Finally!

Emanuel Wills was finally getting transferred back to the Secretariat at the City Office!

He meticulously adjusted his outfit, smoothing out every crease. With his sun-kissed complexion, cropped black hair, a tall and sturdy build, and a sharply defined jawline, he carried himself with natural confidence. His crisp formal attire only added to his air of maturity and composure.

At twenty-seven, Emanuel was a graduate of the School of Government Management at Qiongjin University, holding a master’s degree. He had secured his job at the City Office with the top score in his cohort. However, his first year of work had been less than smooth. No sooner had he joined than he was relegated to a position in the Old Cadres Bureau—a quiet, overlooked corner of the office.

Only later did he find out that someone had pulled strings behind his back. Worse, it wasn’t just anyone but someone he knew. Betrayal by a familiar face always cut deeper.

As Emanuel turned a corner in the stairwell, he found himself colliding headlong into a soft blur of pink.

“Watch out—”

“Good grief, are you trying to kill me?!”

Papers scattered everywhere, fluttering like snowflakes.

For a split second, Emanuel registered the feeling of something cloudlike brushing against his shoulder. His eyes then landed on none other than Sophia Martin, the deputy director herself.

Sophia was thirty-two, the picture of a classic southern beauty. Her oval face, strikingly dark eyes, and perfectly balanced features made her an unforgettable sight.

“Ah, I’m such a klutz!” she exclaimed, her voice crisp but slightly tinged with an accent. “The more I rush, the more I mess up!” Emanuel Wills bent down to help pick up the scattered documents. His movements were careful, and he softly blew away the dust on the papers, a light smile tugging at the corners of his lips to ease the slight awkwardness in the air. “Sophia, I’ve already arranged for some workers to help you out. But wow, did I offend you or something? There are so many breakouts on your face! Not feeling well lately?”

Sophia Martin instinctively touched the small red blemish near her lips, her slender eyebrows knitting together in mild frustration. “That obvious, huh? Ugh, I’ve been struggling with insomnia. Just got my test results back last week, and practically every number came back with warning lights flashing.”

“Don’t brush it off just because it feels minor. I know an amazing traditional doctor. Let’s find a time for a consultation, yeah?”

Sophia nodded, a faint smile crossing her face. “That sounds great. I’ve been meaning to get my health back on track anyway.”

Once she accepted the files handed back to her by Emanuel, Sophia smoothed out the papers and placed them neatly into two piles. Her gaze swept over him from head to toe as her lips curved into a playful smile. “Looking sharp today, Emanuel! Reporting back to the main office?”

Emanuel chuckled lightly. “Yep, though just because I’m transferred doesn’t mean you can’t call me if you ever need anything.”

“Come on,” Sophia said with a faint wave of her hand, her tone softening to something almost motherly. “Now that you’re back at the main office, focus on your work. Aim high with your career.”

Sophia’s appearance had a certain serene beauty, like a peaceful landscape. But her personal life? That was an enigma. Married, yet her husband was more of a legend than a real presence—supposedly pursuing a doctorate somewhere in Canada.Emanuel Wills arrived at the Old Cadre Bureau on his second day, only to find Sophia Martin in a bit of a pickle. Her water pipes had burst, and two of her lights were out. With no repairman in sight, Emanuel stepped up to the plate. His knack for hands-on tasks was top-notch—he got the pipes fixed and the lights working again.

Add to that Emanuel's knack for writing and his no-nonsense approach to work, Sophia couldn't help but appreciate him. She treated him more like a younger brother than just a subordinate.

But let's be real—the Old Cadre Bureau wasn't exactly a career launching pad. The opportunity to return to the City Committee Office? Sophia played a key role in making that happen.

...

As soon as Emanuel stepped into Building One, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. He turned around, locking eyes with a sharp-featured face that screamed trouble. That smirk? It belonged to none other than Arnie Fairall—the guy who’d stabbed him in the back before.

"Well, well, old classmate! Been ages! What have you been up to these days?" Arnie greeted him with smug familiarity. He wasn’t just any classmate; he’d taken the same civil service exam as Emanuel.

Back then, Arnie had landed a spot in the Environmental Bureau while Emanuel had been loaned to the Old Cadre Bureau. And then, Arnie had leveraged family connections to snag a position in the Secretariat of the City Committee—a spot that could have been Emanuel’s.

You see, Arnie's uncle held the rank of Deputy Secretary of the city's Political and Legal Committee. Hard to compete with that.

Emanuel clenched his teeth, stopping himself from saying something he’d regret and instead replied curtly, "You know, keeping busy. Thanks for asking."

But Arnie wasn’t done. With a fake smile plastered on his face, he added, "Man, the Old Cadre Bureau must’ve been a drag, huh? All those seniors—it’s their favorite pastime to file complaints and be ridiculously stubborn. Getting outta there alive? You’ve gotta have luck on your side!"Emanuel Wills frowned slightly, clearly unimpressed by Arnie Fairall’s dismissive attitude toward the retirees. “They’re just like a bunch of kids—innocent and straightforward. Once you figure out the right way to approach them, they’re great to work with. As for luck, I have to admit, you’ve got me beat there.”

Arnie Fairall tilted his chin up smugly, waving the file in his hand for emphasis. “Sure, running things at the Party Committee Office is intense and all. Take me, for example—I stayed up late last night working on a speech draft. Look at these dark circles; I’m a walking panda now! But hey, I’m glad you’re back. Finally, someone with less experience to take some of the load off my shoulders.”

Arnie’s tone was full of condescension, already acting like a big shot, even before returning to his own role. He was practically dishing out orders.

Emanuel wasn’t irritated—instead, he chuckled. “Wow, I wouldn’t dream of taking on your workload. After all, the more capable you are, the more work you get, right? But honestly, you should look after yourself. Your health’s clearly taken a hit—your hairline’s so far gone it’s forming a middle part. Does that count as a workplace injury? Take care of yourself, yeah?”

“You’re still as sharp-tongued as ever!” Arnie’s face contorted briefly, clearly a little stung. He quickly pivoted to a new topic. “Hey, remember Chloe Harper from high school?”

Emanuel caught the glint of mischief in Arnie’s eyes and smirked faintly. “Of course, our class beauty.”

Arnie’s lips curled into a self-satisfied grin. “Well, we’re engaged now. We should all get together for a meal sometime, you know? After all, didn’t you used to have a thing for her? But me? It took just two months of casual dating, and voilà—we’re set.”Emanuel felt a surge of inexplicable frustration but kept his expression calm and composed. "Three people seem a bit dull. How about we invite a few more and make it a proper reunion gathering?" His tone was casual, masking his emotions flawlessly.

Arnie found the conversation tedious, lowering his voice to throw out a deliberate comment. "Well then, here’s to wishing you all the 'best' moving forward." His words carried a sharp undertone.

Watching Emanuel step into the elevator and disappear, a sly smirk crept onto Arnie’s lips.

Emanuel headed to the HR department to complete the formalities before making his way to Derrick Hill’s office.

A traditional vertical scroll depicting a lotus pond, titled "Glittering Green Waters," caught his attention as he entered.

Derrick, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee and Director of the Office, looked up. Removing his glasses, he greeted Emanuel with an overly warm smile. "Emanuel, take a seat."

There was something overly genial about Derrick’s tone, and Emanuel couldn't shake a vague sense of unease.

"You’ve done well at the Senior Cadres' Bureau," Derrick praised, his voice almost too cheerful. "The feedback from the retired cadres has been terrific, and the leadership there couldn’t stop commending you. Clearly, the organization made the right call in placing you there."

"Thank you for the organization’s guidance," Emanuel replied politely.

"There’s a slot open for a temporary position in Pinghu Town, Tianling County. Take a few days off to rest and report for duty next week." Derrick’s tone didn’t waver as he dropped the news.

Emanuel stiffened, his composure faltering for just a moment as his heart sank. Pinghu Town. Everyone in the region knew of its reputation as one of the poorest and most remote areas, nestled on the border with Runjiang City—a place no one volunteered to go.Derrick Hill’s "brilliant" plan, coupled with Arnie Fairall’s uncle’s influence, left Emanuel Wills little room to maneuver. If Emanuel returned to the office, wouldn’t Arnie have to go back to the City Environmental Bureau? To prevent that, Derrick devised what he fancied a "win-win" solution: send Emanuel to the grassroots, far away in a remote town.

"Isn’t he so capable? Let’s see him ‘shine’ there!"

“Mr. Hill, this decision feels a bit abrupt. How about I return to the Secretariat for a year to get reacquainted before heading to the township for fieldwork instead?” Emanuel suggested, fighting for even a sliver of reprieve.

Derrick tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, the smile on his face shifting into a saccharine facade. “The new Party Secretary is arriving soon. You’re unfamiliar with the Secretariat's current work flow, so this isn’t the best time for you to rejoin. As for Pinghu Town—it may be poor and underdeveloped, but this is an opportunity for growth. Once you’re back, a promotion will be only logical, won’t it?”

“Young people shouldn’t set their sights too high while looking down on grassroots work. Hardship builds character. Pouring your energy into challenging places, striving and sweating in difficult terrains, that’s the true beauty of youth. Trust me, the grassroots level is a wide world full of opportunity. You’ll definitely achieve great things there.”

“Whatever problems arise at your post, you can always come to me. The Office will always have your back.”

Emanuel felt an intense wave of disgust.

Not only was he being exiled to the poorest township, but Derrick still had the gall to play it off as though he were doing him a favor, lacing his words with fake sincerity, empty platitudes, and moral guilt-tripping. It was truly nauseating.Emanuel Wills was feeling utterly frustrated. He wanted to argue back but couldn't find the right words. In the end, he could only muster a standard response, "Thank you, Mr. Hill, for your advice and guidance. Rest assured, I will fulfill my duties in the new position and live up to your expectations and the organization's trust."

Derrick Hill adjusted his glasses and gave a clear dismissal. "Get back to work."

After Emanuel left, Derrick picked up the landline and called Arnie Fairall.

"Arnie, your classmate’s new position has been finalized," he informed.

Arnie chuckled, "Thank you for going out of your way, Mr. Hill. Under your guidance, I have no doubt he’ll shine in his new role."

---

Leaving Building One, Emanuel headed to the Office for Retired Officials. Not long after he sat down, his phone buzzed. It was his master's advisor, Philip Barnes, the dean of the School of Government Management at Qiongjin University.

"Back at City Hall?" was Philip's blunt opening.

"False alarm," Emanuel replied, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I’ve been assigned to a placement in Pinghu Town."

Philip let out a long sigh, frustration seeping through the line. "Damn, they're really screwing you over, aren't they? How about leaving? Come join my research team. We could use someone like you!"

"Thanks for your concern, Professor," Emanuel said with a bitter smile. "But remember my thesis? I modeled it around Han City. I came back here to put theory into practice, to see if my ideas could work. I can’t just give up now."

Philip fumed at the injustice but couldn't help feeling a swell of pride for his resilient and determined student.Politics differs from other careers; talent alone isn’t enough. Opportunity and the right platform are key.

"My door’s always open for you."

...

As his time at the Elders Affairs Bureau came to an end, Emanuel Wills started packing up his personal belongings. Among the items on his desk was a letter, addressed to August Bryant.

He decided to deliver the letter in person and say his goodbye along the way.

The government offered favorable housing for senior officials—comfortable family quarters. But August Bryant marched to the beat of his own drum, opting instead for an ordinary apartment complex. As the former deputy secretary of Han City’s municipal committee, his eccentric nature left colleagues at the bureau somewhere between admiration and apprehension.

The old man had a passion for playing Go. But curiously, his skill didn’t match his enthusiasm, and his sportsmanship could be questionable. He was notorious for taking back moves, and would sometimes throw temper tantrums over loses.

Emanuel knew his way around a Go board, indulging the elder with a few games when time allowed. Out of respect for his senior, Emanuel faced Bryant’s occasional outbursts with a polite smile and calm demeanor.

Yet, Go was no place for sentiment. The board knew no grandfather-grandson bond, and Emanuel played decisively. When it was time to press for victory? He didn’t hold back.

August Bryant, in turn, recognized that Emanuel was different. Unlike others, who either approached him nervously or tried to curry favor by intentionally throwing games, Emanuel treated him as an equal. Though Bryant would sometimes grumble, calling Emanuel "a cheeky brat," deep down, he considered him a genuine friend—a kindred spirit in the world of Go.He pressed the doorbell a few times, but there was no response. Emanuel Wills pulled out his phone and dialed the number.

The ringtone echoed from inside the apartment, yet nobody came to open the door even after waiting for a while.

He sniffed lightly, catching a sharp burning smell leaking through the door crack.

His heart sank. Something was definitely wrong.

A fire!