Xiao Liang walked into the office building.

The employees who had been watching the commotion scattered back into their offices, no one daring to leave early anymore.

What they had just witnessed was a side of Xiao Liang they had never seen before. Most assumed it was the classic “three fires of a new official”—he’d seized the chance to make an example out of the son of Deputy Party Secretary Zhou Jianqi, striking hard to establish authority, reckless in his youth and blind to consequences.

Many guessed Zhou Jianqi would deal with him sooner or later. Either way, none of them had any intention of poking the hornet’s nest right now.

If anyone felt truly humiliated, it was Zhang Feili—Zhou Jianqi’s daughter-in-law.

Before returning to his office, Xiao Liang knocked on the door of the adjacent General Affairs Office. Zhang Feili sat behind her desk, staring at him in stunned disbelief. A younger girl, Liu Weiwei, hastily gathered some files, clearly intending to slip out under some pretense.

Xiao Liang stepped into the doorway, blocking her path, and said to Zhang Feili:

“A few days ago, when Xiao Yujun stirred up those villagers to attack me, you stepped in and stopped them. I know you’re one of the few people who believed in me from the beginning. I’ve been meaning to thank you.”

He paused, then continued evenly, “As for what happened just now with Zhou Bin—it’s because discipline in the factory has gotten too lax. Letting someone ride a motorcycle straight into the compound and rev the engine like that without restraint… it’s unacceptable. I wasn’t targeting you, Sister Feili. Please don’t take it the wrong way.”

Zhang Feili’s lips parted slightly, her clear eyes wide as she stared at him, momentarily at a loss for words.

Although Xiao Liang had previously audited the factory’s finances and worked with her—she, as deputy director of the General Affairs Office, coordinating with He Hong from Finance—her impression of him had always been distant and aloof, someone who kept people at arm’s length.

Since when did he call her “sister” with such familiarity?

And now he was the deputy factory director.

Liu Weiwei stood frozen just inside the doorway, clutching her files, her gaze darting between the two of them.

Just moments ago, he had publicly humiliated Zhang Feili’s husband without leaving him an ounce of dignity. And now he was here, addressing her warmly, explaining himself like this…

What exactly was going on?

Liu Weiwei had only graduated high school a year ago. Not yet twenty, she simply didn’t have the life experience to make sense of the scene unfolding before her.

Her mind stalled, unable to process it.

“Oh, right—Sister Feili,” Xiao Liang added, “aside from those officially on leave due to the production shutdown, everyone else who’s supposed to be working needs to have attendance tracked. If anyone needs time off, they should submit a leave slip to you. Please inform each department.”

Since Xiao Liang had been assigned by the township to oversee production rectification, whatever his ultimate plans might be, his authority in this area was no less than Gu Peijun’s.

Zhang Feili quickly nodded in agreement, saying she would notify everyone in the building immediately.

Xiao Liang knew well that Zhang Feili’s marriage to Zhou Bin had long since deteriorated, and that she spent most of her time living with her parents. He had no concern that today’s incident would leave a lasting grudge in her heart. After giving a few more work-related instructions, he closed the door behind him and left.

…

…

A little past five-thirty, Xiao Liang was packing up, preparing to head home by bus, when Gu Peijun hurried back and intercepted him.

“Come to my place for dinner,” Gu Peijun said. “Where are you planning to stay tonight? Or should we set up a room for you at the village committee so you can move over? The factory’s situation is serious—we need to be ready for a tough fight.”

Xiao Liang’s dorm in town was barely over a kilometer from the village committee—just a five- or six-minute bike ride. He had no intention of moving.

He walked to the office doorway, glanced down the empty corridor, and, seeing that Zhang Feili and Liu Weiwei’s office next door was already vacant, lowered his voice:

“At least until you officially take over as Party Secretary, we can’t appear too close. Over the next couple of days, report frequently to Director Liang and Secretary Wang. If you have time in the evenings, come into the city to see me. Anything important—we’ll talk at my place.”

In Xiao Liang’s plan, the most critical piece was for Gu Peijun to firmly establish himself in Nanting Village.

Once that happened, even if the township retained ultimate decision-making authority over the juice factory, its operations would inevitably have to go through Gu Peijun.

Whether out of caution, insecurity, or vague knowledge of Xiao Liang’s background, Wang Xingmin was not someone Xiao Liang expected to win over completely in the short term.

But Gu Peijun had been instrumental—his late-night submission of evidence was what enabled Wang Xingmin to bring Xiao Yujun down.

Gu Peijun’s father, Gu Xiong, had served as the village accountant in Nanting for over a decade before transferring to the township’s materials station. He was a veteran figure with deep connections in both the village and the township. Gu Xiong’s daughter, Gu Ling, was deputy director of the Civil Affairs Office, and her husband held a mid-level position in neighboring Xikou Town.

At a time when Wang Xingmin had very few people he could truly rely on, Gu Peijun was one of his limited options.

The reason Xiao Liang avoided appearing too close to Gu Peijun now was precisely to prevent arousing Wang Xingmin’s suspicion or alienating him—let alone drawing attention from Zhou Jianqi and Fan Chunjiang, both of whom posed even greater risks.

Until Gu Peijun officially became Party Secretary, until Xiao Liang’s first move was fully in place, any private meetings between them needed to stay out of sight of Wang Xingmin, Liang Chaobin, Fan Chunjiang, and Zhou Jianqi.

Gu Peijun, who had barely slept the night before, was brimming with ideas about reviving the factory. He had been eager to bring Xiao Liang home for dinner and discuss everything in detail. Instead, Xiao Liang’s caution took him by surprise.

“I’ve already had close contact with you before,” Xiao Liang added, still not entirely reassured. “Don’t let that slip in front of Secretary Wang.”

“I know,” Gu Peijun said. “My old man warned me too—no one likes feeling like they’re being led around by the nose. I just thought now that you’ve officially been assigned here, discussing work with you wouldn’t need so many precautions.”

“…These things take time,” Xiao Liang said with a faint smile.

Though Gu Xiong could be overly cautious, he had a much clearer grasp of the finer details. With him advising from behind the scenes, Xiao Liang felt considerably more at ease.

He gave Gu Peijun his home address, then picked up his briefcase filled with production materials from the juice factory and left the office, heading toward the bus stop for Route 9.