Chapter 18: The Tiger-Striped Banner

The next morning, Zhang Jun arrived at the Guest Reception House and stood outside the small villa where Ma Hongqi was staying, waiting.

When Ma Hongqi came out and saw him, she asked calmly, "You’ve heard about what happened yesterday, right?"

Zhang Jun replied respectfully, "Boss, I only found out after I got home. My wife is the head nurse at the Provincial People’s Hospital, and she told me."

Ma Hongqi nodded and said, "Because your wife works there, I didn’t bring you along during the operation yesterday afternoon. Don’t feel any pressure about it."

Zhang Jun thought to himself, just as expected. He said, "I still want to trust Liu Yujie. Of course, if she is truly involved, I will fully support the province’s handling and won’t show any favoritism."

After arriving at the office, Zhang Jun first asked Zhou Kang for the itinerary.

Zhou Kang’s pale, worn face tightened as he repeatedly tapped the desk with his knuckles. "Comrade Zhang Jun, do you understand the situation? I’ve warned you several times to stick closely by Governor Ma’s side. How did you handle that? Where was Governor Ma yesterday? You don’t know anything! If you can’t do your job well, you’d better quit now!"

Zhang Jun lowered his hands and replied, "Secretary Zhou, yesterday afternoon I followed Governor Ma’s instructions and stayed in the office to handle official duties."

Zhou Kang angrily said, "You dare talk back? As a secretary, not knowing the leader’s whereabouts is serious dereliction of duty! From today, you must stay right next to him at all times. If the province has important matters and we can’t reach him, I’ll be holding you accountable!"

Zhang Jun wasn’t naive; he caught on.

This Zhou Kang clearly wanted Zhang Jun to track Governor Ma’s every move and report back to him at all times.

Interesting!

It was obviously surveillance.

Zhang Jun answered coolly but firmly, "Secretary Zhou, Governor Ma has a mobile phone. If you need to contact him, you can call him directly."

Zhou Kang was taken aback, a flash of anger in his eyes. "Governor Ma is busy. When would he have time to answer calls?"

Zhang Jun remained composed. "If he doesn’t even take your calls, I’m just a lowly division chief. How could I dare to disobey his orders?"

Zhou Kang suddenly changed his tone, stood up, came over, and patted Zhang Jun on the shoulder. "You should know, Governor Ma was parachuted in from outside. No one knows how long he’ll stay in the province. But you’ll be working in the office for a long time. Think carefully about how you should act."

Zhang Jun twitched his eyelid and didn’t reply.

After receiving the itinerary, Zhang Jun read it over once and said to Zhou Kang, "Secretary Zhou, there’s no problem with the schedule on this sheet, right?"

Zhou Kang retorted, "What do you mean? Are you questioning my ability? Are you trying to teach me how to do my job?"

Zhang Jun wasn’t intimidated. "Secretary Zhou, there was already a mistake with the pickup time yesterday. I’m just a small cog and can’t bear that kind of responsibility. So please sign this itinerary to confirm it’s correct. That’s also Governor Ma’s instruction."

As Ma Hongqi’s secretary, Zhang Jun wielded some authority, and Zhou Kang dared not confront Ma directly.

Zhou Kang glared at Zhang Jun in anger, picked up a pen, signed his name with a scratchy sound, and tossed the itinerary back to Zhang Jun. "Think carefully."

Zhang Jun took the sheet and left.

In the morning, Wang Mingyu and others came to the office and spoke with Ma Hongqi for more than an hour.

During that time, Zhang Jun went in once to pour tea and overheard them discussing the case at the Provincial People’s Hospital.

He didn’t dare listen too closely and quietly withdrew after pouring the tea.

Zhang Jun caught Wang Mingyu saying that after the incident yesterday, only a few people from the procurement department had been arrested and were undergoing urgent interrogation, but no progress had been made yet.

Wang Mingyu and his team were investigating not only the Provincial People’s Hospital but also many other reported cases.

Zhang Jun sat in his chair when his phone buzzed with a message. He took it out to read.

It was from Xie Xiaoya: "Master, why are you ignoring Xiaoya now?"

"I’m not your master anymore."

"Once a master, always a father."

"Then call me Dad!"

"Dad!"

"Once a master, the emphasis is on the second word."

"Hehe, Master, you’re so naughty!"

"You understand that? That means you’re even naughtier than me."

"Master, tomorrow’s the weekend. Are you free? I’ll treat you to dinner."

"My time belongs to the boss. I don’t know yet."

"Then I’ll wait for you. Until midnight tomorrow night, I’ll be waiting for you, ready whenever you call."

Last time at the lodge, Zhang Jun had wanted to get close to her, but Xie Xiaoya had slipped away.

Now she was reaching out to him and chatting so flirtatiously—could there be a chance?

Thinking of Xie Xiaoya’s youthful, lively eyes and slender, graceful figure, Zhang Jun felt a stir in his heart.

Which man isn’t tempted?

A man’s lack of indulgence is only due to poverty.

Zhang Jun’s status had changed now. His wife at home had become more gentle and affectionate, and women outside were beginning to throw themselves at him.

Yet, Zhang Jun found himself hesitating.

With different identities and status, could he afford to act without restraint?

Liu Zhengjie also sent a message, asking if Zhang Jun could arrange a meeting with Governor Ma Hongqi.

Zhang Jun replied: Wait for my notice.

There were simply too many people to arrange meetings for, and the governor’s schedule was packed, so Zhang Jun could only wait patiently.

A knock sounded at the door.

It was Jiang Changxing.

"Director Jiang, please come in," Zhang Jun smiled slightly.

Jiang Changxing entered, bowed slightly, and whispered with a smile, "Secretary Zhang, do you know if the leader is free now?"

Zhang Jun invited him to sit and said, "The leader is meeting with guests. Don’t worry!"

Jiang Changxing rubbed his hands and chuckled, "I’m not in a hurry. I can wait."

He looked around, pulled out an envelope, and slipped it into Zhang Jun’s hand.

Zhang Jun frowned. "Director Jiang, what does this mean?"

Jiang lowered his voice. "Secretary Zhang, your brother-in-law was injured. This is a small compensation from us. Please deliver it to him. We should have arranged a full medical checkup for him. Rest assured, if he feels unwell during this period, bring him to me. I guarantee a complete examination. We won’t shirk responsibility."

At that moment, the door inside creaked open.

Zhang Jun didn’t want to get into a tug-of-war with Jiang Changxing, so he quickly opened a drawer and slipped the envelope inside.

After Wang Mingyu and the others left, Zhang Jun took the chance to refill the tea and said, "Boss, Deputy Director Jiang Changxing of the Third Hospital came by yesterday. I asked him to come today to report on work. He’s waiting outside now."

Without looking up from his writing, Ma Hongqi said, "Let him in."

Zhang Jun went out and told Jiang Changxing, "The leader is ready to see you. But remember, you only have ten minutes. He has many important meetings afterward."

"Alright, alright! No need for thanks, Secretary Zhang. Much appreciated!" Jiang clasped his fists, straightened his posture, cleared his throat, and then knocked and entered.

Zhang Jun sat down, quietly opened the drawer, took out the envelope, and felt its thickness—about ten thousand yuan.

He was troubled again.

What to do with this ten thousand yuan?

Hand it over to Ma Hongqi again?

What would Ma think of him?

In just two days, people kept bringing him generous gifts!

And today, as soon as the gift was delivered, Zhang Jun arranged a meeting for him!

How could Zhang Jun explain this?

What should he do?