Chapter 523: Chapter 533: Dispatched Cadres

“Michael Davis, this time you came back, where are you working?” James Johnson asked at this moment.

Michael Davis pretended to be casual and said, “This time I’m back through the proper channels. I need to start at the grassroots level for some training, so I’ll be working in L-Region.”

Amy Smith immediately said excitedly, “L-Region, Melody Yoody is the Mayor there, so you’ll be with her.”

James Johnson laughed and said, “Melody was our class leader, you were the study monitor, and now you’re working in the same township. That’s quite a coincidence.”

Michael Davis heard there was a classmate reunion, so he hurried over. Although his job was already settled, he hadn’t reported to the township yet. He just wanted to show off a bit among his classmates. He didn’t know Melody Yoody was the Mayor of L-Region.

Now hearing that Melody Yoody is the Mayor there, his eyes lit up and he said, “I never expected Melody to be the Mayor there. This is wonderful.”

David Johnson glanced at James Brown with a hint of worry in his eyes. He was one of the few who knew about some of James Brown’s relations with Melody Yoody, and he also knew that Michael Davis had secretly liked Melody Yoody back then. He had been focused on his studies and hadn’t taken any actions. Now working in the same township might give him an opportunity, and he was worried James Brown might get upset.

James Brown noticed Michael Davis’s intentions towards Melody Yoody but didn’t mind. A woman like Melody was bound to have suitors. However, since Melody was carrying his child, he had nothing to worry about. He gave Emily Johnson a reassuring look.

Someone asked, “Michael Davis, it seems that the position of a township mayor is also at the departmental level, aren’t you going there to be the secretary?”

Michael Davis shook his head and said, “No, I think I’ll be the Deputy Mayor, in charge of some work. After all, I still need training. As long as nothing goes wrong, in a year or two, I can be transferred to another department for a real position, then I’ll be on par with Melody.”

Everyone was envious. A departmental level position might not sound significant, but someone with authority could become quite influential. A small departmental level position could be very lucrative, let alone a township mayor. In fact, county and district level directors are department levels too, so managing it well makes it quite a remarkable position.

Furthermore, Michael Davis was a departmental level cadre sent down, so he might be promoted faster and could one day become a county mayor or even a city mayor. So building relations now would be beneficial.

Compared to the previous two events’ glamour, John Brown, dressed in a security uniform, was completely marginalized this time. He didn’t mind. Reality is as it is. Michael Davis is young and already a proper cadre, and he has a promising future. Compared to other classmates, his starting point is higher and his future brighter, something undeniably enviable.

“By the way, why hasn’t Melody arrived yet today?” With an influential figure like Michael Davis, naturally, everyone was also thinking of Melody Yoody. Despite Michael Davis’s promising future, Melody Yoody, being a Mayor, with family backing, was definitely going to outshine Michael Davis in the future.

Amy Smith quickly said, “I called Melody today. She said she has something going on tonight and might not make it, but she’ll see how it goes.”

Anyone else not attending a class reunion might cause some gossip, but for Melody Yoody, it was understandable. Firstly, given her position and being a beauty, she was easily forgiven.

As the food was served, everyone started eating and drinking, creating a lively atmosphere. Despite John Brown not being the center of attention, gathering with classmates and chatting was still enjoyable.

“Michael Davis, you being sent down, did you have connections?” After a while, Amy Smith curiously asked.

Michael Davis laughed, “In today’s world, is anything achievable without connections? I have an uncle who’s the Deputy Director of the Municipal Finance Bureau.”

“Michael Davis, that’s impressive, having such influential connections, never heard you mention it before.”

“It’s nothing to boast about. If you don’t work hard yourself, even with such connections, they might not help you. You have to pass various exams. If I didn’t pass, even my uncle couldn’t help. It was only because I passed that he helped arrange a decent position for me.”

Michael Davis positioned himself as someone who hadn’t overly relied on connections, highlighting his capabilities.

Everyone praised him before resuming drinking, but they couldn’t always focus on talking about Michael Davis. At this point, a boy named Thomas Smith sat beside John Brown and asked, “John, can you still reach out to Alice Brown and Jennifer Hog these days?”

Amy Smith immediately chimed in, “Thomas Smith, isn’t that a tough ask for John? He doesn’t even drive for the boss anymore; how could he make such a request?”

Thomas Smith awkwardly smiled and said, “I was just giving it a shot. John, don’t worry about it. If it works out, it works out. If not, never mind; at most, my wife will just nag me a bit more.”

John Brown smiled and said, “I can try making a call.”

“That’d be great, whether it works or not, it’s the thought that counts, John.”

Michael Davis overheard this and, slightly inebriated, said, “Thomas, don’t bother John with this. I’ll handle it for you. Isn’t it just the TV hosts? I’ve got it sorted.”

Thomas Smith was immediately delighted and said, “Davis, are you sure you can handle this?”

Michael Davis slammed the table and said, “Of course! Even though I haven’t taken office officially, I have my uncle. My uncle values me a lot now. If I ask him for such a favor, there’s no way he wouldn’t help.”

“Then… that’s just fantastic! Thomas, it’s all up to you.”

Michael Davis then picked up the phone and dialed. A few rings later, he connected and said, “Uncle, it’s me, Davis… Hehe, I’m at a class reunion, dining with classmates. Didn’t you say? Now that I’ve entered the workforce, I must network to build good connections… Yes, that’s what I’m doing. Uncle, one of my classmates is getting married and wants to invite two TV hosts, Alice Brown and Jennifer Hog, to host. Can you help with that?”

Upon hearing Michael Davis talk about this, everyone became tense. Michael Davis then turned to Thomas Smith and asked, “Thomas, which day?”

Thomas Smith quickly replied, “It’s next Saturday, August 8th.”

Michael Davis repeated this before hanging up, smiling as he said, “My uncle said he’d check. Don’t worry, with my uncle handling it, how can those TV hosts refuse?”

Everyone agreed, and Thomas Smith beamed, showering Michael Davis with more compliments.

About ten minutes later, Michael Davis’s phone rang, and the room became silent. Michael Davis answered the call, and after saying a few words, frowned and said, “Uncle, is it really that much of a coincidence?… Okay, I’ll tell my classmates.”

Hearing this, everyone sensed it was hopeless. Michael Davis frowned and told Thomas Smith, “Thomas, it truly is unfortunate. Those two hosts have prior engagements that day and really can’t make it. It’s not that I didn’t try for you; it’s just an unfortunate coincidence.”

Thomas Smith quickly said, “There’s no helping that. It’s on me for scheduling my wedding on a busy date… Sigh…” Disappointment was evident on his face.

Michael Davis felt embarrassed as he failed at his first attempt to help a classmate. But if even his uncle couldn’t do it, he certainly couldn’t either.

Seeing Thomas Smith like that, John Brown felt a bit soft-hearted. They were old classmates, and he thought it best to help if possible. He smiled and asked, “Thomas, what time is your wedding happening? I’ll see if I can help adjust the timing with Alice Brown and Jennifer Hog.”

Thomas Smith’s eyes lit up and he said, “I originally planned for an 8 AM ceremony. If we can get Alice Brown and Jennifer Hog, I don’t mind adjusting the time as long as we can have the ceremony in the morning. John, do you think that’s possible?”

John Brown smiled and said, “I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee anything.”

Michael Davis, seeing someone attempt what he couldn’t, frowned and said, “John, aren’t you kidding? My uncle already said those hosts are involved in a provincial TV event, a significant deal for their careers, so there’s no way they’d spare time for a wedding. Don’t waste your efforts.”

Hearing this, John Brown said to Thomas Smith, “Thomas, I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do either.”

John Brown knew that at his word, Alice Brown and Jennifer Hog would drop everything and come. But he wouldn’t interfere with anything concerning their career futures, for that would be imprudent.

Thomas Smith gave a dry laugh and said, “It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Michael Davis saw that with one remark, John Brown gave up as well, slightly restoring his pride, feeling he saved some face. They resumed drinking, except Thomas Smith remained troubled. At a past wedding, John Stephens had two hosts, and his wife saw that. Being able to invite celebrity hosts at the wedding among classmates was prestigious, something he couldn’t achieve, leaving him feeling embarrassed. More importantly, it was difficult to appease his wife over such matters.