Chapter Eleven: Hope for Formal Appointment

  Yu Fan put the last dish on the dining table in the hall and smiled at Zhang Shuisheng: "Secretary Zhang, the dishes are ready, you can eat now." Before Zhang Shuisheng could speak, Auntie scolded: "Xiao Fan, why call him Secretary Zhang at home? Just call him Uncle, it's like you're still working. There's no family atmosphere at all." Zhang Shuisheng also chuckled and said: "Yes, Xiao Fan, at home I'm your Uncle Zhang, being a secretary is for work." Yu Fan smiled too: "I know, Uncle Zhang."

  Auntie saw Yu Fan looking a bit stiff and smiled, "Alright, let's not talk about work at home. Shui Sheng, come try Yu Fan's cooking." Zhang Shui Sheng also hung up his coat and chuckled, "I didn't know our little Yu Fan had this skill, come, let me try." After taking a bite, he nodded continuously, "Not bad, not bad, the flavor is really good." He looked at Yu Fan again and smiled, "Don't be too formal at home either, come on, sit down, why are you still standing while eating?"

  Although that's what they said, this meal still made Yu Fan eat a bit awkwardly, always feeling uncomfortable. Zhang Shuisheng was constantly praising Yu Fan's craftsmanship, and Auntie was also laughing with her mouth closed on the side. Seeing Zhang Shuisheng put down his chopsticks after eating only one bowl of rice, Yu Fan also put down his chopsticks. Looking at Yu Fan, Zhang Shuisheng smiled and asked: "Our family's Xiao Fan is really multi-talented, tell Uncle, what else can you do? Can you drive?"

  Yu Fan thought for a moment and said, "I can drive, I learned how to in college, but I don't have a driver's license yet." Zhang Shuisheng nodded with a smile and said, "That's good, that's good. Having a driver's license is still important, you'll need it eventually." Yu Fan also nodded in agreement. Zhang Shuisheng smiled slightly and said, "I'll take care of your promotion, don't worry about it. Things have been busy lately, but when I get the chance, I'll take care of it ahead of time." Auntie complained from the side, "Can you stop talking about work during dinner? Do you want to let the child eat or not?" Zhang Shuisheng laughed and said, "Okay, okay, I won't say anything else. Yu Fan, hurry up and finish your meal." After that, he got up and walked into the inner room.

  Auntie kept putting food in Yu Fan's bowl, but Yu Fan didn't have the heart to eat. He took two mouthfuls and smiled at Auntie, saying he was full. Auntie looked at him helplessly, shaking her head, but didn't try to persuade him anymore. Seeing that it was getting late, Yu Fan bid farewell to Auntie and went back inside to tell Zhang Shuisheng, who was sitting on the sofa drinking tea. Zhang Shuisheng nodded and smiled at him from where he sat. Under Auntie's persuasion, Yu Fan smiled and left Zhang Shuisheng's house.

  Auntie sent Yu Fan off, took the tea leaves he brought and walked to Zhang Shuisheng's front, heavily placing them on the tea table in front of him, complaining: "Here, this is the tea leaves that Little Fan gave you." Zhang Shuisheng looked at it but shook his head and laughed: "This kid, why bother bringing something when coming?" Auntie coldly snorted: "It's still because of your official ways, I said even at home you can't put down your official airs, letting Little Fan leave without even having a good meal."

  Zhang Shuisheng smiled and said, "How could I not let him eat well? Didn't I come in?" Auntie heard this and said, "I'm telling you, Shuisheng, I think Xiao Fan is a good kid. If you can help, let him get converted to a formal position as soon as possible, so he won't always be worried about it." Zhang Shuisheng smiled and said, "You think the township government is mine to run? Whoever I want to convert to a formal position, I just do it? Even Dong Deputy Township Head's brother wants to get converted. The township government's staffing is already overstaffed, so arranging for someone to come in has to wait for an opportunity." Auntie heard this and suddenly had an idea, saying, "If the township government can't arrange it, then arrange for him to go to the town instead. Your relationship with Secretary Du isn't bad, right? You find a chance to talk to him about it, and it's just a matter of one staffing position - Secretary Du will definitely give you face. Besides, our Xiao Fan isn't bad either, he's a university graduate and a party member too."

  Zhang Shuisheng was taken aback after hearing this, and suddenly slapped his thigh, saying: "Ah, why didn't I think of that? There are two positions in the town committee office, but the competition is fierce. Secretary Du asked me about it just a couple of days ago." Auntie hastily said: "Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up and call Secretary Du to get Xiaofan over there." Zhang Shuisheng smiled and said: "What's the rush? It's already late now, I'll mention it to Secretary Du when I go to town tomorrow to take care of some business." Auntie said: "What about tomorrow? It's still early. Tomorrow, Secretary Du might have already decided on someone."

  Zhang Shuisheng looked at his wife with a hint of helplessness, thought for a moment, and then picked up the phone next to him and dialed. After a while, a thick voice came from the other end of the phone: "Hello, I'm Du Chengze." Zhang Shuisheng quickly apologized with a smile: "Secretary Du, hello, I'm Zhang Shuisheng from the township government. Sorry to disturb you so late." But Du Chengze on the other end of the phone laughed and said: "It's Shuisheng, don't worry about it, I haven't slept yet. What's up?" Zhang Shuisheng quickly smiled and said: "Oh, I wanted to report to you tomorrow about the recent work in our township, do you have time tomorrow?" Du Chengze chuckled and said: "Alright, come to my office tomorrow morning, I'll be there before 10 am." Zhang Shuisheng heard this and quickly smiled: "Okay, I'll definitely be on time tomorrow. Then I won't disturb your rest anymore." Du Chengze laughed and said: "See you tomorrow morning then." Zhang Shuisheng said: "Definitely, definitely." After finishing speaking, he carefully hung up the phone.

  Auntie, who was standing aside, hastily asked: "How is it? How is it?" Zhang Shuisheng smiled slightly and said: "What else can I do? Let's talk about it again tomorrow afternoon." After glancing at his wife, Zhang Shuisheng said strangely: "I said, why are you so concerned about Xiaofan's affairs? In the past, my two nephews didn't even get a glance from you." Auntie looked at him disdainfully and said: "Can your two nephews in the past be compared to Xiaofan? They only knew how to steal chickens and dogs all day, and they didn't do anything proper. Look at Xiaofan, who is so sensible and can cook well. Where can you find such a person?"

  "Take a look at your wife, and say with doubt: "You won't be thinking of anything else, will you?" Auntie smiled triumphantly and said: "I was just thinking of introducing Xiao Fan to Xiao Jing. You say Xiao Fan is such a good child, filial and can cook well, in the future he will definitely take care of our family's Xiao Jing." Zhang Shuisheng listened and patted his forehead with a long sigh, saying: "I knew you were thinking of this. I advise you to give up, you know your daughter, if she finds out about your thoughts, won't she turn the house upside down?" Auntie snorted softly and said: "She dares, when she comes back, I'll tell her." After thinking about her daughter's temper, she sighed and said: "Let's wait until she comes back, I'll test her tone first." Zhang Shuisheng looked at his wife with a bitter smile and shook his head, not paying attention to her anymore.

  Yu Fan, however, rode his bicycle straight home as soon as he went out. As soon as he got home, he rushed into the kitchen and ate some leftover food hastily. Although he had been busy at Aunt's house all day, he hadn't eaten a single bite, so it was better to eat at home comfortably. Zhang Shuisheng's words indeed made Yu Fan think a lot on the way back. It seemed that his transfer was not a big problem, but when exactly 'there would be an opportunity' left Yu Fan somewhat puzzled.

  The next day at eight o'clock, Yu Fan rode his bicycle to the government compound. As soon as he entered, Old Man Dai asked mysteriously, "How was it at Secretary Zhang's house yesterday? Is there hope?" Yu Fan furrowed his brow and shook his head, then nodded again. Old Man Dai was confused and impatiently said, "What's with the nodding and shaking your head? Can't you just speak directly?" Yu Fan sighed and said, "It seems that becoming a regular employee is basically not a problem, but we have to wait for an opportunity." Old Man Dai smiled knowingly and said, "Isn't that having hope? Why are you sighing?" Yu Fan gave him a white eye and said, "Who knows when the 'opportunity' will come?" Old Man Dai chuckled and said, "These things are just doing one's part and waiting for fate. You think being an official doesn't require luck?" He patted Yu Fan on the shoulder and said, "Alright, alright, there's still a chance. Don't look so down in the dumps. I saw Secretary Zhang's car leave early this morning, maybe it was for your matter." Yu Fan stared at him and said, "You think I'm the mayor or something? Secretary Zhang would go out running errands for me that early?" After finishing speaking, he also took a deep breath, mustered up his spirits, and walked in. Old Man Dai watched him from behind, chuckling to himself.

  Before long, a group of temporary workers also arrived at the county government office to assemble. Yu Fan perked up and chatted with Third Uncle for a couple of sentences. After Director Chen came in and spouted a bunch of nonsense, the office was left empty except for Yu Fan. When it was almost noon, Yu Fan was just about to go eat lunch when someone walked into the office. Yu Fan took one look and recognized the person - it was Zhang Shuixing's driver, Little Li. He hastily smiled and went forward to greet him, asking: "Driver Li, you're not here looking for me, are you?"

  Xiao Li looked at Yu Fan and smiled, "Comrade Yu Fan, I really came to find you." Xiao Li, the driver, had just returned from demobilization and addressed everyone as "comrade". Yu Fan listened and found it strange, saying: "Then, Driver Li, what business do you have with me?" Xiao Li glanced at Yu Fan, his face slightly serious, saying: "Comrade Yu Fan, Secretary Zhang asked me to call you to his office."

  Yu Fan heard the words and let out an "ah" sound, but couldn't say anything else. In his heart, however, he was overjoyed - could it be that yesterday's trip had brought about this 'opportunity' today? He hastily smiled at Little Li and said: "Thank you, Master Li, I'll go right away." Little Li nodded slightly and turned to leave.

  Yu Fan's mood was somewhat agitated, his hands involuntarily clenched into fists. He kept comforting himself that it might not be the official appointment, and he shouldn't get too excited only to end up disappointed. But in his heart, there was a strong premonition that this time it must be the official appointment. Taking two deep breaths, Yu Fan made an effort to calm himself down, slightly adjusting his clothes before pushing open the door to the office and heading towards the county head's office on the second floor.