Chapter 22: Make an Example of One to Warn a Hundred

Lu Hao ignored him completely and began packing his belongings, preparing to move into Song Bo’s office.

“Director Lu, let me help you,” Tang Chunyan hurried over to assist, and the other three colleagues also tactfully lent a hand.

“Are you all dogs? Must you lick him so much? Sit back down, all of you, did you hear me?” Niu Dashan expressed his strong dissatisfaction with Tang Chunyan and the others’ behavior.

When he was deputy director before, Tang Chunyan never took him seriously. She wouldn’t even fetch water for him, let alone tidy up his desk. Yet now, she was showing utmost respect to Lu Hao, which infuriated Niu Dashan.

“Niu Dashan, we just want to help Director Lu pack up. What’s it to you? What right do you have to boss people around now? You really think the Poverty Alleviation Office is still under your thumb? Remember, it’s Director Lu in charge now, and you answer to him too!” Tang Chunyan showed no mercy in confronting Niu Dashan.

She had long been fed up with him and now had the perfect chance to vent her frustration.

“Chunyan, tomorrow at nine a.m., all of us will have a meeting here,” Lu Hao interjected at the right moment.

“Oh, so you think you’re something special, calling a meeting? Just you?” Niu Dashan sneered, growing even more resentful.

Every order Lu Hao gave felt like an insult to him, yet he was powerless to resist. This only strengthened Niu Dashan’s resolve to undermine Lu Hao.

Soon, Lu Hao moved into Song Bo’s office. He spent the entire afternoon pondering how to advance the poverty alleviation work.

This was his first time deeply engaging at the grassroots level; he had never considered these matters before. He felt somewhat unprepared but also excited about the challenge.

When Lu Hao left the office, it was already dark.

Before leaving, Sun Xiaolei from the Party and Government Office delivered the key to his new dormitory, located in the staff housing of the township middle school.

Lu Hao returned to Fang Jing’s dormitory to pack his things, then pulled his suitcase to the staff quarters.

The apartments were all large units, the smallest with two bedrooms and a living room. It would be foolish not to live in such good accommodations.

Most importantly, Xiao Yue also lived there, which Lu Hao thought would make it easier to share meals.

When he checked the key number and went upstairs, he realized his assigned apartment was right across from Xiao Yue’s.

He had noticed the light was off in Xiao Yue’s room earlier, so she was likely asleep.

Not wanting to disturb her, he decided to settle into his own place first.

He figured Xiao Yue would be quite surprised to find out he had moved in directly opposite her.

The layout of the apartment was exactly the same as Xiao Yue’s, fully furnished and equipped with appliances, and spotlessly clean.

As Lu Hao was organizing his things, he suddenly heard a knock at the door.

Looking through the peephole, he saw it was Xiao Yue, so he hurriedly opened the door.

Xiao Yue wore pajamas, her hair tied back with a black elastic band, exuding a subtle femininity.

Lu Hao blushed slightly and quickly said, “Xiao Yue, I thought you were asleep.”

“You moved pretty fast. I thought it would be tomorrow,” she chuckled softly.

“Huh? You knew I was moving in here?” Lu Hao had expected her to be surprised but it seemed she had known all along.

Xiao Yue did not answer directly but changed the subject, “Do you need any help?”

Lu Hao, being a man with few belongings and reluctant to trouble her, replied quickly, “No, I don’t have much. Just need to set up the bed and put away some clothes.”

“Looks like you’re in a good mood today?”

Lu Hao nodded and recounted the day’s events.

He omitted Fang Jing’s dissatisfaction about not being promoted to deputy section chief—he didn’t want anyone to think Fang Jing was power-hungry.

“Good, work hard from now on. Since you don’t need my help, I’ll go back to sleep. You should rest early too; I’m sure you’ll be busy in the coming days,” Xiao Yue said thoughtfully.

“Okay, good night!” Lu Hao replied without overthinking, missing any hidden meaning in her words.

“Get downstairs early tomorrow morning; let’s go for a run together.”

“Sure!”

The next morning, Xiao Yue had just come downstairs when Lu Hao was already outside exercising.

After running together, they went back upstairs to shower and change.

As Lu Hao finished tidying up, Xiao Yue knocked and called out, “Lu Hao, do you like bread and milk? If so, come over for breakfast.”

Lu Hao was not picky about food. He responded affirmatively, dried his hair, and walked into Xiao Yue’s apartment.

Xiao Yue’s lifestyle was refined; breakfast consisted of milk and bread with cheese spread—a stark contrast to the impoverished Fang Shui Xiang area.

“This is delicious. I didn’t expect to have such a fancy breakfast here,” Lu Hao said appreciatively.

“Eat well. You’ll have a big surprise today,” Xiao Yue said with a smile after breakfast.

“What surprise?” Lu Hao asked, startled.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” Xiao Yue replied mysteriously.

“All right, I’ll get going. Time to work,” Lu Hao said without giving it much thought and headed down to the township government.

Upon entering the Poverty Alleviation Office, it was already work time. Except for Niu Dashan, everyone else was present.

“Good morning, Director Lu!” Tang Chunyan and the others stood up to greet him.

“Chunyan, before leaving yesterday, I specifically told you to notify Niu Dashan that we have a meeting at nine o’clock. What did he say?” Lu Hao glanced at Niu Dashan’s seat, frowning.

Since Niu Dashan was still part of the office, Lu Hao couldn’t afford to ignore him; otherwise, others would lose respect.

“I informed him, but he dismissed it outright and said you can’t handle the office and that trouble will come sooner or later,” Tang Chunyan reported honestly.

Lu Hao remained calm and asked her to call Niu Dashan, but he refused to answer.

Tang Chunyan called several times, but eventually, Niu Dashan turned off his phone.

Lu Hao sneered inwardly; Niu Dashan’s behavior gave him a perfect excuse to discipline him.

At nine o’clock sharp, Lu Hao held the meeting.

He first announced the division of labor: subsidies for impoverished households and poverty alleviation documentation would be assigned to the three new employees; financial matters to Tang Chunyan. As for poverty eradication, industry development, road construction, and improving the township environment, Lu Hao decided to take direct charge, with Tang Chunyan assisting.

Overtime pay, meal allowances for village visits, and transportation subsidies could be applied for through Tang Chunyan.

Hearing that money was involved, everyone was naturally pleased.

Lu Hao assigned all tasks carefully but deliberately excluded Niu Dashan.

Since Niu Dashan was determined to oppose him, Lu Hao saw no reason to show him any face.

After arranging the tasks, Lu Hao proceeded to set rules.

“No rules, no order. There must be systems everywhere, or everything falls apart. Starting tomorrow, unexcused tardiness or early leave will be fined: one hundred yuan for the first time, three hundred for the second, and half of that month’s performance pay deducted for the third, all deducted from performance bonuses.”

“Chunyan, you’ll be in charge of attendance from now on. Enforce this strictly!” Lu Hao said solemnly, his voice resolute.

Tang Chunyan nodded repeatedly, taking careful notes. She could tell Lu Hao was serious about managing the office well.

“Also, Niu Dashan was absent without leave today, ignored calls, and showed a severe and disrespectful attitude. This month, all his performance bonuses and subsidies will be withheld,” Lu Hao added coldly.