No matter how one heard it, the statement seemed entirely unreasonable.

He even suspected that Wang Dahai was simply toying with him.

Yet, Wang Dahai's tone did not suggest that.

As if guessing what Secretary Chen was thinking, Wang Dahai said, "I know Secretary Chen doesn't believe this, but it is indeed true."

"I don't understand why Mayor Su would ask me, a mere driver, for my opinion."

"In fact, when Mayor Su asked me, I was stunned, and it seemed unbelievable."

"But the fact is, it really happened."

"Of course, although Mayor Su did ask for my opinion, and I recommended Secretary Chen to her, whether or not Secretary Chen can be elected as Deputy Mayor at tomorrow's committee meeting remains an unknown."

Secretary Chen said, "I appreciate your thoughtfulness."

He didn't say that whether he was appointed or not, he would owe him a favor.

The purpose of Wang Dahai's phone call was very clear – to make him owe Dahai a favor.

But how could one be sure of such matters?

There was simply no way to be certain.

Could he directly ask Mayor Su?

That was unrealistic.

Both men were clever.

What Secretary Chen meant with his response was that he remembered the favor.

Regardless of whether this matter existed, once Wang Dahai had called and said such a thing, he was obliged to owe him a favor.

After hanging up the phone, Secretary Chen pondered.

He guessed that Wang Dahai was unlikely to be lying.

Of course, this did not mean Mayor Su actually sought his opinion.

More likely, Dahai had gotten wind of some information from somewhere.

If that were the case.

Then, it was indeed possible that he could become the Deputy Mayor.

Tomorrow would be the committee meeting.

Secretary Chen felt a bit nervous.

That evening.

Wang Dahai did not return to his rented room; after the phone call, he went to find Jiang Yiren.

The two had dinner together and still checked into a hotel room.

After taking showers, the pair entwined in bed until late into the night.

Early the next day.

Wang Dahai, as usual, drove to the rental house to pick up Zhou Qian, and first took her to the city government building.

Afterwards, he drove to pick up Su Nanzhi and took her to the city government as well.

At nine-thirty in the morning.

Su Nanzhi left her office, and Wang Dahai, along with Zhou Qian, quickly followed.

At ten o'clock, the committee meeting was scheduled to start in the grand conference room of the city's Communist Party building.

The city government was very close to the Party building, with only a fifteen-minute walk away.

By car, it took less than ten minutes to reach.

After parking the car, both followed Su Nanzhi into the Party building.

They arrived on the fifth floor at the grand conference room.

Su Nanzhi entered the conference room, whereas the two of them waited outside.

During the wait, other members of the committee gradually arrived.

Some brought along their secretaries, while others came alone.

Wang Dahai saw so many committee members for the first time.

He memorized each committee member's face, imprinting them in his mind.

After the meeting room doors closed, the secretaries gathered to smoke and chat.

This was also Zhou Qian's first encounter with these secretaries.

At least on the surface, nothing much could be discerned about these secretaries.

Anyone serving as a secretary possesses basic skills in judging moods and interpersonal communication.

Wang Dahai kept observing them and noticed a flash of astonishment in their eyes when they saw Zhou Qian.

Clearly, they were impressed by Zhou Qian's beauty.

When starting a conversation, they also took care of including Zhou Qian, trying to involve her in the chat.

Additionally, Wang Dahai noticed that the leaders' secretaries looked at him, a mere driver, with some contempt and disdain.

Though they tried to hide it well, Wang Dahai caught it.

He didn't care.

He was confident that before long, he could become Mayor Su's second secretary.

After the committee meeting had gone on for more than an hour, it ended around almost twelve o'clock.

The meeting room doors opened, and the committee members came out one by one.

Mayor Su left the Party building with her usual expression.

After returning to the city government, Zhou Qian accompanied Mayor Su upstairs, while Wang Dahai went to the cafeteria to fetch three meals.

Upstairs, Wang Dahai set down two meals, then entered the office with the third.

"Mayor, it's time to eat."

"Mhm."

Mayor Su opened the food box without looking up and said, "The candidate for Deputy Mayor has been decided, it's Secretary Chen."

Wang Dahai uttered an 'oh', and a stone dropped in his heart.

Although the decision was already made at yesterday's small group meeting.

But without the committee meeting's discussion and voting, it wouldn't be official.

After leaving the office, he and Zhou Qian quietly ate their meals, but deep inside, he was somewhat anxious.

He wanted to immediately call Secretary Chen to share the good news.

But on the other hand, he felt that he shouldn't tell him right now.

That would seem too impatient and too eager for quick success.

Having said what he said last night, he should not continue to call today.

After all, Secretary Chen would find out soon enough.

...

And indeed, Secretary Chen received the news quickly.

Not long after the committee meeting concluded, he received a call from Deputy Mayor Zhu Rong.

"Mayor Zhu," Secretary Chen said courteously.

Mayor Zhu chuckled, "Secretary Chen, congratulations."

Congratulations?

Secretary Chen's heart skipped a beat, guessing the news.

But he still feigned ignorance and curiosity, "Why do you say that, Mayor Zhu?"

Mayor Zhu laughed, "At today's committee meeting, Mayor Su recommended you for Deputy Mayor."

Hearing this, Secretary Chen instantly felt at ease.

He was thrilled and excited.

After analyzing last night, he was certain what Wang Dahai said was probably all true.

But analysis aside, with concrete news, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Really?" Secretary Chen pretended to be surprised and delighted, "That's truly an unexpected joy!"

Mayor Zhu spoke with him for a while longer before hanging up.

Secretary Chen knew that Mayor Zhu's prompt call was to show goodwill.

After all, Mayor Zhu was only the Executive Deputy Mayor, a notch below Mayor Su.

And Mayor Su was the leader of the city government.

He, the Executive Deputy Mayor, was only second in command.

In terms of both position and power, he could not compete with Mayor Su.

Normally, one would surely orbit around Mayor Su.

But some Executive Deputy Mayors, bolder and more ambitious, might try to sideline the mayor to become the top leader.

And he knew that this Mayor Zhu had deep local roots and significant power within the city government.

Mayor Su, on the other hand, was transferred from another place; if Mayor Zhu did not cooperate, her work would indeed be difficult to carry out.

Now, with Mayor Zhu's call releasing goodwill, Secretary Chen couldn't help but wonder.

Was Mayor Zhu hinting at some other intentions?

However, regardless of Mayor Zhu's thoughts, it had nothing to do with him.

He was promoted by Mayor Su and already carried her label.

To sway him, unless he took initiative, as long as he didn't agree, nobody could trouble him.

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