Chapter 20: The Vanishing Desk

However, the conversation on the other end of the line seemed shielded by an invisible barrier. Jiang Zhaoyang could only vaguely hear Xia Beili’s repeated responses of "Okay! Okay! I understand!" but he remained completely in the dark regarding the specifics.

When Xia Beili finally hung up, her expression instantly turned icy, reminiscent of a biting winter wind that chilled one to the bone. She turned to look at Jiang Zhaoyang, her eyes filled with such impatience and disdain that it was as if he were the last person she ever wanted to face.

"The Town Mayor wants to see you in his office," Xia Beili said coldly. Her tone lacked any trace of emotion, sounding more like the delivery of a frosty command. Having said that, she stopped looking at him altogether and turned back to bury herself in her work, treating Jiang Zhaoyang as if his existence were utterly meaningless.

Jiang Zhaoyang felt a bitter smile tug at his lips, accompanied by an inexplicable sense of loss and confusion. He recalled how Xia Beili used to fawn over him, often casting flirtatious glances in hopes of gaining his favor. Now, however, she had become so indifferent, as if an impassable chasm had opened between them. Compared to her previous attitude, the change was night and day; she was like a completely different person.

After leaving, he headed toward the Town Mayor’s office. As he walked down the hallway, he sensed an unspeakable, noisy undercurrent spreading behind him. He could hear people whispering—the chattering sounds pricking at his ears like tiny needles, though the words remained indistinct.

Suddenly, a clearer voice, dripping with blatant schadenfreude, drifted over: "So, this kid is finally packing his bags today to report to the Baiyun Mountain Reservoir, huh?"

Another voice immediately chimed in: "His day has finally come!"

"It’s his turn to taste some bitterness now."

A final, near-ruthless voice added, "With his patron’s influence waning and the ice mountain crumbling, if he doesn't meet with misfortune, who will? In this circle, there are no permanent winners, only permanent interests."

Jiang Zhaoyang turned around abruptly. The group of whispering people was caught off guard and stunned! Their conversation ceased instantly, leaving a dead silence. Expressions of shock and embarrassment lingered on their faces; they looked like a troupe of clowns suddenly caught under a spotlight, utterly disheveled.

Jiang Zhaoyang curled his lip in disdain. The smile carried a hint of cold detachment, as if all the gossip were merely a passing autumn breeze, unworthy of notice. He then turned into his own office.

Liuli Town was tucked away in a corner and couldn't compare to the county seat. Yet, despite the scarcity of resources and limited conditions elsewhere, there was never a shortage of office space. Although Jiang Zhaoyang was only a staff member and technically held the status of a low-ranking official, he enjoyed the luxury of a private office, a privilege most other staff members didn't have.

He had entered his office to retrieve a research report—a project assigned by the county that wasn't yet finalized—as he needed to brief Mayor Lin Weiquan before departing for the reservoir.

However, the moment Jiang Zhaoyang pushed open the familiar door and stepped inside, he was instantly struck with astonishment. It was as if he had walked into an entirely alien space. His old desk, which had borne witness to countless late nights of hard work, had quietly vanished. In its place stood a brand-new, oversized, and stylish desk with a surface as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the soft sunlight from the window and appearing both modern and opulent.

This sudden change left Jiang Zhaoyang momentarily at a loss. His gaze continued to sweep the room. The once-bare coffee table was now adorned with an exquisite, delicate tea set that glowed with a warm, gentle luster. Several books—seemingly unrelated to work—were scattered casually across the table, alongside some high-end, petite, and inviting tea pastries. All of this stood in stark contrast to his formerly monotonous office environment.

Even more bizarrely, the vibrant green plant by the window that had accompanied him through countless days and nights had been replaced by a bouquet of dazzling, colorful flowers in full bloom, seemingly indifferent to the constraints of the season. The air was filled with a strange, refreshing blend of floral scent and tea fragrance, leaving him feeling both inexplicably refreshed and deeply puzzled.

A massive question mark formed in Jiang Zhaoyang's mind. He frowned and looked around, searching every detail for a clue to explain these sudden changes.

Could he have taken a wrong turn and entered someone else’s office? He hurried to the door to double-check the room number. After confirming it was indeed his, his bewilderment only deepened. Had someone performed such a "major renovation" on his office without his knowledge?

Just as he was filled with suspicion and about to leave to investigate with a colleague next door, footsteps echoed from the hallway, approaching his office. Jiang Zhaoyang held his breath, eager to identify the visitor.

Who was it?

A figure appeared at the door, instantly filling Jiang Zhaoyang’s field of vision. He stiffened, realizing the person was none other than He Di!

"You?"

"You?"

Both men were startled and spoke in unison.

"Deputy Director He, what is the meaning of this?" Jiang Zhaoyang asked, a sarcastic, mocking smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Quite adept at usurping the nest, aren't you?"

"Usurping the nest?" He Di gave a contemptuous laugh, filled with mockery and disdain. "Is this office yours, Jiang Zhaoyang? Isn't that a bit overbearing? Are you trying to claim public property as your own?"

He Di’s words were laced with provocation, clearly intended to goad Jiang Zhaoyang. Jiang Zhaoyang’s expression shifted slightly. This guy was really nitpicking to find dirt on him, wasn't he? But he quickly regained his composure and asked coldly, "Where is my desk? What have you done with it?"

"Your desk? Were you planning to take it to the reservoir?" He Di drawled, his tone dripping with mockery and scorn. "That piece of junk was destined for the scrap heap."

"What!" Upon hearing this, the anger in Jiang Zhaoyang’s heart erupted like a volcano, nearly bursting from his chest. "I had a crucial research report locked in the drawer of that desk! You actually sold my desk for scrap?"

He Di let out a mocking laugh. "Is your hearing clogged with lead? Did your ears stop working? Did I say I sold it immediately?"