At 5 p.m., the time for leaving work, Nie Zhenbang, unusually, wasn't working overtime today. As he walked out of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government office building and exited the elevator, he saw a familiar figure ahead. A thought struck Nie Zhenbang's mind and he quickened his steps to catch up, greeting, "Deputy Secretary Long, what a coincidence?"
The words of Nie Zhenbang immediately made Long Genghua stop in his tracks, although he was somewhat puzzled. Normally, when they saw each other, the interaction was limited to a nod or a quick salute. Today, Nie Zhenbang had taken the initiative to stop him; this was certainly not an ordinary signal.
Yet, on the surface, Long Genghua appeared unruffled and returned the greeting with a smile, "Governor Nie, leaving work so early today?"
Long Genghua was also not one to act before seeing the advantage. He showed no particular reaction to Nie Zhenbang's unusual approach, adopting a probing attitude instead.