My God! I wondered if the bus driver had taken a wrong turn. Was this truly a county seat? It looked much like the large town where I used to buy medicinal herbs years ago. Except for a small cluster of buildings downtown, the periphery was nothing but haphazard bungalows and construction shacks. Even in the central area, I hadn't seen anything taller than six stories.

“Master Driver, I need to get to Liangshan small city. Are you sure you haven’t brought me to the wrong place? This barely qualifies as a town,” I asked the driver, a hint of confusion in my voice.

The driver poked his head out of the cab. “Young man, open your eyes wide and look. The sign right up ahead says it clearly.”

With a low vroom, the driver hit the gas and drove off with the other passengers. I looked up. Right there, at the entrance of the large compound ahead, the words “Liangshan County People’s Government” were written in bold characters. It seemed my expectations had been overly optimistic. Given the local geography and social environment, starting a business here from scratch would be a monumental task!

I hoisted my bag back onto my shoulder and walked towards the government entrance. A grizzled old man stopped me at the security booth. “Hey, stop right there! What are you doing? This is a restricted government area, you can’t just barge in.”

I pulled out my letter of appointment and presented it to the old man. “Sir, I’m here to start work. This is my introduction letter. Could you possibly let me in to report? We’ll be colleagues from now on; I hope you can look out for me if I need anything.”

The old man put on his reading glasses and examined the document closely. “Oh, I wouldn't have thought someone from a place like the Capital would come work here. You must be the second marvel to grace our town. Go on, the high-ranking officials are all around today. Go report to whomever you wish.”

Taking back my letter, I walked on, thinking to myself: I wonder who the first marvel is. It’s frustrating that a genius like me can’t even snag the top spot.

The government office building was three stories high, looking dilapidated and decades old. Some faded, indistinct slogans seemed to hint at a past immersion in the revolutionary fervor of the Red Era. I felt compelled to take a close-up photo of this government building and post it online. Who says government buildings in the Great Dragon Country are the most luxurious and magnificent? Look at this place; even the government offices in some backward African nations might look better. This, I supposed, was a symbol of incorruptible public service.

I expected every office door to have a clear plaque, allowing me to simply find the Organization Department, deposit my file, and await instructions. To my surprise, the doors, which looked ready to fall apart, were completely bare. If they had anything, it was just some old newspapers haphazardly pasted up, probably to block the winter wind.

I forced my mind to clear, assuring myself I hadn't time-traveled back six thousand years. What lay before me was undeniably a real scene in this bustling world. I began to admire Li Qi; the location she chose for me—Great Dragon Country could not find a second one like it, I could stake my honor on that guarantee!

Just as I was about to knock on a door to ask for directions, my hand hadn't quite settled when the door suddenly swung open. A cascade of files and books slammed into me, scattering everywhere with a loud whoosh.

“Who is standing there without making a sound? Are you trying to kill me? I just organized this again... Who are you?” After the books and papers spilled, a delicate face appeared. She was clearly startled to see me, but instead of yelling at me as I had anticipated, she offered a slight smile.

This girl’s looks were not outstanding, but having walked around all day, I knew she would certainly qualify as a great beauty here. Her clothes were quite in line with the latest metropolitan fashion, suggesting she might not be a local. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to block the doorway. I’m here to report and I’m looking for the Organization Department.” As I spoke, I began helping her gather the fallen files and books.

The girl said, “You’re here to work? That’s surprising. I thought I was the only idiot in the world! The Organization Department, Health Department, News Department, Transportation Department—I call the shots on all of them. Let me see your red-header document, and I’ll talk to the County Head and the Secretary later to find you some temporary task to keep you busy.”

Damn, I thought, I’ve run into a high-ranking official. I never expected someone so young to hold so many posts. I must work hard, I mused innocently while taking out my letter of appointment.

“Your name is Zhao Qian? That’s a strange name. Zhao Qian... seeking money—haha! You should be in business. Please help me tidy up my things first. I’ll go speak to the County Head and at least settle your food and lodging arrangements.”

I said happily, “That’s truly too much trouble, Minister. What should I call you?”

The girl chuckled sweetly. “My name is Ning Shixuan. Although you’re handsome, don’t get any ideas about me, okay? I have a boyfriend.”

“Rest assured, rest assured! I can guarantee this to Minister Ning. Besides, you are my superior; how could I dare have ideas about you?”

Ning Shixuan took my letter of appointment and headed upstairs. “You’re smart enough. I’ll treat you to lunch today.”

I didn't get to meet the leader, but the enthusiastic Minister Ning took care of everything. She said I would be responsible for propaganda work starting tomorrow. She didn't elaborate on the specifics, and I didn't ask. I figured it would involve creating some plans and writing a few articles, which aligned perfectly with my status as a university graduate.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you to the third-floor dormitory to arrange a place for you to stay first. I see your registered residence is in the Capital. You might find the environment here difficult at first, but take it slow, let nature take its course.” After finishing the paperwork, Ning Shixuan helped me carry my bag.

I quickly took my bag back and followed her up to the third floor. Based on my own observation of this three-story county government building: the first floor housed smaller departments—a messy, catch-all area. The second floor was the office area for the County Head and the Party Secretary; the quality of the doors and windows was noticeably better, though I dared not use my X-ray vision to see the inside since the doors were shut. The third floor above was broken down, filled with coal briquettes, broken stoves, garbage, and rotten vegetables. Even worse, clothes, diapers, quilts, and mattresses were hanging out to dry—it seemed this floor served as the residential quarters for families.

“When County Head Zhao heard it was a university graduate with the same surname, he specifically instructed me to take extra care of you. Normally, with your current rank, you would have to share a large dormitory, but arranging a single room for you now shows the organization’s care for you as a youth sent to the countryside. Go in; this will be your second home from now on.”

As she spoke, Ning Shixuan pushed open an empty room. A smell of mildew rushed out. The room had clearly been unoccupied for a long time, and the trash inside had already molded. Was this the special care from the County Head who shared my surname?

Ning Shixuan managed an awkward smile. “It will be fine after you clean up. I live just across the hall from the room next to yours. There’s also Secretary Liu from the office across the way; he graduated from university two years ago, but he’s a local, different from us outsiders.”

For the next while, I had to perform the unprecedented task of cleaning up by myself. However, before I started tidying, I very seriously took photos of the room’s original condition; I had to remember this clearly for my future ‘achievements.’

“Wow! A limited-edition Platinum Huiyu Tong mobile phone!” Ning Shixuan didn't seem surprised that I was taking pictures, but instead exclaimed loudly when she saw my phone.

I replied, “The neighbor’s uncle’s cousin’s wife’s second uncle’s brother gave this to me. They have plenty of these things at home, and he just handed one over since he saw I liked it.”

“I heard that this model isn’t available commercially; only high-level internal personnel can own one,” Ning Shixuan commented knowledgeably.

“Exactly. My classmates said the same thing—they couldn’t buy one no matter how hard they tried. My relative must be high up in Huiyu, so this item isn't rare to him. Minister Ning, please leave for a moment; your little brother here needs to start cleaning.”

Ning Shixuan replied warmly, “I’ll help you! Work here is very relaxed anyway, and besides, this counts as part of my duties.”

I politely declined initially but didn't refuse after her insistence. With Ning Shixuan’s help, the room was tidied up without much effort. However, a new problem immediately arose: there was a bed in the room, but the county government didn't provide bedding, and I hadn't brought any. It seemed I needed to go buy two sets this afternoon.

“I know where they sell them. The City Department Store has a fairly complete selection. Let’s go look after we eat.”

I was very grateful. “How can I trouble Minister Ning further? You’ve helped me tremendously. I’ll treat you to lunch! Look, it’s almost time to get off work. Let’s go find a place to eat.”

Ning Shixuan was a cheerful girl. She said, “There’s a farmers’ market just behind the government compound with quite a few eateries. We won’t eat the mass-produced canteen food today; we’ll order stir-fry instead. But here’s the deal: if we eat out, you treat me. If we eat in the government cafeteria, I treat you.”