135: Conceal your talents and bide your time

After the lecturer left, a middle-aged woman in her forties walked in and went straight to the podium.

She looked at everyone and said, "Hello students, I am Yu Mingying, the class teacher of this training session. I am very happy to be your class teacher."

"I hope that in the next three months, we can build a deep friendship."

"I hope all students will be able to achieve success in their studies during these three months and reach the goals each of you expects."

Everyone applauded enthusiastically. After the applause died down, she spoke again, "Now, everyone, please introduce yourselves one by one!"

"Keep one thing in mind: only introduce your name and which department you come from. There is no need to introduce your position or rank."

"Because once you arrive here, you only have one identity, and that is as a student of this training session."

Hearing what Yu Mingying said, everyone began to introduce themselves one by one.

After everyone finished introducing themselves, Yu Mingying nodded with satisfaction and spoke again, "Students, next we need to elect class Cadres."

"The class Cadres will consist of one monitor and two Vice Class Monitors. To keep it simple, is there anyone who would like to volunteer?"

Hearing what Yu Mingying said, everyone started whispering among themselves.

They all knew that if they could serve as class Cadres in the training session, it would have potential benefits for them and would add a very significant entry to their resumes for this training.

"Younger Brother Zifeng, should we both try for it? Anyway, even if we don't get it, there's no harm in trying, right?"

Zhang Zimo said in a low voice, eager to try.

Although Lin Zifeng was a bit tempted, he was not prepared to participate in the competition. It wasn't that he lacked confidence, nor was he afraid of the embarrassment of volunteering; he just didn't want to be in the spotlight.

Another point was that he wouldn't stay at the Party School every weekend. If he became a class Cadre, he would have to assist the class teacher with many miscellaneous tasks, which would consume a lot of energy and time.

This was not because he lacked ambition; he felt that becoming a class Cadre would have negligible help for his official career. He also knew he was too young and needed to accumulate experience and bide his time.

So he shook his head and said, "Brother Zhang, I am a bit too young. Except for Li Yuhang, everyone here is older than me, so I won't participate. Others are more experienced than I am."

"Brother Zhang, if you have the intention, you should volunteer quickly!"

"Being the first to stand up and volunteer will give you a head start and some advantages."

After saying this, Lin Zifeng nudged Zhang Zimo, and under his reminder, Zhang Zimo stood up.

"Director Yu, I would like to volunteer. I know that my other classmates are all very excellent Cadres, but I still want to try for it."

"I also understand that class Cadres are here to serve the students and act as a bridge of communication between the students and the Director. I have very rich grassroots work experience, and I am confident in doing a good job as a class Cadre."

"I hope the Director and my classmates can give me a chance."

Zhang Zimo said with a confident look.

Yu Mingying took the lead in applauding, and the others followed suit. Zhang Zimo nodded to express his gratitude before sitting down.

Next, five more people stood up to volunteer, and all won warm applause.

After that, no one else stood up; many people had thoughts similar to Lin Zifeng's.

Yu Mingying looked at everyone, her eyes sweeping over Lin Zifeng. She couldn't help but think, although this Lin Zifeng is only twenty-six years old, he is already a county magistrate.

This young man has a bright future; he should have a sense of ambition! Why wouldn't he strive to become a class Cadre?

Could it be that this young man's thinking is intentional, that he wants to bide his time and is purposely keeping a low profile?

It must be that; then I will grant his wish!

Thinking of this, she spoke again, "Now that six students have bravely stood up, let's select the class Cadres from among these six students!"

Next, Yu Mingying organized a vote by show of hands.

Through the vote, the oldest, Wang Chusheng, became the class monitor, and Zhang Zimo and another female student became the Vice Class Monitors.

The three class Cadres were decided. After holding a half-hour class meeting, everyone walked out of the classroom, chatting and laughing with those they were familiar with, and headed toward the cafeteria.

The courses at the Party School were not just Party lessons; besides Party lessons, there were also economics, psychology, and management.

The days Lin Zifeng spent at the Party School were very fulfilling; the lecturers teaching them were authorities in their respective fields.

He was like a sponge, absorbing knowledge from all aspects.

The lecturer responsible for teaching economics assigned a task to Lin Zifeng, who performed excellently in class: to complete a paper on economics in his spare time.

He was not the only one assigned this task; there were seven people in the whole class.

Half a month passed quickly, and the weekend arrived again. Lin Zifeng had fully adapted to life at the Party School.

He felt that his somewhat restless heart had calmed down, and he thoroughly enjoyed the current atmosphere of life and study.

After the last class on Friday afternoon, just like the previous week, he returned to the dormitory, greeted Zhang Zimo, and prepared to leave the Party School to go back and spend the weekend with Chen Yuxi.

However, Zhang Zimo called him back.

"Zifeng, wait a moment."

He stopped in his tracks, turned around, looked at Zhang Zimo, and asked, "What's wrong, Brother Zhang? Do you have something to ask me?"

"Zifeng, I really envy you! Your girlfriend is from the provincial capital, so you can go and enjoy a sweet world for two every week."

"You are so handsome and have such a refined temperament, and you are already a Division Level Cadre at such a young age. I am really curious about what kind of girl could be worthy of you?"

"To satisfy my curiosity, give me a chance. Whenever you have time, bring your girlfriend out, and I'll treat you two to a meal. How about that?"

Zhang Zimo said with a smile.

"Brother Zhang, there will be plenty of time in the future! Let's talk about it when there's an opportunity later! However, I appreciate your kind intention."

"I won't waste any more time here with you. You'd better go have a long phone call with your wife to relieve your lovesickness! Bye, Brother Zhang."

After saying this, he patted Zhang Zimo on the shoulder and, amidst the other's envious gaze, walked quickly out of the dormitory.

Chen Yuxi had contacted him in advance and was already waiting outside the Party School in her car.

Lin Zifeng walked out of the Party School beaming. Seeing Chen Yuxi's car parked not far ahead, he walked over quickly.

He got into the passenger seat, the two smiled at each other, and Chen Yuxi drove away from the Party School.

Both of them were full of anticipation for the weekend. Chen Yuxi had even bought the ingredients they needed for the weekend in the morning.

So she drove directly in the direction of home.