Song Guanchao directly asked, "Was it Governor Qu who did it?"

"Not sure." Wu Qiangwei said, "He retired due to illness normally. I looked at the case file; there's indeed no issue."

Song Guanchao thought to himself, it's strange to find problems from the case file.

Wu Qiangwei said, "Let's not jump to conclusions. Wait for the next committee meeting to see who recommends someone, then we'll know."

"Does Secretary have any recommended candidates?"

Wu Qiangwei shook her head, "There have been too many personnel changes recently. Let's follow the procedure. Why don't you get in touch with the deputy director of the Finance Bureau."

According to the normal procedure, the head retires as per the rules, and the deputy steps up.

He understood Wu Qiangwei's intention. There's no plan to arrange for someone else; rather, they're going to cultivate someone from the existing candidates who are most likely to be suited for the director role.

"I understand."

Right after stepping out of the office, Zeng Li pulled him aside, "You went to Yanjing these few days?"

"Yes, why?"

"I heard from a friend, there was a small earthquake in Yanjing recently."

Zeng Li grinned, "Heard some of the second generations were beaten up, even the head of the National Development and Reform Commission nearly got involved."

Song Guanchao's mouth twitched, "Your information is quite up-to-date."

"Of course, don't you know who I am!" Zeng Li proudly shook her ponytail, hugging his arm, "Come on, tell me the details."

"Later, I'll tell you. I have to head out now."

"Just got back and you're heading out again. I haven't seen you in many days."

"I'm really too busy."

Song Guanchao rubbed his head, "I'll treat you to a meal when things settle down."

"You're painting big promises again."

Despite saying this, she still let go of his arm.

Song Guanchao headed straight to Chu Xiao'e's office.

Chu Xiao'e also hadn't seen him in a while, knowing he went to the province first and then to Yanjing, busy with official matters, so she hadn't disturbed him during that time.

"When did you get back?" Seeing him, Chu Xiao'e's mood involuntarily brightened.

"Just got back this morning."

Song Guanchao sat down, grabbing her teacup for a couple of sips.

Chu Xiao'e's smile widened, "What brings you here?"

"How much do you know about the Finance Bureau?"

"Not much, haven't had much contact."

Chu Xiao'e knew that Director Bao retired under normal procedure, so she said,

"The Finance Bureau is under the City Government's leadership; it's tough to interfere. Even if it comes to the committee, the recommended candidates need to be filtered by the City Government first. If Secretary Wu wants to insert someone, they'd need to settle with Mayor Zheng or Mayor Jiang first."

The implication is that it's difficult to insert personnel in the Finance Bureau.

It's the City Government's turf, and interference by the City Committee's Secretary would make the power struggle too obvious.

"Let's not worry about this for now; there'll be a way when we get there."

Song Guanchao shook his head, "Do you have any friends who know the Finance Bureau well?"

To do good work, one must first have the necessary tools.

He couldn't recklessly head into the Finance Bureau without knowing anything.

About each department under the Finance Bureau, which deputy directors manage them, and what kind of people they are—he needs to find out first.

Chu Xiao'e thought for a few seconds, "I'll ask for you."

She picked up the phone and made a call, "Qingqing, are you busy?"

Song Guanchao was surprised; why call this girl?

His goodwill toward Si Qingqing was almost worn out by the woman herself.

Were it not for the negative impact of changing people temporarily, he would've wanted to remove her.

A few minutes later, Chu Xiao'e said, "I've arranged for her to have lunch with you later; you can ask then."

"Does she know the Finance Bureau well?"

"When she was the deputy secretary-general, she often interacted with these departments."

"Okay, I'll look for you at noon."

As Song Guanchao prepared to leave, Chu Xiao'e suddenly approached from behind and softly squeezed his shoulders, saying, "Don't give yourself so much pressure, the Finance Bureau really shouldn't be under the City Committee's purview; even if you can't get things done, it's reasonable."

There were some things she couldn't say directly to him.

For instance, she felt Wu Qiangwei was not treating Song Guanchao kindly.

Completely using him as a workhorse.

Dishing out all sorts of big and small tasks to him.

Although Song Guanchao was only inquiring about the Finance Bureau, she knew that Wu Qiangwei had definitely set her sights on the director's position.

Wanting Song Guanchao to find an opportunity from within.

But Song Guanchao was just a secretary; no matter how capable, his rank wasn't high enough to accomplish many things.

Song Guanchao hadn't caught her underlying message, saying, "What's done is done."

Seeing him furrow his brow, Chu Xiao'e felt a bit heartbroken, softly saying, "After lunch, come over to my place for a nap? I'll give you a shoulder rub and help you relax."

"...Okay." Song Guanchao thought, you're going to give me a shoulder rub, but aren't you going to squeeze my buddies?

He had been sowing hard on Lin Wanqiu for three consecutive days, genuinely feeling a bit drained.

This morning, before boarding, he had a wild episode in the restroom.

And he barely slept last night, even his steel body was starting to feel the burden.

But faced with Chu Xiao'e's hint, he couldn't easily refuse.

After all, for Chu Xiao'e, they hadn't been close for more than a week; a thirty-year-old young wife is in her prime like a tiger, with such vigorous desires that only his strong body can satisfy.

Song Guanchao felt he needed to buy a thermos, brew some goji berries for nourishment.

Otherwise, at this rate, his energy might really be running low.

As soon as he decided, he went downstairs to buy a thermos nearby and a few packets of goji berries and ginseng slices from the pharmacy.

Back in the office, Zeng Li looked at the thermos in his hand in confusion, "Why are you acting like an old man?"

"A secretary has to have the style of a secretary. I'm so young, I just need some external things to prop me up."

"Such nonsense..."

Zeng Li glanced at the thermos, "Do you like drinking tea?"

"It's okay."

"Then I'll bring you some tea leaves from home later."

"No need, I'm fine with anything. Your family's tea leaves are too expensive; if someone sees, they'll suspect I'm up to something shady."

"Suit yourself or not."

Zeng Li snatched his thermos, unscrewed the lid, and was instantly shocked.

Goji berries, ginseng slices...

Moreover, there were way too many goji berries in it.

"Why are you brewing goji berries?"

"Nourishing."

Song Guanchao casually took it back, "Busy from morning till night, if I don't start nourishing myself now, I'm afraid I won't make it to thirty."

Zeng Li gave him a suspicious look, suddenly grabbed his crotch, startling Song Guanchao so much the thermos almost fell, "What are you doing?"

Zeng Li fixed his gaze, "Are you fooling around with women outside?"

"What nonsense."

"Hmph, you're definitely overindulging outside!"

Zeng Li sulked momentarily, then grabbed Xiao Song, "You're not allowed to indulge too much; you're still so young, what if you exhaust yourself prematurely, and your sperm isn't viable, how could I get pregnant?"

"..." Song Guanchao was bewildered, what are you talking about.

Zeng Li squeezed her small hand, "Want to do it, just tell me, don't benefit other women outside."

"Stop it, stop it, I have a call to take."

Song Guanchao grabbed his vibrating phone and fled.

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.