Chapter 49: The Officialdom is a Big Dye Vat

  The next evening, Ye Ming was surfing the internet in his dormitory when Zhang Dongfang suddenly visited.

  As soon as he entered the door, Zhang Dongfang smiled and said: "Xiao Ye, didn't you have a good time last night? I don't know how you feel, but I think it was very enjoyable and very happy... Oh, yesterday was too rushed, I didn't have time to buy you a birthday gift, so I came today to make up for it!"

  As he spoke, he took out a large envelope from his briefcase and directly stuffed it into Ye Ming's arms.

  Ye Ming saw that the envelope was even bigger than the one Director Zou had given him the night before, and he was startled. He quickly pushed it away while saying: "Director Zhang, how can this be? You're already doing me a great honor by going to the Chu Tian Hotel for drinks with me, I'm extremely grateful for that! And on top of that, you even let Director Xiao buy me a drink last night, that's already a huge gift! I feel like I owe him one. Now you're giving me another gift, I absolutely cannot accept it!"

  Zhang Dongfang's face turned serious, pretending to be angry and said: "Xiao Ye, that's two different things. Last night was a party organized by the bureau, I said it could only be counted as borrowing your birthday, everyone did a union activity. And this red envelope is my own gift, don't make excuses."

  Ye Ming had already firmly returned all the gift money, including Director Zou's red envelope, this afternoon. Why would he still want Zhang Dongfang's red envelope? So no matter what Zhang Dongfang said, Ye Ming was unwilling to accept that large envelope.

  Zhang Dongfang had no choice but to reluctantly put the envelope into his own bag. After thinking for a moment, he asked tentatively: "Xiao Ye, do you have time over the next two days? Can you take me to Director Xu's home to pay him a visit? I want to take this opportunity to report our detailed situation to him and discuss my thoughts and plans for the county bureau's work in the next stage. Last time he was investigating at the county bureau, I was not well-prepared for the reporting meeting, and some situations may need to be discussed face-to-face to be clear."

  Ye Ming nodded slightly and said calmly, "Alright. We can go visit Director Xu tomorrow night. He called me today, his investigation in Baozhu County has ended, the remaining counties and cities, he plans to visit next month. So, tomorrow night he should be at the Municipal Bureau."

  Zhang Dongfang nodded happily and said: "Xiao Ye, thank you."

  Then, he thought for a moment and seemed to say casually: "By the way, I've already brought it up at the bureau's party group meeting. We're going to take out the deputy director of the secretariat separately and not hold any competitive exams or democratic evaluations. Just have the party group review and approve, and then promote you as the deputy director. And Comrade Chen Yi is also very excellent. My idea is: this time, let's just ask the municipal bureau for instructions to add an office logistics deputy director. I'll do some work within the party group and try to promote Chen Yi as the logistics deputy director."

  Ye Ming was startled and looked at Zhang Dongfang with vigilance, a doubt suddenly arising in his heart: what was the purpose of Zhang Dongfang's sudden mention of promoting Chen Yi?

  Could it be that his intimate behavior with Chen Wei last night had already fallen into his eyes?

  If it's really like that, then it's terrible!

  At this point, Ye Ming felt a chill run down his spine and tried to calm himself down, saying to Zhang Dongfang: "Director Zhang, Sister Chen Yi is indeed excellent. Not only does she love her job and work diligently with integrity, but also adheres to the rules and has good conduct. I think if the party group can promote her, it will have a great promoting effect on grasping the office's logistics management and service work!"

  Ye Ming deliberately said these grandiose words, wanting to dispel the doubts that Zhang Dongfang might have already had about his relationship with Chen Yi.

  Zhang Dongfang smiled mysteriously and said, "Don't worry, as long as I'm in the top position, your promotion and Chen Yi's will be absolutely unimpeded!"

  After Zhang Dongfang left, Ye Ming sat in front of the computer desk, feeling regretful: it seemed that he was too reckless and inconsiderate at the karaoke hall last night. Zhang Dongfang must have noticed something, which is why he said those words just now. If one day Zhang Dongfang becomes dissatisfied with him and spreads rumors about his relationship with Chen Yijia, he himself would not be affected, but Chen Yijia would be in trouble...

  Just as he was anxiously thinking about this problem that had been bothering him, there was a sudden "knock knock knock" at the door.

  Ye Ming hastily opened the door and found it was Zou Wenming.

  Zou Wenming saw Ye Ming about to call out to him, and hastily raised his hand, making a "shh" sound, signaling him not to make a sound. Then, he quickly turned around and darted into the house, swiftly turning back to close the door behind him.

  Ye Ming had never seen Zou Wenming act so furtively before, and she was both surprised and amused. After he closed the door, she suppressed her laughter and asked in a low voice: "Director Zou, what are you doing? Is someone following you?"

  Zou Wenming looked straight at him, asking a bit nervously: "Did Zhang Dongfang come looking for you? What did he say? Is he going to have you take him to see Director Xu?"

  Ye Ming took one look at his expression and immediately understood: these past few days, he must have been keeping an eye on Zhang Dongfang's every move, especially focusing on the connection between him and himself.

  He nodded and said, "That's right, he wants me to take him to see Director Xu."

  "What did you say? Did you promise him?"

  Zou Wenming asked somewhat hastily.

  Ye Ming knew that Zou Wenming was usually very steady and serious, but he didn't expect him to be so anxious and flustered when it came to promotions. This officialdom is really a big dye vat!

  "Director Zou, I promised him and will take him to see Director Xu tomorrow."

  Ye Ming replied calmly and quietly.

  Zou Wenming's face changed instantly, his eyes widened as he stared at Ye Ming, and a look of disappointment and despair flowed from his eyes - the reason why he came to find Ye Ming today was because Ye Ming had resolutely returned the red envelope he gave him last night. He felt uneasy in his heart, fearing that Ye Ming would change his mind and not take him to see Director Xu again. As a result, on his way here, he saw Zhang Dongfang enter Ye Ming's room ahead of him, and Zhang Dongfang was even carrying a package.

  From this, he judged: Zhang Dongfang must have come to give gifts to Ye Ming. He is now the acting director, and in all aspects, he has an advantage over himself. If Ye Ming leans towards him, then his beautiful dream of being the first-in-command will be in vain...

  Ye Ming saw him reveal a helpless and disappointed expression, so he smiled and said: "Director Zou, I'm taking Director Zhang to see Director Xu tomorrow. This is true. However, I'm taking him to the Municipal Bureau to meet him. As for you, I plan to take you directly to Director Xu's home in the provincial city on Saturday. Do you say it's better to go to Director Xu's home or to the Municipal Bureau?"

  Zou Wenming had already lost all hope, but when he heard Ye Ming's words, it was like a drowning person suddenly grabbing onto a lifesaving straw. He excitedly grabbed Ye Ming's arm, his eyes shining brightly as he asked: "Little Ye, are you telling the truth? Of course going to Director Xu's home is great! Little Ye, thank you, really thank you!"