"Could it really be that bad?"

"It's just falling in love with a driver. Why give up one's prospects for a driver?"

At the door, quite a few people gathered on the steps, chatting and smoking while gossiping.

When Lin Chuan arrived at the City Committee, these people didn't see Lin Nanchuan at all. Lin Chuan heard their discussions very clearly. The sounds seemed endless. On the surface, Lin Chuan remained silent, but inside he detested these gossips to the bone. It was precisely because of these harbingers of gossip that Tang Yumeng was so greatly affected. If it weren't for their fueling the rumors, how would Tang Yumeng have resigned?

Lin Chuan sneered: "Hmph!"

Suddenly, the entrance became quiet.

At this moment, someone from the crowd who was close to the Song brothers hurriedly spoke up, "Alright, alright, time to work. Don't waste time here."

Following that, everyone scattered in a hurry.

Luo Guoqing came in from behind and laughed, "You've become quite the figure of the moment, haven't you?"

"What do you mean?" asked Lin Chuan.

"What do I mean?" Luo Guoqing laughed: "The whole City Committee is discussing the matter between you and Secretary Tang. You're making me proud, brother."

"Bang..."

Lin Chuan punched Luo Guoqing in the chest and said, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Ow..." Luo Guoqing quickly rubbed his chest and said, "I'm not spouting nonsense, I'm telling the truth. Now, it's not just the City Committee, nearly the entire administrative system of Jiangbei City knows about your relationship with Tang Yumeng. A lot of internal WeChat groups in various departments are discussing this."

"Let them talk," Lin Chuan said contemptuously.

Inside the City Committee's large conference room.

There is a report meeting every week, not only to summarize the work of the previous week but also to report on the work for the coming week. This form of work was initiated by Tang Yumeng; it not only effectively improved the efficiency of the Jiangbei City administrative organs but also effectively prevented the leaders and officials from idling about, getting bored, and wasting taxpayers' money.

In the meeting room, many sat upright and proper, everyone aware that today's meeting content was not ordinary.

Song Ming had arrived in the conference room early, with his right-hand side occupied by his camp, each of them holding significant positions, ample bellied, balding, with bulging eyes, their eyes shimmering with lewdness when they laughed.

On the left side, however, were Tang Yumeng's confidants who had also arrived early. Compared to Song Ming's camp, Tang Yumeng's subordinates seemed unable to lift their heads. It was clear they felt tremendous pressure since the opposition was mostly their seniors or superiors by at least one rank. Most importantly, Tang Yumeng herself had not yet arrived in the meeting room, and the situation was unclear.

Over the weekend, Tang Yumeng's trusted subordinates wanted to discuss the resignation matter with her but couldn't find her for two days. Left with no choice, they could only wait for today's report meeting.

The room was as silent as a graveyard; Song Ming and his followers sat with an air of vigour and confidence, even the joy of victory already showing on their faces. In contrast, Tang Yumeng's camp had their heads bowed, playing with their phones, twirling pens in their hands, or pretending to read the documents they held.

"Secretary Tang has arrived," someone suddenly shouted at the entrance.

Rustle...

In the conference room, Tang Yumeng's close aides immediately stood up, turning their heads towards the door with extended necks, full of anticipation.

Finally, Tang Yumeng entered from outside.

Dressed in a dark grey professional suit, with a knee-length skirt.

Her face was rosy and radiant, a pair of eyes shone with determination, and her long hair was coiled up at the back of her head, revealing the efficient grace of a strong woman. When Tang Yumeng walked in, her subordinates immediately livened up the atmosphere.

"Secretary Tang, you finally arrived."

"We've been waiting for you painfully."

A group of people vented their grievances and dissatisfaction.

"You've all worked hard." Tang Yumeng nodded slightly as she leisurely walked towards the main seat.

Song Ming said with a smile, "Secretary Tang, you came after all?"

"Of course, I had to come." Tang Yumeng nodded.

There were about fifty to sixty people at the scene, constituting a meeting that was neither big nor small. Under Tang Yumeng's leadership, the meeting proceeded smoothly after the main cadres gave brief speeches on their work for the week.

Song Ming cleared his throat and then said, "Now that the work reports are done, let's talk about the impact of our party-government cadre's private lives and image on our government departments. This is a very serious and crucial issue. On a smaller scale, it affects the image of Jiangbei City's City Committee, tarnishing the image of party-government cadres; on a larger scale, it's a despicable influence on the country, on the government, and in the long run, it's of great importance to the stability of the national political situation. So..."

At that moment, a figure walked in from outside.

Everyone turned their heads to look and instantly became stupefied. Even Song Ming stopped speaking and quickly stood up.

"Oh, Secretary Song, you... how come you're here?" Song Ming hurriedly went to greet him.

"Why, are you not welcoming me?" Song Jianguo said with a laugh.

Dressed in a Zhongshan suit and shiny leather shoes, followed by two men in suits, Song Jianguo arrived casually for an inspection in Jiangbei City. This caught Song Ming by surprise.

"No, no, not at all," Song Ming shook his head eagerly, saying, "If you were coming, you should have given us a heads-up, so we could prepare for the welcoming work. Besides, your arrival was so sudden, we weren't prepared at all."

"No need for preparations." Song Jianguo shook his head and said, "I heard that Secretary Tang created a new set of work routines, holding a report meeting every Monday morning. I found it to be innovative, so I specifically came to inspect and see if this work method can be promoted. However, I just arrived at the door and heard you talking about... issues with the personal private lives and image of our party-government cadres?"

"Uh... this..." Song Ming said, glancing specifically at Tang Yumeng.

"Go ahead." Song Jianguo spoke, "No one else is here, just our good cadres of the party-government and the country's good comrades."

"It's like this." Song Ming hurriedly recounted the matter involving Tang Yumeng and Lin Chuan.

Tang Yumeng looked surprised, remembering Lin Chuan's promise to her from last Friday, saying he would help her resolve this trouble. Considering this, Tang Yumeng immediately felt reassured; perhaps, Song Jianguo was the reinforcement Lin Chuan had brought in.

With a smile, Tang Yumeng stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Secretary Song, I never expected such a matter would disturb you."

After listening to Song Ming's story, Song Jianguo's face turned solemn. Song Ming thought Song Jianguo was angry, but Tang Yumeng wasn't worried at all.

"Indeed, this is an issue." Song Jianguo nodded and said, "Since I've come, I should add a couple of points."

"Secretary Song, please, take a seat," Song Ming eagerly invited Song Jianguo to the front.

After Song Jianguo took his seat, he spoke earnestly, "Comrades, I know that you are all good cadres of the state, good public servants of the people. Although we are busy with political and official affairs, we must not neglect our private matters. Whether a city secretary or an ordinary cadre, we are all human. And being human means having emotions and desires, experiencing love and affection. It's only natural for a man to like a woman, and for a woman to love a man..."

Just like Song Ming, Song Jianguo was an old hand in the political arena, having navigated officialdom for decades. Naturally, his words were eloquent and polished.

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