Chapter 1908

Song Guanchao wasn’t the type to enjoy passive waiting; he preferred to keep the initiative in his own hands.

Chairman Yao was busy expanding in Han Country, having no time to pay attention to a small City Government Office director from Jiangnan Province.

Even if Cai Zixiang intervened, the effect would be extremely limited.

The simplest and most direct way to quickly facilitate the entry of foreign capital supermarkets into Jiangnan was to free up Chairman Yao’s time.

Inside, Cai Zixiang was speechless.

In his view, what Song Guanchao was doing was like using a cannon to kill mosquitoes.

Considering his network and formidable background, it was surprising that he cared about such a minor political achievement like attracting investment.

He really couldn’t understand.

But he also knew that Song Guanchao must have his reasons for acting this way.

Therefore, he didn’t ask questions, and simply followed his instructions.

After hanging up the phone, Cai Zixiang leveraged his contacts to investigate the obstacles Walmart Group was encountering in Gwangju, Han Country.

This needed time; it wasn’t something that could be clarified in a short while.

Song Guanchao lifted the blanket, preparing to once again savor Lin Wanqiu’s fragrant body in the bathroom, when suddenly his phone beside the pillow rang.

It was a call from Wu Qiangwei.

He picked up the phone and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window: “Hello…”

“The negotiation isn’t going smoothly?” Wu Qiangwei asked.

“Why do you ask?” Song Guanchao was quite puzzled. He always reported good news but not bad; moreover, the issue was far from being settled. Why would she suddenly ask this?

Did Zheng Ting tell you?

“Your trip to Beijing has spread; everyone knows you failed to attract investment from Walmart.”

Song Guanchao thought for two seconds and then roughly guessed what was going on.

Those aware of his trip to Beijing included Wu Qiangwei, Director Ning from the Business Bureau, and Zheng Ting.

Oh, and Zhou Xingjian.

Wu Qiangwei and Zhou Xingjian wouldn’t openly celebrate with champagne.

Director Ning only knew he needed a professional and didn’t know whom he specifically went to see in Beijing.

Only Zheng Ting.

If he remembered correctly, Zheng Ting hurried back yesterday to accompany Zhou Zheng on a business trip.

The logic chain became clear all at once.

Zhou Zheng asked Zheng Ting the purpose of accompanying him to Beijing and learned from her that Walmart’s attitude was perfunctory. He assumed their investment attraction had failed and dispatched people to spread rumors, attempting to label him and Wu Qiangwei as “lacking competency.”

Such childish tactics.

But one must admit, the more childish the tactic, the more effective it often is.

Most people have a herd mentality; they don’t care about right or wrong, truth or falsehood, they believe whatever others say.

No matter what abilities you’ve previously showcased, or how many troubles you’ve solved for others, if one thing doesn’t pan out, people think you’re incapable.

“There was a slight accident, but it’s not a big issue. Don’t worry about the rumors; just wait for me to bring back the contract.” Song Guanchao played it cool.

Wu Qiangwei could tell he wasn’t just trying to reassure her; he genuinely had that level of confidence.

“By the way,” Song Guanchao said, “I heard Secretary Zhou is on a business trip; where is he going?”

Since Zheng Ting was taken along, presumably the trip was also for attracting investment.

“North, Japan and South Korea, and Europe,” Wu Qiangwei replied.

As the City Secretary, Zhou Zheng’s movements couldn’t be hidden.

Moreover, for an official of his level, if he was going on a long trip, he would meet with the city’s main leaders before leaving to hand over his work and complete handoffs.

Otherwise, if something major happened in the city during his absence, he’d bear significant responsibility for not being there.

Song Guanchao chuckled: “He’s anxious, but being anxious is useless. I don’t believe he can attract much investment.”

Wu Qiangwei retorted: “Don’t underestimate Secretary Zhou.”

“Just stating facts.” Though Song Guanchao hadn’t thoroughly studied Zhou Zheng’s record, based solely on his years as mayor of Jiangzhou without any outstanding political achievements, he felt confident in this conclusion.

“Another call is coming in, talk later.”

Song Guanchao noticed Lin Wanqiu had turned off the water and was about to emerge, so he found an excuse to hang up the call.

Lin Wanqiu emerged from the washroom, exuding a faint fragrance all over.

“Are you heading out?” Lin Wanqiu asked, looking at the phone in his hand.

“Not today.”

Song Guanchao tossed the phone aside, walked over, and grabbed the bathrobe wrapping her chest, pulling forcefully. The robe loosened and fell to the floor.

The snow-white fullness bounced into view as his gaze fixed for two seconds, slowly dropping to her seductive waist.

Song Guanchao licked his lips, held her hands that instinctively tried to cover her body, took two steps forward, and pinned her hands against the wall.

Her flawless body was displayed openly before him.

Song Guanchao lowered his head, opened his mouth, and bit down.

Lin Wanqiu’s body quivered with a “Hmm,” and her pale skin was immediately tinged with a beguiling blush.

…

Good news doesn’t go beyond the door, bad news spreads far and wide.

Under the deliberate dissemination by certain individuals, the news that Wu Qiangwei’s attempt to attract foreign supermarkets was ruthlessly rejected spread at an incredible speed.

In just half a day, the City Committee and Municipal Government, along with the clerks of various subordinate bureau committees, were all discussing.

Some said Mayor Wu’s ideas were good but lacked a bit of capability.

Some said Mayor Wu had ambitions but lacked the talent to execute, a classic case of paper talk with zero action.

Overall, the negative comments were in abundance.

Both in official circles and workplaces, the rule is low-profile in people, high-profile in deeds.

But if the deeds don’t succeed, high-profile becomes the subject of others’ chit-chat.

Those close to Song Guanchao, such as Zhou Xingjian and Jiang Yiren, listened to the mocking words of everyone with a grim expression and couldn’t say anything.

If you can’t achieve cooperation, it’s considered a failure.

Shutting people up will only be seen as powerless rage.

“Do you really think attracting investment is so easy? Previous leaders thought about it too, yet none succeeded. Do you think you can?”

Sun Jiajun’s attitude towards the matter was disdainful.

He never thought Wu Qiangwei, a mere woman of her generation, was more capable than himself.

In his view, Wu Qiangwei was simply born into a good family.

If it came down to a comparison in capabilities, he’d be superior.

Chang Youcai was happy all day long; as one of the few Municipal Government leaders opposing Wu Qiangwei, he was most delighted to witness this moment.

In a small independent office of the Secretary Section, Shi Qin lay back in a soft boss chair, spreading her five fingers to admire the manicure she had done at noon.

Ever since Song Guanchao’s arrival, all section heads had been stifled and unable to breathe.

Finally, they saw Song Guanchao hit a setback.

Soon, the weekend came.

Song Guanchao was still in Beijing and hadn’t returned.

This morning, he finally received a call from Cai Zixiang, explaining the situation with Chairman Yao in Gwangju, Han Country.

Walmart wanted to invest in building a factory in Gwangju, a type of investment local governments welcomed wholeheartedly.

A storage center can solve many employment issues locally and provide stable tax revenue, no country would reject it.

Originally, everything was agreed and even the contract was signed, but unexpected changes occurred.

The land provided by Gwangju locally had issues with its property status.

A local law firm appeared with a legally binding promissory note, claiming the original owner of the land owed them a substantial debt and had mortgaged the land to them.

They submitted a legal letter to Walmart and the local government, stating the contract between the parties was invalid, demanding the return of the land, and claiming huge compensation.

The suddenly appearing creditor bewildered the Gwangju government.

Chairman Yao, as a senior domestic president and also the Asia-Pacific vice president, the investment gesture with Gwangju was facilitated by him.

Such a severe and basic error occurred; if things went wrong, substantial compensation would be required.

If the matter wasn’t handled well, his Asia-Pacific vice president position might be endangered.