Chapter 45: Switching Beams Under the Eaves

  Xiao Zhihui made a phone call to Zou Wenming according to Zhang Dongfang's instructions.

  After Zou Wenming heard Xiao Zhihui convey Zhang Dongfang's words, he was silent for a moment and said: "Director Xiao, please help me congratulate Little Ye and tell Director Zhang that there is still something at home, so I won't come over for dinner and singing tonight."

  Zhang Dongfang heard that Zou wasn't coming, and thought of his rigid personality, never entering song halls or dance halls, and not even drinking a drop. He didn't insist, and instead asked Xiao Zhihui to take everyone to the newly booked private room, preparing to drink.

  After they sat down in the big box, as Ouyang Jun had expected, more than a dozen mid-level cadres from various departments came one after another, and almost all the heads of subordinate units were present.

  Everyone who came brought red envelopes, Ye Ming thought he could push them away. He didn't have the habit of carrying a bag with him, so those red envelopes had to be put in Chen Yi's big bag.

  Chen Yi is a very simple-minded person. She didn't think much about the real purpose and intention of these people coming to celebrate Ye Ming's birthday, but seeing her beloved man being respected by so many leaders and colleagues, all surrounding him with wine, congratulations, and laughter, she just felt extremely proud and self-satisfied.

  So from start to finish, she had a happy expression on her face, occasionally gazing lovingly at Ye Ming who was sitting beside her with an air of enthusiasm and vitality, and actually forgot to cover up and avoid...

  Fortunately, everyone at the table was focusing their attention on Ye Ming at this moment, and no one noticed that when she looked at Ye Ming, there was a strange light in her eyes...

  Ye Ming is a sentimental person. Although Ouyang Jun had just told him that insipid talk and analyzed the fundamental reason why so many leaders came to celebrate his birthday today, he was still very grateful for the enthusiasm of these leaders and colleagues. So, he started making a round of toasts on the table one by one.

  When the toast came to Chen Yi, everyone at the table thought she would use tea instead of wine, because Chen Yi had always been resolute in not drinking alcohol, no matter what the occasion was. Even when provincial leaders came down and toasted her with wine, she would smile and decline.

  Unexpectedly, when Ye Ming held up a cup of wine and smiled at her, indicating that she should pick up the teacup, she unexpectedly picked up a glass, poured herself a full glass of white wine from the wine jug, clinked glasses with Ye Ming, and then drank it all in one gulp.

  The people at the banquet table were stunned for a moment, and then suddenly burst into thunderous applause.

  Several people took the opportunity to shout: "Chen Yi, return a toast to Ye Ming! Three cups!"

  Ye Ming said: "Chen Yijie, I know you can't drink wine, just have tea!"

  Chen Yiyang smiled and refilled her cup, raising it to toast Ye Ming: "Little Yezi, sister also returns a cup to you, wishing you a happy new year every year, and a happy today every day!"

  As he spoke, he raised his neck and drank the wine in one gulp.

  As soon as she finished drinking the wine, Chen Yibai's face, which was as white and delicate as cream, immediately flushed with a faint red glow. This flush quickly spread, and soon her cheeks and ears were completely crimson...

  Ye Ming looked at her with some concern and said in a low voice: "Sister Chen, are you okay? Don't drink anymore. If anyone wants to toast you, I'll do it for you!"

  Chen Yi shook her head and said: "No need! Sister is happy today, nothing will happen."

  Ye Ming wanted to persuade her a few more words, but the mobile phone in his pocket suddenly rang. He took it out and saw that the number was Director Zou's.

  "Xiao Ye, can you go outside the private room to take a call?"

  "Okay, okay! Just wait a moment!"

  Ye Ming responded while quickly walking out of the private room.

  "Director Zou, I'm out! Please speak!"

  "It's like this: I'm driving alone now, at the right corner of the Chu Tian Hotel, can you come out for a bit? Come sit in my car and chat with me for a few sentences!"

  "Okay, I'll be right there!"

  Ye Ming hung up the phone, walked into the private room and greeted Zhang Dongfang and others, saying that there was a friend outside, and then hastily went out to the right corner of the hotel.

  Zou Zuozhang was driving his own Toyota. Ye Ming opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat, smiling and greeting Zou Zuozhang.

  Director Zou turned on the dome light, picked up a bulging envelope from his seat, and handed it to Ye Ming while smiling: "Little Ye, today is your birthday. By rights, I should have come to the hotel to toast you with a glass of wine and wish you well. But as you know, I'm not used to that kind of noisy scene, and I really can't drink, so I didn't come. Now I've come alone to bring you my blessings, hoping your future will be smooth sailing and your career will soar!"

  Ye Ming saw the bulging red envelope, fearing it was worth at least 7 or 8 thousand yuan, and was startled. He hastily declined, saying: "Director Zou, how can this be? I absolutely cannot accept this gift!"

  Director Zou stuffed the red envelope into his arms without saying a word, and said: "Xiao Ye, this is my heartfelt intention, don't decline it. I'm not like some people who use public funds to show off privately, making a big fuss on the surface but actually not spending a penny themselves... Xiao Ye, don't mind what I say! I didn't mean to point at you! I just can't stand their behavior and feel disgusted by their hypocritical intentions!"

  Ye Ming knew he was referring to Zhang Dongfang, and hastily said: "Director Zou, actually, I'm a bit uncomfortable about this matter today. However, Director Zhang's intentions are good, and I'm still very grateful. Of course, what you said makes sense, and thank you for speaking so frankly with me! But this red envelope, I really can't accept it!"

  As he spoke, he stuffed the red envelope into Director Zou's arms again.

  Zou said with a bit of displeasure: "Xiao Ye, do you think little of this small gift? If you disdain it, then forget it! But if you appreciate Zou Wenming's kindness, take the red envelope back!"

  Ye Ming saw that he had said so much, and could only take over the red envelope.

  Zou Zuozhang nodded in satisfaction, smacking his lips, then turned to look at him again and said: "Xiao Ye, have you thought about your job competition? Has Zhang Dongfang made any promises to you?"

  "No, Director Zhang didn't tell me anything!"

  Zou Wenming said "oh" and thoughtfully said: "He did say at the party group meeting that he wanted to directly promote you as deputy director of the office secretariat! But I think, if it were me, I would have a different job arrangement for you!"

  Ye Ming's heart lit up when he heard this: Director Zou was thinking of competing with Zhang Dongfang for the top spot. Because they were both very clear that at present, who would become the number one in Xinleng County Bureau was most crucial and decisive, and it all depended on Ye Ming himself. As long as he strongly recommended someone to Xu Fei, that person would have a 70-80% chance of getting the position...

  He thought of this and asked with great interest: "Director Zou, how will you arrange me?"

  Zou Wenming said thoughtfully: "I think, with your ability, level and relationship, in our small county bureau, being in charge of a department's work is more than enough. My idea is: Director Huang of the Inspection Bureau may be promoted to Deputy Director this time, so we can transfer Director Luo Wei of the First Division to the Inspection Bureau as Director, and temporarily not set up a director for the First Division. Then, promote you to the First Division as Deputy Director, and have the Party Group of the bureau clearly define that you are temporarily in charge of the overall work of the division, which means acting as the director, but without issuing a document, just making it clear internally. This way, you can become the de facto number one person in the First Division, but others won't have anything to say!"

  Ye Ming was amazed by this unbelievable "switching the beams" plan and couldn't help but admire Zou's meticulous thinking.