At Penglai Restaurant, Jiang Xinting, Deputy Director of the Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, was also having dinner with Han Qiuyan, Dong Hongyun, Gao Jun, and others who had taken the civil service exam in the same intake.
"Why isn't Yifan here?" asked Han Qiuyan, who had transferred to the municipal National Development and Reform Commission and become chief of the Economic Affairs Section, sounding a little surprised.
Zheng Yifan had attended every one of their recent gatherings. He had never put on airs as a leader simply because his rank was higher than theirs, and they had all gotten along very well over the years.
"Today's a little different. Secretary Zhou invited Mayor Yan, Secretary Lei, and County Magistrate Zhang to dinner, and our Secretary-General Zheng was called over to join them," Jiang Xinting replied with a smile.
"Then why didn't you..." Han Qiuyan was quick to speak her mind, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized they were inappropriate. Even though she and Jiang Xinting were close and talked about everything, their other classmates were present, so this was hardly the right place to discuss it.
"They're all leaders at that table, discussing major economic development plans. Why would a small fry like me go and get in the way? Besides, Secretary Zhou said he'd make time in a few days to treat everyone to a casual meal," Jiang Xinting explained without any hesitation.
Her words revealed two important pieces of information. First, Secretary Zhou had invited her to this dinner too; she had simply decided it would be awkward and declined. Second, Secretary Zhou had not forgotten his fellow civil service recruits and intended to treat them all to dinner.
Those two pieces of information also indirectly made something else clear: