65: Announcement of Appointment (Part 1)

Lin Zifeng and Lin Zhenqiang chatted for over ten minutes before the grandmother opposite them snatched the phone away. Lin Zhenqiang grumbled a few words and sat aside, listening to the two talk.

Lin Jiahua looked at Zhang Chunhua sitting beside him and whispered, “The Old Man is getting more and more hypocritical.

Just now, I didn't even say five sentences to him, and he called me like a woman, saying I wouldn't stop talking.

But when he chats with Zifeng, it lasts for over ten minutes! If Mom hadn't snatched the phone, who knows how long they would have kept talking!”

“How old are you? Are you still jealous of your own son?

Haven't you heard of the love between generations? It's not strange that Mom and Dad like to spoil their Eldest Grandson.”

Zhang Chunhua said with an amused expression.

The call lasted for over half an hour. Only after Lin Zifeng repeatedly promised to take time off to return during the summer vacation did the Old Lady finally hang up.

Afterward, he talked with his parents for a while longer, then got up to take a shower.

The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, when Lin Zifeng got up and walked out of the bedroom, Zhang Chunhua had already prepared breakfast.

Seeing him emerge from the bedroom, she smiled and said, “Son, hurry up and wash up for breakfast!”

He acknowledged her and walked into the washroom to freshen up.

After eating breakfast, he bid farewell to his parents and went downstairs.

While traveling back to Heping Town by car, he received a call from Comrade Li Chunchang.

“Brother, congratulations on your advancement! I know you have a lot of things to deal with today, so I can only congratulate you over the phone first.

When I have some free time, I'll congratulate you in person.”

“Thank you, Brother Li. To be honest, Brother Li, I didn't expect this myself, and now I feel a little apprehensive.”

“Brother, I believe you have the ability to grasp the overall situation and will definitely become an excellent Town Secretary.

Furthermore, you met Wei Ting, the new Town Mayor of Heping Town, last time, didn't you? She is quite capable and an excellent cadre who takes her work seriously.

Moreover, she is not an overbearing person, so she will certainly maintain your authority and cooperate well with your work.”

Comrade Li Chunchang said straightforwardly.

“Wouldn't that be thanks to Brother Li for setting up the connection last time? By the way, Brother Li, are you familiar with Qin Xiao?”

He casually asked about Qin Xiao, who was about to serve as Deputy Secretary.

“I have some understanding of Comrade Qin Xiao, the female Comrade.

She was originally a middle school teacher, then transferred to work at the County Education Bureau, then transferred to Xiayushu Township to serve as Vice Principal of the primary school, and finally appointed Deputy Township Mayor of Xiayushu Township.

Qin Xiao is personally capable and has a very good relationship with Minister Zhang of the County Propaganda Department.”

Comrade Li Chunchang told him everything he knew.

Afterward, the two chatted for a while longer, agreeing to meet again when they had time, before hanging up the phone.

Before nine o'clock, Li Qiang drove the car into the Town Government compound.

After the three of them got out of the car, Hu Yulin came over and said with a beaming smile, “Town Mayor, the reception preparations are complete. We are just waiting for the County Leaders to arrive.”

“Mhm, notify the team members to gather at the main entrance promptly at 9:50.”

He nodded and continued walking toward the office. Hu Yulin quickly agreed and hurried away.

Lin Zifeng rested briefly in the office. When he saw the time was approaching and came downstairs again, everyone else was already waiting at the main entrance. Seeing him approach, they all greeted him.

After responding to each of them, he stood at the very front of the line.

Zhang Zhenhua, standing beside him at this moment, wore a somewhat forced smile. After greeting him, he fell silent.

The reason he was like this was that he had received news from Xu Minghao that he had missed out again this time.

However, after Xu Minghao comforted him, he also promised him that if there were suitable positions in other townships in the future, he would definitely continue to recommend him.

He told him not to be too anxious, to work well in Heping Town, and strive to achieve some political accomplishments, which would make his future nomination more convincing.

Zhang Zhenhua, feeling extremely disappointed, thanked the other party but did not ask who had been appointed Party Secretary of Heping Town.

Since he hadn't been elected himself, he didn't much care who became the Secretary.

So, looking at Lin Zifeng beside him, he felt a bit smug. He couldn't help but think that this young Town Mayor, who had been the first to fire shots at the Party Committee Meeting and accelerated the downfall of Yu Hualin and others, had ultimately just paved the way for someone else.

What he couldn't guess was that Lin Zifeng was also one of the beneficiaries. When the appointment was announced later, he wondered what Zhang Zhenhua would think.

Among these people, besides Lin Zifeng, only Jiang Yufei had received definitive news.

Because of this matter, she had indirectly contributed quite a bit, having called her cousin's aunt, Zhang Yuhan, many times.

Therefore, shortly after the County Standing Committee ended, she received the definitive news from Zhang Yuhan.

She was happier than if she had been promoted herself, and her gaze toward Lin Zifeng became even gentler.

Over ten minutes later, four small cars approached from the distance. Everyone straightened up. After the cars stopped steadily, Zou Dekai and the others stepped out one after another.

Zou Dekai walked at the very front, with Wei Ting and Qin Xiao closely following him. Qin Xiao was a young woman in her early thirties, giving off a delicate and refined feeling.

Lin Zifeng quickly stepped forward, smiling broadly, shook Zou Dekai's hand, and exchanged pleasantries. Zou Dekai shook hands with everyone individually, and then, surrounded by the crowd, walked into the compound.

Zhang Zhenhua, walking alongside, couldn't help but think that a Secretary taking office was indeed different from a Town Mayor taking office!

When Lin Zifeng took office, only a Deputy Head of the Organization Department came. For the Secretary taking office, the Head of the Organization Department came personally.

But Lin Zifeng is truly young and ignorant of the rules! He actually walked on Minister Zou's left, while Wei Ting walked on the right.

Doesn't he know the officialdom rule that the left side is superior?

If he follows this same order when sitting on the podium in the conference room, it would be too immature, making him appear both ignorant and overbearing.

Although Minister Zou wouldn't say anything immediately, he would look down on him slightly, and might even criticize him after the meeting. Thinking of this, Zhang Zhenhua looked forward to seeing Lin Zifeng make a fool of himself.

Having failed to compete for the Secretary position, Zhang Zhenhua wished everyone else misfortune; only then would he feel somewhat balanced.

The crowd entered the conference room through the side door one after another, and warm applause erupted inside.

Seeing Lin Zifeng sit on Zou Dekai's left side, just as he had imagined, Zhang Zhenhua revealed a strange smile.

According to the previous arrangements, Deputy Town Mayor Cao Shuang presided over the meeting. After Cao Shuang gave the opening remarks, he finally said, “Next, let us welcome Comrade Zou Dekai, Head of the County Party Organization Department, to announce the County Party Committee's appointments concerning the relevant Comrades. Please give him a warm round of applause.”

Amidst the warm applause, Zou Dekai stood up and nodded in acknowledgment. Only after the applause stopped did he sit back down, pick up the document, and begin announcing the appointments.

“After deliberation and decision by the County Party Standing Committee, Comrade Lin Zifeng, formerly Deputy Secretary of the Heping Town Party Committee and Town Mayor, is appointed as the Party Secretary of Heping Town, and will no longer hold the position of Town Mayor.”