Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

"bite."

The elevator doors slowly opened on the 12th floor.

A warm breeze, carrying the sweet aroma of milk tea, the crunch of potato chips, and a faint scent of perfume, wafted towards me.

Liu Ming stepped out of the elevator, and was even momentarily dazed.

He subconsciously glanced at the majestic national emblem behind him, then at the "lifelike" office area in front of him, and wondered if he had gone to the wrong place, perhaps wandering into a university student union office or a startup company's break room.

There's none of the tense, urgency atmosphere found in the counties below, nor the oppressive, somber atmosphere of other departments within the municipal party committee.

Here, the air is filled with... a "happy" atmosphere.

In the spacious open-plan office area, seven or eight young people, all of whom were not very old, were scattered in various corners. Some were touching up their makeup in front of the mirror, their eyelash curlers clicking loudly; others were wearing huge noise-canceling headphones, their fingers flying across the mechanical keyboard, but the screens were not displaying documents, but rather colorful game interfaces; and a few others were gathered together, pointing at the food delivery apps on their phones, enthusiastically discussing which bubble tea was better.

"Hey! Did you hear? Apparently, a new deputy secretary is reporting for duty today?"

"Tch, let them come. Aren't we short of paratroopers like this around here? They're either some rich kid or some big shot's nephew, just here to get some experience and then leave. We'll treat them like royalty."

"Yeah, right. But I heard it's a really handsome guy this time? I wonder if he has a girlfriend..."

Liu Ming stood at the door, carrying a simple briefcase, listening to the unrestrained discussions, a playful smile curving her lips.

Is this the legendary "cradle of reserve cadres"?

This is clearly a "giant baby daycare".

"Ahem!"

A slightly aged and weak cough came from an office in the inner room.

Immediately afterwards, a middle-aged man with gray hair, a kind face, and carrying a large thermos filled with goji berries came out. He was wearing a slightly worn jacket, and his face wore the kind of carefree smile that only people nearing retirement have.

Chen Jianguo, Secretary of the Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League.

He was also known throughout the Ningzhou officialdom as a "good guy".

"Oh! Is this Comrade Liu Ming?"

As soon as Chen Jianguo saw Liu Ming, his eyes immediately narrowed into slits with a smile, and he quickly came to greet her, his enthusiasm as if he had seen his long-lost nephew.

"Welcome, welcome! The Organization Department just called me, I've been waiting here ever since! Come on in!"

With Chen Jianguo's shout, the previously lazy and noisy atmosphere in the office area subsided slightly.

But it was only a little bit.

The person touching up their makeup put down the mirror, the person playing games took off one earphone, and the person ordering takeout looked up.

Seven or eight pairs of eyes all focused on Liu Ming.

Scrutiny, curiosity, disdain, and a touch of schadenfreude.

"Everyone, please stop what you're doing!"

Chen Jianguo clapped his hands, gathered everyone together, and pointed to Liu Ming, introducing him: "This is Comrade Liu Ming, the newly appointed deputy secretary sent by the organization! Let's give him a round of applause!"

"Slap, slap, slap."

The applause was sparse and weak.

It's like not having eaten enough.

"Hello, Secretary Liu."

"Welcome, Secretary Liu."

Several young people greeted her lazily, but their eyes scanned Liu Ming from head to toe.

Looking at Liu Ming's excessively youthful face and her neat but not expensive attire, they exchanged a knowing glance.

Another one here just trying to gain experience.

They've seen plenty of people like that.

They have some family connections, but can't get by in powerful departments, or they're thrown into the Youth League Committee as a "stepping stone" for two years to make future promotions easier.

Such people usually have only two characteristics: they are incompetent and they have a bad temper.

"Alright, alright, stop standing there." Chen Jianguo seemed to be used to the way his subordinates acted like young masters and ladies, and he wasn't angry. He still said with a smile, "Xiao Liu, don't mind them. Our Youth League Committee is full of young people with active minds. There aren't many rules and regulations. We get along like a family."

"A family?"

Liu Ming smiled, glanced at the few "family members" who were secretly rolling their eyes at him, and nodded.

"It's nice, the atmosphere is very relaxed."

"Right? Relax, relax!" Chen Jianguo patted Liu Ming on the shoulder with a cheerful smile. "Our job is to connect with and serve young people. As long as we don't make any fundamental mistakes, do whatever makes you happy."

As he spoke, he pointed to a desk in the corner by the window, which was piled with clutter and dust.

"Um... Xiao Liu, Deputy Secretary Ouyang is away on a business trip, and his office is locked. Our working conditions are limited, and we haven't vacated a private office yet. How about you make do with that for now? It has good lighting and you can see the small garden of the municipal government building."

Liu Ming looked in the direction he was pointing.

That table had clearly been unused for a long time.

The table was piled high with expired newspapers, discarded file boxes, and even a half-eaten, shriveled bag of potato chips. A thick layer of dust covered the surface, obscuring its original color.

It's not that there wasn't enough space.

This clearly shows they don't take him seriously at all.

Several young staff members wore gloating expressions when they saw this.

Some people even whispered among themselves, "Hey, look at that table, isn't it the one that 'connected' guy left behind when he left last time? That guy couldn't stand it for three months and ran away."

"This new guy probably won't last more than six months."

"Six months? I bet three months! Look at his delicate skin, he's obviously never suffered any hardship."

Faced with this almost blatant disrespect, Liu Ming did not get angry as they expected, nor did she complain to Chen Jianguo.

He glanced at the table indifferently, then turned to Chen Jianguo and said, "It's alright, Secretary Chen, I'll sit here. It's quite down-to-earth."

"Wow! Comrade Liu is so conscientious! He can really endure hardship!" Chen Jianguo gave a thumbs up, his smile widening. "Alright, you go ahead and pack up. If you don't understand anything, feel free to ask me, or ask these younger brothers and sisters. I still have a document to approve, so I won't keep you company any longer."

After saying that, the kind-hearted secretary, as if he had completed his task, slowly strolled back to his office with his thermos cup, making sure to close the door tightly behind him.

With Chen Jianguo's departure, the oppressive "official atmosphere" in the office area instantly dissipated.

The music started playing again, the keyboard clicks became more frequent, and the debate about the sweetness of milk tea continued to rage.

Liu Ming, the newly arrived deputy secretary, was like a drop of water merging into the ocean, instantly ignored.

No one came to help him clear the table.

No one came over to pour him a glass of water.

No one even offered him a rag.

Liu Ming placed his briefcase on a chair beside him, took off his suit jacket, and rolled up his sleeves.

He walked to the dusty desk, stretched out a finger, and gently ran it across the surface.

A clear mark.

My fingertips were covered in black ash.

"Tsk."

He chuckled softly.

A girl nearby, who was painting her nails, glanced at him and said sarcastically, "Oh, Secretary Liu, we don't have any extra rags here. Why don't you try looking in the restroom? Or... wait for the cleaning lady to come tomorrow?"

The implication is: Stop pretending, if you think it's dirty, then don't sit there.

Liu Ming ignored her.

He took out a pack of wet wipes from his pocket, pulled out one, and slowly began to wipe the table.

His movements were slow and meticulous.

Little by little, inch by inch.

Clean up all the dust, stains, and that half-bag of disgusting potato chips.

His expression was as focused as if he were polishing a battle sword that had just drunk blood.

Gradually.

The noise in the office area decreased.

The person playing the game took off their headphones.

The person touching up their makeup stopped what they were doing.

The person who ordered takeout put down their phone.

They sensed something was wrong.

This newly arrived deputy secretary seemed to exude an aura that... made them feel very uncomfortable.

That wasn't anger, nor was it resentment.

Rather, it is a kind of...

The chilling sense of oppression of being targeted by a ferocious beast.

After wiping the table, Liu Ming threw the soiled tissues into the trash can.

Then, he pulled out a chair and sat down with an air of authority.

He took out the enamel mug with the words "Serve the People" written on it from his bag and placed it on the corner of the table.

Then, he took out a thick notebook and a fountain pen.

"Smack."

The sound of the pen cap being pulled off was particularly crisp in the suddenly quiet office.

Liu Ming raised her head.

Those eyes, which were originally calm as water, now became sharp as knives, slowly sweeping over everyone present.

Those whose gaze swept over him involuntarily shivered and instinctively sat up straight.

"Everyone."

Liu Ming spoke, her voice not loud but carrying an undeniable penetrating power.

Let me introduce myself.

My name is Liu Ming.

"What you did before is not important. What is important is that from today onwards I am your deputy secretary."

He pointed to the table he had just polished to a shine, a chilling smile playing on his lips.

"Secretary Chen said that the atmosphere here is relaxed, like a family."

"I think it's pretty good too."

"but……"

Liu Ming's eyes suddenly narrowed, and her tone abruptly turned cold.

"The house is too messy, which makes it easy for bugs to get in."

"Now that I'm here, let's start with... **reforming discipline**."

"Now."

He glanced at the clock on the wall.

"Everyone, put down your games, snacks, and cosmetics."

"Put your quarterly performance reports on my desk within ten minutes."

Those who fail to submit their documents by the deadline.

"**One day of absence has been recorded.**"