Everyone was present, and the dishes were served.

Jiang Yiren carried a jug of wine, offering toasts to each person, ensuring every angle was covered.

She was a stunning beauty, personally toasting them, and being this close made the group of men infatuated.

During the banquet, everyone engaged in lively discussions.

The people under Secretary Sun, noticing his frequent glances at Jiang Yiren, deliberately steered the conversation toward the old city redevelopment project that Secretary Sun was currently overseeing.

They praised him as unmatched, both heaven and earth, virtually the best in the world, allowing him to steal the spotlight in front of Jiang Yiren.

Jiang Yiren responded with a smile, occasionally appearing surprised, fully expressing her emotions.

However, after cooperating in the act, she continuously sought topics to chat about with Song Guanchao and proactively offered him toasts.

She initiated toasts more than ten times.

This left Secretary Sun somewhat displeased.

Slurp!

He drank the wine in his glass and suddenly said, "Director Jiang, since you just joined the City Committee, do you have any arrangements for work?"

Jiang Yiren replied, "I don't have many arrangements for now."

Secretary Sun said flatly, "If you're free, just follow me."

As soon as he finished speaking, his subordinates chimed in, "Secretary Sun is really taking care of Director Jiang."

"Director Jiang, shouldn't you thank Secretary Sun?"

"Secretary Sun is now the chief in charge of the old city redevelopment. By following him, you can learn a lot! Your future resume will look much better, greatly helping your future promotions!"

Secretary Sun maintained a faint smile on his face, acting as if it was just a casual offer of help.

Song Guanchao's mouth twitched slightly as he watched.

This guy is really good at pretending.

Jiang Yiren smiled and said, "Thank you, Secretary Sun, but there's no need. I just arrived and am not yet familiar with the work."

Secretary Sun's smile froze, thinking does this girl not understand the value of my words?

However, there's no hurry; she will understand in the future.

He said lightly, "You can come to me if you need anything in the future."

Jiang Yiren responded with a hum, not refusing him this time.

Afterward, she continued to chat with Song Guanchao and offered him a drink.

Song Guanchao shook his head and said, "No more drinking, I have to work tomorrow."

"Oh, alright." Jiang Yiren felt a little disappointed.

She couldn't tell if it was her imagination, but she always felt like Song Guanchao seemed to have a hint of hostility toward her.

Seeing this, Secretary Sun felt discontent inside.

He picked up his wine glass and said, "Secretary Song, have a drink."

"No more," Song Guanchao said, lifting his teacup, "Let's drink tea."

Secretary Sun's face stiffened, "We're all men here, why are we drinking tea?"

Song Guanchao smiled and said, "You drink wine, I'll drink tea."

"..." Secretary Sun's face twitched, unsure whether to drink the wine in his hand or not.

He was somewhat angry, feeling that Song Guanchao was too unappreciative.

In the past, he would not offer this glass of wine.

Because he knew, Song Guanchao wouldn't drink.

But today was different from before.

Today, he was the chief in charge of the old city redevelopment project.

In the city, and even in the province, countless real estate companies contacted him, hoping to get a piece of the pie.

The relatives of departmental leaders, second-generation government officials, also wanted to participate.

He might not be able to decide who gets a project, but he can decide who doesn't.

Currently, he was riding the wave of success, at the peak of his power!

In contrast, Song Guanchao's high-speed rail project was in a predicament, struggling over relocation funds, his future dim and bleak.

In such a situation, he thought Song Guanchao would try to curry favor with him.

However, he still didn't give him any respect.

"Hmph!"

Secretary Sun snorted coldly, placing his wine glass down, sarcastically saying, "Secretary Song, I heard you can't even come up with the relocation funds now, is that true?"

Not many people knew about this matter.

At this table, only he and Song Guanchao knew.

When he said this, including Xu Xin and Liu Jie, they were somewhat shocked.

Faced with his blatant mockery, Song Guanchao's expression remained unchanged as he sipped some tea, "Mind your own business. Don't ask what you shouldn't."

Secretary Sun's brow twitched, almost cursing aloud.

What the hell is going on, thinking I don't know?

Why are you pretending to be so clueless here?

"Haha, I spoke out of turn."

Secretary Sun gave a fake smile, "But, as a colleague, I have to remind you."

"Today is the 19th, and the 27th is the day to distribute the relocation funds. You don't have much time."

"By then, if hundreds or thousands of relocatees come to the City Committee to block the entrance, well, that would be quite a scene."

He glanced at Jiang Yiren, whose little face was full of surprise, cryptically reminding her, "Director Jiang, you're new to the City Committee. If you're uncertain about something work-related, don't rush to make decisions. Otherwise, acting as someone else's pawn might lead to deep regrets."

The implication was to caution her to keep a distance from Song Guanchao, not to take sides incorrectly and avoid any implications.

"It's getting late, let's wrap up."

Uncovering Song Guanchao's predicament in front of everyone, Secretary Sun felt extremely pleased.

He pulled out his chair, gave a mocking smile, and left surrounded by the crowd.

Liu Jie whispered, "Secretary Song, is there really an issue with the project?"

Song Guanchao glanced at Jiang Yiren, Liu Jie immediately fell silent, realizing there was an outsider present.

Jiang Yiren naturally understood the meaning behind this look of his and felt a bit choked inside.

She was making efforts to integrate into Song Guanchao's circle, yet Song Guanchao kept his guard against her.

However, she also understood that since she had just arrived today, it was impossible to integrate immediately.

If Song Guanchao were that naive, he wouldn't have been Secretary Wu's aide for so long.

After leaving the hotel and once Jiang Yiren had departed, Song Guanchao said, "The project's fine, don't worry needlessly. Just focus on your own work and don't let this affect you."

Judging by his calm tone that didn't seem feigned, along with what they knew of him, Liu Jie speculated that while the financial shortfall was real, Song Guanchao's ability to resolve it was also true.

After Liu Jie left, only Xu Xin and him remained.

The designated driver brought the car over, and Song Guanchao opened the car door, Xu Xin naturally got into the back seat.

The car stopped downstairs, Xu Xin glanced over, hesitant to speak.

"I'll walk you up."

After escorting her to the door and just as Song Guanchao was about to leave, Xu Xin said, "Song... Guanchao."

"Wait a moment."

She quickly went inside and soon came out, pressing something into his hand.

Looking at the bank card in his hand, Song Guanchao was puzzled.

Xu Xin said, "There's 500,000 here, take it to tide things over for now."

Song Guanchao was taken aback, wanting to laugh but unable to.

The relocation funds were measured in billions, 500,000 was insignificant.

Yet Xu Xin's concern far exceeded the value of the money.

She might not know how large the funding gap was; she only wanted to do her part to ease his burden.

"The funds are already secured."

Song Guanchao returned the bank card: "If I can't even solve such a small issue, what do I have to survive in the City Committee?"

"Oh."

Xu Xin clutched her small hands, looking down at the tips of her shoes, wanting to ask him to stay but not finding the right words.

Song Guanchao suddenly took out his phone and called the designated driver: "Leave the car downstairs and just leave the keys inside."

Hearing this, Xu Xin looked up in surprise, meeting the deep smile in Song Guanchao's eyes.

He embraced Xu Xin, and they kissed as they went inside.

Piece by piece, their clothes fell away, revealing her flawlessly exquisite figure.

Whether it was vulgar or elegant, Song Guanchao could no longer distinguish.

He only knew the moon was perfectly round outside, and the beauty in his arms felt like molten silk; leaving now would truly miss the essence of it all.

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