The situation at the scene had been thoroughly surveyed, confirming the absence of any imminent danger. Just as Jiang Xiaochuan was about to depart, Mayor Fu Peng finally arrived, albeit belatedly.

As a subordinate, Jiang Xiaochuan felt obligated to brief Fu Peng on the situation he had assessed. Fu Peng offered perfunctory comfort with a forced smile, uttering platitudes like “Thank you for your hard work.”

Jiang Xiaochuan refrained from flattering him and promptly left after delivering his report.

Once exiting, Jiang Xiaochuan noticed that many reporters had been granted access. While some rushed to interview him upon spotting him, he simply smiled and waved, declining their inquiries with a brief statement: “The situation is under control; citizens need not worry.”

The rest was left unsaid, concealed from public scrutiny.

There were certain words Jiang Xiaochuan couldn’t articulate. He always remained mindful of his status as deputy mayor, knowing that regardless of his achievements, credit rarely came his way. Preferring to avoid potential backlash from Fu Peng, he chose to depart quietly as the second-in-command.

During the journey back, he received a text message from Rong Shaobai, inviting him to a gathering later that night. Jiang Xiaochuan opted not to reply and deleted the message instead. Investigations had confirmed that his phone calls were not being monitored, and so far, he remained in the clear.

At times, he pondered whether his adeptness at deception would have been better suited to the entertainment industry rather than politics.

Putting his phone away, he briefed Wei Lai on various matters within the car. The secretariat’s preparations were of utmost importance, with the personnel department coordinating efforts. Determining suitable candidates and securing their willingness to participate were crucial yet seemingly mundane tasks.

Wei Lai glanced at the list and remarked, “More and more people are eager to work under you.”

Jiang Xiaochuan pondered this statement, considering its implications from various angles. However, the most objective truth was evident—Jiang Xiaochuan’s popularity was on the rise.

This wasn’t surprising. As a leader, Jiang Xiaochuan demonstrated competence and treated people with respect. Unlike some leaders who could be harsh or even tyrannical, he maintained a balanced demeanor. While he might appear average in certain aspects, he possessed the courage to effect significant changes. The investment from the Lisson Group added a certain prestige to his profile. Though Jiang Xiaochuan’s political stance remained somewhat ambiguous, and his future path was uncertain, as long as he avoided major missteps, advancement was almost assured.

Who wouldn’t want to work under such a leader?

Hence, when news spread that Jiang Xiaochuan was assembling a secretariat, many began to contemplate making a move.

Human Resources Department protocols aside, Jiang Xiaochuan’s preferences held sway, necessitating their utmost respect. Some individuals strategized within the HR Department, while others positioned themselves to align with Jiang Xiaochuan’s agenda, keeping Wei Lai quite occupied.

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“I see both advantages and disadvantages in having so many people vying to work under me,” Jiang Xiaochuan remarked, meeting Wei Lai’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “Without a discerning eye to select the right candidates, we’ll face prolonged challenges in the future.”

Wei Lai understood Jiang Xiaochuan’s implication and nodded in agreement, promising to exercise due diligence.

After returning to the municipal government, Jiang Xiaochuan was greeted by the Minister of Finance’s secretary delivering documents. With Wei Lai preoccupied and Jiang Xiaochuan’s secretary not yet arrived, he instructed the secretary to bring the documents in. While this might have deviated slightly from protocol, Jiang Xiaochuan saw no issue with it, recognizing the need for adaptability in varying circumstances.

As Jiang Xiaochuan flipped through the documents, he casually addressed the secretary, Liu Wei: “I’ll review this document later. Do you have anything else?”

Liu Wei hesitated before replying, “It’s nothing, I was just looking for your secretary, Wei Lai. He mentioned wanting to speak with me a few days ago, but now he’s nowhere to be found. Logically speaking, he’s your secretary, so how could he be absent?” Liu Wei’s tone was tinged with artificial concern and irony.

Jiang Xiaochuan, with keen perception, detected the underlying nuances in Liu Wei’s words. Initially, Liu Wei appeared to be simply inquiring about Wei Lai’s whereabouts, which seemed inappropriate for a subordinate to ask a deputy mayor. However, Jiang Xiaochuan sensed a deeper implication in Liu Wei’s remarks—that Wei Lai had promised him something previously but had failed to follow through, suggesting Wei Lai’s untrustworthiness. Moreover, by insinuating that Wei Lai was neglecting his duties as a secretary, Liu Wei aimed to discredit Wei Lai further.

Wei Lai had mentioned to Jiang Xiaochuan that Liu Wei was seeking a position in Jiang Xiaochuan’s secretariat. Jiang Xiaochuan understood the situation but chose to remain tactful in front of Liu Wei.

With a subtle smile, Jiang Xiaochuan pressed his finger against the document’s footer and remarked, “I’ve heard that Secretary Liu is highly dedicated and does excellent work alongside Director Zhai. Wei Lai, as a newcomer, naturally has much to learn from someone with your experience.”

In reality, Jiang Xiaochuan’s statement could be interpreted as, “Liu Wei, you’ve been around for a while and have performed admirably. A newcomer like Wei Lai couldn’t be compared with you.” However, Jiang Xiaochuan deliberately twisted the meaning to subtly undermine Liu Wei’s intentions and bolster Wei Lai’s standing.

Finally, Liu Wei nodded, bowed, and left happily. Jiang Xiaochuan sat in his seat, holding the document, and also enjoyed himself for a while.