As Chen Feng had predicted, the moment Qin Yan returned to Mingshan Town, she immediately informed the town mayor about assigning Chen Feng to oversee the Kairui Garment Company project. To her surprise, the mayor directly refused.
The reason given was that the provincial Kairui Garment project was a significant investment in Mingshan Town, and it was inappropriate to have a driver in charge. At the very least, a deputy mayor should lead the project. As Deputy Mayor Xiao was available, he was assigned to take charge.
Qin Yan was very angry. She had secured this major investment single-handedly. Now, Deputy Mayor Xiao would reap some benefits without any effort.
"Mayor, while what you say makes sense, it is indeed inappropriate for Chen Feng, as a driver, to manage the Kairui Garment project. However, Chen Feng accompanied me to the provincial trade fair and played a crucial role in securing this significant investment..."
Qin Yan explained softly.
She was currently facing the mayor and could not afford to be arrogant.
"Since you say Chen Feng played a role, that's easy. We can grant him an exceptional pay raise of one grade."
The mayor said impassively.
"That's acceptable, but I feel the Kairui Garment Company project is quite substantial. Deputy Mayor Xiao is in charge of environmental protection, and the country is currently placing great emphasis on this aspect. Deputy Mayor Xiao is very busy every day. Perhaps it would be better to have one of the other deputy mayors handle this matter."
Qin Yan said with a serious expression.
"Little Qin, it's commendable that you consider your colleagues and broaden your perspective. Inters-collegial relations should be characterized by less contention and more mutual understanding, fostering harmony within the department. However, you don't need to overthink it. Kairui Garment Company primarily produces sportswear, and sportswear projects often involve environmental considerations. Deputy Mayor Xiao is a local of Mingshan Town and is quite suitable to be in charge of this matter."
Mayor Wang Delai deliberately emphasized the words "quite suitable."
These three words effectively silenced Qin Yan.
Qin Yan could only force a smile and agree.
Internally, she couldn't help but curse him as a complete old fox.
His intention in doing this was not to consider Deputy Mayor Xiao's suitability, but to use Deputy Mayor Xiao to counterbalance her.
"Chen Feng, you no longer need to follow up on the Kairui Garment Company matter."
Upon returning to her office, Qin Yan immediately summoned Chen Feng.
"Alright, Deputy Mayor Qin."
Although Chen Feng was very disappointed, he forced a smile and maintained his composure.
He was just a driver, and he hadn't even formally entered the political arena; he was at the very bottom of the bottom. In political matters, regardless of their significance, one could only accept.
"Aren't you going to ask why I've gone back on my word?"
Qin Yan was quite surprised.
She had expected Chen Feng to be indignant, but instead, he was so calm.
"Deputy Mayor Qin, I've already heard that Deputy Mayor Xiao is behind this. The mayor, in order to balance your influence, naturally sided with Deputy Mayor Xiao. In this world, one cannot always control their circumstances; there's no such thing as going back on one's word."
Chen Feng explained briefly.
"How did you get the news so quickly?"
Qin Yan was taken aback.
She had just left Wang Delai's office, and Chen Feng already knew?
"By deduction."
Chen Feng replied humbly.
"By deduction?"
"Yes, Deputy Mayor Qin, it was deduced. I figured that in Mingshan Town, only Deputy Mayor Xiao would secretly try to undermine you..."
Chen Feng explained with a serious expression.
"Your deductive ability is very strong, and you're quite close to the truth. However, don't be disheartened. Even without the Kairui Garment project, I will still arrange for you to join that research and study group."
Qin Yan stated with conviction.
"Then thank you, Deputy Mayor Qin."
Chen Feng immediately expressed his gratitude.
Qin Yan and Deputy Mayor Xiao were sworn enemies and constantly at odds. With Qin Yan's backing, he wasn't afraid of Deputy Mayor Xiao making small moves.
As it turned out, Chen Feng's assumption was correct.
The next morning, as soon as Chen Feng arrived at the office and before he could even take a sip of water, several town leaders' drivers simultaneously demanded that Chen Feng treat them.
"Treat you?"
Chen Feng was bewildered.
"Yes, treat us. You have such big happy news today, it's only right to treat us."
The drivers explained excitedly.
"What? I have big happy news? How is that possible? I've been driving for Deputy Mayor Qin these past few days, and I haven't done anything significant. How could there be big happy news?"
Seeing that Chen Feng couldn't guess, the drivers didn't waste any more words and simply explained the situation.
It turned out that Qin Yan had stayed up all night to secure another small investment project, and this small project would be managed by Chen Feng.
Upon hearing this, Chen Feng instantly understood what was happening.
"Deputy Mayor Qin, thank you."
"Please don't mention thanks. If you truly want to express gratitude, thank yourself. If you hadn't helped me secure the provincial trade fair, I wouldn't have specifically negotiated another small project for you. Although this small project isn't very large, if you manage it well, no one can stop you from growing stronger."
"Deputy Mayor Qin, honestly, you really don't need to be so polite. I am your driver, and it's my duty to assist you."
Chen Feng replied humbly.
"Chen Feng, you're a smart person and should understand that if you lacked the capability and my work was unsatisfactory, I wouldn't have gone out of my way to find a small investment project for you."
Chen Feng immediately understood and nodded in agreement.
"Alright, the Kairui Garment Company project is considered concluded for now. There's no need to dwell on it anymore. Your task is to manage the small project I've assigned you well, and I haven't forgotten about the research and study group."
Qin Yan deliberately emphasized the words "research and study group."
"Deputy Mayor Qin, thank you for considering me so much. The small project isn't a major issue. What I'm worried about now is the Kairui Garment project..."
Chen Feng said, pausing mid-sentence.
Although Qin Yan had already stated that Deputy Mayor Xiao was handling the Kairui Garment project and it was unnecessary to mention it again, the Kairui Garment project was now facing a significant problem that Deputy Mayor Xiao's capabilities were unlikely to solve. Therefore, it was essential to remind Qin Yan.
The biggest beneficiary of the Kairui Garment Company project was not Deputy Mayor Xiao, but Qin Yan!
"Chen Feng, you're not in charge of the Kairui Garment project, so why are you still so concerned?"
Qin Yan asked with interest.
"Deputy Mayor Qin, I am indeed not responsible for the Kairui Garment project. However, this project was secured through your efforts in investment promotion. If it fails, it will reflect poorly on you. Therefore, even though Deputy Mayor Xiao is currently managing it, I still need to remind you."
Chen Feng said with a serious expression.
Qin Yan was momentarily stunned.
While Deputy Mayor Xiao couldn't compare to her, as the deputy mayor in charge of the economy, he was still significantly more capable than Chen Feng.
If Deputy Mayor Xiao hadn't discovered any issues with the Kairui Garment project, how could Chen Feng have found them?
"Tell me, what are the specific difficulties with the Kairui Garment Company investment project?"
"Deputy Mayor Qin, it's like this, the land for the Kairui Garment project is not legally compliant. If construction proceeds forcefully, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Chen Feng explained with a serious expression.
"Chen Feng, I was specifically in charge of the production land for the Kairui Garment project, how could it be non-compliant?"
Qin Yan asked with a look of confusion.
Chen Feng was getting a little too carried away. It was one thing to question Deputy Mayor Xiao's capabilities, but now he was questioning hers.
Who was she? She was a renowned economic expert in Yongming County, and her economic operations rarely faltered. Even when they did, it was with complex, large-scale projects.
The Kairui Garment project was not a complex, large-scale project; how could it have gone wrong?