Approaching the end of the workday, Xu Xin found Song Guanchao to report on her work.
It wasn’t exactly a report, given that she was the Secretary of the Municipal Committee, a position technically ranked higher than Song Guanchao.
But outsiders all knew that the real power behind the City Committee now was Wu Qiangwei, and Song Guanchao was the first Secretary of the Municipal Committee.
His word carried more weight than Secretary Sun’s.
His authority, too, was greater than Secretary Sun’s.
Song Guanchao was Wu Qiangwei’s direct subordinate, while the City Committee Office was still one level removed.
Therefore, the authority he commanded was naturally different.
"This afternoon, Secretary Lu received Director Qin, Secretary Wang..."
Xu Xin reported the information she observed today, one by one.
Secretary Lu was making moves.
Song Guanchao could guess this without even paying attention.
He was not surprised by Xu Xin’s report.
"Okay, I’m aware now."
Song Guanchao asked, "Your cousin hasn’t been harassing you lately, has he?"
"He called a few tis."
"Did he say anything?"
"No."
"If he’s looking for you, tell , and I’ll handle it."
"Okay." Xu Xin smiled sweetly; she was a few years older than Song Guanchao, yet she felt an unprecedented sense of security from him.
After her parents passed away, she was like a rootless duckweed, lacking a sense of security, waking up from nightmares many tis.
Since Song Guanchao beat up Zheng Bihui, she had not had a single nightmare.
Life seed to have reset to its original point, and everything returned to normal.
The workday was over.
Wu Qiangwei and he ca out of the elevator together.
"Minister Zhou invited to dinner tonight," Wu Qiangwei said.
"Are you going, Secretary?"
"Yes, the place has already been set."
"Do you need to co along?"
"It’s not necessary."
Wu Qiangwei said, "Minister Zhou is showing goodwill. If I can gain his assistance, I’ll be able to carry out my work in the city much more smoothly."
Song Guanchao firmly agreed.
Minister Zhou ranked high among the standing committee mbers; one could even say he was the number one standing committee mber!
In terms of connections, influence, and authority, he was on a completely different level from the likes of Secretary Lu and Zheng Bihui.
Moreover, his father-in-law was the forr Chairman of the CPPCC!
Although the CPPCC was often joked about as a retirent departnt for leaders,
the fact remained that the CPPCC was the CPPCC, and the Chairman of the CPPCC was the Chairman of the CPPCC—two completely different concepts.
Those who could beco Chairman of the CPPCC were all individuals who had held at least the position of deputy in powerful posts.
And in most cities, the position of CPPCC Chairman was a designated retirent post for leading officials stepping down.
In any city, the Chairman of the CPPCC was a true third or fourth in command, second only to the Secretary and the Mayor.
The four teams of the city governnt essentially only had three leaders: the City Committee, the City Governnt, and the CPPCC.
The CPPCC felt less present simply because it followed the general principle of not intervening in the work of the Party Committee and the governnt.
But to assu the Chairman of the CPPCC was a sinecure position would be a grave mistake.
After all, there were only five departnt-level officials in the entire prefecture-level city, and the Chairman of the CPPCC was one of them.
People say that once leaders step down, they’re forgotten and no one cares.
But stepping down all depends on what kind of secondary position one steps into.
And this is only regarding prefecture-level cities; in the provincial CPPCC, there’s no such thing as stepping into a secondary role.
Once at the ministry level, the notion of a sinecure does not exist.
Minister Zhou’s rapid and stable rise in Lingjiang was not only a testant to his own abilities, but skill was just one aspect.
Having such a father-in-law was the real root of his takeoff.
Besides, with two generations steadfastly holding ground in Lingjiang, Minister Zhou’s core base was so solid that Song Guanchao couldn’t even begin to imagine its depth.
The only person in all of Lingjiang Song Guanchao could think of who could compete with him was Deputy Mayor Jiang Yuan.
But, Song Guanchao was still sowhat worried, "Secretary, shouldn’t I co with you?"
"No need."
"If Minister Zhou has ulterior motives..."
"Don’t think so badly of everyone." Wu Qiangwei said indifferently, "I originally wanted to take you with , but since Minister Zhou invited to his ho, it wouldn’t be appropriate."
"I see." Song Guanchao was still a bit worried.
Although he also felt it was unlikely Minister Zhou would do anything inappropriate, one must always be on guard.
It’s always the unexpected that happens.
Wu Qiangwei got into the car, which was driven by Zeng Li.
She stealthily squeezed her eye at Song Guanchao and drove away.
Song Guanchao got into his car and headed for the Japanese restaurant.
He entered the private room, ordered food, and Zhou Qian arrived as promised.
Zhou Qian seed to have dolled up for the evening.
Her already delicate face, with just a touch of makeup, looked even more refined and perfect, perfect enough to make one feel inadequate.
She wore a pair of dark gray yoga pants that hugged her shapely legs tightly.
Song Guanchao found himself unconsciously staring at her buttocks a bit longer.
Usually, the outline of underwear is quite evident when soone wears yoga pants.
However, he didn’t see any outline on Zhou Qian’s buttocks.
He secretly wondered if she was going commando.
She wore a pale, pink, belly-baring tank top with a pink sun-protective shirt over it.
After she entered, she took off the sun-protective shirt, and as she sat down, her breasts bounced heavily, almost popping out of the neckline.
Song Guanchao grabbed his tea cup and took a drink to avoid embarrassnt.
"I’ve already ordered, check to see if there’s anything you don’t like."
"I’m not picky, anything is fine."
Zhou Qian sat cross-legged on the tatami, her arm propped on the table and her chin resting in her palm, with her glittering eyes fixed on him.
"Secretary Song, shall we do the interview after dinner, is that okay?"
"Sure."
"Then at my place?"
"Uh, that won’t be necessary, how about we stay here?"
"It’s a bit noisy here, my place is quieter. And my recording equipnt is all at ho."
Song Guanchao hesitated sowhat, he actually wanted to go find Wu Qiangwei after dinner.
Wu Qiangwei’s al would probably go on very late, and it was unclear whether she would be drinking or not.
As a woman alone, Song Guanchao was truly worried about her.
Seeing his hesitation, Zhou Qian pouted, "If it’s inconvenient, let’s forget it."
"It’s not that it’s inconvenient," Song Guanchao said, "it’s just that after dinner, I have to pick up Secretary [Wang]."
"I see." Zhou Qian puffed her cheeks and didn’t say more.
Dish after dish was served, and Zhou Qian ate listlessly.
Song Guanchao felt quite embarrassed, and kept offering her more food.
"Try so sushi."
"The salmon is really good."
"Have a piece of Arctic scallop."
As the plates piled higher with food, Zhou Qian said without enthusiasm, "Eating too much will make fat."
"A little weight gain is good."
"How is being fat good!"
"It’s good everywhere."
"Where, tell where!"
Song Guanchao thought for a mont and said, "Being chubby feels nice to touch and comfortable to hug."
No sooner had Song Guanchao said that than he regretted it, wanting to slap himself hard across the face.
He knew this girl had a crush on him, yet he still said sothing that could lead to wild thoughts.
Zhou Qian’s face blushed slightly, but she was always bold, and she looked at him earnestly with her big eyes, "Do you want to feel?"
"Cough, let’s eat, let’s eat."
Zhou Qian pouted, "If I really beco fat and can’t find a boyfriend later, will you take responsibility?"
"I’ll be responsible..." Song Guanchao was about to blurt out a response but luckily he managed to stop himself.
Such things must not be said carelessly.
He was joking, but Zhou Qian would take it seriously.
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