Tuesday.

Song Guanchao sits upright at the desk.

Today is the day when Magic City Railway Bureau is supposed to reply.

He waited from morning till afternoon.

From afternoon until the workday ends.

Made several phone calls during this time, but still didn't receive a reply from Magic City Railway Bureau.

He took out last week's receipt from He Songming.

It is indeed three working days.

Today is the third working day.

But why no reply?

Song Guanchao felt his heart sink.

That day, Liu Wanli was very clear.

All he needed to do was apply according to procedure.

The funds from the National Railway Bureau would naturally be disbursed.

His tone was calm yet full of conviction.

This indicated that such matters were trivial to him.

But now, the money hasn't come through.

Where did it go wrong?

Song Guanchao sat at his desk, frowning in thought, but he couldn't figure it out.

Today is the 20th.

In another week, it will be time to disburse the relocation fees.

The National Railway Bureau now suddenly has a hiccup.

Song Guanchao's face looked very grim.

The key is, he shouldn't call Liu Wanli again.

Because he knows if the money isn't disbursed, it's probably because Liu Wanli's influence wasn't substantial enough.

Even calling again would only put Liu Wanli in a difficult position.

"Hoo~"

Song Guanchao exhaled, comforting himself that although the money hasn't arrived yet, fortunately, there's still time.

He could still borrow money from elsewhere.

He grabbed his phone and went downstairs.

As he walked to the parking lot and pulled out his car keys, a voice reached his ears, "Secretary Song."

Jiang Yiren stood elegantly not far away, next to a Mercedes coupe.

Song Guanchao glanced at her, then at the car.

This girl, so flashy?

This car must be worth hundreds of thousands.

Just drives it to work like this?

Not afraid of gossip?

"Director Jiang hasn't left yet?"

"Secretary Song, do you have time tonight? I'd like to invite you for dinner."

"Quite busy, maybe next time."

Jiang Yiren suddenly walked up to him, and Song Guanchao frowned; this woman was too close, beyond a safe distance between strangers.

She wore three-centimeter leather shoes, and stood half a head shorter than Song Guanchao.

No need to look up, just slightly tilting her chin met his gaze.

"Don't know if it's my imagination, but I feel as though Secretary Song doesn't like me."

"Director Jiang is really joking, we've only known each other for days, what's there to like or dislike."

"I'm talking about colleagues' relationship, Secretary Song knows what I mean, no need to deliberately change the subject."

Jiang Yiren earnestly said, "I don't know what I've done wrong, and if I've offended Secretary Song because of it, I hope you can tell me directly and I can correct it."

"I hope we can be honest with each other going forward, which benefits both our work, instead of being coldly treated."

"Director Jiang is overthinking."

Song Guanchao stepped back.

"Is it?"

Jiang Yiren said indifferently, "I heard that Secretary Song is in charge of the high-speed rail project, if the project team lacks people, I can help."

"Hmm?" Song Guanchao doubted, almost thinking he heard wrong.

She belongs to Qu Xiangru.

Director Bao from the Finance Bureau's retirement was Qu Xiangru's doing.

Which means, Qu Xiangru is aware the Finance Bureau lacks money.

In such a situation, normal people would avoid getting involved, yet Jiang Yiren took the initiative.

This is definitely not Jiang Yiren's decision alone, surely Qu Xiangru is directing her behind the scenes.

What is Qu Xiangru planning?

Doesn't she know that if the relocation funds aren't distributed by the 27th, all members of the project team will be punished?

Joining the project team at this time is like entering the national army in 1949.

Could it be that Qu Xiangru assumes I will handle the relocation funds?

That's unlikely.

The visit to Liu Wanli was known only to Zhou Qian, even Wu Qiangwei wasn't informed.

Moreover, the National Railway Bureau hasn't replied yet.

Knowing joining might lead to consequences, yet still made this offer.

Could it be trying to earn my trust through shared hardship?

There seems to be a possibility indeed.

If the relocation funds couldn't be distributed, both he and Wu Qiangwei would face the harshest penalties.

Others would be affected, but not as much.

If Jiang Yiren chooses to join now, within a week at most, the worst it could be is a warning.

With Qu Xiangru's status, such a warning practically has no impact.

Exchanging a warning for my trust, infiltrating Wu Qiangwei's camp, indeed would be worthwhile.

"No need."

Song Guanchao smiled, "The project team already has plenty of people, no vacant positions."

Jiang Yiren could sense his attitude of keeping her at a distance, which further confirmed that Secretary Song indeed held some resentment towards her.

Though unaware of where this resentment stemmed from.

Separated, Jiang Yiren sat in the car.

The phone rang, it was Qu Xiangru calling.

"Yiren, are you acclimatizing to the City Committee's work?"

"Pretty good." Jiang Yiren squeezed out a smile, feigning relaxation, then said, "Secretary Song seems to have some opinions on me."

"Which Secretary Song?"

"Song Guanchao, of course."

"Song Guanchao? No impression."

Qu Xiangru laughed softly.

Jiang Yiren said, "Following your suggestion, I tried to join the high-speed rail project team today, to integrate into the small circle of the City Committee, but Secretary Song turned me down."

"Is this project team led by this Secretary Song?"

"Yes." Jiang Yiren suddenly said, "By the way, Xiangru... Governor Qu, I heard that the high-speed rail project team seems to be facing some issues."

"What kind of issues?"

"Seems like there's no money, reportedly even the relocation fees can't be distributed."

"Oh? There's such a thing? Couldn't be rumors?"

"Secretary Lu's assistant said it, doesn't seem like rumors."

"Such a big project, city leaders wouldn't allow mistakes, surely it's just rumors."

"Mm, I think so too."

The two chatted for a while, and under Qu Xiangru's guidance, Jiang Yiren's suppressed mood improved considerably.

...

At 8 p.m.

Yunhai Club, a dimly lit private room.

Two men are bare-bodied, lying on massage beds.

Two scantily clad, voluptuous young women are kneading their shoulders and backs.

The man on the left, with silver hair and an aged appearance, if Song Guanchao were here, he would recognize him as the former mayor, He Sen.

The man on the right is in his prime, with a smiling Buddha tattooed on his back.

The middle-aged man spoke lazily, "I heard Mayor Zheng blocked the high-speed rail budget?"

He Sen grunted.

The middle-aged man said, "In a week, it's time to pay the relocation fees. Without this money, Secretary Wu's position is in jeopardy."

He Sen chuckled, "Chairman Huo is well informed."

Chairman Huo said, "This opportunity is rare, should I offer help in times of need?"

He Sen didn't speak, indicated the girl to stop.

He sat up from the massage bed, flipped over and lay down again, already full of vigor down there.

The voluptuous young woman lifted her high-slit cheongsam, crawled between He Sen's legs, sensibly lowered her head, opened her red lips to take it, lightly sucking and spitting.

He Sen breathed comfortably, "Secretary Wu is too young, has principles. She won't open conveniences for you because of your help."

Chairman Huo asked further, "What about her secretary?"

He Sen suddenly snorted, pressed the girl's head down, ignoring her whimpers and resistance, forcing her to take in all.

After a few seconds, released his hand, "That kid, better not think about wooing him, he has more principles than Secretary Wu."

Chairman Huo laughed, "So Mayor Zheng helped us a great deal this time?"

He Sen said, "Not much of a deal, a group of relocation residents causing a fuss wouldn't shake Secretary Wu's foundation. But at least it'll calm them for a while."

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