Chen Bin nodded slightly and looked at the other committee members.
"What do you all think about the suspension?"
Cai Weiguo immediately stood up without hesitation.
"I agree with Secretary Ye’s decision!"
Logically speaking, Cai Weiguo believed that following Chen Bin would have better prospects.
Unfortunately, Cai Lixia had chosen Ye Pei, so as her father, Cai Weiguo could only support Ye Hong.
Soon after, many people began nodding in succession, indicating their support for suspending Chen Bin’s work.
At this moment, Xiong Wubing suddenly stood up and said righteously.
"I think this arrangement is inappropriate!"
Ye Hong squinted his small eyes, his face full of coldness.
"Explain to me, how is it inappropriate?"
Xiong Wubing showed no fear and confronted Ye Hong head-on.
"I believe that a suspension is appropriate only if County Magistrate Chen made mistakes in his work. However, he has been diligent and hard-working. Suspending him without sufficient reason—do you think that’s proper?"
With Xiong Wubing taking the lead, all of Xue Baoguang’s former closest allies stood up to speak for Chen Bin.
However, their numbers were too few and couldn’t match the group supporting the suspension.
Even so, Chen Bin was very grateful to these individuals.
After all, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Ye Hong was targeting him.
Speaking up for Chen Bin now was equivalent to aligning against Ye Hong.
Seeing the satisfied expression on Chen Bin’s face made Ye Hong even angrier.
He stood up directly and said, "Suspending County Magistrate Chen is simply to give him some time to rest. When there’s an important task in the future, it will be assigned to him. Meeting adjourned!"
From that day onward, under Ye Hong’s maneuvering, Chen Bin began to retreat to the sidelines.
Every day, his only tasks were sitting in the office and reading newspapers.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and Ye Hong again brought up his suggestion at a committee meeting to transfer Chen Bin to the position of County Committee Office Director.
This suggestion astonished almost everyone.
But Ye Hong, who was practically untouchable in Dragon Mountain County, left many with no choice but to agree.
Although individuals like Xiong Wubing objected, the minority adhered to the majority, leaving them with no alternative but to follow the arrangement.
Witnessing this unfold, Ye Hong appeared exceedingly pleased.
He immediately declared the matter finalized.
However, transfers of deputy-level cadre positions couldn’t be decided by him alone.
The municipal committee had to be informed, and approval from higher-ups was required.
To expedite this process, Ye Hong traveled to the city immediately after the meeting ended.
He sought out Cao Sanjin to report the situation.
Ye Hong initially thought that someone as inconspicuous as Chen Bin wouldn’t attract Cao Sanjin’s attention.
But unexpectedly, Cao Sanjin frowned outright, asking coldly, "Why do you want to transfer Chen Bin to County Committee Office Director? Is there an issue with his work capability, or are you trying to dominate Dragon Mountain County and eliminate dissent?"
These words left Ye Hong stunned; he didn’t know how to respond for a moment.
After all, Cao Sanjin was such a high-ranking official that Ye Hong dared not offend him.
Rather than resorting to deceit, he chose to keep silent.
After approximately ten seconds, Cao Sanjin sternly reprimanded him again.
"You know better than I do how much Chen Bin has accomplished. As Dragon Mountain County’s cornerstone, and you want to ruin him? Restore all of Chen Bin’s duties immediately, or you’ll answer to me! Do you understand?!"
"Yes... Yes! I understand."
As Ye Hong was preparing to leave, Cao Sanjin didn’t forget to remind him.
"Whether Chen Bin’s position rises or falls, the decision lies with the municipal committee. You’d better keep your scheming to yourself!"
Ye Hong didn’t dare reply, only nodding repeatedly.
He had an extremely sour expression when he left the office.
He just couldn’t fathom why Cao Sanjin held Chen Bin in such high regard.
Could it be that Dragon Mountain County couldn’t function without Chen Bin?
Meanwhile, Cao Sanjin called Chen Bin himself.
With a slightly gentler tone, he asked, "What’s the deal with Ye Hong trying to transfer your position just now?"
Without any hesitation, Chen Bin immediately mentioned the matter involving He Beibei.
Of course, during this explanation, he described He Beibei as his sworn sister.
He did not mention any other relationship.
After hearing this, Cao Sanjin was also quite enraged.
Although he felt Chen Bin’s actions were somewhat inappropriate, they were nonetheless gratifying.
After all, anyone would feel indignant upon hearing that their sister was being coerced.
Once it became clear that Ye Hong didn’t have evidence of Chen Bin seeking vengeance, Cao Sanjin sighed in relief.
He followed up by asking.
"So how do you intend to handle this matter?"
Without hesitation, Chen Bin revealed his thoughts.
"Ye Hong targeted me. To leave this grudge unsettled would be unbecoming. I must face him head-on. However, he has local ties, and most people stand on his side, leaving me with limited strength. Therefore, I hope to gain your support."
After thinking it over briefly, Cao Sanjin replied.
"No problem. Leave this matter to me."
After returning from the municipal committee, Ye Hong immediately reinstated Chen Bin’s original position.
About a week later, Chen Bin received a notice to attend the Provincial Committee Party School for two years to pursue a master’s degree.
Everyone understood that attending the Provincial Committee Party School signified an impending promotion.
Could it be that despite Ye Hong’s actions against him, Chen Bin’s position would not only remain intact but even advance?
This development became a source of great unrest within Dragon Mountain County’s political circles.
After all, Chen Bin was remarkably young, having only joined the committee the previous year and facing promotion again this year.
The next step would likely be becoming County Magistrate or Secretary of the County Committee.
At this moment, Ye Hong was extremely anxious, fearing his position might be replaced by Chen Bin.
But with Cao Sanjin forbidding him from acting against Chen Bin, what could he do?
On the day of enrollment, Chen Bin arrived at the Provincial Committee Party School and discovered that he was the youngest in the class.
What surprised him even more was seeing Xu Ruoxuan in the same class.
There were twenty-four students in the class, and since Chen Bin had frequently appeared in provincial newspapers, many recognized him.
As people greeted him enthusiastically, one woman stood out most prominently.
"Hello, County Magistrate Chen. My name is Hao Wenjing. I’m delighted to be classmates with you."
"Hello, nice to meet you!"
While shaking hands with Hao Wenjing, Chen Bin discreetly observed her.
Hao Wenjing appeared to be in her early thirties, with exquisite features and a graceful figure.
In comparison to Xu Ruoxuan, she was not at all inferior.
As she slowly retracted her delicate hand, Hao Wenjing said solemnly.
"County Magistrate Chen, you’ve always been a role model for me. Now that we’re lucky enough to be classmates, I hope you won’t hesitate to share your experiences and teach me more about work."
"I wouldn’t dare call it teaching, but we can certainly exchange insights often. After all, becoming classmates is a type of fate."
As he said this, Chen Bin couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
Being admired by a beautiful female official was undoubtedly a pleasant feeling.
After registration, Chen Bin and Xu Ruoxuan went to a nearby restaurant for a meal.
Afterward, Xu Ruoxuan drove him back home.
Seeing that no one else was around, Chen Bin asked eagerly, "Where’s Xiao Ya?"
"She’s at my parents’ house!"
As Xu Ruoxuan spoke, she leaned against Chen Bin proactively.
"Why haven’t you contacted me for so long? Don’t you miss your elder sister?"
Looking into Xu Ruoxuan’s longing gaze, Chen Bin’s lips curled into a faint smile.
He immediately lifted her by the waist and headed toward the master bedroom.
"Sis, it was my fault. I’ll make it up to you right now..."