Song Guanchao stared into her eyes, looking again and again, while Jiang Yiren didn't blink, meeting his gaze.

In the end, Song Guanchao looked away, admitting defeat.

This girl seemed to be telling the truth.

But Song Guanchao preconceived that it was a deliberate arrangement by Qu Xiangru, even though her expression showed no flaw, Song Guanchao still harbored doubts.

Deep down, however, he actually believed it.

He considered himself a good judge of character, and Jiang Yiren was not someone with ulterior motives.

Even if she had ulterior motives, it wouldn't be to the extent that he couldn't tell whether she was lying or telling the truth.

He recalled chatting with Wu Qiangwei about Jiang Yiren and what she said.

At that time, she said Jiang Yiren might not necessarily be arranged by Qu Xiangru.

But back then, Song Guanchao had preconceived notions, and Jiang Yiren's timing of arrival was also off, leading him to subjectively believe she was a spy planted by Qu Xiangru in the City Committee.

As it turned out...

Wu Qiangwei was right.

He misunderstood.

Thinking about how he had intentionally targeted Jiang Yiren during this period, Song Guanchao felt he might indeed have gone a bit too far.

But something was still off.

If these two were cousins, how could Wu Qiangwei have said, "let Jiang Yiren serve you"?

The relationship between cousins is inherently close, and Wu Qiangwei had also mentioned that Jiang Yiren's background wasn't small.

In their father's generation, the sisters' familial status should not have been too far apart.

Yet Wu Qiangwei treated Jiang Yiren as a bargaining chip.

It was too bizarre.

"Came for me?"

Song Guanchao laughed and said, "What, love at first sight with me?"

Jiang Yiren scoffed, "Narcissist!"

She untied the towel, her hair fell loose like scattered flowers.

A layer of radiance gleamed on her under the light, and as the robe followed her stretching movements, her body was faintly visible.

The old poem suddenly took a literal form in Song Guanchao's mind at that moment.

Jiang Yiren said, "I admit I have a good impression of you, but that's because of the talent, ability, and tricks you displayed, which created that image."

"If I knew you were actually a petty and childish man, I wouldn't have come to Lingjiang at all."

Song Guanchao chuckled, "So, you came to Lingjiang, planning to pursue me originally?"

"Pursue you? Dream on."

Jiang Yiren disdained, "I said it before, I don't deny that I used to have a good impression of you. It's human nature to appreciate beauty, men like beautiful women, and women will also appreciate excellent men. I came to Lingjiang purely to learn from outstanding people."

"Of course, if you happen to be my type and your personality doesn't repel me, I wouldn't mind pursuing you."

When talking about emotions, the standards for choosing a partner, and even when Song Guanchao actively asked her if she liked him, Jiang Yiren didn't stutter shyly like an ordinary girl.

She was honest, open, and didn't mind discussing something that typically remains vague.

Song Guanchao found this girl quite interesting.

"Let's not talk about this."

"Let's discuss the main thing."

Song Guanchao said, "Continue with the Creative City initiative."

"Tomorrow... tomorrow's the weekend, so Monday, come to the City Committee, and I'll accompany you to visit each bureau, teaching you how to navigate the bureaucratic path."

Jiang Yiren suspiciously said, "Are you trying to mess with me again?"

Song Guanchao sighed, "Don't always look like you have paranoia. If I really wanted to mess with you, I wouldn't have come over tonight."

"Besides, that Huang Tingting, you better be cautious."

"What's up with her?"

"She's very calculating."

"Really?"

"Can't you feel it?"

Jiang Yiren shook her head.

She thought Huang Tingting was quite good. In the Creative City project, even though a dozen people were transferred from various streets, everyone else was just going through the motions.

Only Huang Tingting was working diligently.

Song Guanchao asked, "Whose idea was today's dinner?"

"Huang Tingting's."

"Who suggested offering a bribe?"

"Her too." Jiang Yiren immediately replied, "But I told her no."

"Yes, you did say it, but was it effective?"

"Didn't you see the envelope in her hand?"

"While you were being poured drinks, she went to the bank and got money."

"She planned to solidify this bribe."

Jiang Yiren remained silent.

She had seen the envelope, but her mind was unclear, and she hadn't thought about what was inside.

Thinking now, what else could it be besides money?

It couldn't be a love letter, could it?

Jiang Yiren said, "Being smooth isn't necessarily a bad thing. At least in the system, you won't be bullied, and she was also trying to get this thing done."

Song Guanchao said, "I didn't say what she did was wrong."

"Her problem is not those little machinations, but that she doesn't listen. The issue is you can't control her."

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you explicitly tell her not to bribe?"

"Yes."

"How did she act?" Song Guanchao said, "She turned a deaf ear to your words and didn't pay attention. She took it upon herself to get the money."

"I ask you, if she had handed over the money to Director Feng, what would you have done?"

"Would you have taken it back in front of Director Feng? Or just pretended nothing happened?"

Jiang Yiren furrowed her brows, deep in thought, without speaking.

She hadn't considered it.

After all, it didn't happen.

The event didn't occur, but Huang Tingting's actions sure did.

As Song Guanchao said, having a mind for schemes is one thing, but you can't be disobedient.

She's the team leader, and when she says no, it's no.

Subordinates not listening to the leader typically don't affect much, but when issues arise, problems become evident.

"I'll talk to her."

"Talk?"

Song Guanchao smiled and said, "Do you want my advice?"

"Go on."

"My advice is to kick her out of the team."

Jiang Yiren hesitated, "Just because of this matter?"

Song Guanchao's expression turned slightly stern, "Director Jiang, in the system, you must remember, subordinates can be incompetent or have their ideas, but they absolutely can't act on their own!"

"Some things are untouchable bottom lines."

"Once crossed, they must be removed!"

"In the future, you will definitely become a leader, and you'll need to manage departments and people."

"A fundamental quality of a leader is not to act on emotions and to decide decisively."

"Determine where your bottom line is, and be clear about which mistakes can be tolerated and which cannot."

"Once a mistake is made, there will be no second chance, and they must be kicked out immediately."

"Of course, this is just my advice. Whether or how you do it, it's up to you."

"Just don't let it affect the progress of the Creative City initiative."

He supported himself on his knees as he stood up, saying, "Get some rest early."

As he walked past her, Song Guanchao took advantage of his elevated position to unceremoniously admire the view of two hemispheres.

Just consider it interest for imparting his experience.

...

In the restaurant's private room.

Director Feng grinned obsequiously and said, "Miss Zhu, I've done as you requested."

"Thank you, Director Feng." Zhu Qiushui smiled slightly, glancing at her watch, and said, "In a while, Jiang Yiren might trouble you with some matters, so I still have to rely on Director Feng then."

"No trouble at all."

Seeing Zhu Qiushui off, Director Feng's smile faded, and he muttered under his breath, "Bitch."

This woman was a broker, helping many businesses connect and find him to smooth things over.

The businesses bribed him and provided special services to her; it was an unspoken understanding.

But who would've thought this woman had recorded all these dirty dealings.

Despite his anger, he was puzzled about why Zhu Qiushui suddenly focused on Jiang Yiren.

To meet Jiang Yiren, she even made him, a director, play the role of an old lecher!

I didn't work my way up to become the head of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau just to do this kind of thing for you!

Dammit!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.