Official Career Storm
Chapter 318

Chapter 318: Chapter 318

Today’s standing committee session finally solidified Wu Qiangwei’s status in Lingjiang City.

Both Mayor Zheng and Secretary Lu were thoroughly overshadowed.

After leaving the office, Chu Xiao’e sent a message asking him to come over.

"Secretary General, you wanted to see me?"

"Sit."

Chu Xiao’e personally brought over a cup of tea and placed it in front of him, then gracefully sat down.

She looked at Song Guanchao with an expression he couldn’t decipher—complex and indiscernible.

Song Guanchao was puzzled. Why had she called him here? What could it be?

After about a dozen seconds of silence, Chu Xiao’e spoke only one sentence, "Song Guanchao, if there’s anything in the future, you could discuss it with me in advance. Perhaps, I might be able to help."

Song Guanchao was taken aback, instantly understanding the message hidden in her eyes.

She felt that she hadn’t played any role in this event.

She felt that he was keeping everything from her and not sharing with her.

But, such matters were better known by as few people as possible.

He and Chu Xiao’e had a good relationship, both publicly and privately.

However, every interaction was separate.

Song Guanchao still hoped to maintain public matters as public and private matters as private.

He’d always thought Chu Xiao’e saw things the same way.

But now, it seemed that Chu Xiao’e was trying to blur those lines.

This wasn’t a good sign.

This woman seemed to genuinely have feelings for him.

He sipped his tea, considering how he should respond.

Being too harsh wouldn’t be appropriate.

It wasn’t that he harbored deep affection for Chu Xiao’e.

Women are emotional beings and can be impulsive.

He worried that being too harsh would make it impossible for them to work together in the future.

Yet, he didn’t want their relationship to develop in this erroneous direction.

Sensing Song Guanchao’s dilemma, Chu Xiao’e said, "Don’t misunderstand."

"I am loyal to Secretary Wu, I just want to assist in whatever I can for Secretary Wu. After all, I am also a standing committee member, although I rank lower, I am still part of it."

Song Guanchao breathed a sigh of relief, this woman was astute.

Her previous words might have been emotional, but ultimately logic prevailed.

Those qualified to be standing committee members, regardless of gender, even if they occasionally lost composure, had stronger self-regulation abilities than most.

"Understood, I’ll convey this to Secretary Wu."

Song Guanchao smiled faintly while Chu Xiao’e kept a smile on her face, unable to hide the disappointment in her eyes.

She had been carried away by her emotions, acting on impulse.

Actually, this state wasn’t bad.

But she always felt something was missing.

Now, she understood what was missing.

But this deficiency was destined to remain unfulfilled.

...

"Secretary Lu, about the high-speed rail project..."

"You take good care of it."

"Yes, I will do that. I’ll go contact He Songming now."

Secretary Sun left with a heart full of trepidation.

Since he started working as Secretary Lu’s assistant, he had hardly ever seen Secretary Lu angry.

But after the meeting ended and they returned to the office, Secretary Lu’s face was like an everlasting glacier, utterly cold to the core.

The office door closed, Secretary Lu shut his eyes, leaning back in his chair.

The matter of secretly leaking information to the media had been exposed.

It even got revealed in front of the standing committee.

Even Wu Qiangwei publicly challenged his authority.

He took a deep breath.

The situation in Lingjiang dictated that only he or Mayor Zheng could come out on top.

Originally, he hadn’t thought of showing himself so soon, but since he couldn’t hide anymore, he decided not to hide.

Bringing it into the open was just as well.

Since the project had been handed to him, he might as well keep it!

If he didn’t fight for it, some people would really think he was too old and useless.

He understood what Wu Qiangwei meant; she simply hoped to use him to hold Zheng Bihui in check.

To balance the City Committee and the city government.

"Using me as a pawn?"

"Heh, I’m just afraid you don’t have the capability to wield me as your weapon!"

He had kept a low profile for too long, causing some people to seemingly forget that he, Lu Zhizhong, was the City Secretary of Lingjiang City!

Whether he was sidelined or not, nominally, he was the top authority in Lingjiang!

This nominal authority, when properly utilized, could still function as the real head!

He grabbed his cellphone and dialed Director Qin’s number.

Director Qin was having a meal near the City Committee and came over immediately upon receiving the call.

Secretary Lu didn’t waste words and went straight to the point, "For the old town renovation and demolition of Fengmen Building, the city needs a group of experienced developers. Do you have any recommendations, Director Qin?"

Director Qin was stunned and after a long pause, blurted out, "Isn’t the city government in charge of this project?"

Secretary Lu cursed inwardly, thinking this guy must be brainless.

I’m talking about one thing, and you bring up something else.

Who cares who is in charge—I am the top man!

Secretary Lu responded with a chuckle, "The city government is mainly responsible for conducting research to form reports and plans, but the City Committee has to approve them."

Director Qin replied with an "Oh," "Then, the developers undertaking the project have to be tendered, right? Those who can bid must definitely meet the qualification criteria."

Secretary Lu felt drained. He didn’t know if Director Qin truly didn’t understand or was just pretending.

He didn’t bother to play along and added, "Tendering does indeed have strict qualification requirements; some developers are very experienced with residential projects but not necessarily with demolition."

"Let’s do this, when you have time, you can talk to Mayor He. He was previously in charge of such projects; ask him for his opinion for me. Heh, Mayor He was our former mayor in Lingjiang, and often, I also need to learn from him."

Director Qin half-understood but caught on to one thing.

Was Secretary Lu trying to express goodwill toward him?

Was he trying to win him over?

After leaving the City Committee, he got into his car and called He Kang, arranging to meet in the office.

Back in the office, he relayed Secretary Lu’s words exactly as spoken.

He Kang looked puzzled, "Secretary Lu said this?"

"Yes."

"Strange."

"What’s strange?"

He Kang didn’t specify but asked, "Has anything major happened in the city recently? Is Secretary Lu having conflicts with Mayor Zheng?"

Director Qin was astounded, "How did you know?"

He Kang didn’t bother to answer directly and said, "Tell me everything in detail."

Director Qin recounted the morning’s standing committee meeting.

After hearing it, He Kang had an epiphany but was also somewhat shocked.

"In just a couple of months, the political scene in Lingjiang is about to drastically change!"

"Our Secretary Lu seems like he’s about to rise again."

With brows furrowed and deep in thought for a while, He Kang said, "Don’t rush to contact Secretary Lu for now; I’ll ask my old man when I get home tonight."

As he stood up to leave, Director Qin held onto him, "First, tell me what’s going on."

"What else can be going on? Secretary Lu originally wanted to develop quietly, stoking flames in the shadows, but he got dragged into the spotlight. Now he’s being roasted over the fire, with only two options, continue playing the nice guy without offending anyone, or compete with Mayor Zheng for achievements."

"Today, he reached out to you clearly to snatch achievements from Mayor Zheng’s hands."

"I suspect he must also be secretly contacting other standing committee members and departmental leaders; he is trying to form a temporary coalition."

"Tsk, our Secretary Lu is really skilled; we truly underestimated him before."

"No wonder the old man always says, those who become top leaders are never simple; today, I’ve really seen it."

"Alright, I need to go, keep a low profile these days."

Watching He Kang’s retreating figure, Director Qin thought to himself, Mayor Zheng owes me a favor.

Now Secretary Lu is also actively trying to win me over.

I really want to keep a low profile, but it seems I just can’t.

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