Official Career Storm
Chapter 351

Chapter 351: Chapter 351

Xiangshan Lake Clubhouse.

When Song Guanchao got out of the car and saw the high-class clubhouse in front of him, he was inwardly surprised.

Was Mayor Jiang this ostentatious?

He hadn’t been to this place before, but he had heard of it.

It was the real gathering ground for Lingjiang’s upper class.

Moreover, it was said that the place was membership-only, and having money wasn’t enough. You needed a reference to get in.

The receptionist was clearly aware in advance that Song Guanchao was coming.

As soon as Song Guanchao approached the entrance, the receptionist came forward to greet him, "Secretary Song, hello."

A few minutes later, he entered a private room.

Inside the private room, besides Jiang Yuan, there was his secretary Fang Wei, and two middle-aged men.

"Secretary Song," Fang Wei greeted with a smile.

The room’s decor was thoughtful. Opulent yet not gaudy, it lacked the vulgarity of the nouveau riche and conveyed a low-key luxury that only those with discernment could appreciate.

Beneath their feet lay pure imported Persian carpet, the soft texture felt as if one were stepping on a tender young girl’s body, utterly delightful.

Even many high-ranking officials felt uncomfortable the first time they came here.

The class of this clubhouse was far beyond that of ordinary high-class venues.

The lighting in the room leaned towards a dim yellow. Jiang Yuan wore a tailored suit that fitted his physique perfectly, while the other two were also dressed in suits.

They leaned back on the couch with legs crossed, the cigars in their hands wafting a faint trail of smoke that made their faces appear indistinct.

Their languid disposition and the casual glances they threw, like a wolf eyeing his prey entering the hunting range.

The corners of their mouths held a faint, almost sneering smile.

Their every move exuded ease and self-assurance, creating a tremendous invisible pressure.

Ordinary people might have felt out of their element the moment they stepped into the private room, with their gaze flitting about uncertainly.

But with just one look, Song Guanchao realized that Jiang Yuan deliberately created this atmosphere to intimidate him.

Song Guanchao had interacted with all the major officials in town, and Jiang Yuan’s presence was the strongest.

However, Song Guanchao didn’t feel pressured.

True power never came from external affectation.

By comparison, Song Guanchao found Minister Zhou to be far more dangerous.

Dogs that bite never bark.

A person who needs to stack external factors to exert pressure on others has laid all his cards on the table in advance.

Song Guanchao walked over with one hand in his pocket, his demeanor relaxed. Facing the three men’s playful smiles, he looked down upon them with an air of superiority.

He went over and chose a sofa opposite Jiang Yuan to sit down.

No crossing legs, no leaning back.

He loosened his body slightly, unfastened his suit button, and let himself sink into the soft embrace of the couch.

Ignoring the other two, he only looked at Jiang Yuan, "I’m here thanks to Mayor Jiang’s face, otherwise a place like this isn’t somewhere I could mingle with, given my status, in my lifetime."

He smiled faintly, his right elbow resting on the arm of the sofa, his index and middle fingers parting.

As he stretched out his fingers, Fang Wei happened to pass a cigar.

Seeing his natural movement, Fang Wei was momentarily startled and suddenly felt like he was a waiter.

Observing that Song Guanchao hadn’t even glanced at him, a flicker of annoyance passed through Fang Wei’s heart as he placed the cigar on his fingertips.

Song Guanchao sniffed the cigar lightly under his nose and said, "Trinidad, Mayor Jiang has good taste in cigars."

With a slight smile, he took the cigar in his mouth and pulled out a box of matches from his pocket. He struck a match, lighting the cigar evenly, his movements practiced and natural.

He drew in a breath and slowly exhaled.

Watching Song Guanchao take the cigar, instantly identify the brand just by the tobacco leaves, and stoke it unfazed...

Jiang Yuan and the two middle-aged men suddenly shared a very strange sensation.

As if Song Guanchao was actually the host of tonight’s dinner.

The two middle-aged men exchanged glances, realizing there was something extraordinary about this Secretary Song.

They had received many people before, but rarely had they seen someone like Song Guan Chao, who remained so calm and composed and firmly took control of the initiative from the moment he appeared.

Too rare!

And he was so young!

Jiang Yuan squinted his eyes.

This Secretary Song was indeed extraordinary.

Gracious and appropriate, without any excessive gestures.

His speech was ordinary, yet he mastered the direction of the conversation the moment he spoke.

They hadn’t intimidated Song Guan Chao; instead, Song Guan Chao had come with a show of strength.

They sat on the couch and chatted idly for a while, Jiang Yuan didn’t bring up the rumors of the last two days.

He didn’t speak of it, and Song Guan Chao didn’t ask.

"Let’s have dinner."

Jiang Yuan stood up, and the five of them took their seats at the table.

This meal had almost come to an end, and Jiang Yuan still hadn’t brought it up.

Song Guan Chao was surprised inside, Mayor Jiang really could keep his composure.

Jiang Yuan glanced at the time and said, "It’s getting late, I should head back, Xiao Song, you folks continue to drink."

Song Guan Chao also stood up, "I’ve also almost finished eating, Mayor Jiang, let’s go together."

"No, you continue. I’m getting old, can’t keep entertaining."

Jiang Yuan turned to the two middle-aged men, "Take good care of Secretary Song."

After seeing off Jiang Yuan and his secretary, Song Guan Chao planned to have a couple more drinks before leaving.

He didn’t have much to talk about with these two.

Around eight o’clock, Song Guan Chao stood up to take his leave, "Gentlemen, it’s getting late, thank you for tonight. Another day I’ll be the host, and we can drink properly together then."

The two men didn’t insist, "Let me see Secretary Song out."

The three left the private room and arrived at the car park when a waiter came over carrying a briefcase.

The man stuffed the briefcase into Song Guan Chao’s hands, "Secretary Song, you forgot to take your things."

Looking at the briefcase in his hands, Song Guan Chao’s expression turned stern, "What does this mean?"

The man chuckled as he patted the back of his hand, "Secretary Song, some local products. Mayor Jiang specially instructed this."

Song Guan Chao opened the briefcase to see shining gold bars.

Judging by the heavy weight in his hands, this briefcase of gold bars was worth at least several million.

Is Mayor Jiang trying to frame me?

Song Guan Chao understood in a flash.

He purposely showed a hesitant look and pushed the briefcase back, "Take it back, don’t pull this stunt on me!"

The man spoke awkwardly, "Secretary Song, this was Mayor Jiang’s order. If you don’t take it, then you’ll have to return it to Mayor Jiang yourself."

Song Guan Chao hesitated even more.

They kept refusing back and forth, and the two men could see that Song Guan Chao was tempted but dared not take it.

"Fine, keep it!" Song Guan Chao snapped, then looked around nervously, afraid of attracting attention, "There’s too many people here, and it’s inconvenient for me to take this."

Hearing this, the man understood his meaning and probed, "Where does Secretary Song live?"

Song Guan Chao replied, "I’m usually at the City Committee."

The man was confused, what does that mean? Wants me to bring it to the City Committee?

I don’t have the guts to offer a bribe directly to the City Committee!

"Cough, cough." Song Guan Chao coughed lightly, "I start work at nine."

He left with these words, sat in the passenger seat, locked the car door, then called for a designated driver.

Soon, the designated driver came and drove the car away.

The two men looked at each other, and then at the briefcase in their hands.

"Really take the stuff to the City Committee?"

"Better ask Mayor Jiang."

This chapt𝙚r is updated by fr(e)ew𝒆bnov(e)l.com

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.