Chapter 748 - 724:
Arriving at the Provincial Public Security Department Building, he tossed the car into the parking lot. However, the security guard at the entrance just wouldn’t let him into the building. The Ministry of Public Security, was that a place where ordinary people could waltz in as they pleased? Despite Ye Chen’s best efforts at explaining, the guy was stubbornly denying him entry.
"Shit, what do I have to say for you to let me in, huh? I’ve told you I’m Director Zhang’s husband!" Ye Chen felt somewhat at a loss for words.
"How am I supposed to know which Director Zhang you’re referring to? There are so many Director Zhangs here; dozens of property owners, over ten directors—everyone who enters there is an official!" The guard’s words left Ye Chen speechless. It seemed that bureaucracy in China was extremely heavy; one position could apparently have more than ten officials.
"Alright, alright!" Ye Chen swallowed, then said, "What if I call her to come out and fetch me, would that be okay?"
"That’s doable!" The guard immediately nodded, promptly offering Ye Chen a cigarette and smiled, "Brother, it’s not that I don’t want to let you in, it’s just the rules here. Everyone going in there is an official, and damn it, I’m the one who suffers the most here. Every time I make a mistake, I get scolded from top to bottom—because of one error, I have to endure criticism from dozens of people. Do you think that’s easy for me?"
Ye Chen was taken aback, casting a sympathetic glance at the man before responding, "Brother, sounds tough!"
"It’s fine, it’s fine!" The guard repeatedly shook his head, saying, "Shit, I’m used to it. There’s no helping it, the bureaucratic style here is just too severe."
Ye Chen felt he could understand the guard. It wasn’t just in such government units where this happened—even in some private companies, people often encountered this kind of bureaucratic attitude, rebuking subordinates at the drop of a hat, acting arbitrarily with the little power in their hands as if their authority was something that couldn’t expire. As Ye Chen chatted with the guard, he even forgot to make the call, holding a bunch of roses in one hand and a cigarette in the other, sitting and chatting on the bench.
At that moment, the sound of a car horn blared from outside. The guard jumped up instinctively, his face turning white as he said, "Damn, I’ve messed up again!"
"What’s wrong?" Ye Chen was startled and stood up. Outside, a Jeep was stopped by the barrier, unable to get in, and the impatient driver was furiously honking the horn. The guard immediately pressed the controller, and the barrier rose. The driver rolled down the window, glared at the guard, and barked, "What are you doing, don’t you want your job?"
"Big brother, my mistake!" The guard hurriedly saluted, with a completely submissive expression.
"Hmph!" The driver seemed satisfied and drove the car in. The vehicle had barely moved far when it suddenly stopped. The rear door opened, and Zhang Kaiguo actually jumped out and waved at Ye Chen, calling, "Ye Chen, what brings you here?"