Chapter 4: A Turning Point Leads to Promotion to Deputy Section Chief!

The interview was over.

Tang Ye stepped out of the elevator and nearly collided with Shao Jinbo.

“Aren’t you on leave? Why are you at work?”

Judging by Shao Jinbo’s reaction, he was unaware of Tang Ye’s injury from rescuing someone.

“I received a notice and just finished the interview.”

“Interview? What interview?” Shao Jinbo’s heart sank.

“Secretary to the Municipal Party Committee Secretary. You work in the Secretariat Department; you can’t not know about this, right? I’m quite surprised myself that I got to attend the interview. Maybe Director Yang put in a good word for me.”

Shao Jinbo’s face turned pale, fists clenched tightly, and his teeth ground audibly.

“How did the interview go?” he asked instinctively.

“I gave up,” Tang Ye replied with a faint smile.

“Why?” Shao Jinbo couldn’t believe it.

Give up? Turning down a golden opportunity within reach? If that were true, this guy was like a stubborn old boar unwilling to eat fine chaff.

“No need to drag this out. Go organize the classmates’ meeting and don’t forget to inform me,” Tang Ye said, unwilling to waste time arguing.

He already had plans for Pinghu Town, which suited him better.

Shao Jinbo’s mind buzzed, his face burning with frustration.

His own résumé had been rejected in the first round.

Tang Ye had secured an interview for the secretary position and then voluntarily gave it up.

He must be pretending.

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

He was certain Tang Ye was fooling him.

...

Several days later.

The truth was revealed.

The Municipal Party Committee of Hanzhou City issued the “Notice on the Appointment and Removal of Cadre Tang Ye for Secondment.”

——“After research, it has been decided to appoint Comrade Tang Ye as Deputy Mayor of Pinghu Town, with a one-year secondment period, effective August 2005.”

Cheng Lin called immediately.

“Congratulations, Mayor Tang.”

Tang Ye was busy polishing his leather shoes, hands full.

He had to tilt his neck to hold the phone between shoulder and ear, modestly saying, “Sister Lin, you must be teasing me.”

Cheng Lin, cradling her cheek, smiled brightly. “Just one year, and you’re already a deputy section chief. Though the path was winding, it’s a glimpse of light after the darkness.”

Recalling the events of the past year, Tang Ye felt deeply moved and at peace. “Thanks for the encouragement, Sister Lin. Honestly, I don’t have many ambitions. Whether I get promoted or not doesn’t matter. I just want to be an ordinary man—greedy, lustful, but upright.”

Cheng Lin couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing. “Greedy and lustful but upright? Sounds like wishful thinking to me!”

After hanging up, Tang Ye sensed a subtle change in their relationship.

They used to be superior and subordinate, but now that he left the Old Cadres Bureau, it felt like they were closer.

After tidying up his room, Tang Ye had just lain down when his mother called.

His mother, Qin Lan, was a regional manager at a pharmaceutical company.

His father, Tang Yu, was the director of neurosurgery at Hanzhou First People's Hospital.

“You’re going to be seconded to Pinghu Town?” Qin Lan asked. She had been on a business trip at the Yunhai headquarters and learned of her son’s job transfer from Tang Yu.

“I’d rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. Being a local strongman in a rural town sounds fun,” Tang Ye said lightly.

Qin Lan knew Pinghu Town was poor, and since her son was entering officialdom, neither she nor her husband had the means to provide resources; otherwise, he wouldn’t have faced so many setbacks.

“You’ve grown up and become independent, but you don’t tell me anything. You didn’t even tell me about your injury!”

“I didn’t want to worry you. It’s not like I’m terminally ill or bedridden. I’m lively and well—hardly like a patient,” Tang Ye quickly explained.

Qin Lan exhaled softly. “Easy for you to say. It was only because experts came from the provincial capital that you were pulled back from the brink. Your dad was also unreasonable, hiding such a big matter from me.”

Feeling his mother’s low spirits, Tang Ye hurried to soothe her. “Who else would we love most but you? None of us want you to worry.”

“Don’t work so hard. If things aren’t going well, just quit. I can support you,” Qin Lan said earnestly.

Tang Ye turned over and chuckled. “If I ever reach rock bottom, I’ll definitely come back home to rely on you.”

Qin Lan understood her son’s character: rational and ambitious but sometimes stubborn and headstrong.

“By the way, has anyone introduced you to any girls recently?”

Tang Ye smiled. “Some introductions, but none caught my interest.”

Qin Lan was unfazed. “No rush! Choosing the wrong husband can ruin a life; marrying an unworthy wife can ruin three generations. From different heights, the scenery changes.”

Tang Ye laughed bitterly. “Other mothers nag their kids to marry soon so they can hold grandchildren. Your perspective is refreshing!”

Qin Lan smirked confidently. “You’re so outstanding. Do you think I’m afraid you’ll end up single? My only worry is that you’re too good and might hurt too many girls.”

Tang Ye’s face darkened. “You overestimate me.”

Qin Lan sternly warned, “Take care of yourself. No more risking your life.”

Tang Ye laughed heartily. “Mom, don’t worry. There won’t be a next time. If there is, just twist my head off and use it as a stool!”

Qin Lan laughed helplessly. “You’re at it again!”

...

A week after the secondment notice was issued, Tang Ye arrived in Pinghu Town, accompanied by personnel from the Municipal Party Committee Office and the County Party Committee Organization Department, to attend the secondment ceremony.

Before assuming office, Tang Ye visited Pinghu Town in advance to investigate and map out the local tangled power dynamics.

The town party secretary, Xu Yiping, was nicknamed “Old Turtle of Pinghu,” known for his cunning and deep political scheming.

Thanks to Xu Yiping’s protection and indulgence, the Xu family acted arrogantly in Pinghu Town.

The secondment ceremony concluded.

Facing the entire town party committee, Xu Yiping smiled and said, “Comrade Tang Ye comes from the Municipal Party Committee Office. He’s a top student from Qiongjin University. I propose he oversee industrial economy, industrial investment promotion, service industry, and market supervision. I believe Comrade Tang Ye will leverage his resources to bring vitality to Pinghu Town.”

“I will obey the organization’s arrangement,” Tang Ye replied with a calm expression, though he had plans of his own.

From Xu Yiping’s perspective, this was setting a tough challenge.

But from another angle, Pinghu Town’s economy ranked at the bottom citywide. Assigning Tang Ye to industrial economy seemed like placing him on the hot seat but also provided an opportunity to prove himself.

The next day, the town government held an enterprise symposium.

As the new official, Tang Ye was expected to meet with heads of key local enterprises.

Xu Yiping also wanted to test Tang Ye’s mettle—was this Municipal Party Committee seconded cadre just a figurehead?

Before the meeting began, Tang Ye passed a young married woman at the restroom entrance.

He glanced at the washbasin and softly called out, “Wait, you left something behind!”

The woman turned, looking down at his palm. She had carelessly dropped her mirror while touching up her makeup.