In today's society, university students are as common as dogs, and unemployment is rampant after graduation. Chen Feng is not a graduate of a prestigious university, making it even harder for him to find a satisfactory job.
Chen Feng's paternal uncle, Chen Tao, is a retired teacher from Mingshan Town Middle School in Yongming County, Jiangcheng City. One of his former students, Qin Yan, is now the second-in-command in Mingshan Town. Chen Tao personally invited Qin Yan to dinner and told her about his nephew, Chen Feng.
"Teacher, by rights, as a student, I have no reason to refuse your request. However, times are different now. I am truly powerless when it comes to personnel appointments and dismissals. Nowadays, all positions are filled through public examinations. Especially Mingshan Town, it is the wealthiest town under Yongming County and is only separated from the urban area by a river. Personnel matters are even more regulated. It's really impossible for me to help you get your nephew into the town. However, I can arrange for him to be a contract worker in the town."
"Then let Chen Feng be a contract worker for now," Chen Tao said smoothly.
"Teacher, what university did your nephew graduate from? Does he have any special skills?"
"He's just a regular undergraduate, and his major isn't very good. To be honest, if he had graduated from a prestigious university with a popular major, I wouldn't have to trouble you. However, this kid is quite smart. In his first year of university, he got his driver's license all at once. My intention is, do you need a driver?"
"Teacher, you've reminded me. I've just been transferred from a lower township to the town and I'm looking to change drivers. If your nephew drives well, let him drive for me."
"Qin Yan, thank you so much. It's Chen Feng's fortune to be able to join the town and drive for a leader." Chen Tao said with excitement, thanking Qin Yan.
The next day, Chen Feng arrived at the Mingshan Town Government early.
The Mingshan Town Government, located in the center of Mingshan Town, is a large complex of buildings, not much different from those in big cities.
Imposing buildings, magnificent and luxurious, with cars parked everywhere in the courtyard, all showcasing Mingshan Town as the most developed town in Yongming County.
"Kid, this is the town government. What are you doing lurking around?" the security guard at the main entrance sternly reprimanded Chen Feng.
"Brother, it's like this, Aunt Qin called me to come to work." Last night, his uncle had repeatedly instructed him to call Qin Yan "Aunt Qin" if anyone asked when he arrived at the town government.
"Aunt Qin?" The security guard looked at Chen Feng with confusion.
"You mean Deputy Town Mayor Qin Yan." Upon hearing Qin Yan's name, the security guard's attitude immediately did a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn.
"You must be Deputy Town Mayor Qin's new driver, right?"
"Yes, I just graduated from university, and Aunt Qin called me to come drive for her." Seeing that the security guard was no longer so stern, and was even smiling obsequiously, Chen Feng was no longer nervous.
"Young man, Deputy Town Mayor Qin hasn't started work yet. How about this, you come in and sit for a while, have a smoke, and Deputy Town Mayor Qin will be here soon." The security guard warmly took out a pack of Soft Zhonghua from his left pocket. This pack of Soft Zhonghua was specifically for entertaining important visitors in the security office. As for ordinary visitors, let alone Soft Zhonghua, they wouldn't even be offered a glass of water.
Just as he finished smoking a cigarette, a black Lingdu car drove into the town government compound. A moment later, a woman in her forties with a refined demeanor got out of the car. She was wearing a black business suit and a pair of shiny black leather women's low-heeled shoes, exuding competence.
The security guard quickly said to Chen Feng, "Look, this is our Deputy Town Mayor Qin." Chen Feng immediately stepped forward.
"Aunt Qin, I'm Chen Feng. My uncle asked me to come find you." Qin Yan was tall, and her two "balloons" were very impressive. Previously, from a distance and in her black business suit, they were not very noticeable. It was only up close that he realized Qin Yan's "balloons" were truly substantial, almost straining the shirt underneath, and she didn't look like a woman in her forties at all.
"Who is your uncle?"
"My uncle is Chen Tao, a retired teacher from Mingshan Middle School." Hearing this, Qin Yan immediately understood that this young man in front of her was the nephew her former teacher, Chen Tao, had mentioned yesterday. He was tall and handsome, with very spirited eyes, a sharp young man.
"Then come into my office." In the deputy town mayor's office, Qin Yan sat solemnly behind a large desk.
"There were too many people earlier, so it was inconvenient to say certain things. Since you're here to work, I need to remind you that this is a workplace, and you must call me Deputy Town Mayor Qin, understand?" Qin Yan's expression was solemn and authoritative, giving her an air of imposing dignity. Chen Feng, having just graduated from university, had never encountered such a situation and was immediately stunned.
"Understood, Deputy Town Mayor Qin." After a brief pause, Chen Feng quickly replied. Qin Yan saw that Chen Feng's attitude was good and didn't delve further. It was normal for a young person to be unfamiliar with the complexities of the workplace on their first entry.
Chen Feng glanced around the office and noticed an empty thermos cup on the desk. A clever idea struck him, and he picked up the thermos cup and rinsed it under the nearby water dispenser.
"Deputy Town Mayor Qin, shall I put some tea in?" Qin Yan was stunned for a moment, a look of satisfaction in her eyes. "Hmm, a thoughtful young man."
"The tea is in the can in the upper right compartment of the tea table." Following Qin Yan's direction, Chen Feng opened a can without a label and carefully took some tea leaves to put into the thermos. Chen Feng had a relative who sold tea, so he paid a little attention to the color, aroma, and taste of the tea and knew it was Guapian worth several thousand yuan per jin.
"Your uncle is my former teacher, so I won't beat around the bush. I've just been transferred to the town as deputy town mayor, and I certainly won't be keeping the previous driver. Since you're here, you'll do. However, let me be clear upfront, if I'm not satisfied during the probation period, I can dismiss you at any time." Qin Yan said to Chen Feng with a serious expression.
"Understood, Deputy Town Mayor Qin." Chen Feng quickly nodded. While Qin Yan was busy with documents, Chen Feng quickly tidied up the office and then quietly exited. Qin Yan was the second-in-command of the town, and it was better to say less in front of her.
Near the end of the workday, another second-in-command, Old Xiao, entered Qin Yan's office with a stern expression.
"Deputy Town Mayor Qin, why didn't you inform me before changing drivers?" Old Xiao asked impolitely, with a hint of resentment mixed in. It turned out that according to the previous rules, Old Xiao, who was in charge of economic affairs, was supposed to be the second-in-command. However, unexpectedly, Qin Yan, who was lower in rank, had stepped in and taken the position.
"Deputy Town Mayor Xiao, you and I are of equal rank. Do I need your consent to change a driver?" Qin Yan replied calmly. Her connections behind her were much stronger than Old Xiao's, so she didn't need to fear him.
"Deputy Town Mayor Qin, it's not about fear, it's about the depth of the situation. I have to remind you that Driver Xiao Wang has a familial relationship with the Town Mayor..."
"I know." Qin Yan replied calmly.
"Since you know, you still..."
"Deputy Town Mayor Xiao, since you've brought it up, I'll explain it briefly. When the leadership changes, the driver changes too; this is customary. Considering Xiao Wang's relationship with the Town Mayor, I've arranged for him to be the director of the agricultural technology station below. If you think this is irregular, you can report this matter to the Town Mayor." Qin Yan said calmly. Deputy Town Mayor Xiao was speechless, his eyes filled with surprise. He had never expected this woman to be more than just a pretty face. She handled matters flawlessly, both eliminating the influence of the previous deputy town mayor and without offending the Town Mayor.