Chapter 24: Encounter with Jealousy

  Ouyang Meimei batted her eyelashes and said with a flirtatious tone: "At your beck and call, devoted to you body and soul, how's that?"

  "Go on, you'll be thrilled to death!" Chu Tian Shu stood up, reached out and pinched her chin, saying: "Off with you, give me a smile for the big guy."

  Ouyang Meimei laughed again, her flower-like face trembling with mirth.

  As Chu Tian Shu walked out of Ouyang Mei's office, he couldn't help but feel an inexplicable excitement. Although he was only a director-level cadre who enjoyed departmental treatment, this still barely squeezed him into the ranks of cadres within the SASAC, and with this step, future progress would have a foundation.

  Heavens have eyes! I, Chu Tian Shu, also have a day of good fortune!

  Tian Keming hastily packed up his personal belongings in the office, declined Huang Rishan's invitation to host a farewell dinner, and slipped away from the SASAC building during lunch break.

  The official document appointing Chu Tian Shu as the head of the Comprehensive Department was issued that afternoon to all departments and offices in the agency.

  Chu Tian Shu soon felt the change in attitude towards him from the people around him. Those various department staff members who used to shout "Little Chu, help me deliver the newspaper" when they saw Chu Tian Shu would now greet him warmly when they met after work and call out: "Director Chu, you're off work."

  People in the organization are just like this, they are so selfish.

  Two days ago, Chu Tian Shu was still an unknown and bullied small clerk, almost everyone could order him around as a errand boy, and no one took him seriously. But now, overnight, Chu Tian Shu transformed from being sent to a department to becoming the head of the comprehensive department. The personnel in the office who didn't know the inside story almost all believed he had special background and connections, and no one dared to look down on him again.

  Only Qida Guang of the Secretarial Department saw the document, his face turned iron-green with rage, his teeth itching with hatred, and he was very dissatisfied in private. I've been mixed up for five or six years, relying on several layers of relationships to mix into a department head of the Secretarial Department, Chu Tian Shu this kid has only been here for two years, without hearing about any connections, yet suddenly became equal with me.

  However, Zhai Daguang's anger and jealousy cannot change the fact that Chu Tian Shu has become the head of the comprehensive department.

  Zi Daguang was indignant and wanted to find Tian Keming to vent his grievances, and also to inquire about Chu Tianshu's background. However, he found that the director's office no longer had the tall bald head, and only after turning around did he learn from Ouyang Meimei that Tian Keming had "entered the countryside to settle down".

  Zi Daguang couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement.

  The director is absent, isn't this an opportunity for promotion?

  Back in the large office, Qi Daguang immediately gathered Zhao Pingyuan and Zhang Guoping from the Secretariat Department and Wan Peng to convey the news of Tian Keming's demotion and Chu Tianshu's promotion.

  Zhao Pingyuan was the first to curse out loud: "Damn, wasn't Chu Tian Shu the predetermined object of assignment? How did he suddenly get lucky and become the head of the department?"

  Zhao Pingyuan often flattered Tian Keming and gave him many benefits, and a few days ago, Tian Keming personally agreed to let him be the head of the comprehensive department. Unexpectedly, Chu Tianshu took the position first, which made Zhao extremely unbalanced in his heart, and he burst out with profanity in anger.

  Zhang Guoping and Wan Peng, as cadres, did not have too much ambition, but the idea of pursuing progress was also there. For Chu Tian Shu, who had a shallow seniority, getting promoted was quite natural when they were not satisfied.

  Qida Guang looked at the expressions of several people and said bluntly: "Brothers, Director Tian has gone to 'enter the countryside and live in villages', it is impossible for the office to be without a leader for a long time. From now on, our secretarial department must unite, not fight for power or prestige, we cannot let the comprehensive department's people give orders above our heads."

  Zhao Pingyuan immediately responded: "Right, in terms of seniority, background, and coordination ability, the office wouldn't even consider that kid Chu Tian Shu. Qi Ke, from now on, the brothers in the Document Division will be relying on you."

  Zhang Guoping and Wan Peng also expressed their stance: "Qike, we all listen to you."

  Zhi Da Guang pulled out a pack of Soft Chinese cigarettes and handed them around, saying: "This is good, let's find an opportunity to give him a warning shot, let him know the ferocity of the Secretarial Department brothers."

  After learning of the two pieces of news, some people in various departments were delighted, but more were envious and resentful. However, almost everyone agreed that someone had to be in charge of the office work, and promoting a deputy director was only a matter of time.

  The directors of the SASAC office have all come from the secretarial department, so most people think that Qi Daguang has an advantage over Chu Tian Shu in many aspects. However, a small number of people believe that as a dark horse, Chu Tian Shu naturally has reasons to be a dark horse and may not necessarily lose to Qi Daguang.

  The organization is like this. Once the opportunity for promotion arises, natural competitors will form, and one person may become another person's imaginary enemy without any mental preparation.

  At present, Qi Daguang's imaginary enemy is Chu Tian Shu.

  The actual work content of the comprehensive department has not changed much, and there are still four people, only now Chu Tian Shu is the head of the department, doing trivial things such as fetching water, sweeping the floor, wiping the table, etc., while the other three people rush to do them.

  Fan Yibing was not in a good mood, fortunately, Chu Tian Shu did not show any signs of being overly pleased with himself, and he still addressed him as "Brother Fan" when coming and going. After two days, his anger slowly dissipated.

  After Chu Tian Shu's promotion, Qian Mei Hua was the first person to shout "Director Chu" as she followed him, but as soon as she turned around and Chu Tian Shu was not there, she would casually say a few words that seemed to be sowing discord between Fan Yi Bing, and secretly pass on information to Qi Da Guang.

  Only Liu Chunna was truly happy, Tian Keming who bullied her was transferred away, Chu Tian Shu whom she admired in her heart was promoted to be the head of the comprehensive department, so she worked even harder and more diligently, as if she was working for Chu Tian Shu.

  Since Chu Tian Shu was promoted, Qi Da Guang has been showing a small-minded face to him, ignoring him and pulling a long face with an air of mystery, wanting to suppress Chu Tian Shu everywhere, becoming the substitute for Tian Tu Zi.

  Chu Tian Shu was very aware that it's impossible for one person to have everything, so every time he encountered Qi Da Guang's cold ridicule and mocking smile, he would respond with a warm "Qi Ke".

  This time, Qi Daguang lost his temper completely.

  It is better to offend a gentleman than to offend a petty person.

  Zhi Daguang is not someone that Chu Tian Shu intends to deeply interact with, but also can't afford to offend. After all, he just got a good deal and doesn't have a deep foundation in the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. It's not possible to make too many enemies, especially since they are all colleagues in the office. If the relationship can't be smoothed out, it will affect work and everyone will lose face.

  By the weekend, Qi Daguang specially called Chu Tian Shu to the office of the Secretariat Department and said: "Little Chu, you have been promoted. The brothers in the Secretariat Department are all happy for you and have told me several times that they want to celebrate with you."

  Chu Tian Shu readily agreed: "Qike, it's not a celebration. The brothers in the office haven't gathered together for a long time. Since Director Tian is gone, Qike will be in charge of convening and presiding over this matter, and I'll take care of the bill. Qike, where do you think is suitable?"

  "Victory Hotel."

  "Alright, Zhi Ke, I'll arrange it right away." Chu Tian Shu greeted the people from the Document Department one by one and invited everyone to come tonight.

  Zhao Pingyuan and others all smiled and said, Chu Ke is treating us to a meal, there must be good wine and cigarettes, why wouldn't we go?

  What Zhai Daguang and Zhao Pingyuan said sounded grandiose, but it was clear that they were trying to swindle Chu Tian Shu.

  Chu Tian Shu returned to the comprehensive department and told them about the gathering tonight.

  Qian Meihua and Liu Chunna agreed on the spot.

  Fan Yibing was not very willing and made an excuse that he had a date with his girlfriend at night and wanted to decline.

  Chu Tian Shu pulled him aside and whispered, "Fan Ge, the people from the Document Department can drink a lot, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold my own, you have to help me out no matter what."

  Chu Tian Shu spoke sincerely, so Fan Yi Bing could no longer decline and had to agree.

  After work, all the staff in the office gathered together to drink. Qi Daguang did not drive and took a taxi separately to the Kaixuan Hotel.

  The Document Section includes Qi Daguang, Zhao Pingyuan, Zhang Guoping and Wan Peng, as well as the little beauty Huang Li from the Document Room. The Comprehensive Section includes Chu Tian Shu, Fan Yibing, Qian Meihua and Liu Chunna. When they went out, they also called Zheng Xiaomin who was on duty, plus drivers Lao Miao and Xiao Zhu who didn't have a driving task, making a total of twelve people, just enough for one table.

  The office was packed with people, something that would have been unimaginable during Tian Keming's era.

  Firstly, Tian Keming only knew how to look down on people and didn't deign to have fun with the common folk; when he drank, he would at most bring along a few trusted confidants like Qi Daguang and Zhao Pingyuan. Secondly, everyone was aware of Tian Tuzi's foul temper, and they were afraid that if they said something wrong at the dinner table, he would scold them for being brainless, so those who could find excuses to avoid him did so.

  As soon as they entered the reserved private room, the first troublesome thing was who would sit in the main seat.

  Qian Meihua said: "Today is a celebration of Chu Ke's promotion, and it's also Chu Ke treating us as guests, so Chu Ke should sit in the main seat."

  Huang Li and Zheng Xiaomin echoed in unison.

  Fan Yibing and Liu Chunna remained silent.

  Zhi Daguang and Zhao Pingyuan's faces didn't look too good.

  The atmosphere is a bit tense.

  This was a private gathering, and as the host, Chu Tian Shu sat in the main seat, which seemed natural. However, since everyone present were colleagues from the office, the significance of seating arrangements took on a different meaning to Qi Da Guang.

  In other words, whoever sits in the main seat means he has the highest status in the office.

  "We're having an office gathering today, and Qi Ke is the old boss, with more seniority than me. He should be the one sitting in this main seat." Chu Tian Shu pushed the chair of the main seat and said with a smile: "Come on, Qi Ke, you sit first. If you don't sit down, nobody else can sit down either."

  Zhidaguan finally had a bit of a smile, politely saying with his mouth, but his butt sat down on the main seat. He patted the chair beside him and said: "Xiao Chu, you sit down too."

  Chu Tian Shu and Qi Da Guang were on an equal level, sitting in the host's seat.

  In terms of seniority, Qian Meihua, who is older in age and more experienced, should be sitting on the right side of Zhai Daguang, but was bluntly preempted by Zhao Pingyuan.

  Qian Meihua gave Zhao Pingyuan a white eye.