Officials speak in halves, leaving the other half unsaid.

As for what the ultimate interpretation would be, that left a great deal of room for imagination.

Zhu Hanmin seemed to decipher a certain implication from Chen Fang's words.

Tentatively, he asked, "Secretary General Chen, does this mean you plan not to thoroughly investigate the Starlight Night Market?"

Chen Fang gave a slight smile.

He said, "Secretary Zhu, you are the top leader of Wulan City; decisions big and small in Wulan City require your approval, including those concerning the Starlight Night Market. However, admitting to faults is necessary, and I believe Secretary Zhu agrees with this."

The message became even clearer.

Chen Fang had no intention of directly confronting Zhu Hanmin over the Starlight Night Market.

However, Zhu Hanmin must ensure someone from the Starlight Night Market takes the blame, and the market must no longer be used as a tool for profit—it must undergo reforms.

If that was the case,

it wouldn't be the worst outcome for Zhu Hanmin.

At least the entire system was preserved.

He could also boast that he had used tactics to suppress Chen Fang, leading to the current outcome.

Though there were losses, they were bearable.

By rights, Chen Fang could have completely seized the opportunity to strike the fallen foe and eradicate Zhu Hanmin's influence entirely.

But he did not do so.

There was only one explanation.

He wanted to benefit from another area.

Zhu Hanmin cleared his throat.

He asked, "Comrade Chen Fang, settling the matter this way isn't impossible, but having been busy for so long, wouldn't all your efforts have been in vain?"

Chen Fang smiled.

He said, "Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch. After experiencing the turmoil of the Starlight Night Market and the Fenglin Party, no one knows what the situation in Wulan City will turn into. I, Chen Fang, have no desire to stir these muddy waters; I'd rather stay as far away from the vortex as possible. I also believe Secretary Zhu will certainly accommodate me."

Zhu Hanmin blinked.

Was this hinting at a transfer?

The Secretary of the Municipal Government was known as the top-ranked official.

A move from here would mean a deputy bureau level.

Zhu Hanmin did not have such great authority.

He paused, just about to speak.

Chen Fang said, "Secretary Zhu, please don't misunderstand, I'm not asking you to help me move jobs. I simply want to request some marriage leave."

Just leave? That simple?

What exactly was he playing at?

But since it was a marriage leave, there was no reason not to approve it. He asked, "Has Mayor Zhao approved?"

Chen Fang nodded and said, "I've already spoken to Mayor Zhao. As long as Secretary Zhu agrees, I can officially start my leave from tomorrow."

Zhu Hanmin pondered for a moment.

He said, "Since Mayor Zhao has agreed, I have no objections. I approve."

With that,

Chen Fang stood up.

He said to Zhu Hanmin, "Then, thank you, Secretary Zhu."

Zhu Hanmin smiled and said, "I also wish Secretary General Chen a happy marriage. If I'm available, I'll definitely come by for a drink."

"You're welcome anytime."

After speaking, Chen Fang turned and left.

With his departure,

Zhu Hanmin remained seated on the sofa for another half hour.

He was still unsure why Chen Fang had given up the investigative rights to the Starlight Night Market at this critical juncture.

Not only he couldn't comprehend,

Zhao Yiping couldn't either.

The matter of the Fenglin Party had greatly impacted him.

Though he had cooperated with Chen Fang to minimize the implications, it essentially meant breaking ties with the Hou Family, and mending those relations had become an impossibility.

If at this moment Chen Fang could use the situation at the Starlight Night Market to completely overthrow Zhu Hanmin's faction, he could at least secure his control over this patch of Wulan City.

But at the doorstep of success,

Chen Fang had instead requested a leave.

"Isn't this equivalent to letting Zhu Hanmin off the hook?"

"What does this mean?"

Chen Fang had his own plans in doing so.

From the moment Gu Hang, the head of the Urban Management Bureau, mentioned the issues with Starlight Night Market, Chen Fang knew that Zhao Yiping was behind it.

He wanted to use Chen Fang's hands to expose Zhu Hanmin's shortcomings.

Then use him to dismantle Zhu Hanmin's influence.

Chen Fang pretended to fall for the trap with two goals in mind.

The first was to shake the mountains to scare the tigers, thoroughly eliminating the problems of Starlight Night Market, and bringing it back on track.

The second was to restrain Zhu Hanmin.

After the affairs of the Fenglin Party came to light.

Chen Fang knew that the delicate balance in Wulan City must not be broken, otherwise, if one side collapses, the other will capitalize on it, bringing even more unforeseeable damage.

Zhu Hanmin and Zhao Yiping were not easy opponents.

Letting them secretly compete and hinder each other was indeed the best state.

This was also why Chen Fang decided to drop the investigation into Starlight Night Market.

In his younger days, he always thought about fighting to the death, once investigating something, he felt compelled to unravel it completely.

With maturity.

Chen Fang's understanding of politics ascended to another level.

The Hou Family was coveting Wulan City, doing everything possible to infiltrate their influence.

Now, as long as Zhu Hanmin and Zhao Yiping stood in the forefront.

It wouldn't be so easy for the Hou Family to make their move, especially since both sides had grown disillusioned with the Hou Family; why break such a pattern?

Back at the office.

Looking at his own marriage leave request.

Chen Fang felt a wave of relief.

Yu Zhengchuan snatched it away in one motion, scanning it up and down.

He asked, "What, starting to chicken out? Didn't you say the Hou Family wouldn't make a move against you for now? What are you scared of?"

Chen Fang smiled slightly.

He said, "When have you seen me afraid? The Hou Family indeed won't make a move against me for now, but given their nature, they surely won't swallow this pill. They'll make a move against Qianqian, against you, against everyone I care about. Do you really think they're incapable of that?"

"So what good does taking leave do? Will they just let you off?"

Yu Zhengchuan asked thoughtfully.

Chen Fang laughed heartily.

He said, "Man, there's a time when you have to flex your muscles, otherwise people really start to think you're easy to pinch."

Flexing muscles?

What does taking leave have to do with flexing muscles?

Yu Zhengchuan only understood the meaning of these words half a month later.

Knock knock knock.

A series of knocks sounded at the door.

Yu Zhengchuan opened the door and saw the deputy secretary-general Yang Tong already standing at the doorway.

"Leader, Secretary-General Yang is here."

Yu Zhengchuan turned and called out.

Chen Fang waved him off.

Yu Zhengchuan tactfully left.

"Secretary-General Yang, you've come at just the right time, I was just about to look for you."

Chen Fang stood up enthusiastically and said.

Today, Yang Tong had deliberately dressed up.

Not to mention the light makeup on her face, just her attire was full of little tricks.

Obviously much sexier.

This was not surprising.

After Guiqi was arrested, a position had been vacated.

Now that Chen Fang was on leave, even the acting secretary-general's position was vacant.

Facing two attractive prospects.

How could Yang Tong not be moved?

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