Chapter 44: The World is Like a Chessboard, Each Move Brings New Changes

  Ye Ming didn't expect Jin Chengliang to know that it was his birthday today, and he also said he would come over for a drink. He had no choice but to invite him politely: "Thank you, Director Jin, I welcome you at the Chu Tian Hotel!"

  Just as Ye Ming was still reeling from the shock of Jin Chengliang's phone call, another deputy director, Su Lihua, called again, saying exactly the same thing: first wishing him a happy birthday, then saying he wanted to come over for a celebratory drink...

  What's going on? Why are all four party group members in the bureau, except for Director Zou, coincidentally coming over to celebrate my birthday?

  And how did they know it was their birthday today?

  Jian Ye Ming's face showed shock and confusion, Ouyang Ming said with a hint of jealousy: "Brother, looking at your expression, you seem to be very surprised! In fact, you haven't entered the official circle yet! I may not have made much progress, but I've been promoted for four or five years, and even if I haven't eaten pork, I've seen pigs run - this kind of phenomenon is normal in the official circle!"

  He pondered for a moment, then continued: "There are two classic sayings about human relationships in 'Expanded Edition of Words of Wisdom' that I think are also very suitable for officialdom. One is 'Human feelings are as thin as paper, worldly affairs are like a chessboard with new situations at every turn.' The other is 'When poor, living in a bustling city, no one asks after you; when rich, living in a deep mountain, there are distant relatives who come to visit.' You were originally in the county bureau without position, power or backing, so even if you had great talent and learning, no one would pay attention to you, get close to you, and certainly no leader would come to care about you or promote you. This is what is meant by 'human feelings are as thin as paper' or 'when poor, living in a bustling city, no one asks after you.' Tell me, have you been in this state for the past few years?"

  He nodded, and then said: "But now, you're different - you used to be a poor loser, but now you've become the lifesaver of the provincial discipline inspection commission's deputy secretary, and the iron brother of the new municipal bureau chief. You have enormous abilities and value hidden within you, just like an unmined rich ore deposit. Many people will try their best to get close to you, fawn on you, hoping to tap into your potential and value that can help them soar in officialdom. This is what's meant by 'the world is like a chessboard, with new situations arising all the time' and 'riches are hidden deep in the mountains, with distant relatives'. Am I right?"

  Ye Ming laughed and shook his head, saying: "Ming Ge, you're such a bookworm, today you've got the philosopher's disease again! Don't overthink things. It's just my birthday, Director Zhang and the others are coming over for a drink, what's so complicated about that?"

  Ouyang Ming sneered and said, "Brother, don't pretend to be stupid in front of me! Don't I know you? In terms of intelligence, even if I add up ten Ouyang Jun, they still can't compare to you. Can't you see through this point? I can also tell you: as long as Director Zhang and the other three party group members arrive, within half an hour, those sycophants in the bureau who like to follow the leader's footsteps will definitely come over. So, I suggest you quickly book a large private room. Otherwise, later on, there won't be any seats left!"

  It was as if to confirm Ou Yang Jun's words, just as his voice fell, County Bureau Office Deputy Director Xiao Zhihui, Supervision and Audit Department Director Li Zhihua, and First Branch Bureau Chief Luo Wei all stood together at the door of the box.

  Xiao Zhihui held two bottles of specially supplied Wuliangye liquor in his hands, and shouted as if to show off: "Ye Ming brothers, you are too ungrateful! Today is your birthday, we are in the same department, but you didn't even tell me. If it wasn't for Director Zhang's phone call asking me to bring wine over, I wouldn't have known about this! By the way, Director Zhang said he will arrive soon and asked me to come early to do a good job of serving and logistics for you!"

  As he spoke, he glanced around the small private room, furrowed his brow, turned around and shouted: "Waiter, call your manager over, tell her it's Xiao Zhihui from the Local Taxation Bureau!"

  After shouting this sentence, he and Li Zhihua, Luo Wei walked in with a smile, each holding a bulging red envelope and stuffed it into Ye Ming's hand.

  Ye Ming hastily stood up, pushing them away while saying: "Everyone, I'm delighted you're here to drink and I warmly welcome you, but please, no red envelopes! This isn't some 70 or 80 year old's birthday banquet, what's the logic in giving me red envelopes?"

  Xiao Zhihui and others pretended to be angry, saying: "Brother, you're being too polite. This is just a small token of our good wishes and blessings. If you don't accept it, it's like you're looking down on us brothers!"

  Ye Ming saw that he couldn't push it away, so he had no choice but to take it over and put it on the stool.

  At this time, the hotel manager came running over, saw Xiao Zhihui, and smiled all over his face. In a sweet and greasy voice, he asked: "Director Xiao, do you have any instructions? Sorry, I was just toasting in the private room and didn't see your esteemed leaders arriving! Please bear with us!"

  Xiao Zhihui pointed at Ye Ming with his hand and asked in a domineering tone, "Do you know this brother of mine? His name is Ye Ming, he's a great talent and a top scholar in our bureau. Today is his big day, this private room is too small, find me the biggest one!"

  The manager hastily agreed and arranged a large private room while jogging along.

  Ye Ming joked: "Director Xiao, don't treat me like a local tyrant! This is a private invitation, you have to ask how much money I have in my pocket before making it luxurious!"

  Xiao Zhihui hadn't even responded when Zhang Dongfang suddenly appeared at the door, smiling and saying: "Little Ye, today is your lucky day, you don't have to worry about anything, just eat and drink well. Didn't I arrange for our department's big boss to come over today? With him here, you don't need to think about money or who pays the bill!"

  As soon as Zhang Dongfang said this, everyone understood: Today's meal is on the unit!

  Ye Ming hastily stood up and said with some embarrassment, "Director Zhang, how can this be? I was just joking. Although I don't have much money, I still have enough to treat the leaders to a drink!"

  Zhang Dongfang chuckled again and said, "Xiao Ye, you're being too serious! What I mean is, today we'll take the opportunity of your birthday to have a small union activity. After dinner, we'll go upstairs to the KTV and sing some songs, everyone will have fun, how about it?"

  "Good!"

  As soon as Zhang Dongfang's voice fell, Xiao Zhihui took the lead in applauding.

  Ye Ming felt embarrassed and had no choice but to express his gratitude to Zhang Dongfang.

  At this moment, two other party group members and deputy directors of the bureau, Jin Chengliang and Su Lihua, almost simultaneously appeared at the door of the box.

  Neither of them had expected Zhang Dongfang to come, and he had arrived at the private room before they did, so when they stood in front of the door, both of their faces looked a bit awkward.

  Zhang Dongfang also saw the two of them and was taken aback for a moment, with a hint of shadow crossing his face. However, he quickly regained his composure and smiled as he beckoned to them, saying: "Director Jin, Director Su, you're here to drink too? How timely! I just said that we should take advantage of Xiao Ye's birthday to hold a small union activity. I was just about to ask Director Xiao to inform you, but it turns out you've come on your own! Haha!"

  He said to Xiao Zhihui: "Director Xiao, quickly notify Director Zou and ask him to come to the Chu Tian Hotel!"