Official Career Storm
Chapter 578

Chapter 578: Chapter 578

"Take a seat, I’ll go cook," Chu Xiao’e sighed softly.

It was an accident, a pure fluke.

It was not Song Guanchao’s fault, nor could Si Qingqing be blamed.

It was an accident caused purely by unequal information.

She took the just-bought groceries and went into the kitchen.

Si Qingqing followed her in short steps.

Although she was still a bit upset, considering Song Guanchao’s status, the fact that it was an accident, and that he had apologized, she didn’t feel it was appropriate to say anything more.

However, being alone with Song Guanchao still felt awkward.

Song Guanchao sat on the couch, glancing towards the kitchen from time to time.

Half an hour later, Chu Xiao’e said, "Go wash your hands for dinner."

Song Guanchao washed his hands and came over, with Si Qingqing keeping her head down.

Chu Xiao’e had wanted to open a bottle of red wine at first, but under the circumstances, it seemed inappropriate to drink.

During the meal, the atmosphere was somewhat subdued.

After they had nearly finished eating, Song Guanchao took the initiative to speak, "Director Si, has Secretary Chu told you?"

"Yes, she did," Si Qingqing knew he was about to discuss business, so she looked up, but upon meeting Song Guanchao’s eyes, she felt uncomfortable and could not help but think about what happened in the bathroom.

Song Guanchao had initially adjusted his mindset, but her gaze made it hard for him to maintain his composure.

Seeing the two of them acting all shy, Chu Xiao’e simply spoke up for him, "Director Yan of the Judicial Bureau is going to be the deputy secretary of Dujiang City soon, and his position will be vacant, Qingqing, are you interested?"

"Yes," Si Qingqing had long wanted to leave the city government office, but without any backing, it was hard enough just to keep her current spot, let alone move elsewhere.

Now that a chance to leave had presented itself, with a promotion to a director’s position no less, only a fool would refuse.

Even though the Judicial Bureau was a Qingshui government office with little say, being the head of a department still carried weight.

In the city government she was under others’ wings, but in the Judicial Bureau, she would be her own boss, which was a completely different story.

"Secretary Song, I believe my senior has also talked to you about my situation," Si Qingqing looked at him, "I have offended Zhang Xiaoxian, and for you to utilize me would mean offending him as well."

Song Guanchao asked, "Who is behind Secretary Zhang?"

Si Qingqing replied, "He has served several mayors and secretaries, and holds strong connections in the province and several other cities. He also has close relationships with several vice mayors here."

"Hmm?" Song Guanchao inquired, "He has served secretaries?"

"Yes, he has previously held the position of deputy secretary of the Municipal Committee. That was a long time ago, then he moved to the city government, and has been sitting as the Secretary of the City Government Office until today."

Song Guanchao was a bit surprised; his understanding of Zhang Xiaoxian was limited to the information provided by Chu Xiao’e.

Initially, he thought Zhang Xiaoxian was just a bit older with some clout.

But listening to Si Qingqing, he suddenly realized that this Secretary Zhang might have more power than he had imagined.

Someone who had consecutively held positions as Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee and Secretary of the City Government, their influence was probably not weaker than some of the vice mayors.

The most important point was that he was already 55 years old!

He had spent most of his life in the city government, serving under several mayors!

Before, Song Guanchao had not thought much about it, but now, reflecting on it, he came to understand that this Secretary Zhang might truly be very capable.

As the saying goes, new kings bring their own courtiers.

When a new mayor takes office, they usually gradually replace their staff.

Such as secretaries, and drivers.

And then some key departments in the city government.

The positions of secretary-general and deputy secretary-general count among the most important of these.

Moreover, the position of Secretary of the City Government Office is different from Chu Xiao’e as the Secretary of the Municipal Committee.

The Secretary of the Municipal Committee is a standing committee member, theoretically on an equal footing with other committee members.

The Secretary-General of the City Government isn’t part of the Standing Committee, and if the Mayor is willing, they can completely marginalize him and replace him.

For Zhang Xiaoxian to be a Secretary-General who isn’t on the Standing Committee and to maintain good relations with so many mayors, to keep his position as Secretary-General, that in itself is very abnormal.

To achieve this, he either has powerful connections above him or he himself is extremely capable and adept at social interactions.

Song Guanchao estimated that Secretary Zhang had both.

He definitely had someone above him, having served so many mayors after all.

The mayors he had served, whether they had been promoted or gone on to provincial positions, surely still had connections.

And in terms of his own abilities, they were clearly beyond doubt.

Song Guanchao had always worked at the City Committee and was not very familiar with the City Government; the one he often dealt with was Zheng Bihui.

Even Jiang Yuan, he didn’t know him very well.

If it weren’t for Si Qingqing, he would not take the initiative to understand a Secretary-General who isn’t part of the Standing Committee.

After all, this position is mostly ignored.

Song Guanchao asked, "How did you offend him?"

This question made Si Qingqing’s eyes suddenly fill with grievance.

Seeing her look, Song Guanchao had already guessed most of it.

Si Qingqing was young and beautiful, and without someone to support her, a girl like her in the City Government was like a lamb to the slaughter.

Any man who had a bit of power and was lecherous would not let her go.

"He wanted me to sleep with him, I refused, and then I was marginalized."

It was indeed the trivial matter between the legs.

Such things really don’t count for much in the officialdom, many girls enter the system pure as ice and jade, but under the temptation of power and money, they quickly corrupt, assimilate, and fall into the abyss.

For Si Qingqing to have held out until now was not easy.

But it’s also hard to say, over the years, she might have regretted and wavered.

But regardless, she had persisted until now.

"Don’t tell anyone about the personnel appointment until it comes down."

"Mhm, I understand."

Si Qingqing felt somewhat excited inside.

Having been marginalized for years, she had already become disheartened and had no more expectations.

Unexpectedly, there was still hope, and things had taken a turn.

She glanced at her senior sister, curious about when she and Secretary Song had gotten together.

There had to be a difference of several years between their ages, right?

Chu Xiao’e felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at, quickly finished her meal, and said, "Qingqing, let me take you home."

Si Qingqing silently pouted, just having eaten and now she was being rushed out the door.

Song Guanchao had wanted to see her off, but felt it inappropriate.

The two women left the house, and Si Qingqing finally couldn’t help but ask, "Senior sister, how did you get him?"

This blunt question made her face turn red, "Don’t talk nonsense, there’s nothing like that between us."

Si Qingqing snorted, tilting her head and said, "He’s really well-endowed, can you handle it?"

"I told you to stop talking nonsense!"

Chu Xiao’e pinched her on the waist, and Si Qingqing let out an "ow," rubbing her waist and saying, "We’re not strangers, tell me what happened. Hmph, I almost got taken advantage of by him today... no wait, I already did!"

Chu Xiao’e asked, "Did he get in?"

"No way!" Si Qingqing also blushed, "But, it was pretty close, he was right up against me. If you had come back later, I might have been done for by him."

"Naughty girl, always so improper."

Such coarse language was a bit too much for Chu Xiao’e.

"I’m just teasing you."

Si Qingqing grinned, "But seriously, he’s really outrageous, if he had gotten in, I really feel like he would have done me in. Okay, okay, enough said, I’m off. Senior sister, go upstairs and drain him dry."

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