Super Soldier in the City
Chapter 523 - 533: Dispatching Officials

Chapter 523: Chapter 533: Dispatching Officials

"Wu Shentong, now that you’re back, where are you working?" Cao Yingbo asked at this moment.

Wu Shentong pretended to speak casually, "This time, I’ve returned for a proper position. I need to start with some grassroots experience, so I’m headed to work in Lanjia Village."

Qian Feifei immediately said excitedly, "Lanjia Village, that’s where Ye Yunzhu is the Township Chief, aren’t you going to be working with her now?"

Cao Yingbo laughed heartily, "Yunzhu used to be our class monitor, and you were the study committee member. Now you’re going to be working in the same village, that’s really a coincidence."

Wu Shentong came over as soon as he heard there was a class reunion. Although his job had already been set, he hadn’t reported to the village yet because he wanted to show off among his classmates. He didn’t know that Ye Yunzhu was the Township Chief of Lanjia Village.

Upon hearing that Ye Yunzhu was the Township Chief there, his eyes lit up and he said, "I had no idea Yunzhu was the Township Chief there, that’s really great."

At this time, Su Peng glanced at Li Yifei with a hint of concern. In the class, he was one of the few who knew about the relationship between Li Yifei and Ye Yunzhu. He also knew that Wu Shentong had secretly liked Ye Yunzhu back in the day; even though the guy had been focused on his studies and hadn’t made a move, now that they would be working in the same village, Wu Shentong would have an advantage. Su Peng was worried that Li Yifei might get upset after hearing this.

Seeing how Wu Shentong was acting, Li Yifei knew the guy was after Ye Yunzhu. However, he didn’t care much about it, thinking that a woman like Ye Yunzhu was bound to have suitors, which was not surprising. But knowing that Ye Yunzhu was pregnant with his child, he felt he had nothing to worry about. So he gave Su Yue a reassuring look.

Someone else then asked, "Wu Shentong, it seems that a Township Chief like Yunzhu is just a division-level cadre. If you’re going to the village, you’re not there to be the secretary, are you?"

Wu Shentong shook his head, "No, I guess I’ll just be a deputy chief in charge of a sector. After all, I still need some experience. As long as I don’t make any mistakes, I can move to another department for a substantial position after one or two years of training, and then I’ll be on par with Yunzhu."

Everyone was full of envy. Division-level cadres might not seem much, but nowadays, as long as one holds power, even a minor cadre can end up quite wealthy, let alone division-level ones. Besides, ordinary Township Chiefs and the likes, such as county or district-level department heads, are all at division level, so if you do well at this level, it’s indeed a remarkable position.

Moreover, Wu Shentong was a division-level cadre who had been sent down, so there was a possibility he could be promoted even faster in the future. By then, he might even become a County Head or, more impressively, a Mayor, so it was necessary to curry favors with him now or else one might be at a disadvantage later.

Compared to the previous two magnificent times, Li Yifei, now in a security guard’s uniform, was completely marginalized. He wasn’t uncomfortable with this as people are practical, and Wu Shentong, young and already a regular official, was seen as someone with a bright future. With a higher starting point and better prospects, it was natural for others to envy him.

"By the way, why hasn’t Yunzhu come yet?" Now that Wu Shentong, a capable person, was present, naturally, everyone hadn’t forgotten about Ye Yunzhu. Even if Wu Shentong had a bright future, he couldn’t compare to Ye Yunzhu, who was already a Township Chief and, moreover, had family connections, ensuring an even more impressive future than his.

Qian Feifei immediately said, "I called Yunzhu today. She mentioned she had something on tonight and wasn’t sure she could make it. She’ll have to see how things go."

If it were someone else, it would have surely stirred up some disapproval for not attending the class reunion, but not for Ye Yunzhu. Firstly, her position warranted understanding, and secondly, as a beauty, she definitely warranted everyone’s forgiveness.

Once the dishes were served, everyone began to eat and drink, creating a lively atmosphere. Although Li Yifei wasn’t the center of attention, chatting with his classmates was still a happy occasion.

"Wu Shentong, did you get sent down because of some connections?" Qian Feifei asked curiously after they had been eating and drinking for a while.

Wu Shentong smiled, "In today’s society, can anything be accomplished without connections? I have an uncle who’s the Deputy Director of the Finance Bureau in the city."

"Wu Shentong, you really have quite the background. I’d never heard you mention it before."

"What’s there to say? Without my own efforts, even having such a relative wouldn’t guarantee their help. I had to pass several exams, and had I not done well, my uncle wouldn’t have been able to assist. He only helped me find a better place after I passed."

By saying this, Wu Shentong played down the significance of his connections while highlighting his own abilities.

The crowd offered their compliments again, followed by more drinking. However, they couldn’t always talk about Wu Shentong. A classmate named Cui Tianwei took a seat next to Li Yifei and asked, "Yifei, can you still manage to invite Li Xinyue and Song Lianyao over?"

Right beside them, Qian Feifei said, "I tell you, Cui Tianwei, aren’t you putting Yifei in a tough spot? He doesn’t even drive for the boss anymore; how could he ask favors from the boss?"

Cui Tianwei gave an embarrassed smile and said, "I’m just giving it a try, Yifei, don’t feel pressured. If we can get them, that’s great, but if not, then let’s just drop it. The worst that can happen is my wife complains a bit."

Li Yifei smiled and responded, "I could make a call and give it a try."

"That would be great, Yifei. Whether it works out or not, you’re awesome for trying."

Just then, Wu Shentong happened to overhear the conversation. By now, he was also a bit tipsy, and he interjected, "Tianwei, don’t trouble Yifei with this. I’ll take care of it for you. It’s just a couple of TV hosts, right? I’ll fix it up."

Cui Tianwei was immediately excited. "Shentong, can you really handle it?"

Wu Shentong slapped the table and declared, "What do you mean ’can I’? Let me tell you, although I haven’t taken up my post yet, I’ve still got my uncle. He’s been paying a lot of attention to me lately. If I ask him to handle this, he surely won’t refuse such a small favor."

"Then... then that’s fantastic. It’s all on you, Tianwei."

Wu Shentong immediately picked up the phone and dialed. The call connected quickly, and he said, "Uncle, it’s me, Shentong... Heh, I’m at a class reunion today, eating with everyone. Didn’t you say that after joining work, I should network more? That’s how you build connections, right... Yes, exactly, that’s what I’m doing. Uncle, a classmate of mine is getting married and wants to invite Li Xinyue and Song Lianyao from the TV station to host. Can you help out?"

As Wu Shentong spoke about the matter at hand, everyone tensed up. Wu Shentong then turned to Cui Tianwei and asked, "Tianwei, which day is it?"

Cui Tianwei replied hastily, "It’s next Saturday, the 8th of August."

Wu Shentong repeated the date and then hung up the phone, smiling contentedly. "My uncle said he’ll ask around. Don’t worry, with my uncle stepping in, how could those two TV hosts refuse to give face?"

Everyone agreed, and Cui Tianwei was beaming with delight, showering Wu Shentong with compliments.

After about ten minutes, Wu Shentong’s phone rang. The chatter ceased instantly as Wu Shentong answered the call. After a few words, his brow furrowed. "Uncle, it can’t be such a coincidence, right?... Alright then, I’ll let my classmate know."

Hearing this, everyone sensed that the situation was hopeless. Wu Shentong, with a frown, told Cui Tianwei, "Tianwei, it’s really unfortunate, but on that day, both hosts already have engagements and absolutely cannot possibly free up. It’s not that I don’t want to help, but it’s just really bad timing."

Cui Tianwei replied in a hurry, "There’s nothing that can be done, it’s just bad luck that my wedding collided with their schedule, sigh..." His face couldn’t hide the disappointment.

Wu Shentong felt a slight sting to his pride, as this was the first time a classmate had asked him for a favor, and he hadn’t been able to deliver. Naturally, if his uncle was unable to help, he was even more powerless.

Li Yifei, seeing Cui Tianwei like this, felt a tinge of sympathy. They were all old classmates, after all, and if he could help, he should. He smiled and asked, "Tianwei, what time is your wedding? I’ll see if I can arrange things so that it doesn’t clash with Li Xinyue’s schedule."

Cui Tianwei’s eyes lit up. "The wedding was initially set for eight in the morning. If we could get Li Xinyue and Song Lianyao to come, we wouldn’t mind adjusting the time. As long as the ceremony can be held in the morning, that would be fine. Yifei, do you think that’s doable?"

Li Yifei smiled and said, "I’ll give it a try, but I can’t make any promises."

Seeing Li Yifei take on a task he hadn’t managed to accomplish, Wu Shentong’s face fell, and he said with furrowed brows, "Li Yifei, aren’t you joking? My uncle just told me that on that day, Li Xinyue and Song Lianyao are participating in an event organized by the Provincial Television Station, a significant opportunity for their careers. There’s no way they’ll be available to host a wedding. Don’t waste your efforts."

Upon hearing this, Li Yifei immediately told Cui Tianwei, "Tianwei, then I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do either. I’m really sorry."

Li Yifei knew very well that with just a word from him, Li Xinyue and Song Lianyao would drop everything to come over, but since this involved the advancement of their careers, how could he possibly interfere? That would simply be too presumptuous.

Cui Tianwei gave a dry laugh and said, "It’s fine, it’s fine."

Wu Shentong, seeing that a single comment made Li Yifei back off, felt he regained some face. Otherwise, it would have felt quite embarrassing. The group continued drinking, while Cui Tianwei sat with a gloomy expression. The last time Tao Yizhong had a wedding, it was hosted by two famous hosts, and his wife had seen it. Both being his classmates, Tao had celebrities hosting, but he couldn’t manage the same. He’d be embarrassed in front of his classmates at the wedding, not to mention the difficulty he’d face with his wife.