Official Career Storm-Chapter 1425

Song Guanchao sat in the car, found Zhou Qian's number, and dialed it.

"Are you busy?"

"Not busy!"

Zhou Qian hadn't contacted him for a long time. It wasn't because she was busy, but because Song Guanchao was too busy.

"I have a favor to ask you."

"Do you need me to come to Jiangzhou?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll come over right now."

Zhou Qian didn't hesitate, as if everything revolved around Song Guanchao.

"Don't drive, take the high-speed train. Let me know when you arrive, and I'll come pick you up."

"Okay."

He hung up the phone, letting out a soft sigh.

Sometimes he felt like he was a bastard.

Only contacting others when he needed something and not reaching out otherwise.

But this was something he couldn't help.

His goals were clear: to climb higher step by step, not to get sidetracked by romance.

So it was destined that others would have to accommodate him, not the other way around.

Half an hour later, he returned to the City Government and found Wu Qiangwei.

"I've already reported to Secretary Zhou."

"What was Secretary Zhou's attitude?"

"Pretty angry."

"Did he scold you?"

"He did."

"You didn't react impulsively, did you?"

"Do I look like someone who would act impulsively?"

"Hehe." Wu Qiangwei laughed without saying more.

After a moment she said, "Don't bother with him too much, just do your job well."

Song Guanchao said, "I've already contacted the media."

Wu Qiangwei was taken aback: "Why contact the media?"

"I plan to report on this case."

Song Guanchao smiled insidiously.

Wu Qiangwei pursed her lips, pondering: "Are you sure you want to do this?"

In her view, the case was already closed, Zhou Zheng had swallowed his loss, and the matter was over. Zhou Zheng wouldn't trouble him further.

But Song Guanchao wanted the media to report on this, bringing up what had already been settled.

This was adding fuel to the fire.

With Wu Qiangwei's character, she saw no need for it.

"I'm sure!"

Song Guanchao's tone and attitude were exceptionally determined.

Wu Qiangwei asked, "Did Zhou Zheng scold you harshly?"

Song Guanchao hesitated and shook his head: "Not particularly badly."

"Really?" Wu Qiangwei was skeptical, thinking if it hadn't been unpleasant, why take things so far?

Song Guanchao knew what she was thinking and said, "I just feel that since things are already broken, there's no need to save face for him."

"Even if I don't expose this to the media this time, do you think he'll just let it go?"

"You've interacted with Zhou Zheng for a while, you should know him better than I do."

"He isn't acting against me now not because he doesn't want to, but because he's wary of Governor Lu."

"But if given the chance, even with Governor Lu backing me, he wouldn't miss the opportunity."

"Since we can't be friends, if there's an opportunity to strike, I shouldn't hold back."

Wu Qiangwei said, "But even if it's exposed, it won't really affect him."

In her view, apart from irritating Zhou Zheng, it wouldn't have any substantial impact.

Simply to irritate and provoke him seemed hardly worth it.

"No impact?"

Song Guanchao tapped the table and said, "This case happened last year. Last year, you were still working in Lingjiang. Last year, Zhou Zheng was still the Mayor of Jiangzhou City."

Wu Qiangwei was stunned, suddenly realizing.

Indeed, when the case occurred, Zhou Zheng was still the Mayor.

Also, the case had a considerable impact at the time, with reports from multiple media outlets, a special task force was formed, but it remained unsolved for a long time, without even a single useful clue being found.

A year later, under the new Mayor Wu Qiangwei's leadership, the case was solved.

And the three thieves were all police officers!

Two of them were even deputy directors!

If this case gets reported, it will definitely stir up a huge uproar. Even if he doesn't get blamed, Zhou Zheng, as the newly appointed City Secretary, will inevitably face criticism from his superiors.

But as the one who brought the case to light, Song Guanchao might appear to receive praise but could very likely face some leaders' displeasure.

The reasoning is simple, the first demand from leaders is always stability.

The Police Department's deputy director stealing from a gold shop is big news anywhere, and it's negative news severely affecting public personnel.

Most leaders would ask for a low-profile handling.

Even to not handle it.

Behavior like Zhou Zheng's cover-up is quite normal too.

When murkiness becomes the norm, innocence becomes a sin.

This is the current state of affairs.

But Song Guanchao didn't care.

As long as it made Zhou Zheng upset, he would be delighted.

Besides, with Lu Zhizhong backing him, what was there to fear?

Seeing that Song Guanchao was set in his decision, Wu Qiangwei didn't say anything to stop him.

At one in the afternoon, Zhou Qian arrived.

Song Guanchao had already been waiting at the high-speed rail station.

Zhou Qian found his car, her steps visibly lighter as she opened the door and got in.

Upon seeing Song Guanchao, a shy yet happy smile appeared on Zhou Qian's face.

Not having seen each other for a while, Zhou Qian was somewhat bashful, too shy to look at him directly.

Song Guanchao's face held a smile as he sized her up inch by inch.

She had obviously dressed up for the occasion, her clothes and makeup meticulously refined.

"This time, stay for a few more days," Song Guanchao said casually as he drove.

"Sure." Zhou Qian felt secretly pleased.

At two, the car stopped outside a restaurant.

Entering the restaurant, Zhou Qian was surprised to find it was Michelin-certified. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Actually, she didn't mind where Song Guanchao took her to eat, even if it was street food, she cherished it.

But sometimes, taking a woman to such an expensive restaurant was also a sign of affection.

Occasionally, Zhou Qian had such thoughts.

So discovering it was a Michelin-certified restaurant brought her joy.

Song Guanchao was usually negligent in these matters but occasionally attentive.

Even though the restaurant was expensive, as long as it made Zhou Qian happy, it was worth it.

During the meal, Song Guanchao didn't mention business.

After eating, he took her to a residential area.

Entering the house, Zhou Qian curiously asked, "Is this your place? It's quite clean."

Her small hands were behind her back, like a curious child, looking around and feeling very happy inside.

She had expected him to have her stay in a hotel but was unexpectedly brought to his home.

Moreover, there were no traces of other women staying there.

No matter if he had intentionally tidied up, what she saw was just as it appeared.

This made her feel that he valued her, not treating her as a tool summoned at will.

Song Guanchao took out a few sets of lingerie from a shopping bag and said, "Check if the sizes are right."

Seeing the lingerie, Zhou Qian's face flushed red.

She blushed, shyly took a quick look, gave a soft 'hmm,' and felt touched inside.

She always thought he was rough in his thoughts, but this time she felt his mindfulness.

It was the first time she felt his concern.

Her emotions surged, and she changed the topic: "Why did you want me to come here?"

"Work matters, we'll talk tomorrow, today just rest well."

Song Guanchao patted her hair.

Zhou Qian lifted her delicate face and asked, "What about now?"

"Now?" Song Guanchao looked into her sparkling eyes, knowing what she wanted to ask.

His hand slid from her hair, across her jade-like back, to her waist, then gently exerted force, pulling her into his embrace: "Now, do something you love to do."