Chapter 9: Kowtowing to Admit Wrongdoing

To Zhang Jun’s surprise, Zhou Wenbin actually showed up at his door carrying supplements and fruit!

With a flattering, ingratiating smile, Zhou Wenbin bowed slightly and said, “Comrade Yu Jie, hello. Is Comrade Zhang Jun at home? I specifically came to visit him.”

Liu Yujie knew Zhang Jun was harboring resentments and certainly wouldn’t want to see him, so she replied, “Director Zhou, please go back. From now on, if there’s any work-related matter, let’s discuss it only at the office. Please don’t come to my home for work anymore—I’m afraid my husband might misunderstand.”

“Ah?” Zhou Wenbin was momentarily stunned, then forced a smile and said, “Comrade Yu Jie, I’m here to clear up any misunderstandings. Please let me in to talk. It wouldn’t be good to be seen standing outside by the neighbors.”

Liu Yujie dared not act on her own, so she turned to look at Zhang Jun.

But Zhang Jun just kept his head down, eating silently without responding.

Zhou Wenbin forced his way inside, chuckling softly, “Hello, Comrade Zhang Jun! There were many misunderstandings yesterday. I left in a hurry and didn’t have time to explain. I specifically came today to apologize in person.”

After finishing the food in his bowl, Zhang Jun pulled out a cigarette, lit it, took a leisurely drag, crossed his legs, and slowly exhaled a smoke ring. Only then did he ask calmly, “Aren’t you supposed to be in the hospital? And yet you were telling Comrade Zhou Guoquan you wanted to fire me? You’re such a high-ranking leader—why come in person to fire a small-time underling like me? A simple written notice would suffice!”

Each word landed like a slap across Zhou Wenbin’s face.

Zhou Wenbin’s own cultivated skills were not much inferior to Wu Guoquan’s. No matter how much you scolded him, he would still persistently press his warm face against your cold rear end, chuckling, “Comrade Zhang Jun, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come to your home to discuss work and caused unnecessary misunderstandings. I hope we can clear the air. These are just small gifts, a token of my respect.”

If Zhang Jun were still the powerless man he used to be, facing Zhou Wenbin’s authority or flattery, he would have no strength to resist and would only endure it silently.

This was a world governed by power!

Whether in family, workplace, or society, the powerful called the shots.

If Zhang Jun hadn’t risen to prominence, no matter how much he suffered, he would have had to endure it quietly, nursing his wounds alone in the darkness, too ashamed to confide even in family or friends.

That was why he slept at a guesthouse last night; he didn’t want anyone to see his scars. Even if he told them, it would do no good—people would only mock his incompetence, either to his face or behind his back.

But times were different now!

Tomorrow, he would become Ma Hongqi’s secretary.

Not only would his rank rise, but the invisible power in his hands would grow even greater!

He could help or hurt someone with a single word.

If they weren’t in the same system, it might not matter as much. But someone like Zhou Wenbin, who was under Ma Hongqi’s jurisdiction, would be completely at Zhang Jun’s mercy.

Zhou Wenbin had to flatter Zhang Jun, beg for his forgiveness, even if it meant enduring more insults or getting beaten by Zhang Jun—he had to come.

By the same logic, Zhang Jun, now wielding this power, also had to bear the constraints it brought.

For instance, he couldn’t impulsively divorce on his first day in office.

Nor could he just hit anyone he saw.

His status had changed; he represented not only himself but also his boss, Ma Hongqi.

Ma Hongqi had shown favor toward him and arranged this secretary position.

If Zhang Jun acted recklessly and abused his power, it would damage Ma Hongqi’s reputation. If Ma Hongqi got angry and dismissed him, he could be replaced just as easily.

The Zhang Jun of yesterday would have unquestionably lost all reason and beaten Zhou Wenbin half to death.

But now, he was calm.

Yet he would not let Zhou Wenbin off the hook.

No matter whether there was any sordid relationship between Zhou Wenbin and Liu Yujie, the two were now enemies, utterly incompatible.

Though Zhou Wenbin appeared respectful now, if given the slightest chance to destroy Zhang Jun, he would not hesitate.

Of course, Zhang Jun also wanted to ruin Zhou Wenbin, but not with fists and force—he would rely on the power and wisdom in his hands.

A gentleman’s revenge must be strategic!

“Director Zhou!” Zhang Jun said coldly, “Take these things away! I don’t need them. If you’re truly sincere in your apology, why not follow the ancients and offer a humble apology or kowtow to admit your fault?”

Zhou Wenbin’s face seemed to harden with a thick layer of ice.

He bit his lip silently but forced out a smile, “Comrade Zhang Jun is right. I should indeed bear my faults humbly.”

Zhang Jun replied indifferently, “Then why don’t you kneel and kowtow to show me your sincerity?”

Zhou Wenbin’s face darkened like iron. Clenching his fists in anger, he quickly relaxed and said, “My knees aren’t good; I can’t kneel. I’ll come back to apologize once I recover. I won’t disturb you any longer.”

He placed the gifts on the table and turned to leave.

Zhang Jun got up, grabbed the gift bags, and threw them outside, hitting Zhou Wenbin’s back squarely.

Zhou Wenbin immediately turned his head, staring at Zhang Jun.

“Oh, sorry! Hit Director Zhou again. If you’re angry, you can go back to the hospital and try firing me once more!”

Zhang Jun said this and slammed the door shut.

Outside, Zhou Wenbin was so furious smoke seemed to pour from his orifices.

He glared fiercely at Zhang Jun’s door and growled, “Zhang Jun, if I don’t avenge this grudge, I won’t be human. Let’s wait and see! You think becoming Ma Hongqi’s secretary means you can act arrogantly? Ha! Ma Hongqi is just an outsider brought in from Beijing. Whether he can hold his ground in this province is still uncertain. Hmph, one day I’ll make you kneel before me! And I’ll make your wife kneel before me too—heh heh!”

Zhang Jun knew well Ma Hongqi was an outsider parachuted in from the capital, with an unstable foundation.

That afternoon at the provincial government compound, he saw Deputy Secretary Zhou Kang openly challenge and defy Ma Hongqi, proving that Ma Hongqi hadn’t yet secured his footing.

How long Zhang Jun would keep his secretary position depended on how long Ma Hongqi could hold on.

In a certain sense, from the moment he accepted the secretary role, his fate had become bound to his boss.

To outsiders, he was Ma Hongqi’s man.

Some even whispered behind his back that he was Ma Hongqi’s lapdog.

So what?

Zhang Jun had no choice.

This was his only chance to turn his life around.

What was wrong with being a leader’s dog?

At least now he had some power—to bark a few times!

No longer did he have to live like a beaten stray, tail tucked, too afraid to stand up for himself when bullied.

Now, Zhang Jun’s focus was on serving Ma Hongqi well and finding ways to ensure Ma Hongqi could stay stable in this province.

He smoked quietly, lost in thought.

Liu Yujie finished tidying the table and went to take a shower.

Zhang Jun’s phone kept ringing; he glanced at it occasionally, answering calls or replying to messages.

Most calls from the provincial capital had slowed, and now the incoming calls came mostly from the city and county levels below.

Within the health system, there were many branches and hospitals.

Upon hearing the news, comrades from lower levels scrambled to contact Zhang Jun as soon as possible, afraid they’d miss the chance to build a good relationship with Secretary Zhang.

These callers had no real business; they just wanted to say a few words, give their name and position, and leave an impression on Secretary Zhang.

It was like gift-giving to a leader—there were so many gifts that the leader might not remember who gave what, but who didn’t give anything was clearly known.

Zhang Jun was the same—he couldn’t remember all the names of those who called.

He had taken hundreds of calls today, most from strangers, and didn’t know how they got his number or whether they were acquaintances; they just called directly.

Though he couldn’t recall their names, he would find them somewhat familiar when meeting them in the future.

And that familiarity was exactly what those callers wanted.

Liu Yujie came out of the shower wearing a very alluring set of pajamas.

This kind of clothing was meant only to be appreciated and enjoyed between lovers; Liu Yujie had worn it only once when they first married and never again since.

A woman wore such clothes for only one reason—to please and delight the man.

At home, Liu Yujie was a princess, a little fairy; she didn’t need to flatter Zhang Jun and therefore didn’t need to wear such intimate and playful attire.

Zhang Jun looked at his wife’s graceful figure, delicate curves, fair skin, beauty, and long legs—but felt no stir in his heart.

He hadn’t been intimate with a woman in a long time; both his heart and body craved it.

But facing Liu Yujie’s alluring body, he couldn’t summon even the slightest interest.

Just thinking about what happened yesterday made him feel as if he had swallowed hundreds of flies—utterly miserable.

Men were strange that way: they could freely flirt with or even toy with other women, but could not tolerate betrayal or infidelity from their own wives.

Liu Yujie approached, knelt before him, took his hand, and placed it on her chest.

Zhang Jun wanted to pull his hand away from that warm spot.

But Liu Yujie held on tighter. With a soft thud, she knelt fully before Zhang Jun, looking up at him with a pleading expression, tender as water, and said, “I never betrayed you. If you’re upset, you can hit me, scold me—just don’t ignore me!”

Zhang Jun’s whole body trembled.

Liu Yujie actually knelt for him!

This was unprecedented.

Tears welled in the corners of Liu Yujie’s eyes.

The tears slid down her delicate face, traced her graceful neck, and fell onto her chest.

Zhang Jun looked at her proud figure, and his instincts stirred.

Liu Yujie knelt before him like a puppy begging its master for forgiveness.

“Zhang Jun, please hit me, okay? When you’re done, you’ll feel better.”

“I’m not crazy! Why would I hit you?” Zhang Jun frowned and shook his head. “I’m a bit tired. I have to get up early tomorrow. I’m going to sleep now.”

“I’ll take care of you resting. Tomorrow’s your first day at the provincial government. You must get plenty of rest,” Liu Yujie said as she rose and embraced her husband.

Zhang Jun’s body stiffened.

Liu Yujie kissed his face wildly, finally pressing her lips to his: “Zhang Jun, let’s have a child! I want to have your child! Tonight, no protection.”