"Are you Zhang Yuanqing?" Zhou Qiangbin's gaze swept over, carrying an indescribable sense of power. After several days of suppression, facing such a high-ranking leader now, Zhang Yuanqing involuntarily bent down and nodded, "Mayor Zhou, hello, thank you for your help." "Help? Why say help? Do we have a relationship?" Zhou Qiangbin asked with a normal expression. Zhang Yuanqing was confused. He didn't know how to respond. Indeed, they had no relationship, but isn't saying help just a polite remark? Fang Qiu, who was listening on the side, also felt slightly surprised. Seeing Zhou Qiangbin's attitude, it seemed that he was not familiar with Zhang Yuanqing. Having worked in the Organization Department for many years, he knew that when such a high-ranking leader intervened, there must be some reason. He thought that Zhang Yuanqing had done Zhou Qiangbin's work through some old relationships with Secretary Jin. But now, looking at Zhou Qiangbin's attitude, it didn't seem to be the case. After the initial shock, Zhang Yuanqing thought for a while and felt that Zhou Qiangbin's words made sense. Only friends could talk about helping each other, and how could he be qualified to be friends with such a high-ranking leader? As for why the other party helped him, it was probably due to excessive sympathy or just a simple whim, and how could he be qualified to build a relationship. Thinking of this, Zhang Yuanqing took the initiative to admit his mistake: "I was wrong, thank you, leader, for upholding justice." Zhou Qiangbin said indifferently, "You seem like a talent, I don't want you to waste yourself elsewhere. Go to the Secretarial Section first, report to your director, and I will instruct you if there is anything you need." "Yes!" Having learned his lesson from before, Zhang Yuanqing dared not say more.

He couldn't help but think of Secretary Jin in his heart. Secretary Jin was very amiable, and among the Standing Committee members, Secretary Jin ranked third. But as soon as he thought of this, he felt that he still hadn't adjusted his attitude properly. After all, it was Zhou Qiangbin who had saved him from his predicament. Why compare him with the old leader? In officialdom, one must adapt to the leader, not the other way around. Seeing Zhou Qiangbin's attitude, Fang Qiu didn't dare to be polite and dealt with matters formally, indicating that the people had been brought over, and then left with Zhang Yuanqing. "Section Chief Fang, Section Chief Sun, thank you both. I wonder if you two are free tonight?" Although the two had only brought good news, Zhang Yuanqing still felt an extra sense of closeness to them and wanted to build a connection. Sun Wan's expression did stir a bit, but Fang Qiu politely waved his hand: "Let's get together when we have time. After all, we're all in the same compound, and there will be plenty of opportunities." Fang Qiu was politely declining, which Zhang Yuanqing could guess. Probably seeing that Zhou Qiangbin was indifferent to him, Section Chief Fang felt it was unnecessary to waste time with him. It's human nature. Although he had returned to the office, he was no longer the secretary by the side of his former leader. As a mere deputy section chief, if he sat on the cold bench in the office, there wasn't much to look forward to. But compared to the funeral home, it was much better. Zhang Yuanqing went to the municipal government office alone, wanting to report to Ren Qianxue, the director of the office. However, Ren Qianxue had gone out for a meeting with the mayor and wouldn't be back until tomorrow. The director's office and the secretarial section office were together, with the smaller office inside and the larger office outside.

In the large office sat two people. One was a clerk named Zhong Ying, who had spent more time in the government office than she had in the municipal committee office. The other was Chen Qiang, the deputy head of the secretarial section, who had been with the secretarial section for six years. Although he was also a deputy head, he was in charge of the work there.

Zhang Yuanqing had heard of them, so he took the initiative to greet them.

Chen Qiang gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes: "Welcome, welcome. I've long heard of the great talent from the municipal committee office. That's your seat. Go and get accustomed to it."

"In the future, following Chief Chen, I hope Chief Chen will give me more criticism and guidance. I'm willing to work hard, but I just don't use my brain much." Although he didn't know why, Chen Qiang spoke in a somewhat sarcastic tone, but Zhang Yuanqing didn't dare to put on any airs.

Seeing that Zhang Yuanqing was being humble, Chen Qiang didn't say much more, just remarked indifferently, "Not at all, Deputy Chief Zhang's rank is not low."

It was then that Zhang Yuanqing realized why Chen Qiang was not very friendly towards him. He was a deputy head, and so was Chen Qiang.

It was said that Chen Qiang had been the deputy head of the secretarial section for over three years. A year ago, when the head of the section was transferred out for greater responsibilities, he began to take charge of the work.

He had been in charge for over a year now, and still hadn't removed the word "deputy" from before his title. Now that another deputy head had arrived in the secretarial section, he must be feeling uncomfortable, fearing that after a year of hard work, someone else would reap the benefits.

Under such circumstances, it was quite normal to feel a bit annoyed.

Zhang Yuanqing thought that Chen Qiang was too narrow-minded and couldn't keep things to himself. No wonder he still couldn't shake off that "deputy" title; he was too shallow.

He didn't want to make things awkward for himself and went to his own desk.

However, compared to the other two, his desk was empty except for a pen and a few notebooks, with not even a computer. Zhong Ying hurried over: 'Section Chief Zhang...' Zhang Yuanqing clearly saw Chen Qiang's face turn cold, and he quickly waved his hand: 'Comrade Zhong Ying, please don't call me that. I'm just a soldier in the Secretarial Department. In fact, you've been in the office longer than I have, so just call me Xiao Zhang.' Zhong Ying smiled: 'That won't do, you're older than me, so I'll call you Brother Zhang.' As long as she didn't call him Section Chief Zhang, anything was fine. He didn't really care about the form of address; it was just that he was afraid that Chief Chen would fly into a rage and make it unbearable for him. After Zhang Yuanqing agreed, Zhong Ying continued with a smile: 'Brother Zhang, your computer and other equipment will have to wait. You came suddenly today, so I'll go through the procedures first, and the director will sign tomorrow when he returns.' 'Alright, if there's any work, I'll use another computer temporarily,' Zhang Yuanqing said without putting on airs, naturally not minding such trivial matters. Besides, seeing Chen Qiang's attitude, he knew that even if he were to make a fuss, it wouldn't lead to any outcome. It was better to just work honestly and keep a low profile. When it was time to get off work, Chen Qiang left on the dot. With the director not in today, there was no need for him to work overtime; after all, it would be futile to cast flirtatious glances at a blind man.

Even if there was any work to be done, it would be postponed until tomorrow, pretending to be busy in front of the leader. Zhong Ying picked up her small bag, greeted with a beaming smile, and hurried out, presumably having made an appointment with someone. Zhang Yuanqing, being alone, had nothing to do at home, so he planned to go to the cafeteria for a meal and then familiarize himself with the relevant materials of the municipal government upon his return. As he stepped out, he happened to run into Zhou Qiangbin. Zhang Yuanqing quickly called out respectfully, 'Mayor Zhou.' Zhou Qiangbin grunted in acknowledgment, about to pass by him, but then suddenly stopped. 'Xiao... Zhang, are you on your way to the cafeteria now?' Zhou Qiangbin asked calmly. Zhang Yuanqing hurriedly replied, 'Yes, I'm going to the cafeteria for dinner.' 'Hmm, wait for me in the cafeteria,' Zhou Qiangbin said abruptly, and then left. Zhang Yuanqing was completely puzzled. Why would he be asked to wait in the cafeteria? Was it possible that he was supposed to help him get food? He thought it unlikely. He really couldn't fathom what this high-ranking official had in mind.