Official Career Storm
Chapter 519

Chapter 519: Chapter 519

Qu Xiangru held a strong command over the event, and those present were also accustomed to frequenting such occasions, so a lull in conversation was unlikely.

Making toasts or such, naturally, was non-existent.

Jin Rong and Song Guanchao, the two junior secretaries, though mere accessories, weren’t even up for toasting to make their presence felt.

For a banquet at this level, it was quite rare for the two of them to even have a seat at the table.

Keeping quiet and diligently eating was indeed what they were supposed to do.

After a variety of dishes had been served, Qu Xiangru mentioned the purpose of the gathering.

She hoped Jin Rong would participate in the operation to capture Lu Xiaotian.

After all, it was a Ministry of Public Security supervised case, and the provincial department was informed from the start.

Hearing her words, Song Guanchao realized that this woman was looking to pick peaches again.

Describing it as peach picking wasn’t exactly spot on, more accurately, she wanted a slice of the pie.

Song Guanchao couldn’t help but criticize inwardly, had this woman’s backing collapsed?

Otherwise, why couldn’t she resist extending her reach into the city’s affairs?

With everyone’s thoughts diverging, they didn’t talk much, merely casting seemingly indifferent glances toward Secretary Lu.

No matter if he wielded real power or was just a figurehead, he was the top authority to the outside world.

Secretary Lu was feeling quite vexed too.

He had never enjoyed the power that came with being the top authority, but he could never avoid taking the blame.

Regarding Qu Xiangru’s proposal, he personally had no objections.

Having more people to share the credit meant the city wouldn’t lose out, plus Qu Xiangru would owe him a favor.

"Governor Qu’s willingness to assist Lingjiang is greatly appreciated."

Secretary Lu raised his glass, "I toast to Governor Qu, as a sign of thanks."

Song Guanchao secretly sneered, quite the cunning one.

The meal was harmonious with no discordant voices.

After eating their fill, Qu Xiangru said, "There’s a hot springs meeting afterwards, would anyone like to soak?"

Secretary Lu replied with a smile, "I’ll pass this time. I’m getting on in years, had a bit to drink, and am starting to feel sleepy."

Mayor Zheng and others also declined one after another.

It was a joke to accept such an invitation.

Who knew if Qu Xiangru had arranged some special activities.

After a few drinks, men often found certain things difficult to resist.

If women stripped naked, they might truly struggle to maintain composure.

The best approach was to reject upfront before things escalated beyond control.

Qu Xiangru looked at Wu Qiangwei, "Secretary Wu, let’s soak together. A friend gave me a bottle of essential oil, you can try it later."

This was not an invitation, nor a query, but an unquestionable decision.

Wu Qiangwei felt somewhat disgruntled but, after contemplating, did not refuse.

There were only two women present, and with the Governor herself extending an invitation that was so direct, it would be unseemly to refuse it.

After the others left, Qu Xiangru and Wu Qiangwei walked ahead, with Song Guanchao and Jin Rong following behind.

Jin Rong, cheerful, offered him a cigarette, "Secretary Song, I’m just here for the bustle in this case; I’ll rely on you to take good care of things."

The guy’s attitude had improved and he’d become much more low-key.

Soon, Qu Xiangru pushed open a room door.

The space inside was large, separated into two rooms.

Both sides featured private hot spring pools, as well as massage beds, exquisitely decorated, meticulously arranged, with a very warm overall atmosphere.

Song Guanchao and Jin Rong stayed in the first room, while the two women entered the neighboring room, closing the door behind them.

Seeing the hot spring pool, Song Guanchao couldn’t help but remember the time he soaked with Wu Qiangwei at the spa, feeling a little restless inside.

The two changed into bathrobes and sat in the hot spring pool, chatting casually.

Somehow their conversation drifted to the topic of women.

Jin Rong, with a suggestive wink, said, "Younger brother, want to get a girl to give us a massage?"

"No, thanks," Song Guanchao politely declined; he didn’t have that kind of interest.

Jin Rong seemed a bit regretful, his gaze inadvertently drifting to the door leading to the adjacent room while he licked his lips.

Though he didn’t say anything, his implication was quite clear.

For someone like Qu Xiangru, a stunning beauty who worked closely with him every day, to say Jin Rong never had any improper thoughts would be impossible.

But that’s as far as he could go; daring to misbehave was absolutely out of the question.

Moreover, the impression Qu Xiangru made on him was more intimidating than tender.

He was a bit afraid of Qu Xiangru.

But despite the fear, at this moment, he couldn’t help but fantasize about how Governor Qu would look in a bathrobe.

Plus, Wu Qiangwei was there.

These two great beauties, the bodies beneath their clothes, must be very enticing.

He really wanted to see.

Even if it was just a look, nothing more, it would be satisfying enough.

Song Guanchao saw the reaction in his pants and his lips twitched; this guy really didn’t consider himself an outsider.

At that time, Jin Rong’s phone rang.

He glanced at it and stood up from the pool, "Brother, take your time, I’ve got to go."

"So late and there’s still something to do?"

"Yeah, something for the leader."

The leader?

Qu Xiangru?

What could it be, so late at night?

Curious, he still felt it wasn’t his place to inquire.

Jin Rong dried off, dressed, and left.

Now Song Guanchao was alone and feeling even more bored.

Next door.

After soaking for a while, Qu Xiangru stood up and said, "Secretary Wu, try the essential oil, I’ll give you a massage myself."

"It’s not necessary..."

"My massage skills are quite good, give it a try."

Wu Qiangwei didn’t like physical contact with others, even if it was a woman.

Yet Qu Xiangru was persistent, impressing an attitude of not giving up until she achieved her goal, so Wu Qiangwei knew it was useless to refuse and reluctantly stood up.

After drying off, she lay down on the bed.

Both women were in only their underwear, each style exceedingly sensual.

As she lay down, Qu Xiangru reached out to unhook the clasp of the bra from behind, the tightly bound straps snapping open.

Qu Xiangru poured some essential oil and slowly rubbed Wu Qiangwei’s back, "Is the pressure okay?"

"Just right."

"Secretary Wu and Secretary Song are good friends outside of work, aren’t they?"

Wu Qiangwei’s guard went up, "We don’t discuss things outside of work."

"Oh? Really?" Qu Xiangru pretended to be surprised, then asked, "I heard you’ve always been single, is that right?"

"Yes."

"Sigh, in that regard we share similar fates," Qu Xiangru said. "But you are a bit better, a few years younger than me. Unlike me, in a couple more years I’ll be past my prime, youth slipping away without even knowing what love tastes like."

This sentiment resonated with Wu Qiangwei who offered some solace, "Governor Qu looks young, there must be many who pursue you."

Qu Xiangru replied self-deprecatingly, "There are indeed many pursuers, but how many of them are sincere? They’re mostly interested in my status. Like you, you must have many suitors, right? But do you dare to get involved with them?"

She remained silent. Both women were no longer young and had been in the officialdom long enough to not be naive about human nature.

Marriages were already hard enough to maintain, let alone something as unreliable as a romantic relationship.

Most marriages in the officialdom were just for show, with few growing old together.

Their endgame was nothing more than finding a suitable match to marry for appearances.

As for likes and loves, those were luxuries they didn’t feel entitled to possess.

Qu Xiangru lamented, "Actually, I quite envy you."

"Envy me?"

"Yes, I envy you for having Song Guanchao as your secretary."

Wu Qiangwei’s heart fluttered uneasily.

Qu Xiangru said, "He’s young, handsome, and capable. Even if things can’t reach the end, having a romance with such a man is quite a desirable thing."

"Governor Qu is joking."

"I’m not joking with you."

Qu Xiangru continued, "The role of a secretary can cover up a lot. I’m not as lucky as you. If he were my secretary, I would have made a move long ago."

Wu Qiangwei’s heartbeat was faintly quicker, as if someone had peered into a secret within her heart.

She joked back, "Governor Qu likes him so much, he’s next door, go find him."

Qu Xiangru’s massaging hands paused for a moment, "Alright."

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