The Secretary - Chapter 8

The list for the Beijing trip included Yao, director of the drug administration; Wen, deputy director; Xie Ting himself; Da Zhao, driver and logistics coordinator; Zhu Jie, and Wei Wan.

It made sense that Zhu Jie was invited, as she worked in the disciplinary committee and possessed excellent interpersonal skills. 

But the most controversial inclusion on the list was Wei Wan, the acting director.  

Rumors were rampant behind closed doors. Some whispered that she had secured her position through beauty and proximity to power. Others claimed she’d always been cunning, insinuating that she must have used underhanded tactics to get close to Zhang Cheng so quickly.

Wei Wan navigated the office politics with ease. People constantly came to her, sharing gossip and vying for her favor. The whispers would turn on a dime, shifting from criticism to requests for special treatment.

Everyone knew what it meant to travel with the director – it signaled entry into the inner circle.  Being in the leader’s good graces could pave the way for success.

Wei Wan ignored the chatter and focused on her goal: making a favorable impression on Xie Ting.  Her family relied on her income; she wasn’t there to play games.

Ajiang’s disability cast a shadow over their future, and Wei Wan, as his older sister, felt responsible for securing his well-being.

The day before departure, Zhang Cheng found her, his expression twisted with bitterness. 

Wei Wan understood what he was thinking: the successful doctor couldn’t fathom being overshadowed by someone with only an undergraduate degree, especially a woman he’d once considered beneath him.

Zhang Cheng often preached against climbing social ladders, yet when someone surpassed him, it visibly agitated him.

“Wei Wan,” Zhang Cheng spat out, “I never thought you were this kind of person.”

 Wei Wan, anticipating the inevitable break-up, responded calmly, “What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you have any shame?” Zhang Cheng accused, his voice trembling with anger. 

A sad smile touched Wei Wan’s lips, “It’s just a work assignment.”

Zhang Cheng scoffed, “You know what people say about you? That you use your looks…”

Wei Wan abruptly looked up, silencing him, “If that’s the case, then all female colleagues should stop working and refrain from traveling with superiors.” 

“Besides,” she added firmly, “that kind of talk is an insult to my competence.”

Zhang Cheng was furious. “You can’t go,” he declared, “If you do, we’re over. I can’t stand the shame.”

Despite being prepared for this, Wei Wan was still deeply hurt and surprised by his reaction. She had hoped to find someone who understood her, but it seemed she had been mistaken.

She ultimately ended their relationship, heartbroken. It stung to realize that after overcoming her insecurities to seek companionship, she ended up with disappointment.

But perhaps this was for the best, finally releasing her from a burden she’d been carrying.

The next morning, at 7:30 AM, they boarded a business jet bound for Beijing.  Da Zhao carried their luggage while others traveled light.

They arrived in Beijing by 9:30 AM and were greeted by a waiting car that took them to a four-star hotel. They had lunch in a lavish, classical-style private room filled with people.

Wen, the deputy director, left after a day, citing his child’s high fever as the reason for his hasty return. Zhu Jie joined him in his room, next door to Xie Ting’s.

As they sat together, Zhu Jie whispered, “You know why he left?”

Wei Wan listened intently. 

“He knew there were limited opportunities here with the director at the helm,” she continued, “How uncomfortable could it be for a deputy under a superior?” A single word difference, yet worlds apart.

Zhu Jie then added, “I recommended you for this trip, you know.”

They followed Xie Ting on his official engagements for two days. On New Year’s Eve, he announced that they were free to have the day off, with all expenses covered. 

While Zhu Jie disappeared early in the morning, claiming she needed to visit a shopping mall and purchase some items to take back home, Wei Wan found herself alone in the hotel. She spent her morning watching the national news on TV.

Suddenly, her internal phone rang. It was Xie Ting’s voice, calm yet authoritative: “Are you busy?”

“I’m free,” Wei Wan responded, “I’m just at the hotel.”

“Come here then.” 

In Wei Wan’s world, office gossip about relationships could be both believable and unreliable. Those in higher positions seemed to conduct themselves with greater caution. Their self-discipline was often beyond ordinary people’s comprehension – it was a matter of protecting their reputation.

Wei Wan didn’t overthink anything; she was merely a cog in the machine. If her leader needed her somewhere, she would go.