Official Career Storm
Chapter 166

Chapter 166: Chapter 166

After work, Song Guanchao stood downstairs.

A few minutes later, Chu Xiao’e came down with her bag in hand.

Seeing Song Guanchao’s tall figure from the back, her calm heart began to flutter again.

"Let’s take my car," Chu Xiao’e said.

When they arrived at the parking lot, just as Wu Qiangwei got into her car, Zeng Li, holding the steering wheel, looked over in their direction.

"Secretary Wu," Chu Xiao’e greeted her.

Wu Qiangwei smiled, chatted for a moment, then left.

On the way, Zeng Li asked curiously, "Sister Weiwei, how come your secretary is together with Secretary Chu?"

Wu Qiangwei replied, "They have some matters to deal with tonight."

"Oh," Zeng Li was reassured, thinking it looked like official business.

...

During the after-work rush, there was some traffic, and it took Chu Xiao’e forty minutes to drive to the restaurant.

After parking the car, Chu Xiao’e said, "You go ahead, I’ll make a call."

"It’s okay, I’ll wait for you."

Song Guanchao took out a cigarette and lit it, standing in the parking lot and smoking.

Chu Xiao’e took her phone in hand and walked towards a convenience store across the street while making the call.

After entering the convenience store, she put down her phone.

She wasn’t really making a call but had come to buy something.

She picked up two bottles of drinks off the shelf and, while paying, took a box of condoms from a small rack next to the cash register and handed them to the cashier.

After paying, she opened her bag and put the condoms inside.

She grabbed the drinks, turned around, and saw Song Guanchao standing there; she didn’t know when he had arrived.

Song Guanchao had intended to buy a drink and happened to see her stuffing the condoms into her bag.

The two looked at each other, and the atmosphere became a bit awkward.

Chu Xiao’e couldn’t hide her panic and shyness in her eyes. She felt extremely ashamed, standing stiffly on the spot, not knowing what to say or do.

"You bought some drinks," Song Guanchao was the first to break the silence. He took the drinks from her hand and said, "Let’s go."

Chu Xiao’e’s tense body gradually relaxed, and she nodded, following him out of the convenience store.

She walked a half-step behind him, quietly observing him.

Song Guanchao kept his gaze forward, with no extra expression.

As for what was on his mind, she didn’t know.

What else could be on Song Guanchao’s mind?

Chu Xiao’e had excused herself to make a call, but in reality, she came to buy condoms. What did she want to do? Wasn’t that obvious?

He knew Chu Xiao’e would give in sooner or later, but had overlooked one thing—that tonight was indeed a very suitable opportunity.

He couldn’t help but think about what had happened that night.

Chu Xiao’e was 33 years old but looked young, with a petite figure.

That night, the two had tried out quite a few positions.

And he found that Chu Xiao’e’s movements were very awkward.

Especially when he switched to new positions, Chu Xiao’e always showed shyness and resistance.

This showed that she had almost no experience in matters between men and women.

According to what she had said, her husband had cheated during her pregnancy, and she had gotten pregnant in the year she was married.

That is to say, the married life she actually experienced could probably be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Song Guanchao suddenly felt the thrill of finding a treasure.

A mature young wife who had hardly enjoyed the pleasures of sex.

Lost in his thoughts, the two entered the restaurant, and a server led them to a private room.

Upon opening the door, Song Guanchao saw Liang Hao and Minister Su.

"Brother Song has arrived... Secretary Chu?"

Liang Hao stood up halfway, surprised to see Chu Xiao’e.

Song Guanchao hadn’t mentioned Chu Xiao’e would be there today.

"Mayor Liang."

Chu Xiao’e regained her committee member’s bearing, maintaining proper demeanor and restrained speech as her aura of long-held seniority unfolded around her.

The four exchanged brief greetings before Liang Hao asked the waiter to start serving the dishes.

Liang Hao took a bottle of Wuliangye and asked, "Secretary Chu, would you like a drink?"

Chu Xiao’e was not fond of alcohol, often excusing herself from related social engagements whenever possible.

After all, as a committee member in Lingjiang, there were few who could force her to drink.

But today, she did not refuse.

"Just a little."

Liang Hao was delighted, as Secretary Chu was really giving face.

The wine glasses in front of everyone were filled, and Liang Hao raised his glass, saying, "Brother Su, Brother Song, Secretary Chu, come, let’s drink up!"

The four raised their glasses together and emptied them in one go.

In domestic drinking culture, alcohol often isn’t consumed for the sake of drinking itself.

It’s because, with alcohol, it’s easier to bridge the gaps between people.

Many words that are hidden and unwilling to be spoken come out under the influence of alcohol.

Su Zhengwei was not surprised to receive Liang Hao’s call, notifying him that Song Guanchao wanted to invite him to dinner.

He had anticipated this day would come.

To outsiders, he was the Minister of Publicity, a member of the City Committee, one of the few most powerful leaders in Lingjiang.

Only he knew that he was just a figurehead.

But he was also aware that it was a miracle he had climbed to his current position, given his background.

Yet, he was not content; he yearned to advance even further.

Wu Qiangwei was his only hope.

And now, with Secretary Wu voluntarily signaling, he was naturally willing to proactively draw closer.

With two ounces of alcohol down, and with Liang Hao facilitating, coupled with Su Zhengwei’s own inclinations, it hardly took any effort for Su Zhengwei to express his stance.

After three rounds of drinks, Song Guanchao, holding a glass, sat on the sofa with Su Zhengwei, whispering to each other.

"Brother Su, in a little while, there’s something I may need to trouble you with."

Su Zhengwei had consumed over half a jin of alcohol, but his capacity was considerable; such an amount couldn’t topple him.

Hearing Song Guanchao’s words, he knew the real business was coming.

"You just say it, Brother Song. If it’s within my power, I will not shirk from it!"

"The TV station is planning to launch a new livelihood program soon. You know, this kind of program can potentially impact the leadership of related departments. When the time comes, we’ll need you to facilitate communication on that end."

Su Zhengwei’s mind raced. The livelihood program Song Guanchao mentioned was sure to be extraordinary.

And his intention in doing so was surely not just for the sake of the program.

Probably, he was planning to make a move against a certain leader.

Having spent so many years in the Propaganda Department, he knew all too well the impact such a program could have on a leader within the system.

Especially if Song Guanchao personally took charge, it was almost certain that the related leader’s official cap was at risk.

He hadn’t expected Song Guanchao to make such a bold move right off the bat.

He felt a bit excited, but more so, expectant.

But he wasn’t the least bit afraid.

"No problem!" Su Zhengwei said. "From the TV station’s side, you’ll have the green light all the way!"

"Then I’ll thank Brother Su in advance."

"This drink is to you, Brother Su!"

Song Guanchao lifted his glass, tilted his head back, and finished it in one go, showing the empty glass.

Everyone enjoyed the meal, and it was around eight o’clock in the evening when they left the restaurant.

Song Guanchao held on to the two and said, "Brother Su, Brother Liang, don’t drive after drinking. We really can’t afford to make mistakes right now."

"Don’t worry." Liang Hao didn’t need reminding; last time, Song Guanchao had nearly been trapped because of this very issue.

Su Zhengwei, always cautious, was also aware that he couldn’t afford to give anyone a handle against him at this stage.

The designated drivers arrived, and the two men left one after another.

A designated driver climbed into Chu Xiao’e’s car.

Chu Xiao’e sat in the back seat, eyes closed, feigning a doze as though she was drunk.

But Song Guanchao distinctly saw her eyelashes quiver.

He walked over, sat in the passenger seat, and announced Chu Xiao’e’s home address.

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