chsdbacks Chapter 737 - 707: Changing Face
Chapter 737 - 707: Changing Face
Qi Mingxue put down the phone and immediately switched to a different expression, with a broad smile on his face: "So you’re Town Mayor Xu? Please, have a seat."Chang Baoguang and the security guards were momentarily stunned by the scene before them, even the guards understood that Town Mayor Xu must have some connections, otherwise Qi Mingxue wouldn’t change his attitude so quickly.
Chang Baoguang quietly pursed his lips, and a group of people slunk away. Now, the most anxious person was Chang Baoguang himself. He had just been very arrogant towards Xu Chunliang and provoked him, leading Xu Chunliang to complain to his superior, Qi Mingxue.
Chang Baoguang was hesitant about whether to leave or stay. After a while, he decided to return to his office, sat down, and hurriedly made a few calls. He understood little about Xu Chunliang’s background due to his usual work habits of idleness, drinking tea, and browsing his phone. The department was that idle, sometimes going a whole month without a foreign complaint, so he hadn’t investigated.
He thought that a deputy leader of a town would at most have a deputy section level position, what connections could he have? This habitual thinking can be deadly.
Chang Baoguang quickly used his connections to inquire about Xu Chunliang’s background. Only now did he seriously look at Xu Chunliang’s profile; this guy was on secondment, with his organizational ties in the Culture and Tourism Bureau. Chang Baoguang didn’t know anyone in Hu Shan Town, but he had friends in the Tourism Bureau, and Li Yushan, the deputy director, was his neighbor.
Li Yushan received a call from Chang Baoguang and was curious as to why he was investigating Xu Chunliang’s information, so he asked.
Chang Baoguang couldn’t hide the incident and explained what had just happened.
Upon hearing this, Li Yushan realized Chang Baoguang had made a big blunder and sighed: "Why did you pick on him? Don’t you know he’s favored by our Bureau Chief?"
Chang Baoguang thought that being favored by the Culture and Tourism Bureau’s chief wasn’t that impressive, thinking it was okay.
Yet, Li Yushan added: "A few days ago, one of his distant relatives passed away, and Secretary Zhou personally went to Jizhou to pay his respects, and Liu Secretary, the top official in Jizhou, was there too. Think about it yourself."
Chang Baoguang felt a black wave pass over his vision, making his scalp tingle. Li Yushan’s message was already clear enough, Xu Chunliang’s background was unfathomable. No wonder Qi Mingxue changed his attitude swiftly; even he had to interact respectfully and with care—it’s someone he couldn’t afford to offend. Damn that Mingde Group, setting him up like this.
While considering asking Li Yushan to mediate, the office director came over, informing him that Director Qi was calling him.
On the phone, Li Yushan also overheard this and kindly reminded: "Baoguang, make sure to say polite words when needed." The implication was clear, you should bow down, you are no match for him.
After hanging up, with his head drooping, Chang Baoguang went to Qi Mingxue’s office.
Entering, he saw Qi Mingxue and Xu Chunliang sitting on the same sofa, chatting happily.
Chang Baoguang stood respectfully upon entering and said: "Director Qi."
Qi Mingxue glanced at him with evident disapproval: "Comrade Baoguang, how many times have I told you? Repeatedly emphasizing paying attention to work attitude, not using work hours to browse your phone and doing unrelated things. Have you taken my words as mere nonsense?"
Chang Baoguang glanced at Xu Chunliang, sure it was this guy who tattled on him. Today’s face was completely lost—since listening to Li Yushan’s briefing, he had lost all courage to contend against Xu Chunliang and quickly said: "Director Qi, I just had an urgent matter at home, that’s why I took a call..."
"Don’t explain," Qi Mingxue interrupted him unceremoniously.
Chang Baoguang turned to Xu Chunliang, saying: "Town Mayor Xu, I’m sorry about earlier. It was my attitude that was wrong, and I formally apologize to you." This guy was able to set aside his pride; if he couldn’t even do that, how could he survive in the system?
Xu Chunliang said: "Director Chang, I’m not targeting you personally. I think you misunderstand the duties of the Foreign Business Complaint Center. The primary purpose of establishing this complaint center by the higher departments is to enhance communication for better cooperation, not for foreign businesses to use your center to hold us accountable."
Qi Mingxue said: "Haven’t I stressed this to you? Comrade Baoguang, do you have a misunderstanding about national policies?"
Chang Baoguang cursed inwardly, "Misunderstanding my ass. You’re acting like the good guy, making me take all the blame. Didn’t you emphasize yesterday the importance of dealing with Mingde Group’s complaint, enforcing it and having the responsible person formally apologize to Han Fang? Just a day has passed, and you’ve forgotten it all?"
No matter how hard he cursed inside, he maintained a sincere face, saying: "Town Mayor Xu, it’s all my fault for not doing my job well. Please don’t be angry, I formally apologize to you, and I promise Director Qi that I won’t make the same mistake in the future."
While Qi Mingxue and Xu Chunliang were seated, Chang Baoguang stood like a misbehaving student, with nobody insisting he sit. He stood there with his head down, digging his toes into his shoes—a unique flavor of embarrassment that only he could understand.
At that moment, his phone rang. Given the earlier experience, he didn’t dare to answer.
But Xu Chunliang reminded him: "Director Chang, your phone is ringing."
He looked at Qi Mingxue, who said: "Answer it!"
Only then did he grab his phone. After the call, he almost went to hit the wall in frustration. The call was from the Mingde Group, stating they didn’t intend to file a complaint anymore. It was all a misunderstanding, a communication gap, and they were withdrawing all previous complaints against Xu Chunliang.
After hanging up, Chang Baoguang felt like a clown, repeatedly toyed with by Xu Chunliang and the Mingde Group. In the end, they simply walked away, leaving him naked in the crowd, trembling with humiliation and enduring ridicule.
Upon hearing this, Qi Mingxue couldn’t help but curse: "Are they crazy? How can they slander our officials without evidence?" He glared angrily at Chang Baoguang: "Do you not investigate before acting? You can’t just believe whatever foreign businessmen say! Foreign businessmen must be treated equally in our country; they should not be looked up to just because they invest here."
In the end, it was Chang Baoguang who bore all the responsibility, looking woeful: "I’m sorry, it’s all my fault, I made a major mistake in my work. Town Mayor Xu, I apologize for causing you trouble, I’m truly sorry."
Seeing this guy so humble, Xu Chunliang decided there was no need to kick him while he was down. This kind of person wasn’t specifically targeting him; he was the same to everyone, it was a work habit issue.
Xu Chunliang said: "Director Chang, anyone can make mistakes. These investors first consider their personal interests, but we state officials must prioritize national interests. When they feel their interests are threatened, they will complain madly. We can’t give up protecting national interests just because of their complaints; on this point, we absolutely must not yield."
Qi Mingxue praised: "Well said, look at Town Mayor Xu’s larger view."
Chang Baoguang said: "I will reflect on this, I will seriously reconsider."
Xu Chunliang said: "It’s getting late; I won’t delay your work further. We don’t have any fundamental conflicts, and even if we did, they are internal among the people. At key moments, we must unite against outsiders, wouldn’t you say?"
Qi Mingxue stood to see him off, gripping Xu Chunliang’s hand tightly: "Town Mayor Xu, stay for lunch with us, guide the canteen’s work a bit."
Xu Chunliang laughed and said: "Director Qi, you’re too kind. In the future, you two are welcome to visit Weishan Island for an on-site inspection of our investment attraction status."
He loosened Qi Mingxue’s hand and extended it to Chang Baoguang, who was somewhat flattered and grasped Xu Chunliang’s right hand with both of his: "Town Mayor Xu, I’m terribly sorry for today."
Xu Chunliang smiled and said: "No fight, no acquaintance. We’ll be friends the next time we meet."
Qi Mingxue and Chang Baoguang escorted Xu Chunliang all the way to the Dongzhou Business Commission’s gate, watching him leave. Both raised their arms to wipe the sweat from their foreheads—he was a difficult one to deal with.
Qi Mingxue knew well that Chang Baoguang was taking the fall today, but there was no other way. You’re my subordinate—if you don’t take the fall, should I?
Chang Baoguang wanted to explain, but Qi Mingxue patted his shoulder: "No words needed. Put in more effort in future work."
Xu Chunliang didn’t expect Mingde Group to choose to let bygones be bygones voluntarily. After leaving the Dongzhou Business Commission, he went to the Tourism Bureau to report on the promotional plan Three Two Three had helped conceptualize.
Fu Guomin listened carefully and then whispered: "Originally, everyone’s consensus was to focus on the Fuyang Festival. You’ve brought forward the promotional plan."
Xu Chunliang said: "The Fuyang Festival has been going on for more than ten years, held annually, yet it can’t make an impact beyond Dongzhou. Why? Mainly because what we like in Dongzhou isn’t necessarily appreciated by others, whereas barbecue is different. It’s already recognized everywhere across the country. The most famous now is Northeastern barbecue, Western Border barbecue. Though Dongzhou barbecue is everywhere and recognized as delicious, it lacks national recognition. Xu Xiaoyue said that promoting barbecue isn’t the most crucial, it’s about finding a point of breakthrough."
"Xu Xiaoyue?" Fu Guomin found the name quite unfamiliar.
Xu Chunliang replied: "That’s Three Two Three. He believes Dongzhou Culture and Tourism has many advantageous projects, but it’s unwise to promote them all at once. There must be a breakthrough point to focus force in breaking through."
Fu Guomin said: "These internet celebrity influencers may be formidable, but they all have a common trait: they rise quickly and disappear just as fast."