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

As soon as the emergency meeting ended, Wang Jianzhong, head down and face ashen, hurried out, nearly bumping his head against the doorframe. The other bureau chiefs also kept their heads down, not daring to utter a sound, for fear of offending the person in the main seat.

Chen Ping closed his notebook, preparing to leave with Xiao Yuhan.

"Secretary Chen, please stay for a moment."

Sun Chuanhong's voice wasn't loud, but everyone paused for a moment.

Xiao Yuhan turned around and glanced at Chen Pingfang, her eyes filled with worry. Chen Pingfang nodded slightly to her, indicating that she shouldn't worry.

"Let's talk in my office." Sun Chuanhong pushed up his glasses, his tone flat, revealing no emotion.

In the corridor, Sun Zhigang, who hadn't gone far, stumbled upon hearing this. He turned around and stared at Chen Pingfang's retreating figure as he headed towards the secretary's office, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

The Party Secretary actually called a deputy section-level secretary in for a private talk? This is the first time this has ever happened in the Yunzhou compound.

……

Sun Chuanhong's office was large and quiet.

Upon entering, Sun Chuanhong didn't speak or offer Chen Ping a seat. He went straight to the large leather chair behind his desk, took out a cigar from his cigarette case, picked up a silver cigar cutter, and began trimming it slowly and deliberately.

Click.

The sound of metal clashing was especially clear in the quiet room.

Chen Ping stood straight with his hands at his sides, looking straight ahead with no expression on his face.

Silence fell over the office.

Sun Chuanhong was waiting, waiting for this young man to lose his composure first.

However, Chen Ping remained motionless, showing no intention of speaking.

In his past life, he had seen many such tactics of deliberately leaving subordinates hanging in the air to put pressure on them.

Finally, Sun Chuanhong put down his cigar without lighting it. He looked up, a smile suddenly spreading across his face, and pointed to the chair opposite him: "Lie it flat, sit down."

Sun Chuanhong began by saying, "You did a great job with the Jinshuiwan project. It took courage to think of using the media to resolve the issue under those circumstances. You are a role model for young cadres in Yunzhou."

Chen Pingfang only sat on half of the chair, his back ramrod straight, and his tone was very polite: "Secretary Sun, you flatter me too much. It's all thanks to Mayor Xiao's leadership and your decisive action at the crucial moment that the project was able to be completed."

"Mayor Xiao is lucky to have someone like you as an assistant," Sun Chuanhong smiled, then suddenly changed the subject, "The General Affairs Section of the Municipal Government Office has been a bit chaotic lately, and Sun Zhigang's abilities aren't quite up to par. What do you think should be done with personnel arrangements going forward?"

That's a very harsh question.

How could a top leader ask a secretary how to arrange personnel?

If Chen Ping were to go along with the rumors about Sun Zhigang, he would immediately be branded as arrogant and a tattletale, and the rumors would quickly reach Sun Zhigang's ears, making it impossible for him to stay at his workplace.

"Secretary Sun, I haven't been in this compound for very long, and I'm not very familiar with the situation in my department yet," Chen Pingfang replied flawlessly. "However, I believe that under your leadership, whoever takes over will work hard for the development of Yunzhou."

Sun Chuanhong narrowed his eyes, a hint of scrutiny creeping into his smile.

That kid is really cunning.

……

Outside the door, Sun Zhigang was bent over, pretending to tidy up things in the corridor, but his ears were practically pressed against the door.

"That kid Chen Pingfang is going to make it big!" he cursed inwardly, his palms sweating profusely.

The news had already spread throughout the municipal government office. Those clerks who usually didn't get along with Chen Pingfang were now cowering in their seats, their faces grim. If Chen Pingfang really became a favorite of the secretary, their days were numbered.

……

In the office, Sun Chuanhong, who had been leaning back in his chair, suddenly leaned forward, his smile vanishing instantly. He grabbed the copy of the Yunzhou Daily from the table and slammed it heavily in front of Chen Pingfang!

Snapped!

"Chen Pingfang, do you even know what you're doing?"

Sun Chuanhong's voice was very low, carrying a strong sense of pressure.

"Instead of following the normal procedures, they went to the media themselves and exposed the matter."

Do you know how embarrassing this is for our Yunzhou leadership team? The whole province is laughing at us now!

"You think this is cleverness? This is just ignorance of etiquette!"

Sun Chuanhong stared into Chen Pingfang's eyes, his tone very stern, "You can't be too outspoken, or you'll be the first one to suffer. In Yunzhou, if everyone acted like you and did whatever they wanted, what would be the point of having rules? Even if Mayor Xiao protects you, if you continue like this, I won't be able to protect your future either."

Such a sudden change of heart would make any young cadre's legs go weak.

Chen Ping lowered his head: "Secretary Sun's criticism is correct. I didn't think things through. At the time, I was just thinking that we couldn't let the national pilot project stop. I was too hasty."

"Getting impatient? I think you're being too bold." Sun Chuanhong sneered.

Chen Ping raised his head, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly said, "Actually, I overheard some rumors while investigating the water and power outages at the construction site, and I felt that this matter had to be resolved quickly, otherwise it would blow up and be even worse for your reputation."

"Oh?" Sun Chuanhong raised an eyebrow. "What rumor?"

Chen Ping leaned forward, his voice low, as if he were telling a secret: "I heard from some old residents who were relocated at the construction site that someone died during the demolition of this land in Jinshui Bay ten years ago. They said that the compensation wasn't enough, and an old man committed suicide in front of the bulldozer. They said that the water and power outages this time are because the dead man from back then is causing trouble."

When he said the word "dead man," his tone was very calm, but his eyes were fixed on Sun Chuanhong's face.

Click.

A soft sound.

Sun Chuanhong's cigar cutter trembled, leaving a deep mark on the cigar.

Although Sun Chuanhong's expression remained serious, Chen Ping could clearly see a hint of barely concealed panic flashing deep in his eyes.

Chen Ping's heart skipped a beat.

He had heard in his past life that there were problems with the land in Jinshui Bay, not only because of pollution from the chemical plant, but also because there were unspeakable things buried underground. And ten years ago, the person in charge of the development of Jinshui Bay was none other than Sun Chuanhong, the then mayor of Yunzhou City.

He knew he had made the right choice this time.

"Nonsense!" Sun Chuanhong stood up abruptly, his voice tense. "You believe such superstitious rumors? Secretary Chen, it seems there's something wrong with your thinking; you need to really change it!"

"Yes, Secretary is right. I will definitely reflect on my actions when I get back." Chen Pingfang immediately stood up and nodded in agreement.

"Go out." Sun Chuanhong turned around, his back to him, and looked out the window at Yunzhou City.

……

Chen Ping pushed open the door to the General Affairs Office; it was strangely quiet inside.

Sun Zhigang, contrary to his usual self, remained calm and quietly looked down at the documents.

When the staff saw Chen Ping let in, they immediately lowered their heads and pretended to work.