Chapter 1916

Chapter 1916: Chapter 1916

Not long after Jiang Yiren left, Zeng Li suddenly came over.

"The cooperation didn’t work out?" Zeng Li asked right away, as she had been hearing negative remarks about Song Guanchao these days.

"Recruiting a supermarket isn’t like picking stars, it’s not that difficult."

There was no need for Song Guanchao to hide anything from her.

"I get it, someone targeted you again." Zeng Li was clever and quickly guessed that someone was deliberately smearing Song Guanchao.

To be precise, they were smearing Wu Qiangwei, and Song Guanchao got caught in it.

"I want to go eat Japanese food tonight." Zeng Li picked up the pen on the table and twirled it around her fingers.

"Okay, if I don’t work overtime tonight, we can go."

He could find an excuse to refuse Jiang Yiren, but he couldn’t refuse her.

Zeng Li suddenly stood up, leaned over half of the desk, arms supported on the table, her palm resting on her cheek, her round little bottom sticking up high.

She looked straight at Song Guanchao below, extended a section of her pink tongue mischievously, and hinted provocatively: "Want to have a pre-meal dessert first?"

Song Guanchao was quite stirred by her sensual pose and suggestive tone.

"Ahem, don’t tease, I’ve just returned and am very busy; someone will come looking for me soon."

Song Guanchao suppressed his chaotic thoughts: "Let’s save the desserts for after dinner tonight."

"Tsk, you’re getting braver and braver." Zeng Li pouted and smoothed the wrinkles on her skirt formed from bending over, slowly standing up.

The white shirt tucked into her skirt clung tightly to her stomach, with alluring and enticing curves.

Just then, a "thump" sounded at the office door, followed by the door opening.

Zeng Li and Song Guanchao were both startled.

Luckily, she stood up just in time.

Otherwise, if someone had seen her just now, they might suspect she was seducing Song Guanchao.

"Director Song... oh, Miss Zeng is here too." Zhou Xingjian saw Zeng Li and was a bit surprised, but didn’t think much of it.

He assumed Wu Qiangwei had sent her over to discuss matters with Song Guanchao.

"Director Zhou."

Zeng Li instantly regained her ladylike demeanor, flashing a professional smile at him, then turning to Song Guanchao: "Director Song, I’ll head back first; you can report directly to Mayor Wu afterward."

"Alright." Song Guanchao nodded seriously.

After he left, Song Guanchao asked, "What’s the matter?"

He actually wanted to remind Zhou Xingjian to knock and wait to be spoken to before entering next time.

But he couldn’t bring himself to remind him.

After all, Zhou Xingjian behaved so casually because Song Guanchao had deliberately allowed it.

Forget it; better be careful next time.

"Director Song, there are currently 33 companies in the industrial park, and the remaining companies are expected to fully move in by the end of this month."

Zhou Xingjian spoke while handing over a document.

He was busy with the industrial park, even transferring his workplace there temporarily.

Upon learning that Song Guanchao was back, he sped through his work and rushed over after lunch to report.

After the report, Zhou Xingjian brought up Song Guanchao’s recent trip to Beijing.

He wanted to know how much of the external rumors were true and how much were false.

"Your trip to Beijing to discuss investment with the Walmart Group was somehow leaked," Zhou Xingjian frowned, with a look of wanting to find and harshly scold the rumor spreader.

Song Guanchao looked at him amused, knowing what he really wanted to ask.

Zhou Xingjian was trustworthy, and he had no intention of hiding it from him.

"My talk with Chairman Yao from Walmart Group went quite well; they’ll be coming down soon for inspection," Song Guanchao said lightly.

Zhou Xingjian’s eyes widened in surprise: "It’s settled?"

Song Guanchao nodded: "The preliminary discussions went well, they are interested in Jiangzhou, and the inspection shouldn’t be an issue."

Finally, he reminded: "Only I and Mayor Wu know about this, don’t spread it outside."

Until the collaboration is fully landed, it must be handled with caution to ensure no issues.

Zhou Xingjian replied earnestly: "I understand."

He was very excited and had gained a fresh understanding of Song Guanchao’s abilities.

No one expected this, yet he managed to accomplish it.

"Strange," Zhou Xingjian suddenly remarked: "How did such rumors spread?"

Clearly, Song Guanchao and the Walmart Group had a pleasant conversation, yet everyone was spreading the news that the talks fell through?

Two completely different results, where exactly did these rumors originate?

"Some people only hear half the story and believe they know the truth, eager to spread it around. Don’t concern yourself with these, go about your work, and contact me if needed."

"Hmm." Zhou Xingjian pondered his words as he left the office.

...

After Zhang Yan retired, her pace of life slowed down; if she wasn’t at a beauty salon, she was shopping.

Though many envied such a life, Zhang Yan found it dull.

While serving as Vice Mayor, she often fantasized about life after retirement.

But once retired, she realized this life of financial freedom was tediously boring.

Countless nights, she felt utterly lonely at home.

She had imagined traveling abroad with Luo Sanming, living a peaceful life.

Yet unexpectedly, Luo Sanming died suddenly, and she almost became implicated.

Today, she is fortunate to retire peacefully without being pursued, a dream ending for many corrupt officials.

But she was unwilling.

She constantly thought of taking revenge on Song Guanchao.

When the strong desire for revenge filled her mind, her rationality forced her to dispel such thoughts.

She knew well that she lacked the ability to exact revenge now.

Neither Wu Qiangwei nor Song Guanchao were to be trifled with.

Despite knowing what she should do, she couldn’t help herself from preparing to avenge Song Guanchao.

For instance, maintaining contact with Sun Jiajun and Zhou Zheng was actually gathering strength.

If ever there were a golden opportunity to strike Song Guanchao fatally, she’d not hesitate to go for it.

Knock, knock.

"Hmm?"

Zhang Yan glanced towards the door, believing she misheard.

In Jiangzhou, she owned a villa, two large flats, and several properties for investment.

She usually stayed at a 150-square-meter apartment in the city center.

The apartment was excellently located, convenient to live in, and had high security.

If visitors came, she would be notified by the property management.

However, she hadn’t received a call from them.

Knock, knock.

The knocking persisted.

She put down her wine glass, walked over, bent slightly, and peeked through the peephole to see a tall, handsome man in his thirties.

She frowned, about to step back and call property management when the man outside suddenly spoke: "Mayor Zhang, open the door; let’s talk."