July 5th, clear skies, just started work in the morning.
On the fifth floor of the Sujiang Economic Development Zone Management Committee office building, where the Human Resources Bureau sign is hung, office worker Zhang Wendin gnawed his teeth from time to time, his mind always replaying the scene where he had just insulted the beautiful Management Committee director, Xu Ying, in the restroom.
"Some women nowadays, truly willing to sacrifice anything for their future!" Zhang Wendin, who had just left the male restroom, shouted at the Momo group on his mobile. Before he could put his phone back into his pocket, he spotted a beautiful woman emerging from the women's restroom, her face was gloomy.
The beautiful woman clearly heard what Zhang Wendin had just said, and stared at him menacingly for a full three seconds.
Zhang Wendin was baffled by the look she gave him and felt slightly annoyed. What was wrong with this woman?
However, in the next second, his annoyance turned into unease.
Because Qian Qisheng, the Deputy Director of the Development Zone Management Committee, had also come to the restroom. Qian ignored the greeting from Zhang Wendin and instead greeted the beautiful woman with a grim face, saying: "Director Xu."
Director Xu?
Upon hearing these three words, Zhang Wendin felt his mind explode.
Holy cow, this woman was Xu Ying? The first beauty in the Sujiang officialdom, who used to be the Deputy Director of Sujiang City Investment Promotion Bureau, is now the Secretary of the Party Working Committee and director of the Sujiang City Economic Development Zone Management Committee? The one who was rumored to have some relationship with the mayor, Gao Hong?
The only "Director Xu" who Qian Qisheng would smile and greet was none other than Xu Ying, the new head of the management committee.
Damn it! Wasn't it said that Xu Ying would only take office three days later? Why was she here now? What has happened in the Management Committee during his two days of leave?
In the whole management committee, probably everyone clearly understood that Xu Ying became the head of the management committee because she had an ambiguous relationship with Mayor Gao Hong. However, this was something known but not discussed openly in the development zone!
Yet, just moments ago, he, Zhang Wendin, actually said, "Some women nowadays, truly willing to sacrifice anything for their future!" and it was heard by Xu Ying herself.
This was equivalent to slapping Xu Ying in the face, the greatest insult to her!
On the first day back from vacation, after disrespecting the head of the management committee in person, Zhang Wendin felt his future was completely bleak, with no bright spots to look forward to.
Zhang Wendin didn't even have a clear idea of how he had got back to his office, feeling that the whole world was playing a joke on him.
As long as Xu Ying is in the development zone, he is absolutely not likely to be recognized or promoted, and he might even be suppressed! How can he live like this? How can he continue to work?
Since the start of the work day, he had his mind all over the place. Until the afternoon when he was still lost in his thoughts, the office chief and director of the Human Resources Department of the Management Committee, Qin Haibo came in: "Xiao Zhang, Director Xu's driver took a leave today. You need to substitute."
Zhang Wendin was completely taken aback. He had just insulted Xu Ying in the morning and now he was supposed to be Xu Ying's temporary driver for the day? Was it because they thought he was not dying fast enough or not miserable enough?
The office of the Management Committee with an additional label marked the Human Resources Department. The primary tasks were organizational personnel, secretarial services, reception of letters and visits, and also driver arrangement services for the leaders. A driver can also be a person and may take leave due to illness or emergency.
Before Zhang Wendin took the civil service exam, he had been a contractual driver at the Management Committee. After passing the exam, he continued working there due to his uncle being the deputy secretary-general and office director of the municipal committee. Therefore, even though Zhang Wendin has stopped being a driver, Qin Haibo would still often arrange for him to be the temporary driver for the leaders of the Management Committee.
Don't think driving leaders is a hard job. It's a rare opportunity to get close to the leaders, one that others can't even find with a lantern.
Zhang Wendin could enjoy this treatment for three reasons.
First, he had been a driver of the Management Committee; second, he was young, handsome, and skilled in martial arts, capable of protecting leaders in critical moments; and third and most importantly, his uncle was the director of the municipal office, which made the leaders willing to use him!
The reason why Qin Haibo took such good care of him was largely due to his uncle's influence.
However, last winter, his uncle got caught in a political storm stirred up by Gao Hong, who was then the full-time deputy secretary of the municipal committee but not yet the mayor, and was transferred from the office director of the municipal committee to the director of the Municipal Veteran Cadre Bureau, he fell out of favor immediately.
Since his uncle lost power, Zhang Wendin hasn’t been a temporary driver for the big shots of the management committee anymore. But sometimes when Qin Haibo had to go out for business, he would have him act as a driver. Among all the people in the management committee, only Qin Haibo was still somewhat nice to him.
"Director..." Zhang Wendin looked at Qin Haibo, stuttering without knowing what excuse to make to tactfully decline.
Because the leader of the Management Committee was the director, people in the office referred to Qin Haibo as Director, since he also served as the director of the Human Resources Bureau.
"Car 88, here's the key, head to the city hall." Tan Haobo interrupted him, tossing him the keys, "Hurry up, don't keep Director Xu waiting!"
Zhang Wending caught the keys thrown to him, seeing Tan Haobo had already turned around, he could only agree. He immediately shut down his computer and exited the building.
What’s there to be scared of being a driver?
The worst scenario would be getting scolded; does she even dare to fire me?
...
Despite being referred to as Car 88, its license plate actually reads 01188. It's a Passat that was purchased at the beginning of last year, which Zhang Wending had driven twice before. Handling the familiar control panel was a wave of nostalgia for him, he never would've thought that he'd drive this car again.
Without further ado, Zhang Wending drove the car to the entrance of the office building and kept the engine running while he got out. In less than two minutes, he saw Xu Ying emerging from the building.
"Director Xu," Zhang Wending called out with a smile, then he opened the car rear door while holding the roof of the car, inviting Xu Ying to get in the car.
Xu Ying stood still, looking at Zhang Wending for two seconds. Her stare was more than stern, it was chilling. She humphed and ducked into the car.
Zhang Wending's gaze quickly dropped from her porcelain neck, causing his heart to tremble.
At that moment, the normally fearful Zhang Wending felt a hint of thrill. Thankfully, he didn't daydream and closed the car door obediently before jumping into the driver's seat. He shifted into drive and headed towards the city hall.
The Development Zone was not far from the city hall, but traffic speed within the city couldn’t be accelerated. It was four in the afternoon, thankfully it didn't coincide with the peak hours of school release or end of work - they managed to reach the city hall in half an hour.
The Passat was parked directly in front of the government building. Xu Ying pushed open the car door and left without uttering a single word to Zhang Wending.
Zhang Wending found a parking spot and gazed resentfully at the city hall, wondering which floor would Gao Hong's office be on. Xu Ying entered in such a rush, was she going to see Gao Hong?
Xu Ying, who do you think you are, giving me this attitude? If you irritate me, just wait and see what I'd do.
If one day I could sit in Gao Hong's seat, how comfortable life would be…
In the car, Zhang Wending was deep in thought as his eyes locked onto the main entrance of the government building. He wasn't gazing at any beauties, but rather waiting for Xu Ying to appear. As soon as she came out, he’d drive over to pick her up. In his imagination, he was free to disregard her, yet in reality, he had to carefully attend to her - after all, she was his superior.
What's more, he had insulted her once!
After nearly an hour, Xu Ying finally emerged from the building. Zhang Wending hurriedly drove over, and as he parked and prepared to get out to open the door for her, he found she had already opened the door and climbed in.
The car smoothly drove out of the city hall front gate, circling past the front flower bed.
Xu Ying didn’t utter a word, nor did Zhang Wending ask any questions. They headed directly towards the development zone.
He could feel the stifling atmosphere in the car. Not daring to play music, he glanced in the rearview mirror to find Xu Ying's face as grim as a sky before a downpour. He silently wondered what exactly she had experienced in the mayor’s office.
As soon as the car left the city and was on the road to the development zone, Xu Ying, who had finished several phone calls from the back seat, finally spoke up with four simple words: "Go to Su Liu Garden!"
Su Liu Garden was a restaurant. Zhang Wending had dined there a few times before working in the development zone. The restaurant had a great ambiance, though prices were a bit steep, but the food was indeed delicious. The waitstaff’s attitude was also excellent, with one inconvenience - there was no bathroom in the private rooms.
Eating places are, however, unlike KTVs. Having a bathroom inside the private dining area could be awkward. Even if there wasn't any unpleasant odor when the door was opened or closed, it would still make people feel odd, wouldn’t it?
"Okay, yes." Zhang Wending never expected her to speak suddenly, and though he responded timely, he was a bit nervous.
The car made a U-turn at the next intersection. The development zone was to the northeastern suburbs of the city while Su Liu Garden was in the west, separated by the bustling city center.
Upon arriving at Su Liu Garden, Zhang Wending was prepared to wait in the car until Xu Ying called him to join her.
Zhang Wending did not refuse the offer. Given that he had already offended Xu Ying earlier that day, caution wouldn’t win her favor now. He might as well be relaxed.
Following the receptionist to the private room's door, Xu Ying slightly halted her steps. Waving her hand to dismiss the waiter, she did not enter right away. Instead, she continued walking forward. As a familiar visitor, Zhang Wending naturally knew she was heading for the bathroom. After some thought, he decided not to enter the room but to follow her with a few steps behind.
Even if he didn't need to use the restroom, he still had to make a trip there – he must wait for the leader to enter the private dining room first!
The restroom of Su Liu Garden was at the end of the corridor. As soon as you entered, there was an eight-square-meter area with two sinks on the wall, each side of which had a door designated for men on the left and women on the right.
Zhang Wen made his way in to relieve himself. After washing his hands and stepping out, he waited in the hallway for Xu Ying. However, instead of seeing Xu Ying emerge, he heard a sharp scream, "Ah…"
Zhang Wen did not dare to delay and rushed back into the entrance, only to see Xu Ying sitting unceremoniously on the wet floor, supporting herself with one hand, her purse not spared from the mishap.
What left him speechless was her posture. In a split second, Zhang Wen's gaze fell onto something he should not have seen.