DEFYING FATE

Chapter 52: Strategy to be closer to Xu Yan

Afternoon.

2:08 pm.

After Zhou Changchun left, Tan Limei immediately pulled FengYu aside. "Bing Zhi, didn't you hear what I said? Why are you still so close toChief Zhou?! What if the rumors about the leaders who were unhappy with himknow about this? You will be in trouble! Chief Zhou had been here for a longtime. Even if there were some issues with his finances, the bureau will stilltake care of him and let him retire due to his illness! But you are different!Who would care about a newbie like you?"

Dong Xuebing laughed. "Actually, there is no problem withChief Zhou finances. You all are overthinking."

Zhuang Zhi also said: "I... I think what Bing Zhi did isright."

"Right your head!" Tan Limei stared at both of them. "Nevermind. Do what you want. I can't be bothered with you all."

Guo Shunjie and Changjuan who had gone to deliver documentsreturned.

"Xiao Tan, are you unhappy at work?" Guo Shunjie spoke likea leader when he saw Tan Limei talking angrily to Feng Yu.

Tan Limei, who had been unhappy with Guo Shunjie, repliedpolitely. "I'm fine."

Guo Shunjie nodded and walked back to his desk with hishands behind his back. He glanced at the small office. He can't wait to sit inthat office. Guo Panwei looked at him and mumbled something. He grabbed a pileof documents and seems like he was about to head off to "report his workprogress" to some leaders.

Guo Shunjie looked at Guo Panwei. "Panwei, why are youdelivering documents to the leaders again?"

"Hehehe, didn't you just return from Political CommissarZhou's office?" Guo Panwei replied to Guo Shunjie's sarcastic remarks.

Guo Shunjie said: "Hmph!"

Now, the General Affairs Office was the battlefield for GuoShunjie and Guo Panwei. Both of them were facing off each other, and it wastense. They treated each other as their biggest competitor and were unawarethat Dong Xuebing was nominated. Dong Xuebing also did not want to tell anyoneabout this. His chances would be higher if he kept it a secret. If this wasexposed now, people might gang up against him.

After a while, Dong Xuebing went to Li Qing's new office.

Li Qing was wiping the photo frame of his daughter's picturewith a napkin. "Xiao Dong? Take a sit.

"Thank you, but I will stand." Dong Xuebing did not sit downand said: "Director Li, is your daughter's health getting better?"

Li Qing sighed and put down the photo frame on his desk."She got leukemia, and it is not easily treated. She is so skinny now... Ok.Let's drop this subject. Your name has been submitted to Chief Yan. Work hardand perform well. Don't let Old Zhou and I down."

Dong Xuebing politely replied: "Yes sir. I will not let youdown. I will get this...."

"Haha... I am not asking you to get the position of DeputyChief. You are still too junior and do not have many chances. I am asking youto use this chance to let the higher-ups know you. The next time if there areopportunities to enter the Party School or something, the chances of yougetting it will be higher. Do you know to understand me?" Although Li Qinglikes this young man, he felt it was impossible for him to get the position ofDeputy Chief.

Dong Xuebing had a bitter taste in his mouth, but hepretended to be moved: "Yes sir. Thank you, Director Li, for this opportunity!"

Li Qing nodded and took out a stack of documents from hisdesk. "The Bureau committee meeting is in a few days. You should try to get intouch with the leaders these few days. Here, these documents are what Chief Xuwanted. Send these to her."

"Yes, Sir."

After walking out of Li Qing's office, Dong Xuebing thoughtabout his chances of getting promoted. The Bureau Committee meeting is in a fewdays and does he have the opportunity to overcome all the hurdles and beat thehot favorites, Guo Panwei, and Guo Shunjie? What should he do? Continue doingwhat he was doing? Impossible! The only way should be doing the same as whatGuo Panwei and Guo Shunjie were doing. Get help from the higher-ups! He needsto get one of the committee members to speak up for him! This way, his chanceswould be higher!

Who should he look for?

Zhou Guoan, Political Commissar Zhou? No. He is GuoShunjie's backing.

Political Section's Chief Pang Bing? No. He is very close toGuo Panwei.

Dong Xuebing thought about the few members from the BureauCommittee he had met or heard off. In the end, he found someone who was notclose to either Guo Panwei and Guo Shunjie. This person had the highestpossibility of speaking up for him and had a strong influence on who should getthe position of Deputy Chief. Xu Yan!

Knock, knock. Dong Xuebing knocked on Deputy Bureau Chief XuYan's office.

"Come in!"

"Chief Xu, Director Li asked me to send these documents toyou."

A middle-aged woman, who was sitting crossed legged at herdesk, was looking at a piece of paper. She said in a deep voice. "Ok. Leave thedocuments there!" She is Xu Yan. She is almost 50 years old, and there wererumors that she was a divorcee. Her hair was permed, and there were aged spotsat the corner of her eyes. She had average looks and the aura of someonesuccessful. She was one of the District Branch Bureau's committee members andthe Deputy Bureau Chief. At the same time, she was the General AffairsDirector. She can be considered Dong Xuebing's top superior. Because she wasthe person overseeing the General Affairs Department, she had a bigger say thanthe rest of the Deputy Bureau Chief on who to take on the role of Deputy Chiefof General Affairs Office!

If Dong Xuebing could foster a good relationship with herand let Xu Yan put in good words for him in the meeting, the chances ofpromotion will be much higher!

Dong Xuebing placed the brown envelope carefully on thedesk. He paused for a while. He wanted to speak to Xu Yan and leave animpression on her. He wondered if she had heard of the incident of him runninginto a burning room to retrieve documents. If she knows about this incident, itwould be easier. "Chief Xu, I..." Dong Xuebing also do not know how to start aconversation. He had only seen Xu Yan during meetings before and had neverspoken to her.

Xu Yan waved the A4 paper in her hand and asked: "Is thereanything else?"

"Huh? Nothing... I will leave now."

Xu Yan finally lifted her head and looked at Dong Xuebing."Eh? You are... General Affairs Department? Didn't I instruct everyone above 20years old and below 35 years old to participate in the soccer match? Why didn't I see you on the field>" Xu Yan was in charge of Western District BranchBureau soccer team, and they were participating in the City's agencies soccertournament. She was also the coach of the team.

Dong Xuebing was disappointed when he realized Xu Yan didnot recognize him. Sensing Xu Yan was getting angry, he quickly explained: "Iwas hospitalized before the National Day holidays and was just discharged two days ago."

Xu Yan just replied "Oh..." and waved him off.

Dong Xuebing was relieved and quickly walked out of theoffice and close the door lightly behind him.

Sigh... Seems like Xu Yan's character was similar to BureaChief Yan. Both of them were not easy to talk to. How can I establish a goodrelationship with her?