Chapter 2272 - 2272

Liu Zhizhong nodded, fully aware in his heart, and said, "Thank you, Director Yang, for the reminder and guidance. I understand."

Yang Yan nodded silently, exuding the cold authority of a female leader, a demeanor that was self-evident.

Although the Meteorological Bureau was a quiet office, it was still a Standard Level unit. Yang Yan was a powerful deputy director here, in charge of administration, and her authoritative stance was natural.

Liu Zhizhong had no negative impression of her, nor any particularly positive one either.

He merely felt that this sophisticated and quite beautiful female deputy director, reaching this position at her age, must have other reasons.

As for what those reasons were, he didn't bother to guess, but they were probably no different from the usual ones.

Liu Zhizhong came here knowing exactly what he needed to do, having discussed it clearly with his teacher, Zhang Qidong.

This was a quiet office, and as the deputy director in charge of office logistics support, Liu Zhizhong's tasks seemed fairly heavy.

The specialized work needed learning.

Fortunately, he was intelligent and could learn quickly.

As for interpersonal relationships, Liu Zhizhong was gradually adapting and managing them smoothly.

He certainly knew that the quieter the office, the more relatives and friends sneaked in to idle away time and collect salaries. Expecting them to get real work done was out of the question!

In other, more high-profile offices, it was a bit tougher for relatives and friends to slip in and kill time. High-profile places also attracted more attention, making it harder to idle away. But still, some managed to relax in low-key positions within the prominent offices.

Liu Zhizhong understood well that in a Meteorological Bureau where connections accounted for sixty to seventy percent, dealing poorly with these relations, any discontent could bring trouble.

Luckily, Liu Zhizhong was mature and composed, so handling relationships presented no flaws anyone could pick on.

Professionally, he made constant progress; in social terms, he became increasingly familiar; a political genius, indeed a genius, making life gradually smooth and effortless.

As days passed, he mastered the core business of the Meteorological Bureau; socially, he got along very well.

Naturally, Liu Zhizhong understood, despite the Meteorological Bureau being a quiet office, darkness still abounded within.

The meteorological field annually received substantial state funds, enough for indulgence and corruption. Several directors and other middle-level cadres still managed to get some money, not a small amount either.

Honestly, the annual overhaul of meteorological supplies was enough for these leaders to make several fortunes, hahaha…

Regarding these gray areas of income, Liu Zhizhong neither meddled nor tainted himself, showing substantial individualism.

To put it bluntly, it's just not going with the flow. He did his job, took his salary and benefits, and that sufficed.

Looking at it this way, his lack of greed indeed made him a bit of an outlier, didn't it?

Yes, he was an outlier!

In the administrative officialdom, being an outlier was a major taboo!

Everyone took bribes, exchanged gifts, all embezzled a bit, but you stood aloof, uncorrupted? Who would play with you? Who would include you?

With Liu Zhizhong's behavior, everyone assumed, although competent, with no family connections, he probably wouldn't make much of himself? If he went on like this, he might only retire at a Standard Level or a Deputy Department Level.

Of course, there were no impenetrable walls in officialdom. Liu Zhizhong's past, how he became a vegetable, how he retained his position as a selection student in the City Organization Department was no secret.

Though everyone knew Deputy Mayor Zhang Qidong protected Liu Zhizhong, they did not regard him highly overall.

After all, although Zhang Qidong was Liu Zhizhong's teacher, he didn't offer strong support, even letting Liu Zhizhong work in such a low-key unit, so perhaps the teacher-student relationship was just that?

Not to mention Liu Zhizhong being jilted by Zhang Xiaoyang, this rumor spread quickly in the Meteorological Bureau.

Liu Zhizhong, such a cuckolded man, haha, just became something for everyone to gossip about privately. Thus some also didn't respect him much.

Liu Zhizhong didn't care about others' opinions, just followed his set path of development and planning.

On weekends, when the weather was nice, he'd go fishing or work out alone, enjoying the leisurely solitude.

Three months later, following the set procedure, Liu Zhizhong got his Deputy Department Level promotion and became a formal leadership cadre.

At this point, he didn't celebrate at the office, appearing very low-key, even somewhat stingy, which some leaders had opinions about, though they weren't outspoken.

He merely arranged a meeting with Zhang Qidong on a weekend evening, cooked a meal at his teacher's home, and ate a dish of marinated big carp together.

For marinated carp, Liu Zhizhong could basically guarantee supply for his teacher, and they weren't small! Because he had his own fishing spot and when he found time to go, he could actually catch some!

Zhang Qidong, for this delicacy, never seemed to tire, eating it with various preparations, very happily. The primary claim was big carp was a special product, the meat was tender and firm, flavorful and delightful, the background color spoke for itself, plus some culinary skills added, it truly seemed like a mortal delicacy.

Liu Zhizhong formally became a Deputy Department Level cadre. This meal was both a celebratory feast with his teacher and a reunion since the last time.

Between teacher and student, nothing remained unsaid, with enthusiasm fueled by drinks, the atmosphere was very congenial.

At this point, Zhang Qidong happily said, "Zhizhong, thank you for your advice that night; indeed, I should visit the Provincial City more often! Lately, I've solidified relations with a retiree leader there, haha…"

Liu Zhizhong looked a bit embarrassed, "Teacher, you're flattering me, how could I advise you, merely offering a suggestion! Of course, it's delightful you've solidified relations, may I ask which retiree leader it is, if it's convenient to say?"

"Haha…, previously the head of the Provincial Propaganda Department, my benefactor, no need to say further. But through his introduction, I'm now acquainted with another greater figure. Retired near a decade now, the Province's renowned Wang Qichang, haha…"

At this, Liu Zhizhong appeared excited, "Teacher, this is impressive now! Old Loser Skill Wang is famously a regional magnate! Come, come, congratulations, cheers!"

With that, he happily raised his glass.

If his teacher had a path, didn't that mean he had one too? Hahaha…