’ activities. Secretary Gu thinks it’s immature and wants you to revise it and produce a budget and detailed schedule. Just follow the timeline indicated. If Secretary Gu is free, he’ll attend,” Lin Hao said without closing the door entirely, leaving room for any unforeseen circumstances.

Ma Bo didn’t glance at the plan but looked at Lin Hao and said slowly,

“No problem. Secretary Lin, do you know why Chen Tianlong dares to be so arrogant and bold enough to undermine you?”

Lin Hao’s heart tightened. Ma Bo had clearly assigned someone to keep tabs on Chen Tianlong; they knew his every move.

“Director Ma, please enlighten me.”

Since Ma Bo had laid his cards on the table, feigning ignorance would be foolish—and disrespectful.

Ma Bo smiled approvingly.

“His father was a war hero who died in the line of duty. He was specially recruited because of that.”

That explained everything. Lin Hao suddenly understood why Secretary Gu’s tone had carried such disappointment.

Chen Tianlong had been given leniency for prior disciplinary violations out of respect for his father’s legacy, but he showed no remorse and felt aggrieved instead.

Sun Qian’s willingness to gamble everything was likely because retirement was near, hoping that the old leadership would grant his father one last shred of honor.

After all, if not now, then never.

“All right, Secretary Lin. I will handle this matter properly. Rest assured,” Ma Bo said with goodwill, signaling the end of the meeting.

“I’ll get back to work then, Director Ma. We’ll communicate if anything comes up.”

Lin Hao left Ma Bo’s office and encountered Chen Tianlong rushing toward Secretary Gu’s office.

---

A few minutes later, back in the secretariat, Chen Tianlong emerged with a face full of resentment and approached Lin Hao.

“Despicable scoundrel! Snitching behind my back, shameless!”

Chen Tianlong was furious. He had just been harshly reprimanded in the office, and Secretary Gu had completely dashed his hopes of promotion.

If he pulled any more stunts, he would be sent to the countryside for a temporary post.

Gu Yuejin’s word was law; he really had the power to exile him to the sticks.

This was the first time Chen Tianlong had seen Gu Yuejin lose his temper so completely, and his father was no longer a factor.

Chen Tianlong knew he was out of chances and could only vent his anger helplessly.

“I don’t quite understand, Director Chen. I simply forwarded your report to Secretary Gu. How is that shameless? Don’t tell me you didn’t want Secretary Gu to see it?” Lin Hao’s expression remained calm. He had no intention of being friendly anymore. If Chen Tianlong wanted to destroy him, he would fight to the death.

People like Chen Tianlong were relatively easy to handle—impulsive and prone to mistakes.

Once you understood their tactics, it was straightforward. If pushed too far, no matter who they were, you could send them in.

“You...” Chen Tianlong was left speechless.

“Director Chen, I have great respect for your father and understand your situation. If you hadn’t committed errors, the organization might have granted your wish to settle down peacefully. But after all these years, why make things difficult for yourself? I’m new here and don’t want trouble. I hope there won’t be a second time. Otherwise...”

Lin Hao didn’t finish the sentence but gave a faint smile. Chen Tianlong understood the implication.

His face twisted with frustration, furious yet powerless.

“Don’t get cocky. One day you’ll fall into my hands.”

“Is that a threat to ask me to speak to Secretary Gu?” Lin Hao shot a cold glance before Chen Tianlong could continue.

This silenced Chen Tianlong completely, and he left sullenly.

Watching him go, Lin Hao shook his head, about to sit down when the phone rang again.

Checking the time, it was almost three o’clock—Zhou Ya was arriving.