Chapter 1877

Chapter 1877: Chapter 1877

Song Guanchao developed a strong interest in the high-achieving graduate, Chen Xiangdong, who masked his intentions.

Chen Yirou is a reliable person; she knows her needs, so the people she introduces would naturally have no issues.

Therefore, Song Guanchao has already decided to invite him.

Before inviting him, he certainly needs to understand this person’s basic background.

Regardless of who he has offended, it must be clarified.

"Who did he offend?"

"The deputy district chief of their district."

Chen Yirou briefly explained the situation; basically, the overachiever was oblivious to social nuances and failed to show respect to the deputy during a dinner, angering him.

Since then, Chen Xiangdong’s career has hit a ceiling; he’s been a deputy director at a street office without any signs of promotion for several years.

Song Guanchao didn’t understand: "With his educational background, why bother entering the system?"

With a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Germany, graduating early, he shouldn’t worry about job opportunities worldwide; the potential is high, and earning hundreds of thousands a year would be easy.

It’s baffling that he’s taking the civil service exams, and Song Guanchao truly couldn’t fathom what was in his mind.

Chen Yirou said, "He originally had an agreement with a private company in Modu, an annual salary of 800,000, with equity incentives. Had he stayed, he could easily be making a couple of million annually. He remained in Fuyang because of his parents. They weren’t in good health and didn’t want him too far away, so out of filial duty, he stayed."

"Had he not offended anyone, with his abilities, by now he should have reached the deputy director level."

Song Guanchao suddenly asked, "What is your relationship with him?"

Her knowledge of Chen Xiangdong is unusually detailed.

That’s certainly not something born of an ordinary relationship.

Chen Yirou said, "I did an exchange in Germany for a year during college; we were classmates."

No wonder.

"You should contact him when you have time; he’s quite strong in professional skills. Actually, he’s not bad at dealing with people; it’s mainly because that deputy is too petty." When talking about this matter, Chen Yirou seemed a bit annoyed.

Although her organizational connections are in the province, she’s ultimately just with the Investment Promotion Committee and not in the two offices, trying to help Chen Xiangdong mediate would just see others disrespect her.

She didn’t expect Song Guanchao to be able to resolve things; to put it bluntly, he’s even less capable than herself.

At least she’s in the Provincial Department, while Song Guanchao is only at the city level.

Once you step out of Jiangzhou, who gives him any respect?

She merely hoped that Song Guanchao would recognize Chen Xiangdong’s strengths and offer him a chance to escape Fuyang.

After she left, Song Guanchao called Chen Xiangdong.

The call was quickly connected.

"Hello, I am Chen Xiangdong."

"Hello, Director Chen, I am the Office Director of Jiangzhou Municipal Government, Song Guanchao."

"Hello, Director Song, what’s the matter?" Chen Xiangdong’s voice was clear and cheerful, giving the impression of someone bright and optimistic, without any traces of depression despite being suppressed.

Song Guanchao stated his intention and mentioned that he was introduced by Chen Yirou, and Chen Xiangdong agreed readily.

"I’m only free on weekends; I’m quite busy otherwise."

"No problem, let’s set it for the weekend. Send me your documents, and I’ll arrange for the tickets and accommodation."

"No need, I’ll purchase them myself." Chen Xiangdong thought since he was just helping out as a friend of an old classmate, he shouldn’t let the other party incur any costs.

Song Guanchao insisted, "This will be covered by the City Government, Director Chen, please don’t decline."

"Alright then."

After ending the call, Chen Xiangdong sent over his documents.

Having arranged the tickets and accommodation, he sent the details to Chen Xiangdong.

The next day, Song Guanchao contacted Jiangyun Group’s Jiang Yongxi to schedule a time for another survey over the weekend.

Jiang Yongxi readily agreed.

He actually had other plans for the weekend, but Song Guanchao’s priority status with him made him push aside other work.

It was Friday, nearing the end of office hours, when Song Guanchao intended to call Chen Xiangdong to confirm the itinerary for the next day, ensuring no changes.

To his surprise, Chen Xiangdong was the one who called first.

He thought Chen Xiangdong was also confirming the itinerary with him.

Once the call was connected, he heard Chen Xiangdong’s apologetic tone, "Director Song, I’m sorry, I can’t make it tomorrow."

Song Guanchao wasn’t angry, just surprised.

Chen Yirou had mentioned he was a reliable person who wouldn’t change agreed plans unless faced with uncontrollable circumstances.

"What’s wrong, Director Chen?" he asked with concern.

Chen Xiangdong apologized, "I need to go to the countryside for research, lasting two months."

Song Guanchao frowned, "Director Chen usually works at the street office, why would you be sent for research? And how come such things aren’t notified in advance?"

Suddenly recalling what Chen Yirou mentioned about Chen Xiangdong offending the deputy district chief, he asked, "Is this a decision from the district?"

"Yes, the decision by the deputy district chief, it’s difficult for me to refuse." Chen Xiangdong’s voice held a rare hint of anger.

The incident where he offended the deputy was, frankly speaking, purely unwarranted trouble.

It started when an outer-city leader visited to hold a thematic meeting related to mechanics; they learned he graduated from two of Germany’s top three ranked mechanical universities and specifically chatted with him for a few moments.

Simply because of this, that deputy district chief felt he was flaunting himself and suppressed him relentlessly.

In essence, he was too excellent, which bred jealousy.

Calling it unwarranted trouble was not overstating it.

Song Guanchao paused for a few seconds, then said, "Mr. Chen spoke to me about your situation. Director Chen, I want to ask you, are you willing to come and develop in Jiangzhou?"

After witnessing many things within the system, Chen Xiangdong saw through the cold warmth, not particularly enthusiastic about this sudden opportunity.

He simply chuckled and said, "It’s not something that my willingness alone can change."

In the business world, even to relocate from a branch to headquarters requires intervention from the personnel leader or top leadership.

It would be even more complex within the system.

Besides, Song Guanchao is just a director; it’s improbable for him to have the ability.

Chen Xiangdong considered his promise as just a means to get him to come the next day.

Song Guanchao said, "If Director Chen is interested, I’ll make arrangements. The premise is that I need to confirm you truly have this capability."

"Director Song..."

"Director Chen, no need to rush an answer. I’ll reach out to Fuyang City’s leader shortly; you should receive a call momentarily. Proceed as planned tomorrow. Even if you don’t come to Jiangzhou later, the deputy district chief won’t dare trouble you again in Fuyang. That’s it. Director Chen rest well, we’ll meet tomorrow."

Looking at the already hung-up phone, Chen Xiangdong shook his head, doubting that Song Guanchao could truly accomplish what he described.

Song Guanchao immediately dialed Lu Zhizhong.

He may be just a director, but he has someone backing him up.

A governor in Nanjiang Province who is always responsive to his calls can solve most issues within provincial boundaries unless they’re particularly huge.

About thirty minutes after their call, having showered, Chen Xiangdong entered his study, ready to read professional books, when he received a call from the deputy district chief.

Upon connecting, before he could speak, he heard the other party’s almost flattery tone, "Xiao Chen, you really should’ve told me earlier you had plans to visit the province tomorrow; I’d have held off assigning any tasks for you."