"Director Nan, taking on this position now is no easy task. One misstep and you’ll be dragged into the mud. Secretary Cao isn’t someone to be trifled with." Secretary Cai looked at Nan Sheng, seemingly recalling when she first arrived. Time had flown by—now she had risen to a position far beyond his reach.
Nan Sheng raised her teacup to him with a smile. "I know what I’m doing!"
As she was about to leave, she paused and revealed the truth to him.
"Your relationship with Deputy Director Zhang was privately disclosed to me by Liu Song. He’s one of Ou Yaosheng’s people left behind, and he dangled this bait to gain my trust. But don’t worry, he doesn’t dare make any moves now."
From the moment Liu Song had privately shared this information, Nan Sheng had known whose side he was on and had kept her guard up. Liu Song was shrewd enough to avoid causing trouble, so she had let him be. Now that Ou Yaosheng had fallen, there was no need for further caution.
Secretary Cai broke into a cold sweat upon hearing this. He had once been so eager to side with Ou Yaosheng—only to realize he’d been played for a fool.
Thankfully, that troublemaker had crossed paths with Director Nan. Wasn’t this just poetic justice?
The meeting room had been tidied up and now looked spacious and bright. Nan Sheng’s office desk and chair had also been replaced with a new set. Though her rank hadn’t officially risen, the upgraded furnishings ensured she wouldn’t lose face.
"Director, we’ve just received word that another group of people will be reassigned to our district. The list will arrive shortly—this time, nearly fifty individuals."
The phone was still in the old office, and the electrician to reroute the line wouldn’t arrive until later. Liu Song, left on duty, immediately reported the news after taking the call.
Nan Sheng rubbed her temples. Everyone seemed to treat Sanwei Town as a retirement paradise, sending people here in droves.
"Understood. Go and notify all town committee directors to assemble at the Sanwei Town government office by eleven. No delays, no absences. Also, Deng Jun, prepare a name list for me—I’ll need it for roll call tomorrow."
"Yes, Director!"
"Yes, Director!"
By the afternoon, the phone had been moved to the new office. Nan Sheng promptly called the Municipal Revolutionary Committee office.
"Director Nan, do you have any work to report?"
The Municipal Committee Director recognized the call was from Sanwei Town and had no interest in handling it himself, passing it off to Yi Zhengben instead.
"Yes, sir. My staff have been diligent, and their results speak for themselves. With me temporarily acting as County Committee Director, they’ve been working tirelessly. I’d like to promote all three to the rank of clerk and request your approval as soon as possible."
Yi Zhengben frowned. Promoting three at once was excessive. Besides, Nan Sheng had only just been appointed yesterday—what could her subordinates possibly be so busy with? This was clearly a power play.
Still, he didn’t outright refuse. "Promoting three at once goes against protocol. I’ll approve one for now, another later this year, and the third next year. How does that sound?"
Not good at all. Nan Sheng had never failed to get her way. She sighed deliberately.
"Ah, normally, a County Committee Director could approve clerk promotions. It seems you still don’t trust me. Perhaps you should send someone else to take over this role—I’m clearly not up to the task."
Yi Zhengben found her utterly shameless. This was outright bullying! If Nan Sheng were officially appointed County Committee Director, promoting her staff would be standard. But she wasn’t. A town director with three clerks under her? Was she trying to reach the heavens?
For the sake of stability, Yi Zhengben relented. "Fine. I’ll approve two this time."
"Never mind, sir. If I can’t even handle such a small matter, how can I manage an entire county? You’d better find a replacement."
Nan Sheng leaned back lazily in her chair, amusement dancing in her eyes. Sure enough, Yi Zhengben’s voice soon yielded.
"Fine, I’ll approve it. Just do your job well—don’t let me down."
After hanging up, Yi Zhengben consoled himself. It was just three clerks—they could always be demoted later.
But the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He had intended to use Nan Sheng, yet from yesterday till now, she had been leading him by the nose. It was infuriating.
As Nan Sheng hung up, she found three pairs of eager eyes fixed on her. "What are you staring at? From now on, when I’m on the phone, step out."
They nodded obediently, practically glowing with admiration. Chen Tian couldn’t contain his excitement. "Director, are we really getting promoted? All of us?"
"Obviously."
The calmer Nan Sheng sounded, the more their minds reeled. They finally understood the saying: When one rises to power, even their followers ascend to heaven.
Compared to Director Nan, Ou Yaosheng was nothing but a joke.
After work, as Nan Sheng stepped out, Liu Song was already waiting with dinner—four packed lunch boxes. His expression was uneasy, as if fearing rejection.
Nan Sheng arched a brow, took the boxes, and simply said, "Don’t make a habit of it."
Chen Tian and Deng Jun exchanged glances. The warning was for Liu Song—not them. Tomorrow, they’d bring something too.
As soon as Nan Sheng got home, Sizhe delivered some news. "Mom, the teacher said there’s a parent-teacher meeting tomorrow."
"How long will it take?"
"An hour or two. Do you have time?"
For some reason, even though his father was his biological parent and Nan Sheng his stepmother, Sizhe still hoped she would go. He had a feeling his dad wouldn’t be much help.
"Sure, I’ll go with you tomorrow."
The boy rarely asked for anything. A parent-teacher meeting was nothing—she wouldn’t disappoint him. "I’ll start cooking. Keep an eye on the rice—don’t let it burn."
Liu Song had gone all out—four meat dishes, each box packed to the brim. Even after stuffing themselves, the mother and children only finished half.
Rubbing her full stomach, Nan Sheng stood. "Put the rest by the kitchen window. I’m going to lie down."
Whenever she overate, her eyelids grew heavy. She didn’t know why.
When Lin Han returned, the dark living room told him his wife was already asleep—otherwise, she’d have left a light on for him.
Today, he had followed her advice and visited Division Commander Yao to share his struggles. The commander had eagerly shared his wisdom.
"Keep at it. Aim for that promotion!"
The morning had been enlightening. Lin Han decided to seek Division Commander Yao’s guidance more often—though when it came to regimental management, Commander Ye was the true authority.
When Lin Han mentioned he was there to learn, the commander chuckled and even offered him a cigarette, leaving Lin Han flustered.
"Take it. Soon enough, we’ll be equals. If you act this timid around other commanders, don’t tell anyone you were my soldier."
Though he said so, he didn’t hold back from imparting his experience to Lin Han, guiding him step by step on what to do now, how to quickly get up to speed with his work, and how to earn his superiors’ approval.
“You’ve got two troublemakers under your command—they’re infamous across the entire military district. Don’t go easy on them. Crush them outright—it’ll help you establish authority.”
As a regiment commander, combat prowess wasn’t the only thing the higher-ups valued; leadership skills couldn’t lag behind either. For Lin Han to win over his men, putting those troublemakers in their place was the fastest way to blend in.
Let his soldiers teach those brats a lesson they won’t forget!
