When Qu Xiangru went to the bathroom, Song Guanchao finally saw the message sent by Wu Qiangwei.

"Just finished being busy." He quickly replied.

Wu Qiangwei seemed to be holding her phone the whole time. Just as Song Guanchao was about to put down his phone, he received a reply.

"Come back when you have time. I need to talk to you."

Song Guanchao felt a jolt in his heart and immediately said, "If it's urgent, should I come over now?"

"It's too late. Come back in the daytime."

"I'm in Lingjiang."

"You're in Lingjiang?"

"Yeah, I came back for a bit."

"Then come on over."

Song Guanchao tossed his phone aside and walked out of the bathroom, completely bare.

Qu Xiangru looked back at him. Her fair and slender body was as flawless as a piece of white jade.

He walked over, hugging her from behind, lowering his head to kiss her neck while his hands kneaded her soft chest.

Soon, her gentle moans filled the air again.

Qu Xiangru didn't let him stay overnight; this was, after all, the City Committee compound, and she didn't want to be seen.

Song Guanchao drove through the night in Lingjiang, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

When he arrived at Wu Qiangwei's home, it was already past ten in the evening.

"When did you come back?"

"In the evening."

Song Guanchao accepted the glass of water she handed him, his eyes roving over her.

She had taken a bath and was wearing home clothes. Her hair was casually clipped with a butterfly hairpin, styled into a mature updo, exuding a gentle aura.

There was a faint fragrance, indescribable if it was soap or her natural scent, but Song Guanchao felt especially relaxed.

It felt just like being at home.

Wu Qiangwei sat on the single sofa and asked, "Have you rented the apartment?"

"Yes, I have." Song Guanchao patted his pockets. "The key is in the car."

"Did you come back to give me the key?"

"Sort of."

"Do you have any recommendations for Deputy Secretary?"

The topic suddenly shifted, and Song Guanchao found it hard to keep up with her pace.

Deputy Secretary...

Is she seeking my opinion?

Song Guanchao was momentarily stunned.

Qu Xiangru had just asked him about the Mayor candidate.

And now, Wu Qiangwei was asking him about the Deputy Secretary.

He understood Qu Xiangru's intention very well.

She wanted him to choose an ally to be the Mayor so that even if Qu Xiangru left Lingjiang, he would still have support there.

And obviously, Wu Qiangwei had a similar plan as Qu Xiangru.

He could understand why Qu Xiangru did it.

After all, their relationship was evident there.

No matter how cold and distant Qu Xiangru acted usually or how curt her words were, she still thought of Song Guanchao first when it came to his matters.

But Wu Qiangwei doing the same left Song Guanchao feeling somewhat unworthy.

"What are you daydreaming about?" Wu Qiangwei asked, puzzled.

"It's nothing."

Song Guanchao forced a smile, a hint of complexity flashing through his eyes.

He had actually thought about talking to Wu Qiangwei about the Deputy Secretary candidate.

But him taking the initiative and Wu Qiangwei taking the initiative were completely different matters.

He hesitated, thinking of refusing.

Yet the words stuck in his throat and were swallowed back.

He couldn't ignore the early promise he made to Chu Xiao'e just for the sake of this intangible pride.

After thinking it over, Song Guanchao still decided not to refuse.

"Secretary Chu seems quite suitable."

Wu Qiangwei nodded. "That's what I was thinking too."

He wasn't sure if she genuinely intended to promote Chu Xiao'e from the start or was just giving Song Guanchao a way out.

But no matter what, this matter was nearly certain.

He changed the subject, "When are you going to the Provincial City for your new position, Secretary?"

"The day after tomorrow, after the standing committee meeting ends, I'll head over."

"So soon?"

"I want to familiarize myself first, and it's also a chance for a short break."

"That's nice."

Suddenly, Song Guanchao didn't know what to say; it was rare for him to fall into silence like this.

Wu Qiangwei also sensed the awkward atmosphere and said, "It's quite late. You should go and rest."

"You should rest early too, Secretary."

Song Guanchao stood up, and Wu Qiangwei got up to see him off.

After going downstairs, Song Guanchao looked up.

On the second-floor balcony, he seemed to see Wu Qiangwei's figure.

Song Guanchao got into his car and took out the keys to the apartment in the Provincial City.

After thinking a moment, he decided not to give them now.

He thought it'd be better to wait until she came to the Provincial City.

He parked the car on the roadside outside the neighborhood and found Chu Xiao'e's contact, sending a message.

After sending the message, he lit a cigarette and waited quietly.

He wondered if she was asleep.

"Buzz buzz."

She replied; she wasn't asleep yet.

With a flick of his fingers, the cigarette butt traced an arc in the darkness as his car tyres rolled over, and the taillights quickly disappeared.

This wasn't the first time Song Guanchao had visited Chu Xiao'e's home.

Because she went out for a drinking session today, she had sent her daughter to her parents' home, so she was alone at home.

Her silk sleepwear enveloped her figure, soft and full at every curve.

They hadn't seen each other for a while, creating a slight sense of distance.

Chu Xiao'e tucked her hair back and broke the awkwardness by saying, "Are you hungry?"

"A little."

Although he had dinner, after spending almost an hour with Qu Xiangru and driving around, he felt a bit drained.

"You go take a shower. I've brought you clothes. I'll cook some noodles for you."

Chu Xiao'e spoke softly, with the tenderness of a young wife.

As she turned around, Song Guanchao gave her a playful squeeze on the behind.

Chu Xiao'e turned back and glared at him angrily, her cheeks quickly blushing red, and she walked towards the kitchen with small steps.

After his shower, a steaming bowl of noodles awaited on the dining table.

The soy sauce broth had a layer of sesame oil on top, garnished with spring onions.

Just an ordinary bowl of plain noodles, yet surprisingly delicious.

Chu Xiao'e sat across from him, resting her chin in her hand, watching him with a smile as he wolfed down the food.

The large bowl of noodles, both broth and all, was gone in no time by Song Guanchao.

"Wipe your mouth." She handed him a tissue. "I'm going to bed first."

As she stood up, barely taking a couple of steps, a large hand reached out and hooked around her waist.

In a light motion, she found herself sitting on Song Guanchao's lap.

"What are you doing?" she playfully scolded, knowingly asking.

Suddenly, Song Guanchao lifted her nightdress, one hand crawling up to rest on her ample chest, grinning mischievously. "Your heart's racing a bit."

"You... mm."

Seeing Song Guanchao's face suddenly come close, her pupils slightly contracted, and her body involuntarily softened.

The hand against her chest tightened its grip.

With the other hand slipping between her legs, stroking and teasing, her breathing soon became heavy, and a faint crimson spread over her delicate skin.

He slowly stood up from the chair, lifting her by the waist. Instinctively, she curled her legs around his waist, hanging onto him.

Song Guanchao bent slightly, tugging away the pajama shorts she'd prepared for him. With one hand supporting her round behind, her half body weight almost bore down on him, pressing his five fingers into the soft flesh.

He guided himself, adjusting slightly, and easily found the burning entrance he sought.

The area was damp and slippery. Seemingly sensing his hardness, she was trembling.

In her tremors, Song Guanchao held her waist, gave a vigorous thrust.

"Ah!"

In the moment of complete entry, Chu Xiao'e's delicate brows furrowed along with her body and then relaxed again, gasping deeply yet silently.

Beneath him, like a suction cup, Song Guanchao experienced the ultimate tightness and wetness.

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