MTLNOVEL Chapter 625 - 581: Not Accepting Apologies (Requesting Monthly Tickets)_1
Chapter 625: Chapter 581: Not Accepting Apologies (Requesting Monthly Tickets)_1
“I have to apologize, I must apologize.” This was the only thought in Tian Xujian’s mind at this moment. I’ve offended such a powerful figure. It is imaginable, the work stoppage at Wanghai New Port, this is the Wal-Mart Group warning me, not to exceed the limit. I need to be aware of my boundaries. I believe, if I don’t recognize the situation, if I ignore it, after the stoppage, there will be even more severe measures to force me. It’s possible that I may not be able to keep my position.
A real man knows when to bow and when to stand tall, what does this kind of grievance count for? Compared to my position, this is nothing.
Tian Xujian had made his decision quickly. He picked up the phone and after giving it some thought, he dialed the number of the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, Yi Chang.
At this moment, Yi Chang was sitting in Nie Zhenbang’s living room.
More than that, seated next to him comfortably on the sofa was Nie Zhenbang. He picked up a specially provided Panda cigarette box from the coffee table, offered one to Yi Chang and laughed, “Old Yi, judging by your expression, did Tian Xujian speak harshly to you at Hong Yan Lou?”
In front of Tian Xujian and Nie Zhenbang, the contrasting feelings are completely different, Mayor Nie is amiable, giving people a feeling of warmth and comfort. The difference between people was simply incomparable. Yi Chang sighed and carefully smiled, “Leaders, after all, tend to have some temper. As a secretary, I’m just a punching bag. Really, I don’t want to be the secretary of the municipal party committee anymore. I’d be willing to serve as a deputy mayor in the government, even without being a standing committee member. Working under you is much more comfortable.”
Yi Chang’s frank appraisal made Nie Zhenbang laugh. However, a standing committee vote can’t be given away so easily.
Immediately after, Nie Zhenbang laughed, “Old Yi, when Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a man, it first exercises his mind with suffering and his body with taxing work. It hungers his body and leaves it in poverty. Your position is very important. Don’t give up so easily. This is not what a qualified party member, a qualified cadre, would say.”
Yi Chang nodded. In fact, this was just his way and strategy of showing loyalty. In reality, if he were to give up his position as a member of the municipal party standing committee and secretary of the municipal party committee, Yi Chang would definitely not want to. Although both are deputy department-level cadres, being a member of the municipal party committee clearly carries more weight and voice in the city than a regular deputy position.
Just as he was about to open his mouth, his mobile phone suddenly rang. Yi Chang was taken aback as he saw the caller, “Mr. Mayor, it’s a call from Tian Xujian.”
Nie Zhenbang wasn’t surprised at all. The arrangement by his sister had clearly worked its effects in the evening. It is necessary for Tian Xujian to back down. Now, Nie Zhenbang is considering how to take advantage of this opportunity to embarrass Tian Xujian and ruin his credibility in all of Wanghai City. Even, if Tian Xujian insisted on being stubborn, Nie Zhenbang wouldn’t mind taking down Tian Xujian through this opportunity.
Obviously, the latter plan is not feasible, Tian Xujian is very capable of grasping the situation.
“Old Yi, answer the call, let’s see what kind of attitude Tian Xujian has.” Nie Zhenbang said, smiling but silent.
The living room fell silent, leaving Yi Chang with a space to talk. Adjusting his attitude, he answered the call, still maintaining a respectful demeanor, “Secretary Tian, I apologize, I was walking on the road just now and didn’t hear my phone ringing.”
At this moment, for Tian Xujian, dealing with these minor matters is not a priority. For Tian Xujian, the most important thing is to quell the anger of Wal-Mart Group and get Wanghai New Port back to work as soon as possible. As for the negative news, the resumption of work at Wanghai New Port alone would be enough to counteract all of it.
Without any unnecessary words, Tian Xujian went straight to the point, “Secretary Yi, do you have the phone number of Mr. Xiao from Wal-Mart Group?”
On this side, Yi Chang didn’t joke around either. After all, he is in position as the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, the manager of the municipal party committee. His clear job description is to serve the party secretary, assist the party secretary in charge of the work of the municipal party committee. For such a large enterprise as Wal-Mart Group, a leader’s phone number is impossible to lack in Yi Chang’s hand.
Just as Yi Chang had recited Xiao Yali’s number and hung up the phone, before Yi Chang could speak, Ms. Xiao Yali, wearing a spring and autumn silk pajama set, came downstairs from the room.
Seeing Yi Chang sitting in the living room, Xiao Yali slightly nodded her head, giving a greeting, then said, “Younger brother, this Tian Xujian called. What do you think, should I answer or not?”
Tian Xujian had called from the landline at Hong Yan Lou. She was extremely familiar with this room and its phone number since it had been used by Nie Zhenbang before.
Nie Zhenbang, however, smiled and said, “Sister, you’re so capable. I don’t know what to do with Tian Xujian, but you managed to get him to submit. At this time, Tian Xujian is calling, and there can only be one purpose, and that is to apologize to you. You have no reason not to pick up.”
Hearing “younger brother” and “sister”, Yi Chang was somewhat shocked inside, but more than that, he felt a kind of surprise. He didn’t expect Mayor Nie to have such a secretive relationship with the Wal-Mart Group.
Right, Mayor Nie’s wife is Yang Anna. Isn’t the chairman of the Wal-Mart Group called Yang Anbang? Their names differ by only one character, they must be siblings. What surprised Yi Chang was that Mayor Nie didn’t deliberately conceal this from him. This meant that he had gained the mayor’s affirmation and recognition.
Xiao Yali was sitting on the sofa now, waving her hand and said, “Forget it, forget it, you’re quite a utilitarian type, who would abandon allies after achieving your goals. I’m curious to see what tricks Tian Xujian is playing.”
After Xiao finished her words, she pressed the speaker button on her mobile phone. Her voice suddenly became lazy and indifferent, “Who is it?”
On the other end, after a moment of silence, Tian Xujian’s voice quickly came through, “May I speak to Ms. Xiao Yali, the General Manager of Wal-Mart Group?”
Xiao Yali asked indifferently, “Who are you?”
This question made Tian Xujian grimace. Xiao Yali should’ve recognized the call from the suite at Hong Yan Lou. However, he was in a weak position and had to swallow his pride. After all, he had criticized the Wanghai New Port and even quarreled with Wal-Mart Group. Despite whether it was his fault or not, he would have to bear the blame. And worst of all, this wasn’t any false accusation.
Adjusting his mental state, Tian decided to avoid any future mishaps that could cause trouble for himself. He then smiled and said, “General Xiao, you’ve been too busy to remember me. Ha ha, I’m Tian Xujian from the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee. I hope I’m not disturbing your rest.”
“Tian Xujian?”
Xiao Yali pretended to hesitate, as if she had just remembered who he was. Her tone remained indifferent, “Oh, Secretary Tian, it’s late and I was about to rest. Is there something you need?”
Xiao Yali’s tone was quite disrespectful, totally lacking the courtesy accorded to a high-ranking local official. Her indifference was akin to treating a mere subordinate.
Tian Xujian’s tone faltered over the phone. He said, albeit somewhat tentatively, “Hehe, General Xiao, I heard that the construction at Wanghai New Port has suddenly stopped. What happened? Wal-Mart Group is an important investor in our city. If you have any difficulties, you can talk to us. Looking after investors is part of our job.”
The apology was on the tip of his tongue, but Tian Xujian swallowed it back down. As a dignified secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and a vice ministerial official, apologizing to a businesswoman was something Tian Xujian had never done, or even heard of before. If the news got out, how could he hold his head up high?
At Tian Xujian’s words, Xiao Yali’s face turned dark. Yi Chang, sitting upright next to her, changed no expression. Secretary General Yi knew that it was best to keep his mouth shut in such situations.
Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s mocking face, Xiao Yali felt irritated. This was a significant loss of face in front of her younger brother.
She then said in a deep voice, “Secretary Tian, is there anything else? If not, I’m going to rest.”
This sentence was like Xiao Yali issuing an eviction order. Tian Xujian realized that Xiao Yali was no ordinary businesswoman. Most business people would try not to overdo it when officials were submissive, after all, they still needed to survive here. But Xiao Yali was not like that. He realized he had made a mistake from the start.
Regardless, Tian Xujian no longer cared about face. He nodded and said, “General Xiao, I’m really sorry for the misunderstanding today. On behalf of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee and City Government, I sincerely apologize to Wal-Mart Group and to you. I hope you can forgive us.”
As he saw that Xiao Yali was about to hang up, Tian Xujian couldn’t help but apologize in the end. Apologizing over the phone was better than doing so in public. Although both were humiliating, at least this was done privately. He understood the difference clearly.
Tian Xujian thought that after he had apologized, Xiao Yali would give him a way out and gracefully let the matter pass.
However, he was wrong. Xiao Yali hummed in response and said indifferently, “Secretary Tian, I think we can discuss this matter at the company tomorrow. I’m a bit tired now. I won’t say much.”
Having said this, she didn’t care about Tian Xujian’s reaction. Xiao Yali hung up the phone.
At her side, Nie Zhenbang was laughing, “Good job, Second Sister. This kind of insincere apology should be rejected. These officials who are too status-conscious need to be taught a lesson.”
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