The meeting had come to an end, and Tang Yumeng and Xiao Xue returned to their office. At times, Tang Yumeng felt deeply frustrated with her role as secretary, as she was ostensibly the top leader yet continually had to contend with Song Ming's manipulations.

In the past, Tang Yumeng always yielded and endured, but on this particular issue, she decided to have a serious talk with Song Ming. Song Ming was a capable person, and if he would support her work, she believed that the two problems she raised could be definitely improved.

Knock knock knock...

Not long after Song Ming returned to his office, someone knocked on the door.

The door to the office opened, and it was Song Ming's secretary. He looked surprised: "Secretary Tang... What brings you here?"

"I'm here to see Vice Secretary Song Ming," Tang Yumeng replied solemnly.

"This…" The secretary glanced over his shoulder into the room.

"Come in," Song Ming said.

The secretary then let Tang Yumeng in, and aside from the secretary, there were several other department heads present. Their faces turned slightly awkward at the sight of Tang Yumeng's entrance, and they all got up to leave, pretending to report on work as they did so.

Song Ming chuckled and asked, "Secretary Tang, the public duties are demanding, what brings you here?"

"I came to talk to you," said Tang Yumeng.

"Please, have a seat," Song Ming got up and commanded, "Xiao Li, go pour some tea for Secretary Tang."

"Yes!" The secretary hurriedly nodded.

"No need," Tang Yumeng waved her hand dismissively and said, "I just came to have a chat with you."

"Sure, go ahead," Song Ming slowly sat down and looked at Tang Yumeng with a puzzled expression.

"Why do you dismiss the two issues I talked about today so contemptuously?" Tang Yumeng directly challenged, "I believe that they can be key focal points of our future work. Is there a problem with that?"

"The problem is significant," Song Ming said calmly, tapping his fingers on the desk. "Secretary Tang, I too wish to support your work, but unfortunately, a skillful woman can't cook without rice. You know as well as I do that these two issues are not just Jiangbei City's to face but are a national concern. Do you think you are the only one who can think of these issues? Do you believe the state has not considered them?"

"This..." Tang Yumeng was taken aback.

"Since the state has considered these issues, why hasn't it found a solution?" Song Ming asked with a cold laugh, "Two reasons: first, China's national conditions; second, economic constraints. As for the first reason, we both understand; but for the second, you are not fully aware. Although our country's economy has been rapidly growing, it is indeed not yet strong enough to support these two major issues. Government spending is huge, and the economic growth can't keep up with the rate of aging. Plus, with the current serious international situation..."

Frowning, Tang Yumeng said, "If the people aren't wealthy, can the country be strong?"

"Secretary Tang, you're being too one-sided," Song Ming smiled, "You're young, so I understand you. As time goes by, you'll naturally come to understand. These two issues are also a headache for the nation. You should trust in our country, have faith in the central leadership."

Tang Yumeng couldn't help but show a bitter smile, saying that after all was said and done, it was because the nation was not rich enough and the people's livelihood was not strong enough. Issues of old-age care and medical problems remained like two fishbones stuck firmly in the throat of the Chinese giant, causing persistent pain if not addressed.

Of course, the conversation with Song Ming also made some things clear for Tang Yumeng.

Tang Yumeng felt a sense of loss, feeling as though it was seeping out from deep within her soul. Moreover, this intense feeling caused waves of weariness.

These days, Tang Yumeng has been working late nights to prepare a report and had deliberated for a long time before deciding to speak at the meeting. However, she hadn't expected such unsatisfactory results, leaving her feeling both disillusioned and exhausted. An overwhelming tiredness surged within her.

Eventually, Tang Yumeng could hardly recall how she made it back to her office, walking like a zombie.

"Sis, what's wrong with you?" Lin Chuan looked at Tang Yumeng in surprise.

"You're here?" Tang Yumeng mustered some energy and said, "I'm fine."

"But you seem to have aged so much all of a sudden?" Lin Chuan didn't understand – he hadn't expected that in just a few days without seeing her, Tang Yumeng would look so haggard, and show such a lost and dejected demeanor.

"Maybe I've just been a bit tired these past few days," Tang Yumeng offered a weak smile.

"Sis, you need to take care of yourself!" Lin Chuan admonished.

"Yes, I know." Tang Yumeng nodded her head, then walked over to sit down at her desk. She took a big sip of coffee and asked, "Lin Chuan, did you come to see me for something?"

"Nothing!" Lin Chuan shook his head, "I just came to check on you."

After receiving a phone call from Xiao Xue about Tang Yumeng's poor mood, Lin Chuan was a bit worried, so he hurriedly came to see her, fearing that she might encounter some trouble.

"I'm fine," Tang Yumeng smiled. "It's just that, the two proposals you mentioned to me before, I'm afraid I can't be much help now."

"What?" Lin Chuan was startled.

"The issue of elderly care and healthcare," Tang Yumeng glanced at Lin Chuan, and said, "Today, at the People's Congress meeting, I submitted my own proposal, but it seems... it seems to have no effect."

"Why?" Lin Chuan asked. "You're the top leader of the City Committee, how could it have no effect?"

Tang Yumeng looked deeply into Lin Chuan's eyes and said, "Actually, I now suddenly feel that what Song Ming said makes a lot of sense."

"Sister, you..." Lin Chuan looked at Tang Yumeng with confusion.

Tang Yumeng smiled, and then repeated what Song Ming had said to her to Lin Chuan.

After listening, Lin Chuan fell silent too.

"What do you think? Do you feel that you have been somewhat one-sided in your view of the issues?" Tang Yumeng asked with a smile.

"What can I say?" Lin Chuan looked at Tang Yumeng, then said, "These are urgent livelihood issues. If they are not resolved, sooner or later there will be problems. Moreover, these two issues will inevitably be longstanding national issues. If not taken seriously, they are sure to cause trouble!"

"You make sense," Tang Yumeng nodded, suddenly showing a trace of a smile, and said, "Now that you mention it, I suddenly remember this problem seems not to be unsolvable after all. Actually, as long as we officials pay attention to these issues, they will inevitably be resolved in the future. Don't you think?"

"You're not wrong," Lin Chuan nodded, gently caressed Tang Yumeng's cheek, and then said, "This will be our fundamental national policy and also what we will mainly focus on in the future. However, it cannot be considered as the main focus of the government's work."

"Why?" Tang Yumeng asked with confusion.

"Because the main focus of the nation's work must be the economy," Lin Chuan looked at Tang Yumeng and smiled. "Economic development is the foundation of a nation. Without the support of the economy, the people's livelihood will inevitably face various issues, employment problems, social issues...

Once these issues arise, then all the elderly care issues, healthcare issues... all kinds of issues will become empty words, hollow words. Lin Chuan had actually understood the core issue for a long time, but he didn't tell Tang Yumeng because he wanted her to realize it on her own, to experience it. If Tang Yumeng really wants to follow the path of an official, then she must personally experience, personally understand this, if she cannot grasp this herself, then she may not be suitable for the path of an official."

"Then why didn't you tell me?" Tang Yumeng glared at Lin Chuan.

"Because you need to grow," Lin Chuan smiled.

"Screw you," Tang Yumeng snorted coldly. "I was just muddle-headed for a moment. Do you think I really don't understand? My previous work report was about prioritizing economic development."

"Yes, you know to focus on economic development but never thought of solving other problems," Lin Chuan turned to Tang Yumeng, kissing her forehead, and said, "The government's work isn't just about developing the economy; it is more about realistically solving the problems of the people. Officials must prioritize the people, for the people prioritize their sustenance."

"I understand now," Tang Yumeng had a sudden realization.

It must be said, Lin Chuan's words indeed enlighten Tang Yumeng profoundly. She immediately understood. Although Lin Chuan was not in politics, his words were clearer than any official's work report, any official's speech.

"You don't understand," Lin Chuan shook his head.

"You're really mean," Tang Yumeng glared at him, annoyed. "I don't understand—is that something you do?"

"So you tell me, what do you know?" Lin Chuan held Tang Yumeng affectionately.

Naturally, Tang Yumeng also felt Lin Chuan's deep affection for her. She wrapped her arms around Lin Chuan's neck, coquettishly said, "I don't know anything. Anyway, as long as you're here, that's enough. You must remember what you promised me once."

"I...what did I promise you?" Lin Chuan asked curiously.

"You!" Tang Yumeng immediately got angry, pinching Lin Chuan's ear, and said, "I'll give you one minute to think carefully, if you can't remember, I'll twist your ear off!"

Lin Chuan wore a bitter smile, suddenly having to remember this; how could one remember it in an instant? Lin Chuan could only randomly guess a few, but apparently all were incorrect. Helpless, he could only shake his head.

Ouch...

Suddenly, a pain transmitted from his ear, Lin Chuan pleaded, "It hurts, sister, it hurts..."

"Hmph, it's your fault for not remembering!" Tang Yumeng glared at Lin Chuan.

"So... what should I do?" Lin Chuan said awkwardly. "How about... you give me a hint?"

"You once promised me that you would protect me for a lifetime," Tang Yumeng looked at Lin Chuan indignantly and said, "And you had to forget that, you tell me!"

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