Can following the rules be called rebirth?

Chapter 286, Section 284: Four No's and Two Straightforwards
December is not only the winter month, but also a harvest month for taking stock of the achievements of the year.

After the brief Christmas season, students and working professionals alike are increasingly returning to a stressful and demanding work and study routine.

He Min was the same.

Early in the morning, she turned on her computer, opened her email, and while browsing her emails, she received a phone call from a landline.

Brew a pot of Longjing green tea, connect the printer, and print out the work the boss needs to handle throughout the day in advance.

After finishing everything, He Min stood up and tidied her appearance in front of the mirror.

A blazer, a white shirt, a pencil skirt, long hair reaching her waist, an upright posture, and a bright smile.

Great.

She has gradually begun to get used to her current life.

In her eyes, Zhou Mingyuan was a very contradictory person.

Young, yet possessing a maturity beyond his years; kind and polite, yet always displaying decisive and efficient courage.

Although they were both law students and had a classmate relationship, Zhou Mingyuan had never called her "senior sister".

On the surface, they seemed distant, but the way they addressed each other as "General Manager Zhou" created a wonderful sense of distance.

President Zhou never disappointed her.

On the contrary, through the gradual understanding between them, she experienced unprecedented surprise and shock.

In just a few months, she was drawn into a completely new world.

Previously, He Min thought she was a worldly person, but after following Zhou Mingyuan, she realized that she was just a frog in a well.

Every day felt like opening a new door, behind which lay a completely unfamiliar landscape.

Adapting to these things is not easy.

The tasks Zhou Mingyuan assigned her, and the responsibilities she took on voluntarily, piled up to a suffocating degree.

The sheer volume of work made her almost doubt her own abilities.

But whenever He Min was about to give up, her stubbornness made her grit her teeth and persevere.

Her job title was, in name only, one of the most ordinary positions listed on the job recruitment app.

Administrative Assistant.

In other words, it's a secretary.

The word "secretary" sounds ordinary, but it's actually very difficult to be a good one.

Her first task every day is to plan Mr. Zhou's schedule.

Meetings, appointments, business trips, and messages—everything needs to be organized clearly.

Occasionally, she also has to work through the night to revise manuscripts and complete data tables.

When she gets too busy, He Min will ask the new employees to help, but she knows in her heart that she must be in charge of the final result.

There is no room for error regarding Zhou Mingyuan's matter.

In fact, bosses rarely stay quietly in their offices.

He has too many business lines to manage, including Mingli Legal Consulting, Jieyou Media, and all the relationships at all levels, all of which are under his control.

After discussing the strategic direction, the specific follow-up work will fall to He Min.

Although she wasn't an expert, as an assistant, she would speak at the bi-weekly meetings to raise her needs and seek support.

Many hands make light work; the company's technical experts always helped her solve many tricky administrative problems.

He Min gradually learned a lesson.

As long as you put the right people in the right positions, things will run smoothly.

Her role is that of a bridge and a lubricant.

But that's not enough.

As Zhou Mingyuan's affairs became increasingly complicated, she quickly developed an almost instinctive reaction.

Take initiative and take on more responsibilities.

For example, she started helping her boss with the trivial matters in his life.

He buys breakfast and plans lunch every day, and even goes so far as to study the ratio of milk to sugar in coffee to figure out his favorite taste.

She picks up packages, makes restaurant reservations, buys tickets, books plane tickets, sends clothes to the dry cleaners, and even contacts a cleaning lady to regularly clean his residence in Shanshui Huating.

When He Min first entered the house, she was stunned for a moment.

She will never forget what she saw at that moment.

The room contained a live-streaming computer, a jumble of clothes, some small toys, and even obvious signs of a woman's life.

This place is not just a residence; it also holds a part of the owner's life that is unknown to outsiders.

Strangely, Zhou Mingyuan showed no intention of avoiding any appearance of impropriety.

They took it for granted that she would be exposed to everything and used her as a personal secretary.

Aside from a polite "thank you," his expression showed no particular gratitude, but rather an air of taking it for granted.

It's as if these efforts are simply part of her job.

Outside of work, He Min also had to arrange social engagements for her boss.

Dinner is usually not eaten at the company; reservations for various high-end restaurants must be made in advance.

Each time, she has to select a suitable location based on the other person's identity and the occasion, taking into account privacy and class.

As time went on, she gradually realized that Zhou Mingyuan no longer avoided her presence when meeting with others.

Society is a vast web, which secretly surprised her.

original
Starting a business is really not easy.

Ke Hemin knew how to behave properly, never said too much, and never showed too much emotion.

She knew when to be attentive and when to pretend to be indifferent.

After spending several months together, she had long since been convinced of Zhou Mingyuan's abilities.

Although I was exhausted from being by his side, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

She knew perfectly well that a secretary was not just someone who ran errands and did odd jobs; it symbolized an unparalleled relationship.

This role itself is a huge resource and privilege.

Ultimately, as He Min saw more and more of the world and her understanding and perspective broadened, she truly began to scoff at the idea of ​​taking things step by step.

Who would be willing to spend years climbing up from the bottom?

The slogans in motivational books that say "you reap what you sow" won't fool smart people.

Zhou Mingyuan, who spent every day with her, seemed oblivious to her little scheme.

He never made any promises to her about a promotion or a raise, nor did he reveal any future plans.

But when He Min volunteered to handle most of his living expenses, the man simply gave her a bank card.

It's euphemistically called "convenience."

Then the first deposit was nearly 100,000 yuan in cash!

At that moment, He Min was overwhelmed with emotions.

This amount of money far exceeds what is needed for normal living.

It's just refueling the car, cleaning, and dealing with utilities and the internet—trivial and time-consuming little things.

Where would you need so much money?
She understood that this was an extra reward, an affirmation of her efforts. She hesitated, wondering whether she should subtly ask to find out the truth.

But then she thought that if she acted too petty, it would only disappoint Zhou Mingyuan.

She has gradually come to understand the worldview of people like Zhou Mingyuan.

So, besides paying for her boss's various expenses, she also used the money to buy cosmetics, suits, bags, and scarves.

She even bought a small beauty device and placed it in her office.

The money your boss gives you should be spent wisely.

She needs to maintain a glamorous, respectable, and fashionable appearance, showcasing a refined and tasteful lifestyle.

This is exactly what President Zhou wanted to see.

She can't predict much about the future; she can only continue to work hard and leave her fate to time.

The only pity is that although Zhou Mingyuan praised her appearance, he would even comment on her figure and fashion sense every now and then, and even "suggested" the color of her stockings without any politeness.

But He Min couldn't see any other meaning in her boss's eyes.

On several occasions, even when the atmosphere was quite good and there were clear opportunities, he didn't make any further requests.
If necessary.
But neither.

dong dong dong.

As she pondered this, she walked to the door of an office and gently knocked.

"Please come in."

A voice of agreement came from inside.

He Min pushed open the door and went inside.

A man with angular features and a well-built physique, wearing black-rimmed glasses, was flipping through a book on the sofa by the window.

He smiled slightly the moment he saw her come in.

"You're coming here to investigate our social governance model, right?"

"Four no's and two straights?"

Zhou Mingyuan crossed his legs, looked at the folder He Min handed him word by word, and said with a smile.

"They say it's 'four no's and two direct', but how can they just show up without giving us any notice?"

"Too."

He Min nodded in agreement.

The first thing she reported to Zhou Mingyuan was a phone call from the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of East Lake High-tech Development Zone.

Since its establishment, Mingli Legal Consulting Company has enjoyed tremendous success.

Using the "pig butchering scam" case as a starting point, Zhou Mingyuan leveraged the situation and collaborated with the Donghu High-tech Zone Public Security Bureau to both promote and cooperate, making a name for himself in Jiangcheng.

During this period, the "police-enterprise co-construction" model between Mingli Company and the branch office has also been operating vigorously.

The branch bureau has designated many pilot areas in this part of the East Lake High-tech Development Zone.

The Mingli team has been deeply involved in the pilot areas, continuously improving processes and accumulating case studies.

Zhou Mingyuan required the dispatched lawyers to not only understand the law, but also the grassroots level, and to be good at communication. They were to learn to explain the law in a way that ordinary people could understand, and to provide services with an attitude of solving practical problems.

Throughout its operation, there were constant attempts to obstruct it.

There have been differing opinions within the district regarding whether to engage in such in-depth cooperation with a private legal consulting firm.

There are dissenting voices, with concerns that commercialization will erode the impartiality of public services, that the involvement of lawyers will disrupt traditional governance models, and that the capabilities and sustainability of Mingli Company, a young organization.

But facts always speak louder than words.

The social governance model proposed by Zhou Mingyuan has indeed helped the East Lake High-tech Development Zone resolve many petitions and disputes.

This phone call from the district political and legal affairs commission office is proof of that.

He was notified to prepare, as Secretary Li Jianguo of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission would personally lead a team to conduct an unannounced and direct on-site investigation at the joint office of Mingli Company at the Donghu Road Police Station a few hours later.

The news came suddenly, and He Min's expression clearly showed some tension.

Zhou Mingyuan, however, seemed completely unconcerned.

“We have done our work thoroughly and practically, so he has no problem with any of our investigations.”

"Don't worry, I've looked at the data. You don't need to worry about not having time to prepare the report."

"Tell our people to prepare in advance, as there may be guests listening in."

A few hours later, the "Police-Enterprise Joint Construction" office in a corner of the Donghu Road Police Station was as busy as ever.

Zhang Xiaofeng of Mingli Legal Consulting Company has a table sign in front of him that reads "A Legally Knowledgeable Person".

He was receiving an aunt who was having a huge argument with her neighbors over noise, and a young man who was a tenant upstairs.

Instead of sitting behind the table, the mediator moved a chair and sat between the two.

Listening to the heated complaints from both sides, I would occasionally interject to guide them, explaining the relevant laws and regulations regarding neighboring rights in simple language, while also trying to encourage both sides to put themselves in each other's shoes.

Just then, Secretary Li Jianguo, along with several people from the Political and Legal Affairs Commission and the Public Security Bureau, quietly entered the office.

They did not disturb the ongoing mediation; they simply stood at the door and by the window, observing quietly.

At the same time, Zhou Mingyuan received a message secretly sent by his staff.

When I arrived, I saw Secretary Li observing intently.

He saw how Zhang Xiaofeng patiently calmed both sides down and how he skillfully found the crux of the conflict.

The aunt felt the other party's attitude was bad, while the young man complained that the aunt called the police at the drop of a hat.

Instead of dwelling on who was right and who was wrong, Zhang Xiaofeng suggested that both sides compromise and jointly agree on a "noise-free period," and helped them draft a simple written agreement.

When the aunt and the young man finally signed the mediation agreement, although they still looked somewhat reluctant, they were at least willing to try to abide by it, and Secretary Li Jianguo nodded slightly.

He didn't say much, but walked over, shook hands with Zhang Xiaofeng, and looked at the procedures, work rules, and several successful cases displayed on the office wall.

Are you always this busy?

Li Jianguo asked the mediator, who was also a legal expert.

"Pretty much, Secretary Li. They're mostly trivial family matters, minor frictions and disputes, but if not handled properly, they can easily escalate."

Zhang Xiaofeng answered calmly, his tone revealing both fatigue and seriousness from work.

Li Jianguo then turned to the police station chief who was accompanying him: "How are you feeling?"

The director smiled and said, "To be honest, Secretary Li, at first we were also worried about 'a scholar encountering a soldier,' but now we really feel that we can't do without these legal experts."

"They helped us resolve many of the soft issues that were difficult for us to handle and that we didn't have the energy to delve into, allowing us to focus more on fighting crime and maintaining public order."

"The effects are real and tangible."

After listening, Li Jianguo didn't say anything more. He just looked around the not-so-spacious but well-organized office again, and then nodded to Zhou Mingyuan.

"Mr. Zhou, you've done a good job."

This time, there was a clear warmth in his tone.

"Let's find somewhere to talk."

A few minutes later, the conference room was so quiet that the faint sound of the central air conditioning could be heard.

On one side of the oval table sat Zhou Mingyuan and the core team of Mingli Legal Consulting Company, all dressed in dark suits, sitting upright with carefully prepared report materials spread out in front of them.

On the other side, several leaders from the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, the Petition Office, and the Public Security Bureau of the East Lake High-tech Development Zone were flipping through a thick stack of report documents.

(End of this chapter)