The Party and Government General Office is responsible for party affairs, government affairs, united front work, finance, archives, historical records, confidential matters, secrecy, stability maintenance, comprehensive management, as well as general administrative services and management. Although the list of responsibilities seems long, in practice, there isn’t actually much to do—especially in a township-level government. In reality, no matter where you are, there are only a handful of people who actually get things done; most just idle away their days in the office.

While Ryan Carter was lost in thought, he suddenly heard a loud “bang” as a document was slammed heavily onto Adam Reed’s desk.

“Adam Reed, what’s going on with you? What is this you’ve written? Do you expect me to take this and read it to the district chief and the others?”

A stern voice belonging to a middle-aged man, probably around forty, rang out in the office.

Adam Reed sprang up from his desk as if he had a spring under him, apologizing repeatedly: “Secretary Owen, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’ll revise it right away.”

The person who had come in was none other than William Owen. Dressed in a shirt, he didn’t yet have the imposing presence of someone in a high position, but even as the deputy party secretary, his demeanor was enough to make Adam Reed turn pale. At this moment, his face looked rather grim as he glared at Adam Reed and said, “Tomorrow I have to attend a meeting at the district. You can’t even write a draft about the relationship between environmental protection and industrial development? It’s been revised over and over for almost a month now. I really don’t understand how you got into the office!”

At this moment, a voice came from the side.

“Secretary Owen, leave it to me. I’ll write it.”

Chapter 013: First Encounter

William Owen is a cadre on temporary assignment. After graduating from Huaxia University, he was assigned to Muyang. After many ups and downs, he finally became the deputy principal of the Muyang Municipal Party School, but because he offended a deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, he was demoted to this godforsaken place, Yanjiang Township. Although Party Secretary Tian Minzheng hadn’t gone out of his way to make things difficult for him, the fall from the peak of power to rock bottom still left William Owen feeling rather dejected.

He had been conducting research in a subordinate village in the morning, and when he rushed back at noon, he kept feeling like he’d forgotten something. After thinking for a long time, he finally remembered that he had a meeting at the district tomorrow about the relationship between environmental protection and rural economic development. But the drafts he’d asked the office staff to write had already been sent back for revisions several times, and he had no idea what kind of mess they’d made this time.

Arriving at the office, William Owen picked up the draft left on his desk. Halfway through reading it, he was so angry his head spun. It was basically an article copied from some newspaper, and to make matters worse, Adam Reed had even copied the place names verbatim. If he were to attend tomorrow’s meeting with this content, he’d probably become the laughingstock of the entire Muyang officialdom.

The more he thought about it, the angrier William Owen became. Fuming, he stormed into the general office and started scolding Adam Reed.

He didn’t expect that, at this moment, someone would speak up for Adam Reed.

“Secretary Owen, may I take over this draft? I’ll write it for Adam Reed.”

William Owen was taken aback when he heard this. He turned around and saw a young man wearing glasses and a white shirt, looking rather refined, standing up from behind a desk and speaking to him calmly.

That person was, of course, Ryan Carter.

Just now, he had been lost in thought, pondering how to secure a favorable position in the upcoming leadership reshuffle, when he heard Adam Reed being scolded by William Owen. Although he wasn’t sure who this person was, just from hearing Adam Reed address him as Secretary Owen, Ryan Carter had already deduced that this must be the future big shot from the capital, William Owen. That’s why he took the initiative to stand up and take on the task.

According to Ryan Carter’s understanding, this was the lowest point in William Owen’s career—demoted for offending a superior, with a bleak future ahead. Approaching him at this time was probably the most suitable and opportune moment. Otherwise, once he rose to power, someone as insignificant as himself would be nothing more than an ant in William Owen’s eyes. After all, no matter the era, offering help in someone’s hour of need is far more memorable than simply adding to their success.

Looking at the young man standing across from him, William Owen was momentarily stunned, then asked, “Who are you?”

Ryan Carter lowered his head slightly and replied, “My name is Ryan Carter, I’m a new temp in the office.”

“Temp?” There was a hint of doubt in William Owen’s tone. He had a thorough understanding of the quality of the temps in the party and government office—every task given to them had never been done well, and this time was no exception. If they couldn’t handle it, he’d have to write it himself. But seeing this rather refined young man speak up, he became a bit curious and couldn’t help but ask, “So? Are you confident you can do it well?”

With a slight smile, Ryan Carter didn’t answer his question, but instead said calmly, “This morning, an old classmate of yours came to see you, but you weren’t here. He left this for you.” As he spoke, he handed the business card to William Owen.

William Owen was taken aback. He took the card, and his expression immediately changed as he looked at Ryan Carter and asked, “You know him?”