He instructed the junior staff to make calls one by one, ensuring the notifications were delivered.

Upon hearing their urging, the usual excuses came: "I'm outside and can't come back," or "I can only return tomorrow."

They couldn't be bothered with further words and simply relayed Song Guanchao's exact statements to the other side. Once they finished, they hung up without waiting for any further protests.

If they called back, they wouldn't answer.

After all, they had already notified everyone. If they didn't return by 5:30 PM, then so be it.

Song Guanchao glanced at the time and said, "Summarize the situation here and send it to me before the end of the workday."

"Okay." Director He asked, "Secretary Song, do you have time in the next two days?"

"What's up?"

"President Lu from Golden Heaven and Earth wants to invite you to a meal."

"No need to eat, just have him proceed with the demolition according to regulations."

He knew the meaning behind President Lu's invitation.

Since they had acquired the project, he wanted to build some rapport.

Initially, he intended for Liu Lanzi to handle it alone, mainly because there were only two eligible companies.

Since that's the case, having both companies demolish together could also prevent unnecessary gossip.

As he was getting into the car, he received a phone call.

It was from Minister Zhou's new secretary, Zhang Wenjun.

"Secretary Song, are you at the City Committee?"

"I'm heading back soon." Song Guanchao asked, "Are the documents ready?"

"Yes, I was planning to bring them to you."

"No need for the trouble, I'll come and get them myself."

"It's no trouble, I'm quite close by."

Seeing her insistence, unable to refuse her kind offer, Song Guanchao did not persist in declining.

When he returned to the City Committee, Zhang Wenjun was already there.

Zhang Wenjun, just twenty-three, had been recruited by Minister Zhou right after graduating college, a meteoric rise by any measure.

Even without using one's toes for thinking, it was obvious that this girl's background was anything but simple.

"Secretary Song, the documents."

Zhang Wenjun, with a sweet demeanor, handed over the documents. Even as a recent graduate with a touch of youthful naiveté, her comportment was poised and confident.

It's often said that children from poor families grow up quicker and mature earlier, but that's not entirely accurate.

The so-called maturity from poorer backgrounds is actually silence born of inferiority; when it comes to dealing with people and worldly matters, they are often clueless.

After all, lacking guidance and material support, they tend to be timid, not skilled at socializing.

Children raised in wealthy families, however, are entirely different.

With wealthy families, material abundance is a given. While other kids spend breaks in rural areas or at home, wealthy children travel abroad, broadening their horizons.

During internship seasons, whereas ordinary people hunt for opportunities, kids from affluent backgrounds have placements arranged early on, working alongside leaders and receiving mentorship.

Zhang Wenjun is a prime example of a wealthy kid who can handle discussions and interactions with city leaders with ease.

Because they've seen the world, they have confidence, and won't belittle themselves or fawn because of others' money or power.

"Thank you." Song Guanchao said, "I've got a bit more work to do here. I'll treat you to a meal next time."

"Sure." Zhang Wenjun's smile, with its two dimples, and her sweet, innocent face couldn't help but lift one's spirits.

Watching Zhang Wenjun leave, Song Guanchao returned to his office with the documents.

These were the dossiers of several vice directors from the Finance Bureau.

Originally, he had thought to consult Si Qingqing, but that woman was a bit off. Song Guanchao had already intended to marginalize her, eyeing a future opportunity to replace her.

After inquiring around his circle, it turned out no one was familiar with the Finance Bureau.

Left with no choice, he sought out Minister Zhou to retrieve the documents.

He opened the dossier, examining it meticulously, quickly gaining a preliminary understanding of the Finance Bureau.

Lingjiang City's Finance Bureau had four vice directors, with Ren Bin and Xu Jia being the most powerful.

Ren Bin managed the Budget Department, while Xu Jia was in charge of the Treasury Department.

These were the two core departments of the Finance Bureau, succinctly put, the budget managed expenses, and the treasury managed income.

Among these, real powers lay within the budget management.

Song Guanchao stroked his chin.

Logically, Xu Jia and Ren Bin were the prime candidates to succeed Bao Jianhua as director.

But Song Guanchao was not in favor of either taking over.

Not because he bore any animosity—he didn't even know them.

He simply didn't want them to take over because they managed the most critical departments.

This meant they held true power.

Holding power implied they each had their own circle.

Having individual spheres meant these people would not be easily swayed.

In comparison, he preferred the other two vice directors more.

"What are you pondering?" Zeng Li, seeing him frowning, couldn't help but ask.

She wanted to help alleviate some of Song Guanchao's burdens.

Song Guanchao briefly explained, and Zeng Li reached out, "Let me take a look."

Taking the documents, she quickly skimmed through them, her delicate fingers pausing on one of the vice director's names: "Select Gao Liangwei."

Song Guanchao scrutinized Gao Liangwei's dossier a few times.

This vice director oversaw the Policy and Regulations Department, Social Security Department, Agricultural and Rural Department...

All seeming like nominal positions, even overseeing the Women's Federation, which was just ridiculous.

Song Guanchao knew Zeng Li understood many aspects of the administrative system better than most.

But he was curious about her choice.

He didn't understand on what basis she made this selection.

"Why this vice director?"

"Because he's clean."

"Clean? How can you tell just from a dossier?"

"You're really quite dense."

Zeng Li said, "It's written so clearly in the documents. Not seeing it would be strange."

Feeling a rare embarrassment, he could only see that Xu Jia and Ren Bin held actual power.

As for Gao Liangwei and the other Vice Director Zhang, they seemed the same to him, no difference.

Zeng Li pointed to Vice Director Zhang and said, "Take a closer look, one of his tasks is overseeing the 'Finance Supervision Department'."

"Do you know the responsibilities of this department?"

"No idea."

"Silly, can't you understand it from the literal meaning?"

Zeng Li explained, "It's responsible for supervising finances."

"In other words, whether it's income or expenditure, if it's money, it's under his supervision."

"In the Finance Bureau, income, expenditure, and supervision must be separate, though many believe only income and expenditure hold true power. Honestly, supervision counts too. It's just this department tends to offend people, so in most places, the vice director overseeing supervision is co-opted into their ranks. Get what I mean?"

Realization dawned on Song Guanchao. He understood all too well.

Meaning, if anyone in the Finance Bureau created fictitious categories to siphon off funds, Vice Director Zhang would undoubtedly be involved.

Song Guanchao gave a thumbs-up: "Impressive!"

"Can't you find other words to compliment? I'm a girl, always with the 'impressive' comments."

Zeng Li pouted a bit unhappily.

"Clever, graceful, with a mind of brilliance!"

"Sweet-talking, you must often compliment other girls this way."

"..." Song Guanchao was speechless, seemed like whatever he said was wrong.

"I'll head out first, later I'll bring you back some milk tea."

"You're going to meet Director Gao?"

"Hmm."

"Silly."

"Why is it silly again? Shouldn't I go meet?"

"Want to know?"

"Eagerly listening."

"Give me a kiss."

Song Guanchao looked around, ensuring no one was nearby, then leaned his neck forward to kiss her lips when Zeng Li whispered, "Not on the lips."

"Hmm?"

Strangely, this time no lip-kissing was requested.

No sooner had the surprise faded than he saw Zeng Li suddenly undo her shirt buttons.

She pulled her shirt apart, revealing a burst of soft, snowy skin, her tenderly pink tips exuding a subtle fragrance, echoing the unrivaled youthful charm of a young girl.

At that moment, Song Guanchao was utterly dumbfounded.

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