CHAPTER 556: 376. A DAY IN THE OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Nanhu University Management College, Student Affairs Office.

Today is the day before the scheduled return to school, the last weekend, yet it’s Guo Minjie’s turn to be on duty in the office.

It’s called being on duty, but it really just means sitting idly in a small cubicle office the college has set up exclusively for the leaders.

Handling some documents, stamping with the Student Affairs Office’s seal, answering phone calls, or receiving some visitors.

However, Guo Minjie doesn’t find it boring.

The golden plaque of [Student Affairs Office] hangs on the wall, the college’s seal rests in the drawer, an orange-red old-style landline telephone, a glass file cabinet with three locks, an old desktop computer.

All these petty and somewhat shabby arrangements vaguely carry a sense of leadership.

Although...just a low-level cadre.

Nowadays, the various organizations in the university ivory tower that fool the students are getting more complicated, influenced by social trends, and they mimic the culture of bureaucratic officials.

Things like Student Union, Youth League Committee, Student Affairs Office, Association Union, Secretariat...

Chairmen, Vice-chairs, Heads, Vice-heads, Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Ministers, Vice-ministers, the titles are endless.

Honestly, the actual power of these organizations is very limited.

More so, it’s a simulation power game of bureaucratic operation.

From teachers to senior classmates who serve as student leaders, frankly, those being managed are nothing but juniors.

They’re basically just players in this game simulation.

However, once matched with some real power, this game becomes more realistic.

The first duty after the New Year, Guo Minjie feels a bit more fresh.

Officially taking over the work, feeling like the Director of Student Affairs Office.

This feeling...is special.

...

Knock knock knock.

The door to the independent office was knocked, Guo Minjie adjusted her previously propped up legs under the table to a relatively dignified sitting posture.

"Please come in."

It turned out to be a few students who returned to school early, hoping to apply for a classroom for their club training.

This kind of thing, the previous director, whether to approve or not depended entirely on mood.

But Guo Minjie has always been reasonable, agreed, and gave them a few good reminders.

"You must adhere to school rules, don’t disturb other students’ study."

"Even if school hasn’t started, balance study and training well."

Saying this, she then approved classroom No. 6 on the first floor of the college for them.

Soon, the knocking sounded again.

Near the start of the school season, is when administrative tasks are the most concentrated.

A few third-year girls, not sure from which college, wanted to open a recommendation letter, recommending them for an internship at Golden Stone Media.

"Director Guo, we heard you’re the advisor for Golden Stone Media, can you help us..."

The girls were all dressed flamboyantly, with intense sunlight and visible makeup.

Guo Minjie looked them up and down, couldn’t help but balance a mental scale.

She is well aware that compared to other companies the school can connect with, Golden Stone Media offers the highest pay for interns.

This time, it was heard that even sent the third-year Mou Keyan, to a variety show involved with Mango TV.

Commoners and stars have a "wall," but Golden Stone Media has the ability to melt this thick barrier.

Prestigious.

Working in this company is not just prestigious.

Everyone is vying for it, she certainly can’t randomly recommend students there.

"You still need to check their recruitment brochure on the website."

"Just third-year, your focus should still be academics."

"Everyone interning, how can everyone be recommended to Golden Stone Media? Don’t think I don’t know, Golden Stone offers the highest hourly pay, you’re treating my reputation as a ticket, huh?"

"..."

A few girls again pleaded coyly, and with "Director Guo, please help..." acted pitifully.

Guo Minjie reluctantly picked up a pen and drafted a recommendation letter, handing it to the most outstanding beauty among the four of them.

However, who among the four goes or not, was their internal competition matter.

The next knock was a male voice.

Again, from someone else’s connection, a well-dressed in suit but still not hiding his rustic demeanor, sponsor came running.

Hastily saying he wanted to send a batch of water dispensers to Management College.

Such social tricks borrowing sponsorship for marketing couldn’t deceive Guo Minjie.

She kept a business-like face, cleanly dismissed it.

But after back-and-forth in verbal sparring, she figured not knowing whose teacher’s routes and didn’t entirely block the door and offend someone.

Thus asked this sponsor to come back after school started.

"Mr. Li, this matter ultimately needs consultation with the college leadership, I can ask around for you, and if suitable, we can contact again."

"Alright alright, Director Guo thank you for the trouble."

Before leaving, the man placed some small gifts on her desk, but Guo Minjie sternly returned them.

Lastly, she received a family visiting unexpectedly.

Said they took the bus from afar out of province, crying and lamenting that their son was punished last semester for cheating, rendering the grades void.

Punishment would affect the GPA needed for future studying abroad, they’re desperate to meet the dean for an appeal.

At this point, Guo Minjie also donned a leadership facade, starting officialese.

"xx, this matter I’m aware of, the college operates with policies..."

"The nation has its laws, colleges have their rules, rest assured, we will reflect the situation earnestly, striving to balance strictness and leniency..."

"You needn’t worry, there’s a chance for makeup exams next semester."

After sincere reassurance, she soothed the parents away.

This matter, should be counted as a merit for the college.

After all, stability overrides everything else.

After duty ends, with the chance, need to mention to the invigilating teachers and even the dean.

While reminding the risk of parents causing trouble, display personal ability and big-picture thinking.

This morning was somewhat busy, yet fulfilling and satisfying.

...

For quite a while, no one knocked at the door.

Guo Minjie rubbed her temple, leaned back in the chair, and breathed a long sigh.

She rarely didn’t pin her hair today, letting her beautiful and thick long tresses down.

This waist-length black hair remains one of her most attractive features.

It drapes down like a flowing waterfall, splendidly.

The softly swaying tips, nestled on the shoulders and back of her dark green tight-knit sweater, make the curves from her chest to her waist appear softer and more alluring.

"Sister Huang, did you know about the collective housing lottery that’s about to take place?"

"Not yet? No problem, just reminding you, I have a friend with the planning blueprints, building 6 and 7 locations are the best, make sure to choose if possible."

"Hahaha, no need to thank..."

"Calling me Director Guo privately, come on! Sister Huang, you were the closest to me in the office before, yet still being so polite."

"Yes, yes, alright, no problem, let’s have a meal together someday!"

Guo Minjie hung up the phone, gently squinted her eyes, and revisited her contacts, contemplating the direction of the next call.

Maintaining relationships, exchanging benefits, seemingly not that hard to articulate.

Previously in the same office, fellow advisor Huang Yuemei, not only showed enthusiasm for her big and small matters, but also was the first colleague to offer blessings post-divorce.

Just the past personal friendship warrants Guo Minjie to reciprocate a favor.

Moreover, Huang Yuemei’s husband happens to be a mid-level leader in the Donghu High-tech Zone Government.

Since being attentively mentored by Lu Jincheng, Guo Minjie gradually started noticing the "connections" around her.

You have your connections, I have my connections.

If everyone exchanges, the more people, the stronger the power, often able to achieve more complex matters.

As she was about to dial the next call, the often silent entrance again sounded.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Please come in."

The door was pushed open directly, with a tall and large shadow.

The visitor was a young man, whose behavior had none of the courtesy and politeness others showed when visiting.

"Why are you here...didn’t go to the company?"

The guest didn’t reply, just smilingly pulled over a chair, sat facing Guo Minjie, unabashedly observing her.

A few seconds later, he seemed unsatisfied with this.

Simply stood up, turned around.

Click!

Lightly shut the office door that had been open all morning, locked firmly.