Chapter 11: Mechanical Traps

Zhang Jun recalled that on his first day at the provincial government compound, he got lost and encountered a beautiful woman—this was the very same person.

At this moment, Zhou Kang was furious with Zheng Zhongyang’s insubordination. Pointing at him, he declared, “This is an order! You have no right to oppose it! Pack your things and go to the Literature and History Department immediately. Comrade Zhang Jun will take over your duties here.”

Zheng Zhongyang, being publicly reassigned to the Literature and History Department, trembled with anger and shock. A grown man, he actually began to cry. “Secretary Zhou, I’m not refusing orders, but why strip me of my position? I’ve worked so hard to finally become a section chief, and now they just transfer me away! If I were sent to the Personnel Department, I could accept it, but the Literature and History Department is a place for retirement. I’m only thirty-five—I still have room to advance. I won’t go!”

Waving his hand dismissively, Zhou Kang gave no room for negotiation. “Someone like you, still dreaming of advancement? Do you even respect me as your leader? Get over there now!”

In the end, Zheng Zhongyang dared not confront him head-on. Removing his glasses, he wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and packed up his belongings to leave.

Passing by Zhang Jun, he cast him a long, complicated look.

Zhang Jun met the gaze calmly but couldn’t help feeling some pity for the man.

He, too, had silently struggled against fate. Without Ma Hongqi’s recognition, his own fate might not have been much better than Zheng Zhongyang’s.

Zhou Kang glanced at his watch and said, “Comrade Zhang Jun, you have ten minutes to settle in before heading to Governor Ma’s office.”

“Understood, Secretary Zhou,” Zhang Jun replied with a slight bow.

Zhou Kang turned and left.

Zhang Jun smiled gently at his new colleagues. “Hello everyone, I’m Zhang Jun. I look forward to working with you.”

They all gathered around, shaking his hand one by one.

“Greetings, Section Chief Zhang! I’m Pan Jun, the deputy section chief here. We’ll be counting on your support! Our fourth section is like an orphaned child—no one cares for us. Life here is tough. Since you’re Secretary to Governor Ma and hold real influence, we hope you’ll watch over us.”

Zhang Jun thought to himself: What kind of matters here would need my protection? Probably just pleasantries.

“Hey, Section Chief Zhang! I’m Shen Qingran,” said a beautiful young woman, the last to shake his hand. “I never expected you to be our section chief!”

Someone nearby asked, “Shen Qingran, do you know Zhang Chief already?”

She smiled confidently. “We met just the day before yesterday.”

Zhang Jun shook her hand.

Her hand was soft and supple, tender as jade.

To truly understand a woman, one must look at her hands.

Hands are a woman’s second face, untouched by makeup, revealing the true condition of her skin.

Shen Qingran’s hands were slender and youthful, suggesting a privileged upbringing, free from frequent housework. Her refined demeanor hinted at a sensitive nature, likely with literary or musical interests.

After brief introductions, Zhang Jun made his way to Ma Hongqi’s secretary office.

This was where he truly belonged; the fourth section position was merely nominal.

Ma Hongqi had not yet arrived.

Zhang Jun entered the lounge, which included a tea room.

There were two types of tea: one ordinary kind for casual guests, which Zhang had tried before and could drink immediately; and another freshly brewed variety.

Opening a cabinet, Zhang saw several canisters of tea leaves.

He carefully opened and sniffed each one, recognizing that the freshly brewed teas were categorized to suit different guests.

He recalled a famous couplet: “Sit, please sit, please take the seat! Tea, pour tea, serve the best tea!”

Checking the time, he selected what he thought was the finest tea, brewed a cup in Ma Hongqi’s cup, meticulously wiped the rim and base to leave no water spots, and carried it into the office.

The desk was large, but the usual place for the tea cup always bore faint marks regardless of cleaning. He placed the cup exactly where it belonged for the leader’s convenience.

Then he set about thoroughly cleaning the office—sweeping the floor, wiping the desk, dusting the filing cabinets—and organized the documents neatly.

He worked swiftly, accustomed to household chores at home.

Just as he finished, footsteps echoed in the corridor.

When Zhang came yesterday, he noticed Wu Li’s overly slick attentiveness to the leader’s footsteps, but now, as a secretary himself, he paid close attention to the sounds outside.

The rhythmic, heavy steps told him Ma Hongqi had arrived.

Ma Hongqi was a northerner, tall and imposing, a former soldier with a soldier’s bearing. His strides were large and forceful, his footsteps heavy and decisive.

Zhang, observant of life’s details, though having met Ma only once before, had come to understand him quite well.

Sure enough, a tall figure appeared in the doorway.

“Good morning, Governor Ma!” Zhang greeted respectfully, reaching out to take the leader’s briefcase. “Governor Ma, I’ll be following you to and from work. Shall I carry your bag?”

This was also a test.

If Ma trusted and appreciated him, he would agree to have him as his aide.

A secretary who cannot gain a leader’s trust, unable to accompany them on their comings and goings, rarely lasts long.

Of course, some leaders prefer to keep their secretaries at a distance, maintaining a clear boundary between work and off-hours.

Ma Hongqi entered and sat at his desk, reaching for the cup.

He felt the weight and warmth of the cup, habitually blowing on the tea before sipping.

To Zhang’s surprise, the temperature was perfect—warm but not scalding.

The tea’s color showed it had been brewed ahead of time.

Ma nodded approvingly. “My family didn’t come with me; I live alone at the provincial government guesthouse. If you follow me, just see me to the guesthouse.”

This was consent!

Zhang’s heart leapt with joy, knowing his efforts and tact had earned the leader’s recognition.

“Very well, Governor Ma.”

“Don’t keep calling me Governor Ma. People might mistakenly think I’m the provincial governor.”

“But calling you Vice Governor Ma sounds awkward. How about I call you Boss?”

Many leaders liked that title.

Ma Hongqi chuckled. “Boss? That’s interesting. Fine, call me Boss! That way, outsiders won’t know my real identity. What’s the schedule for today?”

Before coming, Zhang had received Ma’s itinerary from Zhou Kang—a well-prepared schedule.

Leaders like Ma Hongqi had plans drawn up for the next three to seven days, sometimes even half a month ahead.

Anyone wishing to meet him needed an appointment and might not get on the list.

Zhang had already familiarized himself with the schedule and recited it from memory.

He particularly emphasized the most important event: “Boss, at 10:30 this morning, you’re to go to the airport to receive the health ministry inspection team from the capital. Deputy Secretary Zhou will accompany you.”

“Good!” Ma took the documents from the desk.

Zhang made a discreet exit.

Wu Li came over to hand over the duties and admired how quickly Zhang got into his role.

“By the way, at ten o’clock, Governor Ma will go to the airport to receive the delegation. This is extremely important. You must prepare well in advance,” Wu said.

Zhang’s mind buzzed, and he quickly pulled out the itinerary Zhou had given him, scanning it again. Sweat broke out on his palms as he asked in a low voice, “Brother Wu, are you sure it’s ten o’clock and not ten-thirty? This schedule clearly says ten-thirty!”