At eight in the evening, Song Guanchao stood up and said, "I'm heading home first. Next time when I'm not busy, I'll treat you to dinner."

Zhou Qian was a bit disappointed; she wanted to spend more time with Song Guanchao.

But today's situation was rather unusual: two women and one man, making it impossible to do anything with Song Guanchao.

Moreover, she dared not show too much intimacy in front of Wu Yun, fearing she might notice something.

"You're going home with nothing to do."

Wu Yun suddenly grabbed his arm: "Why not sleep here tonight?"

Truth be told, this suggestion made Song Guanchao somewhat tempted.

But within seconds, he made the decision that he must leave tonight and couldn't stay.

Who knows if this girl might crawl into his bed in the middle of the night.

Song Guanchao pretended not to hear and said, "I'm leaving now."

Wu Yun pouted, and Zhou Qian hurriedly said, "I'll see you out."

Leaving the house, while waiting for the elevator, Zhou Qian suddenly whispered his name.

Song Guanchao turned, and Zhou Qian fell into his arms, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him passionately.

Song Guanchao responded with a heated kiss.

They stood in front of the elevator, kissing passionately.

Ding.

The elevator arrived, and they quickly pulled apart.

Luckily, no one was in the elevator.

After exiting the elevator, Zhou Qian was still reluctant to part, her mournful gaze making Song Guanchao feel a bit guilty.

The young girl willingly became his mistress without asking for status or money, only wanting him for who he is, yet he never proactively contacted Zhou Qian without important matters.

They didn't even meet once in a month.

Song Guanchao looked up at the building and said, "I'll come over once she goes home."

Zhou Qian's eyes lit up and she nodded vigorously: "Then wait for my call."

She walked into the building happily, her joy evident even from her back view.

Song Guanchao got into his car, planning to wait for Wu Yun to leave.

After sitting for about half an hour, he suddenly realized that Wu Yun might see his car when she comes down.

He immediately started the vehicle and drove to another building.

Around nine-thirty, Zhou Qian sent a message: "She's gone home."

"Okay."

Song Guanchao didn't drive, he got out and walked to the building.

Upon entering the elevator, he suddenly felt like he was sneaking around for an affair.

Exiting the elevator, he saw the door open, with Zhou Qian standing at the door, apparently waiting for him all this time.

Seeing the joy and surprise on her face, Song Guanchao felt his heart melting.

He walked over, hooked her shoulder, and closed the door behind him.

Once inside, before he could act, Zhou Qian took the initiative to unbutton his shirt.

He could clearly feel the heat emanating from her body under her clothes.

Her cheeks still held a blush from drinking, making her look radiant.

Moments later, both were bare, and Song Guanchao carried her towards the bathroom.

Soon, the bathroom was filled with the sound of gentle moans.

The next day.

Monday.

Gao Liangwei's pre-appointment public announcement was already over, and early today, he entered the director's office, becoming the director of Lingjiang City's Finance Bureau.

Song Guanchao was in the office, reporting the matter of transfer payments to Wu Qiangwei.

Wu Qiangwei also found it odd, but it was just a feeling, as they discussed for half a day without figuring anything clear.

Returning to the office, seeing Zeng Li in a small suit, Song Guanchao said, "I have something to quiz you on."

Zeng Li snorted: "Just ask directly if there's a question, no need to quiz."

Exposed in one sentence, Song Guanchao awkwardly chuckled and explained the transfer payment issue to her.

Zeng Li thought for a moment and said, "It is quite strange."

Song Guanchao said, "Could it be for embezzling?"

"Doesn't seem like it."

Zeng Li said, "The Finance Bureau wouldn't need to fuss about transfer payments to embezzle."

"If they wanted to embezzle funds for office expenses, the easiest way is to set up fake accounts during payments to other departments and siphon the money out."

"Anyone who becomes deputy director wouldn't be ignorant of these principles."

Song Guanchao said, "According to what you said, Xu Jia isn't doing this to embezzle?"

"I've never seen any Finance Bureau embezzle using this method."

"If it's not embezzling, then why does the Finance Bureau need money?"

Zeng Li showed a thoughtful expression.

At this moment, Director He suddenly called.

"You continue thinking; I'll take this call."

"Hello, Director He... not approved yet?"

"Okay, I got it, I'll urge them."

Song Guanchao's expression turned somewhat sour.

The application for demolition funds was stuck at the Finance Bureau!

Bear in mind, the high-speed rail project is one of the city's key projects, mentioned several times at the committee meeting, urging departments to cooperate closely and not to block progress.

But half a month has passed since the end of the eviction phase, and the demolition funds still haven't been released.

He knows it must be Zheng Bihui causing trouble.

In the past, he might have been helpless.

But, Gao Liangwei took office today.

The head of the Finance Bureau is now Wu Qiangwei's person!

If Zheng Bihui has the nerve, he can try blocking the application's approval at the Finance Bureau!

Song Guanchao smirked but didn't contact Gao Liangwei immediately.

Gao Liangwei just took office and must be attending meetings; this is his busiest time.

Zeng Li saw his expression and curiously asked, "What's wrong?"

"The demolition funds are stuck at the Finance Bureau."

Song Guanchao said, "Mayor Zheng seems intent on annoying Secretary Wu, deliberately causing trouble since the eviction started."

"Sending people to incite residents to demand exorbitant prices, hindering the eviction progress."

"Contacting the National Development and Reform Commission, refusing to approve demolition documents."

"And now even deliberately holding the demolition funds."

"Hmph!"

Song Guanchao sneered, "But he probably didn't foresee, that the person who became Finance Bureau director is Secretary Wu's person."

"I'm curious to see once Director Gao approves the demolition funds and the application arrives at the City Government, what excuses Zheng Bihui will come up with to block the release."

Listening to him, Zeng Li's brows suddenly furrowed: "He's been causing trouble since the eviction started?"

"Yes."

"How did he cause trouble?"

"Some trivial tricks, it's all in the past."

"Tell me."

"It was about residents making exorbitant demands."

Seeing her interest, Song Guanchao shared every vexing issue he encountered back then.

As for the National Development and Reform Commission holding up the demolition documents, Zeng Li knew about it, so he didn't elaborate.

After listening, Zeng Li suddenly asked, "What's the name of the original Finance Bureau director?"

"Bao Jianhua."

"Did he retire early?"

"Yes."

"He applied for it himself?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any impression of when he applied?"

"Why ask this?" Song Guanchao said, "I remember it was when I got back from Yanjing, during the processing of his early retirement."

Zeng Li calculated the time: "So it's roughly half a month ago."

Song Guanchao noticed her expression was somewhat overly serious.

"What's wrong?"

Zeng Li deliberated for several seconds, then suddenly asked, "Don't you want to know why the Finance Bureau needs the Judicial Bureau's office expenses?"

"Hmm?" Song Guanchao puzzled, wondering how the topic circled back: "You have a clue?"

Zeng Li didn't directly answer but asked another question: "When do you think, under what circumstances, the Finance Bureau would ask the Judicial Bureau for money?"

Song Guanchao shook his head blankly: "No idea."

"There's only one situation."

Zeng Li's face was unusually serious: "The Finance Bureau has run out of money."

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