Just as her body was about to completely sit down, suddenly, she felt a pair of large hands hold her upturned hips, stopping her from continuing to sit down.

She looked at him with a face full of spring, biting her lip, with a mix of puzzlement and confusion.

"It's getting late, I have to go back."

Song Guanchao forced a reluctant smile, lifted her off himself, quickly stood up and zipped up, then walked swiftly towards the door.

Lin Min sat on the sofa, staring blankly at his back until the sound of the door closing brought her back to her senses.

He refused me?

Lin Min felt incredulous.

Though she was a bit older, her body was well maintained.

Without clothes, her delicate skin, the curves of her waist and abdomen, and her youthful face looked to be in her late twenties.

Moreover, his reaction just now was so intense.

This indicated that her body did tempt him.

But he still refused.

No, it wasn't a refusal; it was self-restraint.

Is it because of my identity?

Is he worried that I would demand something from him?

Lin Min pondered.

But regardless of his reason for turning her down, Lin Min felt very disappointed.

His behavior dealt the biggest blow to a woman's confidence.

Just one step away!

And her desire was completely aroused.

She really wanted to taste this young district chief.

...

"Phew~"

Song Guanchao stepped out of the elevator, facing the slightly warm evening breeze, his mind clear.

Damn it, that was close!

Just now, he seemed lost, being led step by step by Lin Min.

The allure of a mature woman was too strong, every movement seemed meticulously designed, making it hard to refuse.

Song Guanchao was not uninterested, nor was he overly virtuous, nor did he have exceptionally high boundaries.

He was just clear-headed.

Some women you can touch, some you cannot.

Like Lin Min.

He was the district chief, and Lin Min was the deputy district chief, a standard superior-subordinate relationship.

If they got involved, how would they work together in the future?

Regardless of Lin Min's intentions tonight, that red line must not be crossed.

Seeking temporary pleasure could lead to endless trouble.

After all, he didn't know Lin Min well enough to understand her personality.

If she were like Qu Xiangru, there'd be no concern.

But if she wasn't?

Then, if she made any mistakes later and he criticized her, she might very likely embarrass him publicly.

Song Guanchao dared not gamble, nor was there a need to.

"In the future, I have to keep a good distance from her, avoid meeting alone if possible."

He's not very sure if Lin Min was so forward today to establish a connection with him, or simply because she couldn't resist after being divorced for so long.

But for whatever reason, he had to maintain this boundary.

Standing by the roadside, smoking while waiting for a taxi, images of what had just happened at Lin Min's home kept popping into his mind.

A taxi pulled up, the driver poked his head out: "Need a ride?"

Song Guanchao flicked his cigarette, opened the car door, and gave an address.

About ten minutes later, the car stopped on a street near the City Committee compound.

Yes, instead of going home, he came to the City Committee compound.

Standing outside the compound, he took out Qu Xiangru's number, hesitated for a long time, then finally dialed.

Ring ring…

"What's up?"

Judging by the voice, she wasn't asleep yet.

"Are you home?"

"Mm."

"Showered?"

"Mm."

"I need to talk to you."

Qu Xiangru suddenly fell silent. After two seconds, she asked, "You're back?"

"Mm."

"Arrived?"

"Mm." Song Guanchao felt very embarrassed, as if caught in the act.

Plus, he knew he couldn't hide his little scheming mind from Qu Xiangru.

"Oh." Qu Xiangru responded simply and hung up the phone.

"Did she… want me to go over?"

Song Guanchao pondered her reaction, thinking he didn't misunderstand.

So, he turned and walked towards the City Committee compound.

From a distance, he saw the lights on in the living room of Qu Xiangru's small villa.

He went over and knocked on the door.

The door opened, and Qu Xiangru, wearing a black silk nightgown, stood in the entrance.

It had been a long time since they last met, and when their eyes met, it was slightly awkward.

"Come in."

Qu Xiangru went inside to pour him a cup of hot water.

Song Guanchao didn't anxiously move hands right after meeting.

Though both knew what was going on, they couldn't make it too obvious.

"Liang Hao is hosting a banquet tomorrow." Song Guanchao first stated the reason for his return, then continued, "Also, I need to meet Jiang Yuan."

"What for? Isn't the issue resolved?"

"I thought it was, but he's still causing trouble with his little moves, I need a clear talk with him, tell him to behave."

"What did he do?"

"He privately met with Si Qingqing and Lin Min, offering great benefits to win them over."

"This is just what I know of."

Qu Xiangru's expression turned serious, after a long while, she said, "Old habits die hard. Completely suppressing Jiang Yuan and his local faction won't happen overnight."

She rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache.

At the recent standing committee, she had already arranged all the remaining paths.

Zheng Bihui was about to take her place, and Liang Hao would also enter the City Government.

On the surface, everything was developing positively, but Jiang Yuan wasn't a silent punching bag.

He was resisting!

And had already begun taking action.

She was about to leave Lingjiang and return to the province.

After she leaves, under Zheng Bihui and Liang Hao's management, could they continue to suppress Jiang Yuan and his local faction?

This point, she was not very sure about.

Song Guanchao said, "I came back today to break all his limbs! If he cooperates, he can remain Deputy Mayor."

"If not, I won't even give him a chance to end gracefully!"

Qu Xiangru was somewhat surprised. He sounded very confident.

She didn't ask how he planned to do it.

After he put down the cup, Qu Xiangru said, "You should go back to rest early."

Song Guanchao paused, suddenly slapped his head, pretending to be annoyed: "Ah, I just remembered, in my haste, I forgot to bring my house keys."

Qu Xiangru calmly responded, "Then go to the guesthouse. Got money? If not, I'll lend you some."

"..."

On purpose, she was definitely doing it on purpose!

"I do have the money for a room, so I'll head over then."

Song Guanchao stood up, took just two steps when suddenly he staggered as if unable to stand steady, and fell back onto the sofa.

Qu Xiangru just calmly watched him, "What's wrong?"

Song Guanchao held his head, "Car accident aftereffects."

"..." Qu Xiangru looked at him, and he looked at Qu Xiangru, their eyes met, eventually, Qu Xiangru couldn't outlast his shamelessness, she was defeated and said, "I'll go tidy up a room for you."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.