After breaking up with my boyfriend, I made a fortune and rose rapidly in my career.

Chen Ping's grip on the red machine tightened slightly.

On the other end of the line, Li Ming from the Second Cadre Division of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department spoke calmly, but every word carried weight.

"Comrade Chen Pingfang, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee has decided to promote you to Deputy Director of the Management Committee of the Provincial High-tech Zone, at the level of a full-fledged division chief. Complete the handover of your work in Qingyuan County within three days and report to the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee."

Li Ming paused, then softened his tone: "The Provincial Party Committee has taken note of your work in Qingyuan. Young cadres who can shoulder responsibilities and dare to take on challenges are a recognition of you by the organization."

"Thank you for the organization's trust." Chen Pingfang's voice was calm. "I will definitely obey the arrangements."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Ping didn't immediately put down the receiver, but stared at the lively scene outside the window.

Downstairs, the teachers were still cheering, and banners were fluttering in the wind. The sunlight was bright, shining on their excited faces—a sight that Qingyuan County hadn't seen in a long time.

For many grassroots cadres, the rank of division chief is a level they can never reach in their lifetime. But this transfer order came too suddenly and too coincidentally.

The reforms in Qingyuan County have just begun. The sand and gravel company has only been operating for a month, and Ma Changsheng has just stepped down to the second line. The power structure of the entire county has not yet stabilized.

At this point, is transferring him a promotion, or is it simply a matter of getting rid of him from Qingyuan County?

Chen Ping turned and walked out of the office, his steps steady, heading straight for the county committee building.

……

Fifth floor, the county party secretary's office.

The door was ajar, and the sound of cardboard boxes scraping against the floor could be heard from inside.

Chen Ping pushed open the door and saw Ma Changsheng bending over, carefully putting the cactus on the table that he had been growing for more than ten years into a cardboard box.

The office has been mostly tidied up. The calligraphy and paintings on the walls have been taken down, the bookshelves are mostly empty, and even the boss's chair that he has sat in for more than ten years is covered with a layer of dust.

Hearing footsteps, Ma Changsheng looked up, saw Chen Pingfang, paused for a moment, then gave a bitter smile, his expression complex.

"They're here."

His voice was hoarse, and he looked like he had aged ten years overnight. He had heavy bags under his eyes, and his hair had turned quite a bit gray.

"Secretary Ma," Chen Ping walked to the desk, "the handover documents need your signature."

Ma Changsheng took the document, opened it, picked up a pen, but did not sign it immediately.

He stared at the few pages of paper, his fingers trembling slightly, before finally putting pen to paper, writing slowly, stroke by stroke.

After signing the last word, Ma Changsheng put down his pen, looked up at Chen Pingfang, and lowered his voice.

"Did you hear you're going to the provincial capital's high-tech zone?"

Chen Ping nodded and said, "I just received the notification."

Ma Changsheng's smile deepened as he leaned back in his chair, looking exhausted.

"Ping Fang, I've worked in Qingyuan for over a decade and thought I knew this place well. But after fighting with you for months, I've realized that my methods are nothing compared to those of truly skilled people."

He paused, his eyes looking deep.

"Zhou Wenyuan, do you know what he did in the province?"

Chen Pingfang remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"He didn't fail because of the gravel pit incident; on the contrary, he tried very hard to recommend you during the meeting." Ma Changsheng's voice was a little sarcastic. "He said you're good at handling problems and should go to work in a more important place. Qingyuan's experience should be promoted, and Chen Pingfang should be put to good use."

Chen Ping's eyes turned cold.

"Do you think this is a promotion?" Ma Changsheng shook his head and said, "It's a case of flattery to kill."

"Zhou Wenyuan is much smarter than me. He knows that going against you in Qingyuan will only make him look bad. So he changed his approach and moved you from Qingyuan County to the provincial capital. The relationships there are complicated, and the power struggles are fierce."

Ma Changsheng stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Chen Pingfang.

"The deputy director of the provincial capital's high-tech zone management committee sounds prestigious, but it's actually a huge problem. That position was vacant for half a year, and two successive leaders were dismissed because of the Chipfire Industrial Park. The billions of yuan in unfinished debt and the chain of interests involved directly connect to the interests of certain bigwigs in the province."

He turned around and stared at Chen Pingfang.

"Zhou Wenyuan wants you to take over this mess. If you can't handle it, it means you're incompetent, and your previous achievements were just luck; if you insist on taking it, the people you offend will crush you."

"This tactic is called 'using someone else's knife to kill someone.'"

The office was quiet.

Chen Ping looked at Ma Changsheng for a long time before speaking, his voice very soft.

"Thank you for the reminder, Secretary Ma."

Ma Changsheng smiled wryly: "What's the use of reminding me? Can you refuse to go? You dare disobey the organization's orders?"

Chen Ping didn't answer, but turned and walked towards the door.

He stopped at the door and looked back at Ma Changsheng.

"Secretary Ma, the people of Qingyuan will remember your contributions."

Ma Changsheng froze, then his eyes reddened slightly. He waved his hand, his voice choked with emotion, "Go, take care."

……

As Chen Ping walked out of the county government building, his personal cell phone rang.

It's Xiao Yuhan.

"Pingfang, you've received transfer orders?" Xiao Yuhan's voice was fast and urgent. "I just got word from the station's internal channels that whoever goes to that position in the provincial capital's high-tech zone is doomed!"

Chen Ping walked to a large tree and said calmly, "I know."

"You knew and you still went?" Xiao Yuhan exclaimed anxiously. "The unfinished debts of the Chipfire Industrial Park involve not only illegal fundraising, but also land transfer fees, supporting funds, and bank loans—a hole of 12 billion yuan! Two deputy directors in succession—one was placed under investigation, and the other committed suicide out of fear of punishment. That position has already ruined several cadres!"

Chen Ping remained silent for a moment.

"Yu Han, I had no choice."

"But……"

"It's alright," Chen Ping interrupted her. "I'll be careful."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Ping looked up at the sunlight filtering through the tree canopy, his eyes deep in thought.

Behind him, his secretary, Xiao Li, ran over, her face pale.

"County Head, I just overheard your conversation with Secretary Ma... about the Corefire Industrial Park..."

Xiao Li's voice was trembling as he spoke. Chen Ping turned around and patted Xiao Li on the shoulder.

"Xiao Li, you should stay in Qingyuan County and work hard."

"But, County Magistrate, I..."

"Listen to me," Chen Ping said confidently. "I can handle things in the provincial capital by myself."

……

The next afternoon, in the courtyard of the county government.

When many bureau chiefs heard that Chen Pingfang was leaving, they all said they wanted to hold a large farewell party for him, and even ordinary people organized their own send-off. But Chen Pingfang refused them all.

He asked Xiao Li to wash his old Passat clean. He only brought two suitcases, which contained some daily necessities and a pile of unfinished planning drawings for Qingyuan County.

At four o'clock in the morning, before dawn, Chen Ping quietly drove away from Qingyuan County.

He looked out the car window and saw that the county town was still asleep. The streetlights were yellow, and sometimes he could see sanitation workers who got up very early and were cleaning the streets.

Chen Ping didn't look back.