Chapter 4: The Favor of the Superior

"Zhang Jun let out a self-deprecating scoff. 'Vice Governor Ma has his eye on me? Who told you that? I don't even know the man.'

'Master, stop hiding it from me. If you make it big, you must help me!' Xie Xiaoya’s eyes were tender, her tone sweet—a complete departure from her usual aloof demeanor.

Zhang Jun downed another glass of wine and laughed heartily. 'Fine! If I make it big, I’ll look out for you.'

Xie Xiaoya was a graduate of a prestigious university who had grown up in a major city. She was slender and graceful, with pale, porcelain skin touched by a faint rosy flush—stunningly beautiful. She was a proud woman with excellent prospects, and her standards were sky-high. Even the son of the institute director, Wu Guoquan, was pursuing her, but she wouldn’t give him the time of day, simply because he was hideous to look at.

Zhang Jun lived up to his name; he was handsome and masculine, and he had enjoyed good luck with women ever since his school days. However, women nowadays were pragmatic; a man’s good looks might attract them, but it wouldn't make them truly close to him. Usually, Xie Xiaoya kept her distance, clearly wanting to avoid any romantic sparks. Today, however, she had transformed, becoming as docile as a lamb—the kind of behavior that stirs a man’s desire for possession. Having just suffered a marital breakdown, Zhang Jun naturally found himself entertaining some romantic notions about this beautiful, sexy woman.

They finished a bottle of white liquor, most of which Zhang Jun had consumed. Xie Xiaoya only had one glass, adopting a perfectly charming, slightly tipsy air. She helped Zhang Jun to his room at the guesthouse. Emboldened by the alcohol, Zhang Jun draped his right arm over her fragrant shoulder, inhaling the delicate scent wafting from her, and felt his resolve wavering. He flopped onto the bed, looking at her soft, pretty face through a drunken haze.

Xie Xiaoya smiled shyly and asked, 'Master, how did it go when you saw Vice Governor Ma today? When did he tell you to start working at the Provincial Government?'

'I didn't!' Zhang Jun waved his hand, let out a hiccup, and said, 'I waited at the Provincial Government all afternoon, but I didn't even get to see him!'

Xie Xiaoya’s bright eyes darted around as she asked in surprise, 'Oh? Really? What about the position as his secretary?'

Zhang Jun shook his head and gestured vaguely. 'Pure fantasy! Vice Governor Ma already has a secretary; how could he let me be one? I don't have the skills, nor the qualifications. I’m just a deputy section-level staffer. A Vice Governor’s secretary would need to be at least a section chief, if not a deputy director.'

'But I heard that Vice Governor Ma’s former secretary died in a car accident. The incident was tightly covered up and never reported in the news. The secretary died in the car, and there was a woman with him. They say they were being intimate when the crash happened; when they were found, the woman was still... completely naked!'

Zhang Jun was surprised by how well-informed Xie Xiaoya was. Even working in the same unit, he had never heard such gossip. Yet, there is rarely smoke without fire. Zhang Jun knew that rumors spread like wildfire in government offices, but regardless of whether it was true, it had been suppressed, so he shouldn't let it spread. 'Nonsense. I saw Vice Governor Ma’s secretary today. You must have heard a rumor. Don’t go around spreading that.'

Xie Xiaoya blinked her beautiful eyes, removed Zhang Jun’s hand from her shoulder, and said, 'Master, I understand. Rest well, I’m heading back to the dormitory.' Her attitude had shifted once again.

When she thought Zhang Jun might become the Vice Governor’s secretary, she had been exceptionally warm, initiating contact and not refusing his occasional touch. But the moment she heard there was no hope for his promotion, she changed her face and couldn't wait to leave.

Drunk as he was, Zhang Jun saw through her calculating nature. He waved his hand dismissively and fell fast asleep.

He woke up at 7:30 the next morning. Rubbing his aching temples, he caught a whiff of something sour. After sniffing around, he realized the smell was coming from himself. Thinking about his meeting with the Vice Governor that afternoon, he went home to shower and change. The house was cold and empty; his wife, Liu Yujie, was not home. A note was left on the dining table: 'I’ve switched to the day shift. You’ll be back tonight, right? I have something to discuss with you.'

Zhang Jun sneered, crumpled the note into a ball, and tossed it into the trash. After showering and putting on clean clothes, he headed to work.

His colleagues seemed to have heard the news, as they swarmed him, trying to get close and demanding he treat them to a meal. Even the office director, Sun Quan, had dropped his arrogant, rigid demeanor from the day before, smiling and asking when he would be transferring to the Provincial Government. Because he had gone to the Provincial Government and received a summons from Vice Governor Ma—even though he hadn't actually met him—the attitude of his colleagues had done a 180-degree turn. Zhang Jun once again realized the immense influence of power.

When everyone learned he hadn't actually met the Vice Governor, they sheepishly backed away. Sun Quan put his hands behind his back, adopted a stern face, and said, 'Finish that article quickly. I need it on my desk before you leave today.'

Zhang Jun was long accustomed to the fickleness of human nature in government circles and gave a dry laugh.

At 1:55 PM, Zhang Jun arrived at the Provincial Government compound on time. This time, without needing a reminder from the guard, he conscientiously went to the window to register. The guard on duty was not the same one as the day before, and he asked the same questions again. After checking his credentials, the guard let Zhang Jun call the Vice Governor’s office. Zhang Jun used the guard station’s phone to save a few coins—phone bills were expensive these days!

At 2:00 sharp, Zhang Jun stood in Vice Governor Ma’s office. The secretary was brewing tea and, seeing him enter, said, 'Vice Governor Ma hasn't arrived yet. Have a seat and wait for a while.'

Zhang Jun thanked him and asked, 'May I ask your name?'

The secretary handed him a cup of tea and smiled. 'My name is Wu Li.'

Zhang Jun took a sip and said, 'Nice to meet you, Secretary Wu. Thank you.'

Just as they were chatting, footsteps echoed from the hallway. Wu Li immediately stood up and waited respectfully by the door. As the person entered, Wu Li called out, 'Good afternoon, Governor Ma.'

The man who entered was Vice Governor Ma Hongqi. Zhang Jun set down his cup and stood up. 'Good afternoon, Governor Ma. I am Zhang Jun from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute. I came to see you yesterday afternoon, but you weren't in, and Secretary Wu arranged for me to come today.'

Ma Hongqi had a square face that exuded natural authority. He nodded slowly and said, 'Come in and we shall talk.'

Inside the office, Ma Hongqi sat down and looked at Zhang Jun, his expression softening. 'Comrade Zhang Jun, you have a postgraduate degree, correct?'

'Yes, Governor Ma,' Zhang Jun replied respectfully.

'I heard you are quite the writer, with solid professional knowledge, and that you have published many papers in national journals?'

'I’ve written a few. I was just throwing them out there at the time; I was very fortunate that the editors appreciated them.'

'You are humble, neither arrogant nor rash—that is rare. How many years have you been working?'

'I graduated with my master's at 24 and have been working for five years.'

'What is your current position?'

'Deputy section-level staffer.'

'Deputy section-level? How is that? With your capabilities, knowledge, and talent, why hasn't your unit promoted you?'

'This? Perhaps my leaders feel I am still young and need more tempering!'

'Do you enjoy your current work?'

Zhang Jun caught the drift. Normally, Ma Hongqi would not be having this kind of conversation with him. Could it be that some good fortune was really coming his way? With that thought, Zhang Jun straightened his posture and said spiritedly, 'A revolutionary comrade is like a brick; they go wherever they are needed. No matter the position or the work, it is all about serving the people and contributing to the country.'

Ma Hongqi showed a hint of approval, nodded, and said, 'Very good. Comrade Zhang Jun, would you be willing to change jobs?'"