"Good morning, Director Nan!"
"Good morning, Director Nan!"
"Good morning, Director Nan!"
The chorus of greetings made Nan Sheng's head spin. She immediately ordered all the windows opened—the room was stifling.
"Everyone, take your seats first. The canteen prepared steamed buns today. At eleven, someone will escort you there for lunch. But everyone must return by 11:30 for the meeting. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Thank you, Director!"
Nan Sheng thought, What’s there to thank? I’m not about to starve myself for a meeting. She’d already instructed the kitchen staff the day before—steamed buns were quick to make and eat.
Deng Jun approached as Nan Sheng settled into her office chair, handing her a list he’d prepared.
"Director, here’s the attendance roster for today’s meeting."
"Don’t give it to me yet. Have everyone check off their names first. Bring it back at eleven. Latecomers won’t be admitted."
Deng Jun promptly circulated the list for signatures. These days, he didn’t flinch around lower-ranking officials—not when his boss outranked them all.
Liu Song leaned in and whispered, "Director, Director Lei Shiming is older, and biking here might take him longer. His town is the farthest from Sanwei. He might not make it by eleven."
Nan Sheng nodded. She wasn’t unreasonable—special cases warranted flexibility. "Mark his name for me."
Lei Shiming arrived just before eleven, sweating profusely. He hurried into the conference room and apologized.
"My apologies, Director Nan. I’m late."
Nan Sheng glanced at her wristwatch—10:55. "You’re not late. Take a seat and rest. Grab something to eat in the canteen later."
Lei Shiming wiped his brow. He’d pegged Nan Sheng as tough to deal with during past meetings. Now that she was his superior, caution was non-negotiable. He’d pedaled like his life depended on it—thankfully, he’d made it.
At eleven sharp, Chen Tian led the group to the canteen while Deng Jun submitted the list.
"Director, only Director Yi and Director Pan are missing."
Nan Sheng shot Liu Song a look. He shook his head—no valid excuses for those two.
"Alright, let’s eat. Lock the office—no need for anyone to stay behind."
In the canteen, steaming buns fresh from the stove awaited them. The rest of the government staff hadn’t arrived yet—it wasn’t officially lunchtime.
The buns were vegetarian, with thick wrappers and generous fillings. But Nan Sheng preferred meat-stuffed ones. She took just one bun and a bowl of congee, finishing quickly.
After eating, she dropped by Secretary Cai’s office.
"It’s been a while since we’ve had this much buzz here," Secretary Cai remarked with a smile.
Nan Sheng lingered for tea, leaving only at 11:30—heavyweights always made their entrance last.
As she stepped out, a commotion erupted in the hallway.
"You’re just a lowly clerk! How dare you block me? I’m a committee director!"
Such arrogance. But Deng Jun wasn’t easily intimidated.
"I may outrank you, but I answer to Director Nan. Her orders are clear: no latecomers allowed. Please leave, Directors. Don’t make this harder for a 'lowly clerk' like me."
Director Pan regretted listening to Director Yi’s advice to arrive late. Why’s he picking a fight now? Just get inside first!
He hurriedly mediated. "Comrade Deng, my town had an emergency this morning. Please ask Director Nan for leniency—just this once. It won’t happen again."
Director Yi’s face darkened. "Why beg this lackey? Back when Director Ou was here, he wasn’t even fit to be a dog."
Ordinarily, Deng Jun would’ve been furious. But with a promotion to clerk on the horizon, he stayed calm—and his retort cut deeper.
"You’re right. I wasn’t fit to be Director Ou’s dog. But thankfully, Director Nan doesn’t share his standards. From now on, I’ll be her loyal hound—biting whoever she points at!"
So what if I’m a dog? Plenty would kill for the role.
Director Yi was stunned by Deng Jun’s shamelessness. "You’ve got no dignity!"
Nan Sheng’s lips twitched. What kind of absurd trash talk is this?
When she got closer, she recognized the latecomers—these two had attacked her verbally at a county meeting before. Pathetic. A whole group couldn’t even take me down.
Director Pan spotted her first and abandoned his ally. Survival came first.
"Director Nan, villagers filed a complaint as I was leaving. It delayed me. Please forgive me—just this once. I swear it won’t happen again."
Nan Sheng studied him, amused. This one switches sides fast. Maybe I’ll keep him around for fun.
"Last warning. Deng Jun, let him in. As for this one—what’s his name again?"
Director Yi seethed at the disrespect. Deng Jun obliged.
"Director, this is Director Yi from Cuihu Town."
"Yi?" Nan Sheng raised a brow. "Related to Yi Zhengben, the city inspector?"
Director Yi hesitated before shaking his head. Lying risked his career if Nan Sheng verified it.
"No relation."
"Pity." Nan Sheng sighed. If they were family, I’d love to see his face when I crush Director Yi.
"Director Nan, I admit I’m late, but locking me out? Director Ou would’ve shown more consideration!"
He bit back the last words—unlike your petty self.
"If Director Ou was so great, why didn’t you transfer with him?" Nan Sheng countered lightly.
Director Yi choked. Who’d want to follow Ou to that backwater?
With the meeting looming, Nan Sheng dropped the levity.
"Director Yi, as a committee director, have you studied leadership principles and the Red Book? How dare you demean a comrade by calling him a dog? This is deranged! I question your fitness for duty.
"Effective immediately, you’re suspended pending investigation. Until then, Cuihu Town’s committee work will be reassigned."
She strode into the office, leaving Director Yi speechless. By the time he recovered, Deng Jun and security had already dragged him away.
Well, now he’s stuck—enjoy the interrogation room.
