Today was the first day since the Formal Appointment came through.
That morning, Dong Xuebin fussed with his suit in front of the mirror. He deliberately left home a little later than usual, dawdling his way to work by bus. Why leave late? Only now did Dong Xuebin understand why leaders of every rank in government offices timed their arrival precisely or showed up a few minutes late. It was a display of status. If you arrived earlier than the clerks, what kind of leader's bearing would you have? You wouldn't be able to show off your privilege.
In the Branch Bureau Courtyard.
"Morning, Director Dong."
"Director Dong."
Several clerks from other departments greeted him politely.
Dong Xuebin found it pleasant to hear and smiled as he nodded. "...Morning."
In the past, Dong Xuebin had always walked through the office briskly, hoping to leave his leaders and colleagues with the impression that he was proactive and energetic. But now, his pace was calm and unhurried. He wanted to leave others with an impression of steadiness. Different positions meant different considerations. Dong Xuebin was gradually getting a feel for being a leader. Not bad. Very good. Extremely good.
He walked straight into the Gray Building, turned a corner, and stepped through the door of the General Office.
The scraping of chair legs against the floor rang out one after another as Tan Limei, Zhuangzi, Chang Juan, Guo Panwei, and the others all rose to their feet.
Chang Juan, wearing somewhat heavy makeup, greeted him with a smile. "Director Dong, you're here?"
Tan Limei said somewhat stiffly, "Good morning, Director Dong."
Lao Yan and Zhuangzi also called him Director Dong.
After two days to adjust, Guo Panwei and Guo Shunjie had both accepted the fact that Dong Xuebin had risen to the