Zhang Tianbao's ho was in the Provincial City, and his position in Yangzhou was just a transitional training assignnt.
Therefore, he didn't have a house in Yangzhou but rented one, with a subsidy.
Of course, at that ti, the Yangzhou Zhang family wanted to cozy up and cent the relationship, preparing to give him a house to live in, sothing like a villa or a large flat, for example.
But Zhang Hongyang refused, consistently refused, so the Zhang family mbers had no choice but to give up.
Zhang Tianbao rely rented an apartnt in a multi-story residential building without an elevator, on the second floor, and the location was a bit remote.
However, his residence was still decent, not far from the Yangjiang River, and he could see the river view from his window.
It wasn't far from the City Committee either; just a straight road without turns, and it was only a ten-minute drive away.
Zhang Tianbao had truly been baptized in officialdom for many years and had learned a lot in the Provincial City. Therefore, when the City Organization Departnt's car ca to pick him up every day, it never entered the residential area, much less stopped at the gate of the complex.
Every morning, the chauffeur would arrive on ti to pick him up, driving around the residential area. Then he would head towards the City Committee. On the way, he was sure to encounter Zhang Tianbao. At that ti, he would get in the car, and they would leave.
Zhang Tianbao left ho 3 to 10 minutes ahead of the chauffeur, walking along the boulevard, wearing a peaked cap, appearing like an ordinary middle-aged office worker, not attracting much attention, and nobody recognized him.
When he returned ho after work, he would have the car stop randomly along the way, and he would walk ho from there.
All of this, he had shared during a al with Liu Zhizhong. Being an official, especially at his level, involved selecting and recomnding candidates for positions, managing personnel layout, and such. There were just too many people who ca to curry favor and try to get close. Sotis it was better to avoid them if possible! Otherwise, you'd be too busy dealing with visitors and invitations to als and drinks to have any ti left to do your work seriously.
Liu Zhizhong fully agreed with this view. After all, focusing on form rather than substance had always been the way of officialdom. No matter how much is said about the great efforts being made or how styles are changing, what's superficial remains superficial, and the substantive is still lacking.
By the ti Liu Zhizhong arrived and entered the ho, good heavens!
Zhang Tianbao, the big boss of the City Organization Departnt, was actually wearing an apron and holding a kitchen knife to open the door.
Seeing this, Liu Zhizhong was simultaneously surprised and amused, "Ha! Brother Tianbao, seems like your ho is missing a at dish tonight? Perfect timing, I am neither ox nor pig, but I am your brother!"
"Haha... you rascal!" Zhang Tianbao was imdiately cheered up by Liu Zhizhong, "Co on, co on, have a seat inside. You've arrived so early, I'm busy in the kitchen, going to make a couple of ho-cooked dishes for you."
"When it cos to cooking, we're brothers in arms, how could you leave out? Let's go, I'll help you in the kitchen!"
With that, Liu Zhizhong put what he was carrying on the living room coffee table.
Zhang Tianbao glanced over and frowned, "Good heavens, Zhizhong, where did this tobacco and liquor co from?"
Look, Zhang Tianbao was very familiar with Luo Tianlin, and he also knew about Luo Tianlin's son-in-law's family.
Did he spot the issue now?
Liu Zhizhong was prepared, not feeling guilty, but a bit embarrassed as he lowered his head and said softly, "Brother Tianbao, this... was given by Miss Luo, right? I figured there was quite a lot, so shouldn't I share so with my Brother Tianbao?"
"Oh? Oh..." Zhang Tianbao was startled, then doubtful, then relieved. But he expressed his concern, "I can accept the tobacco and alcohol, but about you and Miss Luo... Even if you are just friends, you must be extrely careful, and doubly careful!"
Liu Zhizhong was secretly amused, thinking to himself that he should be doubly careful indeed?
He responded calmly on the surface, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Tianbao. I am aware of the limits. I would never be careless, given the importance... hehe..."
"That's good, that's good. Just don't cause any trouble..."
"Let's go, Brother Tianbao. Let's cook together; that's the flavor of life. I highly approve of your way of entertaining. I must really learn from you in the future."
Zhang Tianbao smiled, "Learn what? It's always better to keep a low profile. This is your first ti visiting, and it might also be the last, so just sit back, relax, have so tea, smoke a cigarette. I'll be busy."
"What's the situation? This is my last ti visiting your ho? What's happening, is there a rumor you are being transferred?"
Liu Zhi was sowhat surprised and curious.
"Being an official posted elsewhere, one cannot have too permanent a residence," Zhang Tianbao explained, "which is Minister Luo's instruction. So, every three or four months, I will change houses."
"Hey, you gave a scare, haha... Let's go, let's cook!"
Saying this, Liu Zhi snatched the kitchen knife from Zhang Tianbao's hand like lightning and headed straight into the kitchen.
Zhang Tianbao, seeing his enthusiasm, shook his head helplessly and had to follow him into the kitchen.
Really, the experience of the brothers cooking and discussing their culinary skills together was quite enjoyable.
With two people cooking, it was done quickly.
In less than half an hour, they had made four hot dishes, two soups, and two cold dishes, all laid out on the table.
They opened the tobacco and alcohol, and chatted while eating and drinking.
Zhang Tianbao was just about to start sharing so matters from the City Committee's standing committee eting that morning when Liu Zhi received a phone call.
It was from a Yangzhou flower shop, informing him that Classmate Ma's phone was switched off, and they couldn't get through; they couldn't deliver the flowers either – what should they do?
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