Nominal: Starting with an entrance exam for a PhD in Economics at Peking University

She shook her head, her unspoken meaning clear.

Even the deputy director mops the floor at home. Without looking up, he replied, "Even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes."

Ruan Lingling forcefully shoved a shirt into her suitcase and pouted, "I think the reason Xiao Qi didn't get that spot in our department this time might be because this 'son-in-law' swayed Deputy Director Zhong!"

“You’re overthinking it.” Her husband chuckled and stood up. “You earned the spot yourself, and the procedure was compliant. Qi Tongwei just had bad luck.”

Ruan Lingling disagreed: "Do you think that once the list is submitted, it's finalized? If Deputy Director Han really wanted to fight for him, do you think your spot would be so secure?"

Her husband, too lazy to continue analyzing these unanswerable interpersonal relationships in officialdom with her, turned around and went to wash the mop: "Alright, stop overthinking it. You go and finish your 'battle of attrition,' I'll take care of things at home."

As Ruan Lingling watched her husband's retreating figure, her eyes lit up, and she suddenly became interested. She leaned closer and lowered her voice, speaking in a teasing tone characteristic of middle-aged women, free of any inhibitions:

“Hey, I’m telling you… when I return victorious from this ‘battle’ and gloriously complete my mission… then you’ll be in a different situation.”

"What does this have to do with me?" the husband asked casually.

Ruan Lingling straightened her back, a mocking smile on her face, and said, word by word:

"By then, you'll be someone who has served as both deputy director and deputy director."

Chapter 47: Surprised? Unexpected?

Ruan Lingling dragged a huge suitcase that was almost half her height as she huffed and puffed her way into the internal guesthouse that was being used as the base for this closed-off combat operation.

Several male colleagues had already arrived in the lobby. Their luggage was mostly simple, consisting of a briefcase and a tote bag, and was less than a third or even less in size than her enormous figure.

Ruan Lingling glanced at it, feeling a little embarrassed, but then comforted herself: "Women are going to be away from home for long periods of time, so it's understandable that we need to bring more skincare products, changes of clothes, and snacks for staying up late."

The security checkpoint at the guesthouse entrance surprised her slightly.

Two uniformed, serious-looking staff members, each holding a metal detector, carefully checked each person entering and their luggage. When it was Ruan Lingling's turn, the detector beeped at the lock and bracket of her suitcase.

"Comrade, please open the box and cooperate with the inspection." The staff member was meticulous.

As Ruan Lingling opened the box, she thought to herself: The last time I participated in a similar closed mission was a few years ago. Back then, mobile phones were not nearly as common as they are now, and security checks were just a formality. They were nothing like the strict security checks we have now.

However, the stricter the security check, the more important the mission and the higher the level of confidentiality.

Thinking about it this way, she felt a little excited—the more important the task, the more credit she would earn upon completion.

The security check took a lot of time, and by the time Ruan Lingling finally dragged her suitcase to the double room assigned to her, there was less than half an hour left before the scheduled group meeting.

She practically threw the suitcase into the room and glanced around: the room was clean and tidy, and the basic facilities were complete.

But Ruan Lingling, who had similar experiences before, knew very well that for the next two weeks, this room would probably only be a "dormitory" for her to briefly lie down when she returned late at night. Most of the time, she would be fighting against mountains of data and documents in the meeting room and temporary office.

Her roommate was a female colleague from the Economic Operations Bureau. The two had met a few times at events organized by the Commission and were considered nodding acquaintances. For Ruan Lingling, there were probably not many female colleagues in the entire Economic Commission system whose names she didn't know—these were all part of the information network she had painstakingly cultivated.

She quickly washed her face and rushed to the main conference room. Along the way, she encountered many familiar faces. People exchanged glances and whispered guesses, and the air was filled with an atmosphere that was a mixture of tension and anticipation.

The large conference room is usually where plenary sessions of the committee are held, and it is very impressive.

But at this moment, the row of long tables on the stage has been removed, leaving only a simple reporting platform.

Ruan Lingling knew that under this closed-off attack mode, this place would be the "nerve center" for the next half month—task deployment, brainstorming, progress reports, and heated debates would all take place in this space.

As soon as the door was opened, a wave of noise hit you. Seventy or eighty people had already gathered in the conference room, chatting in small groups, the atmosphere as lively as a bustling vegetable market in the early morning.

Ruan Lingling's eyes lit up, and she effortlessly squeezed into the crowd, quickly blending into several groups of people who were engaged in lively discussions.

She was in her element, handling things with ease.

First, she and everyone else speculated about the areas that this "key task" might involve—was it dealing with international trade frictions? Or sorting out the layout of key industries? Then, she exchanged views with several colleagues from different departments who were also at a critical stage of promotion, discussing the "value" of the selected candidates, while also dealing with other colleagues' teasing and envy about her "imminent promotion".

She smiled radiantly, handled everything with grace, and was busy as a bee. The anxiety she felt from the competition seemed to be temporarily washed away in this familiar vortex of interpersonal relationships.

Finally, the clock struck nine in the morning.

The leaders did not appear on time. A deputy director of the General Office, accompanied by several staff members, pushed in a cart piled high with freshly printed documents that still smelled of printer heat and ink.

"Quiet! Everyone, please be quiet!" The deputy director walked up to the podium, picked up the microphone, and cleared his throat. "The leaders are having a short meeting. Please take the materials and read them quickly. We will give you a detailed explanation of the tasks and instructions later."

The meeting room gradually quieted down, with only the rustling sound of papers turning.

Ruan Lingling waited anxiously, and finally a thick document was handed to her. She eagerly unfolded the cover, her eyes scanning the title with anticipation—

"Overall Plan and Preliminary Framework for Compiling the 'National Guidance Catalogue for Industrial Structure Adjustment (Trial)' to Promote Industrial Upgrading and High-Quality Economic Development (Internal Discussion Draft)"

Below are a few brief summaries that explain the significant role of compiling this catalog in clarifying the direction of industrial development, optimizing resource allocation, standardizing investment management, enhancing policy transparency and predictability, and responding to profound changes in the domestic and international economic environment.

Big move!

Ruan Lingling's heart skipped a beat. This was absolutely a top-level design concerning the national economic layout for the next few years or even longer! Its significance far exceeded anything she had ever imagined before.

Guidance Catalogue for Industrial Restructuring...

Her mind raced. This was naturally the area of ​​expertise for the Department of Industrial Policy! If that were the case, as a key member of the core department of the Department of Industrial Policy, the role she could play, the core aspects she could access, and even the contributions she might make would far exceed expectations!

If other departments were in charge, someone as easygoing as Wu Zhong could simply provide support and coordination. However, if the Department of Industrial Policy were in charge, Wu Zhong's methodical approach and professional expertise might not be enough.

At that time, it will be clear who the real core backbone is!

Thankfully... Zhou Lin, that guy with strong connections and decent abilities, didn't get in.

Zhou Lin?

A flash of inspiration struck Ruan Lingling, as if all the clues were instantly connected! Why conduct such a high-level, highly confidential "closed operation"?

Normally, wouldn't a joint meeting or research group across departments suffice for such policy research? Why go to such lengths and implement such strict secrecy? There's only one possible explanation—to race against time and seize the initiative! To get ahead of potential competitors (such as the State Planning Commission) and firmly grasp the core framework and leadership of the guiding document!

You should know that this is usually the job of the State Planning Commission's Long-Term Planning and Industrial Policy Department!

Zhou Lin deliberately used his connections in the State Planning Commission to pull strings... At such a sensitive time, he ran right into a trap, no wonder he was unlikely to get in!

God helps me too!

A surge of ecstasy and ambition rushed to Ruan Lingling's head. She forcibly suppressed the urge to smile, took a deep breath, and forced herself to focus all her attention on the materials in her hands, greedily reading and digesting them word by word...

About twenty minutes later, steady footsteps sounded at the conference room door. Led by Deputy Director Han Shen, seven or eight bureau-level leaders filed in.

Ruan Lingling quickly looked up and scanned the room, realizing what was going on: Han Shen was the overall coordinator, and among the departments and bureaus present, only the Industrial Policy Department had sent its director-general, Qin Chongqing himself! The other departments and bureaus had only sent their deputy directors.

As expected, it's our company in charge! My chance has truly arrived!

She couldn't help but turn her head slightly, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Wu Zhong, who was also from Group Two of the Industrial Policy Department, sitting not far away. Wu Zhong was holding documents in his hand, his brows were furrowed, his lips were pursed into a line, and his face clearly showed a bitter expression.

Ruan Lingling felt even more pleased. It seemed that her old colleague had also realized the challenges she was facing.

Her gaze finally swept toward the doorway. The leaders were mostly in place when the last person to walk in walked in. He was noticeably younger and taller than the previous leaders, and his profile looked somewhat familiar.

Ruan Lingling blinked, thinking she was seeing things. She subconsciously rubbed her eyes and looked again—

Qi Tongwei?!

Why is Qi Tongwei, who should have been "disappointed" in the deputy director competition and should be observing from the sidelines or even feeling frustrated, here? Why is he at this highest-level confidentiality meeting of the Economic Commission?

Ruan Lingling's heart sank suddenly, as if she had fallen into an ice cave in an instant, and countless thoughts exploded in her mind:

How did he even get in here?!

That's right... Deputy Director Han Shen is the person in charge of this operation. If he wants to add someone, it's just a matter of a word. There are countless reasons he can use, such as "work needs," "professional supplementation," and "training young backbones."

Inside story! A conspiracy! Unfair!

Ruan Lingling was silently screaming and protesting inside. Qi Tongwei hadn't gone through the department's formal selection process at all! This was completely against regulations!

But she knew even better that she absolutely dared not and could not cause trouble.

Within the system, superiors, especially the project manager, have unquestionable authority to allocate personnel. Han Shen has a thousand reasonable, legal, and even high-sounding reasons to explain Qi Tongwei's joining.

She could only force herself to comfort herself, trying to regain some psychological advantage: Qi Tongwei has only been at the Economic Commission for a few days? He hasn't even mastered the business yet! How much of a role can he play in formulating such macro-level policies that affect the overall situation? At most, he's here to learn and do odd jobs! The final hard battle will still depend on us veteran business backbones! Yes, that must be it!

On the stage, Han Shen had already walked behind the podium and gently tapped the microphone, instantly silencing the entire conference room.

"Comrades," Han Shen's voice was steady and powerful, "Now, I will briefly explain the overall requirements, disciplinary principles, and preliminary division of labor for this special operation..."

He succinctly explained the significant strategic importance and urgency of compiling the "Guidance Catalogue for Industrial Structure Adjustment," emphasized confidentiality regulations and work requirements, and then began to announce the preliminary division of tasks among various departments:

The Department of Industrial Policy, as the lead department, undertakes core tasks such as overall framework design, formulation of core classification standards, and sorting out key industry entries; the Department of Economic Operation is responsible for providing basic data support and operational analysis; the Department of Policy and Regulations is responsible for studying issues related to the connection of laws and regulations...

Ruan Lingling listened intently, her pen flying across her notebook. Each time she heard about a task led by the Department of Industrial Policy, her confidence grew, as if she could already see herself making a significant contribution and securing victory in this battle.

Each deputy director then took the stage in turn to give a more detailed explanation of the specific tasks undertaken by their respective departments.

After the last deputy director finished speaking, Ruan Lingling thought that Director Han Shen would then give a concluding speech to boost morale and emphasize discipline, and then everyone could take their positions and get to work.

She was almost impatient to return to the temporary office space assigned to the Industrial Policy Department and start working immediately. She wanted to show Qi Tongwei, who had squeezed his way in through connections, that in this real, hard-fought battle, back channels were useless! She wanted to demonstrate to him what it meant to be "experienced and shrewd"!

However, the deputy director of the General Office, who was presiding over the meeting, went up to the stage again and said into the microphone:

"Now, let's give a warm round of applause to Comrade Qi Tongwei from the First Division of the Industrial Policy Department, who was the initial proposer of the compilation of the Guidance Catalogue for Industrial Structure Adjustment. He will come to the stage to briefly introduce the initial concept and core ideas of this work, as well as his preliminary thoughts on the logic of the catalogue framework, to provide reference and inspiration for your in-depth discussion."

Applause broke out in the conference room, sounding somewhat hesitant and surprised.

Ruan Lingling was struck as if by a silent thunderbolt. She froze in her seat, her pupils suddenly contracted, and all the color drained from her face.

Him? The one who suggested initiating the proposal?

Qi Tongwei walked up to the podium, adjusted the microphone height, and calmly swept his gaze across the various expressions on the faces of the audience. Finally, seemingly casually, his gaze lingered for a moment on Ruan Lingling's face, which was filled with shock and disbelief.

Sister Ruan

Surprised or not?

Not surprised?

Chapter 48: Battle Ends

Qi Tongwei, of course, wouldn't be so reckless as to try and show off.

Logically, in such a major task requiring collective effort, the person who initially made the suggestion or had the opportunity to speak individually should be credited with the leadership and the collective effort.

Being given the opportunity to speak on stage alone is itself an extraordinary reward and recognition from Senior Brother Han Shen.

It's a foregone conclusion that Han Shen, as the chief coordinator, deserves the greatest organizational credit for the proposal of the "Guidance Catalogue for Industrial Structure Adjustment," while the Department of Industrial Policy, as the leading department, has secured the core business credit.

Presenting him as the "initiator" at this moment, and introducing him in front of all the selected elites, is a public affirmation of the value of his proposal and a solid placement of the weighty "pioneering achievement" on his resume.

He's already had his fill of the limelight today; what he needs now is not to flaunt his achievements, but to be humble and integrate.

Therefore, his speech was extremely brief.

He expressed his special thanks to Deputy Director Han Shen for his trust and guidance, and to the leaders and colleagues of the Department of Industrial Policy for their training and assistance. He only gave a brief overview of the core significance of compiling the catalog, without mentioning his initial thought process at all, and did not engage in any lengthy discourse or annoying assertions of "sovereignty".