After dinner, the four of them returned to the dormitory, packed up briefly, and went out to gather.

As they walked towards the parking lot, Song Guanchao suddenly felt that someone was following him.

He stopped, took out a cigarette, and as he lit it, adjusted his body and glanced back, seeing a familiar figure.

It was a man in his early thirties, someone he vaguely remembered having a good relationship with Zhou Xin.

But he couldn't recall his name.

When he stopped, the man also stopped, pretending to take out his phone and make a call.

When Song Guanchao continued walking, the man continued to follow.

Song Guanchao confirmed that the person was indeed following him.

He could roughly guess the person's intention.

Obviously unable to find any clues, they thought about getting something ready-made from him.

Wishful thinking.

"Can you smoke a little less?" Chen Yirou waved away the cigarette smoke floating over, complaining.

Song Guanchao said, "We're being followed."

The three of them looked puzzled, and Chen Yirou was incredulous: "This is the Party School, who would follow us?"

Song Guanchao said, "I just noticed it, specifically lit a cigarette to observe. That person is about twenty meters behind us. I only remember he is quite close to Zhou Xin, but I don't remember his name."

Upon hearing this, they immediately turned back, and Song Guanchao didn't stop them.

The person has been following them, so there's no need to pretend they don't know.

Besides, even if they find out, does it mean the person will stop following them?

When they turned back, the person stopped too, turned around, and pretended to make a call on the phone.

Once they looked away, the person continued to follow.

Cheng Xiang softly exclaimed, "He really is following us."

Chen Yirou looked at him as if he were a monster.

For him to notice someone following them, if it wasn't for his reminder, the three of them wouldn't have noticed at all.

Had this guy worked as a spy before?

"His name is Yao Lian, a deputy director of a Prefecture-level City, here to make up the numbers."

Cheng Xiang was well versed with the identities and backgrounds of everyone in the training class.

"You're right, he's quite close to Zhou Xin, and this time, he's in the same group as Zhou Xin."

"Seems like he's here to gather some information about us."

Cheng Xiang squinted his eyes, pondering on how to resolve this.

Chen Yirou sneered, "They probably guessed that Old Song, you, found something. They're here to pick some fruits."

Jiang Yiren listened to their discussion in silence, also contemplating how to deal with this Yao Lian.

Song Guanchao said nothing; when they reached the parking lot, he said, "Get in the car."

After the four of them got in the car, Chen Yirou asked, "Are we going to the same place as yesterday?"

"Let's drive around first."

Song Guanchao took out his phone and directly called Zhang Jie.

This kind of thing, he was too lazy to solve himself.

He was currently helping Zhang Jie with a case. Now that he encountered a small problem like this, he naturally let her resolve it.

"Director Zhang, I've run into a bit of trouble here."

He briefly explained the situation, and Cheng Xiang and the other two couldn't help but twitch their mouths upon seeing him directly report to the head of the National Development and Reform Commission.

It's such a small matter, yet he bothered such a high-ranking leader, using a cannon to shoot a mosquito.

The key is, from Song Guanchao's tone, Zhang Jie seemed to have agreed?

After hanging up the phone, Song Guanchao said, "Drive to the National Development and Reform Commission."

About twenty minutes later, they arrived at the commission.

Yao Lian also followed in his car and parked not far away.

A few minutes later, a young man came out of the office building.

Song Guanchao recognized him; it was Zhang Jie's secretary, apparently named Huang.

Secretary Huang walked over, and Song Guanchao lowered the car window.

"Secretary Huang."

"District Chief Song, has the person arrived?"

"Over there." Song Guanchao nodded in the direction, not afraid of Yao Lian noticing.

Secretary Huang turned to look, nodded, and said, "Alright, I will handle it. District Chief Song, you can go about your business."

"No rush, you handle your part."

Song Guanchao also wanted to see the commotion.

Secretary Huang replied and walked over.

Yao Lian didn't know Secretary Huang's identity, but when he saw him go to Song Guanchao first and then come to him, he knew it couldn't be good.

He started the vehicle, intending to leave, but Secretary Huang had already walked over and knocked on his car window.

Yao Lian had no choice but to lower the window. "Is there something?"

Secretary Huang said, "Hello, I am Director Zhang's secretary from the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, my last name is Huang. Director Zhang wants to see you, please follow me."

Yao Lian was dumbfounded, momentarily suspecting he had misheard.

The head of the Provincial Development Commission wants to see him?

Who was he to deserve this?

If this wasn't the parking lot of the Provincial Development Commission, he really would think the young man in front of him was joking.

"Director Zhang wants to see me?" he asked, uncertain.

"Yes." Secretary Huang said, "Please don't delay as Director Zhang's time is very tight."

"Oh, okay, I'll come with you now."

Yao Lian was somewhat expectant.

For such a big leader to suddenly want to see him, was there something they wanted him to do?

With expectations, he followed Secretary Huang to the office.

Upon stepping into the office, he finally let go of his last trace of worry.

It was indeed Director Zhang.

"Hello, Director Zhang." Yao Lian stood in front of the desk, as straight as a javelin.

He tried hard to maintain a composed attitude, but the flattery unwittingly appeared on his face, betraying him.

Zhang Jie, expressionless, said coldly, "You've been following Song Guanchao?"

Yao Lian's mind went blank, taking two to three seconds to respond: "Wha- what?"

Zhang Jie said, "Do your job well and don't follow Song Guanchao again."

"Director..."

"Please leave now."

Zhang Jie coldly uttered these three words.

Yao Lian was still a bit slow in his mind, only realizing after Secretary Huang led him out of the office that Director Zhang saw him because he was following Song Guanchao.

But what did this have to do with her?

Why would Director Zhang personally get involved in such a trivial matter?

He couldn't understand.

However, Director Zhang's tone, expression, and attitude made one thing very clear.

If he didn't listen and continued to follow, he would certainly offend Director Zhang.

As for the consequences of offending her, he didn't know and didn't want to know.

He was muddle-headed as he came downstairs, just about to get into the car when he saw Song Guanchao and the others walking toward him.

"Mr. Yao." Song Guanchao smiled, taking out his phone: "What's your number?"

Yao Lian warily asked, "What do you want?"

Song Guanchao said, "We're classmates, just exchanging numbers, no need to be nervous."

"Who knows, maybe I'll need your help with something in the future, Mr. Yao."

Yao Lian wasn't stupid. By the time he came downstairs, he had already guessed some things.

Director Zhang was Yan Han's aunt, and Yan Han had some conflict with Song Guanchao, but now Director Zhang was siding with Song Guanchao.

This indicated that Song Guanchao had likely discovered something useful, so Director Zhang was willing to step down and warn him.

And now, Song Guanchao's attitude was clearly an attempt to reconcile.

He speculated that Song Guanchao probably wanted to turn the tables and have him become his informant around Zhou Xin.

Thinking of this, Yao Lian forced a smile, immediately recited his number, and said, "If you need anything in the future, District Chief Song, feel free to let me know."

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