Chapter 2403 - 2403

Liu Zhizhong returned and gathered the key members of the company for this meal, and it was truly worthwhile.

His absolute authority in the company was evident; he was a decision-maker, a helmsman guiding direction. His ability was well-utilized, and everyone trusted him.

Although he's fallen into hard times now, serving as mayor in a remote township, that's still a legitimate rank officer position, and he's pointed out a promising path to big money. How could others not trust him?

This meal, Liu Zhizhong was also ruthless. From Yu Haiping and Chi Chi, he secured over ten billion in cash capital, plus his own, bringing the total fund capacity to nearly twenty billion.

If you add the company's capital, the total is nearly thirty billion, all of which is to be used for expressway investments, the grassland tourism industry in Linxi Town, and the hydropower station. It's more than enough, and there's no need to worry about money.

After lunch, Liu Zhizhong and everyone had some tea and chatted until it was time to return to work. Everyone went their separate ways.

Liu Zhizhong then drove directly to the East River District Government.

He had to personally hand this project application to the district chief. The remaining matters would be reviewed and approved by the district chief, discussed and passed by the district committee, and then reported to the city. That's how the process goes.

When Liu Zhizhong arrived at the East River District Government, he registered at the entrance and easily entered the office building.

Outside the district chief's office, he found the chief discussing matters with others. The secretary greeted him, poured him some tea, chatted briefly, and then went into the office. Liu Zhizhong sat in the waiting room outside the office, drinking tea and waiting.

Inside the district chief's office, upon hearing from the secretary that Liu Zhizhong was here to submit some expressway project application, Mr. Ma offered a faint, cold smile.

Mr. Ma remarked about Liu Zhizhong, now at Linxi Town, really thinking he was running a region, igniting some "new official flame"? That desolate place, building an expressway? Is it worth it? Does he think he can get funds from the district and city? Let him wait; I'll deal with it after my discussion is over.

With that said, it was clear—Mr. Ma definitely did not support the project, denying it internally.

Mr. Ma, in fact, is also a product of the Zhang Family faction. At just 40 years old, he maintains a rather good relationship with Zhang Xiaoyang.

He was well aware of the grievances between Zhang Xiaoyang and Liu Zhizhong, so he naturally sided with Zhang Xiaoyang, not giving Liu Zhizhong any opportunities.

Now, the Zhang Family's attitude toward Liu Zhizhong was to exile and suppress him, letting him languish in the grassroots of townships for life.

This attitude, Mr. Ma understood thoroughly. Hence, he even planned to mildly torment Liu Zhizhong and then report to the Zhang Family, mainly calling Zhang Xiaoyang, to please young master Zhang, hahaha...

Therefore, after finishing his discussions, Mr. Ma began processing other documents, just leaving Liu Zhizhong waiting outside.

Liu Zhizhong waited and waited, but people kept going in to see Mr. Ma one batch after another, just not him.

Liu Zhizhong was slightly impatient, but at this point, he couldn't just get up and leave?

The feeling of being tortured was indeed uncomfortable, but he continued to endure.

For the grand cause, for Linxi, sigh ~~~~

In the end, nearing the end of the workday, Mr. Ma's secretary came out, apologetically saying, "Mayor Liu, Mr. Ma is really too busy today. Perhaps, you could come back tomorrow morning?"

Liu Zhizhong was momentarily taken aback but quickly forced a smile, responding affirmatively, masking his inner displeasure, appearing quite sincere.

And so, Liu Zhizhong left the district government, driving home briefly.

Home... sigh, he hadn't been there in over a month.

He first went home, took a shower, refreshed himself, then went for a run along Binjiang Avenue, had dinner, came back for another shower, then went to bed...

The next morning, Liu Zhizhong arrived relatively early at the district government at half-past eight. Unexpectedly, an assistant director from the government office informed him that Mr. Ma had gone for field research at eight that morning and wouldn't be back until four or five in the afternoon.

Damn it...

Liu Zhizhong felt a bit stifled inside!

The assistant director suggested leaving the project application materials for Mr. Ma to review at his convenience, and Mayor Liu could return to the town to wait for news!

Damn...

Even an idiot could hear from their wording that Mr. Ma, the bastard, clearly didn't care for this project, refusing to meet seriously or approve it, right?

So, Liu Zhizhong smiled slightly, saying, "No need, thank you! Then I'll come back tomorrow, okay?"

"Tomorrow, Mr. Ma has a meeting in the city, so I'm afraid he won't have time."

"Then I'll come the day after tomorrow?"

"The day after tomorrow, Mr. Ma has to go to the industrial park over there, so he won't have time either..."

"Alright then, I will certainly have an opportunity to report the application to Mr. Ma in person."

Liu Zhizhong realized: the damn unity between the upper and lower levels was flatly rejecting him from a thousand miles away!

Then, Liu Zhizhong directly took his materials, left the district government office building, walked to the parking lot, prepared to drive back first.

This week, I'll be staying in the city. Whether I'm in the countryside or not, everything runs smoothly. This project application must be accomplished before moving on.

Next Wednesday, there's a district-wide mayors' study meeting, a chance to talk properly with Mr. Ma!

At the parking lot, just as he opened the car's driver's side door, he heard a familiar voice from behind: "Hey, Director Liu? Oh, haha, it's Mayor Liu now, haha..."

Damn...

Liu Zhizhong felt a tremor inside. That small voice, so sweetly magnetic, it was Lu Jie!

Zhang Xiaoyang's distant cousin, our Dongjiang District's deputy chief!

Wasn't she supposed to be in Provincial City attending some training class? Why is she back? Even at the district government? She's... so?

In that instant, Liu Zhizhong's mind took several turns, then suddenly he turned around.

Sigh~~~~

That turn left Lu Jie who had just gotten out of the car dumbfounded.

A dapperly dressed dream man holding a briefcase, in that turn, the lines of his waist and back exuded masculinity, a handsome profile turning fully front, those deep eyes flickering with gem-like glow under the sunlight.

Indeed, he was full of grace and charm, pulling at a beauty's heart!

And there, barely twenty meters away, by the driver's side of a silver-white Lexus, stood Lu Jie herself, in a stylish black sleeveless shirt, snug-fitting capri pants, carrying a simple vintage bag, her whole being exuding an allure of sophistication and charm!

Her enchanting big eyes even had an unusual brilliance flowing within!

This love-struck lady deputy district chief left Liu Zhizhong with an indescribable feeling inside...