Chapter 8: The Leader's Summons

Zhang Xiaojun returned to his desk with great excitement, as if he had received some reward. Before sitting down, he cast a triumphant glance at Lin Yuanfang from the corner of his eye

Xiao Lin, do not rush to the construction site for now. " After putting down the phone, Zhang Haiyang looked up at Lin Yuanfang, "You need to come with me to Director Wang's office.

Looking at the time, it was already 8:15. Lin Yuanfang took a large document bag from the drawer, checked the drawings inside, and seeing that everything was in order, he stood up and approached Zhang Haiyang's desk: "Section Chief, today the municipal pipeline construction site at the front of the station needs to be staked out, I ... ... "

Lin Yuanfang smiled faintly, not responding to Zhang Xiaojun—every time Zhang Xiaojun arrived late, it was always this same remark, which had nearly worn out Lin Yuanfang's ears.

Zhang Haiyang held the phone with both hands until he heard the busy signal. After confirming that Director Wang had hung up, he gently placed the receiver down, as if even the slightest weight could disturb Director Wang on the other end of the line

Zhang Xiaojun approached Zhang Haiyang's desk, carefully placing his briefcase down. He picked up the cup of tea that Lin Yuanfang had just brewed and, upon taking a look, exclaimed in surprise: "Yuanfang, what have you done? This tea is too weak! Don't you know that our section chief prefers strong tea?"

Lin Yuanfang paused for a moment and asked, "How long is it expected to take? I need to inform the municipal company."

Zhang Xiaojun felt both jealousy and disappointment in his heart, yet he forced a smile on his face and repeatedly said, "Alright, alright, I will call immediately"

"This is hard to say." Zhang Haiyang waved his hand and turned to Zhang Xiaojun, saying: "Xiao Zhang, please call the municipal company and inform them that Xiao Lin has an urgent matter and cannot go for the time being"

There is no need to make it so complicated Zhang Haiyang felt that Zhang Xiaojun was being somewhat overly dramatic

In the Planning Bureau, the Planning Technology Section is a small department with only three people. Apart from the section chief, Zhang Haiyang, there are only Lin Yuanfang and Zhang Xiaojun as the two junior staff members. In name, the daily tasks of cleaning and boiling water are supposed to be alternately handled by Lin Yuanfang and Zhang Xiaojun, but in reality, these tasks are mostly undertaken by Lin Yuanfang alone. This is because Zhang Xiaojun often drags his feet and only arrives at the office just before work starts—just like today.

"Xiaolin, good morning." Zhang Hongtao nodded and stepped inside.

In Lin Yuanfang's view, as the head of the Planning Technology Department, Zhang Haiyang is not without merit; at the very least, he possesses considerable skill in the art of knocking on doors

Lin Yuanfang was not at all surprised that he could tell from the sound of the knock that it was Zhang Haiyang outside. Judging who the visitor is by the sound of knocking is a unique skill of bureaucratic officials. It is similar to how, when he reported work to Fan Yimin in the past, Fan could tell from the knock that it was him arriving. This may sound magical, but in reality, it is quite straightforward. Generally speaking, only subordinates knock when they visit a leader's office. Conversely, when leaders visit subordinate offices, they often push the door open directly without knocking. Even if they do knock, it is usually just a casual tap, and often before the person inside has a chance to respond, the leader has already entered. However, when subordinates report work to their leaders, knocking is not only necessary but also carries significant implications. A person skilled in knocking will ensure that the knock on the leader's door is just right—not too light, not too heavy—so that the leader can hear it perfectly. It is absolutely unacceptable to knock too hard, as that would show disrespect to the leader and make them unhappy; of course, knocking too lightly is also ineffective, as the leader would not hear it at all, rendering the knock pointless.

Lin Yuanfang could certainly see that Zhang Xiaojun's display was all aimed at him. Although he reminded himself that it was not worth his time to stoop to the level of such a petty person, he still couldn't help but curse inwardly, calling him a "turtle".

Before he could finish speaking, the internal phone on Zhang Haiyang's desk suddenly rang. Zhang Haiyang gestured to Lin Yuanfang to pause, then reached out to pick up the phone: "Hello... Ah, Director Wang!"

At 7:40 in the morning, Lin Yuanfang arrived at the office. Seeing that Zhang Xiaojun had not yet arrived, he could only shake his head gently and began to clean. By the time Lin Yuanfang finished tidying up the office and returned from the tea room with two bottles of hot water, it was already 7:55. At that moment, Zhang Xiaojun finally arrived leisurely. As soon as he entered, he saw Lin Yuanfang holding a thermos to brew tea for three cups and hurriedly slapped his forehead, saying: "Oh no, I'm sorry, I'm late again today, and you've already done all the work..."

"Not a bother, not a bother, it will be quick!" Zhang Xiaojun unceremoniously poured out the tea from the cup, took out some tea leaves from the cabinet, and brewed a new cup of tea, placing it on Zhang Haiyang's desk. With a flattering smile, he said, "Section Chief, do you think the amount of tea leaves is appropriate?"

Zhang Haiyang led Lin Yuanfang to the director's office on the east side of the third floor. The office door was slightly ajar, and he reached out to gently knock on the door. A commanding voice came from inside: "You must be Section Chief Zhang? Come in."

Although Zhang Xiaojun's attempts to please Zhang Haiyang were somewhat clumsy, Zhang Haiyang did not take offense. This at least indicated that in Zhang Xiaojun's eyes, he was revolving around his leader. Therefore, Zhang Haiyang decided to offer Zhang Xiaojun some encouragement. He picked up his teacup, gently blew on it, took a small sip, and nodded, saying, "Hmm, not bad, the strength is just right"

Lin Yuanfang was somewhat surprised; he had just added quite a bit of tea leaves, so how could it be so weak

When Zhang Xiaojun heard the words "Director Wang" come out of Zhang Haiyang's mouth, his body involuntarily leaned towards Zhang Haiyang's desk. He stretched his ears long, wanting to hear what Director Wang was calling about regarding Section Chief Zhang. Unfortunately, the two desks were a bit far apart, and Zhang Xiaojun's eardrums felt a bit painful, yet he could not make out a single word from the phone call.

Zhang Haiyang then opened the office door and led Lin Yuanfang inside

Without waiting for Lin Yuanfang's response, Zhang Xiaojun turned to Zhang Haiyang and said, "Section Chief, please hold on for a moment. I will pour this cup of tea and then brew another one for you"

At that moment, a familiar cough echoed in the corridor; Section Chief Zhang Haiyang had also arrived. Zhang Xiaojun no longer paid attention to Lin Yuanfang and turned to greet him, just as Zhang Haiyang reached the doorway.

Before he could finish saying "Hello," Zhang Haiyang sprang up as if a spring had been installed under his seat. Holding the phone with both hands, he bent slightly at the waist and said, "You say, you say, I'm listening! Now? Alright, alright, I'll go over immediately!"

Lin Yuanfang had just finished brewing the tea and, upon returning to his desk, saw Zhang Haiyang enter, greeting him with, "Section Chief Zhang."

Section Chief, good morning!" Zhang Xiaojun called out enthusiastically, reaching out to snatch Zhang Haiyang's briefcase and quickly walking towards the large desk by the window