One day...
Two days...
Three days...
In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed.
The New Year was approaching, and the office was filled with festive cheer. Banners and red decorations hung everywhere, with the spirit of the holiday permeating every corner.
In the compound.
"I heard we're off tomorrow?"
"Off? Isn't that a little early?"
"We are. It seems we're getting out earlier this year. I heard about it too."
"No need to hear about it. We're off this afternoon, and we come back on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year."
"Oh, that's great. We can finally get a solid ten days of rest."
"Though every department will definitely have to leave someone behind. It's not like everyone gets time off."
Dong Xuebin walked nearby, listening to the discussion without much surprise. He had learned about this a few days ago. Back when he worked at the grassroots level, the office was usually at its busiest as the year drew to a close. Not only did people have to prepare to go home for the New Year, but many matters also needed urgent handling and could not be delayed until after the holiday. Arrangements for the days off had to be made in advance, year-end summaries had to be completed, reports had to be written, gifts had to be given and received—it was an absolute headache. But the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was different, especially after this year's reforms. The departments had been streamlined, matters were handled much faster, and efficiency had clearly improved. Moreover, important cases and investigations generally were not conducted during the New Year period, which was why most departments were being given leave early. Only a small number of people from a few departments still had to hold