Recaps

As Dong Xuebin prepared to leave Fenzhou City after his promotion, nearly two thousand people he had rescued and their families gathered to thank him and see him off. He left the Municipal Party Committee Courtyard with the crowd walking behind his Land Rover for two kilometers before they finally dispersed.

• Dong Xuebin said goodbye to his colleagues and tried to drive out of the Municipal Party Committee Courtyard.
• A large crowd blocked the gate, alarming city officials until Dong Xuebin recognized many of the people he had rescued and learned they had come to see him off.
• An elderly woman thanked Dong Xuebin on behalf of the crowd, and the citizens praised him, thanked him, and wished him a safe journey.
• The crowd opened a path, but thousands followed Dong Xuebin's Land Rover as he drove away, continuing to see him off for two kilometers.
• Dong Xuebin thanked the citizens and felt that his past efforts and risks had been worthwhile.

Dong Xuebin explored Zhenshui County before taking up his new post and was struck by how poor and isolated it was. While eating breakfast, he unexpectedly recognized the stall owner’s daughter, Yao Cui, as his university classmate.

• Dong Xuebin drove into Zhenshui County and surveyed its rough roads, sparse traffic, and severe poverty.
• He parked his Land Rover in a residential complex to avoid drawing attention and walked to a breakfast stall.
• Dong Xuebin ordered milk and eggs, then learned from the owner, Boss Yao, that his daughter worked at the county government office.
• Yao Cui came out to help clean the stall, and she and Dong Xuebin recognized each other as university classmates.

Dong Xuebin reunited with his college classmate Yao Cui after being assigned to Zhenshui County, and she invited him to her home. They reminisced about college and discussed their work and lives, leaving Dong Xuebin welcomed by Yao Cui’s family as they caught up.

• Yao Cui recognized Dong Xuebin at her father’s breakfast stall and introduced him as her former college classmate.
• Yao Cui and her father invited Dong Xuebin to their home for lunch, where he met her younger brother, Yao Li.
• Yao Cui showed Dong Xuebin her home and explained that she had returned to the county after college to stay near her parents.
• Dong Xuebin and Yao Cui reminisced about eating Yu Xiang Rou Si together during college and discussed his long-term posting in Zhenshui County.
• Yao Cui described her low-level county government job, and Dong Xuebin told her he had married the year before last.

Dong Xuebin reunited with his college classmate Yao Cui and spent the day at her family’s home in Zhenshui County. After drinking and sleeping off the alcohol, he stayed for dinner and continued chatting with Yao Cui late into the night.

• Dong Xuebin brought local specialties from his car and gave them to Yao Cui’s parents before joining the family meal.
• Yao’s Father asked whether Dong Xuebin was married, and Yao’s Mother urged him to introduce an unmarried college classmate to Yao Cui.
• Dong Xuebin and Yao’s Father drank heavily, and Yao Cui helped the unsteady Dong Xuebin settle into her room to sleep.
• Dong Xuebin woke after eight in the evening and ate reheated food with Yao Cui, reminiscing about their college classmates.
• Yao Cui invited Dong Xuebin to stay at her home, and they chatted beneath the same quilt before she offered to show him photos of Ru Hua.

Dong Xuebin and Yao Cui reminisced about college and made a bet that she would be promoted within a week. After they accidentally fell asleep together, they hid where Dong Xuebin had spent the night from Yao Cui’s family, then prepared to spend the day together in Zhenshui County.

• Dong Xuebin and Yao Cui discussed former classmates and Yao Cui’s stalled career in the county government office.
• Dong Xuebin bet that Yao Cui would be promoted within a week, and she agreed to treat him if he was right.
• Dong Xuebin and Yao Cui chatted late into the night and accidentally fell asleep in opposite directions on her bed.
• Dong Xuebin woke to find his foot against Yao Cui’s stocking-clad thigh, and both of them awkwardly got up.
• Yao Li came to call them for breakfast, so Yao Cui told him Dong Xuebin was still asleep in his room.
• Dong Xuebin messed up Yao Li’s blanket to support their cover story, then washed up beside Yao Cui.

Dong Xuebin arrived in impoverished Zhenshui County to take up his new post as a deputy county chief and resolved to establish himself through his work. He was welcomed by County Chief Jiang Fangfang as the county prepared to announce his appointment.

• Meng Yiguang warned Dong Xuebin that Zhenshui County was poor and short of resources, while Dong said he liked its honest, simple people and planned to make a name for himself within half a year.
• Meng Yiguang and Dong Xuebin arrived at the dilapidated County Party Committee compound, where local cadres gathered to welcome them.
• The cadres were surprised by Dong Xuebin's youth and knew little about the achievements listed in his file.
• Jiang Fangfang arrived, welcomed Dong Xuebin, and explained that Secretary Meng was away seeking provincial funding.
• Meng Yiguang led the county leaders and Dong Xuebin to the Conference Room to announce Dong's appointment.

Dong Xuebin began his work as Zhenshui County’s executive deputy county chief and met County Chief Jiang Fangfang, who discussed his investment work and delayed other assignments until Secretary Meng returned. Ma Bin showed Dong his office and residence arrangements, while Dong remained curious about Jiang’s unusual first look and wondered why Yao Cui had been absent.

• After welcoming Dong Xuebin, Meng Yiguang left the county compound, and Jiang Fangfang invited Dong to her office for a meeting.
• Jiang Fangfang learned that Dong had worked in investment promotion and assigned him to take charge of attracting investment, postponing other work assignments until Secretary Meng returned.
• Ma Bin introduced himself as director of the County Government Office and escorted Dong Xuebin to his office.
• Ma Bin gave Dong the Family Compound Key and explained that the county had too few official cars for him to have one readily available.
• Dong Xuebin wondered why Jiang Fangfang had stared at him when they first met and noted that he still had not seen Yao Cui.

Dong Xuebin settled into his rundown apartment and recognized that his Executive Deputy County Chief appointment gave him a rare chance to advance his career. After County Chief Jiang Fangfang unusually lent him her car to retrieve his luggage, he visited his sick classmate Yao Cui, whose leader called during dinner.

• Dong Xuebin inspected his apartment and reflected that the harsh conditions in Zhenshui County made his promotion an important opportunity.
• Jiang Fangfang found Dong Xuebin waiting for a bus and directed her driver, Lao Wang, to take him to retrieve his luggage.
• Lao Wang told Dong Xuebin that Jiang Fangfang had never lent her car to anyone before, leaving Dong puzzled by her special treatment.
• Dong Xuebin collected his suitcases and went to visit Yao Cui, who was home sick with a cold.
• Yao Cui's phone rang during dinner, and she recognized the caller as her leader, Director Ma Bin.

Yao Cui refused Ma Bin’s dinner invitation because she was sick, and Dong Xuebin also declined Ma Bin’s call to join the meal. Angry that both had rebuffed him, Ma Bin set off with Section Chief Cai to confront Yao Cui at home.

• Ma Bin summoned Yao Cui to dinner with visiting officials, but her family urged her to stay home because she was ill and they feared Ma Bin’s behavior.
• Yao Cui called Section Chief Cai to report that she could not attend, and Section Chief Cai scolded her before agreeing to inform Ma Bin.
• Dong Xuebin told Yao Cui she would be promoted soon, then declined Ma Bin’s invitation and directed him to discuss work with other county officials.
• Ma Bin learned that Yao Cui had stayed home and became furious, then walked with Section Chief Cai toward her house to bring her to dinner.

Dong Xuebin shared dinner with Yao Cui and her family, then saw Director Ma arrive to force Yao Cui to attend a work dinner despite her illness. After Ma Bin recognized Dong Xuebin, he abruptly backed down and left, while Yao Cui remained puzzled and worried about the consequences at work.

• Yao Cui's parents asked Dong Xuebin to help Yao Li find a job, and Dong Xuebin agreed to ask around.
• Ma Bin and Section Chief Cai arrived at the Yao family home and ordered the sick Yao Cui to accompany them to a dinner.
• Dong Xuebin silently made his presence known, and Ma Bin recognized him as County Chief Dong and became visibly frightened.
• Ma Bin changed his tone, told Yao Cui to rest, and hurried away with Section Chief Cai.
• Yao Cui and her parents wondered whether Ma Bin would retaliate at work, but Dong Xuebin assured them he would not.

Ma Bin discovered that Yao Cui and County Chief Dong were university classmates and worried about repairing the offense he had caused. After dinner, Dong Xuebin walked Yao Cui toward the bus stop and encouraged her to believe she might still be promoted.

• Ma Bin realized that the guest dining at Yao Cui's home was County Chief Dong and asked Section Chief Cai to investigate Yao Cui's background.
• Section Chief Cai found that Yao Cui and Dong Xuebin had attended United University in the same class year, and Ma Bin considered how to make amends.
• Dong Xuebin offered to leave alone because Yao Cui had a cold, but she changed clothes and insisted on seeing him off.
• On the way to the bus stop, Yao Cui said she hoped to become deputy director of the county government office but doubted she would be promoted.
• Dong Xuebin told Yao Cui that her prospects might be better than she thought.

On his first official day in Zhenshui County, Dong Xuebin reviewed local materials and selected his former university classmate Yao Cui to serve as his secretary. He left Ma Bin to complete her appointment procedures.

• Dong Xuebin arrived early at the County Government Office and studied documents to learn about Zhenshui County.
• Ma Bin visited Dong Xuebin and offered help with his housing, but Dong Xuebin kept their strained relationship at a distance.
• Ma Bin presented résumés of deputy directors as possible secretaries, and Dong Xuebin asked to review the files of other staff as well.
• Dong Xuebin chose Yao Cui, and Section Chief Cai and Ma Bin praised her work and qualifications.
• Dong Xuebin explained that Yao Cui was his former university classmate, then told Ma Bin to begin the appointment procedures.

Yao Cui arrived late to work after taking cold medicine and was ordered to handle routine chores, but Section Chief Cai abruptly began treating her with great respect. Ma Bin then hinted that Yao Cui would soon be promoted, leaving her and the Secretarial Section stunned.

• Yao Cui arrived late and was reprimanded by Deputy Section Chief Chen before being assigned printing, typing, and water-fetching tasks.
• Xiao Hong offered to help Yao Cui, while Yao Cui kept her head down because she was worried about having offended Ma Bin and Section Chief Cai the day before.
• Section Chief Cai stopped Lao Wang from making Yao Cui fetch water, scolded him, and affectionately took Yao Cui to her office.
• Ma Bin arrived looking for Yao Cui, asked after her health, and told her that she might be moving up soon.
• Yao Cui asked where she would be transferred, but Ma Bin said she would find out that afternoon.

Yao Cui remained unaware of her rumored promotion as leaders across the County Government Office treated her with unusual deference. By the end of the morning, her colleagues were convinced her transfer would be significant, though its destination remained unknown.

• After Ma Bin and Section Chief Cai treated Yao Cui warmly, Xiao Hong and other colleagues questioned her about the apparent promotion, but she said she knew nothing.
• Lao Wang apologized to Yao Cui, and Deputy Section Chief Chen investigated with Section Chief Cai before returning and ordering Little Li to take over Yao Cui's work so she could rest.
• Deputy County Chief Lu stopped to greet Yao Cui kindly, surprising the Secretarial Section staff.
• A leader from the Poverty Alleviation Office shook Yao Cui's hand and invited her to a meal, further convincing her colleagues that her promotion would be substantial.

Yao Cui learned that she had been promoted to Deputy Director of the county government office and chosen as secretary to the executive deputy county chief, though she did not know why he had selected her. She told her family the news and planned to meet the leader, while her father eagerly prepared for a possible dinner with him.

• The Secretarial Section staff treated Yao Cui with unusual deference, and the County Party Committee Organization Department assessed her and confirmed her transfer.
• Yao Cui learned she had been named Deputy Director of the county government office and personally selected as the executive deputy county chief's secretary.
• Xiao Hong urged Yao Cui to meet the executive deputy county chief before the appointment document arrived, and Yao Cui agreed to go back to the office.
• Yao Cui called Yao's Father and told him about her promotion, while admitting she had never met the executive deputy county chief.
• Yao's Father shared the news with Yao's Mother and Yao Li, then urged them to prepare dinner in case a County Leader visited.

Yao Cui went to meet the new executive deputy county chief and discovered that the official who had promoted her was her old college classmate, Dong Xuebin. They reconciled over his keeping the news from her, and Yao Cui agreed to help him settle into his new role and invited him to dinner.

• Yao Cui climbed to the County Leaders' offices after colleagues congratulated her on becoming the executive deputy county chief's secretary.
• Dong Xuebin ended a phone call with his mother when Yao Cui knocked on his office door.
• Yao Cui entered the Executive Deputy County Chief's Office and was shocked to find Dong Xuebin behind the desk.
• Dong Xuebin admitted he was the new executive deputy county chief and had chosen Yao Cui as his secretary.
• Yao Cui teased Dong Xuebin for hiding his position and promotion plans, then agreed to help him with his work.
• Yao Cui invited Dong Xuebin to her home for dinner that evening, and they joked together as old classmates.

Dong Xuebin publicly showed his closeness to Yao Cui, then accompanied her to her family’s home after her transfer was settled. Her parents and Yao Li were stunned to learn that Dong Xuebin was the executive deputy county chief who had helped secure her promotion.

• Dong Xuebin waited outside the Office Building and left with Yao Cui so officials would know they were old classmates.
• Yao Cui rode her bicycle while Dong Xuebin sat on the back seat, and they traveled to her family’s Small Courtyard.
• Yao Cui told her anxious parents that her transfer had been settled, then introduced Dong Xuebin as Zhenshui County’s executive deputy county chief.
• Yao Cui’s parents and Yao Li were shocked, and Yao’s Mother and Yao’s Father hurried to offer County Chief Dong tea and hospitality.

Dong Xuebin shared dinner with Yao Cui and her family, who thanked him for promoting her and discussed how she could succeed as his secretary. Afterward, Yao Cui’s parents urged her to use her new position to find her younger brother a job.

• Dong Xuebin eased Yao Cui’s parents’ nervousness, then toasted with them and thanked Yao Cui for agreeing to help him.
• Yao Cui asked Dong Xuebin how he had risen so quickly, and he promised to explain when he had more time.
• After Dong Xuebin left, Yao Cui’s family praised his career and urged her to perform well as his secretary.
• Yao’s Mother asked Yao Cui to find Yao Li a job, and Yao’s Father suggested placing him in a state-owned enterprise.

After Yao Cui's parents urged her to use her new position to help Yao Li find work, officials and local business representatives arrived at the Yao family home to apologize for past fines and offer favors. Yao Li accepted a supervisor position at the county Printing Factory, while a stream of visitors sought to connect with Yao Cui, leaving her parents astonished by her influence as County Chief Dong's secretary.

• Yao Cui resisted her parents' request to arrange a job for Yao Li, saying she was unsure she could help and felt embarrassed to ask.
• A representative from the County Industry and Commerce Bureau returned the family's old fines and promised to deliver their breakfast stall's approved business license.
• Deputy Director Zhang returned a health inspection fine and apologized for the Health Bureau's conduct toward the Yao family's stall.
• The county Printing Factory's personnel manager offered Yao Li a supervisor position with good benefits, and Yao Cui agreed that he should take it.
• Yao's Father and Yao's Mother watched county officials and other visitors arrive to seek favors and connections with Yao Cui.

Yao Cui’s family endured a flood of visitors eager to congratulate her on her promotion and curry favor, while her father celebrated the family’s new standing and Yao Li’s job prospects. Yao Cui escaped the crowded courtyard by saying she had to visit County Chief Dong.

• Yao Cui massaged her mother’s waist and insisted that her new position would not change how she treated her parents.
• Yao’s Father said County Chief Dong’s connections had helped Yao Li secure a supervisor position, and Yao Li thanked Yao Cui.
• Yao’s parents discussed Yao Cui’s future and agreed she could make her own decisions about work and marriage.
• Yao Cui’s uncle and aunt arrived and praised her promotion, while her aunt described what she thought a leader’s secretary did.
• Relatives and neighbors crowded into the courtyard with congratulations, gifts, and matchmaking suggestions.
• Yao Cui claimed she needed to visit County Chief Dong and left the courtyard to escape the crowd.

Dong Xuebin welcomed his secretary and old classmate Yao Cui to his apartment, where she joked with him and insisted on handling household chores as part of her duties. The chapter left them sharing a comfortable friendship as Yao Cui organized his belongings and Dong Xuebin felt touched by her care.

• Yao Cui called Dong Xuebin and said she was escaping a stream of visitors who had come to her home after her appointment as secretary.
• Yao Cui arrived at Dong Xuebin’s apartment and joked with him about their friendship and her new role as his secretary.
• Yao Cui made tea, swept Dong Xuebin’s bedroom, and tidied his bedding despite his protests.
• Yao Cui unpacked Dong Xuebin’s suitcase and neatly arranged his clothes, socks, and underwear, insisting that caring for his daily life was part of her work.

Dong Xuebin asked his new secretary, Yao Cui, to explain Zhenshui County’s finances and leadership. He learned the county faced severe debt and funding shortages, while County Chief Jiang Fangfang had become detached after her husband’s death, leaving Secretary Meng with most of the influence.

• Dong Xuebin found Yao Cui cleaning his office and received notice of a County Chief Office Meeting.
• Yao Cui explained that Zhenshui County relied on annual appropriations and borrowing to cover debts, leaving little money for development.
• Yao Cui described the county’s weak agriculture and small-scale animal husbandry, which offered little prospect for growth.
• Dong Xuebin asked why County Chief Jiang Fangfang seemed indifferent, and Yao Cui revealed that Jiang’s husband had died several years earlier.
• Yao Cui said Secretary Meng effectively called the shots because Jiang seemed detached and many County Party Committee Standing Committee Members sided with Meng.

Dong Xuebin heard from Yao Cui that Secretary Meng dominated Zhenshui County while County Chief Jiang Fangfang had little support, so he decided to postpone choosing a side. He attended his first county government meeting and watched Jiang Fangfang take her place to begin.

• Yao Cui told Dong Xuebin that Secretary Meng controlled most of the county leadership and advised him to join Meng's camp, but Dong chose to wait and observe.
• Dong Xuebin asked Yao Cui to turn down dinner invitations on his behalf while he delayed choosing a faction.
• Dong Xuebin arrived early at the county government meeting, noticed the room's smoky atmosphere, and introduced himself to Ci Boyang, Lu Zhi, and other officials.
• Jiang Fangfang entered the conference room, and the officials stopped smoking and took their seats as she opened the meeting.

Dong Xuebin attended his first County Chief Office Meeting, where Jiang Fangfang assigned him personnel, finance, office affairs, and Investment Promotion Work. After the meeting, he approached Ci Boyang politely about the transferred portfolio and began reconsidering Jiang Fangfang’s political strategy.

• Jiang Fangfang introduced Dong Xuebin and assigned him the former executive deputy county chief’s responsibilities, along with Investment Promotion Work previously handled by Ci Boyang.
• Ci Boyang accepted the transfer without openly objecting, and the other deputy county chiefs stayed silent.
• Dong Xuebin kept his remarks cautious during the meeting and planned to observe the county’s political situation before taking a side.
• After the meeting, Dong Xuebin offered to learn about Investment Promotion from Ci Boyang, who agreed to visit his office instead.
• Back in his office, Dong Xuebin concluded that Jiang Fangfang’s reassignment was a calculated move amid Secretary Meng’s growing influence.

Dong Xuebin reflected on choosing a political camp and proving himself, then struggled to find dinner in Zhenshui County. The chapter left him stunned when County Chief Jiang Fangfang brought groceries to his home and began cooking for him.

• Dong Xuebin considered how to win local leadership’s recognition and earn a promotion, but decided not to rush into choosing a side or producing results.
• Yao Cui invited Dong Xuebin to eat at her home and offered to cook for him, but he declined and went searching for a restaurant.
• Dong Xuebin found the nearby restaurants unappealing and returned to the Family Compound without having eaten.
• Dong Xuebin ran into Jiang Fangfang taking out the garbage, and they walked upstairs together while discussing his difficulty finding food.
• Jiang Fangfang returned with groceries, entered Dong Xuebin’s apartment, and began washing vegetables to cook dinner for them.