Chapter 49: Chance Encounter

In the blink of an eye, Li Yifei had been operating at the core of the vast machinery that was the National Development and Reform Commission for nearly three months.

Because his self-developed "Fiery Eyes" program had made monumental contributions to risk identification and was successfully promoted across the entire commission, he experienced a special "rotation period." At the invitation of various departments and bureaus eager to "learn scriptures," he briefly rotated and studied in each core bureau.

With his extraordinary learning capacity and humble, pragmatic attitude, Li Yifei absorbed the operational rules and professional essence of different fields rapidly, much like an efficient sponge.

The grand narratives of development planning, the meticulous calculations of investment approvals, the delicate balances of regional coordination, the rigorous boundaries of laws and policies—he gained a more three-dimensional and vivid understanding of the internal construction of this precision instrument called the NDRC.

Connections also extended quietly like spring ivy. While it was far from wielding wind and rain, there were now more nodding acquaintances and friendly faces in every division. "Minor favors" such as handing over a document, inquiring about a progress update, or understanding a policy caliber had become much smoother.

As the three-month rotation period was drawing to a close, Li Yifei's state of mind remained as calm as usual. As a central-level selected public servant, his destination was like a move on a chessboard, ultimately considered by the chess player.

"I am a brick for the organization; wherever I am needed, I am moved there"—this unpretentious phrase was a true portrayal of his inner self. There was no anxiety over gains and losses, only the serenity of standing guard at his post until the very last moment. He tapped away at the keyboard as usual, refining the next module of the program while pondering a much more distant issue: the declaration of personal massive assets.

"Although my rank is low right now and mandatory declaration isn't required, still... towering trees catch the wind." Li Yifei tapped his fingertips unconsciously on the desktop, his eyes deep. "Rather than being used as leverage by others in the future to attack me and falling into the quagmire of passive explanation, it is better to proactively file a record with the organization. Being upright and open will also shut the mouths of certain people. Declaring now is the perfect timing; think of it as digging a pit in advance for any potential opponents in the future." This thought swirled in his mind, gradually becoming clearer.

At 9:30 in the morning, he tidied up his desk, picked up an encrypted USB flash drive containing the final version of the program's source code and complete explanatory documentation, and prepared to head to the Information Center for the official handover. This was the scheduled concluding task.

Although the program was excellent, long-term personal maintenance by him was impractical and posed potential risks. Handing it over to the professional IT department was both a standardized operation and a way to evade any future technical responsibilities or "scapegoating" risks.

As an "old fox" who thoroughly understood the rules and acted with utmost caution, Li Yifei would never allow himself to fall into unnecessary peril.

Just as he reached the imposing entrance of the NDRC main building, a slightly anxious dialogue drifted into his ears.

"Comrade, please help me check if Director Zhao Kailai of the Land Approval Division is in the building today? Or you could even pass along a word for me..." A middle-aged man wearing a semi-worn jacket and looking travel-worn was desperately trying to push an unopened carton of "Chunghwa" cigarettes into the hands of the security guard, a pleading smile plastered across his face while beads of sweat seeped from his temples.

The security guard was a sharp-looking young man wearing a crisp uniform, his brows tightly furrowed as he leaned his upper body slightly backward to avoid the cigarettes. His expression was cold and impatient with official indifference: "Comrade, this is the security post, not the reception desk! How would I know if the directors are in or which office they are working in? Whoever you are looking for, make an appointment in advance according to the regulations! Without an appointment, it's useless for you to linger here! Take your cigarettes back and don't make me violate the rules!" His tone was decisive, carrying an undetectable trace of superiority.

Li Yifei's footsteps paused slightly. This scene before him was not unfamiliar. At this threshold symbolizing the nation's economic lifeline, similar dramas played out every day.

High-ranking local officials and corporate bosses arrived carrying expectations that could influence regional development or projects worth tens of billions, only to be battered and bruised in the face of the word "rules."

The so-called "seven-rank official in front of the prime minister's gate," the security guard's "cold face," could sometimes reflect the sternness of power even better than the director's "warm face."

If a project got stuck at a certain link, let alone a mayor, sometimes even a vice governor arriving in person had to tread carefully and say all sorts of flattering things when facing a division director who held the procedural authority.

There was no helping it; the paperwork was held in their hands, and a delay of ten days or half a month could drive local authorities frantic.

Li Yifei paused to listen for a few moments and roughly figured it out: the newcomer was named Sun Guodong, hailing from his hometown—Anyin City.

He was running errands to secure approval for an important industrial upgrading project in the city. The process had hit a snag at the provincial level, where the Provincial Development and Reform Commission seemed indifferent, and after dodging the issue several times, they actually told him, the mayor himself, to "go to the capital and figure out a way."

As a result, upon reaching the "temple gates," he didn't even know which Buddha to worship, leaving him no choice but to "try his luck" right at the entrance.

"Comrade, what seems to be the trouble?" Li Yifei stepped forward, intervening in a gentle voice.

The moment the security guard saw Li Yifei, he immediately straightened his posture, the frost on his face instantly melting into a respectful expression: "Section Chief Li!" Li Yifei was currently a blazing hot figure within the commission, so the security guard naturally recognized him.

Li Yifei smiled and nodded: "Hello."

Sun Guodong looked at the unusually young cadre before him. Clad in a well-fitted administrative jacket, he exuded a calm and capable demeanor, and the security guard's attitude toward him was exceptionally respectful.

His heart skipped a beat: *So young, yet able to make the security guard this polite? The capital really is a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!* Not daring to be remiss, he quickly grabbed onto this "heaven-sent" straw: "Section... Section Chief Li, hello! Sorry to bother you. I am Sun Guodong, Mayor of Anyin City. I came here today to consult about the land nature approval for a project in our city. Alas... I simply can't find a way through, and I've ended up delaying this young comrade's work..." He spoke at a rapid pace with a heavy local accent, his face unable to conceal exhaustion and anxiety.

Li Yifei immediately waved his hand, his smile modest: "Mayor Sun, you are being too polite. Just call me Yifei. What section chief? In front of you, I'm just a recruit. Don't worry, take your time." His attitude was natural and completely devoid of airs, causing Sun Guodong's tightly wound nerves to relax slightly.

---

Sun Guodong, clinging to a lifeline, hastily poured out the details of the project, the bottleneck it had encountered, the attitude of the provincial authorities, and the predicament of running around fruitlessly several times. His words were earnest, carrying even the樸实 (simplicity) and helplessness of a local cadre.

Li Yifei listened attentively, nodding slightly from time to time. He quickly grasped the situation: the matter was indeed stuck with Director Zhao Kailai of the Land Approval Division, falling under the category of flawed local application materials that required supplementary explanations, but the workflow had been suppressed and left moving nowhere.

To Zhao Kailai, it was perhaps just an ordinary item among many pending tasks, but to Anyin City, it might well be the critical step for development.

"Mayor Sun, I roughly understand the situation." Li Yifei pondered for a moment and took out his phone. "How about this, you leave me your number. I still have some work matters to deal with right now; after this afternoon's shift begins, I will call you back. Let me go and inquire about the specific situation first—that's far better than you waiting here in vain. Does that sound alright?" His tone was sincere without making empty, sweeping promises, yet it offered genuine hope.

Sun Guodong felt a complex mix of emotions. Back in Anyin, he was a mayor whose word was law; here, however, he was like a headless fly. The young man before him was the only person he had encountered all day who was willing to listen to him and offer help.

He nodded hurriedly, much like a drowning person grabbing a floating log: "Alright! Alright! Thank you so much, Comrade Yifei! This is my business card, my number is right on it!" He handed over the business card with both hands, his motion even carrying a touch of reverence.

The two saved each other's numbers. Expressing endless gratitude, Sun Guodong bid farewell and departed, his figure vanishing into the pedestrian flow of Chang'an Avenue with a sliver of distant hope. Li Yifei nodded to the security guard as well and turned toward the Information Center.

The office of Zhou Feiyun, Director of the Information Center, was spacious and bright, filled with various server models and certificates of honor. Zhou Feiyun was a technical cadre in his early forties, slightly plump, with a genial smile and shrewd eyes.

"Director Zhou, hello. I am Li Yifei from the General Division. As planned, I am here for the final handover of the data review program. The source code, design documents, test reports, and user manual are all in this encrypted USB drive. For subsequent maintenance and upgrades, I'll have to trouble the experts here at the Information Center." Li Yifei handed over the USB drive with both hands in a respectful posture.

Zhou Feiyun took the USB drive, but instead of looking at it immediately, he smiled and sized up Li Yifei, his gaze resembling someone who had just discovered a rare treasure: "Yifei, sit down, sit down! Don't stand! Oh my, your program has truly given our Information Center a vivid lesson! The younger generation is truly formidable, truly formidable!"

He personally poured a cup of water for Li Yifei, then shifted his tone with a hint of eagerness: "How about it? Any interest in coming over to our Information Center? The NDRC is great, but doing economic policy ultimately buries your top-tier IT skills! As long as you nod, I'll personally go to the minister to request you! Over here, technical competence speaks volumes! Give me two years, and I guarantee you'll be promoted to deputy division director! What do you think? Think it over!" The olive branch he threw out carried substantial weight and was filled with temptation.

Li Yifei picked up the paper cup, took a sip of water, and maintained that same mild, harmless, and innocent smile on his face. His modest tone was completely watertight: "Director Zhou, you flatter me! My little tricks are merely playing tricks before you and the experts in the center. To receive your appreciation makes me truly apprehensive and grateful. However," he pivoted smoothly, his smile unchanged, "I am a brick of the organization. The organization has cultivated me, and wherever it places me to shine and radiate heat, I will root myself and strive to do a good job. Whether in the NDRC or the Information Center, isn't it ultimately all about serving national development and doing some practical work for the people? Working anywhere is just adding bricks and tiles to this goal. I resolutely obey the organization's arrangements."

This string of remarks sounded high-sounding and official, flattering the other party while neatly declining without a trace, and firmly establishing the golden signpost of "organizational principles."

The smile on Zhou Feiyun's face froze for a fraction of a second, but he immediately laughed even louder, pointing at Li Yifei: "Hahaha, you sly dog, Li Yifei! So young, yet your bureaucratic official talk is already practiced to perfection! Fine, fine! Pretend I said nothing! However, the doors of our Information Center are always open for you! Whenever you get tired of that side and want to dive into technology, come find me anytime!" A trace of undetectable regret flashed through his eyes, as he knew he couldn't poach this fine sapling.

With the handover procedures completed, Li Yifei took the signed transfer slip and left the Information Center, returning to the NDRC just as it approached the noon meal hour. He decided to head straight to the staff cafeteria.

After getting his food, his gaze swept across the slightly crowded dining hall, and he instantly spotted Zhao Kailai, Director of the Second Division of the Land Approval Division, sitting by the window.

Zhao Kailai was in his early forties, with a square face and impeccably combed hair. He was eating alone in a leisurely manner, his brows slightly furrowed as if deep in thought.

Li Yifei carried his tray and walked straight over, wearing an appropriately measured smile: "Director Zhao, eating alone? Do you mind if I share this table?"

Hearing the voice, Zhao Kailai looked up. Seeing it was Li Yifei, a smile immediately broke across his stern face, and he waved him over: "Ah, Yifei! Sit, sit! What do you mean by minding? I'm all by myself, perfect timing!"

Li Yifei sat down opposite him and joked: "Then I'm taking advantage today, being able to share a table with a leader. I'll have to go back and show off to my colleagues in the division."

"You rascal!" Zhao Kailai laughed and pointed a finger at him playfully. "Stop flattering me! You're the 'red-hot favorite' and 'darling' of our commission right now! That program of yours saved us a mountain of trouble. You're a meritorious official explicitly commended by the minister himself; why are you acting like a rookie with me?"

"Director Zhao, please don't say that!" Li Yifei waved his hands quickly, his expression sincere. "My little gadget managing to play a tiny role is entirely thanks to leaders like you who were willing to give me a chance to try and provided patient guidance. Without the tolerance and support of seniors like you, I wouldn't even know where the door is. This credit belongs at least halfway to you guys." He lowered his profile significantly, attributing the merit to the leaders' cultivation and colleagues' support, which sounded exceptionally comfortable to the ear.

The smile on Zhao Kailai's face deepened further, clearly enjoying the flattery. Eating and chatting, the two naturally transitioned from the application effects of the program to their respective work.

Seeing the right moment, Li Yifei brought it up seemingly casually: "By the way, Director Zhao, at the entrance this morning, I happened to run into Mayor Sun Guodong from my hometown, Anyin City. He seemed to be here for the land approval project of an industrial park in the city? Heard it got stuck in the workflow? He was so anxious he was pacing around the entrance for ages."

Zhao Kailai's hand holding a chopstick paused for a moment. He raised his eyes to look at Li Yifei, his tone calm: "Oh, that Anyin project. The materials have some issues; they need to submit supplementary proof of clear ownership for a key plot of land and detailed explanations of the relocation plan for nearby residents. When the materials were submitted, they were incomplete, and the subordinates suspended the process according to procedures. The local side urged several times, but they haven't properly sorted out the supplementary materials yet." His tone carried a touch of dissatisfaction regarding the slackness of local work.

Li Yifei nodded, put down his chopsticks, and displayed an appropriately measured "hometown sentiment" mixed with a hint of appeal: "So that's how it is. Director Zhao, to be honest with you, I'm from Anyin. Mayor Sun is someone I've heard about back home—a mayor who wants to accomplish things and actually can accomplish things. Anyin is an old industrial base, and transformation is not easy; this project is quite critical for their city. You see..." He paused, lowering his voice slightly with a touch of embarrassment for "pulling strings," yet remaining open and aboveboard, "Could you perhaps help look over the materials they previously submitted? If the missing items aren't matters of principle, or if they can supplement them as quickly as possible, could you... slightly urge the workflow along? Of course, everything must be done according to the rules! I would never dare to put you in a difficult position! I just thought that being able to contribute a meager bit of effort to my hometown's development would be a good thing. At the same time, I'm taking this opportunity to thank you for your consistent care and guidance toward me." He skillfully blended personal requests with official duty, hometown affection with respect for Zhao Kailai, striking the exact right balance.

Zhao Kailai chewed his food slowly, watching Li Yifei. This young man had ability, achievements, understood the rules, spoke well, and most importantly, had a boundless future—he was a talent already noted by the minister.

Today, him speaking up for his hometown was reasonable and logical, the request wasn't excessive, and he incidentally flattered him. This smooth favor cost nothing to grant.

"Ha! Is that all!" Zhao Kailai swallowed his food and laughed heartily, as if his earlier pondering had never existed. "Yifei, my boy, having a heart for your hometown is a good thing! The Anyin project, right? Fine, when I return to the division this afternoon, I'll have them pull the materials out and take a look. As long as the supplementary materials arrive promptly according to requirements, I'll have them push the process a bit faster. It's all work after all! Supporting local development is also the duty of our Approval Division!" He agreed crisply and cleanly, giving Li Yifei face while making himself look principled, selfless, and noble.

"Thank you so much, Director Zhao! You've truly relieved the urgent plight of my hometown's leaders!" A grateful smile appeared on Li Yifei's face, and he smoothly extended an invitation, "Are you free tonight? Let me treat you to a simple meal! You pick the place!"

Zhao Kailai waved his hand with a smile: "Forget about the dinner! I appreciate the thought. I still have to go back tonight to tutor my kid's homework. Such a small matter isn't worth a dinner." He declined the meal, but his attitude was very amicable, clearly not wanting Li Yifei to feel he owed too heavy a favor while maintaining his clean and upright image.

"Alright then! I'll listen to you! I'll invite you another time when there's a chance!" Li Yifei didn't press further, stopping right at the appropriate boundary.

Returning to the office after lunch, Li Yifei immediately dialed Sun Guodong's number.

"Mayor Sun, hello, this is Li Yifei."

"Comrade Yifei! Hello, hello!" Sun Guodong's voice on the other end carried eagerness and anticipation.

"Regarding the matter you entrusted me with, I inquired with the relevant comrades. The main issue is that the project materials are missing a proof of clear ownership for a certain land plot and a detailed explanation of the resettlement plan. Let's see if the city side can prepare the supplementary materials as soon as possible and submit them according to the standardized format? As long as the materials are complete and meet the requirements, the workflow will be pushed forward as quickly as possible."

Li Yifei's tone was calm, clearly transmitting the information obtained from Zhao Kailai, pointing out the core issue while providing a solution, and hinting at the possibility of "pushing things forward."

The other end of the line fell silent for a few seconds, followed by Sun Guodong's voice, trembling slightly with excitement: "Understood! Understood! Thank you! Thank you so much, Comrade Yifei! I will... no, I will personally supervise them to get it done right away! I guarantee the supplementary materials will be submitted at the fastest speed and highest quality!" He seemed to have unloaded a thousand-jin burden, his voice sounding several octaves more booming.

"That's good." Li Yifei smiled.

Sun Guodong hastily asked if Li Yifei was free for dinner tonight so they could have a meal together. "You've helped such a huge favor, I must arrange it tonight! I'll pick the place!" His tone was resolute, carrying the "grandeur" of a local chief executive that brooked no refusal.

Knowing that declining would make things seem distant, Li Yifei smilingly accepted: "Then... I will respectfully comply rather than decline. Sorry to trouble you, Mayor Sun." Hanging up the phone, he looked out the window.

The afternoon sunlight pierced through the glass, casting bright patches of light onto the desk. The program was handed over, and the obstruction of the hometown project seemed to have found a path for clearance.

The tail end of his three-month NDRC career was intertwined with the coldness of technical rationality and the warmth of human sophistication, resembling the two sides of a coin that jointly constituted the underlying tone of this massive machinery's operation.

And he, Li Yifei, was touching the texture of this background tone with increasing clarity. The road still stretched on beneath his feet.